An Otherworld Novel (Otherworld Series Book 1)
ByYasmine Galenorn★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | |
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | |
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | |
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | |
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ |
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Readers` Reviews
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
suzanne picard
I just wasn't as impressed by this as the summaries had led me to believe I'd be... The plot seemed trite and overdone. The characters seemed very static and stereotypical. Two characters that I would have liked to see more of were Morio, a Japanese kitsune (read demon fox) and 'Smoky' a white dragon. One can hope they make a larger appearance in the second and third installments.
The plotline is fairly standard. Three sisters are living on Earth on assignment from their CIA-like agency from Faerie. Since the sisters are half Fae, half human they each have their weird powers. Camille is a witch, Delilah is a werecat and Menolly used to be great at acrobatics before a mission gone wrong saw her turn into a vampire.
The sisters manage well enough Earthside and they all have their own jobs. Menolly helps tend bar (at night of course), Delilah is a detective and Camille runs a bookstore. By the title, Camille is the obvious focus of this story and things were going fine until a friend that worked at the bar with Menolly died of very suspicious causes. That sets off a whole slew of otherworldly problems including the rising of a demon named Shadow Wing. I couldn't help it; I thought of Darkwing Duck every time I saw the name in print...
It took me a good four or five days to get through this slim little paperback, a size that would normally take one or two max. I just couldn't get into it. I'll (of course) read the next ones to see if they turn out better. I hope they do.
The plotline is fairly standard. Three sisters are living on Earth on assignment from their CIA-like agency from Faerie. Since the sisters are half Fae, half human they each have their weird powers. Camille is a witch, Delilah is a werecat and Menolly used to be great at acrobatics before a mission gone wrong saw her turn into a vampire.
The sisters manage well enough Earthside and they all have their own jobs. Menolly helps tend bar (at night of course), Delilah is a detective and Camille runs a bookstore. By the title, Camille is the obvious focus of this story and things were going fine until a friend that worked at the bar with Menolly died of very suspicious causes. That sets off a whole slew of otherworldly problems including the rising of a demon named Shadow Wing. I couldn't help it; I thought of Darkwing Duck every time I saw the name in print...
It took me a good four or five days to get through this slim little paperback, a size that would normally take one or two max. I just couldn't get into it. I'll (of course) read the next ones to see if they turn out better. I hope they do.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lauren kolodziej
Witchling / 0-425-21254-8
When I first read "Witchling", I was inclined to give it a mere 3-4 star rating, but now that I've re-read it again after reading the next two in the series, I can admit that I really love this series and I enjoyed "Witchling" far more now that I can see where the series is going.
A fun and fantastic series, the "Sisters of the Moon" books feature a sort of "Charmed"-esque world, with the three titular sisters combining good sense, strong magic, and family ties to defeat powerful demons and solve supernatural mysteries.
One of the things I like best about this series is the thought and care that Galenorn has put into building her world - the magical residents of "Otherworld" are out in the open, with no Masquerade to maintain, and much care has been put into fleshing out what such a world would look like, with new businesses popping up to cater to the OW residents and with human groupies and protesters taking to the streets. Creating a world without a Masquerade is tricky, and requires a lot of care and thought, but it allows the story to focus on the important elements of plot propulsion and character development, rather than having to devote huge chunks of time and space to cleaning up magical messes that really shouldn't be possible to hide in the first place.
More than anything else, the "Sisters of the Moon" series focuses on character development. The very few things I disliked about this novel - Camille's "Sex in the City" like obsession with clothes, lingerie, and other novelties she shouldn't be able to afford and wouldn't have the time and luxury to enjoy under the developing serious circumstances in the novel - melt into the background over the series as the sisters change and develop. Each of the sisters has her own personal demons and difficulties - in part due to their cross-breed heritage, but also in part to their own past difficulties that need to be overcome. As the world starts to fall apart around them over the course of the series, each sister starts to grow, evolve, and tackle her own personal demons. This isn't, in short, a series for reading out of order, because the sisters change slowly but noticeably over each novel.
"Witchling" is told from the point of view of Camille, the oldest sister, and it's interesting to see her from the perspective of her two younger sisters over the course of the next two books. She is deeply passionate and extremely sexually liberated, attracting a small harem of gorgeous, dangerous men over the course of the series. And yet, her first passion is always for her sisters and her family as she struggles to shelter the other two in her role as oldest sister and surrogate mother.
I highly recommend you check out this wonderful series. "Witchling" admittedly gets off to a gently rocky start, but if you enjoy this novel even a little, you will almost assuredly love the overall series, and this fantastically charming world will draw you in and refuse to let you go.
~ Ana Mardoll
When I first read "Witchling", I was inclined to give it a mere 3-4 star rating, but now that I've re-read it again after reading the next two in the series, I can admit that I really love this series and I enjoyed "Witchling" far more now that I can see where the series is going.
A fun and fantastic series, the "Sisters of the Moon" books feature a sort of "Charmed"-esque world, with the three titular sisters combining good sense, strong magic, and family ties to defeat powerful demons and solve supernatural mysteries.
One of the things I like best about this series is the thought and care that Galenorn has put into building her world - the magical residents of "Otherworld" are out in the open, with no Masquerade to maintain, and much care has been put into fleshing out what such a world would look like, with new businesses popping up to cater to the OW residents and with human groupies and protesters taking to the streets. Creating a world without a Masquerade is tricky, and requires a lot of care and thought, but it allows the story to focus on the important elements of plot propulsion and character development, rather than having to devote huge chunks of time and space to cleaning up magical messes that really shouldn't be possible to hide in the first place.
More than anything else, the "Sisters of the Moon" series focuses on character development. The very few things I disliked about this novel - Camille's "Sex in the City" like obsession with clothes, lingerie, and other novelties she shouldn't be able to afford and wouldn't have the time and luxury to enjoy under the developing serious circumstances in the novel - melt into the background over the series as the sisters change and develop. Each of the sisters has her own personal demons and difficulties - in part due to their cross-breed heritage, but also in part to their own past difficulties that need to be overcome. As the world starts to fall apart around them over the course of the series, each sister starts to grow, evolve, and tackle her own personal demons. This isn't, in short, a series for reading out of order, because the sisters change slowly but noticeably over each novel.
"Witchling" is told from the point of view of Camille, the oldest sister, and it's interesting to see her from the perspective of her two younger sisters over the course of the next two books. She is deeply passionate and extremely sexually liberated, attracting a small harem of gorgeous, dangerous men over the course of the series. And yet, her first passion is always for her sisters and her family as she struggles to shelter the other two in her role as oldest sister and surrogate mother.
I highly recommend you check out this wonderful series. "Witchling" admittedly gets off to a gently rocky start, but if you enjoy this novel even a little, you will almost assuredly love the overall series, and this fantastically charming world will draw you in and refuse to let you go.
~ Ana Mardoll
Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery - The Fiery Trial :: The Last Trial (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers Book 3) :: A Women's Murder Club Story (BookShots) - A BookShot :: The Trial :: Men of the Otherworld
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
susan messer
It is very clear to me that this is a first novel in this genre - I could tell even before I looked up the author's website. I kinda felt like this was more of a "fan-fiction" type thing... although with original characters. Although, some fan-fiction authors write very well, and probably should be published (if they created works with all original material and characters as well as stories based on other people's worlds), this didn't feel as polished as it could have been for a printed book. I found all sorts of things that seem to just rip off of other book series in this genre... for example, there's a bit of a Laurell K. Hamiltion rip off.
