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Cobweb Bride Trilogy #3
Cobweb Forest
The world is broken… A dark Goddess rises. A mortal maiden must stop her.
COBWEB FOREST (Cobweb Bride Trilogy, Book Three) is the third and final book of the intricate epic fantasy flavored by Renaissance history and the romantic myth of Persephone, about death’s ultimatum to the world.
Percy Ayren, ordinary girl from the small village of Oarclaven, and now Death’s Champion, has delivered the Cobweb Bride to Lord Death—or so she thinks!
But nothing is ever as easy as it seems. Percy and Beltain Chidair, the valiant and honorable Black Knight, discover that even more is at stake than anyone could have imagined, when ancient gods enter the fray.
It is now a season of winter darkness. Gods rise and walk the earth in unrelieved desire, and the Longest Night is without end…
Meanwhile, landmarks continue to disappear throughout the realm. The cruel Sovereign’s dead armies of the Trovadii clad in the colors of pomegranate and blood march north… As the mad Duke Hoarfrost continues to lay siege to the city of Letheburg, it is up to Claere Liguon, the Emperor’s dead daughter and the passionate Vlau Fiomarre who killed her, to take a stand against the enemy.
But Percy still has a difficult task to do, the greatest task of all… For in the end the Cobweb Bride awaits, together with the final answer.
At last all the occult mysteries are revealed in this stunning conclusion to the Cobweb Bride trilogy.
COBWEB FOREST (Cobweb Bride Trilogy, Book Three) is the third and final book of the intricate epic fantasy flavored by Renaissance history and the romantic myth of Persephone, about death’s ultimatum to the world.
Percy Ayren, ordinary girl from the small village of Oarclaven, and now Death’s Champion, has delivered the Cobweb Bride to Lord Death—or so she thinks!
But nothing is ever as easy as it seems. Percy and Beltain Chidair, the valiant and honorable Black Knight, discover that even more is at stake than anyone could have imagined, when ancient gods enter the fray.
It is now a season of winter darkness. Gods rise and walk the earth in unrelieved desire, and the Longest Night is without end…
Meanwhile, landmarks continue to disappear throughout the realm. The cruel Sovereign’s dead armies of the Trovadii clad in the colors of pomegranate and blood march north… As the mad Duke Hoarfrost continues to lay siege to the city of Letheburg, it is up to Claere Liguon, the Emperor’s dead daughter and the passionate Vlau Fiomarre who killed her, to take a stand against the enemy.
But Percy still has a difficult task to do, the greatest task of all… For in the end the Cobweb Bride awaits, together with the final answer.
At last all the occult mysteries are revealed in this stunning conclusion to the Cobweb Bride trilogy.
378 pages, ebook
First published December 25, 2013
39 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Vera Nazarian
86 books1,028 followersVera Nazarian is a two-time Nebula Award Finalist, award-winning artist, and member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, a writer with a penchant for moral fables and stories of intense wonder, true love, and intricacy.
She immigrated to the USA from the former USSR as a kid, sold her first story at the age of 17, and since then has published numerous works in anthologies and magazines, and has seen her fiction translated into eight languages.
She is the author of critically acclaimed novels Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow , romantic Renaissance epic fantasy trilogy Cobweb Bride , as well as the outrageous parodies Mansfield Park and Mummies and Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons , Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy's Dreadful Secret in her humorous and surprisingly romantic Supernatural Jane Austen Series , and most recently the bestselling high-octane science fiction series The Atlantis Grail , now optioned for film.
After many years in Los Angeles, Vera lives in a small town in Vermont, and uses her Armenian sense of humor and her Russian sense of suffering to bake conflicted pirozhki and make art.
Take the fun quiz to find out Which of the Lords of Rainbow do You Serve?
She immigrated to the USA from the former USSR as a kid, sold her first story at the age of 17, and since then has published numerous works in anthologies and magazines, and has seen her fiction translated into eight languages.
