Player's Ruse

Summary: Sir Michael Sevenson and his squire, Fisk, were just beginning to enjoy the quiet life. They really should have known better. When Lady Rosamund runs away from home to marry a traveling player, former knight errant Michael makes a noble promise to help the object of his unrequited love. The quest takes out would-be heroes to the coastal town of Huckerston, where savage sea pirates called wreckers terrorize the coast. With the help of a reluctant Fisk, Michael plans on catching the wreckers and winning back his lady; but when mysterious murders and dangerous accidents threaten the town and its players, love might be the least of his problems...

Review: Okay, I am going to be very very sad if this is the last book in the Knight and Rogue series! I seriously think that these books have surpassed Goblin Wood in my favorite books. Michael and Fisk are amazing characters, my favorite out of any books I’ve ever read. Fisk is cynical and, though he’d never admit it, a giant softie and it is truly touching to see how he cares for Michael. Michael is noble, valiant, and honest and it is interesting to see how he becomes a little less pure as he learns his lessons as an unredeemed man, and spends more time with Fisk. I truly love these characters. They are hilarious and touching at the same time.

The plot is always good clean fun even if it may deal with some dark stuff like murders. I suppose that everyone may think I’m childish because truly Hilari Bell’s books are for ages 10 & up, but I am 18 and truly want to own as many Hilari Bell books as I can get my hands on including this series.

Okay the honest review here. Charcters=AMAZINGLY FANTABULOUS. Even the villains are fun and ooooh I was so excited when (SPOILER!!!) Jack showed up. I had just been wondering in my head what was so special about him and he showed up! I literally sat straight up in my bed at midnight and was like YES! (END SPOILER!) The plot moved quickly and really, I can never figure these mysteries out! I always try to outwit the characters and figure out what will happen, but in these books I never know and I’m never right. I am with the characters as they attempt to figure out these baffling and urgent problems.

I have nothing but praise for these books and Hilari Bell. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good clean adventure. I’ve said it again and I’ll say it now, it’s books like these that make reading for fun....actually fun!

Rating: 5/5 of course. It may not be life-changing or take on deep dark themes, but I can’t give anything that gives me this much joy to read less than a 5.

Reviews from the pros:

“A blend of fantasy, adventure, and mystery, with a large cast of characters and a fast-paced plot, this installment will appeal most to fans of the previous titles.”—School Library Journal

“The engaging first-person narrative alternates, chapter by chapter, between Michael, who stalwartly pursues the outmoded profession of knight errantry, and his squire, Fisk, who sees life from a more ironic perspective. The latest adventure from the always-entertaining Knight and Rogue series.”-Booklist

Fragile Eternity

Summary: Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he’d ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on a new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who’d always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she’d ever imagined.

Review:

Okay so I am a big fan of Melissa Marr’s covers and titles. They are so cool sounding and its always fun when they tie into the entire book and actually make sense. So basically it’s been two years since I’ve read Ink Exchange so every time they freaking referenced Ink Exchange I was searching my mind to remember what had happened and why it was so bad. I’d only remembered vaguely.

Anyways, all that being said it was a good book. I wasn’t falling over my seat trying to read it all the time, but it kept me interested and entertained. Marr helps Seth weave intricate threads through all three courts, and even the High Court. I could feel his and Aislinn’s struggle and I wished, fleetingly, that they could both be mortal and things would be normal. I felt bad for Donia, but…I still can’t make myself believe Keenan is the bad one in all of this. You hear repeatedly from multiple characters throughout the book how manipulative and selfish Keenan is, but I don’t think he’s any worse than Niall. That is my one problem with the book, I can’t get Keenan to be evil even though I know he probably is!

Besides that, it was good. It should be interesting to read the newest book.

Rating: 4/5

Reviews from the pros:

“Fans of the fey world will devour this sequel to Wicked Lovely . . .. Marr has created a world both harsh and lush, at once urban and natural” (School Library Journal)

“Marr’s fantasy world is complex and involving” New York Times