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Blackdog (2011)

by K.V. Johansen(Favorite Author)

3.57 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1616145218 (ISBN13: 9781616145217)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Pyr

review 1: A goddess incarnated as a child is forced to flee a powerful devil who wants to absorb her as part of his campaign to attack the remote Older Gods, and grows into a teenager who returns--with some doughty allies--to reclaim her demesne. This is a good, sturdy YA fantasy in a fat book with a cast of marvelously distinct characters and only a few passages that wax too wordy (a rarity these days). In some parts it reminds me strongly in prose, relationships and general tone of C.J. Cherryh's Morgaine series, and in others of P.C. Hodgell's GODSTALK. Pretty good models. Sequels possible, but this stands alone.
review 2: This was a great story. The timeline was long, but allowed for in-depth character growth and gave us enough time for plot setup. At 546 pages, the ... moreending didn't feel rushed and was given the full treatment it deserved. Only one goddess in this world has chosen to incarnate as a human for a full lifecycle and be reborn anew upon her death. This gives Attalissa both some strengths and some weaknesses, but with her protector, the Blackdog, many of those weaknesses are offset by having an immortal protector that can watch through the times of her childhood where she is the weakest. This cycle a wizard arrives at their town and conquers it and Attalissa barely escapes. The Blackdog is not so lucky and must take over another human body in order to live but this is not one of Attalissa's chosen. Who is the wizard, what does he want, why start with Attalissa? This sets up the rest of the story, by showing how Attalissa grows outside of the confined areas of the temple and with only the guidance of a good man and the protection of the Blackdog. I loved this story when it first came out in 2011 and since K.V. Johansen has a new book coming out soon, I thought a re-read of this one was timely. less

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