To Light a Candle : The Obsidian Trilogy, Book Two

Rating:
Summary: This 'middle child' is not one to be forgotten!
Review:
The middle book in many trilogies often seems to lack *something* in comparison to the first and last installments, but that is not the case with this second installment of the Obsidian Trilogy.

It took me much of the first book, "The Outstretched Shadow," to really get to know the characters, and it wasn't until the latter half of the book that I really became invested in the story. But Lackey and Mallory have managed to keep that investment from waning even a bit with this book. It starts out where the last left off, and doesn't slow down for a moment. It kept me glued to the story from cover to cover and left me wanting for more. I'm ready for the third book, now!

In "To Light a Candle," the characters I've come to know and care about in the fist book of this trilogy evolve a great deal, as does the overall plot. Kellen finally comes into his own, his sister and best-friend unite, and the Endarkened's plot to destroy human-kind continues to fester at a rapid pace, aided by Armathelia's continued blindness. Add to this some new intriguing characters and well-timed surprises along the way, and I found this book more difficult to put down the first.

Along with "The Outstretched Shadow," "To Light a Candle" makes the Obsidian trilogy a must-read series for anyone who enjoys a solid fantasy epic. I definitely recommend it.


Rating:
Summary: Stunning middle book in the trilogy
Review: A lot of times the middle book in a series will be considered lame, i.e. horrible. With this one, I was much surprised as the somewhat dull parts of the first book (i.e. overly long/verbose descriptions) were kept to a minimum, as the authors assumed we remembered the locales and didn't need to rehash it for us. I really appreciated that, as I hate when authors regurgitate a lot of previous materials to get the reader up to speed.

Kellen's personal development has come a long ways from where he started. In these books the authors portray the elves as having slightly different mannerisms than humans, which causes a lot of awkward social circumstances. What is neat, however, is that while Kellen causes what seems to be a lot of mishaps, when he is finally confronted with a situation in which he knows more of elvish customs than another, he has suddenly gone from knowing nothing to being uncannily like an elf himself in some aspects.

The plot of the book didn't seem like it was dragging or there were a lot of things that happened in the 2nd book that we wouldn't see resolved until the end. The crises in the 2nd book served to advance the plot without making it seem like it was just filler material for the last book. There was also a lot more combat, and the combat sequences were artfully written.

I enjoyed the character of Kellen the most, but I would have to say that compared to the first book Jermayan & Edalia (the first an elf & the second his sister) seem to have taken on a one-dimensional aspect. Previously, they each seemed to have their own strong personalities, while in this one Jermayan has more or less become a love-besotted fool and Edalia has turned into the stereotypical woman/sister. It largely seems like her independence, which was what made her so appealing and strong, has been taken away since her love of Jermayan has been realized.

Basically, this was really a good book. Even if the women characters were weak (including that half demon girl), the rest of the plot & the other characters really balanced it out. All in all, this book is a great read, I suggest if it has been a while since you read #1, you get a refresher and read it again so you can recall the City of Bells, etc. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly fantastic read
Review: Book one presented you with a great build in many characters, and sometimes tedious, but had me hooked in the story none the less. Book two continues right where book one left off and rockets into an exciting adventure that will keep you glued to the pages. Plots thicken, new weapons are revealed on both the light and the dark side, and Kellen certainly becomes a force to be reckoned with! The first book I admit had its slow moments, however 'To Light A Candle' will keep you entralled with every page, and bring a smile to your face with one of the most entertaining fantasy tales on the book shelf today. That I promise! Many thanks to Lackey and Mallory for creating a wonderful story!

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling!
Review: I follow in suite with the over review! This book is heart-stopping until the very end! The battles are intense, as Kellen now knows what he is, and it strengthens his character and contribution only more! He has grown up, and now the forces of dark will have to take him on, as well. I myself, didn't think my interest could be held to the very end, but i proved very wrong indeed! A must-have, the action it brings is well worth it!

Rating:
Summary: Bold, Exciting Adventure
Review: I have just finished the second book in The Obsidan Trilogy and will now have to wait for book three and the conclusion. I can't wait. It's very exciting and the evil Queen is so scarey I want to put the book down at times but can't. I have stress with every page turned. This is really a great fun book that can really hold an adult's attention. I look forward to reading all her other books also. Please Merecedes don't have me wait too long.

