Rating: 
Summary: A work of art.
Review: I LUV this book! I can't believe it's only four stars, I DEFINITELY think it's worth five. Though it ain't as good as The Uncrowned King it's still fantastic and I can't wait for the sequel. At least now you know a little more about the Voyani and Kialli. I loved the parts about the Kialli and I'm happy we were reintroduced to the Southern cast though it was sort of disappointing cuz Kiriel and Auralis are my favorite characters and they weren't mentioned in this book cuz the stuff were all happening in the South. (Another reason for me to look forward to the fourth book) Well Kiriel is SORT OF mentioned, I mean, like, she is talked about but that barely even counts. I flipped through the pages, trying to find the parts about Kiriel, found none and put this book away for two weeks or so. I finally read it and I'm glad I did. It's really good. I really want to read Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death but unfortunately one of them is out-of-stock and and since there ain't much English bookstores here so I'm really annoyed. (My hopes aren't too up as I've been waiting for a book by Sherwood Smith to get "in stock" for more than a year and it still is unbuyable.) This book is pretty deep and very well-written when it comes to people's feelings, Michelle West sure know how to manipulate emotions. It has also added many new people to my favorite people list: Ishavriel, Anya, Cortano, Yollana, Nicu... Teresa finally talks to her brother, Sendari, and I really love the way she acts in this book. She seems so Perfect somehow, but you still will love her if you read this book. Another reason I'm really looking forward to read the fourth book is that Teresa and Diora are finally free and I can't wait to see what they do next. Overall, this book is one of my favorite books and is proudly battered since I've read it over so many times. I'm anxiously waiting for the fourth book and the one thing I have to complain about The Shining Court is that it's too much of a hanger-on. I'm getting to feel like I need to commit suicide if this book doesn't come out soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Does not move the story along
Review: I really enjoyed the first books, especially the Uncrowned King, but was very disappointed in this latest offering. Not only does it introduce a whole host of new characters, it ignores some of those that were so painstakingly created in the last two books. With the series already at 5 books (counting Hunters Oath and Hunters Death), I would like to see this series move toward some type of conclusion, rather than see it turn into the perpetual ring that some recent, well acclaimed series have become. It is a very well written book for the most part, and very enjoyable, but it seems like we are on the road to 10 or more books! Can we finish this in one or two more, PLEASE?
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful addition to the series!
Review: In this the third book of her excellent fantasy series, Mrs. West takes us south, south to the Dominion and its denizens both dark and light, and south (as in underground?) with Jewel, Avandar, and a Host! of other characters. While I very much enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, I found the hints and allusions as to the past of the Kialli and the Firstborn both aggravating and pleasing. Pleasing, because I am so caught up in the story and the characters that any new info is wonderful, and aggravating, because it's not enough! Also,if you haven't read the two books of the Hunter's series, I really urge you to hurry up. What are you waiting for? I really consider those two books to be prequils to the Sun Sword series. These are great stories with characters that just grab your heart and don't let go. I can't wait for the next book to come out!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: Michelle West has such a wonderful grasp of the complex plot. She has so many characters yet is still able to keep everything coherent and still keep you entertained. I loved all the twists and turns of the various sub-plots. I can't wait until they all come together. This is truly a wonderfully rich series.
Rating: 
Summary: Robert Jordan Syndrome.
Review: Michelle West is truly an excellent writer. She seems to have excellent control over her material at almost all points in this book. Many times when writers throw in character-developing events they can seem contrived or extraneous to the plot; however, in Michelle West's hands they are not only appropriate but much anticipated and actually serve to move the plot along. Sendari's and Teresa's argument truly felt like an ending to their troubled relationship as siblings; Sendari's and Diora's face-off was something I had been looking forward to since the first book and it was *excellently* handled. Some have complained that they felt that the revelation about Avandar's past was thrown in without reflection; I disagree. It felt to me like something she had planned from the first. Jewel's and Avandar's trip through the Stone Deepings was a little drawn-out; however, again, Jewel's confrontation with Duster was very well handled, enough to satisfy while not enough to be indulgent. I had been looking forward to meeting Duster since the first book also, and I was pleased with meeting her here. The mystery of the masks was well-handled, and I *really* want to see more of Anya a'Cooper.
Rating:
Summary: Satisfying on every level.
Review: Michelle West is truly an excellent writer. She seems to have excellent control over her material at almost all points in this book. Many times when writers throw in character-developing events they can seem contrived or extraneous to the plot; however, in Michelle West's hands they are not only appropriate but much anticipated and actually serve to move the plot along. Sendari's and Teresa's argument truly felt like an ending to their troubled relationship as siblings; Sendari's and Diora's face-off was something I had been looking forward to since the first book and it was *excellently* handled. Some have complained that they felt that the revelation about Avandar's past was thrown in without reflection; I disagree. It felt to me like something she had planned from the first. Jewel's and Avandar's trip through the Stone Deepings was a little drawn-out; however, again, Jewel's confrontation with Duster was very well handled, enough to satisfy while not enough to be indulgent. I had been looking forward to meeting Duster since the first book also, and I was pleased with meeting her here. The mystery of the masks was well-handled, and I *really* want to see more of Anya a'Cooper.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating; gripping tale of good versus evil.
Review: Once I got through the rather long explanation of characters (mid-way through the first book) I got very involved with the characters. I am, however, disappointed in the ending. I hope there will be further books that will involve the coming war between the worlds and the lives of the main characters. There were too many questions left unanswered. I will watch for the next book (books?).
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful continuation of the story
Review: The Shining Court is the third book in the Sun Sword series, and it's great!!! HOWEVER, it is NOT to be read as an introduction to the series. Michelle West's story is very complex, and one needs to read the other books first in order to understand and enjoy the third. The Shining Court deals mainly with the "southern" characters from the first book - Theresa, Diora, Alesso, etc., but part of the story focuses on Jewel ATerafin as she makes her way south with only Avandar as company after a very disturbing vision. (Avandar, BTW, is one of the great surprises of the book, esp. if you haven't read West's story in the Battle MAgic anthology about how he came to serve Jewel.) The reader is also introduced to the Voyani; most of that storyline revolves around Margret, the daughter of the Voyani that Diora killed, and Yollana, the Matriarch who talks to Ashaf at the beginning of the first book. Kallandras is also present, as are the Kialli Lords and a mad human mage who was apparently Kiriel's only friend in the Shining Court. I'm not going to say any more, for fear of giving away too much of the plot, except that The Shining Court is really a book worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: The saga continues
Review: The third book in the Sun Sword saga is well worth the read. Although some characters such as Valedan and Kiriel are ignored for a while, other characters, such as Diora, reappear once more. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on the Jewel and Avandar, as well as the Voyani. I certainly hope this is not the last book in the series. It seems far from the end. I'm curious to see what happens next. Hope the book comes out soon.
Rating:
Summary: The saga continues
Review: The third book in the Sun Sword saga is well worth the read. Although some characters such as Valedan and Kiriel are ignored for a while, other characters, such as Diora, reappear once more. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on the Jewel and Avandar, as well as the Voyani. I certainly hope this is not the last book in the series. It seems far from the end. I'm curious to see what happens next. Hope the book comes out soon.
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