Rating: 
Summary: An amazing epic
Review: As I finished reading this trilogy, I was confronted by three powerful emotions. 1)That this series is the most intricately detailed fantasy world since the Wheel of time 2)I couldn't believe I had stayed up from 6Pm when I got the first three books until 10Am the next day when I finished the third 3)SHARON GREEN, write that fourth book!!!Unfortunately, according to her website, the fourth book isn't going to be out until APRIL!!!! *sigh*
Rating: 
Summary: Better Than the Last
Review: As with the prior two books in this series, I tore through this one, finding it difficult to put down even when it was at its most exasperating. However, I was not disappointed when I finished the story--as was not the case with _Competitions_.
_Challenges_ has everything its predecessor did: lovable protagonists, a fabulous magic system, an interesting world, plus plots and plans and endless cups of tea. It also has quite a bit of romance. This time, though, the interactions are more plausible (even if I did groan at Jovvi and Tamrissa's 'sensual secret'); I actually found myself not repelled by the idea of Vallant and Tamrissa as a pair, and began to understand what she might see in him. There's much less repetition; the characters have each undergone their individual trials, and we no longer see essentially the same tasks performed in five different perspectives. Though the villains remain a bit stereotypical (and the insistance that *all* of the nobilit!y is evil continues), they've become much more interesting, and pulled off a twist towards the end that truly delighted me.
That's not to say that this is a perfectly written book by any means. Its protagonists and antagonists continue to be either entirely pure of heart or entirely evil to the core, which is starting to become frustrating. Also, there's enough obsession with sex that one might be turned off if they're more interested in the magical plot than the characters' relationships. All in all, though, I really did enjoy it, and look forward on getting my hands on the fourth book when I can. Anyone who's been reading this series and considered stopping after book two might want to give this one a try first!
Rating:
Summary: Better Than the Last
Review: As with the prior two books in this series, I tore through this one, finding it difficult to put down even when it was at its most exasperating. However, I was not disappointed when I finished the story--as was not the case with _Competitions_.
_Challenges_ has everything its predecessor did: lovable protagonists, a fabulous magic system, an interesting world, plus plots and plans and endless cups of tea. It also has quite a bit of romance. This time, though, the interactions are more plausible (even if I did groan at Jovvi and Tamrissa's 'sensual secret'); I actually found myself not repelled by the idea of Vallant and Tamrissa as a pair, and began to understand what she might see in him. There's much less repetition; the characters have each undergone their individual trials, and we no longer see essentially the same tasks performed in five different perspectives. Though the villains remain a bit stereotypical (and the insistance that *all* of the nobilit!y is evil continues), they've become much more interesting, and pulled off a twist towards the end that truly delighted me.
That's not to say that this is a perfectly written book by any means. Its protagonists and antagonists continue to be either entirely pure of heart or entirely evil to the core, which is starting to become frustrating. Also, there's enough obsession with sex that one might be turned off if they're more interested in the magical plot than the characters' relationships. All in all, though, I really did enjoy it, and look forward on getting my hands on the fourth book when I can. Anyone who's been reading this series and considered stopping after book two might want to give this one a try first!
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for book four
Review: Challenges moved much faster than the first two books did. The plot sucked you in and wouldn't let you go. But the ending is a total cliffhanger. I'm buying book four as soon as it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this one unless the rest of the series is out
Review: Challenges, Book 3 of The Blending by Sharon Green, follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. And once again, readers are left at the end of the book wanting to tear out their hair - but this time because it leaves them in such a confusing spot. The adventures of our favorite Chosen Five - Jovvi, Tamrissa, Lorand, Vallant and Rion - take them into greater peril than they have ever seen before. When they finally manage to Blend, the reader can heave a sigh of relief, but then its still not over yet. I happened on the first book of this series when it first came out and bought it just because I liked the cover. Then I read it and was hooked as never before. By the time I finished it, I was foaming at the mouth to get the next one, and lo and behold, it was out in only four short months. The third book took just about a year to come out, and I sincerely hope that the fourth and fifth book (come on guys, there are five main characters, so there has to be a fifth book - one for each of them) will come out soon. To save readers the problem of having to wait for a seemingly endless time for the next in the series to come out, Sharon Green should release them both together. If not, we may just have to do something drastic - like boycott her all her books until the entire series is complete. But seriously, I adored this book just as much as the last, and while Green does delve into slightly romantic fits, it is consistant with the other books in the series and her writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: What a wait ~ and then... a disappointment...
