Synopsis: For the Darkborn, sunlight kills. For the Lightborn, darkness is fatal. Living under a centuries-old curse, the Darkborn and the Lightborn share the city of Minhorne, coexisting in an uneasy equilibrium but never interacting. When Darkborn physician Balthasar Hearne finds a pregnant fugitive on his doorstep just before sunrise, he has no choice but to take her in.Tercelle Amberley's betrothed is a powerful Darkborn nobleman named Ferdenzil, but her illicit lover came to her through the daytime. When she gives birth to twin boys, they can see, something unheard of among the Darkborn. When men come for the boys, Balthasar is saved by the intervention of his Lightborn neighbor-and healed by the hands of his wife, Telmaine as well as Ishmael de Studier Baron Strumheller.Soon he finds himself drawn deeper into political intrigue and magical attacks, while Telmaine must confront a power she can no longer keep sheathed in gloves, a power she neither wants nor can control.Review: The premise of this story is interesting. You have two races of beings who share the same city of Minorne. They have been "cursed" by what people are calling Imogene's curse to be either Darkborn, or Lightborn. In this book, the writer focuses exclusively on the Darkborn. What was different in this story was the fact that the Darkborn have no eyes. They use what's called sonn (thinking radar) to get through their lives. Ok, tell me nobody found that strange.The story is focused on three (3) people: Balthasar Hearne - he's a Darkborn Physician who also has a friend named Floria White Head of the Lightborn. Floria is supposed to be some sort of spy mistress and assassin for the Lighborn. They seem to have some kind of connection, whether it be solely a friendship, or a kindred spirit. Balthasar assists in the low income portion of town, and has never really had money, unlike his wife Telmaine Hearne, who comes from royalty. Balt has two daughters 6 year old Florilinda, and 5 year old Amerdale. Balt's only crime in this book, is taking in a former lover of his long lost brother Lysander's and allowing her to give birth in his home, and then saving their lives when Tercelle tries to sunlight kill them. Later, it gets worse when his first born child is kidnapped in order to prod Balt into telling (who knows who; shape-shifters?) where the children went. Telmaine Hearne - obviously the wife to Balt and the mother of two daughters, has known since the age of 5 that she has magic (touch-sense). She hides it well from her family by covering up her hands, and skin, including her husband until she finds him lying near death in his parents former home. Telmaine falls hard for Ishmael di Studier, when he helps her save her husband. This story mainly focus on her and Ishmael. Telmaine ends up being a decent character to cheer for when she goes after her daughter, and rescue's her. She also becomes a killer when anyone tries to hurt her, or Balt on the way to see Vladimir, and those who took her dauther. Has the ability to talk mind to mind with Ish, and nearly overloads his brain. Fifth, or Sixth Level Mage.Ishmael di Studier - better known as the Shadow-Hunter and 1st level Mage. Ish works for Telmaine's cousin, Archduke Vladimer, in their war against the Shadow-born. Ish, is accused of murdering Tercelle, and using magic agains Vladimer. He finds Tel extremely attractive, and is the first one to actually understand what her powers are. Other pertinent character: Olivede Hearne - Balt's older sister, and Mage herself. She practices medicine in an area called the demimonde, the Rivermarc, where fallen women, mages and criminials ply their trades. She secrets the babies away from Balt and finds them a home (WHICH, I'm sad to say, we have no clue where they went.) Olivede and Telmaine aren't exactly close. Call it trust issues, call it wealth vs no wealth issues. Olivede, however, ends up partially saving her brothers life, as well as Ish's.Unanswered question(s): 1. Where did the newborns go? 2. Are they actually Shadow-born, or Light-born since they were both born with sight, something darkborn don't have. 3. Is Lysander really dead, or is he working with the Shadow-born? 4. Obviously, Ish and Tel have feelings for each other. They can't help it. They are in each others heads, as it were. Where does that leave the reluctant Balt?The next two books in this series are Lightborn (06/01/2010), and Shadowborn (06/07/2011).This series has alot of premise if we can get passed the first 50 pages. In this one, I was looking for No Doz to keep me awake. Then, Ish came along, and things started to pick up. Unfortunately, there are alot of readers who are not patient if the story doesn't start out with a bang. This story, it seems, takes place in a alternative Victorian area reality. The world building is quite charming, and the story overall has it's moments. Some readers, and other protagonists have said that the Darkborn are actually vampires. I Don't think so.
