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Tide Lords #2
The Gods of Amyrantha
The Tide Lords are returning and that means every man, woman and child is in danger...
Arkady is exiled to the repressive Torlenian capital, where she makes some unexpected friends and some powerful enemies, all of whom seem bent on usingher to wreak vengeance on each other.
Things are not going smoothly for Declan Hawkes, the King's Spymaster, either, and not just because the Empress of the Five Realms has turned up in Caelum with her family. Jaxyn Aranville is determined to quash any opposition to his plans for the Glaeban throne and Arkady's husband, the Duke of Lebec, is on his way.
And in the stark deserts of Torlenia, a meeting between two powerful Tide Lords could put to rest eight thousand years of enmity...or not...
Arkady is exiled to the repressive Torlenian capital, where she makes some unexpected friends and some powerful enemies, all of whom seem bent on usingher to wreak vengeance on each other.
Things are not going smoothly for Declan Hawkes, the King's Spymaster, either, and not just because the Empress of the Five Realms has turned up in Caelum with her family. Jaxyn Aranville is determined to quash any opposition to his plans for the Glaeban throne and Arkady's husband, the Duke of Lebec, is on his way.
And in the stark deserts of Torlenia, a meeting between two powerful Tide Lords could put to rest eight thousand years of enmity...or not...
578 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
31 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Fallon
64 books1,121 followersFallon is the author of 17 full-length bestselling novels and a number of published short stories in genres ranging from horror to science fiction.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 11, 2024
Actual rating: 4.758964 stars.
➽ And the moral of this reread is: the characters in this series make me feel like...
And it's the most wonderful feeling ever 🤗🤗.
👋 Until next time.
· Book 1: The Immortal Prince ★★★★
· Book 3: The Palace of Impossible Dreams ★★★★★
· Book 4: The Chaos Crystal ★★
[May 2018]
🗡Immortal Bastards R Us Buddy Read (IBRUBR™) with my fellow BB&B Falloniacs Choko, Elena, Emily and Robin🗡
Ah, my dearest dearest Jennifer Fallon! You really have a thing for creating delightfully despicable characters one loves to hate. Or is it characters one hates to love? I forget. No matter, the important thing is that we have a most wonderfully selfish, amoral, self-serving, egomaniacal, cruel, cool-blooded, Machiavellian,somewhat unhinged bunch of immortals at hand here. Which I find quite glorious, obviously. Not to mention sublimely rejuvenating. Bless your little heart for renewing my lack of faith in humanity, Jennifer Fallon! I shall forever be full of shrimpy grate and stuff! Okay, so is it true that, from a technical point of view, the lovely members of the Slightly Deranged Immortal Bunch (SDIB™) aren’t exactly part of humanity and stuff, since they’re no longer, um, you know, human and stuff, because now they’re, um, you know, immortal and stuff. Anyway, they’re all vicious, cunning assholes and devious, evil bitches, and that’s what counts, right? Right.
My thoughts exactly.
So what is the SDIB™ up to in this instalment, you ask? Why nefarious plotting and outrageously vile shenanigans, of course. I mean, it’s part of their job description and stuff. You gotta give it to them, these guys know how to have fun. You’d think they’d run out of ferociously contemptible, noxious ideas after being alive for thousands of years, but our immortal buddies here? Bloody shrimp, do they know how to keep immorality and malevolence fresh at all times! Poor puny humans, they really don’t stand a chance here. They do try, though. And some of them are actually pretty gifted in the ruthlessly cunning, mercilessly foxy department. Like my Spymaster boyfriend Declan, for example. Now here’s a guy who knows how to be delectably duplicitous when the situation calls for it. Andboy shrimp, does the situation call for it often! Between the Unrelenting Immortal Antics (UIA™) and the Oh Look We Can Be as Self-Serving and Treacherous and Generally Assholish as our Undying Nemeses Human Tomfoolery (OLWCBaSSaTaGAaoUNHT™), my boyfriend really has his implacably shrewd and shrewdly implacable job cut out for him and stuff.
Talk for your little self, Darthie. My Declan doesn’t have your extensive and intensive practice. He’s working on it, though.
UnFortunately, the characters in this series aren’t ALL scrumptious, death-defying degenerate guys and gals, and exquisitely loathsome mortals. There are also Popsicle Dudes (PD™) and deliriously grumpy, harem-worthy grandmammas. And also Occasionally Intermittent Airheads (OIA™) who will hopefully regain some degree of acumen in the next installment (keeping my pincers crossed and stuff). But the most luscious non-immortal, non-mortal characters of them all are without a doubt the Crasii, aka the Animal Human Hybrid Gang (AHHG™). Canines, felines, amphibians, I want to adopt them all! Okay, so I might maybe perhaps want to adopt a certain chameleon Crasii a little more than the rest of her colleagues. Because she’s a, um, you know, chameleon. And also because she’s a, um, you know, spy. And also also because she has, um, you know, slightly super hot silver scales and stuff. And also also also because I want to have her, um, you know, reptilian babies and stuff.
Mini-reptilian-mes! How adorable! Now I’ll just have to get them some of those full-face snorkeling masks so they can move into my subaquatic nursery, and my new bride Tiji and I can live nefariously ever after and stuff!
Sorry, what? I haven’t told you a word about the story yet? And? This is not The Tide Lords Cliffs Notes, you know. You’re supposed to actually read the book and find out what the fish happens in it for your little selves and stuff. Okay, since I’m almost in a relatively good mood today, I’ll tell you this: there’s roguery and mischief and devilry and stuff. And also machinations and ploys and skulduggery and stuff. And betrayal and backstabbing and double-crossing and stuff. And revelations and surprises and oh-my-bloody-fishing-twist and stuff. The end. Quite welcome you are.
➽ And the moral of this Rarely Have I Wanted to See So Many Characters Die a Horribly Painful and if Possible Reasonably Excruciating Death Yay Crappy Non-Review (RHIWtSSMCDaHPaiPREDYCNR™) is: some people seem to think this installment suffers from Bridge Book Syndrome (BBS™). Some people obviously read this installment very wrong.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Liars and schemers and treacherous scumbags, oh my! What a beautiful array of immortal, homicidal psychopaths we have here. It's quite delicious, really.
Such a lovely world this is. Full of love, compassion, benevolence, and sympathy. Sigh. So beautiful. Makes my black, withered heart shudder with glee and stuff.
➽ Full I Want to Be A Chameleon Crasii When I Grow Up Crappy Non-Review (IWtBaCCWiGUCNR™) to come.
➽ And the moral of this reread is: the characters in this series make me feel like...
And it's the most wonderful feeling ever 🤗🤗.
👋 Until next time.
· Book 1: The Immortal Prince ★★★★
· Book 3: The Palace of Impossible Dreams ★★★★★
· Book 4: The Chaos Crystal ★★
[May 2018]
🗡Immortal Bastards R Us Buddy Read (IBRUBR™) with my fellow BB&B Falloniacs Choko, Elena, Emily and Robin🗡
Ah, my dearest dearest Jennifer Fallon! You really have a thing for creating delightfully despicable characters one loves to hate. Or is it characters one hates to love? I forget. No matter, the important thing is that we have a most wonderfully selfish, amoral, self-serving, egomaniacal, cruel, cool-blooded, Machiavellian,
My thoughts exactly.
So what is the SDIB™ up to in this instalment, you ask? Why nefarious plotting and outrageously vile shenanigans, of course. I mean, it’s part of their job description and stuff. You gotta give it to them, these guys know how to have fun. You’d think they’d run out of ferociously contemptible, noxious ideas after being alive for thousands of years, but our immortal buddies here? Bloody shrimp, do they know how to keep immorality and malevolence fresh at all times! Poor puny humans, they really don’t stand a chance here. They do try, though. And some of them are actually pretty gifted in the ruthlessly cunning, mercilessly foxy department. Like my Spymaster boyfriend Declan, for example. Now here’s a guy who knows how to be delectably duplicitous when the situation calls for it. And
Talk for your little self, Darthie. My Declan doesn’t have your extensive and intensive practice. He’s working on it, though.
Mini-reptilian-mes! How adorable! Now I’ll just have to get them some of those full-face snorkeling masks so they can move into my subaquatic nursery, and my new bride Tiji and I can live nefariously ever after and stuff!
