 "Great book!" | 2009-03-29 |
| - Reviewed By teknoturtl |
| This book wastes no time giving the reader something to be interested in. The story starts off with the main character and her mother in England, being accused of witchcraft in the 1600s, and spans all the way to 1998. The topics of past lives are very interestingly presented in the story. The book also presents witches as magical, and very good and natural people (with a few exceptions...) There were also a few surprises in this book. I liked that this book spanned over so much time, but I do wish more time was spent on memories from past lives (Raven's). I would also like to know why Duncan and Raven had such a strong connection the first time they met in the 1600s. Did they possibly know each other from another life? The ending of this book set the stage very well for the sequel, and I look forward to reading it. |
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 "S'OK" | 2008-01-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A19OR7BSMSPDFB |
| I am a fan of Maggie Shayne. But Eternity and Infinity, were just OK for me. |
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 "Magic and witch-hunting through the ages" | 2007-11-30 |
| - Reviewed By kentish_bookworm |
"Eternity" focuses on Raven St James, a young woman who is learning her craft as a witch from her mother. However when she and her mother are denounced by a priest to the local magistrate they are ordered to be hanged. A trainee priest, Duncan Wallace, tries to save Raven's life but is unsuccessful and she is hanged along with her mother. The shocking events of their trial cause a breach between Duncan and Nathanial, his training priest, and he decides to set out to the New World to see if people are more accepting of others in that country. However on the journey across he becomes ill and is tended by a woman he is sure is Raven although she doesn't admit to being the young woman he saw die and he loses touch with her as soon as they arrive in Boston.
The story continues with Raven making her life in Sanctuary, living with her aunt and trying to avoid the notice of the religious authorities. However when Duncan arrives at Sanctuary to be their priest she realises her past is catching up with her and that Duncan, who cannot be told what she is, may be in danger. The story skips forward three hundred years when Raven has another chance to have a relationship with Duncan, who has been reborn in this time, and she hopes this time to trust him fully. However their foe from three hundred years ago also has had his eye on Duncan for a long time and Duncan isn't going to want to believe the wild tales of immortality and evil and good witches; it's possible Raven may have to give her life to save Duncan's this time.
The story was well written with some interesting detail of the witch trials in England and America in the 1700s. An awkwardness was the way that parts written from Raven's point of view were written in the First Person but the other sections in the Third Person which made the story feel disjointed and odd. It's written with quite a new-agey feel and Christianity doesn't come across too well so those for whom this might be uncomfortable reading might do better missing it. However the overall plot was interesting and the supporting character, Arianna, who is the heroine of the sequel, "infinity", is a strong and feisty woman whose own life t tragedy runs through the events of this story. |
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| "Kudos!" | 2007-06-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2N7M5CX0IMNGY |
Thank you Maggie Shayne for writing a book and doing incredible research on the topic as well. Once I sat down and opened the book to the historical rememberences of a few of the women that were horrifically executed... I was hooked.
This book was exceptionally written and had no problem whatsoever with the first person method.
Great detail to the rituals and what moves a "witch" internally. |
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| "So Intriguing the Pages Turned Themselves!" | 2006-11-19 |
| - Reviewed By katie6855 |
Although I'm usually not big on reading romance/fantasy-type books, I have to say that after reading "Eternity" I am actually quite eager to read the second book of this trilogy - it was that good!
Maggie Shayne did an excellent job of drawing me into this story, and keeping me at the edge of my seat all the way to the end. Even though there were many times where I knew where the plot was going ahead of time, I still wanted to keep reading - in fact, the pages seemed to turn themselves!
"Eternity" is about a young woman named Raven who learns early on that she is an immortal witch, and her quest to be reunited with the love of her life, Duncan Wallace. Her quest spans centuries, during which she is always searching for, waiting for, the only man she ever loved to reincarnate once again. But when he does, will he remember her? And if so, will he love her the way he did back in the 17th century?
Another part of the plot is that, as an immortal "good" witch (a Light One), Raven is in constant danger of the immortal Dark Ones - those "bad" witches that can only survive by killing Light Ones & stealing their hearts. There is one Dark One in particular that is after her - not only for her heart, but because she caused the man who was like a son to him (Duncan Wallace) to turn against him - to see him as the evil he is. 3 centuries ago he vowed to get Raven back for the pain she caused him - will he succeed?
Overall, I found "Eternity" to be an intriguing, page-turning read. As such, I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy & romance books, as well as those who'd like to try something different (as I did). Who knows, you may enjoy it as much as I did... |
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| "Entertaining page turner but too mushy and at times corny" | 2006-08-10 |
| - Reviewed By chibipanda |
Okay, i read this novel a while ago so excuse me for any inaccuracies in this review. First thing is first, i really enjoyed this novel, which is a surprise because i wasn't really expecting to. I basically bought this book on a whim because it was pretty cheap and I couldn't find any good horror novels (my fave genre). The story is really entertaining and the pacing is just perfect. I don't remember any moment when the story slowed down or dragged on. Also, there were good twists and turns in the story that kept me flipping the pages. In fact, i read this whole book in one night (needless to say, i didn't get much sleep).
My major complaint about the novel, however, is that there are a lot of really mushy and corny moments. I found myself rolling my eyes or chuckling a bit at some parts. I mean, how many times did we have to read about how beautiful the heroine is. Yeah, I get it, she's gorgeous and every male wants her for himself, let's move on. Also, did there have to be so many declarations of love between Raven and the guy (forgot his name). Their relationship was really sweet at first but I became annoyed at how many times their love had to be declared. I think it would be a lot more powerful if she described their love through their actions and leave it at that. Instead we get things like "I love you so much! Each moment without you is like a stab to the heart. I will be forever yours. You are the only one for me, I CANNA live without you! I WILLNA!!! etc." I am probably exaggerating but that's how it seems to me while reading it. Oh also, i thought their love for each other was developed too quickly. I mean, they meet at the stakes, lock eyes, exchange a few words, he defends her, she dies, and that's that. After that scene they both act like love sick puppies! I mean, they didn't even know each other. Her love for him was at least justified (he was the only one defending her and her mother) but what about him? He seemed to fall in love with only her looks (as that is all he really had to go by). That made their romance weaker to me as well.
Also, the main guy's diction annoyed me. It didn't sound scottish to me. It sounded stupid, what with the "cannas" and "dinnas" and what not. And it was funny in the end when he was reverting back and forth from english and scottish accents lol.
All in all, i did really enjoy this book (i gave it a 4 didn't I?). My complaints about it could be just because i don't usually like reading romance novels. Most of them make me want to gorge my eyes out, but i would recommend this one. |
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