P.C. Cast Reviews

Page Two

Added November 23, 2007

Divine by Blood

Author: P.C. Cast
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: September 2007
Genre: Fantasy: Romance/Mythological
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $14.95
ISBN-10: 0-373-80291-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-80291-3
Author Email/Website: www.pccast.net
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Morrigan has always felt she didn't belong, though she couldn't explain why. Her grandparents loved her and her life was good. It isn't until her grandparents reveal the truth about her birth and her mother's identity that Morrigan is finally able to determine why she doesn't belong. It's because she doesn't. Her mother was Rhiannon MacCallum, former high priestess and Chosen of Epona. As her daughter, Morrigan has been touched by the Goddess and stalked by an ancient evil from birth.

On a trip with her friends to explore some local caves, Morrigan discovers her own particular gift. She is the Light Bringer and the rocks/crystals respond to her. In a fit of anger and desperation, she manages to journey to Parthalon. But will her new role as High Priestess and Light Bringer allow her soul to be claimed by the exact same darkness that claimed her mother?

Wow. Divine by Blood is unforgettable, heart-warming and emotional. P.C. Cast's world of Partholon is intricate, detailed, and exquisitely unique. Morrigan is a vibrant, multi-dimensional character; her journey to discover who she is makes her relatable. Watching her struggle to find her way and fight the darkness stalking her, you find yourself unable to put the book down.

Another precious jewel by one of my favorite authors, Divine by Blood is a keeper!

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Added June 23, 2006

Goddess of the Rose

Author: P.C. Cast
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2006
Genre: Romance: Paranormal/Mythological
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: /www.stephenjbrooks.com
Author Email/Website: www.pccast.net
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty
Rating: 7.9 Gargoyles

Mikado (Mikki) Empousai has been feeling out of sorts lately. Odd dreams of a realm filled with roses and a creature. A powerful creature that both frightens and arouses her. She believes herself to be going crazy because lately she would rather live in her dreams than in real life. What is she to do?

After a blind date that ends horribly, Mikki decides to walk through the Tulsa Rose Gardens. She has always been drawn to roses like her mother and grandmother and following in their traditions practices blood watering. Recent construction has left several rosebushes in bad shape and following her instincts she cuts open her palm and lets the blood drip into a cooler filled with water. She sprinkles water over the devastated roses and even sprinkles the Guardian statue in the fountain before heading home. A shattering noise frightens her and she senses she is not alone. An odd feeling sweeps over her, familiar yet not of this world. Then she sees a creature, resembling the Guardian statue, and runs away. Something grabs her and darkness descends.

Mikki awakes in a large room, the very room she'd been dreaming about lately. Two beautiful young women greet her respectively and insist on helping her prepare for the ceremony. She wonders if she has gone crazy and how to get back to her world. A commanding voice greets her and she turns to see a beautiful, powerful woman. The woman announces she is Hecate, goddess of the crossroads. Now Mikki knows she's truly crazy.

As Hecate explains Mikki's heritage and how she came to be in the Realm of Roses, Mikki is forced to decide whether to return home or stay in this new world. A world which calls to her and needs her help. But is nursing the roses back to health enticement enough to leave her own world? It is only when the creature of her dreams appears and introduces himself as the Guardian of the Realm of Roses does Mikki truly believe she is destined to be in this new world. But convincing the Guardian of her love is going to take time. Time she doesn't have if the roses are any indication. Will her love be strong enough to save the realm and prove to the Guardian her love is true?

Wow. Goddess of the Rose is breathtaking. I read the book from cover to cover, refusing to put it down for anything. The storyline is a perfect blending of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast and Greek mythology. Even with P.C. Cast's beautiful, vivid imagery it was Mikki who really made this story so enthralling. She was searching for a place to belong, a place where she could be herself. The Realm of the Rose was what she was looking for. In addition to finding her place, she found herself and love.

As a lover of Greek mythology from childhood, I took pleasure in reading a novel dealing with one of the forgotten goddesses as I call them. Most novels involving Greek myths focus on Persephone, Aphrodite or Artemis. Goddess of the Rose gave me a chance to revisit Hecate as the powerful, loving, and amazing goddess she is.

Goddess of the Rose is a sweetly-scented journey of a lifetime!

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