Sorry, what? I haven’t told you a word about the story yet? And? This is not The Tide Lords Cliffs Notes, you know. You’re supposed to actually read the book and find out what the fish happens in it for your little selves and stuff. Okay, since I’m almost in a relatively good mood today, I’ll tell you this: there’s roguery and mischief and devilry and stuff. And also machinations and ploys and skulduggery and stuff. And betrayal and backstabbing and double-crossing and stuff. And revelations and surprises and oh-my-bloody-fishing-twist and stuff. The end. Quite welcome you are.
➽ And the moral of this Rarely Have I Wanted to See So Many Characters Die a Horribly Painful and if Possible Reasonably Excruciating Death Yay Crappy Non-Review (RHIWtSSMCDaHPaiPREDYCNR™) is: some people seem to think this installment suffers from Bridge Book Syndrome (BBS™). Some people obviously read this installment very wrong.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Liars and schemers and treacherous scumbags, oh my! What a beautiful array of immortal, homicidal psychopaths we have here. It's quite delicious, really.
Such a lovely world this is. Full of love, compassion, benevolence, and sympathy. Sigh. So beautiful. Makes my black, withered heart shudder with glee and stuff.
➽ Full I Want to Be A Chameleon Crasii When I Grow Up Crappy Non-Review (IWtBaCCWiGUCNR™) to come.
May 21, 2018
4.25 "Sometimes the best way to be rid of a stupid idea is to follow it through to its most absurd conclusion" stars
The Tide is coming back the Immortals are moving into their positions on the game board of the world. It is time to set up for the game to come and the human and Crasi better beware. Because when a Tide Lord is getting into position people will die, betrayals will abound and secrets kept for a thousand years will start to come to light.
I’m not sure why I’m so captivated by Fallon’s story telling. There is something about having multiple PoVs and so I as the reader knows many things the other characters do not. It is an interesting kind of pain to watch them muddle about and wonder when they are going to clue in. Plus there is just enough kept hidden that as a reader I’m surprised when certain facts come to light.
This is a series where I have favorite characters, characters I tolerate and then there are the ones I want to be ripped apart by a fluffle of rabid bunnies *cough* Jaxyn *cough* because I think that would be one of the more humiliating ways to die.
Still there is a lot happening and even though I see what some people are up to I still have no idea why but I’m pretty sure that it will be dangerous and deadly and some of the people ‘helping’ might end up being worse than the bad guys.
Yeah anytime someone wants to be god it never goes well for the mere mortals.
There is a damsel in distress, a duke in dire straights, an unrequited lover looking to be a savior. To that off with a cast of animal/human hybrids including a chameleon human hybrid who is the best spy ever, a cat that killed a bear with one slice and a dog named Warlock and you are in for some great intrigue and shenanigans. And then there are the immortals themselves; One wants to be a god, another wants to die and more still are getting ready to try and take over the world.
The only character that I totally loved in the first book who ended up being a slight disappointment in this one was Arkady. She was wonderful, smart and sassy in The Immortal Prince. But put her in a desert and it seems that the heat has gotten to her and killed off most of her brain cells. She gives away secrets, trusts the wrong people and makes a lot of mistakes. But she smartened up near the end even if it was a little to late and is now going to have to pay some severe consequences. Here is hoping that her Knight in Shining armor finds her sooner rather than later. And I personally am hoping that Knight is Declan and not Cayal.
Still after the ending I couldn’t wait to jump into the next story since I’m pretty sure that all the sh*t is about to hit the fan and I can’t wait to see where all the pieces fall.
The Tide is coming back the Immortals are moving into their positions on the game board of the world. It is time to set up for the game to come and the human and Crasi better beware. Because when a Tide Lord is getting into position people will die, betrayals will abound and secrets kept for a thousand years will start to come to light.
Do we always spend hundreds of years planning and scheming and kidding ourselves we have everything under control, and then the Tide comes back and we discover how badly we’ve been deluded?
I’m not sure why I’m so captivated by Fallon’s story telling. There is something about having multiple PoVs and so I as the reader knows many things the other characters do not. It is an interesting kind of pain to watch them muddle about and wonder when they are going to clue in. Plus there is just enough kept hidden that as a reader I’m surprised when certain facts come to light.
This is a series where I have favorite characters, characters I tolerate and then there are the ones I want to be ripped apart by a fluffle of rabid bunnies *cough* Jaxyn *cough* because I think that would be one of the more humiliating ways to die.
Still there is a lot happening and even though I see what some people are up to I still have no idea why but I’m pretty sure that it will be dangerous and deadly and some of the people ‘helping’ might end up being worse than the bad guys.
“Would you believe I’m motivated by idle curiosity?”
“Not for a moment. What do you intend to get out of this, Lukys, other than my death?”
“Very well,” the older man replied after a moment. “I want to be God.”
“I thought we’d decided immortals who want to be God were a really bad idea, Lukys.”
“Did we?”
Cayal nodded. “The name Kentravyon leaps to mind.”
“Ah, but there’s a difference between me and that lunatic,” Lukys said, sitting on the edge of the railing. “I want to be God, Kentravyon thought he was God.”
Yeah anytime someone wants to be god it never goes well for the mere mortals.
There is a damsel in distress, a duke in dire straights, an unrequited lover looking to be a savior. To that off with a cast of animal/human hybrids including a chameleon human hybrid who is the best spy ever, a cat that killed a bear with one slice and a dog named Warlock and you are in for some great intrigue and shenanigans. And then there are the immortals themselves; One wants to be a god, another wants to die and more still are getting ready to try and take over the world.
The only character that I totally loved in the first book who ended up being a slight disappointment in this one was Arkady. She was wonderful, smart and sassy in The Immortal Prince. But put her in a desert and it seems that the heat has gotten to her and killed off most of her brain cells. She gives away secrets, trusts the wrong people and makes a lot of mistakes. But she smartened up near the end even if it was a little to late and is now going to have to pay some severe consequences. Here is hoping that her Knight in Shining armor finds her sooner rather than later. And I personally am hoping that Knight is Declan and not Cayal.
Still after the ending I couldn’t wait to jump into the next story since I’m pretty sure that all the sh*t is about to hit the fan and I can’t wait to see where all the pieces fall.
September 21, 2018
Okay, this one upped the stakes from the first book to be sure. Not only do we see a whole lot more of the immortals who are slowly taking over the world with the turning of the Tide, but we also see the characters we have got to know and like taking more risks in order to halt their progress and stop their return.
What I like about this series is that it's entirely readable and one that seems filled with potential. There already feels like there's a very expansive world, and in this book we start to see more characters like Warlock, Cayal, Arkady, Stellan and the spy master as they take on their own missions and start to infiltrate and corrupt ranks and plans.
Each of these characters feels very distinct when you listen to the audiobook, and I felt like I got to know all of the new ones really well whilst still enjoying the older characters that I have previously listened to and enjoyed.
The stakes of this world certainly go up in this particular book. We mainly follow the events at the Mine and the actions taking place in two opposing Kingdoms. We have the Torlenian's and the people of Lebec and their capital, Glaeban. They are vastly different societies, but they each have immortals clamouring to rule them now that magic is returning and the Tide is on the turn.
There is a lot of backstabbing and plotting that takes place here, an awful lot more than in the previous book in the series which felt a lot more like a set-up for the events that play out here. Not only does the action start right away here, but we also get to see a whole load of new threads starting to weave together and I really liked that blend.
The previous book has a lot of exposition in the form of telling stories about the past and that was massively cut down in this one. I think that adds to the drama of this one compared to the first, and makes it a faster read overall. There are still some stories told by major immortals, but mainly it's action and craziness throughout.
I both love and hate the ending of the book becuase I did not see it coming at all, and I think it's going to lead to some pretty chaotic twists in the next books in the series. The potential for madness, the twisting of the Tides, and the involvement of new players is pretty cool, and I am very excited to follow what will happen! 4.5*s from me again... :)
What I like about this series is that it's entirely readable and one that seems filled with potential. There already feels like there's a very expansive world, and in this book we start to see more characters like Warlock, Cayal, Arkady, Stellan and the spy master as they take on their own missions and start to infiltrate and corrupt ranks and plans.
