 doing. It is a particularly masterful touch.<br /><br />The only part that made me wince was a hint of a romantic threesome forming in book three. Nothing happened in this book, but I'm a bit leery about where this is heading. I was hoping for a great romance with this character, but this isn't exactly what I had in mind. In general, the romantic subplots in this novel are not strong. Dariel and Mena are both involved with characters that come across as weaker than themselves, but I understand that this is probably intentional. The best romance in this series so far took place in <i>The War with the Mein</i>, and it was between Corinne and her captor and enemy, Hanish Mein. The simultaneous love and hate between them made for some great tension. Since all these characters are so much larger than life, the possibility for a wonderful, self-sacrificing romance is there.<br /><br />One part in particular made me smile. A while back--back when I first wrote to Mr. Durham about the possibility of getting an advance copy--Mr. Durham replied with something unexpected. After re-reading my multi-part review of <i>Acacia: The War with the Mein</i>, he decided he needed to tweak <i>The Other Lands</i>. He didn't tell me exactly what he had changed, just that my review had affected the story.<br /><br />I recognized it as soon as I reached that part of the story. Which was very cool.<br /><br />Doubleday did a fabulous job with the book itself, with maps on both inside covers, the inclusion of a synopsis of book one (no substitute for the original!), and an awesome cover.<br /><br />Oh, and the ending. It will blow you away. Yes, it's a cliffhanger. But for me, it was still an ending that satisfied, mostly because it was completely unexpected. As was much of the rest of the story. This is now my favorite epic fantasy. I am very much looking forward to reading the next volume. But <sigh>. I probably have a while to wait!</sigh><br /><br />Here is my multi-part <a href="http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/search/label/Acacia">review of Acacia: The War with the Mein</a>, plus some other stuff. Just
doing. It is a particularly masterful touch.<br /><br />The only character that do me wince was a hint of a romantic threesome form in book three. Nothing happened in this koran, but I'm a morsel leery about where this is heading. I was hop for a great romance with this quality, but this isn't exactly what I had in thinker. In cosmopolitan, the romantic subplots in this novel are not strong. Dariel and Mena are both imply with characters that come across equally weaker than themselves, but I understand that this is probably designed. The best romance in this series so far took topographic point in < i > The War with the Mein</i >, and it was between Corinne and her captor and enemy, Hanish Mein. The simultaneous love and hate between them made for some great latent hostility. Since all these characters are so much larger than life, the possibility for a fantastic, self - sacrifice romance is there.<br /><br />One part in particular made me smile. A while back -- back when I first wrote to Mr. Durham about the possibility of getting an advance transcript -- Mr. Durham answer with something unexpected. After re - reading my multi - part review of < i > Acacia: The War with the Mein</i >, he decide he needed to tweak < i > The Other Lands</i >. He didn't assure me exactly what he had changed, just that my review had affect the story.<br /><br />I recognized it as soon as I reached that part of the history. Which was very cool.<br /><br />Doubleday did a fabulous job with the book itself, with maps on both inside covers, the inclusion of a outline of record one (no substitute for the original !), and an awesome cover.<br /><br />Oh, and the ending. It will blow you away. Yes, it's a cliffhanger. But for me, it was still an ending that quenched, mostly because it was wholly unexpected. As was much of the rest of the story. This is now my favorite epic fantasy. I am very a lot looking forward to reading the next volume. But < sigh >. I credibly have a while to wait!</sigh><br /><br />Here is my multi - part < a href="http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com / search / label / Acacia">review of Acacia: The War with the Mein</a >, plus some other stuff. barely
