Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Irin Chronicles. I bought a copy of this as an ebook for my Kindle.

Thoughts: I mentioned in my review of the first book of this series, "The Scribe", that I had some reservations about that book. Those reservations continued for me through this book. This series just feels a bit dated somehow. This review will contain spoilers for those who haven't read the first book in this series.

Ava has been taken to a secret Irina stronghold where she can recover from her grief over Malachi's death and learn how to hone her substantial Irina powers. I absolutely loved that Ava does this because I hate it when paranormal heroines suddenly instantly know how to control their newly acquired powers.

Meanwhile, Malachi awakens and doesn't remember where he is or who he is. As time passes he does remember enough to find his way back to his Irin brothers but he is constantly plagued by Ava's memory and her calling him back to her. Problem is no one knows where Ava is because the Irina stronghold location is highly secret. Aside from Ava and Malachi's separate issues, the power structure of the Grigori is shifting and the safety of humanity could be at stake.

This series continues to have a very classic paranormal romance feel to it. There is excellent world-building here and a very well done broader plot as well. So, although romance does drive the plot, there are enough other story elements to make this an enjoyable and well-balanced story. I really enjoyed the first portions of this book. I loved watching Ava learn about her powers and really enjoyed watching Malachi make his way back to her. It was later in the book that I lost interest. I was so excited to see Ava and Malachi re-unite but the way things played out was a bit anti-climatic and kind of depressing (trying to not have spoilers here).

I have really read and loved a lot of Hunter's other series (Cambrio Springs, Moonstone Cove, and Glimmer Lake), so I am not sure why this series is a bit of a miss for me. It is easy to read and well-written. The world-building is well done. There is a decent plot and a decent romance. I enjoy that there is some action and cool magical powers as well. I just don't find this world of angels and demons that interesting and I don't find myself that engaged with the characters. Ava, especially seems distanced from the reader in this book and I am not sure if that was intentional or not. I found myself loosing interest in the second half of the book and struggling to complete it.

My Summary (3.5/5): Overall this is a well done continuation to this series. The world-building is well done, the plot is intriguing, and there is some sizzling romance throughout. This writing flows smoothly and it's easy to read. However, there's something off about this series that I just can't quite put my finger on. I was left feeling bored and uninterested in the second half of this book. This may be just a "me" problem since this feels a bit dated to me and I have read sooo much paranormal romance in the past that this just feels like more of the same. At this point I don't plan on continuing this series. I think I will pick up a different Hunter series to try instead; I have really enjoyed a lot of her other series but this one is just a miss for me...which is surprising because it is one of her most popular series. ( )

Joint review with Victoria

Karina:

I loved The Singer even more than The Scribe. If the first book was tentative and spent a lot of time establishing the world-building, in the second book Elizabeth started spreading her wings. Her world expanded, her secondary characters multiplied and the plot thickened.


Paranormal fantasy is the right genre to describe this book. It's not straightforward enough to be paranormal romance and it's not as full of action as urban fantasy. Instead, it follows the route Elizabeth established in her Elemental World series - a variety of characters and settings; and I have to say I am loving the angels intrigues here. Loving it.


Vika:

I’m sad to say it K., but I didn’t love it as much as the first. I find angels very tricky in general, though Elizabeth truly amazed me with The Scribe – I absolutely adored it and I was eagerly anticipating The Singer ever since. Perhaps my expectations were set too high? I don’t know, but I wanted more from this follow-up novel. In fact, some structural elements reminded me of another series, and I couldn’t shake off the comparison. Nonetheless, Elizabeth’s writing is far superior and The Singer serves well in setting the stage for the next big act, which undoubtedly will bring on the fireworks.

Karina:

Although you are certainly right about this series reminding us both of BDB, I would say it's only in very broad terms, Vika. It's like this is an amalgam of good parts of paranormal romance as a genre. I don't know, but after getting burned on J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter and Lara Adrian, I don't see the same triggers I had issues with here. *grinning* Thanks God, otherwise I'd have to disown Elizabeth!

Overall, this is a good mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy with its own fascinating mythology and a whole world as a playground for its heroes and heroines. So what if the bad (and good) guys can turn into dust? We had no problem with that in Buffy. The angels angle (pardon the pan) also reminded me more of angels from Supernatural than anything else. What do you think, V.?

Vika:

All great points K.! (I mean, who can argue against Buffy, right?)

