desertvixen | The Hallowed Hunt

Well, to say I was blown away by this book would be an understatement.

Spoilers lurk!

I like the political glimpses. HH reminds me a lot in some ways of Barrayar.

The bit where Ijada flirts with him is priceless. "She has a good eye, then."

Ingrey and Ijada's vision/visit with the Son, Lord of Autumn, where they cleanse Boleso's soul is incredible as well. I bet I wasn't the only reader who was most bothered by the "terrified housecat" trapped in Boleso's menagerie. I have no mercy in me, lady. So I shall borrow some from you. And the whole kin-shaman deal - that could cause problems. Also, Ingrey arguing with the Son was good.

"I don't do this sort of thing. These things do not happen to me."
She stared. "They happen to you rather a lot, I'd say." -- Looks like this hero hasn't quite accepted that it's not a matter of storming heaven to save his love. It's more a matter of letting heaven storm you.

Lewko's discussion of the Bastard's miracles had me laughing aloud. "The screaming, the altercations, the people running in circles - all that was lacking was something bursting into flames."

The Earl Horseriver bit was just beyond creepy. Horrific. Another example of the Gods granting requests.

I was a little surprised to see Learned Oswin turn up.... and then I wasn't. His descriptions of Hallana and their relationship were nicely done. "She was the only miracle that ever happened to me."

"It does hint that they do not torment us solely for Their amusement, at least." - Ingrey on godly knowledge

The end part in the Wounded Woods blew me away. The section where Ingrey sees the Wolfcliff forefathers and foremothers, his devastation. He's lost, but loyalty ends up leading him out.

Loyalty is what drives the end of the book, to me. Horseriver lost his grip on what was right, striving for what he wanted - power. Yet he would throw away the souls of the men who died for him to accomplish this. "You owe them everything."

Oswin gets to experience his miracle.

I was especially touched by the two Wolfcliff revenants - the first man, and the woman who kisses Ingrey.

The marriage - proposal and jumping the banner - yet another example of why I love LMB's work. Also, the subtle references to Ijada and Ingrey finally enjoying themselves were nicely done.

DV