I had a problem with the idea that there are three sisters that are all magical in different ways. If they have the same parents, shouldn't their magics be similar? They're not. There's also the question of terms; is "witch" the right term for a fairy magic wielder? The main character claims herself to be a witch and a fairy... but is her magic that of a witch or that of a fairy? Or is there no such thing as a non-fairy witch? One of her sisters transforms into a tabby cat... why does a fairy turn into a house cat like the more traditional werewolf idea of shapeshifters, although in the form of a house cat instead of a wolf? That is actually more explained in book 2, which I actually really enjoyed and had a lot less problems with. The third sister is a vampire... it's explained why in this volume and I understand that. My problem is she seemed to have no magical ability before her transformation, and yet both of her sisters are magically gifted in one way or another. Did the magical gift fairy forget to smack her with the gifting stick? That is, unless you count her acrobatic abilities as "magic".
Also, there's a whole "Everyone wants to have sex with Camille with the porn star boobs" syndrome... kinda tired of paranormal heroines that are so sexy EVERYONE who is male and some who are female wish they were in bed with them. There's way too many series that do that now. Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and Merry Gentry ones are the first two I read that had them, and it's a reason I stopped reading her books. I'm only doing as she herself wants people to do if they're not happy, so I'm happy enough. Charlaine Harris has started going that route with her Sookie books, and that's making me enjoy her books a lot less than I used to. With Sookie, I understand it a lot more than I do with Anita or Merry, and I understand it a little better than I do with Camille here, too. I don't know the character of Camille as well yet - although I do see that she is very loyal to her sisters, and has taken the role of mama-sister in a way. She's a good person, but I find her misfiring-magical abilities and her clothing choices to be a bit annoying. She also seems incompetent for the job she's been given... I won't say more about that because I don't want to make a lot of spoiler-y comments. I found the second book a lot more appealing, and I'll be continuing with the series, but I found this book to be a bit of a dud.
There could also have been a lot more things done to build the world better in this book as well as more on why the sisters' abilities are so different. I would have liked more info about the different fairy and spiritual peoples of the human world and "Otherworld".
I had a problem with the idea that there are three sisters that are all magical in different ways. If they have the same parents, shouldn't their magics be similar? They're not. There's also the question of terms; is "witch" the right term for a fairy magic wielder? The main character claims herself to be a witch and a fairy... but is her magic that of a witch or that of a fairy? Or is there no such thing as a non-fairy witch? One of her sisters transforms into a tabby cat... why does a fairy turn into a house cat like the more traditional werewolf idea of shapeshifters, although in the form of a house cat instead of a wolf? That is actually more explained in book 2, which I actually really enjoyed and had a lot less problems with. The third sister is a vampire... it's explained why in this volume and I understand that. My problem is she seemed to have no magical ability before her transformation, and yet both of her sisters are magically gifted in one way or another. Did the magical gift fairy forget to smack her with the gifting stick? That is, unless you count her acrobatic abilities as "magic".
Also, there's a whole "Everyone wants to have sex with Camille with the porn star boobs" syndrome... kinda tired of paranormal heroines that are so sexy EVERYONE who is male and some who are female wish they were in bed with them. There's way too many series that do that now. Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and Merry Gentry ones are the first two I read that had them, and it's a reason I stopped reading her books. I'm only doing as she herself wants people to do if they're not happy, so I'm happy enough. Charlaine Harris has started going that route with her Sookie books, and that's making me enjoy her books a lot less than I used to. With Sookie, I understand it a lot more than I do with Anita or Merry, and I understand it a little better than I do with Camille here, too. I don't know the character of Camille as well yet - although I do see that she is very loyal to her sisters, and has taken the role of mama-sister in a way. She's a good person, but I find her misfiring-magical abilities and her clothing choices to be a bit annoying. She also seems incompetent for the job she's been given... I won't say more about that because I don't want to make a lot of spoiler-y comments. I found the second book a lot more appealing, and I'll be continuing with the series, but I found this book to be a bit of a dud.
There could also have been a lot more things done to build the world better in this book as well as more on why the sisters' abilities are so different. I would have liked more info about the different fairy and spiritual peoples of the human world and "Otherworld".
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
marcia mcnally
I have a lot of Yasmine's non-fiction books in my extensive library, Witchling was the first time I read one of her fiction books, and I was not disappointed. It does take me a while to sink into a new world, where the mythologies are different but I really like reading other peoples ideas about the way things are with magickal creatures and mythologies, Yasmine's interpretations were great and I especially loved her take on the Greek Gods!
You can tell that Yasmine has a very deep knowledge and respect for all things Pagan and as a fellow Witch whist reading got a deeper appreciation (or found things more humours) due to the fact that she weaves her knowledge into the book. It took me some time to warm up to Camille but once I got past the first chapter I was hooked. Yasmine is eloquent and sassy when she writes and writes her female characters (the sisters) very empowered. I can't wait for the second book (the teaser in the end of Witchling has got me waiting for July to come around)
So if it is stormy outside and all you want to do is sit down near a warm heater or fire with a entertaining book and a hot chocolate I defiantly recommend this one.
Blessed Be
Ethony
You can tell that Yasmine has a very deep knowledge and respect for all things Pagan and as a fellow Witch whist reading got a deeper appreciation (or found things more humours) due to the fact that she weaves her knowledge into the book. It took me some time to warm up to Camille but once I got past the first chapter I was hooked. Yasmine is eloquent and sassy when she writes and writes her female characters (the sisters) very empowered. I can't wait for the second book (the teaser in the end of Witchling has got me waiting for July to come around)
So if it is stormy outside and all you want to do is sit down near a warm heater or fire with a entertaining book and a hot chocolate I defiantly recommend this one.
Blessed Be
Ethony
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
sara o mara
Oh my gosh, guys. I freaking LOVE this book! It's the first in the series about the D'Artigo sisters and they do NOT disappoint! The whole series is chock full of adventure and romance and some really bad ass chicks! I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out! This is the book that introduced me to Yasmine, and I am so grateful for that! She's now one of my all time favorite authors, and everything else I've read by her has been just as fun, sexy, and intense as this series!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
amir kiani
The magical races of Otherworld make their presence known to Earthlings and the Sidhe travel through guarded portals to terra. They have agents on Earth that belong to the OIA and these agents guard the portals and fix things that involve Earth otherworld inhabitants. Three of the OIA operatives are the half human half faerie D'Artigo sisters: Camille the powerful witch whose spells sometimes backfire, Delilah a were who shifts into a cat, and Menolly a reluctant vampire.
The sisters learn that there has been a change of leadership in the Subterranean Realms where the demons reside and the new ruler Shadow Wing wants to gain control of the same magical seals that the elemental hands lost. When he has the seals he will be able to have his army pass through his realm into earth. He hates humans and wants earth scourged of their presence and his minions in control of the planet. Both sides know who has the seals and they are in a race to claim it.
Yasmine Galenorn has written a fantastic, exciting and electrifying urban fantasy that is on par with such greats at Laurell K. Hamilton, Mercedes Lackey, and Kim Harrison. Camille is torn between two different magical beings, one of which belongs to a fickle fae group who always leave their lovers and the other is a fae creature of earth that has powers equals to his lover and his rival. There is plenty of action witty dialogue and a well crafted plot in this be-WITCHLING tale.
