The Witches of Eileanan (The Witches of Eileanan Book 1) By Kate Forsyth

Isabeau lives with her guardian the Witch Meghan in a hidden valley in the mountains but on her sixteenth birthday just as she passes her tests to become a member of the Coven of witches the valley is attacked by the Red Guards troops of the magic hating Banrigh. As they flee Isabeau is given a quest to take a magical amulet to a witch in the Righ’s palace by Meghan. But disaster strikes when she rescues an ungrateful Hunchback from the Awl (Witch Sniffers) and ends up hunted. Meanwhile after asking the dragons for advice Meghan meets Isabeau’s Twin sister Iseult and the set out to find her. And Jorge the Seer finds a boy who has the power to heal with his hands who he tries to take into hiding for his power will be needed in the battle to come.

I enjoyed reading this book, But unfortunately I had already read the Rhiannon's Ride books set after this series so I had knowledge of events that would happen so was waiting for events to happen. I often when reading these books find my self-thinking of Robert Jordan with the constant mentioning of the One Power. But this is a really good book with good characters an enjoyable way to spend a few hours if you can get past the annoying Scottish accents.

A Shout For The Dead (The Ascendants of Estorea Book 2) by James Barclay

The Estorean Conquord has been rebuilding from the Tsardon war and has only just retaken Atreska. The Ascendancy has been trying to win acceptance but their efforts are always undone by the Order speakers’ lead by the Chancellor. But now the Tsardon are back lead by the mad Gorian who having learned how to raise the dead is leading them to conquer the world. The Ascendancy and conquord Legions must find a way to stop an army of the dead with out using fire as it is banned by their religion. But disbelieving the reports of war and consumed with hatred of the Ascendancy the Chancellor and the order turn the citizens against the Advocate demanding the Ascendancy be killed. Can the Ascendancy survive the Chancellor and save the world from Gorian.

I am a big fan of James Barclay but I think this book was poor by his standards. A lot of the characters did stupid things, which got really annoying. I soon got fed up with Ossacer’s constant whining about being forced to kill for the conquord. That said there was a lot of good characters in the book and intriguing story line. The Ocenii marine squad seven was great Admiral Iliev and Trierarch Kashilli were really amusing.

Path of Blood by Diana Pharaoh Francis

As events come to a head in Kodu Riik Reisil finds the only way to save the land is to travel to the world of Cemanahuatl. So as she struggles to learn the magic of the nahualli, it is down to her friends at the newly created settlement of Honor to defend Mysane Kosk from the Wizards, Scallacian sorcerers and the Regent as its destruction would destroy both worlds. But as winter ends early and the regent attacks can Reisil get back in time to save them all.

This is my favourite book from the trilogy it is well paced full of intriguing stories. There al sorts of events that I did not predict until just before they happened. Characters died that you did not expect.

Path of Honor by Diana Pharaoh Francis

The Blessed lady has left the Kodu Riik and disasters are striking the land. The people are falling to plague and newly arrived monsters called Nokula, The Iisand has withdrawn after his wife’s death and his evil son plots for power. Reisil’s life is not as she expected after she saved Kodu Riik. The Nobles fear her power and her fellow ahalad-kaaslane doubt and mistrust her on top of that her power is not working properly she cannot control it and when it works it is more prone to destroy then heal. Ostracised and powerless how can she fulfil the lady’s command to heal the land both people and animals?

I liked the first book but was worried by the synopsis to this book. And as I feared Reisil was very self pitying but the story was more then good enough to cover this weakness.The book has 4-5 main characters who you get really interested in.

Freedom's Sisters (The Dead Rivers Trilogy Book 3) by Naomi Kritzer

Lauria is a captive of Kyros and the Sisterhood of Weavers in Penelopeia. Her only hope of escape is to try and convert Xanthe (Janiya’s estranged daughter) to the Alashi and persuade her to help Lauria escape so she can free the rivers and with them the slaves. Meanwhile Tamar, Alibek and Janiya are sent out to try and sow discord between the Younger Sisters and the Weavers to stop them attacking the Alashi. But there are secrets that they are not aware of and as they find out the secrets events over take them and they can only roll with them.

I think I enjoyed this book the most of the trilogy. Mainly because it has a lot less of the whining about the hardships of a slaves life. The revelations about the Djinni pleasantly surprised me, as I had not expected it. I think it was a very good conclusion to the series and it ended wrapping up what happened in the aftermath was quite complete. Leaving me with no questions I wanted answered.

The Killing Song (Eberron: The Dragon Below Book 3) By Don Bassingthwaite

Singe, Dandra, Ashi and Natrac have travelled to Sharn to try and stop Dah'mar from capturing Kalashtar too make servants for the Master of Silence. They find that something else is attacking the Kalashtar the mysterious Killing song that is driving them mad and instructing them to attack Singe, Dandra and Geth. As they are trying to work out Dah'mar's plan Ashi is hunted by a member of house d'Deneith who wants to turn her in for a reward. And Natrac gets in trouble with enemies from his mysterious past in Sharn. Meanwhile Geth and Ekhaas head to the shadow marched to warn the Gatekeepers but find they already know and must face a powerful enemy they had thought dead. Can they manage to stop Dah'mar before he releases his master.

This book was a pleasant read like most of the Eberron books have been. A problem I have with this book is that a lot of the characters do some really stupid things, which get them into trouble. Also the ending was unsatisfying there is a lack of wrapping up what happens to the characters like what happens with Ashi when she goes to house d'Deneith.

Bridge of Birds (The "Master Li" and "Number Ten Ox" books. Book 1) By Barry Hughart

All the children in the village of Ku-fu between the ages of eight and thirteen are dying of plague. Number Ten Ox is sent armed with five thousand copper cash to find a wise man to explain how a plague can count. He is refused by all the wise men with signs of a wide unblinking eye for not having anywhere near enough money. Just as he is about to give up he finds a drunken wise man under the sign of a half-closed eye. Just as he is about to leave he sees on the wall a flower diploma that signified that seventy-eight years ago the wise man had been awarded first place among all the scholars in china. The wise man when awoken agrees to help his surname s Li and his personal name is Kao and there is a slight flaw in his character. As Master Li and Number Ten Ox go through madcap adventures can they find the cure in time to save the children and can they solve a deeper thousand-year-old mystery?

This book was really funny with lots of fantastic characters none better then the criminally inclined wise man master Li. I think my favourite part was when they con the Magnet Merchant and describe the preparation of none fatal Porcupine. I think this book would appeal to Terry Pratchett fans, as the humour is of a similar tone especially books like Interesting times and Thief of Time.

Redeeming the Lost (The Tale of Lanen Kaeler Book 3) By Elizabeth Kerner

Lanen is the prisoner of Berys trapped in silence unable to use even Farspeech to call for aid and the Demonlord has been reborn in a body made from molten rock formed as a dragon. The Black dragon of legend prophesised to bring about the end of the world. Varien is aided in his quest to rescue Lanen by Shikrar and their companions. But even if they rescue Lanen they must find a way to defeat the seemingly invincible Demonlord, Berys and hordes of demons. Against this enemy event the true dragons, the newly awakened Aiala and the Lost who are now restored seem out matched..

This book was a great conclusion to the series most of the story is at a fast pace making it hard to put the book down. One of my favourite part is when Vilkas unleashes his full power against Beyrs and becomes the Sky god I really enjoyed reading about his struggle not to become the Death of the World. The book at the end has scope for more stories and there are hints that more books will be writen and I cannot wait to read them.