Louise Cooper / Larissa Ione

Chaos stalks the Realm of Order; the fate of a world hangs on one woman's life. In Conclave grave the Lords of Light will summon their God to battle. Adept of Chaos, sworn to the Law, the Master Tarod rides to confront his terrible destiny. This is the tale of his decision ..

*  *  * 

 

 Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . .

Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues-and falls for-a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming, and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man whom Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man who can be very dangerous . . .

Reseph may not know why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbors are killed, and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: Can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?

Comment: Both these books are the conclusion of a series.

The Master is the last book in the Time Master trilogy. In this final book, Tarod and Cyllan meet again and they finally unleash Chaos and it's role in the world. Like in all things the key to harmony is balance and good things can't exist without bad things and vice versa. Chaos isn't evil it's just the opposite of good and balanced, all things can be used in a positive way. This is the lesson to learn in these books. I liked how interesting and adventurous the world was. I felt sorry for some things throughout the books but not for the villain, someone who died, which I think wasn't the best end to the character, I would have preferred a lonely and ugly end. Cyllan and Tarod end their paths in a way I didn't see coming. It made me think of all the things we believe to reach its end and perhaps they don't...Apart from some boring parts, the trilogy is quite the imaginative and interesting one.

Rogue Rider is the last book in the Horseman series, a sort of spin off Demonica series. I's the story of Reseph, the good identity of the villain in the previous books. This book reveals many things and like always, the author manages to crate an atmosphere where the reader feels like living close to those characters and see their best qualities. Many of the other character make an appearance and the romance between the main couple is sweet and full of compassion. I liked how they would talk about what they were feeling and thinking.

The book told us about certain current things developing in the series and I'm sure it will mentioned in the upcoming books. A series not to miss for those who like paranormal worlds.

Louise Cooper - The Outcast

Tarod alone knew the nature of the supernatural force locked within his soul--and he knew that it must be thwarted, no matter what the sacrifice. Denounced by his fellow adepts as a demon, betrayed even by those he loved, he had unleashed a power that twisted the fabric of time, to put himself beyond the reach of that monstrous force and avert the pandemonium that threatened the world. He thought that nothing could break through the barrier he had created. He was wrong...

Comment: This is the second book in the Time Master trilogy by the author.

It's the continuation of the first book, almost immediately. In this book, the story focuses more on Cyllan's point of view and what happens it's more described from her eyes.

In the second book Cyllan and Drachea, an important young man from Shu Province are carried in a Wasp to the Star Peninsula. Neither knows how and why they ended up there but when they arrive, they somehow manage to cross the barrier Tarod created when he stopped time in the end of book #1. After they enter the castle, Tarod finds them and is perplexed by the fact Cyllan could enter through his shield. After some misunderstandings, Drachea and Cyllan finally get why things seem frozen there and why Tarod is alone. Each one makes their own minds and while Cyllan sides with Tarod and understands him, Drachea only wants to punish him and revive the rest of the people in the castle. But if that happens, what it would mean to Tarod's destiny?

Well, this second book felt a bit more descriptive than the first. I can't explain but I liked the first one better, perhaps because it was the introduction and it had many things to be explained and presented and people to show up, etc. In this one the reader obviously knows what is going on so I felt a bit disappointed by so many pages in the middle about the hows of going through barriers, an d by the technical side of everything, I mean, Cyllan helped Tarod but there were many pages dedicated to the hows of things and it was rather boring to me.

At the same time, I enjoyed the book, mostly because the majority of the book is seen through Cyllan's eyes and I liked that. I liked knowing what she was doing, what she was thinking and how her feelings changed once she understood some things.

The story evolved interestingly. Cyllan helped Tarod and even played a surprising part in the Chaos' plans, which kind of shocked me, but I got it in a way. Drachea was, of course, the enemy there and because of him Tarod was forced to make a decision and change things because he had to save Cyllan. 

I still hate Keridil a bit. How such a friendship as his and Tarod's was condemned because Tarod wasn't the person Keridil thought and he put aside all the good things...it still makes me mad.

This second book ended up with another huge thing to think about for the last book, namely Cyllan's fate. I hope the two of them can find a solution to everything. Speaking of them, I liked how they seem to develop strong and real feelings for the other. I hope they end up together.

So, overall, a good story, a bit boring in some parts, but there were shocks and surprises to flavor things up too. I hope the final book can present the best end for this and I have my hopes...

Just a quick note about the covers...I don't remember if I mentioned this in the post about The Initiate but...I respect those who do the computerized work and those who like it, but unfortunately I'm not one of them. I find this type of covers too simple and not always up to the author's talent. I wish they would stick to more conventional covers, I don't mean nude male models but something about the story, like the original covers, simple but to the point. The computerized images seem more...artificial, therefore, less appealing to me. I know many people like them, but I'm afraid I can't agree and would prefer to see different covers in the books I read...

Louise Cooper - The Initiate

The seven gods of Order had ruled unchallenged for centuries, served by the adepts of the Circle in their bleak northern castle on the Star Peninsula. But for Tarod—the most enigmatic and formidable sorcerer in the Circle’s ranks—a darker affinity had begun to call. Threatening his beliefs, even his sanity, it rose unbidden from beyond time; an ancient and deadly adversary that could plunge the world into madness and chaos—and whose power might rival that of the gods themselves. And though Tarod’s mind and heart were pledged to Order, his soul was another matter...

Comment: Another book I've read because of a friend's suggestion. I like fantasy but I prefer it if it has romance so when I read this series had some romance I decided to try it. Of course this was last november, but with me most books are in a waiting list for a looong time. Anyway, so I've read this one. This is the story of Tarod a young boy who accidentally kills his cousin because he can't control a power he discovered in that same instant.
Tarod only has his mother and their position in society is low because in this fantasy world status is everything as is money. Also his mother wanted him when he was born but with time and all the setbacks her decision meant, she grew to hate and dismiss her son and so their relationship isn't the best. After Tarod kills his richer cousin, many people want to kill him because they fear him, but somehow he attracts a nature storm of a certain kind and escapes to the north. In there he rescues a group of women who live near the Star Peninsula, a place where the initiates in magic are learning about their powers.
Tarod goes to live there and grows up with his friend, Keredil, the son of the high Initiate. All this happens in 3 chapters and from chapter 4 on, we see a grown up Tarod, he's 22 if I recall correctly, and his powers are getting darker although he still controls them. However, he's restless and having dreams and he fears something is wrong...
What I disliked about this story was the apparent straightness of things..yes, shocking but everything seems so focused on taking things from point A to point B that the feel of the story feels lacking somehow...
What I liked the most were the characters and the promise of things to come. Of course some things happen in terms of plot that left me surprised not because they happened but how it happened and I confess I was sad over some of them, Tarod is accused of being deceptive and his intentions mean nothing so I felt for him. I also felt sorry for Cyllan, a female character because she seems realistic and good and I hope I see her again. I was actually moved over some things two or three characters did and can't wait to see what happens next.
All in all, an interesting fantasy world, I already bought the next two books because I'm very ager to see how Tarod will proceed!