The Bindings of Fate (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (The Child of the Stars Trilogy Book 1)

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Because sometimes the more you read, the more you love someone's writing and that's how I feel about Elliott. Over the course of thousands of pages, she has trained me into a reader that really likes her tropes and her characters and her style. King's Dragon takes a while to get going also typical of an Elliott novel, but perhaps a bit more pronounced here than, say, in Crossroads , but once it did, I was hooked.

Let's just say I own it on paper - which is always bad for a book because I read faster on my e-reader, and have more opportunities to do so - so the trajectory was basically that I spent about 2 months reading the first pages, a week reading the next pages, and then the remaining was read in a day, when I came home from work, until 1 am. I don't know what this is about, but I seem to always crush on Elliott's male characters.

I can read 50 novels and historical romances and enjoy the characters without ever getting attached and then give me a female character in an Elliott novel meeting eyes with a male character and blushing and I'm there with her. Except for Black Wolves, those dudes did nothing for me and that's seekritly my biggest peeve Sanglant can womanise me any day of the week. I hate it when diversity with regard to people with intelectual disabilities means a token "innocent" character to whom terrible things happen. Elliott uses it sparingly but craftily, and the guivre I loved the way this was built.

The characters were interesting and well-built, no shortcuts. I don't think the next novel in the series will languish long when I get my hands on it. Which is soon, very, very soon I do not even know where to begin. I was so booored, but read on, skimmed, and read on.

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I came to the conclusion that "swears some" I will read this book. I got it, I will read it, not put it back on that darn TBR pile. So I read it, half way through I read reviews for book 7 so I could see what would happen. It was the characters, I should have felt for Liath's plight.

But I just did not. I should have liked Alain but he was a wooden figure. The Eika prince written a month ago. The Eika prince seemed interesting, but Sagalant, the half elf prince whatever lost me when he lusted after Liath the second he met her. Instalove and then I was all what? The world, yes the world was the one thing that had me bored. Sure it's fun when worlds resemble our but here it was just too much. The weird Eika, eh can you say the vikings are coming? The church, the lady and her son. The convents, priest, I do not need that much Catholicism in my fantasy.

I want it to differ a bit. You are creating a world, play with it. But here it was just I shall make women strong too, a woman can claim a child came from her womb but a man can't. So let's make women bishops and shit. Yes again, I did not care. The countries, the name.

Yes I give you, there were some elves in another dimension, but hey people thought there were beings in the old days. Yes this book failed on every level for me. View all 9 comments. Jul 15, Shaitarn. I loved this book. I loved everything about it. Nov 02, Jennifer rated it liked it Shelves: I wonder if I'll like this book better when if I read the others.

Because there are a lot of lose ends left untied. There is a story A and a story B, and at times a little A. At the beginning of the book, it tended towards a bit of melodramatic use of metaphors, but further into the book it settles down into an easi I wonder if I'll like this book better when if I read the others.

At the beginning of the book, it tended towards a bit of melodramatic use of metaphors, but further into the book it settles down into an easily readable pace. It follows the storyline of Liath, who has been on the run most her life, but tragedy causes her to be subjected to the advances of a strangely cruel man. She spends a lot of time being conflicted and confused, about magic, what's dangerous, who she really is. And then it follows Alain, who is promised to the church, and tragedy causes him to become a part of a Count's retinue instead.

Both find themselves in a world at war, between Kingdoms, and also a foreign and savage species call the Eika. Some of the religious statements and concepts, are taken almost directly from the bible, you'll recognize some familiar passages you know, if there are passages that are familiar to you from the bible and then comes some tweaking. But even so, that made it very much like I had to skim, it was simply too painful.

And dogs, dogs, dogs everywhere.

I'm sure there is some significance, maybe the dogs in story A and B are related somehow to each other. Thirdly, having a Henri, and a Henry, both with illegitimate sons who look foreign compared with their surroundings, was really confusing. It's not a badly written book, but I had a hard time identifying with the characters, perhaps because the characters don't really know themselves, they are vague, because they both have no real sense of identity, where they came from, where they are going. I have to say I really liked the first novel. Such a shame I could not get a physical copy but I was happy enough with an ebook.