Rating:
Summary: A must read...
Review: I wasn't sure during the first of the series if this was going to be a trilogy for me(a bit hard to get into and slow in the beginging, but it did pick up). To light a candle, continued that fast action-packed ending and hardly let me catch my breath....couldn't put it down! I am eagerly waiting for the next instalment. Great new world and new vigor in old fantasy standards(Elves, dragons, and magic). Kellen is a hero with a story that you want to follow!!!

Rating:
Summary: Very Disapointed!
Review: Okay I liked the first one ALOT but was very discouraged with this second installment of the series. I didn't care for the way that an elf suddenly becomes a mage and not to mention bounds with a dragon and can do things that make other 'wild mages' tremble. I also didn't much care for the way that Kellen is a knight mage and can beat an elf who has had hundreds upon hundreds of years of expearence. Just because he's a knight mage of course which gives him amazing insight and makes him pretty much invincible.

Of course I already know whats going to happen to these very sappy good unbelievably too good characters. They'll all survive of course and kill the 'endarkened' very one diminisional evil characters that are supposedly very smart but make a lot of mistakes that conderdict their very nature.

This book is filled with light loving fantasy that almost sickens me. Not to mention the way that all the creatures from 'the dark' die very easily, afterall the elf and his dragon friend can kill them all in one fell swoop. Nothing about this novel is remotely believable and for the most part the things that happen in it are laughable.

For example:

1. Kellen is an almight strategist that makes no mistakes.

Problem:

Even in fantasy you should make your characters have faults that make them interesting which obviously Mercedes Lackery lacks that capability. Why make characters grey instead of just black or white so to speak?

Rating:
Summary: Just a Graciously gifted as the First
Review: The book filled my appettite to find out what had happened, i read the book in less than 48 hours, twas stunning. Between Idalia Wildmage, Kellen KnightMage, Jermayean Elven-KnightMage and Cilarnen High Mage they can combine with Shalkan and Ancaladar shall rise to prevail in anything. It certainly explains a lot of things that were left out before in the first novel but still can leave it somewhat unexplained, which was rather daunting. That was my only quarrel with the book was i read it too fast and didn't save any of it to read later so i'll have to go back again and re read it until the third book comes out.

Rating:
Summary: action-packed second Obsidian fantasy
Review: The Golden City of Armethalieh's Mage Council banished Kellen for possessing three books on the banned Wild Magic. Kellen left knowing how disappointed his sire, head of the council, was with him for practicing heresy. He quickly proves his worth at least outside the human population as a powerful warrior Knight Mage (see the award winning THE OUTSTRETCHED SHADOW).

The elves honor on Kellen when they name him to their war council. Still in spite of his recent military and wizardry success, Kellen fails to persuade his hometown's Mage Council that danger remains from the deadly Demon Queen. These obstinate human magic practitioners cannot see beyond their "High" use because the enemy has infiltrated the council influencing everything.

While Kellen fails with the human council, his Wild Mage healer sister Idalia and his eleven knight-in-arms brother Jermayan fall in love. Though an elf and human relationship is uncommon, even rarer is that Jermayan bonds with a dragon. Stunned to learn of the bonding, the Demon Queen sends her minion in waves to destroy her enemies.

The action-packed second Obsidian fantasy grips readers from the moment that the human Kellen struggles with adverse weather (he grew up in a mage-controlled climate) and never slows down until the final altercation. The story line is fast-paced and never feels like a middle passage. Though it would help to read the first book prior to this one to gain a better understanding of the cast especially Kellen, fantasy fans know few if any authors can light a candle better than Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory can.
Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: A solid entertaining book.
Review: This is the second book in this series. It continues the story of Kellen Tavadon, who was first introduced in, "The Outstretched Shadow." (recommended) This book devotes more time developing the character of Cilarnen Volpril, a Mageborn son of Lycaelon. He too, as did Kellen, discovers that life in Lycaelon is not as ideal as the governing body, the Mage Council, would like everyone to believe. This is a solid book, one you can curl up around in front of your fire with the sure knowledge that you will be entertained. Worth the price. I'd give it five stars, but I reserve that for books that I won't put down until I'm finished. P.S. I recently gave this book to my 17 year old son. He too thought it was well worth the price and looks forward to the third book in the series.