Each of these characters feels very distinct when you listen to the audiobook, and I felt like I got to know all of the new ones really well whilst still enjoying the older characters that I have previously listened to and enjoyed.
The stakes of this world certainly go up in this particular book. We mainly follow the events at the Mine and the actions taking place in two opposing Kingdoms. We have the Torlenian's and the people of Lebec and their capital, Glaeban. They are vastly different societies, but they each have immortals clamouring to rule them now that magic is returning and the Tide is on the turn.
There is a lot of backstabbing and plotting that takes place here, an awful lot more than in the previous book in the series which felt a lot more like a set-up for the events that play out here. Not only does the action start right away here, but we also get to see a whole load of new threads starting to weave together and I really liked that blend.
The previous book has a lot of exposition in the form of telling stories about the past and that was massively cut down in this one. I think that adds to the drama of this one compared to the first, and makes it a faster read overall. There are still some stories told by major immortals, but mainly it's action and craziness throughout.
I both love and hate the ending of the book becuase I did not see it coming at all, and I think it's going to lead to some pretty chaotic twists in the next books in the series. The potential for madness, the twisting of the Tides, and the involvement of new players is pretty cool, and I am very excited to follow what will happen! 4.5*s from me again... :)
December 29, 2018
Absolut geniales Zusammenspiel aus den Hintergründen der Gezeitenfürsten und den aktuellen Geschehnissen auf den Kontinenten, deren Herrscher immer mehr in die Intrigen und Machtspiele der Unsterblichen verstrickt werden. Flüssig aber sehr anschaulich geschrieben mit dem heimeligen Gefühl wieder in eine Welt zu tauchen, in der man sich fast wie zuhause fühlt!
Perfekt verstrickt, kontinuierliche Entwicklungen, überraschende Wendungen und originelle Charaktere inmitten großartiger Schauplätze - dazu die philosophischen Fragen über die Unendlichkeit des Lebens und des Glaubens, die immer wieder zwischen den Zeilen auftauchen.
Fantastische High Fantasy die unbedingt mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdient!
Perfekt verstrickt, kontinuierliche Entwicklungen, überraschende Wendungen und originelle Charaktere inmitten großartiger Schauplätze - dazu die philosophischen Fragen über die Unendlichkeit des Lebens und des Glaubens, die immer wieder zwischen den Zeilen auftauchen.
Fantastische High Fantasy die unbedingt mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdient!
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December 30, 2021After the mixed feelings The Immortal Prince left me with, I was a bit anxious to get back to Fallon's world - the Fallonians over at the BB&B group were rather unanimous in their appreciation of the first entry in the series so, you know... peer pressure and all. Well, I shouldn't have worried: because while I read several fellow reviewers mentioning the infamous "second book syndrome" I contrary as ever actually enjoyed this second entry in the Tide Lords series much more than its first.
Granted, the book isn't particularly action-packed and the pace is a bit uneven, especially in its first part: but Fallon plays her cards right, letting us spend time with a few intriguing secondary characters we had just a glimpse of in the previous book, deepening the relationships between the cast, testing the main characters with new scenarios and unlikely pairings, mixing tense, emotional moments with some hilarious dialogues.
The stars of the book are without a doubt Fallon's callous immortals - and indeed immortality and its consequences are what this series is all about. Forcing the Tide Lords, god-like creatures with the ability to level mountains, dry seas and drop meteorites, to play on humanity's level to secure a place of power for themselves is a brilliant move on the author's part: it's Low Tide still, you see, and our poor bunch of deranged deities isn't in its top form yet and still has to rely on scheming, seducing, maneuvering, plotting and occasionally murdering some royal personality to get its way. Being immortal isn't all about screwing your way around centuries and overturning natural climates: one must secure a decent roof over his/her head after all. Tough!
My only complaints (I do have a few of them, what did you think?) are Fallon's tendency to have her characters be as smart or, more often, appallingly dumb as the situation requires of them without any regard for their previously established characterization - which somehow plays to Cayal's advantage, adding to his inconstancy and difficulty to focus on anything that isn't right in front of him (an immortal with ADHD is a terrifying sight to behold, people) but Arkady and Stellan aren't as lucky and on several occasions end up coming across like your average TSTL characters; and the author's insistence in cramming a romantic sub-plot wherever she can. I have nothing against the idea of some romance in a fantasy book, per se - in fact, I find its presence consistent anywhere emotions at large are at play: people like each other, have sex, and possibly develop deeper feelings. Cool. But Fallon seems to be using romance as a mere prop to set her characters into motion, nothing more - which results in a pretty random and half-assed affair whose presence is inexplicably invasive: pages and pages are dedicated to people speculating about Declan's love for Arkady - I'm too lazy to actually test my theory but I could swear every single character that speaks with the poor man brings the topic up: awkward! And also, quite frankly completely unnecessary since it's been obvious since way back the man was in love with our special girl.
Well, anyway: Fallon is definitely a bit clumsy when it comes to romance but has "scheming, devious personalities up to no good" as her triumph card, and that's more than good enough for me. The Palace of Impossible Dreams, here I come!
Granted, the book isn't particularly action-packed and the pace is a bit uneven, especially in its first part: but Fallon plays her cards right, letting us spend time with a few intriguing secondary characters we had just a glimpse of in the previous book, deepening the relationships between the cast, testing the main characters with new scenarios and unlikely pairings, mixing tense, emotional moments with some hilarious dialogues.
The stars of the book are without a doubt Fallon's callous immortals - and indeed immortality and its consequences are what this series is all about. Forcing the Tide Lords, god-like creatures with the ability to level mountains, dry seas and drop meteorites, to play on humanity's level to secure a place of power for themselves is a brilliant move on the author's part: it's Low Tide still, you see, and our poor bunch of deranged deities isn't in its top form yet and still has to rely on scheming, seducing, maneuvering, plotting and occasionally murdering some royal personality to get its way. Being immortal isn't all about screwing your way around centuries and overturning natural climates: one must secure a decent roof over his/her head after all. Tough!
My only complaints (I do have a few of them, what did you think?) are Fallon's tendency to have her characters be as smart or, more often, appallingly dumb as the situation requires of them without any regard for their previously established characterization - which somehow plays to Cayal's advantage, adding to his inconstancy and difficulty to focus on anything that isn't right in front of him (an immortal with ADHD is a terrifying sight to behold, people) but Arkady and Stellan aren't as lucky and on several occasions end up coming across like your average TSTL characters; and the author's insistence in cramming a romantic sub-plot wherever she can. I have nothing against the idea of some romance in a fantasy book, per se - in fact, I find its presence consistent anywhere emotions at large are at play: people like each other, have sex, and possibly develop deeper feelings. Cool. But Fallon seems to be using romance as a mere prop to set her characters into motion, nothing more - which results in a pretty random and half-assed affair whose presence is inexplicably invasive: pages and pages are dedicated to people speculating about Declan's love for Arkady - I'm too lazy to actually test my theory but I could swear every single character that speaks with the poor man brings the topic up: awkward! And also, quite frankly completely unnecessary since it's been obvious since way back the man was in love with our special girl.
Well, anyway: Fallon is definitely a bit clumsy when it comes to romance but has "scheming, devious personalities up to no good" as her triumph card, and that's more than good enough for me. The Palace of Impossible Dreams, here I come!
May 15, 2018
The Gods of Amyrantha by Jennifer Fallon
*****4.5*****
The second book in the Tide Lords Quartet might be said to suffer slightly from middle book syndrome, where it kind of feels like not much is happening. It is only once you've reached the end that you realize just how much was actually taking place among the pages of this book.
Arkady and Stellan have been sent into exile, and a large portion of the book focuses on their time there and Arkady's budding friendship with the Imperator's Consort Chintara, mixed with the workings back in Glaeba with Jaxyn and Diala. There are so many more Immortals (and their schemes) that come out of the wood works in this book you almost need a chart to keep them all straight.
I found the second installment by Fallon just as enjoyable as the first. Though I found myself annoyed with main character Arkady on a number of occasions. I'm not entirely sure she's quite as smart as we're led to believe.
Arkady shook her head. “I’m not like you, Tiji. I can’t smell them. I can’t sense them. Tides! I can’t tell a Tide Lord from a turtle, truth be told. And yet I always imagine I’ll know one when I meet them. The Tide knows why.