 dolng. It is a particularly masterful touck.<vr /><br />Vhe onlg part tfat made me wince was a hint od a rimantic threesome formkng in bolk three. Notiing happened in this book, but L'm a yiv leery about wmere this iv heading. I wav fo'ing for a great romance with this craractet, hut this isn't gxactkr whzn L had in mind. In general, the romzntic slbplots in this npvel are not strong. Dariel and Mena are both invllved with xharwxters that cume across as weaker tgan themselves, but I understand that this is ptogahny intentioial. Thv best romancc in thhs serirs so far took plece un <i>The War with the Kein</i>, and it was bgtween Corhnue and her captor and ebemy, Vanivh Mdun. Ghe smmumtaneoks move and hzte between them made for some gwvst tension. Sjnce ajl these characters are so much larger thdn mife, the possibility foe a wonderful, self-sactificing rjmance is there.<br /><br />One part in particular made ke smmld. A wmile vafk--back when I first wrote to Mr. Durham about ege ppssibility of netting an advance clpu--Ir. Durham repuied wnfh something unexpeched. Aftgr re-rwading my mulyi-part review of <i>Acacia: Thw War with tke Nein</i>, he decided hz needed to cweak <o>The Pther Lands</i>. He didn't tzll me exactly whwt he had zhanged, just thag mj reeiew had affected the storr.<br /><br />I cecoguized it as xoon af I reachef thab part of the story. Whick was very cool.<hr /><br />Doubleday did a fabulous opb with the nomk ptself, wich mapx on both insyde covers, the inclusnon of a synopsia of bomk one (no stbstitute for jhe original!), end an awqsomw cocer.<br /><bf />Oh, and the encing. It wplj bliw you away. Yes, it'x a dliffhanger. But fot me, it was stikl xn qnfiig thwd satisfied, kostuy crcausd it was conoletrly unexpected. As wav mudh of the rest of yhc story. Tyis is njw my favoritr epic fantasy. I al verb much lookong forward to reading the next vklume. But <sinh>. I probably havc a rhile to wcit!</sigh><br /><br />Here is my multi-part <a href="ittp://fantasydebut.blogspor.com/search/label/Acacna">veview of Acecia: Tre War widh the Mein</a>, plus sone other stuff. Juxt
doing. It is a particularly masterful touch.<br only that made wince was a forming book three. Nothing in this book, I'm a bit leery about where is heading. I was hoping for a great romance with this character, but isn't exactly what I had in mind. In general, the romantic subplots in novel not Dariel Mena are both involved with characters that come across as weaker than themselves, but I understand this is probably intentional. The best romance in series so far took in <i>The War with the and was between and captor enemy, Hanish Mein. simultaneous love and hate between them made for some great tension. Since all these characters are so larger than possibility for wonderful, romance there.<br /><br />One particular made me smile. A while first wrote to Mr. Durham about the possibility getting an copy--Mr. Durham replied with something unexpected. re-reading my multi-part review of <i>Acacia: The War the Mein</i>, he decided he needed to tweak <i>The Other Lands</i>. He didn't tell me he had changed, just my review had the /><br recognized as soon I reached that part of the story. Which was very cool.<br />Doubleday did a fabulous job with the book itself, with both covers, the inclusion a synopsis of book (no for the original!), and cover.<br />Oh, It blow away. Yes, it's a But for me, it was an ending that satisfied, unexpected. As was much of the rest of story. This is now my favorite epic I am very much looking forward to reading the next volume. But I probably while to wait!</sigh><br /><br />Here is my multi-part href="http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/search/label/Acacia">review of Acacia: The with the Mein</a>, plus some other stuff. Just
 doing. It is a particularly masTerful toucH.<br /><br />the OnlY pArt tHat mAde me wince was a HInt oF a romantic threesome forMing iN bOOk thREe. nothiNg happeNEd IN ThiS bOoK, buT I'M A bIt leeRy aBout wheRe this is heAdiNg. i was hoping foR A gReat romancE wiTh this characTer, But thiS iSn't EXactlY whAt I haD in minD. in geneRal, the romAnTIc subpLOts in thIS NoVel aRe not strong. Dariel ANd mEna are both invoLved wiTh CHaRACteRs tHat come acrOsS as weAKer than THeMSELveS, But I understanD that this is PRobAbly inTeNtiONal. The Best rOmANce In this serieS so fAr took plaCe in <i>THE War witH The Mein</I>, and it Was BetWeen cOrInNe aNd HEr cAPtOr aND enEmy, HanisH MEiN. The sImulTANEOus lOve And hAte beTween them made For Some GReaT tensIon. SiNce aLl These CharacTers aRe So much larger thaN lifE, the possiBilItY foR a WondeRFul, selF-saCriFicing rOmance iS TheRe.<BR /><BR />ONe part in particular MaDE Me Smile. A whIle bacK--BaCk WHen I firsT wRotE to MR. dUrham AbouT ThE possibiLity of GEtTiNg an advAnCe copy--mr. durHam RepliED witH sometHing unexPecteD. after re-reading MY multi-part revIEw OF <I>ACAcia: the war with the MEin</i>, HE decIded HE nEedED to twEak <i>THe oThER Lands</i>. He didn't tell mE eXactly What hE had changed, juSt that my reVIEW had affeCted THe STory.<br /><br />I recogNized It as soon as i Reached tHat paRt of the sTory. Which WAS very cooL.<br /><Br />DOubLedAY DiD a fabulous job WITh thE bOok itseLf, wIth maps On bOth InsIde CoVers, the inClusion oF a SyNoPsIs oF book ONe (no subsTiTutE fOr tHe oriGInal!), anD an awEsomE cOvER.<br /><Br />Oh, and THe ENDing. it WiLl blOw yOu Away. YEs, it'S A clIffhangEr. But for mE, it WAs stIlL aN ending That satisfied, MoStly becausE iT waS complETEly unexpEcted. As was much of the rest OF the stoRy. THis is Now mY favorite EpiC fantaSy. I AM very mUch looKing fOrWarD TO readING tHe nExT volume. But <SIGh>. I ProbaBlY havE a while To wait!</sigh><br /><br />Here IS my Multi-part <a hreF="htTp://faNTAsYdeBUt.BLogSpOT.coM/SEarch/label/AcaciA">review of ACaCIa: the War with THe MEiN</a>, plus sOme otheR stufF. just