She is the author of critically acclaimed novels Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow , romantic Renaissance epic fantasy trilogy Cobweb Bride , as well as the outrageous parodies Mansfield Park and Mummies and Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons , Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy's Dreadful Secret in her humorous and surprisingly romantic Supernatural Jane Austen Series , and most recently the bestselling high-octane science fiction series The Atlantis Grail , now optioned for film.
After many years in Los Angeles, Vera lives in a small town in Vermont, and uses her Armenian sense of humor and her Russian sense of suffering to bake conflicted pirozhki and make art.
Take the fun quiz to find out Which of the Lords of Rainbow do You Serve?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 23, 2014
Almost four o'clock in the morning, and I am somewhat mad and confused by all that has happened _ and by what hasn't _, so....review to come later....probably...maybe...I don't know o_O
___________________
Cobweb Bride, the first in this series, was one of my 2013 favourite reads.
In fact, it probably was my "favourite read of them all".
I fell head over heels about everything in it: The characters _especially the beginning of the relationship between Percy and the Black Knight _, the setting, the plot, and finally the writing.
It was serious fangirl material for someone like me, someone who loves Patricia A. Mckillip's and Juliet Marillier's stories.
With the second one, Cobweb Empire, stars were still shinning in my eyes, but something begun sounding a little off.
Its magnificence was unquestionable, but the seeds of something that I particularly dislike reading, were planted there. You see, towards the end of the second one, and most especially with this third volume, the relationship between the characters, and even the tone of the book, starts sounding as something out of minstrel stories: the ones that exalt love and friendship (not my favourite literary subject I admit).
And even the writing shows a significant change. More opulent and heavy handed, it didn't however capture my interest as the writing style of the first book did.
I admit that I am very picky with writing styles these days: I like beautiful prose...but I am not a big fan of purple one, nor I am a fan of what I perceive as a high dose of pointless adjectives.
That way, what is supposed to come out as deep and insightful, for me ends up sounding cheesy and boring.
I am afraid that's what I feel happened here.
The characters feel as if all of them have lost their personality. The plot became too convoluted and I honestly found myself forcing me to finish it.
The thing is, I wanted to read about Percy, Claere, Beltain, and the likes. I couldn't care less about all the Gods and Goddesses _as well as other people...such as Jack Frost...Jack Frost?? _that end up high-jacking the book...and turning it into something completely dissonant from the first book.
As it is, the romances end up being downplayed _ which makes this feel slightly YA _ and certain characters end up behaving "out of tone".
Yes, I am talking about the two spoiled aristocrats. That behaviour is SO not them!
o_O????
This rating doesn't reflect however the author's writing capacity. Much on the contrary.
The thing is, in most cases, less is more, and this had one too many balls up in the air...at least it had for me.
Who knows?
Maybe you will love it! :)
___________________
Cobweb Bride, the first in this series, was one of my 2013 favourite reads.
In fact, it probably was my "favourite read of them all".
I fell head over heels about everything in it: The characters _especially the beginning of the relationship between Percy and the Black Knight _, the setting, the plot, and finally the writing.
It was serious fangirl material for someone like me, someone who loves Patricia A. Mckillip's and Juliet Marillier's stories.
With the second one, Cobweb Empire, stars were still shinning in my eyes, but something begun sounding a little off.
Its magnificence was unquestionable, but the seeds of something that I particularly dislike reading, were planted there. You see, towards the end of the second one, and most especially with this third volume, the relationship between the characters, and even the tone of the book, starts sounding as something out of minstrel stories: the ones that exalt love and friendship (not my favourite literary subject I admit).
And even the writing shows a significant change. More opulent and heavy handed, it didn't however capture my interest as the writing style of the first book did.
I admit that I am very picky with writing styles these days: I like beautiful prose...but I am not a big fan of purple one, nor I am a fan of what I perceive as a high dose of pointless adjectives.
That way, what is supposed to come out as deep and insightful, for me ends up sounding cheesy and boring.
