linda

I know and own may of Mercedes Lackey's books in series. The other others are new to me. Nick Sullivan was not very impressive but the book was so boring I feel I didnt have a chance to evaluate Nick Sullivan.

Detailed insufficient in some areas, not enough history for other parts and that is the first hour. This is not my type of sifi. So I barely made the first hour.

Distinctive, multiple character typed voices or emotions down pat.

No one would let me edit this book. It would be unfair. Not my style.

Read the description of the book, listen to the sample and if they dont grab your heart, mind or are easily forgotten wo wanting to know more? Dont buy it. Trying a new type or style is good growth but if you cant remember what the first 20 min was about and you are only 1 hour into the book......let it go. This is suppose to be entertaining not a test in tolerance.

this was a recommendation from a customer service person. She said it was a favorite series and was well liked by many. I have learned to read reviews as I am too picky for my own good but I am so glad I took her word for it. This book is intelligent, written in today's modern world introducing someone old, wise and yet humorous in his screw-ups as well as his fast thinking to get out of his own way. He has seriously dangerous parts to his life and yet can be light-hearted with his best friend, a canine. There is enough descriptive introductions to those in his day-to-day life that makes him and them endearing. This druid is someone anyone would love to have in their circle of friends. Me? I am going to get to know his friends and enemies more in the 2nd book of the series. Join me. Smile, laugh, worry and find an escape into fantasy right in today's world.

Well, it looks like the Kanes are saying good-bye. It has been such a wonderful trip for my whole family. We listen as a family for an hour or so and discussions just began springing up, about the books, about school. This has been the tool that made the bickering far less important than what was happening to the Kane family. Egypt has become a place that is real. One of the more studious boys is looking into archeology,... Egypt, My daughter is gathering research and wants to try writing a book that mixes facts and fancy. My youngest son just wants to start the series over.... so we have. 3 nights a week is what they want, for an hour, then discussion about the book and anything else on there mind, Their study room is crammed with downloaded Egyptian facts and folk lore and as parents,,,, well, we just want the series to continue. Did Rick know that what he wrote for his own children would have such a positive change to other families? We also have started the first series, it has lots of books. and more research is being planned. Thanks for the opportunity to bring something to the table my whole family can love..

Each book is new and exciting in characters, places to go, As a family night favorite we have now started to gather info on Egypt and have added it to our discussions after the listening hour. We were surprised to find how many references in the series is associated to some extent of what we do know about Egyptian history. The kids have even downloaded maps of excavation sites and are working as a team to research. Swapping out research data so everyone learns and can participate in sharing. My daughter wants her room to represent Egypt. Because of budget concerns they have actually started crafting the tiny bedroom as a research room and are duplicating what they read about in the decorating of the room as a team effort. These books are awakening research hobbies as well as superb entertainment. Please, can't the Kanes have a growing future?

I love the series. It makes family night so much family fun. We can gather round the computer and listen for 1 hour or till the chapter ends and then it ends up opening conversations between adults and tweens. We do this now 3 nights a week because the kids asked if we could, instead of just 1 night. The discussions usually start with what we just heard but often leads to communication about what is on their minds, what is happening with school and friends. I try not to cheat but sometimes I listen while doing boring chores around the house. Its a secret. Don't tell.I wish this series were longer, like the previous series by this author. We loved the lightening kid and his friends too.

the story moves out, reaching into other lands and peoples. Personalities have greater depth and new ones emerge. Things are changing in how they react to each other and even to the changes in themselves. There is story, emotion, love, hate, and it all seems so real. I only have one question. Where is the next in this series? Even my male friends have mixed feelings but quite a few liked the stories as well as all the physical prowess.

Thea now begins to weave a tale of humans and different types of mystical beings, the story jumps and spreads as people begin to live different lives, interesting lives, lives that surprise you, compel you to wonder what is around the next corner. No gaps or "why is that happening?" this is a growing, truly provocative series now. When you aren't listening you are thinking about it, wondering what comes next. This will be a series that will be read for the next decade if not longer. Thea has found her stride and her stories have depth, humanity and move as the world does..... slowly toward the unknown. Brava bella, Brava

having not been impressed with the first two in this series, my friends had to literally dare me to try one more time. I am so glad I did. the characters were fleshed out, far greater substance in the individuals who were part of but not the main characters. A story was told that was worth hearing, instead of the constant reference to sexual matters and same old patterns, a story was told of love, loss, growth, of characters. Physical references were minimal and when appropriate. this one I keep. well done. should I try the 4th? I will read the reviews and then decide but this one can stand alone and should be considered adult but not over done.

Continually asking myself "did I miss something?" backing it up and nope, hadnt missed anything. Her first book was fleshed out, had a great story, completed scenes, emotionally realistic yet set in fantasy. I expected this book to do that, but it didn't. It was as if she was totally dependent on graphic sexual exploits. A second draft. Characters had no real depth, I was left wondering "where is the rest of this conversation? How did they get to this particular place? What was the reason for that happening?" I am considering if I should give the author one more try but if I do and the third in the series is just a draft that went to print? I won't be reading anything else she writes.

She rushed the story, Barely introduced more than 2 characters. I still don't know much about the characters but I would have liked to. They sounded like they might be interesting but there was a name, what they did and a sort of "I might like them if I could be told LOTS more about them."

Sophie Eastlake was the best part of this book. The narrator was the only good thing and she kept me going. I will look for other works she has told in such a fine and dedicated manner.

the depth of characters, each individual, the various fantasy creatures and their worlds touched upon but mostly the completeness of the main and supporting characters. It is an adult book, but not the basis for writing the book, really part of the characters. Constantly learning more and more of this new world that is alive in our world. Strong, compelling and hated that it ended. there is a second book which I am purchasing today and really hope it can stand up to the first in the series because it will have to work hard to meet the stands of the first in the series.

It reminds me of Alton series, the Haustur series. This book is the world of fantasy but it doesn't allude to sexual privacy, it explores it just often enough to show the depth the main characters end up feeling, they are falling in love wo even noticing due to the main story which is how fantasy lives in our world, and the hidden worlds they also exist in. I has all the depth of character of the Pern series or the others but adds the sexuality that is often part of newer fiction.

the inflection of her voice for each character allows you to recognize him or her at once. She sounds interested in reading it and breathing life into it. She is excited, depressed, happy, sad to the bones. She covers it all.

Yes and am purchasing the second in the series and already wondering when the third will be out.

I will be rereading this series for a long time. It is worth my time.