And for the record, no one’s disowning anyone! I swear! *laughing* I should probably clarify my earlier comment. I first discovered Elizabeth’s books a couple years back and since then she’s become one of my favorite authors; I respect and admire her. So, my comment is in a way a compliment (a convoluted one, I know, but… just go with it) – I expect nothing but the best from her books: great writing, strong and independent heroines, and worthy heroes – and this series certainly got them. But what was up with the strong and independent woman we’ve come to know in the first book? She’s suddenly become bratty, needy, whiny, and unappreciative. Of course reasons behind it can be explained, but I really hoped she would handle it better and channel her grief differently.

Otherwise, it was a great story. The supporting cast really shined through, and as for the angels… their time is still to come. I’m very much fascinated by the mythology as well, K. and can’t wait to see what this brewing war among the Fallen will bring.

Karina:

Ava definitely went through major mood swings, but I would chalk it down to not only being incapacitated by her grief, but not having the need to take care of herself (which would have made her pull herself together quicker) with Damien and Sari's safe heaven's help as well. I believe she'll become more and more kick-ass as the series progresses.

All in all, a lovely, invigorating second installment in a fascinating new series. Definitely recommended. 4.5/5 from me.

Vika:

I really hope so, K.! I need kick-ass Ava back. But I agree, this is a strong second book and I'm dying to get my hands on the next installment - 4 stars from me. Read it guys! ( )

The Singer by Elizabeth Hunter
Book #2: The Irin Chronicles
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5 stars

The Singer has been near the top of my highly anticipated reads list since the moment I finished The Scribe in 2013. In many ways, The Singer totally delivered but in others, it left me frustrated.

With the recent death of her mate Malachai, Ava is absolutely shattered and in her current state unable to control the new and fearsome powers that are coursing through her body. Though the other Irin have been completely supportive, they simply can’t help Ava understand or control her powers but, they know who can. Determined to help Ava, Damien carts her off to Norway in search of an Irina compound where Ava can be both protected and trained. If Damien’s lucky, his mate will let him into the compound as well.

In other news, Malachai is actually still alive though so many things about his presence are troubling. His memory is sketchy at best, all of his protective inscriptions/tattoos are gone and, though he knows Ava is his, he doesn’t really remember her. Adding insult to injury is the fact that once he reappears, Malachai’s brothers regret to inform him that Ava was with them but now she is in the wind with Damien and no one knows the precise location of their destination. Many of the youngest brothers have never even met an Irina so the thought of tracking down Damien and Ava is appealing to all.

The Irina living in the Norwegian compound are some of the fiercest and most resourceful women to have ever lived. The compound is protected not only by the martial skills of some of the Irina but also by the magic of one of the oldest Irina still in existence. In order to preserve their lives and their legacies, many of the women have chosen to never leave the compound even to the extent that they are separated from their living mates. Of course the separation is hard but after the Rending, the lives of the Irina became even more precious. But, after more than 200 years in hiding, many of the Irina are ready to come back out and into the light. Hope the Irin are ready for their women . . . .

In even further news The Fallen have begun to stir and are wreaking havoc on humanity and keeping the Irin extraordinarily busy. Jaron has given up control of his lands to the complete confusion of the others and the exceedingly deadly and bat-shit crazy Volund is making moves to acquire new lands. Volund is overt in his actions and has sent Barak to complete some of the dirtier deeds on the list of aggression. Barak is ruthless and though he has doubts about some of the assignments he has been given, he is terrified of Volund and understands that defiance is equal to death. While Jaron and Volund are certainly not bosom buddies, they do have similar interests and one of those interests is Ava. Evidently, no one really knows what Ava is or how she came to be but she is damn powerful and the most powerful want her.

In the furthest news, Vienna has long been the home of the Irin Council and a city that has been blissfully peaceful as far as the whole Irin vs The Fallen goes. In many ways, Vienna has so completely isolated themselves that they can’t see the threats that are actually before them. In typical clueless leadership fashion, the Council members refuse to listen or believe the reports coming in of increased Fallen activity. They ignore the Irin house requests for funds and support and continue to live their happy little lives with their heads buried in the sand. In fact, the Vienna Council is so secure in the knowledge of their safety that many of the mated are accepting of their women stepping out into the world. Little do they know . . .

The Bottom Line: As you can clearly see, The Singer has A LOT of things going on and this is where my frustration with this read comes from. Though this read is still absolutely solid and beautifully written, it left me feeling as if I were jumping from story to story to story with no real resolution anywhere. Additionally, with the Irina reentering the world, several new characters have been introduced and thrown into the mix. Yes, I love new characters but with all of the other drama unfolding, it felt like a bit too much all at once. No, I wasn’t at all lost while reading The Singer but I also didn’t finish this read with the same sense of satisfaction I normally have with Elizabeth Hunter’s books. You may now ridicule me now :( ( )