Harriet Klausner
The sisters learn that there has been a change of leadership in the Subterranean Realms where the demons reside and the new ruler Shadow Wing wants to gain control of the same magical seals that the elemental hands lost. When he has the seals he will be able to have his army pass through his realm into earth. He hates humans and wants earth scourged of their presence and his minions in control of the planet. Both sides know who has the seals and they are in a race to claim it.
Yasmine Galenorn has written a fantastic, exciting and electrifying urban fantasy that is on par with such greats at Laurell K. Hamilton, Mercedes Lackey, and Kim Harrison. Camille is torn between two different magical beings, one of which belongs to a fickle fae group who always leave their lovers and the other is a fae creature of earth that has powers equals to his lover and his rival. There is plenty of action witty dialogue and a well crafted plot in this be-WITCHLING tale.
Harriet Klausner
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
nahom tamerat
I always look forward to new fiction from Yasmine Galenorn, and the first of this new supernatural fantasy series about three half-human, half-Faerie sisters promises to take her writing to a new and darker level. Camille d'Artigo, the narrator of 'Witchling', is smart, sassy, sexy and powerful, a good witch whose half-humanity makes her magical powers unpredictable. The book suffers from the need of all first-in-series books - to introduce and establish the background and landscape of the fantasy - but the action is hot and strong enough to carry us through all that.
Camille and her sisters Delilah (a were-cat) and Menolly (a newly-fledged vampire) work in urban Seattle while maintaining their secret lives as intelligence operatives for Otherworld. The murder of another operative leads them to the existence of a plot by an evil demon, Shadow Wing from the Subterranean Realms, to seize power not only in Otherworld but on Earth. Bureaucratic inertia in the Otherworld Intelligence Agency, and the neglect of the Queen of the Faeries, leaves them to fight the threat of a series of increasingly-dangerous minions of Shadow-Wing alone with only the help of such friends (and lovers) as they can muster.
The brief taster at the end of Witchling brings us to the next book, Changeling, told by Delilah the were-cat, due to be published in 2007, and Darkling, the third in the series, told by Menolly. Now we know the landscape of the series, I look forward to enjoying even more of Galenorn's ability to craft a well-told story with some beautiful quality writing.
Camille and her sisters Delilah (a were-cat) and Menolly (a newly-fledged vampire) work in urban Seattle while maintaining their secret lives as intelligence operatives for Otherworld. The murder of another operative leads them to the existence of a plot by an evil demon, Shadow Wing from the Subterranean Realms, to seize power not only in Otherworld but on Earth. Bureaucratic inertia in the Otherworld Intelligence Agency, and the neglect of the Queen of the Faeries, leaves them to fight the threat of a series of increasingly-dangerous minions of Shadow-Wing alone with only the help of such friends (and lovers) as they can muster.
The brief taster at the end of Witchling brings us to the next book, Changeling, told by Delilah the were-cat, due to be published in 2007, and Darkling, the third in the series, told by Menolly. Now we know the landscape of the series, I look forward to enjoying even more of Galenorn's ability to craft a well-told story with some beautiful quality writing.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
anjali s
I have to say I was attracked to the cover of this book & was quite pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing, once I got in to the book. the characters are well crafted, while retaining enough mystery to leave you wanting more (in the sequel, one can only hope.) Also, while the mythos for this world is well rounded, it is not "crammed down your throat" so much that you miss the story. The plot is always the driving force, and what a force that is....I can not wait to read the next book in this series. I was afraid this was going to come off as a "Charmed" knock off, but these three weird sisters have it all going on, and a bag of chips (to go with the late night bad TV...read the book & you'll understand...)
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
kau sim o
If you are looking for a light-reading romp under the moon, this book is for you. The first novel in the Otherworld series, Witchling takes place in Seattle in a world where Earthside coexists with Otherworld, the place of the fae. There are three half-human, half-fae D'Artigo sisters (Camille the witch, Delilah the werecat and Menolly the vampire) who are trying to stop a demon named Shadow Wing from destroying both worlds. Although this series has been categorized as Paranormal Romance, it is far from harlequin. I would consider the Otherworld novels as mostly urban fantasy with a little bit of mystery and a few steamy scenes. The adult content is a side note that complements the story without dominating the plot. What keeps this series fresh is the rotation of the point-of-view between the three sisters. Each book is purely told through the eyes of one sister, then the next book features the next sister. On that note, Witchling is told from the oldest sister Camille's point of view.
As with the first book of any series, there is a lot of time spent on establishing the characters, but it is very much worth the effort. As the books continue, it is difficult not to become personally-invested in the characters as you gain a rich backstory that is recommended to further enjoy following novels. The drawback with this book is the dialog. It is easy to misinterpret lighthearted, snarky comments with juvenile, cheesy comebacks. The problem with dialog decreases over time, either due to Yasmine gaining more experience over the years as a writer, or that the sisters have evolved from being naive to serious about the war they are facing. With 13 novels in the series at the time of this review, each book has been better than the last. Yasmine has become a skilled story weaver with such a large cast of characters, exotic locations and mythical creatures. Smart, sexy and imaginative, her books offer a fantastical way to momentarily escape reality while having a little fun.
As with the first book of any series, there is a lot of time spent on establishing the characters, but it is very much worth the effort. As the books continue, it is difficult not to become personally-invested in the characters as you gain a rich backstory that is recommended to further enjoy following novels. The drawback with this book is the dialog. It is easy to misinterpret lighthearted, snarky comments with juvenile, cheesy comebacks. The problem with dialog decreases over time, either due to Yasmine gaining more experience over the years as a writer, or that the sisters have evolved from being naive to serious about the war they are facing. With 13 novels in the series at the time of this review, each book has been better than the last. Yasmine has become a skilled story weaver with such a large cast of characters, exotic locations and mythical creatures. Smart, sexy and imaginative, her books offer a fantastical way to momentarily escape reality while having a little fun.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
regina nilsave
Meet the D'Artigo sisters: the oldest Camille, the middle sister Delilah, and the youngest Menolly. All of them smart, pretty, and deadly. They're half human, half Faerie and that messes with the magic in their blood. Camille is a witch who's magic can short circuit at the worst possible times, Delilah is a were cat who shape shifts when she becomes stressed out and Menolly is an acrobat, who when she fell at the wrong moment, was turned into vampire. She is now learning how to deal with being one of the undead and controlling herself.
The three of them live in an alternate version of Seattle where humans know about the Fae and some of the other things that go bump in the night. Currently a few bad things are going down, starting with the murder of a giant, a bouncer named Jocko, at the bar where Menolly works. It appears that the demon Shadow Wing is trying to break out of the Subterranean Realms and wants to take over and destroy Earth and Otherworld where the girls grew up.
And so, the three are changed with the following from the Otherworld Intelligence Agency (OIA, think like the CIA/FBI except it's magic): Keep Shadow Wing and his minions from coming though however possible.
I first picked this book up because of the cover; the art of this series is, in my opinion, just beautiful. Yasmine weaves a lovely story and you can see the love the three sisters have for each other. I've heard some people say that the three sisters' thing is a rip off of "Charmed", but it's not. Three is a magical number and has been used way before "Charmed" ever got a hold of it. (Besides for "Charmed" it's technically four sisters.) I've read this book three times and its sequel Changling twice and am dying to get a copy of Darkling come January. There is some violence and sex, but I think that it's very well written and is done better than some of the other authors out there; and is not as in your face about it as some authors can be.
