Thursday, September 1, 2011

Book Review #94: The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

The Grey Wolf Throne
by Cinda Williams Chima
Genre: YA Fantasy
Ages: 14 and up
This is the third novel in the Seven Realms series.
I received this e-book through NetGalley for review.

Description:
Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen.

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.

The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

My Review:
The world that Chima has built for this series is magnificent. It is full of complexities and unique characters. I love the political machinations and prejudices that the heroes have to fight, and at times, use.

Han Alister, aka Cuffs, is a fascinating character with great depth. It is easy to sympathize with him, but you are never sure what he is going to do next. He can be kind and heroic, but there is an edge of danger to him that comes partly from his past as a streetlord and partly from his frightening strength in magic. There is something about him that warns you to be wary.

I don't like Raisa as much as Han, but it was nice to see her growing up a little. She is less foolhardy than she was in the previous two novels and she impressed me with her quick and decisive actions. However, she still toys with too many men at once for my taste. She loves Han, but can't have him. She half loves Amon, but she can't have him either. She is still attracted to Micah Bayar, but he is completely untrustworthy and forbidden. She doesn't care much for Nightwalker, but she kisses him anyway. I want to smack her sometimes.

The mysterious Crow's identity is at last revealed, and I was not surprised by his true name. The author has been foreshadowing it for a while and is definitely setting up something big with this novel. I can't wait to see where it goes.

This novel has a different feel to the others in the series. It is a little darker and more dramatic, full of intrigue and betrayal. I really enjoyed this novel and I would recommend it to lovers of forbidden romance, court intrigue and wonderful character development.
 Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I rate it a 4.10 for brief mild to mid-level swearing and name-calling.

Sexuality:
I give it a 2.10 for references and an intended rape that never gets further than hints.

Violence:
I rate it a 7.10 for death, murder and fights.

                                Lieder Madchen

No comments:

Post a Comment