Stealing Sacred Fire

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat dissappointing
Review: I eagerly awaited the conclusion to this series. The first book completely snared me: The story of half breed twins whose lives are changed for ever by a mysterious stranger. The second,though not as strong as the first, still held my attention. This third however was a disappointment, heavily bogged down in mysticism and self absorbed characters. The story could have been told in 150 pages rather than 400. Not only that, but loose ends are not satisfyingly tied up. The conclusion feels rushed but at the same time overly long. I know I was really hoping that the story would come back to some of the principals in the first book but it doesn't. They are little more then an after thought and the charas that the novel does focus on simply don't engage the reader's sympathy at all. Read the novel to complete the series but don't expect it to have the same verve as the first two books.

Rating:
Summary: A captivating gothic dark fantasy trilogy
Review: I would like to review the Fallen Angels trilogy (STP,SHB,SSF) here. I finished the trilogy in 3 days because the series is addictive despite some of its shortcomings. Stalking Tender Prey (first book) is brilliant once you overcome the rather slow pace in the beginning. STP has all a perfect gothic dark fantasy should have and it is not for those with high moral standards. Its hero (PO) is a disturbing yet alluring amoral character whom you either dislike or care for. I find myself doing the later and the transformation of PO from a demonic character in the first book to almost a god of love in the 3rd book is mesmerizing. The second book delves into the usual good versus evil fantasy realm and hence to me the weakest of the trilogy but still an engrossing read. The concept of the 3rd book, transformation of a divine king in flesh to the ultimate Messiah of mankind, would be a challenge for any writer. But Storm delivers because she is gifted and writes from her heart. Her alternate view of Christianity and salvation is fascinating and almost believable. But like all Storm's books her ending tend to be rushed with all her fascinating views cramped into a few pages. I love the Wraeththu trilogy and of course tend to compare any of Storm's books to it. The Fallen Angel series is not as great but this dark fantasy is still too good to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Book Description
Review: Stealing Sacred Fire is the third book in The Grigori Trilogy.

Who alone can master the Millennial power?

Peverel Othman has come home, though not as himself. Through the old magic of the Grigori he is now once again Shemyaza, an angel of awesome power who led the rebellion of angels to mate with and enslave humans. Now as this millennium draws to a close, Shemyaza calls his followers to him for the final battle to decide who controls the fate of humanity.

Answering his call are his six Grigori brothers and sisters who once again want to rule humanity for their own pleasure, Daniel his once human vizier who is now also becoming Grigori, and the Yarasadi freedom-fighters who will stop at nothing to see their culture recreated to be the new Eden on earth. As the final battle unfolds to decide the fate of humanity, can Daniel remember what it is to be human and convince Shemyaza that humans can share equally in the new millennium with the Grigori before it is too late and we become their slaves forever?

Rating:
Summary: An unnecessary sequel
Review: Storm's writing is great, but this repeated ordeal of Shemyaza feels like Frodo being told that there is another Ring to melt in another volcano. The Grigori story could well have ended whit the previous novel. We would have been spared the executive manager who suddenly speaks like a taliban would and the Iraqi dictator that renegades Islam for an antediluvian deity.If you can't get real, get plausible,at least!

Rating:
Summary: The Hero's Quest
Review: This book, being the final book in a trilogy about a character who becomes a messiah figure, would have been impossible to write well by most writers published today. This, as well as the fact that the writer is coming from a Pagan background, makes it doubly hard. You need to read the first two books in the trilogy to understand what she has done in this novel. Stealing Sacred Fire is the most esoterical of the three, but also the most complex in regards to what it has to say about all religions. I highly recommend it and feel that this was how the journey had to end.

Rating:
Summary: The Hero's Quest
Review: This book, being the final book in a trilogy about a character who becomes a messiah figure, would have been impossible to write well by most writers published today. This, as well as the fact that the writer is coming from a Pagan background, makes it doubly hard. You need to read the first two books in the trilogy to understand what she has done in this novel. Stealing Sacred Fire is the most esoterical of the three, but also the most complex in regards to what it has to say about all religions. I highly recommend it and feel that this was how the journey had to end.