Born wild and died wild.. No one will ever tame thee.. Bramble is a woman who knows what she isn't and refuses to be conquered by anyone.
Castings | Pamela Freeman's Website
Those strong willed traits are what get her in trouble in the end, because a Warlord doesn't care if you were just doing what you had to do to survive. Especially if you're just some Traveler girl trying to protect your family. Bramble loves the exhilaration that danger offers her and she will definitely have you flipping through the pages, begging for more.
If you're a horse lover like me, she's gonna be even more appealing to you. I love the connection the author builds between Bramble and her horse "the roan. You will love the parts involving Bramble and her steeds in this series. Ash always sees his self as lacking and refuses to acknowledge the greatness within. He has so much potential but ignores it in fear of standing out even more than what he already does. This does not, however, make him an unlikeable character. He is enjoyable to follow and I liked watching him grow into the man he's meant to be and finding his place in the world.
She is a caring woman that is wise beyond her years and often takes her fellow characters under her wing and offers them her advice. Although she is older, she too is still on the road to self discovery and it's great getting to see her accomplish that. You will definitely be rooting for her along the way.
Merciless, invader, conqueror, the one who yelled, "Kill them all!! He is my by all means my favorite character, and as usual, things are never as they seem There are several other characters that we meet and follow along the way, all enjoyable, but I'll let you find out about them yourself. And find out you should.
- BEAST BOOK?
- The Castings Trilogy?
- Bestselling Series.
- A Perpetual Menace: Nuclear Weapons and International Order (Routledge Global Security Studies)?
- Blood Ties (Castings Trilogy, book 1) by Pamela Freeman.
- God With Us (According to John Book 1)!
- Paperback Editions.
I would recommend this book to any type of reader, regardless of what type of genre you're into. If you're a true book lover you will appreciate this tale just for the creativity and depth alone. This is a series I will be re-reading through out my life and will definitely be passing down to my future children when they're old enoguh to appreciate it. Regardless of what you're into, take a chance and read this book! You will NOT be disappointed! My somewhat tacky summation of the Castings Trilogy is, "What if religions were real?
Because it does seem to differ from many epic fantasy books by having most of the magic come specifically through a source deity. There's a logic to how supernatural creatures work that seems far more spiritual than most I've encountered. At times there's a real threat to the characters when they leave the safety of set My somewhat tacky summation of the Castings Trilogy is, "What if religions were real?
At times there's a real threat to the characters when they leave the safety of settled lands, because the world is full of things that want to kill them quite maliciously. To elaborate on my sexy hook of an opener, it's a world where religion and spirituality work the way a child or an idiot might expect them to work. You pray hard enough and if the god of your choosing thinks you're awesome enough and your request resonable enough, it's gonna happen.
If things worked that way in our religious wars past and present would have been terrifying. You'd have battle priests and war preachers praying until smitings and plagues struck each other. The faithful would actually be the biggest cultural badasses. Beyond that, it's a generally entertaining read. It avoids the major thing that will bring me to a full-stop on any epic fantasy book, purple prose.
If I get even a hint of ren-fest dialogue within the first few pages, I am done and I will not return. Outside of the high courts of old and the theatre, no one sincerely talked like that then or now. If you're creating a world from scratch, there's no reason your characters should sound like they're in a high school rendition of Hamlet. While it was entertaining, it took me much longer to finish than an equivalently bulky book like the Game of Thrones books.
This mostly came from the lack of consistent agency from the central characters. They're generally pushed by external voices, with a far-off goal to be completed in a different part of the country, normally a vaguely defined directive that will make sense later. The strong desires of a protagonist give a lot of thrust to a book. In my creative writing class our teacher had the audacity to say that multiple character viewpoints in a novel often make for weaker fiction. A lot of people in the classroom became outright scandalized, but when I thought about it, I saw his point.
The Castings Trilogy blatantly abuses this with a series of vignettes that add anywhere from a lot of background to not a damn thing of interest. I admit to skipping a couple. The book is long enough. When you spread out your action across too many view points, you let a lot of dead space into each narrative arc, where you can forget details or lose interest in their motivations. It also allows for the grass is greener effect, where you're wondering what your favorite character is doing while you're reading your least favorite character come on, who hasn't asked, "I wonder when they're going to get back to Tyrion?
But still, solid writing and an interesting setting can get me past a lot of structural gripes. Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I'm relieved to be done?
