Rating: 
Summary: Different...
Review: I've found Dart-Thorntons work to be refreshing from the norm, yet a little slow. However the richness of her books have made it possible to get through them and enjoy the story. Do not read these books if you're into fast-paced action and an easy read. Within the Bitterbynde series you'll find rich detail and believable characters. Dart-Thornton's style of writing can be likened to Tolkien in it's extensive rambling description.In The Lady of Sorrows, she keeps to the storyline, but loses just a bit of the punch that her first book had. Read it, you'll either love it or hate it.
Rating: 
Summary: Read This Book!
Review: If you liked the first book, you'll love this one. The story is faster, but not so much that it changes the rhythm of the story significantly. There are a lot of twists, and while I was able to guess correct answers to a few of the mysteries, many confounded me until their revelation (and there are indeed many things revealed about the protagonist's past). The plot is very well crafted, the characters realistic, and the heroine lovable. I definately recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Lady of the Sorrows
Review: Imrhien has now got a face and a voice but still no past and to tell the King-Emperor of the Faeran treasure she goes to the city of Caermelor and takes the name Rohain, from the Sorrow Islands because no common woman can to the King on such important matters. At the same time, eldritch wights are in war with men. Amd there is something following her, maybe something from her past? And when she finds the man of her dreams, you will find what he really is. And when you find out her past you'll pity her and be in awe.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: It has been years since I've enjoyed a new series enough call up all my friends and recommend it; this series has made me do just that. Ms. Dart-Thornton has created a richly textured world that we learn about along with her main character. I was so involved in the story that at one point I found myself very nearly talking aloud to the main character, wanting to warn of danger on the horizon. This is a wonderful story, and I cannot wait to read the last installment!
Rating:
Summary: All Hail!
Review: It's been so long since I've read a fantasy adventure saga like this! Whatever the main character felt, I felt it too! The story was masterfully paced, its setting seeming to be so real I can really see them in my mind! I'm eagerly waiting the third book!
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: LOVED the first in the series, CRAZY ABOUT this one. Don't read on if you don't want a bit of a spoiler. I couldn't get over how good the volcano action is. The research that's gone into it just blows me away, and like in the first book the language is like a poem. Mad little creatures all over the place, it's a goblin-fest, a costume fest, an expose of manners in high society, an adventure.
It's just the best. Already I've read it twice and I only just got it.
Rating:
Summary: Eldritch Writing
Review: Ms. Dart-Thornton's writing is luscious. I am as engaged by her style and words as I am with the plot. I find myself re-reading lines and paragraphs and just mulling them over for the pleasure of the pictures the words paint. I have never done this with any other writer, even poets. A weather report written by Ms. Dart-Thornton would be a best seller! Her character begins The Ill-Made Mute with the perceptions of an enfant, slowly learning. At the end of The Lady of The Sorrows (multi-level meaning here), we understand how this came about, and return to the beginning of the first book. Ms. Dart-Thornton is a sorceress with words.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly Marvellous
Review: My roommate lent me "The Ill-Made Mute" for a bit of light reading on a train trip, and about a fourth of the way through, it occurred to me that I didn't want to put it down. The prose was gorgeous enough to drown in--something I've seen rarely enough in these days of minimalist writing (not that minimalism is bad. I just miss being able to fall into a book's descriptions). The characters were beautifully drawn. Both my roommate and I fell madly in love with Thorn, but...well...who wouldn't? And Imhrien/Rohain is a great heroine. I'm perfectly content to travel with her on all her journeys. In fact, I'm so anxious that I might very well order the books from Australia, so I can get "The Battle of Evernight" on its first distribution, instead of having to wait till February. I didn't want "The Lady of the Sorrows" to end!! I'm normally wary when it comes to high fantasy, but these two books are easily some of the best-written I've come across in the genre. I love the intermingling of myth and fiction, and the characters are wonderfully engaging. Rather odd, considering the last fantasy series that captured me this much was the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, which couldn't be more different in structure. Keep writing, Ms Dart-Thornton!
Rating:
Summary: Yay!
Review: The first book in this series was a bit slow (though I did really like it, and continued reading once I was promised that it did get better), but this book was excellent from the start. I would recommed it to any fantasy fans who have staying power, it is all worth it in the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as expected.
Review: The first two chapters of the book were very boring, it was too descriptive and was too confusing after a while. The way she describes the Isse Tower and the ships were so descriptive that in the end picturing what this world was like was a bit hard.
It does get better though.
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