Bloodstone (Rebel Angels Series) [Paperback]

I've recently read a proof copy and found some of its passages the most harrowing I've ever read. Gillian Philip is not an author to let her characters, or her reader, off lightly and there's no pulling of punches when it comes to making them suffer. When you think the characters have all the emotional and physical turmoil they can stand - there's more to come! I'm not a person to sob my way through any sad parts and tear-jerkers don't normally work on me, but at a certain point while reading, I called a temporary halt - put the book in the freezer for a while, as Joey from Friends does - because it didn't seem right and proper to carry on without a pause, so much was I involved with the characters, their pain and grief. So, there we go, my favourite three Scottish reads [The Crow Road (Iain Banks), All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye (Christopher Brookmyre) and Bloodstone (Gillian Phlip] - certainly the three that sprang to mind quickest. --http://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/

Just finished reading Bloodstone by Gillian Philips. Bloodstone is the second book of the Rebel Angel Series and continues the story of the Sithe as told by Seth. The start of the Rebel Angel series was Firebrand and if you haven t read it do so! (No, really!) (also beware of spoilers in this review if you haven t read the first). Firebrand was absolutely stunning and probably one of my favourite books last year (definitely in my top 10). Anyway, focus, Bloodstone...Okay, feelings on this book? I suppose to begin with I was a bit disappointed that things had moved so far forward as it hadn t ever occured to me that that would be the case (and also I loved the historical feel of the last book), but, I quickly got over that as I was so excited to be reading about Seth again. Seth is definitely my kind of hero. He s no goody two shoes for sure, but he s on the side of good. He s hot. He s headstrong and stubborn and in spite of how many hundred of years old he is he still has to grow up! He can certainly fight (and win) and when he comes hurtling into a battle you can almost hear the horns trumpeting here I come to save the day . He has definite cave man appeal (enough said I think). And, of course, Seth is accompanied by his lovely brother Conal and a strange assortment of fierce and loyal sithe characters. Finn is the new addition and is a moody and sarcastic character, full of teenage angst and unaware of her own latent powers. Her attitude actually reminds me of the young and cocky Seth from book 1. It s easy to just lose yourself in the writing. GP makes it all feel effortless and the pages simply flow and I loved going back to the Sithe world. We get to meet the wolves again and the strange and aggresive horses. I will say that this book is definitely darker than the first and of course the season in which we return to the Sithe world makes it even more so with it s grey and brooding skies. There is plenty of tension and action not to mention some heartache (GP is quite ruthless with some of her characters but given the Sithe world it would be quite unrealistic to suffer no casualties). We also have a touch of treachery based on ill advised decisions and prices to be paid! I love this series and can t wait for the next book. It will be interesting to see how Finn s role develops and how --http://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/bloodstone-by-gillian-phillips/

For centuries, Sithe warriors Seth and Conal MacGregor have hunted for the Bloodstone demanded by their Queen. Homesick, and determined to protect their clann, they have also made secret forays across the Veil. One of these illicit crossings has violent consequences that will devastate both their close family, and their entire clann. In the Otherworld, Jed Cameron a feral, full-mortal young thief becomes entangled with the strange and dangerous Finn MacAngus and her shadowy uncles. When he is dragged into the world of the Sithe, it s nothing he can t handle until time warps around him, and menacing forces reach out to threaten his infant brother In the collision of two worlds, war and tragedy are inevitable especially when treachery comes from the most shocking of quarters...