The three of them live in an alternate version of Seattle where humans know about the Fae and some of the other things that go bump in the night. Currently a few bad things are going down, starting with the murder of a giant, a bouncer named Jocko, at the bar where Menolly works. It appears that the demon Shadow Wing is trying to break out of the Subterranean Realms and wants to take over and destroy Earth and Otherworld where the girls grew up.
And so, the three are changed with the following from the Otherworld Intelligence Agency (OIA, think like the CIA/FBI except it's magic): Keep Shadow Wing and his minions from coming though however possible.
I first picked this book up because of the cover; the art of this series is, in my opinion, just beautiful. Yasmine weaves a lovely story and you can see the love the three sisters have for each other. I've heard some people say that the three sisters' thing is a rip off of "Charmed", but it's not. Three is a magical number and has been used way before "Charmed" ever got a hold of it. (Besides for "Charmed" it's technically four sisters.) I've read this book three times and its sequel Changling twice and am dying to get a copy of Darkling come January. There is some violence and sex, but I think that it's very well written and is done better than some of the other authors out there; and is not as in your face about it as some authors can be.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
jim pennington
Sorry to say I just couldn't get into this one.
Like so many paranormal books I've come across, this one is just way too bogged down with world building. Before the actual story can really begin, the reader must learn all about vampires, witches, Sidhe, giants, and their origins. All of these supernatural characters come to earth from the Otherworld--an alternate dimension. The three sisters this series centers on are members of an orginization that protects earth from the bad things coming out of the Otherworld. Apparently the really bad ones come from some place called Subterranean Realms. A giant is murdered and the sisters suspect that it has something to do with the new leader of the Sub Realms.
The book is told from the first person perspective of Camile, the oldest of three half fairy, half human sisters. Somehow, I haven't figured out how, she is a witch...but her sisters are a shapeshifter and a vampire respectively. Camile is romantically pursued by Chase, but repeatedly says she finds him repulsive and a relationship would not work anyway because Chase is fully human.
I think my frustrations with this book are obvious. In my oppinion when it comes to paranormal--less is more. Too many creatures, characters, clubs, organizations, locations, rules and customs, it's all just needlessly exhausting for readers. More importantly it slows the actual plot to a crawl. I would have been happier it the books spead ahead with the murder investigation and explained the other convuluted elements as we went along--and just deleted a few all together. This way it just doesn't flow well.
To say something nice, I thought this book had a few cute touches. The sisters themselves were rather endearing. Delilah, who transforms into a tabby cat when stressed. Camile who's magic occasionally goes haywire resulting in public nudity. Menolly, who beads her hair because the jingling noise makes her happy. Yeah, there is potential in all of this. I just felt the book was to busy on the whole
Like so many paranormal books I've come across, this one is just way too bogged down with world building. Before the actual story can really begin, the reader must learn all about vampires, witches, Sidhe, giants, and their origins. All of these supernatural characters come to earth from the Otherworld--an alternate dimension. The three sisters this series centers on are members of an orginization that protects earth from the bad things coming out of the Otherworld. Apparently the really bad ones come from some place called Subterranean Realms. A giant is murdered and the sisters suspect that it has something to do with the new leader of the Sub Realms.
The book is told from the first person perspective of Camile, the oldest of three half fairy, half human sisters. Somehow, I haven't figured out how, she is a witch...but her sisters are a shapeshifter and a vampire respectively. Camile is romantically pursued by Chase, but repeatedly says she finds him repulsive and a relationship would not work anyway because Chase is fully human.
I think my frustrations with this book are obvious. In my oppinion when it comes to paranormal--less is more. Too many creatures, characters, clubs, organizations, locations, rules and customs, it's all just needlessly exhausting for readers. More importantly it slows the actual plot to a crawl. I would have been happier it the books spead ahead with the murder investigation and explained the other convuluted elements as we went along--and just deleted a few all together. This way it just doesn't flow well.
To say something nice, I thought this book had a few cute touches. The sisters themselves were rather endearing. Delilah, who transforms into a tabby cat when stressed. Camile who's magic occasionally goes haywire resulting in public nudity. Menolly, who beads her hair because the jingling noise makes her happy. Yeah, there is potential in all of this. I just felt the book was to busy on the whole
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
willow
Attempt at a witty review title aside I think it conveys my overall opinion pretty well. If you love paranormals with heroines akin to Buffy or the Halliwell sisters this is right up your alley. Any comparison to literary heroines would bring those gals down just a little.
Meet the D'Artigo sisters, mom was a human, dad is fae. Oldest sister Camille, a witch, tells this first story. Operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency they are the protectors of the line between Otherworld (their home realm) and Earth. When a baddy from the Subterranean Realms threatens to upset the balance between the three realms Camille and sisters Delilah, a shapeshifter, and Menolly, a vampire, have to kick some bad guy butt. Throw in the rich setting of the Pacific Northwest and some hot guys to keep the lust tension going and you have the perfect light reading.
While not quite as well built, planned and plotted as other heroines in the genre don't count these girls out. Characters like Rachel Morgan or Mercy Thompson are the caloric equivalent of a regular cola and these would make a great diet substitute. Lighter reading for in between the meatier series's. Enjoy!
Meet the D'Artigo sisters, mom was a human, dad is fae. Oldest sister Camille, a witch, tells this first story. Operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency they are the protectors of the line between Otherworld (their home realm) and Earth. When a baddy from the Subterranean Realms threatens to upset the balance between the three realms Camille and sisters Delilah, a shapeshifter, and Menolly, a vampire, have to kick some bad guy butt. Throw in the rich setting of the Pacific Northwest and some hot guys to keep the lust tension going and you have the perfect light reading.
While not quite as well built, planned and plotted as other heroines in the genre don't count these girls out. Characters like Rachel Morgan or Mercy Thompson are the caloric equivalent of a regular cola and these would make a great diet substitute. Lighter reading for in between the meatier series's. Enjoy!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jason jerus
I was surprised to discover just how much I enjoyed this novel. The story is about three sisters, all half faery. One is a buxom witch who turns all the guys heads, but is intellegent and strong-willed. The second is a changeling, tall, blonde, and athletic with a soft heart. The third is a recently turned vampire, small, petite, red-headed and tough. The three sisters work on earth as a go-between between the faery world and ours. Unfortunately they are called in when a giant has been found murdered and uncover a horrible plot to take over both worlds. Basically the girls are all we have to stand between the terrible evil coming and the world.
I won't say more, but suffice it to say this is no fluff novel. It is a fast-paced fun ride in which I can't wait to read the next one.
I won't say more, but suffice it to say this is no fluff novel. It is a fast-paced fun ride in which I can't wait to read the next one.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
angie hanson
I picked this book up with the second one -Changling -in the library hoping for a good paranormal/supernatural series and was disappointed to find that although the story had alot of potential (and reminded me a bit of Charmed), the characters are annoying. Camille, the main sister in this first book reminds me of Prue -Charmed- only much much sluttier. The story wouldn't be bad if there were less focus on all the new men the sisters are trying to sleep with and/or decide between, and more mystery,horror, and action. I flipped past the tedious sex scenes in hopes that there would be more to the actual PLOT, but no such luck. Also annoying is the bad decisions the sisters make regarding the men they date which just adds more annoying characters. I will not be getting book three unless I am seriously,seriously bored!