The Tide knows why indeed. I think Arkady has met more Immortals than any human in history and she still has no idea when she's standing right next to one. Even when it's blaringly obvious. She could at least question people's identities but nope, no clue.
The addition of a more pivotal role for Crasii chameleon Tiji was a welcome delight, however and I can't wait to read the developments in her story in book three.
There is drama, mild angst and lots of humour in book two, especially with Declan Hawkes' character.
“I see, you were searching the Herino sewers for the secret to ultimate power.” He turned to Rye Barnes. “Because that’s where we would keep the secret to ultimate power, isn’t it? In the sewers?”
I'm finding myself quite drawn to him. And Maralyce is by far my favourite Immortal.
"You want some tea or are your lips normally that shade of blue?"
"I think I'd prefer something stronger."
"I'm sure you would, but I ain't decided if I like you enough to offer it."
"Then I'll take tea."
Fallon has really thought out how she thinks Immortality should work and it really lends depth to her story.
It’s hard for a mortal to grasp, but the more dire the threat, the harder we are to maim. Chuck an immortal into a volcano or toss them in a pot of boiling acid, and they’ll walk out-extremely pissed off with you, but unscathed, because our bodies seem to understand the need to heal something like that so rapidly that it becomes almost instantaneous. It’s as if the magic that made us immortal understands the danger. Our bodies react to the immediacy of the threat. But try to kill and immortal slowly, do it so it takes time, and you won’t kill us, but Tides, you can make us suffer. I stood there screaming, tied to that stakes, wishing they had chucked me off the lip of a volcano.
And her cast of characters is vast and compelling. From Immortals who believe it is truly a gift to live forever, to those wishing for nothing more than to die, to those who have secret plans and the patience to see them through to the end (they have forever after all, no need to hurry).
The Gods of Amyrantha ended with a bang that immediately makes the reader want to push on to book three for the answers to many burning questions. Alas, I have to wait for my BB&B crew to join me on this awesome journey! Can't wait!!
*****4.5*****
The second book in the Tide Lords Quartet might be said to suffer slightly from middle book syndrome, where it kind of feels like not much is happening. It is only once you've reached the end that you realize just how much was actually taking place among the pages of this book.
Arkady and Stellan have been sent into exile, and a large portion of the book focuses on their time there and Arkady's budding friendship with the Imperator's Consort Chintara, mixed with the workings back in Glaeba with Jaxyn and Diala. There are so many more Immortals (and their schemes) that come out of the wood works in this book you almost need a chart to keep them all straight.
I found the second installment by Fallon just as enjoyable as the first. Though I found myself annoyed with main character Arkady on a number of occasions. I'm not entirely sure she's quite as smart as we're led to believe.
Arkady shook her head. “I’m not like you, Tiji. I can’t smell them. I can’t sense them. Tides! I can’t tell a Tide Lord from a turtle, truth be told. And yet I always imagine I’ll know one when I meet them. The Tide knows why.
The Tide knows why indeed. I think Arkady has met more Immortals than any human in history and she still has no idea when she's standing right next to one. Even when it's blaringly obvious. She could at least question people's identities but nope, no clue.
The addition of a more pivotal role for Crasii chameleon Tiji was a welcome delight, however and I can't wait to read the developments in her story in book three.
There is drama, mild angst and lots of humour in book two, especially with Declan Hawkes' character.
“I see, you were searching the Herino sewers for the secret to ultimate power.” He turned to Rye Barnes. “Because that’s where we would keep the secret to ultimate power, isn’t it? In the sewers?”
I'm finding myself quite drawn to him. And Maralyce is by far my favourite Immortal.
"You want some tea or are your lips normally that shade of blue?"
"I think I'd prefer something stronger."
"I'm sure you would, but I ain't decided if I like you enough to offer it."
"Then I'll take tea."
Fallon has really thought out how she thinks Immortality should work and it really lends depth to her story.
It’s hard for a mortal to grasp, but the more dire the threat, the harder we are to maim. Chuck an immortal into a volcano or toss them in a pot of boiling acid, and they’ll walk out-extremely pissed off with you, but unscathed, because our bodies seem to understand the need to heal something like that so rapidly that it becomes almost instantaneous. It’s as if the magic that made us immortal understands the danger. Our bodies react to the immediacy of the threat. But try to kill and immortal slowly, do it so it takes time, and you won’t kill us, but Tides, you can make us suffer. I stood there screaming, tied to that stakes, wishing they had chucked me off the lip of a volcano.
And her cast of characters is vast and compelling. From Immortals who believe it is truly a gift to live forever, to those wishing for nothing more than to die, to those who have secret plans and the patience to see them through to the end (they have forever after all, no need to hurry).
The Gods of Amyrantha ended with a bang that immediately makes the reader want to push on to book three for the answers to many burning questions. Alas, I have to wait for my BB&B crew to join me on this awesome journey! Can't wait!!
November 2, 2012
The following passage found in the book is what truly convinced me Jennifer Fallon is one of my favourite Fantasy Authors.
Jennifer Fallon: "The fun of self-delusion, that's what faith is all about... believing in something so profoundly you'd devote your entire life to it without any proof that it actually exists. Worse than that, it's believing without the need for proof. It's believing, even when confronted with definitive proof that you're wrong. A truly effective religion doesn't need gods parading around every year on feast days to assure peasants they're still on the job... a truly effective religion needs nothing more than a promise of salvation. It'll outlast the others by a thousand years."
Jennifer Fallon is proving herself a true master of philosophy and social commentary, and such profound insights are things that remind me yet again why Fantasy will always be my favourite genre.
Jennifer Fallon: "The fun of self-delusion, that's what faith is all about... believing in something so profoundly you'd devote your entire life to it without any proof that it actually exists. Worse than that, it's believing without the need for proof. It's believing, even when confronted with definitive proof that you're wrong. A truly effective religion doesn't need gods parading around every year on feast days to assure peasants they're still on the job... a truly effective religion needs nothing more than a promise of salvation. It'll outlast the others by a thousand years."
Jennifer Fallon is proving herself a true master of philosophy and social commentary, and such profound insights are things that remind me yet again why Fantasy will always be my favourite genre.
August 22, 2021
The Gods of Amyranthais the superb second instalment of the Tide Lords series. It matched The Immortal Prince in quality and was a compelling progression of the story.
I've not much to add above what I said about the first book in the series as I'm in the process of binging the whole series which makes it slightly tougher to think of each book as a separate story! This had more of the awesome story, great worldbuilding, and well drawn characters that the first book delivered.
I've no idea why Fallon is not more popular in the fantasy genre. She is easily one of my personal favourite authors and this series has been great!
Rating: 5 stars
Audio Note: John Telfer does an excellent job narrating the audio!
I've not much to add above what I said about the first book in the series as I'm in the process of binging the whole series which makes it slightly tougher to think of each book as a separate story! This had more of the awesome story, great worldbuilding, and well drawn characters that the first book delivered.
I've no idea why Fallon is not more popular in the fantasy genre. She is easily one of my personal favourite authors and this series has been great!
Rating: 5 stars
Audio Note: John Telfer does an excellent job narrating the audio!
July 10, 2008
A typical "bridge" book, but it wasn't bad. And I say to anyone who's at started this series to at least read til the end of Gods of Amyrantha because there is one HELL of a plot twist at the end...
July 23, 2014
Superb sequel; witty, funny, twists and turns, revelations.
As the Tide increases in power the Immortals are back to scheming for power, with the usual suspects from Jaxyn, Dialla to Sirolee, Tryan and Elissa positioning themselves for the richest spoils around.
Even the righteous Brynden may be ready to forgive Kinta and get an Empire, since an ascetic cult wears thin after a while too, while Lukys has his "hands" in so many plots that it's not clear if even his stated goal is actually true...
Only Cayal still wants to die, though Arkady tempts him on and off, but when a thousand year ago seducing a righteous immortal girlfriend - or being seduced by her - led to asteroids hurled at you and of course to a major Cataclysm, it is not too wise to appear attached to another girl, especially a mortal one this time, since while Cayal cannot be hurt easily, Arkady definitely can be.
And the Immortal Flame has been extinguished, so no more new Immortals. Or so most everyone thinks....
