Spaz Reviews: Geist – Philippa Ballantine
Paperback: 304 pages- Publisher: Ace; Original edition (October 26, 2010)
- List price: $7.99
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0441019617
- ISBN-13: 978-0441019618
- Philippa Ballantine’s website
Between the living and the dead is the Order of the Deacons, protectors of the Empire, guardians against possession, sentinels enlisted to ward off the malevolent haunting of the geists…
Among the most powerful of the Order is Sorcha, now thrust into partnership with the novice Deacon, Merrick Chambers. They have been dispatched to the isolated village of Ulrich to aide the Priory with a surge of violent geist activity. With them is Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect, and bearer of a terrible curse.
But what greets them in the strange settlement is something far more predatory and more horrifying than any mere haunting. And as she uncovers a tradition of twisted rituals passed down through the dark reaches of history, Sorcha will be forced to reconsider everything she thinks she knows.
And if she makes it out of Ulrich alive, what in Hell is she returning to?
Sorcha Farris is arguably the strongest Active within The Order, acting as the magical tank of a bonded duo in a fight against the geists from the Otherworld. After Sorcha’s husband of 8 years gets critically injured and cannot work as her complimenting magical seeing Sensitive, the other half of her bonded duo. Discarding protocol, the head of the Order assigns her with a new Sensitive partner, Merrick Chambers, and they are immediately sent on a new mission that takes them to the northeast coast. Not shortly after they embark on their journey they immediately come under attack, and eventually run in to a cursed fugitive pirate and his crew. And that’s just the beginning…
This is one of those books that I went crazy for while I was reading it. I have finally found a Fantasy series that pulled me in and had me walking away feeling completely blown away. Geist is so magnificently creative, fantastically carved, and I fell in love with the multi-dimensional characters. I immediately went on to buy Spectyr when this was over, but then promised myself I would not read on until I wrote this review first.
Geist is massively engaging. The incredibly imaginative world building, along with the protagonist were so blazingly entertaining. The most remarkable for me where the three main characters: Sorcha, Raed and Merrick. Sorcha is an amazingly human character in a fantasy story. She is so jaded, cynical and proud. She experiences real human and imperfect emotions that we can all relate to. Sometimes I would cringe for her over how arrogant and condescending she came across, but I loved her in spite of it because I felt I understood her. She is socially stupid! But she has a huge heart, and discovering that was so touching. I loved her cigar addiction, it was just one of those things where I totally felt connected with her. It also helped to “get” Sorcha because of the chemistry between her and Merrick and Raed. They are somehow able to see past what she blurts out and translate her to us as they all learn more and more about how the Active:Sensitive bond works. I enjoyed the dialog between the characters so much I was completely lost in the world of Arkaym and The Order. The descriptions are so vivid, the action is packed on the page and it never stops, this book took my imagination on a crazy wild journey.
OK! I’m off to start Spectyr, book 2 of Book of the Order!
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Sounds very interesting, and I kinda really LOVE that cover, is this fantasy romance, or straight fantasy?
Mitch, there is an awesome romance arc, oh yes. And this is DEFINITELY a case of the cover matching the book perfectly! Wait til you see the cover of the second book, SPECTYR.
Love, love, love.
Me too! I asked her if there was a Release Date yet for WRAYTH and she said No, other than 2012
I remember you making a comment on Twitter when you were reading this. I ended up picking up a copy after that…so glad it’s not a dud. I’m trying to get through Lover Unleashed.
Sooooooooo goooooooood. Good luck with Lover Unleashed >.< Nat and me had a great time reading & reviewing that one together
Great review! You know how much I *heart* this series and author! I’m so glad you found it. Let’s have a Wrayth with Tori!!
Thanks, girl!! You, Tori and Melissa of Books and Things are who gave me the final shove to try this and I am SO HAPPY I listened to you!
I am super excited to read this book! Sorcha sounds like a fascinating character–I totally don’t mind socially inept characters because sometimes I feel like one myself. Thanks for the rec!
Smiles!
Lori
Hi Lori! Oh I love Sorcha, in all her imperfections. I hope you love this one as much as I do!
Sound fascinating. Must put on TBR pile!
Hi Ms. Dawn. You must!!
I normally don’t read fantasy-but you have almost convinced me to give it a try. I like how different it sounds
Hi Colette!! If you are EVER going to try out a Fantasy book, THIS is the one!!
Oh, I have been enjoying this series too! I just read Spectyr and need to get my review up. But I love the creation here, world and characters.
And I think you added the book Chasing the Bard by her as well, after my review on Goodreads. I do think Philippa is an amazing author to keep an eye on.
Great things coming from her.
And I absolutely loved Ministry of Peculiar Occurrances: Phoenix Rising too.
Wonderful review!
Hi Melissa!! I cannot WAIT to start her other series, I most definitely did add Chasing the Bard as well. She is hands-down one of my favorite authors now, she is incredible.