Mercedes Lackey Delivers Again

I couldn't put the book down, the story had me captivated throughout. From start to finish the book is a sweetly woven work that all Lackey fans should enjoy. The narrator did a fine job as well.

6 people found this helpful

Still comfort food reading

4.5-5 stars, but really, only because it's Mercedes Lackey, who is my ultimate comfort food novelist. While there was a great deal of STORY, there really wasn't any conflict until the last quarter or so, and the Big Bad Guy(s) was fairly non-fleshed out. Wasn't really a complex story, but it was, as I said, comfort food fluff, and I'll be reading it again. Of course. If you're new to ML, I wouldn't start with this book, as it doesn't show the awesomeness that is Misty, but then, if you're new to an author, you shouldn't be starting at book EIGHT of a series.

5 people found this helpful

Nice addition to the series

The story is not so well woven as some of the others in this series, but it is a good addition since it introduces the water masters. I loved the Selkies and the description of live at the Welsh seashore.
In my opinion, the background stories of the English/Welsh conflict, the coal mining and the constable did more to hinder than bring action to the lovely story about out-witting a generation old bargain .

What I loved especially: that this story again linked into older ones (Wizard of London). It is always fun to meet characters again: Yay Puck!

4 people found this helpful

Wonderful new Elemental story.

Lackey has once again written a very believable and gripping Elemental Masters book. Her use of prior characters as grown women and her introduction of new characters keep the story both feeling like an old friend and giving us new friends as well. Use of the Selk stories and myth give the story an old world flavor while contrasting it against the "modern" London and UK of turn of the century England.

I was glad to see she did not create a new occult boogeyman/nemesis, but instead allowed the complications in the story to be created by greedy, suspicious humans and jealous, power hungry Selks. A refreshing and different change from her previous books with their good vs evil themes and this time allowing a believable and creative solution to the problems the new Elemental Master faced.

Well done and as satisfying as usual.

3 people found this helpful

Loved it

I have enjoyed Ms. Lackey's books for many years. This was as good (great) as the other books with the added surprise of her referrals to another favorite character Amelia Peabody. Since I have read all those books as well, this made Home From The Sea all the more fun. Thanks for a great read.

3 people found this helpful

Great book with an unbelievably great performance

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

I was astounded by Kate Reading's performance of both female and male characters with Scottish, Engish and Welsh accents. It improved my understanding and set the mood so wonderfully. Just incredible.

1 person found this helpful

Nice to see Nan and Sara again

Another wonderful , light, easy read / listen. "Home From the Sea" is a continuation of " Wizard of London" which introduced the characters of Nan and Sara, and I'm happy that Ms. Lackey has continued their story. For some reason, Michell Ford (one of my favorites) did not repeat her role as narrator. But, don't sweat it... Kate Reading is a total pro and delivers a very enjoyable narrative, which, considering the Welsh being thrown around, had to have been very challenging. She pulls it off without a hitch.

Recommended for all of you who like this genre.

1 person found this helpful

my favorite thus far

in an entertaining blend of characters from several previous books, this story weaves an enchanting tale without dragging on. and the voice acting is quite charming with her different voices. especially for Neval. her voice for him makes me giggle

good but be warned

this book heavily leans into two characters form a previous work. though it isn't necessary to have read the books to enjoy this one, I will admit to not really caring all that much for thier involvement and not to be too harsh, almost feel as though thier involment could have been minimized and accomplished the same.

A letdown

The first 3 books are the best in this series in my opinion, and Reserved for the Cat was good. This book has great narration as do the rest of the series. The antagonist was far too simplistic. No motivation except stupidity and pride. The plucky child characters Nan and Sarah from The Wizard of London have aged up to graduate school. These characters took over the novel. The supposed lead for this book took a back seat for what was described as her story and that was tragic because it started out well and her situation should have inspired enough material to not need to tie it to a previous set of characters. If you enjoy constant mentions of intelligent birds their constant presence won't irritate you. It wasn't necessary to mention the need for newspapers for their mess and to described it plopping. I found these characters and their birds irritating in their own book, and am disappointed it looks like they feature heavily in a few more after this. I love Mercedes Lackey and have read her books for over twenty years since I was a young girl. But she is definitely hit or miss with her more recent work. I have a heart for fairy tales respun and was dipping my feet back into her works in my early thirties. I have listened to the beginning of the series and they held up well. The latter have led me to feel a much younger audience would find them more enjoyable than I have now. The worst in the series was Unnatural Issue in my opinion; the lead there had no redeeming qualities. Fingers crossed the next book is better. I edited my review after finishing these two hours to take off another star. The *good* Puck has an exchange with a female adult ghost and the writer chose to include commentary about the circumstances of the ghost being afraid to move on. the exchange was brief and the female ghost was afraid of crossing over because she had an affair with a married man who left his family and then died at sea. The author has Puck state that the female ghost did ruin the man and his family's life. This blatant, sexist categorization of the female ruining the man she had the affairs life is outdated and inexcusable. It takes two to tango and this statement ruined what was already disappointing book for how short it was. If the author had only had Puck state she wronged the man's wife's life that would have been one thing. She didn't state anything about the man being just as much at fault, or at any fault. I think cheating is inexcusable but not laying the blame with all parties culpable is excusing them. Seriously disappointed. I expected better.