And of course the Cabal is trying to do whatever it can to protect humanity, but even the Cabal may be an Immortal plaything after all.
Eternity is boring without fun and games...
As the Tide increases in power the Immortals are back to scheming for power, with the usual suspects from Jaxyn, Dialla to Sirolee, Tryan and Elissa positioning themselves for the richest spoils around.
Even the righteous Brynden may be ready to forgive Kinta and get an Empire, since an ascetic cult wears thin after a while too, while Lukys has his "hands" in so many plots that it's not clear if even his stated goal is actually true...
Only Cayal still wants to die, though Arkady tempts him on and off, but when a thousand year ago seducing a righteous immortal girlfriend - or being seduced by her - led to asteroids hurled at you and of course to a major Cataclysm, it is not too wise to appear attached to another girl, especially a mortal one this time, since while Cayal cannot be hurt easily, Arkady definitely can be.
And the Immortal Flame has been extinguished, so no more new Immortals. Or so most everyone thinks....
And of course the Cabal is trying to do whatever it can to protect humanity, but even the Cabal may be an Immortal plaything after all.
Eternity is boring without fun and games...
April 27, 2023
Great sequel, which just starts where book one ended. Somehow, those 19 hours went by very quickly.
The pacing is better than in the first book. The stakes go up for the story and the characters. I will continue with the next part right away.
The pacing is better than in the first book. The stakes go up for the story and the characters. I will continue with the next part right away.
August 6, 2023
4/5
A couple of things didn't work for me but overall a great sequel. Expanding considerably the cast and the drama and following shortly on brutality to the first book. Can we have a bromance between the spy master and the duke? I'd love that.
A couple of things didn't work for me but overall a great sequel. Expanding considerably the cast and the drama and following shortly on brutality to the first book. Can we have a bromance between the spy master and the duke? I'd love that.
January 19, 2023
Still a pretty interesting series - I like how individual all the characters are, with their own motivations and personalities. The writing was still odd but definitely better than the first book.
June 18, 2016
I loved it, flew thru it ... And it stops with everything up in the air! And now I find my local library doesn't have the next book in the series. NOOOO!
April 15, 2022
Frustrated beyond doubt that this book was NOT available on kindle, while the first is on kindle unlimited. I was thinking about the first one a few days after, and while it was mediocre, it was the good kind of mediocre. So I sourced the other three books from second hand bookshops (meaning the publisher gets none of the royalties that they would have if it was conveniently available, honestly, I hope all the vaguely bad things happen to the person who decided to only put the first book of four up on KU!). Dropped a star as a 🖕 to that person.
This book was better than the first (though I suppose so much of it was world building), though it could have been because there was the novelty of reading an actual book, one that I could hold in my hands, rather than the digital equivalent. Oh the joy of a mass market paperback.
The last two twists were delightful, Maralyce was a delight, Cayal a predictable bore. I enjoyed Warlock and Boots subplot, too. I feel like as a series the pot is just getting ready for a good stir, and it’s all going to be ridiculous in the next book.
This book was better than the first (though I suppose so much of it was world building), though it could have been because there was the novelty of reading an actual book, one that I could hold in my hands, rather than the digital equivalent. Oh the joy of a mass market paperback.
The last two twists were delightful, Maralyce was a delight, Cayal a predictable bore. I enjoyed Warlock and Boots subplot, too. I feel like as a series the pot is just getting ready for a good stir, and it’s all going to be ridiculous in the next book.
April 26, 2018
It was one of those stories that was enjoyable enough while reading but never gave me much of an urge to pick it up and continue.
A few interesting plot twists in the story, many are not overly surprising but still interesting. I found that more questions were brought up than answered. Also this whole book seemed unnecessarily long.
The length of time between when I read the first book and when I read this one may have something to do with some of the issues I had as there are so many POV and characters to remember details about.
All and all worth reading and if I find the next book I will continue the series.
A few interesting plot twists in the story, many are not overly surprising but still interesting. I found that more questions were brought up than answered. Also this whole book seemed unnecessarily long.
The length of time between when I read the first book and when I read this one may have something to do with some of the issues I had as there are so many POV and characters to remember details about.
All and all worth reading and if I find the next book I will continue the series.
August 19, 2024
This series is quickly putting itself among my favorites ever.
Whatever pretenses of literary restraint Fallon maintained in the first book are quickly eliminated at the beginning of this one. This is wonderful suspense fantasy, addictive and gripping, not academic or dry in the slightest bit. It's the closest thing to peak Sanderson I've found, but instead of complicated worldbuilding and magic systems, Fallon manages to do the same thing in a fairly bare-bones fantasy world with some good ideas. This series is really ahead of its time in a lot of ways, primarily aesthetics and themes, and I think just reads really well even so far after its publication date.
9/10.
Whatever pretenses of literary restraint Fallon maintained in the first book are quickly eliminated at the beginning of this one. This is wonderful suspense fantasy, addictive and gripping, not academic or dry in the slightest bit. It's the closest thing to peak Sanderson I've found, but instead of complicated worldbuilding and magic systems, Fallon manages to do the same thing in a fairly bare-bones fantasy world with some good ideas. This series is really ahead of its time in a lot of ways, primarily aesthetics and themes, and I think just reads really well even so far after its publication date.
9/10.
October 3, 2018
4.5 stars. I liked this one just a tiny bit better than Book 1. I am really enjoying this series. I love the twists and turns and the surprises. Normally I am guessing what will happen and who is who, but I find in this series, I am surprised by many of the revelations :) Love it.
March 29, 2021
Unbelievably annoying! Too much recount of the past to 'fill us in' on what happened. Boring characters and not enough happening. Basically a whole book so we can find our heroine branded as a slave...
October 18, 2021
Though it didn’t have a distinct arc, I was hooked on the slow burn and political intrigue that had been building since the first book.
I enjoyed it more than the first book, but you need all the backstory and set up from book one to be able to get there.
I enjoyed it more than the first book, but you need all the backstory and set up from book one to be able to get there.
February 18, 2020
Absolutely loved it! Was left with more questions than answers, but in the best possible way. Can't wait to start the sequel!
July 9, 2020
Continues to be good fun!
January 2, 2022
Entertaining continuation to the series, with some unexpected turns. Looking forward to the next book.
July 2, 2025
3.5⭐️
November 4, 2015
Gezeitenstern-Saga 02. Die Götter von Amyrantha - Jennifer Fallon
Das Machtpolitische Intrigenspiel der Unsterblichen geht in die nächste Runde!
Die Götter von Amyrantha
Klappentext:
"Auf Amyrantha steigen die Gezeiten. Die Unsterblichen spüren, dass die Stunde ihrer Macht wieder näher rückt. Sie verlassen ihre Verstecke und versuchen, unerkannt einflussreiche Positionen zu besetzen, um die Menschheit zu unterwerfen. Arkady, die junge Fürstin von Lebec, erkennt die Gefahr. Auch Declan, der Erste Spion des Königs, weiß, was hinter den Kulissen vorgeht. Beide wollen der geheimen Bruderschaft des Tarot helfen, die den Unsterblichen seit Jahrhunderten Widerstand leistet. Doch die Macht der Gezeitzenfürsten wächst unerbittlich ..."
Zum Autor:
Jennifer Fallon wurde 1959 in Carlton/Melbourne, Australien, geboren und ist eine Fantasy-Autorin.
(Aus: wikipedia.de, 02. Januar 2011, 00.09 Uhr)
Zum Roman:
Während die Gezeiten sich der Königsflut entgegen neigen, bleiben der geheimen Bruderschaft des Tarot wenig Zeit und Mittel, um die Unsterblichen zu bekämpfen. Arkady, Fürstin von Lebec, soll dem Ersten Spion - Declan und ihr bester Freund - , der ebenfalls der Bruderschaft angehört, helfen, die Unsterblichen zu suchen und einen Weg zu finden, sie zu bekämpfen; doch ihre Möglichkeiten sind rargesäht. Dazu muss sie auch noch ihren Ehemann Stellan nach Torlenien begleiten, wo sie auf die Kaiserin trifft, die nicht nur einige Geheimnisse birgt, sondern auch nicht das zu sein scheint, was alle glauben ...
