Loading ...The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe
This is Lowe’s first adult novel. It is my first Lowe novel. Aren’t we a pair? When I got this for review, the cover made me think it was going to be a yummy Gothic romance. I was wrong about part of that thought.
It’s not a romance—not exactly. You get hints of a romance to come, but this is part of a planned series. Aside to The Powers That Be, DIBS ON THE NEXT IN THIS SERIES. Ahem. That may reveal my thoughts on this book. Be that as it may, I’m here to offer a review so a review you are going to get! So hush up and read.
The opening is quite Gothic, actually. Young girl, cold brooding man…oh wait—that’s her father. Never mind. But there is a castle with loads of dark halls and gargoyles. And darkness. This book is very, very dark. Lowe’s voice reminds me of dark chocolate, bitter with just enough sweet to keep you consuming it. She introduces us to the Heir of Night, Malian. Malian is in limbo. As the Heir to her father’s realm, the House of Night, she must always be aware of her actions. Still, we meet her when she has escaped the confines of her boundaries to the Old Keep.
And things happen in the Old Keep that are not always good. Lowe’s world is carefully crafted with layers. Going back to the chocolate theme (give me a break—this cranky old Southern belle is hungry), it’s a nine-layer double-dutch fudge with thin strips of delicious raspberry jam. You get a sense of the depth and flavor of her world as the story progresses. We have xenophobia themes, estranged parent themes, magic versus mundane themes and more.
Pick up this book and tell your family to leave you alone. If you love epic fantasy quests ala Robert Jordan, JRR Tolkien and Frank Herbert, you must get this book.
Now.
What are you waiting for? Stop reading this review. Go get the book. Don’t make me sic the dog on you.
Book Stats:
- Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Harper Voyager; Original edition (September 28, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0061734047
- ISBN-13: 978-0061734045
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