Review: Having devoured the first two books in this series I was gravely disappointed to find that the third had not yet been written (loving this genre the way I do you'd think I'd learn by now not to begin reading a series until *all* of the books are completed!) - but then found hope to find out that I could order the third book *before* it was published through Amazon. So imagine my excitement when the book arrived last week! Well, I truly wish I could say that that excitement stayed with whilest reading this book. It is, by far, the weakest book yet in this series. Most of the novel reads like a trashy romance novel set in a fantasy environment - like a Harlequin with magic. Yuck! Moreover, although the book is entitled 'Challenges' - the actual challenges portion of the competition doesn't come until near the end of the novel. The resolution here is sketchy and quick at best. I must admit that when I was about halfway thorugh the book I thought I *knew* how the novel would end and I was surprised in that the ending was *not* what I had expected; I think I would have preferred my ending - for at least mine would have had better resolution. I found the most enjoyable element of this book was the characters - with whom I feel close to having now spent three books with them; and for that this is worth reading. I guess the upswing of all of this is now I'm not so anxious for the fourth book (and the *has* to be a fourth with the way this one ended!) as I was for the third. I strongly suggest to anyone who wants to read this book - no matter what ~~ wait for the next one to be published before reading this one - if not, you'll be sorry!!!
Rating:
Summary: Total cliffhanger!
Review: I absolutly loved this book...until the end. If there is anything that I absolutly hate, it's a book that doesn't end. Now I have to wait until the next comes out. A couple of the other reviews said this, but I'm going to say it again. Don't read this series until all of the books come out, but definately read it. I am completely hooked. I got to the end of book three and had to look again to make sure I was at the end. But I have to say, I will definately be reading the next one if only to find out how the story could possibly end up as it's supposed to: Jovvi and Lorand together, Rion and Naran together, and Vallant and Tamrissa together; plus the five as the Seated Five. Well, I can't wait for the next, so write fast Sharon!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not satisfying.
Review: I am very much a fan of Sharon Green, and, having read the first 2 books in this series, was eagerly awaiting its publication. I was disappointed that this appeared to be just another installment of Blendings, instead of its conclusion. But, I still found myself caught up in it, and I certainly want to find out how our heroes get out of this one!
Rating:
Summary: Is it too much to ask that one completes a series swiftly
Review: I confess, I am a fan. Every book enchants me and draws me in, yet leaves me filled with intense frustration as I have to create my own ending to a tale that ends abruptly with the reader (me)poised at the very brink of discovery. Green does this every time and has been known to leave certain series incomplete. The Blending looks to be a set of five and I hate myself for not having had the will power to wait until all five have hit the market so that I could sink into a world of fantasy, feast my mind and soul before leaving sated with the knowledge that the saga is complete. Each hero and each heroine deserves their own book and I would not have it any other way but a year is just too long a wait no matter how good the writer.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED it - just like the others.
Review: I discovered the first book for it's pretty cover when I needed something to read on a long train journey. I couldn't put it down. I was equally enthralled byt the second. The dep analysis of the characters and the incredibly well written interaction had me hocked - and so did the unusual 'magic' system. Number three was all I hoped for - a fascinating next installment. But be warned - the cliffhanger at the end is /extreme/. I was frustrated enough to breack something when I read it.[though I didn't. ;)] But if you like this style of fantasy/people interaction, number 3 is no let down. I can't wait for number 4. :)
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