"...the narrative crackles with intensity against a vivid backdrop of real depth and conviction, with characters to match. Altogether superior. Starred review."
"The sequel to Flesh and Spirit builds upon the first book's events and illuminates the complex intrigues that mark the land of Navronne. Berg's lush, evocative storytelling and fully developed characters add up to a first-rate purchase for most fantasy collections."
"Berg has once again given us a fantasy that is full of wonder, intrigue and marvelous characters. Valen is a beautifully flawed hero..." "Set in a well-crafted world of magic, intrigue and dark secrets, this is the intense conclusion to the adventure that began in Flesh and Spirit…. Berg injects complexity into her characters with a fascinating mix of noble intention and human weakness." "Replete with magic-powered machinations, secret societies and doomsday divinations, the emotionally intense second volume of Berg’s intrigue-laden Lighthouse Duet concludes Valen's story...an intimate, character-driven journey of redemption and self-discovery." "Indeed, watching Valen come to terms with his heritage while discovering his powers is what makes this...fantasy epic so enjoyable. Berg combines druid and Christian influences against a backdrop of sorcerers, priestesses, priests, deep evil and a dying land to create an engrossing tale to get lost in." "Every once in a while a book comes along that redefines enjoyment and artistry. With Breath and Bone, Carol Berg has achieved just that. The magic in this story lives and breathes..." "Science fiction and Fantasy writers, like those in other genres occasionally produce a work that transcends everything they have written before, a work so much better than the common...Carol Berg has a wondrous tale of a world slowing decaying--destroyed by murderous Harrowers determined to destroy civilization, civil war between feuding princes, and a land losing fertility...Earthy and dank, it grabs you and holds on. Wow! This is a real keeper." "The characters come alive and that has always been Berg's strength - crafting characters the reader can really care about. " "The world Berg builds is one of these intricate, multi-dimensional fantasy worlds you can’t describe in one sentence. Just read the books. Please?" "Berg's most ambitious effort to date...imaginative and intelligent"
"In this first volume of The Lighthouse Duet, Berg creates a troubled world full of politics, anarchy and dark magic[,but] it is the growth in Valen's character that brings heart to this work...The magic is fascinating...this fast-paced novel captivated me..." "...an engrossing and lively tale, with enough action to keep you hungry for more." "Moments of colorful intensity highlight this coming-of-age adventure." "Berg has created an engrossing and complex tale of good and evil...the tension is even, the characters are finely developed and the settings are such that one can feel the mud sucking at their boots as the cold wind bites through layers of inadequate clothing." "Carol Berg has done a masterful job of creating characters, places, religions and political trials that grab and hold your attention...Cunningly crafted and full of intrigue, mystery, and danger, FLESH AND SPIRIT is a fantastic choice for your next book buying trip...one of 2007’s best fantasy books!" "In Carol Berg's engrossing FLESH AND SPIRIT, an engaging rogue stumbles upon the dangerous crossroads of religion, politics, war, and destiny. Berg perfectly portrays the people who shape his increasingly more chaotic
journey: cheerful monks, cruel siblings, ambitious warlords, and a whole cast of fanatics. But it's the vividly rendered details that give this book such power. Berg brings to life every stone in a peaceful monastery and every nuance in a stratified society, describing the difficult dirty work of ordinary life as beautifully as she conveys the heart-stopping mysticism of holiness just beyond human perception." "...chilling fantasy...well-written..." "As grim as the story is, it is saved by Berg’s excellent writing and her ability to really bring forth the nature of the world and the characters that inhabit it. And more importantly, Berg’s terrific imagination and ability to string together seamlessly such diverse ideas." "Valen is an affable and interesting character, and the political turmoil and religious dissension bring a gritty realism to Berg‘s fantasy world." Copyright © Carol Berg, 2007 |