The Crown of Stars series was I think based on a medieval Europe, making it a nice contrast to her Crossroads series, which has a more Asian feel to it. In some ways this was a historical fiction and fantasy hybrid of sorts. At the start of the novel we follow two main protagonists, Alain, a young man promised to a monastery, and Liath, a young woman traveling with her father.

I have to say Liath was my favourite of the two and I really felt for her during some of experiences during this novel. When reading the second half, however, I was gripped throughout, especially during the finale.

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A good solid read which deserves 4 stars. I look forward to Prince of Dogs. May 15, Lasairfiona Smith rated it it was ok Shelves: This is your basic sprawling fantasy story that happens to be set in a world where there is some war and some invasion but without the single hero that kills everything and wins the lady. No, things are a tad more complicated than that. Oh, and the death of a family member causes heroine to be sold It's okay.

Oh, and the death of a family member causes heroine to be sold into slavery and all the mess that goes with that. Of course the heroine obviously has some special abilities but walks around scared all the time. Not only are there a lot of commas, albeit grammatically correct unlike mine , but she even has to use dashes.

It's a very thick book with a lot of detail but full of faults. The writing isn't bad. The characters aren't totally one dimensional. I'd call it popcorn reading if it wasn't so long. So this series is average at best but there is at least one of the story lines that I am still interested in so I will probably keep reading. It just isn't going to be on my priority list.

Sep 09, Kristi-anne rated it it was amazing. I read these a while ago and was one of best sets I read so far, so anticipating all the way through all 7 books omg such good set I wished they never end, one of those where you finish and think "NOW WHAT?! Apr 07, Jonathan rated it really liked it. Slow start; enjoyable but predictable read. I will most likely continue with the series. Aug 03, Wealhtheow rated it liked it Shelves: This is really engaging high fantasy.

Lots of characterization and world building from the very start. Just good, solid fantasy, complete with doomed loves and huge batttles. Sep 09, rainbowseverywhere12 rated it really liked it. According to her, it is one of the best series she ever read. I read the gist of it, put it in my to-read-list, and then forgot about it. It took me two years to finally give the book a chance. It was nominated for the Nebula Award, and being an avid book reader, that simple advertisement alone made me have high hopes for it. I was very cautious though, I didn't want to delve into a long series that in the end would only turn out bad.

I have this great passion for reading and for me, reading should never be a chore.

King's Dragon (Crown of Stars, #1) by Kate Elliott

I could have taken my wife's word for it, but I could clearly see she is in love with the series so she tends to be biased about it. So what I did was I looked for negative reviews; and I have to admit, there were scant few negative reviews. Everyone who read it either fell in love with it right there right then when they read "On a hill I have seen how some of them were disappointed at first but had nothing else left to do so they read on and surprisingly fell in love with it.

Those who hated it, well, I guess they like me don't like reading to be a chore. This book, it is like any other book, it is either you love it or you utterly hate it. And as a reader, there is nothing left to do but read it and really find out for myself. And here is it: Alright, chill, I know you are reading this, deep breathe, don't make me sleep on the couch tonight just because I said that hateful word. Please note it was in past tense. That means something right? Anyway, I hated it because there were bits and pieces that were too slow for me and things that were not clear.

One moment I was reading about the boy then suddenly it was the girl then some other girl then the savage one. I hated it because it reminded me of the struggle I had in reading Malazan and I swore I would never tolerate that ever again, it was a difficult read for me, because in my heart of hearts, I intended to hate it. Martin's Game of Thrones to name a few, therefore a series like this shouldn't bother me, and how the story evolves shouldn't irk me.