I am afraid that's what I feel happened here.
The characters feel as if all of them have lost their personality. The plot became too convoluted and I honestly found myself forcing me to finish it.
The thing is, I wanted to read about Percy, Claere, Beltain, and the likes. I couldn't care less about all the Gods and Goddesses _as well as other people...such as Jack Frost...Jack Frost?? _that end up high-jacking the book...and turning it into something completely dissonant from the first book.
As it is, the romances end up being downplayed _ which makes this feel slightly YA _ and certain characters end up behaving "out of tone".
Yes, I am talking about the two spoiled aristocrats. That behaviour is SO not them!
o_O????
This rating doesn't reflect however the author's writing capacity. Much on the contrary.
The thing is, in most cases, less is more, and this had one too many balls up in the air...at least it had for me.
Who knows?
Maybe you will love it! :)
August 26, 2015
A Delightful Series
The author wrapped up this series very neatly, answering all readers' questions and restoring order to the world. Good wins and evil is made good again, with sacrifice. It's a fairytale ending, for what else could it be?
The author wrapped up this series very neatly, answering all readers' questions and restoring order to the world. Good wins and evil is made good again, with sacrifice. It's a fairytale ending, for what else could it be?
July 26, 2016
‘Cobweb Forest’ is the concluding volume in Nazarian’s trilogy – a series that combines an Alternate Europe with an update and expansion of the Greek Persephone myth. There is a fairly standard genre story at work here: a plain young woman is gifted with an immense power and is pivotal to saving the world. She attracts the attentions of a handsome young knight who is far above her station by snapping at him, and they become romantically entangled. It’s also reassuring that every character presented with a potential romantic entanglement ends up romantically entangled. It’s a very pretty plot and my inner thirteen year old loves it, and wishes my outer cynical adult would stop pointing out that this is standard, as though that was a bad thing.
In ‘Cobweb Bride’ a personified Death turns off death for all living things, and demands a cobweb bride before he turns the natural order back on. Girls, including heroine Percy Ayren, start heading north to Death’s shadowy castle, to audition for the role of cobweb bride. Percy becomes Death’s Champion and starts her romance with Beltain Chidair, the Black Knight, and son of the troublesome dead Duke of Chidair, known as Hoarfrost. Percy is the Plot A, but there’s a strong Plot B with Claere, sickly daughter of the Emperor, who is stabbed to death on her birthday. Claere sets out with her murderer, Vlau, to see if she is the cobweb bride. Dead Claere is clearly more animated and interesting than living Claere was. There are also three very pretty courtiers, known collectively as the League of Folly, who take the road to Death’s shadowy castle.
In ‘Cobweb Empire’ it became clear that turning off death caused a whole new set of problems – in addition to the menacing army of undead at Hoarfrost’s command, there is another menacing undead army lead by the beautiful Rumanar Avalais, ruler of the Domain, setting out to conquer the Empire. And, chunks of places, inhabited and otherwise, start disappearing. Europe has been carefully snipped open and stretched apart and Nazarian has sewn a couple of imaginary kingdoms into the gap. It's a great setup. ‘Real’ Europe is mentioned, so clearly it exists, and it seems that the no death and the encroaching nothingness problems are limited to the stitched in kingdoms.
Percy travels to the Domain in search of the Cobweb Bride and has a Luke/Vader (I'm endangering the mission, I shouldn't have come) style brush with the Domain’s ruler, who is set up to be either the captor of the Goddess Persephone, or an evil version of Persephone. She further tests her powers as Death’s Champion, and she and Beltain declare their love. The book ends with the return to Death with the wrong cobweb bride.
At the beginning of ‘Cobweb Forest’ it is clear that the girl Percy has brought back the wrong cobweb bride. The wrong cobweb bride is Demeter, and she and Hades explain what’s gone wrong with Persephone. Percy is sent out to get the right cobweb bride this time, and there are more disappearing places and undead armies attempting to take the city of Letheburg, while the girls from 'Cobweb Bride' bake pies for the brave lads on the walls.