Ember and Ash
Oct 19, Ronald Bryce rated it liked it. Content of this kind can be hard to wrap one's mind around. I want to say it was an adventure with light violence and playful relationships. Although that is coming from someone who is moderately desensitized to violence from my past reads.
The book was good. Not great but good. Some characters were deep. Bramble was especially entertaining. The biggest highlight to the series was getting to read the back story of almost every character you come across throughout the adventure. Each character th Content of this kind can be hard to wrap one's mind around.
Each character that the main characters meet gets a little story to tell you who they were and why they were important. This was refreshing and something I had not seen in a novel before. The second book was the highlight of the series. Introducing a character you always wanted to know about and his past definitely helped to enlarge the world and to bring some more interesting characters into the mix.
Hard to say more without spoilers but suffice to say the book was well written, interesting, and devoured in a short amount of time. The final book I found to be disappointing and should be the one to give you pause before reading the whole series. It was not as good as the first two and left me with a feeling of "oh, really?
I guess the neat little bow ending does not do it for me anymore. I would rather wonder about things and come up with possibilities. Anything to make me thing beyond what I had just read. Either way, the books were enjoyable and are a solid recommend to add to your "to read" stack. Jan 03, Jackie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Even though I loved all three books in the trilogy, Blood Ties , Deep Water and Full Circle , I couldn't review them individually as all three books are one continuing story.
Each book flowed seamlessly into the next and must be read as a whole. My understanding is that this is Pamela Freeman's first adult series; impressive. Well written characters under individual POV chapters, ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This is a format I particularly enjoy; I get to know the characters int Even though I loved all three books in the trilogy, Blood Ties , Deep Water and Full Circle , I couldn't review them individually as all three books are one continuing story.
This is a format I particularly enjoy; I get to know the characters intimately and deeply. Even better is that minor characters get their own short chapter, a back story of who they are, and how they came to be who they are today as the product of their pasts, an overall theme for the book. The author finds an inventive way for us to learn the life of a man years dead. Again, I was impressed. The whole series is impressive, I'm surprised it's not well known. There is much depth to these books, it's not simply good vs evil, right vs wrong; we get to see all sides and more importantly, understand them.
This is a series not to be missed. If you like Epic Fantasy, this is one of the best. Jun 28, Kendra rated it really liked it Shelves: The chapters were basically short points of views by individual characters. It was hard to follow at first, but an enjoyable way to read after one figured it out and went with it. Sep 07, Bartholomeus rated it it was amazing. Aug 26, Briana rated it it was amazing. It's not often I can pound my way through a series. But this series is one of the most engaging I've read.
Jan 13, Rachel Rustling Reads rated it really liked it Shelves: What a gorgeous, wild, deadly world this is! Full of magic and chaos but never confusing, full of gods and prophecy but nothing is ever set in stone. There are so many characters in this series, but I never lost sight of who they all were. I felt their fear, their joy, their pain, their need to protect their loved ones, their awe of the gods. Vivid characterisation, heartfelt storytelling, and a masterful use of structure and time to tell a wonderfully complex story which encapsulates so many is What a gorgeous, wild, deadly world this is!
Vivid characterisation, heartfelt storytelling, and a masterful use of structure and time to tell a wonderfully complex story which encapsulates so many issues of the world today, but never sinks into preaching or moralising. You can read my full review here: Apr 03, Diana rated it it was amazing. Three in one binding is a bit daunting, but having read it this way, and having finished, I would have to say I prefer it.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, but it was hard to summon up a love for them in only 'Blood Ties'. I might not have continued reading if I'd only had the first book on hand - but after the second I would have gone stir-crazy if I'd had to wait for the third, and now, having finished I cried off and on through the last few chapters. I ended up really loving this series, Three in one binding is a bit daunting, but having read it this way, and having finished, I would have to say I prefer it. I ended up really loving this series, and Bramble and Acton most of all, but the worldbuilding and history of the Eleven domains is heavy and a bit slow going at times.
If you enjoy fantasy universes and stories more about the characters than battles, then keep going! Apr 30, Taylor Riggs rated it really liked it Shelves: This series is one of my favorites as a whole. The first book didn't thoroughly grab me till over halfway through, but the 'chapter' system for them kept me very interested and I loved the characters, it was just a little slow.
Blood Ties : The Castings trilogy: Book One
By the second book, I was in love. The characters are interesting, and there are small parts dedicated to the people around them that bring the society the characters live in to life. The third book had me rooting for the 'heroes' but also had me saddened and remorseful f This series is one of my favorites as a whole. The third book had me rooting for the 'heroes' but also had me saddened and remorseful for the 'villian'.
