Friday, July 8, 2011

Spectyr (Book of the Order #2) by Philippa Ballantine

Spectyr (A Book of the Order)Description:
Though one of the most powerful Deacons, Sorcha Faris has a tarnished reputation to overcome. She and her partner, Deacon Merrick Chambers, find themselves chasing down rumors of geists, but long for a return to real action. So they jump at the chance to escort a delegation sent to negotiate the terms of the Emperor’s engagement. Their destination: the exotic city of Orinthal. 
But a string of murders has Orinthal on edge, and Sorcha and Merrick are asked to investigate. Meanwhile the Emperor’s sister has unwittingly released a cruel and vengeful goddess, one who it bent on destroying her enemies, including the geistlord who resides inside the shapeshifting rival to the throne—Sorcha’s lover….
I was able to do one thing that I love to do... read books in a series back to back. Oh and don't worry, I won't spoil anything, but you may have to endure an *evil laugh* or two in the process... ;)

This book made it so easy to slip back into this world. Not just because I read the first book, but the way it was written was just brilly. In this book, not only is the world expanded and more interesting to our imagination, but the characters were more rounded out as well. We see even more softness to Sorcha and even into some of her fears. We learn more about Merrick and are surprised at a few twists to his story. Even the Rossin, who is a Geistlord we learned to fear in the first book evolves his character. That was the most surprising and interesting bit of all! And some of the secondary characters who make a comeback have a bit more added to their personality. However, it is not only the characters we got to know in the first book that have a good story, it is also a new character of the Prince, Onika, whom I did not like at first, but rooted for in the end. So yes, if you are looking for characters to connect to with this series, do not neglect this book.

The mystery of the first book evolves and is connected to but different than in the first book. Will I say what that was? *evil laugh* I mean really... if I didn't reveal the first mystery, WHY would I do so here? *mumbles* some people *roll eyes* ;) However, I will say that it is an interesting and on the edge of your seat type of adventure. I will add this for those who love romance. There is much less of it in this one for some characters (but it leaves that door wide open for further romance) and more for others. *evil laugh* You'll just have to read the book to find out what I mean.

I give this book 5 stars. If you read and liked the first, you will love the second book. I can't wait for the third book, Wrayth which is currently being written. Oh and like the first book, it does contain a smidgen of steampunk to ease you into the genre.
I received this book by the publisher ACE books for review and no compensation was given.

19 comments:

  1. Oh you you you *shakes finger*
    Lol, sounds great, even if you will not tell us what the mystery is about ;)

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  3. Sorry my previous post was horrible. I decided to write even worse.

    Evil laugh this evil laugh that, be careful it might stop making any difference...BTW I want this series with or without your evil laugh anyway! Great review as usual!

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  4. Your evil laugh huants my sleep!! I keep thinking I can make it stop if I read one these books...this is definitely one of those series I need to try. :)

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  5. I am with Mel there about your evil laugh. From now on when I get in trouble for breaking my book budget I am just going to say it is your fault as I have to know what you are evil laughing about!

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  6. Your evil laugh is why I keep that scary woman for the snort club. All is fair in evilness!

    Actually I am recommending this series to my brother, he loves fantasy and this seems right up his alley. I love when books tie together and take elements from previous books!

    Excellent Review!

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  7. A 5! That so rarely happens with the second book in a series, I'm so excited now! I need to read Geist first, but these are definitely moving up my TBR pile. So many evil laughs in this review, I need to get moving so I can know what's going on!

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  8. I'm loving the cover with the fireball in her hand! Sweet! I don't normally liked sequels cause their is always so much drama and more problems! But I am glad you liked this one!

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  9. Ohhh, I SOOOOOOO want this one! I loved the first book. :) And so glad to see you enjoyed this one as well. :) Thank you!

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  10. I think I love your evil laughs!
    Usually in a series, I find that the sequel is often disappointing. I am glad to see that the second book is actually really good.

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  11. Well now I'm even MORE excited to read this series. Thanks for the "brilly" review. ;) (Also, I am stealing that word from you.)

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  12. @Blodeuedd... Well, I learned from you... ;D

    @anachronist... evil laughs always make a difference!

    @Mel... *rattles chains* Boo! I seriously think you will enjoy this series. :)

    @Nic... Ah.. well, you have me wanting so many Aussie novels, we are even. :D

    @Felicia... She is evil! lol I hope he likes them.

    @Jenny... I really did like how the characters progressed. I think you will too.

    @Savannah... I love the covers too. Weeeellll... there is drama and problems, but it all fits in the story. :)

    @Melissa... Oh you will love this one more!

    @Misha... I think it was better than the first and I enjoyed the first. :)

    @Logan... Go ahead. I stole it from someone else. I'd give credit, but I don't know who.. lol

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  13. That's it! Brilly is my new favorite word.

    Less romance? :(

    But it's good to know that as the series goes on the character develop and flesh out. See, you would have missed that had you not read the books in order.

    Now, I'm going back to my lab to plot ways to get you back with an evil laugh or two.

    Happy Friday, my friend. :)

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  14. Oooh, sounds fantastic! And to repeat myself...Fantastic review!!!

    What's this about a steam punk week? Geez, I really have been out of it! Crashed Computers, hacked blogs and broken ribs have really left me in the dust! I need some info!

    I'll be checking in with ya!

    Kristi

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  15. You're SO one to talk about making someone add to their TBR lists!!! Now I need the FIRST and SECOND of this series!!! Sounds like awesomeness though!!

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  16. "I was able to do one thing that I love to do... read books in a series back to back." - Yeah, right, Miss Go-straight-to-the-sequel-do-not-pass-go!

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  17. Oooooo, such a tease!!! Love this cover. I can see this series is a must have. TY :D

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  18. I was able to do one thing that I love to do... read books in a series back to back.

    OMG! Look at you! Reading books one and two before books 802830582 and 907870985982! ;)

    Anyways, I must obviously check out this series as 5 stars from you?!? :O! ;)

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Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!