Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff

Received from the LibraryThing's Early Reviewer January 2013 batch.

Book 1 of The Meri cycle finds the 15 year old Meredydd as the only female "prentice" in a male dominated religious Academy, learning to become a priest. Objections at her existence, which is starting to disrupt and distract the other students and teachers, forces the decision to make her pilgrimage to find The Meri earlier than many believe she's ready.

There are definite allusions to both state religion and the fear of witches (Wicke) and the belief that whilst people can worship a female incarnation of Godhead, a woman cannot be a disciple/priest of the same.

Much of the book is dedicated to the pilgrimage, and how Meredydd faces the three challenges put to her in her dreams. Mere seems to "let go" of some things really easily - her friend Leal and the Wisdom crystal are released with nary a second thought which is a shame.

The result of the pilgrimage is almost predictable, but no worse for that, and ties in nicely with the overall philosophy of the story… (more)

Meridedd walked into the sea at the end of the last book, replacing Taminy in the spirit union with the Meri.

Taminy walks out of the sea in return, and returns with Bevol and Gwen to the Osread. Meanwhile Wyth and Leal also return, having been "kissed" by the Meri, and each with doctrine changes to be made: that girls are to join the ranks of the prentices and that something is wrong in the court of the Cyne (who hasnt held court meetings in two years).

Taminy is unwilling to become a prentice, already having control of much of "the gift" - whilst she tries to gather her self confidence, one of the traditional Osraeds takes offence at her and tries to expose her as a Wicke.

The rest of the book is pretty fast paced, starting with Taminy's trial in front of the Osraeds, through being effectively being kidnapped by the Cyne, to being manipulated and tried again in the Cyne's court. The Cyne is trying to have her found innocent of being a Wicke, in order that he can become a king divine by sitting at her side. However, things dont go according to plan for him, and Taminy escapes again, with her followers, including the Queen and Prince.

This is a much faster paced book than the previous one, and I felt it flowed a little better (I struggled to read the previous one, I admit). The world is better formed in this one, the author has to spend less time explaining who, what and where.

… (more)

PI Gina "Tinkerbell" Miyoko is alarmed when her best friend Rose, an undercover agent, reveals she has a stalker. Together they decided to catch Rose's stalker, but it turns out not everything is as it seems. However, this is just the start and they soon realize that someone is out to scare Rose from testifying in an upcoming case about looted Anasazi artifacts. Who better to protect Rose than Gina?

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT rel="nofollow" target="_top">FRESH FICTION!… (more)