octobot's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Can’t rate this trilogy high enough. I recommend it to everyone and have read it so many times that the covers have fallen off my copies.
lyndiane's review
4.0
After enjoying The Silent Tower, I went straight into reading the sequel. I really, really neede to know if Antryg Windrose was, well, okay.
Once again, I was treated to an exciting read, with betrayal, political shenanigns and a truly dreadful bad guy. It's important for readers to remember that the first two books in this series were written thirty years ago, and technology has evolved in leaps and bounds since then, so some allowance should be made for these differences.
Once again, I was treated to an exciting read, with betrayal, political shenanigns and a truly dreadful bad guy. It's important for readers to remember that the first two books in this series were written thirty years ago, and technology has evolved in leaps and bounds since then, so some allowance should be made for these differences.
heyt's review
3.0
While the first one had more of an open ending and not a super cliff hanger ending I still wanted to see where Joanna would go now that she had learned more about herself. I enjoyed this for the most part but it didn't quite have the same magic as the first because there was less mystery about the world and the players within it. My problems with the first were still present but I feel like the ending was a good one. IDEK what the next one will be and I don't have the same sense of urgency to hunt it down.
tarabyt3's review
3.0
A dissapointing continuation of a promising series. Still, I enjoyed the characters which was just enough to get me through a long boring slog in the middle and out the other side to a fairly enjoyable epilogue. Will read the next in series to see if I'll be continuing past that.
aprillen's review
5.0
Copied from my review of book 1:
I've tried reading other books by Barbara Hambly, but none have ever made the same impression on me as the books about Antryg Windrose and Joanna Sheraton. I first borrowed book 1 from an acquaintance years ago, and could hardly eat or sleep, and when I had finished it and didn't have immediate access to book 2 I thought I would perish. The worldbuilding isn't spectacular, it's pretty run-of-the-mill; but the plot and especially the characters stand out. Antryg and Joanna both really resonate with me, and their love feels real, which is not always the case for me with literary romances. Re-reading the books, even so many years later (fifteen? Twenty? I can't remember), they naturally didn't have quite the same impact as the first time around, but they were still joyful page-turners, just the kind you should hate but can't: Can't stop reading, while knowing that the more you read, the faster you approach the end. This book precipitated my first ever fanfiction, long before I know such a thing even existed (this was way before online fandom became a Thing, at least in any context that I knew existed). Thankfully, it is now long lost. :)
I've tried reading other books by Barbara Hambly, but none have ever made the same impression on me as the books about Antryg Windrose and Joanna Sheraton. I first borrowed book 1 from an acquaintance years ago, and could hardly eat or sleep, and when I had finished it and didn't have immediate access to book 2 I thought I would perish. The worldbuilding isn't spectacular, it's pretty run-of-the-mill; but the plot and especially the characters stand out. Antryg and Joanna both really resonate with me, and their love feels real, which is not always the case for me with literary romances. Re-reading the books, even so many years later (fifteen? Twenty? I can't remember), they naturally didn't have quite the same impact as the first time around, but they were still joyful page-turners, just the kind you should hate but can't: Can't stop reading, while knowing that the more you read, the faster you approach the end. This book precipitated my first ever fanfiction, long before I know such a thing even existed (this was way before online fandom became a Thing, at least in any context that I knew existed). Thankfully, it is now long lost. :)
wealhtheow's review
3.0
he second part in a trilogy. I don’t know why it’s only the second part—everything seemed wrapped up at the end to me. The most enjoyable part of these books is the characters, who are not only believable but *likeable*. It's a rare book when I can read the climactic battle with the Big Bad Evil and not scoff, but this is a good example of what to do *right*.
schneefink's review
4.0
3.5 The plot of this one was a bit meandering in the middle, but I really liked the character stuff, Joanna and Antryg (I still don't understand why people call him insane btw) and Caris and Pella.
lauraellis's review
5.0
The excellent sequel to The Silent Tower--I charged through this book and enjoyed it even more, I think, because the lovers (the mad wizard and the computer programmer) were clearly identified as the good guys, so I didn't have to worry about that. I loved the book--this is the second great series by this author.
julieputty's review
3.0
Okay, if I read about Antryg's mad, daft eyes one more time, I'm going to bite someone. Everyone in this book can have an entire conversation with their mad, daft, lying, gentle, spark-filled eyes. Grr.
jameseckman's review
3.0
While listed as a three book series, it's more like a duology with a bonus book, you still should read them in order. Joanna and Antryg put paid to the Dark Mage while interacting with a collection of complex and conflicted characters. Somewhat more traditional fantasy with the insertion of more modern women characters. A fun read, I'm glad I've held on to it.
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