GizmosReviews
Synopsis: For the Darkborn, sunlight kills. For the Lightborn, darkness is fatal. Living under a centuries-old curse, the Darkborn and the Lightborn share the city of Minhorne, coexisting in an uneasy equilibrium but never interacting. When Darkborn physician Balthasar Hearne finds a pregnant fugitive on his doorstep just before sunrise, he has no choice but to take her in.Tercelle Amberley's betrothed is a powerful Darkborn nobleman named Ferdenzil, but her illicit lover came to her through the daytime. When she gives birth to twin boys, they can see, something unheard of among the Darkborn. When men come for the boys, Balthasar is saved by the intervention of his Lightborn neighbor-and healed by the hands of his wife, Telmaine as well as Ishmael de Studier Baron Strumheller.Soon he finds himself drawn deeper into political intrigue and magical attacks, while Telmaine must confront a power she can no longer keep sheathed in gloves, a power she neither wants nor can control.Review: The premise of this story is interesting. You have two races of beings who share the same city of Minorne. They have been "cursed" by what people are calling Imogene's curse to be either Darkborn, or Lightborn. In this book, the writer focuses exclusively on the Darkborn. What was different in this story was the fact that the Darkborn have no eyes. They use what's called sonn (thinking radar) to get through their lives. Ok, tell me nobody found that strange.The story is focused on three (3) people: Balthasar Hearne - he's a Darkborn Physician who also has a friend named Floria White Head of the Lightborn. Floria is supposed to be some sort of spy mistress and assassin for the Lighborn. They seem to have some kind of connection, whether it be solely a friendship, or a kindred spirit. Balthasar assists in the low income portion of town, and has never really had money, unlike his wife Telmaine Hearne, who comes from royalty. Balt has two daughters 6 year old Florilinda, and 5 year old Amerdale. Balt's only crime in this book, is taking in a former lover of his long lost brother Lysander's and allowing her to give birth in his home, and then saving their lives when Tercelle tries to sunlight kill them. Later, it gets worse when his first born child is kidnapped in order to prod Balt into telling (who knows who; shape-shifters?) where the children went. Telmaine Hearne - obviously the wife to Balt and the mother of two daughters, has known since the age of 5 that she has magic (touch-sense). She hides it well from her family by covering up her hands, and skin, including her husband until she finds him lying near death in his parents former home. Telmaine falls hard for Ishmael di Studier, when he helps her save her husband. This story mainly focus on her and Ishmael. Telmaine ends up being a decent character to cheer for when she goes after her daughter, and rescue's her. She also becomes a killer when anyone tries to hurt her, or Balt on the way to see Vladimir, and those who took her dauther. Has the ability to talk mind to mind with Ish, and nearly overloads his brain. Fifth, or Sixth Level Mage.Ishmael di Studier - better known as the Shadow-Hunter and 1st level Mage. Ish works for Telmaine's cousin, Archduke Vladimer, in their war against the Shadow-born. Ish, is accused of murdering Tercelle, and using magic agains Vladimer. He finds Tel extremely attractive, and is the first one to actually understand what her powers are. Other pertinent character: Olivede Hearne - Balt's older sister, and Mage herself. She practices medicine in an area called the demimonde, the Rivermarc, where fallen women, mages and criminials ply their trades. She secrets the babies away from Balt and finds them a home (WHICH, I'm sad to say, we have no clue where they went.) Olivede and Telmaine aren't exactly close. Call it trust issues, call it wealth vs no wealth issues. Olivede, however, ends up partially saving her brothers life, as well as Ish's.Unanswered question(s): 1. Where did the newborns go? 2. Are they actually Shadow-born, or Light-born since they were both born with sight, something darkborn don't have. 3. Is Lysander really dead, or is he working with the Shadow-born? 4. Obviously, Ish and Tel have feelings for each other. They can't help it. They are in each others heads, as it were. Where does that leave the reluctant Balt?The next two books in this series are Lightborn (06/01/2010), and Shadowborn (06/07/2011).This series has alot of premise if we can get passed the first 50 pages. In this one, I was looking for No Doz to keep me awake. Then, Ish came along, and things started to pick up. Unfortunately, there are alot of readers who are not patient if the story doesn't start out with a bang. This story, it seems, takes place in a alternative Victorian area reality. The world building is quite charming, and the story overall has it's moments. Some readers, and other protagonists have said that the Darkborn are actually vampires. I Don't think so.
