Blood of Mystery (The Last Rune, Book 4)

Rating:
Summary: Must. Have. Book. Five.
Review: A word to the wise - it's best to read this series in sequence because each book builds upon the other. You could probably read it in a piecemeal fashion, but I don't think that it would have the same impact, because both the characters and the world of Eldh are evolving as the series goes on. This book is setting the stage for the upcoming battle for control of Eldh, revealing the main players and getting the pieces into place.

This book picks up the story after the catastrophe at the Etherion. The cast of characters has been split into two groups: Travis, Durge, Sareth and Lirith have traveled back in time to Castle City Colorado on Earth in 1883, while Grace, Falken, Ayrn, Beltan, Melia, and Vani have remained in the city of Tarras in present-day Eldh. The two main subplots are concerned with getting the Earth-bound travelers back to Eldh, while the group on Eldh are trying to get to Toringarth to get the pieces of the only weapon that will prevent the Pale King from taking over the Dominions. Needless to say, this is an extreme simplification of the plot. The group on Earth has to deal with a rogue sorcerer, a vigilante group, corruption, the arrival of Jack Graystone, racial prejudice, and the sheer problem of staying alive. The group on Eldh has to face the resurgent Raven cult, the announcement of Aryn's betrothal (to her surprise), their pursuit by the Onyx Knights, the mystery of Toringarth, and the secret of Eversea. Whew!

The interpersonal relationships are developed further - the bittersweet love between Sareth and Lirith, and the dilemma faced by Beltan and Vani. Ayrn is forced to face the results of her past actions, and her response determines the course of her future. Grace is still slowly rediscovering her emotional responses after facing the horrifying memories of her childhood, and is allowing herself to open to others. Sides are taken by the Witches and the Warriors of Vathris regarding the foretold coming of the Runebreaker, resulting in conflicting feelings in their individual members.

I am truly enjoying this series. The characters are complex, distinctive and plentiful. Since the characters are constantly traveling, the world of Eldh is being fully explored, including its various ethnic groups and belief systems. I like the interplay with Earth and Eldh, with their similarities and differences, and the bond between the two universes that is gradually getting tighter and tighter. I will definitely be getting whatever further books are issued in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Series Still Going Strong With Book Four
Review: A word to the wise - it's best to read this series in sequence because each book builds upon the other. You could probably read it in a piecemeal fashion, but I don't think that it would have the same impact, because both the characters and the world of Eldh are evolving as the series goes on. This book is setting the stage for the upcoming battle for control of Eldh, revealing the main players and getting the pieces into place.

This book picks up the story after the catastrophe at the Etherion. The cast of characters has been split into two groups: Travis, Durge, Sareth and Lirith have traveled back in time to Castle City Colorado on Earth in 1883, while Grace, Falken, Ayrn, Beltan, Melia, and Vani have remained in the city of Tarras in present-day Eldh. The two main subplots are concerned with getting the Earth-bound travelers back to Eldh, while the group on Eldh are trying to get to Toringarth to get the pieces of the only weapon that will prevent the Pale King from taking over the Dominions. Needless to say, this is an extreme simplification of the plot. The group on Earth has to deal with a rogue sorcerer, a vigilante group, corruption, the arrival of Jack Graystone, racial prejudice, and the sheer problem of staying alive. The group on Eldh has to face the resurgent Raven cult, the announcement of Aryn's betrothal (to her surprise), their pursuit by the Onyx Knights, the mystery of Toringarth, and the secret of Eversea. Whew!

The interpersonal relationships are developed further - the bittersweet love between Sareth and Lirith, and the dilemma faced by Beltan and Vani. Ayrn is forced to face the results of her past actions, and her response determines the course of her future. Grace is still slowly rediscovering her emotional responses after facing the horrifying memories of her childhood, and is allowing herself to open to others. Sides are taken by the Witches and the Warriors of Vathris regarding the foretold coming of the Runebreaker, resulting in conflicting feelings in their individual members.

I am truly enjoying this series. The characters are complex, distinctive and plentiful. Since the characters are constantly traveling, the world of Eldh is being fully explored, including its various ethnic groups and belief systems. I like the interplay with Earth and Eldh, with their similarities and differences, and the bond between the two universes that is gradually getting tighter and tighter. I will definitely be getting whatever further books are issued in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Action packed? Page-turner? You betcha!
Review: Another great read from Mark Anthony. I look forward to the final installments in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A fantasy with a Western inside
Review: I enjoy Westerns, and the Blood of Mystery has a nice, traditional one right inside it! Sherriffs, gunshooters, and fallen women with hearts of gold--everything you could ask for, including bad guys in black. As mentioned so many times about this series, not very original, but somehow, engaging all the same. The lead character Travis, has transformed into a completely different person from the first book--both physically and mentally. He is growing up, which is a good thing, because he acted like a teenager, even though he's in his thirties. That was a jarring flaw in the first book, that this grown man was so childish and passive, so his rapid maturation is a good development. The female lead, Grace, is a boring ice princess, but her slightly clinical point of view is actually a good way to observe the sometimes chaotic action that takes place. The switching from world to world, and inconsistent and insufficiently explained magic can be a bit exhausting at times. I also fail to see why the character, Sareth, had to be such a pathetic victim throughout the book. The only man of color in the book, and he's USELESS. (Nothing like his sister, Vani, who is very much like a female superhero, with her black leather garb and vanishing act.) Despite it's flaws, this book, and the series are a lot of fun.