Fazit:
Der zweite Teil der Gezeitenstern-Saga sorgt für Unterhaltung: Sowohl mit recht aufheizendem Humor, spannender und origineller Story, unvorhersehbaren Wendungen, als auch was auch Intrigen politischer Natur wie auch persönlichem Ehrgeiz unter den einzelnen Gezeitenfürsten und der Menschheit angeht: es ist alles dabei.
Es werden neue Charaktere eingeleitet, Gezeitenfürsten, die im ersten Teil schon in Cayals Rückblenden erwähnt wurden, bis hierhin aber noch nicht auftauchten. Und jede der neuen Figuren bietet eine neue Facette, die entdeckt werden will, etwas frisches, etwas spannendes.
Der Kontrast zwischen Protagonisten und Antagonisten, wie sie hier zwischen Jaxyn, dem Fürsten der Askese, Cayal, dem unsterblichen Prinzen (der eher zu den Protagonisten zählt, weil er unglaublich symtathisch wirkt, auch wenn er ein Gezeitenfürst ist und etwas abseits betrachtet werden muss, da er wahrhaft unberechenbar ist) als auch der Erste Spion des Königs, Declan und Arkadys bester Freund, der Fürstin von Lebec, Arkady Desean, und ihrem Gemahlen, Stellan, stellt einen wahrhaft großen Spielraum dar, der neben der Handlung zum Hauptvergnügen und Spannungspunkt der Geschichte wird. Dazu darf man natürlich nicht auch die anderen liebevollen Charaktere, die die Protagonisten in ihren Handlungen unterstützen und den Hauptstrang so abrunden, vergessen, wie z.B. die Chamälide Tiji, oder Warlock, der ebenfalls noch an großer Bedeutung gewinnen wird.
Die ganze Geschichte in sich wirkt stimmig: brilliante Dialoge, toller Humor, unvorhergesehene Geschehnisse und der Spannungsbogen, der während des ganzen Romans vorhanden bleibt, sorgen durchgehend für sehr gute Unterhaltung. Die Geschichte wirkt lebendig, was nicht letztlich auch am flüßigem und angenehmen Schreibstil der Autorin zusammenhängt.
Insgesamt muss man sagen, dass der zweite Teil alles bietet, was man sich von einem unterhaltungsvollen Roman erwartet, und selbst für Leser, die vielleicht nicht so sehr auf der Fantsasy-Schiene fahren, ist dieses Buch allein des Humors und des Schreibstils willen ein echtes Muss.
5/5 Sternen für die Fortsetzung der Gezeitenstern-Saga!
Gesamte Tetralogie in einem Überblick:
01. Der unsterbliche Prinz
02. Die Götter von Amyrantha
03. Der Palast der verlorenen Träume
04. Der Kristall des Chaos
Autor: Jennifer Fallon
Tetralogie
Verlag: LYX-Egmont; Broschiert
Genrè: Fantasy, Roman
Preis: 14,95 €
Das Machtpolitische Intrigenspiel der Unsterblichen geht in die nächste Runde!
Die Götter von Amyrantha
Klappentext:
"Auf Amyrantha steigen die Gezeiten. Die Unsterblichen spüren, dass die Stunde ihrer Macht wieder näher rückt. Sie verlassen ihre Verstecke und versuchen, unerkannt einflussreiche Positionen zu besetzen, um die Menschheit zu unterwerfen. Arkady, die junge Fürstin von Lebec, erkennt die Gefahr. Auch Declan, der Erste Spion des Königs, weiß, was hinter den Kulissen vorgeht. Beide wollen der geheimen Bruderschaft des Tarot helfen, die den Unsterblichen seit Jahrhunderten Widerstand leistet. Doch die Macht der Gezeitzenfürsten wächst unerbittlich ..."
Zum Autor:
Jennifer Fallon wurde 1959 in Carlton/Melbourne, Australien, geboren und ist eine Fantasy-Autorin.
(Aus: wikipedia.de, 02. Januar 2011, 00.09 Uhr)
Zum Roman:
Während die Gezeiten sich der Königsflut entgegen neigen, bleiben der geheimen Bruderschaft des Tarot wenig Zeit und Mittel, um die Unsterblichen zu bekämpfen. Arkady, Fürstin von Lebec, soll dem Ersten Spion - Declan und ihr bester Freund - , der ebenfalls der Bruderschaft angehört, helfen, die Unsterblichen zu suchen und einen Weg zu finden, sie zu bekämpfen; doch ihre Möglichkeiten sind rargesäht. Dazu muss sie auch noch ihren Ehemann Stellan nach Torlenien begleiten, wo sie auf die Kaiserin trifft, die nicht nur einige Geheimnisse birgt, sondern auch nicht das zu sein scheint, was alle glauben ...
Fazit:
Der zweite Teil der Gezeitenstern-Saga sorgt für Unterhaltung: Sowohl mit recht aufheizendem Humor, spannender und origineller Story, unvorhersehbaren Wendungen, als auch was auch Intrigen politischer Natur wie auch persönlichem Ehrgeiz unter den einzelnen Gezeitenfürsten und der Menschheit angeht: es ist alles dabei.
Es werden neue Charaktere eingeleitet, Gezeitenfürsten, die im ersten Teil schon in Cayals Rückblenden erwähnt wurden, bis hierhin aber noch nicht auftauchten. Und jede der neuen Figuren bietet eine neue Facette, die entdeckt werden will, etwas frisches, etwas spannendes.
Der Kontrast zwischen Protagonisten und Antagonisten, wie sie hier zwischen Jaxyn, dem Fürsten der Askese, Cayal, dem unsterblichen Prinzen (der eher zu den Protagonisten zählt, weil er unglaublich symtathisch wirkt, auch wenn er ein Gezeitenfürst ist und etwas abseits betrachtet werden muss, da er wahrhaft unberechenbar ist) als auch der Erste Spion des Königs, Declan und Arkadys bester Freund, der Fürstin von Lebec, Arkady Desean, und ihrem Gemahlen, Stellan, stellt einen wahrhaft großen Spielraum dar, der neben der Handlung zum Hauptvergnügen und Spannungspunkt der Geschichte wird. Dazu darf man natürlich nicht auch die anderen liebevollen Charaktere, die die Protagonisten in ihren Handlungen unterstützen und den Hauptstrang so abrunden, vergessen, wie z.B. die Chamälide Tiji, oder Warlock, der ebenfalls noch an großer Bedeutung gewinnen wird.
Die ganze Geschichte in sich wirkt stimmig: brilliante Dialoge, toller Humor, unvorhergesehene Geschehnisse und der Spannungsbogen, der während des ganzen Romans vorhanden bleibt, sorgen durchgehend für sehr gute Unterhaltung. Die Geschichte wirkt lebendig, was nicht letztlich auch am flüßigem und angenehmen Schreibstil der Autorin zusammenhängt.
Insgesamt muss man sagen, dass der zweite Teil alles bietet, was man sich von einem unterhaltungsvollen Roman erwartet, und selbst für Leser, die vielleicht nicht so sehr auf der Fantsasy-Schiene fahren, ist dieses Buch allein des Humors und des Schreibstils willen ein echtes Muss.
5/5 Sternen für die Fortsetzung der Gezeitenstern-Saga!
Gesamte Tetralogie in einem Überblick:
01. Der unsterbliche Prinz
02. Die Götter von Amyrantha
03. Der Palast der verlorenen Träume
04. Der Kristall des Chaos
Autor: Jennifer Fallon
Tetralogie
Verlag: LYX-Egmont; Broschiert
Genrè: Fantasy, Roman
Preis: 14,95 €
August 1, 2012
Meine Meinung:
Auf ein Wiedersehen mit Arkady und Cayal habe ich mich mehr als nur gefreut. Band 1 endet mit einem Cliffhanger, der den Leser zwar nicht völlig frustriert zurücklässt, aber eben doch neugierig macht auf einen zweiten Band. Diese Fortsetzung beginnt dann aber leider nicht mehr so stark wie der Auftakt. Es werden weitere Charaktere eingeführt, wobei es dem Leser trotzdem gut gelingt den Überblick zu behalten. Leider treffen die beiden Protagonisten erst sehr spät im Handlungsverlauf wieder aufeinander. Und gerade ihr Verhältnis ist es ja, das in Band 1 zu faszinieren weiß.
