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Apr052012
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: ‘The Spirit Eater’ by Rachel Aaron
by Laura • Posted in 3.5 Star Reviews
Title: The Spirit Eater (The Legend Of Eli Monpress #3)
Author: Rachel Aaron
Publisher: Brilliance Audio Inc
Audiobook Publication Date: November 2010
Audiobook: 11 hours & 28 mins
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed by: Laura
SUMMARY:
With the pressure on after his success in Gaol, Eli Monpress, professional thief and degenerate, decides it’s time to lie low for a bit. Taking up residence in a tiny seaside village, Eli and his companions seize the chance for some fun and relaxation. Nico, however, is finding it a bit hard. Plagued by a demon’s voice in her head and feeling powerless, she only sees herself as a burden. Everyone’s holiday comes to an untimely close, though, when Pele arrives to beg Eli’s help for finding her missing father. But there are larger plans afoot than even Eli can see, and the real danger, and the solution, may lie with one of his own and her forgotten past. If only Nico could remember which side she was on. (Goodreads)
REVIEW:
‘The Spirit Eater’ takes on a much darker tone than the previous two books in the series. It begins with the usual wit and Eli cheekiness, but the focus shifts. We find out a lot more in this book about the other characters in the story, most considerably about demonseeds and Nico. I enjoyed the change in focus, but I still can’t help smiling at Eli’s antics.
Taking off where ‘The Spirit Rebellion’ left us, Eli has decided it’s time to lie low and return home. Home is most definitely not what you expect it to be, but is delivered in typical Eli style. Here Pele awaits for him and asked for his help trying to track down her missing father Slorn. Of course Miranda is still on Eli’s path determined to catch the errant thief.
Things are definitely getting more sinister with the demonic threat growing. We learn more about Slorn and the shapers and Josef’s magical sword ‘The Heart of War’. Again we find out more about Eli’s parentage, but I still feel like we’re only touching the surface here. Eli is no longer really the main character in this book, sharing the limelight with his sidekicks. But it is Nico who is the main focus of story. Aaron portrays Nico as an interesting combination of strength and pathos. Sometimes the powerful wizard and sometimes the lost young girl.
There are still many secrets about each of the characters yet to be revealed. Slowly building the mystery and greater plot that is running through the series. Aaron tells us a little bit more with each installment, slowly teasing us and building towards the final conclusion.
The tag line for this book is a little strange: ‘What She Gets Away With Is Monstrous’ my guess is that it’s referring to Nico. But it insinuates a fun, light-hearted approach, but I actually found Nico’s story both dark and sad.
I hope that in the next book we see more from Miranda. I want to see her evolve a little and be less black and white in her approach to life. The plot development at the end of the book gives me hope! But I think I’ve given up my hopes of a potential love story!
Don’t worry, despite the darker undertones, the story is still fun, there are still plenty of Eli capers that you can’t help but smile at.
VERDICT:
Another excellent edition to this fantasy series. I really enjoy Aaron’s fun writing style. Roll on book four.
RATING: 7/10 – Very good, would definitely recommend
2 Comments
These books seem to be consistently very good – all three of them have got 7/10!
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As you know, I like a good fantasy book every now and then
Aaron has got a really fun tone to her writing, but also manages to portray the impending darkness without taking away from the humour.
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