I really enjoyed it. May 26, Heather rated it liked it Shelves: I will make the review simple, like most of mine, I did enjoy the book start to finish. I think I would give the book a solid 3. Just like how he had mentioned, at first it was a bit confusing but once you got to "know" everyone I enjoyed to story. Mar 12, SBC rated it really liked it Shelves: I think this trilogy would really appeal to fans of historical fantasy, such as fans of Juliet Marillier.
I liked the atmosphere better than many of the Marillier books I've read. I'd say they showed more grief than sorrow and more resilience than melancholy. Sep 19, Dwayne Portwine rated it it was ok. I didn't finish the book. I just had a really hard time getting into the book. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. I am reading the Castings trilogy as a book, but for rating purposes I would like to review the individual books as well. One point of readers' critique was that it took a while until the story unfolds. While I agree that this is correct, I think that it was a necessity to establish characters and the background of the main story.
However, I am not a horse person, so Bramble's part of the story seemed a bit lengthy, but then it also makes clear why she devoloped such an intimate relationsh I am reading the Castings trilogy as a book, but for rating purposes I would like to review the individual books as well. However, I am not a horse person, so Bramble's part of the story seemed a bit lengthy, but then it also makes clear why she devoloped such an intimate relationship with horses and why they respond to her the way they do.
Regardless of that, I have to commend the author about the way she does reveal the background of the plot. Rather than having a lenghty prologue, she introduces the history of the Eleven Domains bit by bit. She makes it very interesting to read by changing the perspective with every new chapter, alternating not only between the three main characters Bramble, Ash, and Saker , but also telling the stories of other people that do not have any further meaning in the whole event but who experienced an important part of history.
Belonging to a trilogy, the book obviously has an open ending that lets the reader long to read on. I just hope that the story really takes off from her now that the characters have been developed. My hopes for the second book of the trilogy were not disappointed. The characters are further developed and the story takes off, making the sequel more interesting than the first book.
The format is still the same. Freeman alternatingly devotes each chapter to one of the main characters or tells the story of a shortly appearing supporting character. Besides Bramble, Ash, and Saker, the stonecaster Martine and the warlord's man Leof are now also main characters, widening the perspective of the plot.
The story develops on two time levels. While the plot continues on the one hand in the present time of the characters, we also learn much more of the past - about Acton's life - through Bramble on the other hand. Similar to Harry Potter learning more about Voldemort through the Pensieve, Bramble is thrown through the waters of a pond into the bodies of time-witnesses of the past, where she experiences important moments of Acton's life through them by quasi occupying their mind and senses.
She also experiences time-traveling moments with the Hunter. What I really liked about all the characters is that none of them are painted in black and white. While some characters are obviously the good heroes, the ones that easily could be the plain evil villains are not. Depending on one's point of view, their actions are to a certain degree understandable, leaving one pondering what is the best way for people to live together.
I'm very excited to see where the story is going from here and how it ends, and just hope that Freeman can keep it at this high level. The "Full Circle" is a good title for the last book of the trilogy, which comes to a satisfying conclusion for the Eleven Domains and its people. It also explains why the author took the time to write the stories of so many supporting characters as separate chapters. The story is still written as alternating chapters from the point of view of the main characters.
However, I found that the effect wore a bit off at the end because all of them were in the same time and place, so the different perspectives did not matter as much anymore. That would have been different had they still been battling each other, but the threat from non-human forces eventually brought humans, both alive and ghosts, together.
I thought the book was well written, and the message of how different races and opinions can live peacefully together is great. Why did I give it only 4 stars? Well, I enjoyed the journey and the anticipation of what happens next. With the conclusion, I also always wonder how much of an impact the book make on me.
And that's when the excitement after finishing it fades a bit. For one, the conclusion was more determined by talk, and only to smaller degree by action, which led to less of an exciting climax than I expected, considering the rest of the book. Furthermore, the forces that were faught at the end were kind of vague, the evil lacked somehow personification. As an evil human, there was only Thegan left, who was rather easily subdued. And then there is the overall "gods"-thing, which still makes me cringe, phantasy or not. So overall, it was an excellent read, with a rating between 4 and 5, but I was not excited enough to give it the best rating.
Jan 19, Nikki rated it really liked it. Well, when I first joined Goodreads I mistakenly marked that I read all three of the novels in the omnibus separately. I didn't realise that this copy would have its own ISBN and page all set up. Actually, maybe it didn't at the time. In any case, I'll rectify my mistake and paste my review here: I read the entire series in one large book.