There's an interesting two-level mythology at work – Hades tells the age appropriate one to Percy, and the more adult version to Beltain. Gods in this world appear to be intrinsically linked to processes – specifically here, the cycle of seasons and the cycle of life. Persephone’s transformation into Evil Persephone, and Hades’ breakdown as a functioning Death are explained and the timeline starts making sense, since I couldn’t initially work out how the process had all suddenly broken down at the beginning of ‘Cobweb Bride.’
The first two books were great, but this one was a bit of a let down. It certainly wrapped up everything established in the first two volumes. The interactions with the Gods introduced another level of tension on top of the cessation of death and the encroaching nothingness, but it didn't feel equal to, or larger than, the existing problems. Nothing got solved, it all just got a little worse. Percy remained as she was. She suffered tragedy, but she had very little doubt. She had very little agony over what I considered her toughest (non)decision. I wanted to see more tension, more acknowledgement that she could have forced her power if she'd considered that working on a larger scale was more important than letting an individual choose their own fate.
I'd also expected some acknowledgement of what I always considered the darker elements of the Persephone myth. When I first read it as a child, I read the child's version. Persephone is carried down to the Underworld by Hades, who loves her and woos her. She finally succumbs to his advances and eats six pomegranate seeds. Zeus is forced to negotiate a deal for Persephone's return to the world above for half the year because a sorrowing Demeter refuses to bring on spring. It all reads like a love story. It was only later I found the version called 'The Rape of Persephone' and saw the story in a different light. It's possible that from the violence of the beginning of her union with Hades that Persephone grew to love him. But it is also possible to view this story in a completely unromantic light, and see Persephone as little more than an object, traded between her mother and her husband.
This series opens with Hades' demand for a girl, a bride. It is a demand that cannot be ignored. If Hades is not a process, this is a monstrous abuse of power. If we read Hades as a process, then the demand for a bride is an indication of a breakdown in that process, and a patch job to keep it all going. If Persephone is also a process then all my thinking on how this could be a story on the subjugation of women, and why there is nothing in here about choice, just an obligation to submit to power or be labelled the cause of suffering, is wrong. There's no need at all to think that if Persephone doesn't want to go back to Hades, she shouldn't have to. If she's a process, though, it recasts her story as neither a rape nor a romance … and we can move it all into allegory and accept that it's meant to be mysterious. Unfortunately, this doesn't work. The gods are all clearly highly personified and have exceedingly human motivations.
It's satisfying that every possible couple ends up as a couple. Mostly the strengths of this book, and all the books in the series, are the bittersweet moments of pathos. What is well done is the general terror of understanding the fate of a world where nothing dies, and the individual tragedy of losing someone you love.
December 15, 2018
Wow
So much unexpected still. So she was never a cobweb bride like I thought but something more. Happy for her and the black knight. So much happened that was so shocking. So happy some of my favorite characters live even though changed. Happy death got his true love back. Fantastic series.
So much unexpected still. So she was never a cobweb bride like I thought but something more. Happy for her and the black knight. So much happened that was so shocking. So happy some of my favorite characters live even though changed. Happy death got his true love back. Fantastic series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2017
This series was a treat! This third and final book did a fairly thorough wrap up of its tale of gods and goddesses and the universe.
The writing style continued to be solid (minus typos) through the end of the book and in some parts, Nazarian's writing really shined (). I particularly loved how Nazarian steadily built up the relationships between characters over the books, dropping bits and pieces here and there.
When I picked up this series, I thought it was a fantasy romance genre, and it is, but it's a very light level of romance. It definitely has love story elements in it, but readers shouldn't expect romance novel levels of relationship building, growth, and development. There are some couples I think came pretty close, such as If you are looking for just touch of romance to an epic fantasy story, this book (and series) may be for you! If you're looking for Juliet Marillier levels of romance, perhaps you should lower those expectations.