Rating:
Summary: Really good book
Review: I liked this book a lot and in fact like this whole series. First off I've read books with homosexuals as the main characters, however I never read a book where one of the main characters is bi-sexual (Travis). It's pretty obvious that he likes both men and women and yet has the darnest time making the decission. I thought it was pretty funny with the scene of Beltan and Vani.

A lot of people don't like Vani but I happen to find Beltan more than a little annoying, this is just me however. For one Beltan gets all [mad] just because Vani happens to love Travis. One thing I don't understand is the whole destiny thing and find this to actually take away from the book. However over all this was a decent read.

Rating:
Summary: Best One Yet
Review: The latest installment of Mark Anthony's The Last Rune Series, is by far the best. Before I continued reading the series with a certain morbid fascination. But now I think I'll actually read the books to see how they unfold. I wouldhave given the book 5 stars, except for the fact I really dislike Vani, she actually has a personality in this book, but I still dislike her, mostly because shes a character that doesnt seem to fit, like a rut in the road. I'm personally hoping she'll die a quick death at the beginning of the next book, but I know that won't happen.
Overall this is a great read, much improved over the first, I look forward to the final two installments.

Rating:
Summary: Best One Yet
Review: The latest installment of Mark Anthony's The Last Rune Series, is by far the best. Before I continued reading the series with a certain morbid fascination. But now I think I'll actually read the books to see how they unfold. I wouldhave given the book 5 stars, except for the fact I really dislike Vani, she actually has a personality in this book, but I still dislike her, mostly because shes a character that doesnt seem to fit, like a rut in the road. I'm personally hoping she'll die a quick death at the beginning of the next book, but I know that won't happen.
Overall this is a great read, much improved over the first, I look forward to the final two installments.

Rating:
Summary: The set up to a big blow-out in book 5...
Review: This book is pretty good. I thought the characters advanced a lot in this book, as well as got more interesting. However, if you are looking for BIG action, this isn't the book in the series for it. There is lots of action in this book, but the final blow-out has been saved for its own book.

Basically, the main characters are split into two groups--the group in present-day Eldh and the group in 1883 Colorado. The Colorado group has to deal with fitting into the society and waiting for Jack to show up. Interestingly enough, they have to deal with a vigilante group called the Crusade of Purity. That could lead the reader to some conclusions between the book and a commentary on real life.

The group on Eldh splits when Aryn has to go home to meet her future husband & takes Melia with her. However, this is ok, because she ends up facing up to her past actions that she thought were justified, and becomes stronger in her Craft. The other group is trying to find Grace's sword and make it to the black tower. Along the way, they meet some VERY interesting people....

By the end of the book, everything is in place for the beginning of book 5. I can't wait.

Rating:
Summary: The set up to a big blow-out in book 5...
Review: This book is pretty good. I thought the characters advanced a lot in this book, as well as got more interesting. However, if you are looking for BIG action, this isn't the book in the series for it. There is lots of action in this book, but the final blow-out has been saved for its own book.

Basically, the main characters are split into two groups--the group in present-day Eldh and the group in 1883 Colorado. The Colorado group has to deal with fitting into the society and waiting for Jack to show up. Interestingly enough, they have to deal with a vigilante group called the Crusade of Purity. That could lead the reader to some conclusions between the book and a commentary on real life.

The group on Eldh splits when Aryn has to go home to meet her future husband & takes Melia with her. However, this is ok, because she ends up facing up to her past actions that she thought were justified, and becomes stronger in her Craft. The other group is trying to find Grace's sword and make it to the black tower. Along the way, they meet some VERY interesting people....

By the end of the book, everything is in place for the beginning of book 5. I can't wait.

Rating:
Summary: Must. Have. Book. Five.
Review: Warning: This review contains spoilers, so I suggest you skip it if you haven't read the book yet.
I absolutely love these books. Sword and sorcery fantasy is rarely written this well. I really care about all the characters and what happens to them. That is why I am in agony until I get to read book 5. I SO badly want Travis and Beltan to get together. I'm pretty much indifferent to Vani. I think that the author is drawing it out to add suspense. He keeps hinting that Travis is going to get both of them, but he won't just SAY it. I realize that this is great storytelling, but it's killing me. And what the hell was that at the end, where Travis goes to kiss Beltan, and Beltan pulls away? WHAT?? Aaaagh!!