I think that's how this series works best. I didn't really see any huge distinctions between the three books and they all blended together into o Well, when I first joined Goodreads I mistakenly marked that I read all three of the novels in the omnibus separately. I didn't really see any huge distinctions between the three books and they all blended together into one seamless story. I honestly wouldn't be able to say what happened in each of the three books separately - to me, there is just "The Castings Trilogy".
I don't even know the names of the three books! Anyways, I really liked the trilogy. I chose it off the shelf because of its lovely cover - the black and white image of someone riding a horse into the forest. The art style really appealed to me. I'm very glad I judged this book by its cover. The story was unique to me and I appreciated the little stories told about the random people that were encountered.
The characters are all very well-developed and you can really feel for them. I found myself feeling for the "bad guy" too. There wasn't really a clear evil here and all the motivations of the characters were believable. I really adore the author's writing style. I love this trilogy, though I definitely recommend getting it packaged all in one book.
I can see how some parts could drag and become dull if you're reading them as separate novels. Apr 14, Rachel Toh rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Fantasy lovers, if you want to try a different but interesting story telling narrative. Got me very engaged and emotionally involved.
Fun, engaging and a thrill to read. The switching between characters can be a little annoying because it throws you off the story. It makes it feel like watching TV back in the days before set top boxes that could record and play back. You would be totally caught up in the story and then suddenly, cliff hanger!
Very frustrating, you fe taken from my review of the 1st standalone book Finished the entire trilogy in less than a week Very frustrating, you feel like your emotions are thrown around, but somehow it makes you appreciate the book better. I suspect this because when you have the pace reset and you have to re-adjust your thoughts and ideas, the exciting or surprising scene you just read is still being absorbed by your subconscious mind.
So that when you return to continue where we left off the previous scene, you don't rush it as much as if you had read it all in one sitting. You savour it better, and it sits more fully into your mind. Even when reading the story chapter of a minor character it was a surprising at the start when they suddenly die you can't bear to skip it because it just adds that new insight and casts a brand new light on what you already know from a different perspective. Sometimes it is so melancholic, and because it is just a minor character, anything could happen.
I loved reading the books. Got me absolutely and completely hooked. Even to today, I can't stop thinking about Osynth's story.
- The Secret of the Golden Flower: A Chinese Book of Life?
- .
- The Castings Trilogy (Castings, #) by Pamela Freeman.
- Blood Ties (Castings, #1) by Pamela Freeman.
- Kindle Editions!
- Inspirational Thoughts?
Nov 28, Nancy rated it really liked it. The whole trilogy bound into one book, but it seemed to me that it would have worked better originally as one book in 3 parts. But I never read them individually, so I really don't know. But they just flowed one into the other. Book 1 was mostly story set up and brought everyone together and introduced all the characters.
I don't think it would have been a very good individual book, but it made for a good part 1. Book 2 was my favorite, we see more deeply into the lives of all the character to kno The whole trilogy bound into one book, but it seemed to me that it would have worked better originally as one book in 3 parts.
Book 2 was my favorite, we see more deeply into the lives of all the character to know why they do what they do although this is present in the 1st two books and see more of the history of the Domains and their inhabitants. Book 3 was ok, but not my favorite. Everyone's individual 1st person narrative back story chapters seem to have gone away in this section.
That was part of what I really liked about the 1st two sections. You can read an extract of the book at Orbit Books. The Castings Trilogy in set in the Eleven Domains, a place where stonecasters tell the future and ghosts of the past still walk. Bramble is impetuous with a talent for trouble, and she finds it when an accident brands her a criminal. She expects no mercy with her Traveller blood — so when the village gods warn her to flee, she takes to the road. And in ghost-ridden Turvite, Ash takes on an apprenticeship, the only one available for a Traveller such as himself.
Then his employer trains him to kill on demand and his future looks bleak. But the gods have deeper plans for both Ash and Bramble. Their shared heritage grants them hidden strengths, which are needed to combat a new evil. Saker also remembers Travellers once owned this land. But he intends to take it back in vengeance, using enchantment and the blood of innocents. The Trilogy is available in a single volume or separately.
Blood Ties
In Australia I recommend Booktopia or elsewhere from Amazon or in all good bookshops. In the Eleven Domains the Travellers are the despised, displaced remnants of a people displaced by invasion. For 1, years the conquering Warlords have ruled unopposed.