Many arcs were appropriately built up to and wrapped up, though I wish some characters had more scenes. I grew particularly fond of the League of Folly. I also haven't read a story involving the Persephone myth and Greek mythology so directly before making this a rather fresh and intriguing experience. I loved the steady
There were a few story choices I was a bit meh on. For example, Despite these story choices, they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment or confuse me.
The writing style continued to be solid (minus typos) through the end of the book and in some parts, Nazarian's writing really shined (). I particularly loved how Nazarian steadily built up the relationships between characters over the books, dropping bits and pieces here and there.
When I picked up this series, I thought it was a fantasy romance genre, and it is, but it's a very light level of romance. It definitely has love story elements in it, but readers shouldn't expect romance novel levels of relationship building, growth, and development. There are some couples I think came pretty close, such as If you are looking for just touch of romance to an epic fantasy story, this book (and series) may be for you! If you're looking for Juliet Marillier levels of romance, perhaps you should lower those expectations.
Many arcs were appropriately built up to and wrapped up, though I wish some characters had more scenes. I grew particularly fond of the League of Folly. I also haven't read a story involving the Persephone myth and Greek mythology so directly before making this a rather fresh and intriguing experience. I loved the steady
There were a few story choices I was a bit meh on. For example, Despite these story choices, they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment or confuse me.
February 24, 2019
This trilogy was a great read! An interesting spin on Persephone and Hades.
May 20, 2014
Adding Cobweb Bride Trilogy to my to-recommend and favorite-series-shelf because this series is AWESOME!
seriously the in-between waiting for each book to be publish is worth it. Have you ever read a book that is part of a series that totally rocks only to be disappointed in the next book? it happens a lot and it sucks because then I will be so depress and lazy I won't be able to function like a normal being for a few days..lol
so anyways I was skeptic when I started reading Cobweb Forest, I keep on telling myself to lower my expectations and be prepared for anything.
but just like the first two books Cobweb Forest is a well-written fantasy that keeps on surprising the reader,
the story is never dull and I find myself rooting for Percy and Beltain's happiness. I loved this book though sometimes it tends to overwhelmed me because it's action-packed and lots of things are happening on the same time.
So if you guys are looking for a fantasy read, try the Cobweb Bride Trilogy...I find this series very refreshing and original.
seriously the in-between waiting for each book to be publish is worth it. Have you ever read a book that is part of a series that totally rocks only to be disappointed in the next book? it happens a lot and it sucks because then I will be so depress and lazy I won't be able to function like a normal being for a few days..lol
so anyways I was skeptic when I started reading Cobweb Forest, I keep on telling myself to lower my expectations and be prepared for anything.
but just like the first two books Cobweb Forest is a well-written fantasy that keeps on surprising the reader,
the story is never dull and I find myself rooting for Percy and Beltain's happiness. I loved this book though sometimes it tends to overwhelmed me because it's action-packed and lots of things are happening on the same time.
So if you guys are looking for a fantasy read, try the Cobweb Bride Trilogy...I find this series very refreshing and original.
January 19, 2014
This is a hard 4 to 5 stars as I deeply enjoyed the book but there were times when I felt Nazarian was very repetitive with some info. It took away from my concentration of the story. However, she has such way with words and story that that part is easily overlooked for the magic that was created in this book!
Pulling in ancient myths and tying them together to be part of the grand scheme was such a lovely idea.
I don't think I can review this without spoiling it so I'll just say it is so worth the read and time, the whole trilogy is. If you like fantasy, sword play, romance, a little horror, and excitement then the Cobweb Trilogy is definitely for you.
Cobweb Forest had it all and tied up all the loose ends well. You will not be disappointed with the outcome and end to the series.
Pulling in ancient myths and tying them together to be part of the grand scheme was such a lovely idea.