The book has this kind of slowness, sluggish progress in it that frustrated me to no ends. It keeps leading me to dead ends, without any signs of foreshadowing at hand. It feels like I was Theseus, following the thread of yarn on my way back to the real world only to find out my yarn was cut to bits and pieces that could go on a few meters only to end up with a loose end right in the middle of an intersection all with pieces of yarn going in different directions. It felt like I myself was enchanted and played upon by those daemons they talked about in the story, why?

Because it felt like we were only going in circles. Alright, don't get me wrong. Well, the characters lack depth, attitude, and well It felt at first note the phrase I used that the author was in a hurry and she needed to shove all the characters at once right under your nose, if an author was to do that with the intention of making a new universe and introducing it to the public then might as well go big Might as well go in details who is who, what is what.

Might as well introduce all the other stable boys working in Count Lavastine's household, what goes under the chatelaine's command, the cook's scullions, etc. Who is Fell for example? Who were the newly recruits for Lavastine's what role do they play in the story, where did the chatelaine got all the new young ones recruited to be in service to the Lavas household. Why just shove numerous names of Saints and princes and princesses and dukes and duchesses and dukedoms?

Priests and priestesses too? If you would confuse readers with names that mean squat to them then might as well include the smallest bug's name Too many characters that are bastards. I am not against it, nor was I being ignorant here. I know the medieval times which was her chosen era was swarming with such.

I know, the medieval times were ruled and governed by passion, love, lust, treachery, deceit. Mix these things together you end up with so many bastards or illegitimate children it isn't funny anymore. But the author took it up a notch, every other character is a bastard in the story. Two of the main male characters already are branded as bastards. I am not so sure what she is. It was like, every spring, ever royalty and or noble born gets twitter-patted or they get the spring bug and off they go getting anything that wears skirts pregnant or getting knocked up by anything with a built-in pogo in their persons.

I love hating them, and I love strong villains, and the author managed to provide me with the most annoying bitches and jerks ever to walk Fantasyland. I love how she made the good guys dumb, and the bad guys fucking cunning you just wanna root for them and at the same time wish them 7 years of bad luck if they don't read and repost chain mails! I love her villains' inconsistency too. Take for example, Frater Hugh. Idk what he is, if he is good or bad, but I guess he is a jerk of highest order. He did a few vile unspeakable things which you need to know for yourself by the way.

Why is he inconsistent? But boy, by the 51st percent of the book? I already knew better. I knew there is more than what I read. There is more of that Hugh. More of the Antonia oh that fucking cunt She makes me want to wipe her Antonia-coddling smiles with dogpoop, I bet Lavastine's hounds poop mountains of that shit.

More of Sabella another cunt who lost everything because she is dumb And the gray character, Berthold Villam's son I knew he isn't dead, my instinct screams the boy is alive! Fuck it, until it was stated by all and until that boy don't reappear in the very last book I will believe him alive. Lackling is another story I honestly think Antonia bathed in him then fed him to the guivre or ate the simpleton herself. Poor mentally challenged kid. I prayed he gave whoever ate him diarrhea. Who knows maybe those clerics who used to work for Antonia and died died because of Lackling I still would have preferred Diarrhea though All in all, it was good really.

It grows in you if you would give it a chance and keep an open mind about it. Also it helps to whinge. Hate on it, don't keep it in, and snap at the first unfortunate real life villain who tries to disturb your reading hours. It is worth all the "damn it this doesn't make any sense" mumblings I did for the entire 10 days I read it. One advise when you read this: Keep Calm and Read On P.

For you who so pushed me, coerced me, bullied me, threatened me, I love you. I think I found my next Fantasy Project I wanna finish. Guide me while I read this series same way you always guided me through life together. I love you wife. Feb 14, Mei-Lu rated it it was ok. I think before I get into my review of this book I should disclose something. King's Dragon is the first volume of a seven volume series. I read up to page of book five the Gathering Storm and found I just couldn't continue.

