Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Kira Solomon starts the story as a troubled teen. She is manifesting forces that she finds inexplicable, torn from her adopted home she ends up in an island castle. She finds acceptance of her gifts and finds her thrust into the role of a chaser of nightmares.

Kira is believable as a butt thumping action heroine who doesn’t put a great deal of stock in her heroic persona. If you have read any of my reviews, you know I do favor the strong female protagonist. I liked Kira and the story line. This has serious fantasy components intermingled with urban life. I’m looking forward to seeing more work from Seressia Glass.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Seressia Glass

Web Site:

Natural OrderMage by L.E. Modesitt, jr

Hammor which has been “an evil empire” in previous books is explored in this book. Evil often is in the eye of the beholder. The protagonist is again an unlikely soul who is confused about his identify. Modesitt does this well, sets up a character to grow through out the book. The lines between good and evil are explored with the defining done more by action than word. Magic takes a back seat to character development and introspection by the protagonist. There is action and I think a bit more action would have helped the book. I am not sure you would enjoy the book if you aren’t a fan of Modesitt already. I am, so I did enjoy the book and wait not so patiently for the next volume.

Body of work of L.E. Modesitt

Review of the book: http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/recluce/recluce/natural.html

Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/

Ordermaster by L.E. Modesitt, jr

Modesitt does a lot of thought provoking as he entertains. His whole “Order/Chaos Saga of Recluce” series makes you think. This particular story is about a common man who discovers he is uncommonly gifted. The transition from someone who society works it’s way on to someone who changes society is edifying. Lots of action intermixed with a modicum of pondering. You find yourself pondering your own society as the protagonist ponders his. Magic (order/chaos) abounds through the book. The book can be read as a stand alone book but I would highly recommend reading the entire series. BTW, I seldom read any book twice, I just reread this one.

Body of work of L.E. Modesitt

Review of the book: http://us.macmillan.com/ordermaster

Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/