So zieht sich der Anfang. Weitere Unsterbliche werden in den Königshäusern und an strategisch wichtigen Punkten entdeckt. Es gibt immer wieder kleinere "Aha"-Erlebnisse, wenn Zusammenhänge aufgedeckt werden, die immer zum Greifen nahe waren, aber sich noch nicht in Worte fassen ließen. So fügt sich scheinbar alles zusammen und manchmal hatte ich beinahe das Gefühl, ich würde mich schon einem Ende der Gesamtgeschichte nähern, was ja bei einem dritten und vierten Band, die noch folgen, nicht möglich ist.
Und dann wird es schleichend und nach und nach besser. Die Spannung steigt in gleichem Maße, wie die Flut steigt und diese kommt auch erst langsam und dann - nach langer Ebbe - immer schneller. Tatsächlich endet der Band 2 durch einen Epilog mit einem Cliffhanger, der deutlich mehr Gemeinheiten enthält, als der aus dem ersten Band. Glücklich ist derjenige, der die Fortsetzung schon griffbereit hat.
Wie schon erwähnt, ist es überhaupt kein Problem trotz einer hohen Charakterdichte den Überblick zu behalten. Das ist eine große Leistung der Autorin, denn es gelingt ihr jedem von ihnen ein eigenes Gesicht zu geben und das ist bei der Vielzahl wirklich schon beachtenswert. Wir haben keine stereotypischen Charaktere unter ihnen. Jeder hat seine eigene Meinung, keine schwarz/weiß-Malerei, jeder hat Ecken und Macken. Die Unsterblichen haben ein paar mehr Macken, die Menschen vielleicht ein paar weniger. Aber das macht es ja so spannend. Die mit der Macht sind auch die verrückten.
Der Humor, den wir schon von Arkady kennen, legt sich etwas, da sie nicht mehr die richtigen Anspielpartner hat in der Umgebung, in der sie sich nun befindet. Diese schwarze Vertreter seiner Art flackert aber immer wieder auf, wenn dann Cayal wieder zu ihr stößt.
Die Hörbuch-Version auf Audible.de wird wieder von Oliver Siebeck vorgelesen. Wie gewohnt hervorragend und sehr angenehm. Ich lausche ihm nun schon in der zweiten Hörbuchreihe sehr gerne und genieße es mich von seiner Stimme in eine fremde Welt entführen zu lassen.
Fazit: Eine Fortsetzung, durch die man sich erst einmal kämpfen muss, was man aber gerne auf sich nimmt, denn die Charaktere hat man lieb gewonnen oder möchte sie am liebsten erschlagen. Ob letztere bekommen, was sie verdienen, wird man nur erfahren, wenn man weiterliest oder weiterhört und so muss man einige Längen überbrücken, bevor man das Buch kaum noch zur Seite legen kann.
Erneut bestechen die Charaktere, die trotz einer hohen Zahl jeder für sich fein und detailliert gezeichnet sind.
Trotz einiger Schwächen hatte ich großen Lesespaß und freue mich auf die nächsten Stunden in Amyrantha.
Auf ein Wiedersehen mit Arkady und Cayal habe ich mich mehr als nur gefreut. Band 1 endet mit einem Cliffhanger, der den Leser zwar nicht völlig frustriert zurücklässt, aber eben doch neugierig macht auf einen zweiten Band. Diese Fortsetzung beginnt dann aber leider nicht mehr so stark wie der Auftakt. Es werden weitere Charaktere eingeführt, wobei es dem Leser trotzdem gut gelingt den Überblick zu behalten. Leider treffen die beiden Protagonisten erst sehr spät im Handlungsverlauf wieder aufeinander. Und gerade ihr Verhältnis ist es ja, das in Band 1 zu faszinieren weiß.
So zieht sich der Anfang. Weitere Unsterbliche werden in den Königshäusern und an strategisch wichtigen Punkten entdeckt. Es gibt immer wieder kleinere "Aha"-Erlebnisse, wenn Zusammenhänge aufgedeckt werden, die immer zum Greifen nahe waren, aber sich noch nicht in Worte fassen ließen. So fügt sich scheinbar alles zusammen und manchmal hatte ich beinahe das Gefühl, ich würde mich schon einem Ende der Gesamtgeschichte nähern, was ja bei einem dritten und vierten Band, die noch folgen, nicht möglich ist.
Und dann wird es schleichend und nach und nach besser. Die Spannung steigt in gleichem Maße, wie die Flut steigt und diese kommt auch erst langsam und dann - nach langer Ebbe - immer schneller. Tatsächlich endet der Band 2 durch einen Epilog mit einem Cliffhanger, der deutlich mehr Gemeinheiten enthält, als der aus dem ersten Band. Glücklich ist derjenige, der die Fortsetzung schon griffbereit hat.
Wie schon erwähnt, ist es überhaupt kein Problem trotz einer hohen Charakterdichte den Überblick zu behalten. Das ist eine große Leistung der Autorin, denn es gelingt ihr jedem von ihnen ein eigenes Gesicht zu geben und das ist bei der Vielzahl wirklich schon beachtenswert. Wir haben keine stereotypischen Charaktere unter ihnen. Jeder hat seine eigene Meinung, keine schwarz/weiß-Malerei, jeder hat Ecken und Macken. Die Unsterblichen haben ein paar mehr Macken, die Menschen vielleicht ein paar weniger. Aber das macht es ja so spannend. Die mit der Macht sind auch die verrückten.
Der Humor, den wir schon von Arkady kennen, legt sich etwas, da sie nicht mehr die richtigen Anspielpartner hat in der Umgebung, in der sie sich nun befindet. Diese schwarze Vertreter seiner Art flackert aber immer wieder auf, wenn dann Cayal wieder zu ihr stößt.
Die Hörbuch-Version auf Audible.de wird wieder von Oliver Siebeck vorgelesen. Wie gewohnt hervorragend und sehr angenehm. Ich lausche ihm nun schon in der zweiten Hörbuchreihe sehr gerne und genieße es mich von seiner Stimme in eine fremde Welt entführen zu lassen.
Fazit: Eine Fortsetzung, durch die man sich erst einmal kämpfen muss, was man aber gerne auf sich nimmt, denn die Charaktere hat man lieb gewonnen oder möchte sie am liebsten erschlagen. Ob letztere bekommen, was sie verdienen, wird man nur erfahren, wenn man weiterliest oder weiterhört und so muss man einige Längen überbrücken, bevor man das Buch kaum noch zur Seite legen kann.
Erneut bestechen die Charaktere, die trotz einer hohen Zahl jeder für sich fein und detailliert gezeichnet sind.
Trotz einiger Schwächen hatte ich großen Lesespaß und freue mich auf die nächsten Stunden in Amyrantha.
September 15, 2012
Full review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
ANALYSIS: The novel starts off within a couple of weeks of time from "The Immortal Prince" and picks up exactly where that one ended. The various characters are shown to be in different places due to the events occurring in the previous book. Cayal is in Torlenia awaiting Arkady & Stellan who are traveling there for political reasons.
Declan Hawkes is doing spy-work & secret assignments to find out the current identities of the hidden Tide Lords, while Warlock & Boots being Crasii Scards [a special sub-type of Crasii who cannot be vocally controlled by the TideLords] can be recruited as moles for Declan Hawkes though if the newly empowered Tide Lords will realize what they are, it will mean instant death for them at best...
Tiji is the new POV character introduced in this book & she is in Caelum trying to find out more about a certain event when she gets the surprise of her life.
I confess that "The Immortal Prince" was the first book I ever read by Jennifer Fallon as I was intrigued by its premise. The book however completely blew me away with its fast pace, engaging characters & with a magic system which was astronomically based.
The concept of (real, no cop-outs) immortality & the various characters who were immortal & yet so human were also very compulsive to read. Humanity is often a plaything for the immortals, most of which whom we meet in the 2 books so far and who resemble nothing more than any bunch of squabbling, jealous Gods in your favorite mythology with the difference that their powers ebb and flow with the Cosmic Tide.