I was fed up with the story, the characters, the whole thing. If the book didn't weigh a ton, I'd probably have thrown it against the wall in frustration. As is, I refrained for free of denting the walls of my rental. In this review, I'm going to talk about the overall I think before I get into my review of this book I should disclose something.

In this review, I'm going to talk about the overall series without spoilers in the hopes that it will help you make a decision about whether or not you want to give this series a try. Generally speaking, fantasy series fall into two categories - epic storylines that are told over the course of several books a la George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire and stand alone books that can be read out of order a la Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.

Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series falls into the first category.

King's Dragon

If you like, it's one mega-novel divided into seven parts. She does a pretty good job of breaking her story down into pieces and giving each novel an arc, but the books each end on a cliffhanger which makes clear that the story is nowhere near finished. I've read a lot of fantasy series over the years. In the best cases, I'm so caught up in the characters and storyline I read all available volumes obsessively and then grind my teeth until the next book comes out.

In the worst cases, I'll read the first book and feel no compulsion to read on, regardless of cliffhanger endings. And sadly, this middle ground is exactly where Kate Elliott's series falls. The problem, for me, was the characters. Kate Elliott obviously gave A LOT of thought to her alternate Medieval European world because the depth in the history and religion of her world was impressive.

In particular, her version of the Medieval Catholic Church is so different yet recognizable that part of me really wanted to find out how she was going to pay things off. But the main characters, all of whom were teenagers in the first book, were really, really callow. Having read four and a half books of the series, I can see that Kate Elliott did this on purpose - that her goal was to have them "grow up" through the course of the story. Unfortunately, this meant that I found it a struggle to care about any of the main characters.

They embodied everything that makes you roll your eyes about teenaged characters - they're overdramatic, they're self-involved and self-pitying, they think that when they love it's an end-all, be-all kind of a thing and they make incredibly bad decisions. As the story progresses, the characters do grow up, but I was still lukewarm about all of them near the end of book four and actually started to feel as if I was being held hostage by these annoying characters for the sake of an interesting story and world.

In the end, it wasn't worth it for me. Why such high stakes? Maybe she merely needs to fulfill her training, or stop one villain, not save the world or the universe. She seems like a curious, friendly type I can have coffee with, and perform some magic for me, but not someone who's a kick-ass heroine.

She is treated and fawned over as The One, the Chosen, and the saviour. It seemed to me all she had to do was walk in and people would tell her how wonderful she is. Also, that evil young witch, why does she hate Dane? If Dane is so feared, why not kill Dane before she enters the portal and takes steps to acquire brand new knowledge about the magical world and become more immensely powerful?

What's holding the villainess back? Nonetheless, if I treat this as a coming-of-age story, and as a self-discovery and magical fantasy, it's actually quite enjoyable. Jul 08, E.

Similar authors to follow

By first book by this author I was not let down in regards to rich detail and solid world building. I love fantasy books, I love getting lost in their magical worlds. The Scrying was everything I love about reading, and getting lost. Beautifully written, I was easily sucked in and I didn't want to leave. I will say that there was some slow spots, but I didn't mind too much, bu The Scrying The Scrying Trilogy, Book One by Jaci Miller was a engaging read that had by hooked form start to finished.

I will say that there was some slow spots, but I didn't mind too much, but there was bit too much down time between the action. I find that if you have to much a lulls between action, or major plots points, the reader gets uninterested and, it's at those times you're pulled out of the story. But the reason why I didn't mind too much, is because this first book read like a set up for the books to follow.

And, if you have been following my reviews, you know that I have mentioned this before, that this something that's becoming the norm. But this book is a set above the others, as I said there is plenty of actions to keep you engaged, and you do feel at times like it could be a stand-a-longe. The actually story was unique, and different enough that I was loving the development, even if there were some normal fantasy tropes. They way that this story was tackles really got me invested in this series and where it's going. This is a series to watch out for. Not only is the writing easy to follow it's a treat to the eyes.