I don't think I can review this without spoiling it so I'll just say it is so worth the read and time, the whole trilogy is. If you like fantasy, sword play, romance, a little horror, and excitement then the Cobweb Trilogy is definitely for you.
Cobweb Forest had it all and tied up all the loose ends well. You will not be disappointed with the outcome and end to the series.
February 9, 2015
Good stuff. I was a little nervous there for a chapter or two because I was going to be crazy pissed off if I didn't get a happy ending and love conquers all kind of thing... but rest assured. It all works out in the end. Yay!
Read
April 26, 2021Amazing, and I could not hold the tears back.
December 1, 2021
Although this story gripped me right up to the end, it had some problems that kept poking at me. The biggest of these has to do with the incorporation of actual Greek gods. In the original Hades and Persephone myth, the change of the seasons was a result of Demeter's joy or sadness (based on whether she had her daughter with her or not). In this book's version of the myth, Persephone is the one who has the power to change the seasons. Another odd change to the myth is the fact that Persephone has to literally die every time she moves between the Earth and the Underworld. Also, the time she spends with Hades is greatly truncated: rather than spending half the year with him, she goes to the Underworld in the autumn, lives with him in painful chastity until the winter solstice (when they finally get to have sex), and then almost immediately returns to the Earth. In short, the myth is radically changed in this story, and that kept bothering me.
Another problem I had was that I couldn't keep track of the timeline of Persephone's behavior that led up to the events of the trilogy. Supposedly the problems started a hundred years before the story begins, but I'm not sure how things managed to be "normal" from then until the story's beginning. It was difficult to keep track of what was supposed to have happened when.
The final thing that bothered me is that . I'm not a later-wave feminist, and I recognized Persephone's rebellion--tearing it all down and rebuilding it in her own image--as something that later-wave feminists would be in sympathy with. But the resolution of the plot seems downright anti-feminist. I had trouble with the idea that Percy .
But there was a lot in this volume that I really loved. The couples get their happily-ever-afters (although I'm genuinely worried about how Beltain will cope in his new role). The disappearance of the Realm and Domain are used to very good effect. And I just adore Grial.
Another problem I had was that I couldn't keep track of the timeline of Persephone's behavior that led up to the events of the trilogy. Supposedly the problems started a hundred years before the story begins, but I'm not sure how things managed to be "normal" from then until the story's beginning. It was difficult to keep track of what was supposed to have happened when.
The final thing that bothered me is that . I'm not a later-wave feminist, and I recognized Persephone's rebellion--tearing it all down and rebuilding it in her own image--as something that later-wave feminists would be in sympathy with. But the resolution of the plot seems downright anti-feminist. I had trouble with the idea that Percy .
But there was a lot in this volume that I really loved. The couples get their happily-ever-afters (although I'm genuinely worried about how Beltain will cope in his new role). The disappearance of the Realm and Domain are used to very good effect. And I just adore Grial.
February 2, 2019
A gorgeous yarn. Loved the series. A fitting end to a well-crafted story that nicely ties all the characters and seemingly insignificant plotlines together in a satisfying and unexpected ending. Bravo and well done, Ms. Nazarian. Well done!
October 5, 2018
As a finale of the trilogy, it’s a solid installment but I didn’t find it as compelling as books 1 and 2.
Good points:
It’s more action and war oriented. It brings all the characters and storylines to conclude somewhat satisfactorily. I found Claere and Vlau’s conclusion very cute.
Bad points:
I found it slow paced at times especially where Leonora is concerned (she made me angry too). I also found the Tantara characters superfluous and felt they were added to make it a more wider world but without much worth.
Also by the concluding chapters, I wanted the focus more on the major characters but incessant mentions of minor characters like the book 1 girls, their ‘exclamations’, Leonora, and finally the weird conclusion related to the choice of the normally selfish ‘League of Folly’ couple very out of character and it didn’t make much sense to me as to why they were brought back and given redemption.
