I Read What?!

This has been a very busy week, so the Cast of Corbies review is going to be in a day or two. Sorry!

So last time, Vlad and Cawti had an argument that didn't quite get resolved, and Vlad had a hunch that didn't pan out.

( Or did it? )

So last time, we actually got a significant look at Duke Arden himself. And it was actually pretty interesting. We also saw a poor spy get murdered. Things are maybe heating up for the last four chapters of this book.

Pun unintended.

( Guess who this chapter starts with though... )

I lied, it's up today! We might well get back to a regular posting schedule after all!

( I hope so, because there are few books that really need the weekend... )

So as mentioned, I accidently ended up taking a week off from reviewing. Sorry about that! Things got a bit hectic IRL and I lost track of time.

Anyway, back to this book. Ugh. Well, at least I'm approaching the home stretch.

I'm not sure what makes this book feel so dull compared to the prior books in the series. It's not like either Lark and the Wren or the Robin and the Kestrel are very plot heavy books. Hell, Lark was more of a collection of smaller vignettes: Rune becomes a bard. Rune and Talaysin learn magic. It wasn't until poor Jonny showed up to pick someone's pocket that we got something resembling a real plot. Robin and the Kestrel, on the other hand, did have a central plot, but it was fairly light and fluid, with the real appeal being the interaction of the characters and the growth of their relationship.

On its face, Cast of Corbies should be a very similar book. But it's just not working for me. Maybe it's simply that the characters and relationships aren't appealing enough. I like Raven well enough, but he lacks Talaysen's presence or Kestrel's vulnerability. The fact that sets him apart: being an experienced Rom Free Bard in the middle of a very white city is something that the authors clearly have no interest in exploring.

And well, I've said more than enough about Magpie or this tumor of a romantic storyline in previous reviews. There are many ways to pull off the bickering belligerent lover trope, but this book doesn't manage it. Alas.

All I can say is that I can see why the "Bardic Choices" subseries of the "Bardic Voices" universe stopped at book one. But let's get going.

( Maybe something will actually happen? )

So last time, our characters decided in their infinite wisdom to attach the main camp with all of five people. It didn't go all that well, but they did escape, only to be surrounded!

( Cliffhangers are fun! )

So last time, Raven turned his brain off and had a consultation with the Duke and Regina. It wasn't terrible but I really do wish we had a bit more consistency in this book. And it's weird because both Lackey, as we've seen, and Sherman, who I haven't reviewed here but have some recollection of her work, have done better.

But anyway, at least the plot is picking up.

( And there was no Magpie... )

Woo, sorry about the hiatus. Things got a bit hectic. Back now though.

So last time, we saw Vlad dealing with his mob shit. Also there's going to be a banquet!

( Social events are fun when people are trying to kill you! )

So it's the aftermath of the battle. Our heroes are free, but Danica just keeled over. Poison's a bitch that way.

( Did someone ever get Elbereth out of that tent? And do I really care if they did? )

So last time, we actually had some plot. We had an interesting exchange with a Guild Bard and a church possibly catching fire! Woo!

( And Magpie didn't actually annoy me tremendously! Baby steps! )