The characters are well rounded and enjoyable to read. I didn't get annoyed by our MC's, okay not much , I felt myself connect and really enjoy reading about them. I felt like I was apart of the story just as much as they. If you haven't gusseted this book is a super high recommendation from me. As I said it is something to watch out for, and I believe this series if going to be freaking epic. It is a story that I loved reading.

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It is a book that had me turning pages and wondering what was going to happen next. There is plenty of mystery, danger, and romance. I also loved the attention to detail that is given in this book. When reading about the realm that one of the main characters Dane travels to there is so much detail that I felt like I was walking along with her seeing what she was.

This story shows how Dane comes to find out this information on her family legacy and the part that she is to play in it. She is strong and independent. She also is a woman that because she is a modern witch has led a life that has her guarding her heart and keeping who she is a secret. Now she finds herself in a magical realm with an immortal warrior.

They are both working together. Read this story to find out if Dane along with Rafe will complete the tasks she has been assigned and if they act on their attraction to each other. This book has many other characters that you are introduced to and I enjoyed reading about. This is the first story in a series that I found well-written with wonderful characters. I look forward to reading the next book to find out where the storyline takes the characters.

Apr 15, D. Reid rated it really liked it Shelves: Dane has a secret witch identity in the contemporary world. This has forced her to conceal her true nature even from her close group of five female friends and caused problems in her relationships with men. On her thirty-first birthday, she experiences a second awakening, which uncovers new powers and an extraordinary destiny in this world and five other realms beyond.

There is a great deal of exposition and backstory throughout the book, with fascinating detail on witchcraft, magic, mythology an Dane has a secret witch identity in the contemporary world. There is a great deal of exposition and backstory throughout the book, with fascinating detail on witchcraft, magic, mythology and folklore.

I appreciate that this is the first book of a trilogy and is providing essential background for the whole of the narrative, but the initial pace of the story is a bit slow as a result. The dark witch is a great antagonist and I would like to have seen more of her and the danger she brought with her. She is alone in a strange land yet, despite an attempted takeover of her mind by a dark force, never seems to be in any real danger there.

Rafe, an immortal Celtic warrior, soon shows up to help her in her quest. There is no lack of sexual tension between these two, though, and lovers of sizzling paranormal romance will find plenty to enjoy here. Readers will look forward to seeing if Dane can unravel the prophecies and choose the right path to fulfil her destiny and discover what roles her lover and friends will play in this.

Jul 06, Chantelle Smith rated it it was amazing. The Scrying is book 1 in a new trilogy from author Jaci Miller. This is a brilliant captivating and intriguing read that will keep you hooked till the end. This author has created a brilliant and interesting story line with amazing characters that make you want to follow their journey.

Also this author has created such an imaginative world, that while reading you can mentally visualise the scenery, the characters and everything about this book. This read is a great high fantasy read but also wit The Scrying is book 1 in a new trilogy from author Jaci Miller. This read is a great high fantasy read but also with the twist of romance. It has friendship, family, magic, paranormal. Making it everything that I love in a good read! I love that we feel like we are learning along with Dane our female main character.

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Understanding new things and learning new things about her powers and her destiny along with her. Finally coming into her own Dane ventures into a new world where a group of witch and wizards are trying to stop the evil that is threatening not only their land but earth aswell. Will they be able to face the evil that is threatening the worlds and work together? Will they take their relationships to the next level?

This is one book that writing to much will give away the major parts of the plot, so everyone who gets a chance to read this be prepared for a journey like no other and to be captivated with this read. Jul 08, Valkyrie Oracle rated it it was amazing. The Scrying is the first book in The Scrying Trilogy. This book ends in a cliffhanger so be prepared for that. I like the way the author has used both modern and ancient worlds to create a contrast.

Both worlds are reliant on each other to survive. What is it like to be a witch in a world full of non-magical people? Dane is under strict orders from the powers that be that she is never to reveal magic to humans. As her 31st birthday approaches, Dane uncovers the true heritage of her family and what is required of her. As the reality of her responsibility settles onto her shoulders, she realizes that she is going to have to distance herself even further from the few people she does have in her life. But does she really have a choice? Saving the world is a huge deal.

