The Sea Lark's Song

Rating:
Summary: exciting female fantasy tale
Review: Her ancestors the Sh'ari were once highly welcomed in peace by the Allemani for their healing skills, but eventually fell out of grace and slaughtered by the same people they helped. Brierly Mefell has lived in a cave to remain safe in a world that would kill her if anyone learned she is the last of the Sh'ari. Following her saving the wife of the Earl of Melfallen, whose position includes a vow to destroy the Sh'ari witches, Brierly is exposed.

Forced out of her cave, at the palace Brierly meets Megan, another descendent of the Sh'ari. Now she has a goal to find the scattered remnants of her people. To accomplish her quest, Sh'ari depends on her new benefactor the Earl to somehow end the witch-hunts. Though she saved his wife's life, she wonders if can she trust a noble whose job includes the killing of the Sh'ari for she fears she could be leading those she finds into death.

Though somewhat typical of the sub-genre, THE SEA LARK'S SONG, the sequel to MOTHER OCEAN, DAUGHTER SEA, is an exciting female fantasy tale that grips the reader from start to finish because the heroine is an extraordinary individual who both genders will admire. The story line never slows down as the audience tastes the dilemma that frightens Brierly, but does not deter her from ending the genocide and restoring her people to the place of honor they once held. New readers will appreciate this novel that can stand alone, but would gain much more by first reading Diana Marcellas' debut book.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: exciting female fantasy tale
Review: Her ancestors the Sh'ari were once highly welcomed in peace by the Allemani for their healing skills, but eventually fell out of grace and slaughtered by the same people they helped. Brierly Mefell has lived in a cave to remain safe in a world that would kill her if anyone learned she is the last of the Sh'ari. Following her saving the wife of the Earl of Melfallen, whose position includes a vow to destroy the Sh'ari witches, Brierly is exposed.

Forced out of her cave, at the palace Brierly meets Megan, another descendent of the Sh'ari. Now she has a goal to find the scattered remnants of her people. To accomplish her quest, Sh'ari depends on her new benefactor the Earl to somehow end the witch-hunts. Though she saved his wife's life, she wonders if can she trust a noble whose job includes the killing of the Sh'ari for she fears she could be leading those she finds into death.

Though somewhat typical of the sub-genre, THE SEA LARK'S SONG, the sequel to MOTHER OCEAN, DAUGHTER SEA, is an exciting female fantasy tale that grips the reader from start to finish because the heroine is an extraordinary individual who both genders will admire. The story line never slows down as the audience tastes the dilemma that frightens Brierly, but does not deter her from ending the genocide and restoring her people to the place of honor they once held. New readers will appreciate this novel that can stand alone, but would gain much more by first reading Diana Marcellas' debut book.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: excellent tale-telling
Review: I didn't realize this was the second in a series when I bought it. No matter, it explains itself well. I really enjoyed it, especially in that the plot is sufficiently complex and only got more so as the book went on, and that all the characterization is sound and attractive. I will definitely be buying the rest of the trilogy and likely anything else the author comes up with. It is a clearly seen World, with no distressing over-similarities to any other fantasy realms I'm familiar with. The magic is neither cheesy nor impossible to understand. I don't see any real flaws in this book, and recommend it to lovers of Morgan Llywelyn, Andre Norton, Robin McKinley and Cecilia Dart-Thornton.

Rating:
Summary: Not the greatest, but still pretty good
Review: I got both books of this series as a Christmas gift. It's probably not what I would have selected for myself, but I certainly wasn't opposed to reading them.

The Good: Marcellas really excels both at the politics of her kingdom, and presenting them to the reader. I will openly admit that in a lot of books, I'll skim the political stuff because it usually bores me, but in this one, it is the main attraction. The conspiracies are crisp and twisty and intriguing. Marcellas also refuses to paint characters in black and white as the "good guys" or "bad guys" which makes the book a really intriguing read-- in a lesser writer, Melfallen's wife would have be pigonholed as drippy, whiny, or bitchy, but here, she's presented as a troubled woman who just isn't right for her husband; no sin of her own. Characters change sides and change their minds; the book is a thrilling ride for the reader.

The Bad: There's a lot of bad fantasy in the world. A LOT. This is not the worst. But it's not perfect either. The narraction is way too dramatic-- everything is tragic or passionate or breathtaking. Brierley herself is so frequently described as so amazingly perfect and lovely and wonderful as a person that I could barely relate to the character at all. It's almost like Marcellas is a little too excited about her own book.
The second criticism is that there is some really strange moral ground in this book. The main character is supposed to be extremely sympathetic and caring, but in the first book, kills a man and doesn't seem particularly troubled about it, later. (Granted, he was nasty, but still) The characters seem to live in an extremely liberal society that just happens to also have a feudal government. Women are generally accepted in most professions, divorce is perfectly acceptable and a handful of other social practices just seem a little... disjointed.
Also, there are a few plot twists that just don't work, and just come off as stupid; i.e., is there anyone in this stupid place who ISN'T shari'a?