One must have read “The Immortal Prince” to make sense of the plotting & story-arc in “The Gods of Amyrantha”. The story begins with a prologue which is a snippet of history featuring one of the immortals exercising their power. The plot line then jumps to the recent events & Ms. Fallon is indeed a true story teller as she makes her characters go through some excruciating circumstances while keeping up the pace so as to keep the reader from getting jaded.
The basic thread which propels this tale is the quest of Cayal to end his life, however with the Tide coming back, all the Immortals start resurfacing slowly & steadily. And as with their comeback, old enmities are also rising and their past doings is becoming of more and more importance in the story so many passages in "The Immortal Prince" only now start to show their true significance.
The book ends with some interesting situations for most of the characters and readers will definitely want to know what happens next, fortunately the series is complete & can be ordered from the Australian shores. I know, I did so with the third book which has now set me on to ordering the 4th book as well.
In the end all I can say is that Ms. Fallon is an engaging storyteller who likes to surprise, shock & keep her audience on their feet with her plot twists, some which you anticipate, others which will completely blow you away. This book also continues the trend and will definitely have you salivating for more!!
July 16, 2011
Während die Gezeiten steigen, befindet sich Arkady und Stellan Desean im torlenischen Exil. Die Fürstin von Lebec schließt Freundschaft mit der dortigen Kaiserin, die ihre Geheimnisse zu haben scheint. Derweil kämpfen der erste Spion Declan Hawkes und die Bruderschaft des Tarots im Glaeba gegen die Unsterblichen Jaxyn und Diala, welche den Königshof unterwandert haben und nun die Macht an sich reißen wollen. Auch das Nachbarland Caelum muss sich ungebetener unsterblicher Gäste erwehren. Cayal hingegen sucht weiter nach einem Weg endlich sterben zu können – die Gedanken an Arkady sind da bloß hinderlich…
Auch im zweiten Band warten wieder unzählige Intrigen, welche so meisterhaft gesponnen werden, so dass es neben den “erwarteten” Überraschungen jede Menge ungeahnte Enthüllungen gibt. Declans Familienleben birgt unvermuteten Sprengstoff und er beweist sich einmal mehr als äußerst gewiefter Meisterspion. Arkady hingegen wird vom Pech verfolgt und stolpert weiter von einen Unsterblichen in den nächsten. Währenddessen muss Stellan schmerzlich erkennen, dass seine Frau mit ihren Warnungen richtig lag. Und Cayal trifft auf Lukys, welcher behauptet, ihm bei der Erfüllung seiner Todessehnsucht helfen zu können…
Jennifer Fallon ist ein wahres Erzähltalent, schafft sie doch das Kunststück, elegant mit einen dutzend Erzählperspektiven zu hantieren und dennoch nie zu langweilen oder zu verwirren, sondern für ungebrochene Spannung zu sorgen. Chapeu! Die Handlung selbst führt auch dieses Mal zahlreiche neue Charaktere ein, Sterbliche wie Unsterbliche. Trotz der großen Zahl an Protagonisten und Antagonisten, ganz zu schweigen von den ganzen Nebenfiguren, gelingt es Jennifer Fallon, dass der Überblick nicht verloren geht. Jede Person hat ihren eigenen facettenreichen Charakter und bereits eingeführte Figuren wie Warlock werden weiter ausgebaut. Erwähnt werden sollten die gewohnt spritzigen und treffsicheren Dialogen, der Dialogstil jedes Einzelnen ist unverkennbar und eine wahre Freude – und oftmals so, als wenn man alten Freunden beim Streiten zuhört. Band 2 endet mit einer unfassbaren Entdeckung, der nicht nur einen Protagonisten fassungslos zurücklässt – denn noch lange nach Ende des Hörbuchs beschäftigt die Frage, was das alles für Auswirkungen haben wird. Außerdem bleibt der Verbleib einiger Protagonisten ungeklärt und sorgt so für banges Warten auf den nächsten Teil. Der Epilog ist dann nur noch das Sahnehäubchen obendrauf, welcher spätestens jetzt auch den Letzten sich fragen lässt: Was hat Lukys wirklich vor?
Oliver Siebeck liest weiterhin passend und gekonnt vor.
Der zweite Teil führt weitere Unsterbliche ein und treibt die Handlung zielgerichtet voran, es ergeben sich neue Verwicklungen und auch wenn sich paar Vermutungen bestätigen, ergeben sich dafür umso mehr neue Fragen.
Auch im zweiten Band warten wieder unzählige Intrigen, welche so meisterhaft gesponnen werden, so dass es neben den “erwarteten” Überraschungen jede Menge ungeahnte Enthüllungen gibt. Declans Familienleben birgt unvermuteten Sprengstoff und er beweist sich einmal mehr als äußerst gewiefter Meisterspion. Arkady hingegen wird vom Pech verfolgt und stolpert weiter von einen Unsterblichen in den nächsten. Währenddessen muss Stellan schmerzlich erkennen, dass seine Frau mit ihren Warnungen richtig lag. Und Cayal trifft auf Lukys, welcher behauptet, ihm bei der Erfüllung seiner Todessehnsucht helfen zu können…
Jennifer Fallon ist ein wahres Erzähltalent, schafft sie doch das Kunststück, elegant mit einen dutzend Erzählperspektiven zu hantieren und dennoch nie zu langweilen oder zu verwirren, sondern für ungebrochene Spannung zu sorgen. Chapeu! Die Handlung selbst führt auch dieses Mal zahlreiche neue Charaktere ein, Sterbliche wie Unsterbliche. Trotz der großen Zahl an Protagonisten und Antagonisten, ganz zu schweigen von den ganzen Nebenfiguren, gelingt es Jennifer Fallon, dass der Überblick nicht verloren geht. Jede Person hat ihren eigenen facettenreichen Charakter und bereits eingeführte Figuren wie Warlock werden weiter ausgebaut. Erwähnt werden sollten die gewohnt spritzigen und treffsicheren Dialogen, der Dialogstil jedes Einzelnen ist unverkennbar und eine wahre Freude – und oftmals so, als wenn man alten Freunden beim Streiten zuhört. Band 2 endet mit einer unfassbaren Entdeckung, der nicht nur einen Protagonisten fassungslos zurücklässt – denn noch lange nach Ende des Hörbuchs beschäftigt die Frage, was das alles für Auswirkungen haben wird. Außerdem bleibt der Verbleib einiger Protagonisten ungeklärt und sorgt so für banges Warten auf den nächsten Teil. Der Epilog ist dann nur noch das Sahnehäubchen obendrauf, welcher spätestens jetzt auch den Letzten sich fragen lässt: Was hat Lukys wirklich vor?
Oliver Siebeck liest weiterhin passend und gekonnt vor.
Der zweite Teil führt weitere Unsterbliche ein und treibt die Handlung zielgerichtet voran, es ergeben sich neue Verwicklungen und auch wenn sich paar Vermutungen bestätigen, ergeben sich dafür umso mehr neue Fragen.
January 14, 2014
It has been a thousand years since the last High Tide and humanity has forgotten the threat posed by the Tide Lords...
This is an EXCELLENT sequel to followup the Immortal Prince.
The world view has definitely expanded in this book! Though we still have a few back stories, this book gives a much better view of Amyrantha as an actual world and it's histories.
The story is still pretty much following Cayal as he looks for ways to end his life, but the Immortal Prince had a more minor role this time around.
This is a good thing because it gave us the chance to learn more about the 9 Tide Lords who have begun to surface & stir now that the Tide is coming back in ~ and with the tides turning Arkady needs to be cautious of the more powerful immortals (she seems to attract them like magnets) because the attentions & manipulations of a Tide Lord tend to end badly.
What I enjoyed most about this book was how human most of the immortals seemed. The Tide Lords could have been demons or fallen angels or any immortal being so I LOVE that they were human before they were changed. And I love the instability of their magic. They aren't gods. Their magic comes & goes & they never know when it's coming back or how long it will stay... I loved the uncertainty they were saddled with.
Declan Hawkes was a more prominent character in this book. I had really started to like him in the first book, mostly because he's mortal & it wouldn't be such a cliche if he & Arkady ended up together at the end of the series... but after that twist of events in the end.... I wasn't sure what to think...
I definitely liked this book better then the Immortal Prince. I liked that there is less back story in this book and much more intrigue. The writing's not bad, but it's not remarkable either. However, for some reason it's strangely addictive...
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