117. Lightborn by Alison Sinclair...

Title: Lightborn (Darkborn Trilogy #2)
Author: Alison Sinclair
ISBN-13: 9780451463296
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Lightborn was on loan from my local library. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Well. If Lady Telmaine Hearne thought that her adventures in Darkborn are over, and she can go back to being a respectable member of Darkborn society, she has another think coming. Because now she has Lord Vladimer's attention, all due to her ability in sensing the Shadowborn. Doesn't help that there were two Shadowborn assassins after her and Vladimer within the first ten pages of the book. Telmaine's story notwithstanding, Lightborn also introduces characters from the other side of the magical divide. And drama. Let's not forget the drama.

Specifically, the assassination of the Lightborn Prince, which puts an untried youth into a leadership position before he's ready, and thrusts Floria White Hand into the role of accused murderer. And so begins this dance, where some light and dark arm themselves against threats--real or perceived--from the other, whilst others either race to diffuse the tensions, or rush to pour oil into the fire. And all the while, a very select few are realizing with growing horror that the Shadowborn are real, and deadly.

I like this series from Alison Sinclair. I wonder where the story will go next, now that the Shadowborn have been introduced. There are hints here and there of their origin, but nothing very specific yet. Just enough to make you go "hmmm..." and whet your appetite for the next installment of this series full of political wrangling, opposite races, magic, and (of course) mayhem. Want to know more? Start with Darkborn. And join me as I travel along Lady Telmaine's road...

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+, Pub, Support Your Local Library

51. Darkborn by Alison Sinclair...

Title: Darkborn (Darkborn Trilogy #1)
Author: Alison Sinclair
ISBN-13: 9780451462701
Paperback: 337 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Darkborn visited from my local library for the pleasure of my fingers turning its pages. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
I picked up Darkborn on a whim--the cover was cool, and the blurb on the back piqued my interest. In fact, it called so much that I started reading it right away, and finished it in a day. Which is no mean feat, considering how busy my weekend was! Anyway. Alison Sinclair's world is shared by the Darkborn and the Lightborn, made so by a great mages' war. The Darkborn are born sightless, and they burn in the sun. They "see" by blasting bursts of sonar, called sonn, much like a bat does. The Lightborn are averse to night (but it didn't really describe what happens when they're exposed). The former gravitate towards technology, the latter, magic.

When Balthasar Hearne saves a woman from death-by-sunlight, then delivers her twin sons, he sets himself and his family down a path of danger and revelations. Somebody comes by to look for her and the babies, and when they can't get answers from Balthasar, they kidnap his older daughter. With Bal badly wounded, his wife undertakes the task of recovering her child, with grim determination. Telmaine is a strong, strong, woman. Y'know, the kind I like. Even with a potential rival for her affections appears, she remains steadfast in her mission to reunite her family, even if that means that her secrets are exposed.

The action moves at a fast clip. The characters are interesting and sympathetic. And the world is interesting enough for me to want to pick up Lightborn when it's out this summer. Give this one a try!


drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+, Support Your Local Library