Overall, I feel like Marcellas has a lot of talent as a writer, she just lacks some polish. The shari'a books will drive you crazy sometimes, and at least one "Oh, PLEASE" will probably escape your lips, but they're a fun read, and I, for one, can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Not the greatest, but still pretty good
Review: I got both books of this series as a Christmas gift. It's probably not what I would have selected for myself, but I certainly wasn't opposed to reading them.

The Good: Marcellas really excels both at the politics of her kingdom, and presenting them to the reader. I will openly admit that in a lot of books, I'll skim the political stuff because it usually bores me, but in this one, it is the main attraction. The conspiracies are crisp and twisty and intriguing. Marcellas also refuses to paint characters in black and white as the "good guys" or "bad guys" which makes the book a really intriguing read-- in a lesser writer, Melfallen's wife would have be pigonholed as drippy, whiny, or bitchy, but here, she's presented as a troubled woman who just isn't right for her husband; no sin of her own. Characters change sides and change their minds; the book is a thrilling ride for the reader.

The Bad: There's a lot of bad fantasy in the world. A LOT. This is not the worst. But it's not perfect either. The narraction is way too dramatic-- everything is tragic or passionate or breathtaking. Brierley herself is so frequently described as so amazingly perfect and lovely and wonderful as a person that I could barely relate to the character at all. It's almost like Marcellas is a little too excited about her own book.
The second criticism is that there is some really strange moral ground in this book. The main character is supposed to be extremely sympathetic and caring, but in the first book, kills a man and doesn't seem particularly troubled about it, later. (Granted, he was nasty, but still) The characters seem to live in an extremely liberal society that just happens to also have a feudal government. Women are generally accepted in most professions, divorce is perfectly acceptable and a handful of other social practices just seem a little... disjointed.
Also, there are a few plot twists that just don't work, and just come off as stupid; i.e., is there anyone in this stupid place who ISN'T shari'a?

Overall, I feel like Marcellas has a lot of talent as a writer, she just lacks some polish. The shari'a books will drive you crazy sometimes, and at least one "Oh, PLEASE" will probably escape your lips, but they're a fun read, and I, for one, can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Not as Gripping as the First Book
Review: The first book in the series had me excitedly waiting to see the conclusion of the story between Brierly and Melfallen, as well as finding out what happens with her daughter Megan and the other witches.
However, although the second book was good, it couldn't hold my attention and I usually read a book of this length in 1 or 2 days. It kept switching back and forth between characters, introducing some new people out of the blue. Plus, there was not enough of what I think is the main character, Brierly. I wanted to know more of what she was going through.
Still, it was an interesting book, maybe just a little hard to keep going at times.

Rating:
Summary: Keep Going ...
Review: The first book, "Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea," was wonderful in the way is built complex characters in which no one person was completely evil or good. The inner workings of the personalities are beautifully woven into the plot development. However, it irked me how the book just stopped at the end!

Of course, I immediately began to read the second book, "The Sea Lark's Song." I felt you needed a scorecard to keep track of the nobelity past and present. It seemed to introduce too many new characters without much substance. Again, the book just stopped at the end without any real conclusion or how all the new characters fit together with the ever-convoluted plot.

However, interesting the setting and characters are, I feel like I'm being strung along and tend to lose interest in series that seems to continue indefinately. I would recommend you read this book only if you can patiently await the next (hopefully last book) in the series. I, personally, tend to enjoy books that can stand on their own and only need the previous or next book in the series as garnishment.

Rating:
Summary: Keep Going ...
Review: The first book, "Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea," was wonderful in the way is built complex characters in which no one person was completely evil or good. The inner workings of the personalities are beautifully woven into the plot development. However, it irked me how the book just stopped at the end!

Of course, I immediately began to read the second book, "The Sea Lark's Song." I felt you needed a scorecard to keep track of the nobelity past and present. It seemed to introduce too many new characters without much substance. Again, the book just stopped at the end without any real conclusion or how all the new characters fit together with the ever-convoluted plot.

However, interesting the setting and characters are, I feel like I'm being strung along and tend to lose interest in series that seems to continue indefinately. I would recommend you read this book only if you can patiently await the next (hopefully last book) in the series. I, personally, tend to enjoy books that can stand on their own and only need the previous or next book in the series as garnishment.

Rating:
Summary: Keep Going ...
Review: The first book, "Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea," was wonderful in the way is built complex characters in which no one person was completely evil or good. The inner workings of the personalities are beautifully woven into the plot development. However, it irked me how the book just stopped at the end!

Of course, I immediately began to read the second book, "The Sea Lark's Song." I felt you needed a scorecard to keep track of the nobelity past and present. It seemed to introduce too many new characters without much substance. Again, the book just stopped at the end without any real conclusion or how all the new characters fit together with the ever-convoluted plot.

However, interesting the setting and characters are, I feel like I'm being strung along and tend to lose interest in series that seems to continue indefinately. I would recommend you read this book only if you can patiently await the next (hopefully last book) in the series. I, personally, tend to enjoy books that can stand on their own and only need the previous or next book in the series as garnishment.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book is about a very strong women who is an ancient banned race and a man who defies an ancient law to save the women he loves. This book has adventure, the old faith, and a love that will alter the course of a man and women forever.