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
meeta
Yasmine Galenorn's Witchling isn't a bad book. I just didn't find it all that engaging. The story centers around a half-fae/half-human witch named Camille. She and her sisters work for the Otherworld Intelligence agency. In this world the fae have "come out" and are known to the humans of this world.
I think part of the problem I had with the book was insufficient world building. I never really got a sense why the Otherworld made itself known to our world, or why the agency they report to was having trouble. I couldn't relate to Camille's character, or her problems with her ex-boyfriend. I got a sense of being told why she'd dumped him, but not really shown.
I might pick up the other books in the series to see if I can find the other sisters easier to relate to than this one. Although, I have a lot more pressing things that I want to read in my TBR pile.
An explanation of my rating system, so others will realize where I'm coming from:
5 stars = excellent book, I couldn't put it down.
4 stars = good book
3 stars = OK book may or may not read on if it's part of a series
2 stars = not good, book drags
1 star = bad book
I think part of the problem I had with the book was insufficient world building. I never really got a sense why the Otherworld made itself known to our world, or why the agency they report to was having trouble. I couldn't relate to Camille's character, or her problems with her ex-boyfriend. I got a sense of being told why she'd dumped him, but not really shown.
I might pick up the other books in the series to see if I can find the other sisters easier to relate to than this one. Although, I have a lot more pressing things that I want to read in my TBR pile.
An explanation of my rating system, so others will realize where I'm coming from:
5 stars = excellent book, I couldn't put it down.
4 stars = good book
3 stars = OK book may or may not read on if it's part of a series
2 stars = not good, book drags
1 star = bad book
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
ruffatore
3 and a half stars. Yes, that means that this book is a bit rough and not nearly was well but together as Galenorn's modestly popular Chintz 'n China Mystery Series. I should have known something was up when MJ Davidson was quoted on the cover. Witchling is the first in the series with Changeling soon to follow. Galenorn tries to mix a lot of characters, fashion, sex, and a number of mythological/fairy tale traditions. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work well in a 276 page book. If the book had about another 10 pages, then we might have really had something. Now, it isn't horrible, but I think I might have been better off buying the book and then waiting for a few more of them to come out and reading them together. Also, the book is in first person, and some folks don't like that. The thing I really didn't like was that Galenorn mixes her traditions but uses the different names for the same entity as if they were two different types of beings. Also, she often forgets that the Sidhe are Fairies, too (sometimes a sentence or two after she calls them Fairies).
A tirade of demons are loose on Earth and the magical half-human, half-Fae D'Artigo sisters and their sidekicks are off to stop them before their master, Shadow Wing, gets his grubby mits on the any of the nine shields that separate Earth, Otherworld, and the Subterranean Realms. Here is the problem, by the time you are halfway through the book, there are over 8 of these "sidekick-types" and all of them are a different type of entity. So much time is lost explaining what all these entities are, that the plot line becomes broken and rushed. Another 50-100 pages or so could have really allowed the author to smooth things out.
A tirade of demons are loose on Earth and the magical half-human, half-Fae D'Artigo sisters and their sidekicks are off to stop them before their master, Shadow Wing, gets his grubby mits on the any of the nine shields that separate Earth, Otherworld, and the Subterranean Realms. Here is the problem, by the time you are halfway through the book, there are over 8 of these "sidekick-types" and all of them are a different type of entity. So much time is lost explaining what all these entities are, that the plot line becomes broken and rushed. Another 50-100 pages or so could have really allowed the author to smooth things out.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
gourav munal
I have been waiting for months for Yasmine's next endeavor to hit the shelves and it was well worth it! In the ever-growing genre of urban fantasy her name is going to be one of the big ones.
We tend to see elements of things we enjoy in every book we read, there are no new stories after all. The trick is when an author manages to portray themes in a new light. Witchling is all that and then some. Steeped in mystery, magic and mayhem she seamlessly blends together a world that as the reader you're never really sure hasn't existed all this time.
Otherworld and Earth, two planes of existence that co-exist are on the brink of destruction. Only no one wants to acknowledge it. The FBH (full-blooded humans) are mostly clueless, and the Crown and Court are too busy with their opium dreams to bother outfitting for war. So it's up to Camille and her two half-human/half-Fae sisters to stop the demon armies from shattering the divisions between the worlds and turning all of existence into the devil's playground.
For those of you who like stories rich in mythos, a world that is rich in scenery and characters who are real enough to step off the page - don't pass up this book. This series looks to be one that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride!
We tend to see elements of things we enjoy in every book we read, there are no new stories after all. The trick is when an author manages to portray themes in a new light. Witchling is all that and then some. Steeped in mystery, magic and mayhem she seamlessly blends together a world that as the reader you're never really sure hasn't existed all this time.
Otherworld and Earth, two planes of existence that co-exist are on the brink of destruction. Only no one wants to acknowledge it. The FBH (full-blooded humans) are mostly clueless, and the Crown and Court are too busy with their opium dreams to bother outfitting for war. So it's up to Camille and her two half-human/half-Fae sisters to stop the demon armies from shattering the divisions between the worlds and turning all of existence into the devil's playground.
For those of you who like stories rich in mythos, a world that is rich in scenery and characters who are real enough to step off the page - don't pass up this book. This series looks to be one that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
lynn chambers
Slow start, but got better...
I thoroughly enjoyed that the protagonists, especillly Camille, were somewhat normal in their desires and actions.
While many books in this genre have a virgin Mary approach to female protagonists, where heroines are completely non-sexual if not "untouched" until the meet the love of their life, Camille is a 21st century woman. Kudos to the writer for this.
I thoroughly enjoyed that the protagonists, especillly Camille, were somewhat normal in their desires and actions.
While many books in this genre have a virgin Mary approach to female protagonists, where heroines are completely non-sexual if not "untouched" until the meet the love of their life, Camille is a 21st century woman. Kudos to the writer for this.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
nick sheridan
It started off rather lackluster. But I was willing to read the first 100 pages just to make sure I wouldn't like it. There's a murder first off, and the heroine stands around talking smack with one of the officials from the Alphabet Soup Government agency which she also works for. At one point, the author actually popped her head up and says "Oh, I think you need a little background information.." Then the reader gets treated to a mini-Bio of the heroine that goes on for several pages. It's like she wrote out the backstory when she was outlining the book and inserted it as is without even trying to subtly weave it into the story. The thing read like a book report! This was annoying to me, like those movies where the main character actually turns and starts talking to the camera because the writer was too lazy to think of a clever way to impart the information. *ugh* I put the book down and probably won't go back to it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
reynaldo
Slow start, but got better...
I thoroughly enjoyed that the protagonists, especillly Camille, were somewhat normal in their desires and actions.
While many books in this genre have a virgin Mary approach to female protagonists, where heroines are completely non-sexual if not "untouched" until the meet the love of their life, Camille is a 21st century woman. Kudos to the writer for this.
I thoroughly enjoyed that the protagonists, especillly Camille, were somewhat normal in their desires and actions.