Rafe has been the sole occupant on a world frozen in time. The only trouble is, when she does arrive, it will mean that the end of everything is drawing close. After surviving the first great war in his Universe, is Rafe ready to help Dane fight another one? Jul 10, Moriah Venable rated it it was amazing. The Scrying is the first novel in the Scrying series by Jaci Miller.

This is my first novel by this author. Dane Watts-Callan has been a witch ever since she was Now that she is 31, she is going to start learning about the family legacy. Her long dark hair flowing lazily behind her, piercing green eyes staring vacantly. She had held a familiarity, a sense she was somehow a part of him, but he had not The Scrying is the first novel in the Scrying series by Jaci Miller. She had held a familiarity, a sense she was somehow a part of him, but he had not known who she would be until now. He had seen the Elder Oak in his dreams weeks before he ventured into the forest to find it.

It had beckoned to him, a silent shadowy figure in a moon-filled night. Will he be able to stop it? I really enjoyed this novel. It had all the elements that kept me hooked. Great works building, interesting characters, engaging plot, memorable scenes.

I look forward to see what happens next. Jul 11, Liz rated it really liked it. This book packs a lot of themes in it; fantasy, sci-fi, adventure and danger, and even some romance, just to name a few. I enjoyed that these themes worked well together in this storyline without getting too complicated. Miller works hard to incorporate the background details that are needed to make this happen. Dane was such a fun character to read.

She has had a difficult past and is guarding her heart and her true identity as a witch. That all changes when she finds herself in a new magical realm and meets the handsome immortal warrior, Rafe. There is an instant romantic connection between the two. Will they be able to work together and explore romantic possibilities? If they do will it complicate things to their detriment, or will it make them a stronger team? I was really impressed with the world building in this book.

There was a few moments where I was a bit bored, only in the sense that a few places got too wordy. It could have been described or explained just a little less detailed and have been ok. I appreciated the times where the excessive details were an enhancement though. Overall I am looking forward to seeing what will come next in the second book in the series. Jul 04, Sarah rated it it was amazing.

Dane I'd a witch from the Callan clan living in New York with her friends. Or the small details in the medallions which were beautifully done. Jul 08, Erin rated it it was amazing. Dane is a modern witch in hiding. By law, she is not allowed to tell anyone about what she is. This makes it harder every year on her. She has 5 best friends, but even they don't know. She feels like she is living a lie. Soon her life will become more complicated. A prophecy has been written long ago, and it seems like it may just be about her. Part of her feels like she was meant for more, and this is exactly what she was meant for.

But she is not even allowed to tell her parents, whom is she so close to. We had a great opportunity to spread more awareness about the books and get the game out in front of people again. We made some great friends, and reconnected with some old ones. In fact, because of that, Quantum Quest is going on a national tour! Big thanks to Gerald King for making that hap.

Also known as the craziest month of the year. State of Tellest, October While Tales of Tellest was a set of novellas, each of these Tellest Legends books is a little bigger. Silver Serpent, the next. This marks the first step into a new journey. Not only that, but it allows us to explore a race that was only witnessed.

Lord of Thunder Released. The first snow of the winter season brings with it incredible magic, and if you see that snow falling as the sun rises, you are rewarded with a wish. And so it was that day in that cozy corner house, where a doting husband and loving wife cuddled up beside their fluffy dog and their resistant cat. Awake Released in Audio. I come to you with fantastic news today. Awake has become the fifth and final Tales of Tellest novella to release on Audible.

Narrated by Brandon McKernan, who has done work for us twice before, Awake is the tale of Venathryn of the Whisperwind Elves, who suffers from a terrible guilt made manifest in her dreams. The post Awake Released in Audio appeared first on Tellest. State of Tellest, November Part of that could be due to the fact that Tellest now encompasses so many different projects, from a handful of different people.

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