Brycen E. (xyza) reviewed The Quarters Novels: Volume I (Sing the Four Quarters Bk 1 / Fifth Quarter Bk 2) on + 35 more book reviews
I love this book and its three follow ups in the series. It is such a great easy fantasy to read. It is similar but different than a lot of other series of this specific sub genre. I loved it. Even if you do not like her Vampire series, give this one a chance unless you just hate her style. It is just fun.
nougat37 reviewed The Quarters Novels: Volume I (Sing the Four Quarters Bk 1 / Fifth Quarter Bk 2) on
"Sing the Four Quarters"
Unlike many fantasy books, this book starts in the middle, rather than at the beginning. This helped move the book along fairly well. While flashbacks, for me, normally seem to disturb the flow of time, the flashbacks happened at appropriate times and actually had to do with the events taking place in the book.
While in many books a character is either kind or angry or some other stereotype, I foudn the characters in this book to be fairly well-rounded. Their outbursts of anger or sadness didn't come across as out-of-character; I'd say they were actually very human. For once, I felt the author actually considered that even 'bad guys' have ulterior motives that aren't just for the love of evil and even past events in their lives that effect them in the present.
The elemental magic was incredibly tame (for the most part) in comparison to most fantasy books that involve elemental magic. Although the bards can control the elements through contacted the spirits (kigh), the spirits also have minds of their own.
The story itself is filled with emotions, betrayal, political intrigue, and all manner of great things. I really enjoyed this.
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"Fifth Quarter"
This book is set in the same world as "Sing the Four Quarters", but does not involve the same characters. It builds off the first book, which introduces the idea of the 'fifth quarter', by delving into what can be done with it (the fifth quarter/element).
Just as in the first book, Huff gives just a little of what's going on with 'the enemy' to keep the reader on edge. The reader gets to see a little more of what's going on in the other side.
The plot itself moved slowly in the beginning, but about 3/5ths of the way through it really picks up. I personally think she could have done a lot more with the psychological aspects going one between Vree and Bannon during their 'cohabitation' together. The parts that she does write in are vivid and detailed though.
Be forewarned that Book 3 does involve some of the same characters as Book 2 (this one), so one may need to read this before moving on to the next.
Overall, interesting.
Unlike many fantasy books, this book starts in the middle, rather than at the beginning. This helped move the book along fairly well. While flashbacks, for me, normally seem to disturb the flow of time, the flashbacks happened at appropriate times and actually had to do with the events taking place in the book.
While in many books a character is either kind or angry or some other stereotype, I foudn the characters in this book to be fairly well-rounded. Their outbursts of anger or sadness didn't come across as out-of-character; I'd say they were actually very human. For once, I felt the author actually considered that even 'bad guys' have ulterior motives that aren't just for the love of evil and even past events in their lives that effect them in the present.
The elemental magic was incredibly tame (for the most part) in comparison to most fantasy books that involve elemental magic. Although the bards can control the elements through contacted the spirits (kigh), the spirits also have minds of their own.
The story itself is filled with emotions, betrayal, political intrigue, and all manner of great things. I really enjoyed this.
____________
"Fifth Quarter"
This book is set in the same world as "Sing the Four Quarters", but does not involve the same characters. It builds off the first book, which introduces the idea of the 'fifth quarter', by delving into what can be done with it (the fifth quarter/element).
Just as in the first book, Huff gives just a little of what's going on with 'the enemy' to keep the reader on edge. The reader gets to see a little more of what's going on in the other side.
The plot itself moved slowly in the beginning, but about 3/5ths of the way through it really picks up. I personally think she could have done a lot more with the psychological aspects going one between Vree and Bannon during their 'cohabitation' together. The parts that she does write in are vivid and detailed though.
Be forewarned that Book 3 does involve some of the same characters as Book 2 (this one), so one may need to read this before moving on to the next.
Overall, interesting.
