This is Book 1 of Ephemera and I was surprised but extremely pleased to see this as darkly enthralling as her earlier series.

From the Author’s website:
Her worlds have been described as “vividly painted” (Lynn Flewelling) and “lavishly sensual” (Library Journal). Now, award–winning, bestselling author Anne Bishop invites you into a new realm, one that is ever–changing, caught between the Light and Dark forces of the heart…

“Let your heart travel lightly. Because what you bring with you becomes part of the landscape.”

Long ago, to stop the onslaught of the Eater of the World, Ephemera was split into a dizzying number of strange and magical lands connected only by bridges—which may take you where you truly belong, rather than where you had intended to go.

Now, with the Eater contained and virtually forgotten, the shifting worlds of Ephemera have been kept stable by the magic of the Landscapers. In one such land, where night reigns and demons dwell, the half–incubus Sebastian revels in dark delights. But then in dreams she calls to him: a woman who wants only to be safe and loved—a woman he hungers for while knowing he may destroy her.

But a more devastating destiny awaits Sebastian, for in the quiet gardens of the Landscapers’ school, evil is stirring. The prison of the Eater of the World has weakened—and Sebastian’s realm may be the first to fall…

Intoxicating, erotic, and intensely romantic, Sebastian is for those who know on which side of the heart—Light or Dark—their passions lie.

Sebastian here is such a sexy delight! It’s hard not to love him. I’d be surprised to find a die-hard of this genre having a hard time loving him. Lynnea is adorable – she’s a perfect complement for Sebastian. I wish there were more scenes of them together though. Teaser is cute – wish there’d be a girl for him! And Lee is like a sexy nerd, though I don’t know why he comes across like that for me lol.

You’ll find similarities between here and the earlier series but there are enough differences to make them distinguishable from each other.

Great read! 10 / 10

This is Book 2 and the last – I think – of Anne Bishop’s Ephemera series.

From the Author’s website:

In Sebastian, national bestselling and award-winning author Anne Bishop introduced a stunning new realm, a world of strange and magical landscapes connected only by bridges – bridges that may transport you where you truly belong, rather than where you wished to go. But only the magic of the Landscapers can protect this world from the entity determined to enshroud it in darkness…

One by one, the landscapes of Ephemera are falling into shadow. The Eater of the World is spreading its influence, tainting people’s souls with doubts and fears, and feasting on their dark emotions. With each victory, the Eater comes closer to extinguishing Ephemera’s Light.

Only Glorianna Belladonna possesses the ability to thwart the Eater’s plans. But she has been branded a rogue, her talents and vast power feared and misunderstood. Determined to protect the lands under her care, Glorianna will stand alone against the Eater if she must – regardless of the cost to her body and soul.

But she is not alone. In dreams, a call has traveled throughout Ephemera: “Heart’s hope lies within Belladonna.” That call has traveled far from the landscapes Glorianna claims and reached Michael, a man with mysterious powers of his own. It awakens a fierce hunger within him to find the dark-haired sorceress he’s dreamt of, over and over again – a beautiful woman named Belladonna.

As Michael and Glorianna’s hearts call out to each other across the Landscapes, together they may offer Ephemera the very hope it needs…

Review: I had been waiting so long for this book but unfortunately, I’d have to give it a 7 / 10. It could have been so easily a 10…but on second thought, maybe not so easy. Glorianna or Belladonna is just so glorious that, I guess, it’s hard to create a man who could match her. But then again, Bishop was able to do that in her earlier series. Janelle’s consort Daemon was every bit her match even if she was THE most powerful Witch.

Still a good read but it’s mostly because of Ephemera. It’s just too mesmerizing a place to resist!

It’s the end of the series…or is it? Some are saying it might not be, but I personally think it is.

Warning: Do not read HP7 without refreshing your memory with HP6 – especially about the Horcruxes. Assuming that you’ll do then you’ll get on fine. And if you’re foolhardy enough to start reading the series with Book 7 – don’t.

Summary: The Ministry has been infiltrated, the Order of the Phoenix and everyone against You-Know-Who are either running for their lives, dying, or fighting what seemed to be a losing battle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropped out of school to go after and each and every Horcrux.

All the questions you have will be answered, but not in the way you may expect them to be. I’m not sure if JK Rowling had confirmed this, but I was able to read previous news where the author had said two major characters would die. While I don’t know who’s major or minor – everyone’s really important to me – there are more than two characters who died in this book.

I expected the story to be touching and powerful from the start, but I only got moved to tears past the half line. I loved the war scene – I always love it when underdogs unite. But all in all, I think she ended things perfectly.

If you liked JRR Tolkien’s take on Lord of the Rings – his characters, the detailed description as to the geography, history, and lifestyles of the kingdoms of Middle Earth, the mix of races – Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, etc., and of course the plot – then you’ll definitely like David Eddings’ Belgariad.

The Belgariad – consisting of 5 books, and followed by The Mallorean, another 5-part series, – tells us the story of how Garion, an orphaned boy, is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save the world by reclaiming the orb from the one-eyed god Torak, the youngest of the 7 gods.

An unlikely mix of individuals are also predestined to help Garion with his task: Belgarath, who’s perceived to be the most powerful sorcerer in the land, his Aunt Pol – the beautiful and mysterious woman who had raised him at Faldor’s Farm and who also happens to be a great sorceress and the daughter of Belgarath, Ce’Nedra – a beautiful princess with nymph ancestry, Barak – a redhead giant who turns into a bear to protect Garion from danger, Leldorin – an impuslive dandy but also a deadly accurate Bowman, Mandorallen – the Knight Protector, Silk – an unlikely prince, he’s a master at spying and doing business, and takes the role of Guide in the quest for the stolen orb, and Velvet (although she is rarely acknowledged by other fans as an important player in the series) – a young spy who has a small but significant contribution to the quest.

Book List:
Book 1 – Pawn of Prophecy
Book 2 – Queen of Sorcery
Book 3 – Magician’s Gambit
Book 4 – Castle of Wizardry
Book 5 – Enchanter’s End Game

Prequels:
Belgarath the Sorcerer
Polgara the Sorceress