Belladonna (Ephemera, Book 2)

I was so excited to read this book after reading the first. I had no idea there were 3. This set is a keeper.

I couldn't put this book down. I'm not going to say it's perfect but it certainly is a worthwhile read. I'm not going to get into the plot since many others already have and really, it's worth reading. One of the things I've found interesting with Anne Bishop (as was very clearly seen in the Black Jewels Trilogy) is that she's good at giving you the information you need and not filling page after page with extra history the reader may or may not care about. She spends more time on the story and characters itself and giving you the history you need to know to make sense of what's happening. Sure, I would have liked more information on certain parts of this series and the Black Jewels Trilogy, but it's not needed exactly. Pros: - Kept my interest the whole way through and I could barely put it down and wouldn't have if it weren't for work. - Character interaction is always a pleasure, though sometimes it can be a bit repetitive or silly but not often. - Beautiful imagery throughout the entire story. Anne Bishop paints lovely pictures with her words and has always given me enough information to form my own pictures but stay within her vision. That's one of the things I love so much about her writing... how vivid it is. Cons: - Some parts I feel could have really been fleshed out more to bring the reader in more and give the reader more understanding. Some events seemed to loose their significance because of how they were mostly glossed over. - In the first book, we really got to know Sebastian and in this one we got to know Belladonna and Michael more closely. Since Glorianna wasn't as focused of a character in the first book, we didn't really get to know her until this book and I didn't feel like I connected with her as much. And no, come the end of the book, Lynnea wasn't pregnant though it was mentioned that they were working on it. I think it was mentioned before as more a way to scare the daylights out of Sebastian and keep him on his toes.

Yet another of her books that I just can't put down until I've finished it! I love the way she pieces together her stories and everything fits so well! She's not one to leave any room for confusion either, so anything out of the ordinary is explained in a way that's easy to understand. It's full of everything you could possibly hope for in her books! Definitely one for you all to read!!! Though I would suggest reading book 1 of Ephemera (SEBASTIAN) first! ^_^

Glorianna Belladonna is happy for her Incubus cousin Sebastian who has found eternal love with his Lynnea. She feared for him when he challenged the Dark Guides, allies of the Eater of the World, but prayed that Lynnea's love would keep him safe, which it did (see SEBASTIAN). However, while he basks in the glow of love, she feels a deep boned loneliness that is almost as horrific as her doubts and fear of failure. Still she must overcome her concerns and qualms because she knows in spite of almost everyone considering her a troublesome rogue she must still face The Eater of the World before the darkness spreads fear across all of Ephemera. However, Glorianna will soon learn that she is not alone. Somehow in her dreams, her needs have traversed Ephemera reaching the heart and soul of Michael the Musician. He knows he must find the sorceress who has haunted his fantasies as she needs his help while he needs her heart. At the same time his all alone sister Caitlin Marie has become the target of those who support the Eater of the World. This is an extremely complex fantasy. Newcomers need to first read SEBASTIAN to understand all that is going on in this stupendous serpentine story line. Michael is an interesting hero as he finds himself increasingly caught in a Hobson's choice between caging the Eater of the World but by doing so killing his beloved. Anne Bishop writes an incredible epic romantic fantasy in which her heroes are humanoid even with magical skills and other inhuman traits as they fight against overwhelming odds in which any offense they take could mean death for their beloved. Harriet Klausner

Anne Bishop does it again. This author gets consistently better with each book. If you've read "Sebastian", then you're in for a treat. I highly recommend this book. If I could give more than 5 stars, I'd do so. - Thanks, Ms. Bishop for a wonderful journey.