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A review by odomaf
Ritual Magic by Eileen Wilks
2.0
Once the full plot is visible to the reader in this book, it's quite brilliant. Wilks has created a simple and straightforward plot that results in a spiderweb of complicated issues for the characters. Sadly, the book is really slow in getting there.
WHAT I LIKED
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* Wilks continues to do an excellent job with Lily and Rule's relationship. Carrying a fulfilling and rich love-relationship over several novels is challenging, and in my opinion, Wilks nails it.
* The mate bond and the mantles -- these lupus elements continue to be intriguing, and they grow more so in this book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
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* Characters have all the plot clues dropped in their lap, and they spend more than half the book knowing absolutely nothing about what's happening. Weirdly, it's like the first half of the book wasn't completely necessary, and Wilks could have just started in the middle. OR she could have allowed the main characters to figure more things out along the way in tantalizing dribs and drabs.
* Because the characters only learn what's going on by waiting for others to tell them, the plot ultimately unfolds in a series of lectures about magic, spiritual magic, artifacts, elves, and gods. This keeps the plot slow-moving and makes things a little dull -- unless you enjoy reading encyclopedias.
If you liked the previous books, you *may* enjoy this one, simply because there's some longer term character development for folks you probably like. And Lily/Rule's relationship continues to be done well. But, you may also find this one flips between "wow, cool" and "meh". Definitely, for me, this is the most lackluster of all the books in the series so far.
WHAT I LIKED
-----
* Wilks continues to do an excellent job with Lily and Rule's relationship. Carrying a fulfilling and rich love-relationship over several novels is challenging, and in my opinion, Wilks nails it.
* The mate bond and the mantles -- these lupus elements continue to be intriguing, and they grow more so in this book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
-----
* Characters have all the plot clues dropped in their lap, and they spend more than half the book knowing absolutely nothing about what's happening. Weirdly, it's like the first half of the book wasn't completely necessary, and Wilks could have just started in the middle. OR she could have allowed the main characters to figure more things out along the way in tantalizing dribs and drabs.
* Because the characters only learn what's going on by waiting for others to tell them, the plot ultimately unfolds in a series of lectures about magic, spiritual magic, artifacts, elves, and gods. This keeps the plot slow-moving and makes things a little dull -- unless you enjoy reading encyclopedias.
If you liked the previous books, you *may* enjoy this one, simply because there's some longer term character development for folks you probably like. And Lily/Rule's relationship continues to be done well. But, you may also find this one flips between "wow, cool" and "meh". Definitely, for me, this is the most lackluster of all the books in the series so far.