While many books in this genre have a virgin Mary approach to female protagonists, where heroines are completely non-sexual if not "untouched" until the meet the love of their life, Camille is a 21st century woman. Kudos to the writer for this.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
marian beall
It started off rather lackluster. But I was willing to read the first 100 pages just to make sure I wouldn't like it. There's a murder first off, and the heroine stands around talking smack with one of the officials from the Alphabet Soup Government agency which she also works for. At one point, the author actually popped her head up and says "Oh, I think you need a little background information.." Then the reader gets treated to a mini-Bio of the heroine that goes on for several pages. It's like she wrote out the backstory when she was outlining the book and inserted it as is without even trying to subtly weave it into the story. The thing read like a book report! This was annoying to me, like those movies where the main character actually turns and starts talking to the camera because the writer was too lazy to think of a clever way to impart the information. *ugh* I put the book down and probably won't go back to it.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
gary bunker
Finished Kim Harrison's new book and wanted to try something similar from others and happened to come by this book by chance.
Won't elaborate since many reviewers already gave their reviews with some details.
The narration is in the first person of Camille, the eldest sister.
The story is somewhat slow at times and can get quite boring.
Sometimes the dialogue sounds like something a college kid would say.
It's really difficult trying to feel anything towards the 3 main characters, of which are all sisters.
Are these sisters suppose to be older than they appear? They sound like college girls being on their own for the first time. There's no feeling in the book for readers to care about them!
Hadn't realized that it's scifi/thriller/romance or whatever passes as romance.
This series is probably geared toward the female audience than men.
It's just hard following the story. It's suppose to get you involved but it doesn't.
Listening to the audiobook version and the narrator sounds very young but not much experienced in voice impersonations since each character sounds roughly the same with not much distinction in tone or character.
I'd like to know what'll happen but sometimes have to put the story away and come back several times as it's... boring!!
Must... find... out.. the... ending!! ZZZZZ!!!
Even the older tv show of 3 sisters, Charms, was more interesting than this book!
Won't elaborate since many reviewers already gave their reviews with some details.
The narration is in the first person of Camille, the eldest sister.
The story is somewhat slow at times and can get quite boring.
Sometimes the dialogue sounds like something a college kid would say.
It's really difficult trying to feel anything towards the 3 main characters, of which are all sisters.
Are these sisters suppose to be older than they appear? They sound like college girls being on their own for the first time. There's no feeling in the book for readers to care about them!
Hadn't realized that it's scifi/thriller/romance or whatever passes as romance.
This series is probably geared toward the female audience than men.
It's just hard following the story. It's suppose to get you involved but it doesn't.
Listening to the audiobook version and the narrator sounds very young but not much experienced in voice impersonations since each character sounds roughly the same with not much distinction in tone or character.
I'd like to know what'll happen but sometimes have to put the story away and come back several times as it's... boring!!
Must... find... out.. the... ending!! ZZZZZ!!!
Even the older tv show of 3 sisters, Charms, was more interesting than this book!
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
kamran ahmad
Witchling is about three sisters half human and half farie. Who are sent to protect relations between humans and farie. This one mainly deals with the oldet, Camille who is part witch. Demons are after the seals that keep the worlds apart. It is a very slow read until abot half way thru. The last battle is anti-climatic. If I could I'd give the book a 3.25 but I can't so it'll have to be 3.5.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
lukas blunschi
You can expect a power-punch in this plot...and the set up for the 3 Sisters series is awesomely executed. I was drawn in from the get-go, and I found the characters believable, engaging and exciting.
The first in the series is about Camille, a witch, and the oldest of the 3 half-fae sisters. I love Camille's sex appeal and humor. I also enjoyed the speed of the plot, as each chapter had that "edge-of-your-seat" feeling. The scenes were hot, the "extra-mortals" were deliciously drawn as well, and the men--phew! *fans self*
I give this book 5 stars, and anyone who likes urban fantasy will as well. It's got all the elements fans of this genre will desire, and I'd be willing to bet fans of romance, mystery and occult fiction as well. With magic, love and suspense in the mix, who can resist?
The first in the series is about Camille, a witch, and the oldest of the 3 half-fae sisters. I love Camille's sex appeal and humor. I also enjoyed the speed of the plot, as each chapter had that "edge-of-your-seat" feeling. The scenes were hot, the "extra-mortals" were deliciously drawn as well, and the men--phew! *fans self*
I give this book 5 stars, and anyone who likes urban fantasy will as well. It's got all the elements fans of this genre will desire, and I'd be willing to bet fans of romance, mystery and occult fiction as well. With magic, love and suspense in the mix, who can resist?
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
aprilstar
I enjoyed the storyline, the character descriptions were well developed, until they talk, the book is great. As soon as they begin to share dialog, you realize the writer must like illiterate, uneducated, profane people or at least that must be all she ever speaks to in real life. It completely destroys the effect and fantasy she has created up until that moment. I've read 4 of her books, they all are similar in the way they jar you out of the fantasy by the inability of the characters to talk like normal people. (I think she is aiming for edginess, but they all talk the same: abrupt, rude, vulgar, minimal vocabulary.) Shame, if she improved the dialog, these books would be fantastic.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
volkfam
I loved this book! The first few chapters were a little slow, but soon I found myself totally emersed in the world the author had created. The only thing that even slightly disappoints me is that it will be told from a different sister in each book. I loved Camille and the men in her life (especially a certain dragon !!) and I would love to find out more from her point of view. Still, I cannot WAIT for the next one.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
aha1980
I feel the need to warn others not to waste their time on this book. I read trashy vampire/witch/were novels ALL THE TIME...I don't require much from a book...just that it's entertaining. This book was awful. It took me WEEKS to drag through it and I usually read books like this in two to three days. I just didn't care WHAT was going to happen in this book. At no time was I enthralled, excited, or anxious...I just didn't care about any of these lame one-dimensional characters!
SAVE YOUR TIME...Read anything by Kim Harrison. She's the same genre but MUCH more interesting!
SAVE YOUR TIME...Read anything by Kim Harrison. She's the same genre but MUCH more interesting!
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
socraticgadfly
Let me start by saying that I like Yasmine Galenorn's writing quite a lot. I love her pagan/metaphysical books--she's one of the few authors out there who seems to have a genuine passion for the subject matter--and I've also enjoyed the one installment of Chintz 'n' China that I've read.
That said, I didn't really enjoy this book, though I feel kind of bad saying so about something she's obviously worked hard on and feels strongly about.
Galenorn has set herself a difficult task here. Most writers of urban fantasy choose a narrator who has grown up in the ordinary, everyday world of humans. Whether the protagonist is aware of the supernatural at the start of the book or not, s/he does begin the story as someone who is more familiar with the human world than with the Otherworld. This enables the author to gradually lead readers into the world, because they can find out bits and pieces of information right along with the character. Galenorn's protagonist, Camille, is the opposite. She is half-human, but grew up in the Otherworld among Sidhe society and has now moved to Earth as an investigator of supernatural crime. (We'll leave aside the question of whether someone who grew up in Faerie would call it "Otherworld." It seems to me that our world would be called Other by the denizens of Faerie.)
So we have a narrator who ostensibly knows everything about Otherworld and almost everything about supernatural crime. And we have a very short novel, during which the foundation of a series needs to be laid and several skirmishes fought. There's very little "screen time" in which to gradually lead readers into the setting. Instead, every time Camille opens her mouth, an infodump falls out. Because Camille serves mainly as a vehicle for exposition, she isn't very well-developed as a character. Several other characters are either flat (the sisters) or else behave in completely incongruous ways that jar with the way the character seemed at first (Chase). I'm not talking about characters changing through their experiences. This is more like "BAM! I am a completely different person now!"
