The Revenge of Eli Monpress

I give up. Not going to rate this book, because technically I didn't finish, but I also didn't hate it. This series is just really not that interesting. The characters are fun, the magic system is interesting, it's just... not an interesting story and as books get longer and longer, I can't handle spending so much time when nothing really worthy of mention ever happens.

With a bit of a less... uninspired story I would have loved this. Being in a bit of a rut is not helping any of it either. I was just trying to read this and not getting anywhere, while thinking about what I'm doing with my life. Not ideal.

Rachel is one of the few writers who seems to understand when not to stretch a story beyond its capability. And so this book is takes us on a complete tangent as we follow Joseph's backstory. And while Osera, was never even mentioned in the first three books it suddenly comes front and center in this one. This also becomes the first book with a full scale battle which while very simplistic still manages its ups and downs pretty well. Rachel is also consistent with providing the Heart of War a challenge in every book and most times they live upto the build up which is the case here too. Den too makes an appearance and is extremely memorable due to his final battle. All in all a really good read taking us towards the final book of the series. The first book to get 5 stars this year:-)

...Well, that was disappointing. And unexpected. And depressing. Oh, don't forget depressing.

I usually like it when series start out kind of lighthearted and get more serious as the story progresses. However, the reason this didn't work for me this time around can be easily summed up.

Josef & Miranda
I've never really been a fan of Miranda. I thought she was kind of fun when she was always chasing (and loosing) Eli and then when they had to team up together. But I've never really liked her. (And now, right now, I hate her. All high and mighty, know what's best shoving someone back to their abuser! ... I really hate her.) Josef I flat-out don't like. Right from the start he was one of those ‘stoic swordsmen' characters and those are exactly the type of characters I never like. The apparent character development in this story made me like him less, because, really, I have little respect for him finding out what I did about his past and he is kind of cruelly oblivious in his treatment of Nico.

Besides, every time Josef starts in with his wanting to be the greatest swordsman in the world and his talk of a sword cutting what the swordsman wants it to, I keep thinking of:



Benehime
She is a total creep. (Think rapist/sexual assaulter.) I really, really hope she dies at the end of the series, but I see absolutely no way that will/can happen/work. Especially without a little detail like destroying the world in the process. (And I won't even go into my special hatred of Sara ‘morality is relative'.)

Didn't I like anything about the book? Actually, I did. Eli. I absolutely adore his character and want to go back to when he was unequivocally the main character in the story. Also, I do admit, I rather like the interesting turns that Nico's character is taking.

That being said, this story is mostly about Josef, Miranda and a new character, the Empress.