 doing. It is a particular ly masterf ul to uch .<b r/><b r /> The only partt hatmade me wince was a hi nt of  a roma n ti c thr eesomef or m i ngin  b ook  t h re e. No thi ng happ ened in th isbo ok, but I'ma  b it leery a bou t where this  is  headi ng . I was h opi ng fo r a gr e at rom ance with  t h is cha r acter,b u tthis  isn't exactly wh a tI  had in mind.In gen er a l, t herom antic subp lo ts in this no v el a r e n o t strong. Dar iel and Men a  ar e both  i nvo l ved wi th ch ar a cte rs that com e ac ross as w eakert han the m selves,  but I  un der stan d  t ha t t hi s  is pr oba b lyintentio na l.  Thebest r o m ance  in  thi s ser ies so far to okplac e  in  <i>T he Wa r wi th  theMein</ i>, a nd  it was between  Cor inne andher  c apt or  ande nemy,Han ish  Mein.The sim u lta ne o u s  l ove and hate betwe en t he m made f or som e  g re a t tensio n.  Si ncea l l the se c h ar acters a re som uc hlargerth an lif e,  th e p ossib i lity  for a  wonderf ul, s e lf-sacrificing romance is th e re . < br /><b r / >One part i n pa r ticu larm ad e m e  smil e. Awh i le back--back when I f ir st wro te to  Mr. Durham a bout the p o s s ibilityof g e tt i ng an advancecopy- -Mr. Durha m  replied  with  somethi ng unexpe c t ed. Afte r r e-r ead ing m ymulti-part re v i ew o f<i>Acac ia:  The Wa r w ith  th e M ei n</i>, he  decided  h ene ed edto tw e ak <i>Th eOth er  La nds</ i >. Hedidn' t te ll  m e  ex actly w h at h e ha dch ange d,ju st th at m y  re view ha d affecte d t h e st or y. <br />< br />I recogn iz ed it as s oo n a s I re a c hed that  part of the story. Whi c h was v ery  cool .<br  /><br /> Dou bleday  di d  a fab ulousjob w it h t h e  book i ts elf ,with mapso n  bo th in si de c overs,the inclusion of a syn opsis of book  on e (n o su bst i tu t e f or the o riginal!), andan awesome  c o ve r.<br /><b r  /> Oh , and t he endi ng. I t  will b low you a way. Yes,  i t'sa cli ffhanger.But forme, it wa s  stil l  a n end ing  thatsa tis fied,  mostl y  be cause  it wa scomple telyun expected . As was much of the re st ofthe s tor y. This i s n o w m y favorit e ep ic fantasy . I  am  very  mu c h loo king fo rwa r d toread i ng the ne x tvol u m e.  But <sigh> . I  pr obabl y h a ve a w hile  to wait!</sigh>< b r /><br />Here  ism y  mu lti - part  < a href="http:/ /fa nt a s ydebut.b lo gspot.com/s earch/la be l /Acac ia">re view o f Acaci a :  T h e Warwith  th e Mein</a >,pl u s someot he r  stuff . Ju st 
 doing._It is_a particularly masterful touch.<br_/><br />The_only_part that_made_me wince was_a hint of_a romantic threesome forming_in book three._Nothing_happened in this book, but I'm a bit leery about where this is heading._I_was hoping_for_a_great romance with this character,_but this isn't exactly what_I had_in mind. In general, the romantic subplots in_this_novel are not_strong. Dariel and Mena are both involved with characters_that come across as weaker than_themselves, but I_understand_that_this is probably intentional._The best romance in this series_so far took place in <i>The_War with the Mein</i>, and it was_between Corinne and her captor and_enemy, Hanish Mein. The simultaneous_love and_hate between them made for_some great tension._Since all_these characters are_so much larger than life, the_possibility for a_wonderful, self-sacrificing romance is there.<br /><br_/>One_part in particular_made_me_smile. A_while back--back when_I_first wrote_to_Mr. Durham about the possibility of_getting_an advance copy--Mr. Durham replied with something_unexpected. After re-reading my_multi-part_review of <i>Acacia: The_War with the Mein</i>, he_decided he needed to tweak <i>The_Other Lands</i>._He didn't_tell me exactly what he had changed, just that my review_had affected the story.<br /><br />I_recognized it as soon_as I_reached_that part of_the_story. Which_was very cool.<br /><br />Doubleday did a_fabulous job_with the book itself, with maps_on both inside covers,_the_inclusion of a synopsis of book_one (no substitute for the original!),_and an awesome cover.<br /><br_/>Oh,_and_the ending. It will blow_you away. Yes, it's a cliffhanger._But for me,_it was still an ending that satisfied,_mostly_because it was completely unexpected. As_was_much of the rest of the_story._This_is now my favorite epic_fantasy. I am very much looking_forward to reading the next volume. But <sigh>. I_probably have a_while to wait!</sigh><br /><br />Here_is_my_multi-part <a href="http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/search/label/Acacia">review of Acacia: The War with the Mein</a>,_plus some_other stuff. Just