In addition, I felt that the final scene was sort of jarring with the rest of the story. Its purpose is to set the scene for sequels, but its atmosphere doesn't really fit with the rest of the novel.
However, I'm looking forward to seeing where Galenorn goes with this series. I suspect the characters will be more interesting now that the expository lump is out of the way.
That said, I didn't really enjoy this book, though I feel kind of bad saying so about something she's obviously worked hard on and feels strongly about.
Galenorn has set herself a difficult task here. Most writers of urban fantasy choose a narrator who has grown up in the ordinary, everyday world of humans. Whether the protagonist is aware of the supernatural at the start of the book or not, s/he does begin the story as someone who is more familiar with the human world than with the Otherworld. This enables the author to gradually lead readers into the world, because they can find out bits and pieces of information right along with the character. Galenorn's protagonist, Camille, is the opposite. She is half-human, but grew up in the Otherworld among Sidhe society and has now moved to Earth as an investigator of supernatural crime. (We'll leave aside the question of whether someone who grew up in Faerie would call it "Otherworld." It seems to me that our world would be called Other by the denizens of Faerie.)
So we have a narrator who ostensibly knows everything about Otherworld and almost everything about supernatural crime. And we have a very short novel, during which the foundation of a series needs to be laid and several skirmishes fought. There's very little "screen time" in which to gradually lead readers into the setting. Instead, every time Camille opens her mouth, an infodump falls out. Because Camille serves mainly as a vehicle for exposition, she isn't very well-developed as a character. Several other characters are either flat (the sisters) or else behave in completely incongruous ways that jar with the way the character seemed at first (Chase). I'm not talking about characters changing through their experiences. This is more like "BAM! I am a completely different person now!"
In addition, I felt that the final scene was sort of jarring with the rest of the story. Its purpose is to set the scene for sequels, but its atmosphere doesn't really fit with the rest of the novel.
However, I'm looking forward to seeing where Galenorn goes with this series. I suspect the characters will be more interesting now that the expository lump is out of the way.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
jen wrenn
I came across this book by pure accident, and am so glad that I did. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I loved Camille's caracter so much. She's an amazingly strong character. The way Yasmine Galenorn has written the book, you really feel like you are a part of Camille in the book. But my favorite part about this book, and the sequals to it, is that each book, you read from a different sisters point of view. You feel like you're a part of them. not just reading about them. Yasmine is brilliant with these books. And anyone who loves to read about fantasy and magic I think will really like these books.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
greg jones
This has got to be one of the most amateurish books I have read in a long time. The dialogue is ridiculous, the characters are pure cardboard, and the pacing is non-existent.
The only reason I forced myself to finish this is because a good friend recommended it, but honestly, there is no reason to waste your time or money in this book. There are so many other good "urban fantasy" books out there. Or, you could just hit your head on the wall for a couple of hours and that would be time better spent than if you read this stupid book.
The only reason I forced myself to finish this is because a good friend recommended it, but honestly, there is no reason to waste your time or money in this book. There are so many other good "urban fantasy" books out there. Or, you could just hit your head on the wall for a couple of hours and that would be time better spent than if you read this stupid book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
chelsea malouf
Great start to a new series. Hardly any down spots and wasted page fillers. I love the diversity of having witches, vampires, fairie/fey and my fav demons. This book had good sex with hardly any romance which I more than appreciated and had great action. I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
amin sedaghatpour
I'm not quite finished reading this book yet and a good book will usually keep me in a choke hold until I'm done. Yes, it is easy for me to put down and pick up later, but the storyline is good. I like the idea that 3 worlds could come crashing together if the big bad gets its way. Who's going to stop this disaster? Misfits who straddle 2 of the worlds. And as an added twist, these heroines can't depend on their powers and abilities to save their lives. I will have to get the second book (Changeling) just to see how well the series progresses.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
kc miller
I loved this book. One of the best I read in a long time. Romance, magic, death, fights, and so much more. Great story telling, bringing you into it. I recommend this book to anyone who has even a taste for the supernatural or fiction alone. I already can't wait for the next in the series which is in July 07.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
fraleigh
I've been a huge fan of Yasmin's fiction books since the Chintz and China series (a series I'm sad is complete). This time, she captures us again with local and fantastical lore. You walk down the streets of Seattle that feel dark and loom with the evil from which the D'Artigio sisters are bound to protect the citizens. This is sexy, sassy, and thrilling! Start at the beginning and you'll be thirsting for more!
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
dacyn channell
Witchling had the potential to be a good book, or at least an intrueging one. The plot, involving fairies, shapeshifters, vampires, Tam Lin, dragons, and ordinary humans who coping with all of the above, could be an incredible read.
Sadly, the author can not write for her life. I had to force myself to finish through to the end. I didn't borrow the second book from the library, even though the werecat-themed sequel sounded like just the sort of thing I like.
Overall, I would recommend looking for a different book to curl up with. Try Ilona Andrews or Karen Chance.
Sadly, the author can not write for her life. I had to force myself to finish through to the end. I didn't borrow the second book from the library, even though the werecat-themed sequel sounded like just the sort of thing I like.
Overall, I would recommend looking for a different book to curl up with. Try Ilona Andrews or Karen Chance.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
rebecca rebecs44
I was eagerly awaiting this book because I wanted to read fiction from one of my fave Wiccan authors. I like the sisters, but the world building in this novel got in the way of the character development of the sisters. The key to building a series is to concentrate on the characters so we get interested in the world they live in but not the other way around. I will definitely read the next book in the series cause I think there will be more character development in the next book.
All in all it was a good fantasy, but not great.
All in all it was a good fantasy, but not great.
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
danica ingram
I picked this book up on a whim. From the synopsis I thought that it might be and interesting read but it wasn't. I forced my self to read until I just couldn't take it any more. All the acronyms were confusing and annoying. The characters seem lackluster and shallow. I really was hoping to enjoy this book. Now I'm a couple a bucks poorer and with nothing to show for it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
divina
I am on the 3rd book of this series & am loving it! I am having so much fun getting caught up in the world of these 3 sisters. It's addictive and hard to put down. A great & exicting read that I don't want to ever end! A must have for your summer list.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
chris hamby
Are you attracted to powerful dangerous beings? Have you ever felt that you were at the mercy of Murphy's Law? Well, then this books for you. The heroine is powerful, but her power doesn't always work the way it should. Good thing that she can think on her toes and make the best of her situation. The type of girl who likes men who are dangerous. Good human guys...they don't stand a chance.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
whirly
Every time I turn around she is introducing some new "creature". Some new "supe" i think we are up to 25 just and just in chapter 6. Camelie spends more time explaining what all these new creatures are and lets not forget their special powers and characteristics.. ohh and how many times do i have to hear "by the moon.. by the gods". At first i was intrigued by the supernatural mystery aspect but after each new "supe" I can't keep track and my insterest is depleting
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
megha
Three magical sisters have come from the Otherworld as supernatural operatives. The three sisters, Camille; Menolly; and Delilah, each have their own unique abilities. Camille is a witch. Menolly is a vampire, and Delilah is a were-cat. But because these three magical sisters are half human, their powers tend to misfire and go altogether wonky. So when a fellow operative is killed and the sisters are assigned to investigate, they must learn to harness their powers and find the killer before it's too late.
