TLC Book Tours Book Review: House Of Shadows

Author: Rachel Neumeier
Title: House Of Shadows
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: July 10, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours and the publisher
Book Blurb: Orphaned, two sisters are left to find their own way. Sweet and proper, Karah's future seems secure at a glamorous Flower House. She could be pampered for the rest of her life... if she agrees to play their game. Nemienne, neither sweet nor proper, has fewer choices. Left with no alternative, she accepts a mysterious mage's offer of an apprenticeship. Agreeing means a home and survival, but can Nemienne trust the mage? With the arrival of a foreign bard into the quiet city, dangerous secrets are unearthed, and both sisters find themselves at the center of a plot that threatens not only to upset their newly found lives, but also to destroy their kingdom.

Review: This is one of those books you can judge by the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous. Here is a novel that is beautifully written with characters that will draw you into the story.

What sets this story apart is that it is told from 3 points of view, Nemienne, Taudde and Leillis. Nemienne's sister Karah (Moonflower) plays a large part in the story as well. Each has a separate story but they are all connected to each other.

I loved how Rachel created the keiso life from geishas. It really was an interesting addition to the story.  Though trying to figure out things about the Flower Houses was hard. The author seemed to assume that everyone would know that the keiso's were derived from geisha's. If I had one complaint with the story, it would be that Karah wasn't one of the characters that was truly front and center, though so much of the story involved her. My other complaints, when you have odd names and different cultures a glossary could have been helpful.

Of the three main characters, I found myself like Leillis the most, even though there was so much about her that was left unsaid. I wish more time would have been spent on the curse that was put on her.

I don't usually read fantasy, but something about this story made me want to read it. It started out slow for me, because there was no guide to the pronunciation of the names or places, and that drives me a little crazy, but once I really got into the story, I couldn't put it down.

It is a unique read and it is good for readers of fantasy as well as YA fiction.

Rating: 4 flowers