Susan Krinard Reviews

Added September 4, 2006

Hammer of the Earth

Author: Susan Krinard
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2006
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0373802242
Author Email/Website: www.susankrinard.com
Reviewer: Cyn Witkus
Rating: 7.75 Gargoyles

Cian, Rhenna, and company are back in Hammer of the Earth. In this installment, Cian, Rhenna, Tahvo and Nix are on a search for the Hammer of Ge. It's an arduous journey filled with things they never dreamt possible and danger that hunts them. Though their friend Quintus remains in Karchedon, he too is suffering and dealing with what he can. Yet as they progress in their journeys, the Stone God won't let things lie still and will do anything necessary to stop these people from accomplishing their goals--including bringing their worst fears to life.

Susan Krinard has brought forth a world where the gods aren't always good, bad, or understanding and neither are the mortals that walk the world they live on. But as they struggle with what's right, what's wrong and sacrifice, you see a growth and a determination that mirrors your own feelings for the characters. Though there are times when you lose track of where you're at--Quintus or the main group, overall, I found the book enjoyable and am waiting for the next book in the series. Ms. Krinard is a talented writer whose research makes the book very believable in both the cultures that you find yourself in as well as the world created as she's fashioned it.

Return to top of page.

Added January 20, 2005

Shield of the Sky

Author: Susan Krinard
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2004
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0373802110
Author Email/Website: www.susankrinard.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus
Rating: 7.5 Gargoyles

Ever since Rhenna of the Free People witnessed a forbidden sacred ritual, she's been an outcast of her people. Yet when great evil comes her way, her people, the spirits of her land, the devas, demand her help. War is coming and the partners to her people, the Aliuri are missing. While tracking them down, she meets Tahvo. Then they meet the supposed last of the shape-shifters, Cian.

Together they must work together to find out what evil is happening, the one called the Stone God. As they travel, they face many trials and conflicts on what they believe, how they have always done things, and learning about trust. Once they meet the rebel Quintus, they are an eclectic band who wish one thing-- the overthrow of the evil Stone God. But can they succeed against such great odds?

I love Susan Krinard's writing. I have for a long time. The beginning of Shield of the Sky was dramatic, compelling, and inviting. Then for a bit, about 15 pages, I lost the urge to continue the story. I found Rhenna a very difficult character to have sympathy or anything in common with. Yet, I decided that I'd keep going, this is an author I do enjoy. I'm glad I did. What came to life was a world that was our own, yet completely different. The people were representatives of various ancient cultures in a world that changed in another way than our own. In them are the hearts of their people, the good and the bad.

The story itself is compelling, a bit complicated and at times, the point of view shifts a bit abruptly, but after the first 30 pages, I found myself wanting to continue without stopping. The depth of the worldbuilding is intense, especially as you read about the myths and prophesies of the various people. However, in that, I had a lot of trouble at times remembering the cultures relations because of the name shifts, though some were easier to remember like the Hellenes. This is the first of a series, the second one is Hammer of the Earth. I'd recommend anyone interested in alternate timelines and possibilities to pick up this book. Though you want to beat each of the members of the group at one time or another, you'll see bits of yourself as well as finding yourself growing along with them as they learn the important lessons in order to stop the encroaching evil known as the Stone God.

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.