I was tremendously disappointed with this book. I am a huge fan of Yasemine Galenorn, both her pagan writings and her cozy mysteries, but this book just plain sucked. First, there are three magical sisters. Hmmm...where have I heard that before...? Oh I know! Charmed! Then, just for good measure, she blended in a little Buffy the Vampire Slayer and stole some Laurell K. Hamilton and presto! One book that was a giant rip-off of other popular works, full of poor dialog, a plot that was ridiculous, and the book was about 50 pages too long.
I will not be reading anymore books in this series. I would not recommend this book for anyone.
I was tremendously disappointed with this book. I am a huge fan of Yasemine Galenorn, both her pagan writings and her cozy mysteries, but this book just plain sucked. First, there are three magical sisters. Hmmm...where have I heard that before...? Oh I know! Charmed! Then, just for good measure, she blended in a little Buffy the Vampire Slayer and stole some Laurell K. Hamilton and presto! One book that was a giant rip-off of other popular works, full of poor dialog, a plot that was ridiculous, and the book was about 50 pages too long.
I will not be reading anymore books in this series. I would not recommend this book for anyone.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
brigette
I have never really been able to finish a book before, cause i guess im really adhd lol, but this book it took me on a wild ride. I love it, i finished it in less than 2 days, i just could not put it down!
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
edvin
With the popularity of the Anita Blake series, everyone seems to be trying to cash in on the dark urban fantasy pony. Fortunately, the series that popularized the genre has gone so far downhill in quality that most fans are eager to seek out new series to get their fix. Some writers like Kelley Armstrong and Kim Harrison try to recapture what was good about the Anita Blake series before Laurell K Hamilton started pandering to the hairy palms crowd. Unfortunately, Yasmine Galenorn is going the Charlaine Harris route in giving us series that repackages everything that is horrible about the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series and adds insult to injury by adding in Hamilton's universally reviled Merry Gentry series in the mix.
Camille D'Artigo is an agent of the Otherworld. A world of fairies, elves, vampires, and demons and every other supernatural creature one can shove down a kitchen sink. She is a very special human-fairy hybrid who is also a witch. However, more than the first person narrative perspective, the series reveals its chick-lit ambitions by making Camille and her two sisters cutesy. By cutesy, I really mean incompetent. Camille's spells often backfire on her. Menolly, the vampire, is a member of a sort of vampire AA. Delilah, the shapeshifter, turns into a cute little tabby cat whenever she gets upset. Urgh!
The world is much like our own, except for reasons unknown, the denizens of the Otherworld have gone public. Magical creatures frequently travel between worlds. That's where the trouble starts.
Some demons are trying to open a portal to Earth and the Otherword from their own world, and the D'Artigo sisters have to guard nine magic seals from them. In otherworld, the corrupt Fairy court is fiddling while Rome burns so our none-too-bright sisters are pretty much on their own against three super-duper demons. Also, Camille is dealing with her rather complicated love life as she juggles two boyfriends, Trellian, the dark Sidhe, and Morio, the demon fox.
If this plot sounds familiar to you, then you probably read the first couple of Anita Blake books. However, imagine cramming an investigation, a love triangle, and an exploration of the consequences of establishing relations with the Otherworld into one tiny book that doesn't quite reach three hundred pages. It's rushed, full of clunky infodumping, and barely readabel. By taking on too much in too little space, only one of the plot threads is resolved. From the excerpt in the back, the next book seems to focus on the werekitty sister so I imagine the tepid love triangle won't be resolved anytime soon.
Camille D'Artigo is an agent of the Otherworld. A world of fairies, elves, vampires, and demons and every other supernatural creature one can shove down a kitchen sink. She is a very special human-fairy hybrid who is also a witch. However, more than the first person narrative perspective, the series reveals its chick-lit ambitions by making Camille and her two sisters cutesy. By cutesy, I really mean incompetent. Camille's spells often backfire on her. Menolly, the vampire, is a member of a sort of vampire AA. Delilah, the shapeshifter, turns into a cute little tabby cat whenever she gets upset. Urgh!
The world is much like our own, except for reasons unknown, the denizens of the Otherworld have gone public. Magical creatures frequently travel between worlds. That's where the trouble starts.
Some demons are trying to open a portal to Earth and the Otherword from their own world, and the D'Artigo sisters have to guard nine magic seals from them. In otherworld, the corrupt Fairy court is fiddling while Rome burns so our none-too-bright sisters are pretty much on their own against three super-duper demons. Also, Camille is dealing with her rather complicated love life as she juggles two boyfriends, Trellian, the dark Sidhe, and Morio, the demon fox.
If this plot sounds familiar to you, then you probably read the first couple of Anita Blake books. However, imagine cramming an investigation, a love triangle, and an exploration of the consequences of establishing relations with the Otherworld into one tiny book that doesn't quite reach three hundred pages. It's rushed, full of clunky infodumping, and barely readabel. By taking on too much in too little space, only one of the plot threads is resolved. From the excerpt in the back, the next book seems to focus on the werekitty sister so I imagine the tepid love triangle won't be resolved anytime soon.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
leah culver
I love this series! I recommend it to anyone interested in fantasy fiction.
However, it would probably be best for "mature" teens, and adults. There are some "sex scenes". It's not really for kids.
This series is one of my favorites.
However, it would probably be best for "mature" teens, and adults. There are some "sex scenes". It's not really for kids.
This series is one of my favorites.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
chelsea d
I really like the ideas behind the stories Galenorn writes, but there is way too much unnecessary kinky sex. Good thing that it has nothing to do with the plot so those parts can be skipped without losing anything of the story line.
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
julia
God, i tried 4 times to get into this series and just could'nt.
I love the authors other works.. but this one was too "much" for me and i just could'nt get it.
I will come back to it in 6 months and see if i can read and finish it.
I love the authors other works.. but this one was too "much" for me and i just could'nt get it.
I will come back to it in 6 months and see if i can read and finish it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
feather stolzenbach
I loved this book! The first few chapters were a little slow, but soon I found myself totally emersed in the world the author had created. The only thing that even slightly disappoints me is that it will be told from a different sister in each book. I loved Camille and the men in her life (especially a certain dragon !!) and I would love to find out more from her point of view. Still, I cannot WAIT for the next one.
Please RateAn Otherworld Novel (Otherworld Series Book 1)
Yes the three sisters thing is getting a little old but hey at least these three are distinct and each of their voices stands out one from the other but for the most part they are a cohesive bunch and with a real family feel to them. They collected way more males in the first book than I thought was warranted but Ms. Galenorn kept my attention well enough and even though there was more sensuality in the book than some would like I enjoyed it immensely because it was done and over with and the story was actually there, it was an entire book with a beginning and a middle and an end, it was not a REALLY long chapter with no plot other than the miscellaneous sex scenes and no plot. (Gee I wonder what author writes those)
I have the second book which I'm going to start in just a little bit and when Darkling comes out I suppose I'm scooping that one up as well. There are 9 seals after all and that is good an opening for 9 books as I've seen so lets see how long our funny, weird and wonderful half faerie sisters can hold out for. Ms. Galenorn thank you for making me look forward to more of your work; it's been a LONG time since I've enjoyed myself reading as much as I have with your writing.