But by far, the subject matter related to the ‘black husband, black wife’ and the interpretation of the ‘dark’ in eyes, skin, etc., especially in case of Hades and Persephone, I found that certainly a bit weird and the focus on it didn’t bode well for Beltain and Percy (and thankfully it didn’t pan out like that!). The book took itself a bit too seriously in all that aspect which was again a bit out of character with the rest of the series.
Needless to say, the concluding chapters were not the best in my estimation and just didn’t give me work for me.
Despite all this, as an origin story of the Underworld’s creation and the merging of Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and the Snow Maiden with classical characters as Hades, Persephone, Demeter and Hecate; bringing them in a storyline which makes sense while keeping focus on the mortal protagonists and bringing it all to a conclusion is quite a feat. In that, it is unique and worthy of praise.
Moreover, I found myself reading this book very easily and finished it surprisingly quick as compared to the other two.
Overall, it’s a unique trilogy and worth a read but unlike books 1 and 2, I found the finale good but not great.
Good points:
It’s more action and war oriented. It brings all the characters and storylines to conclude somewhat satisfactorily. I found Claere and Vlau’s conclusion very cute.
Bad points:
I found it slow paced at times especially where Leonora is concerned (she made me angry too). I also found the Tantara characters superfluous and felt they were added to make it a more wider world but without much worth.
Also by the concluding chapters, I wanted the focus more on the major characters but incessant mentions of minor characters like the book 1 girls, their ‘exclamations’, Leonora, and finally the weird conclusion related to the choice of the normally selfish ‘League of Folly’ couple very out of character and it didn’t make much sense to me as to why they were brought back and given redemption.
But by far, the subject matter related to the ‘black husband, black wife’ and the interpretation of the ‘dark’ in eyes, skin, etc., especially in case of Hades and Persephone, I found that certainly a bit weird and the focus on it didn’t bode well for Beltain and Percy (and thankfully it didn’t pan out like that!). The book took itself a bit too seriously in all that aspect which was again a bit out of character with the rest of the series.
Needless to say, the concluding chapters were not the best in my estimation and just didn’t give me work for me.
Despite all this, as an origin story of the Underworld’s creation and the merging of Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and the Snow Maiden with classical characters as Hades, Persephone, Demeter and Hecate; bringing them in a storyline which makes sense while keeping focus on the mortal protagonists and bringing it all to a conclusion is quite a feat. In that, it is unique and worthy of praise.
Moreover, I found myself reading this book very easily and finished it surprisingly quick as compared to the other two.
Overall, it’s a unique trilogy and worth a read but unlike books 1 and 2, I found the finale good but not great.
July 25, 2020
I'm not thrilled with the ending, but I won't elaborate as it would be spoiling the volume for another reader. Otherwise, the story series overall was very satisfying. Characters and world building is well done. I know I'll never think of a few Greek gods the same way ever again!
July 20, 2020
The ending of Percy’s long journey is a satisfying one. I truly enjoyed seeing her development as a character. She’s such a humble, unassuming person who is chosen to complete a world-changing quest.
My only criticism of this novel series is that numerous errors that can be found. I wish the author had an editor who would have found the typos and grammatical errors in the text. Overlooking these, I enjoyed the series tremendously. If you like fantasy and romance mixed with some Greek mythology, these books are for you.
My only criticism of this novel series is that numerous errors that can be found. I wish the author had an editor who would have found the typos and grammatical errors in the text. Overlooking these, I enjoyed the series tremendously. If you like fantasy and romance mixed with some Greek mythology, these books are for you.
Read
October 5, 2018For the most part, I really enjoyed it, but I did find that it got quite esoteric and philosophical at points. I did feel that the character of Percy, my favourite character in this trilogy seemed less interesting and almost took a back seat to some of the other characters.
I am glad that I read this series, however.
I am glad that I read this series, however.
April 13, 2014
Twilight of the Gods: "Cobweb Forest" by Vera Nazarian
From the Militant Recommender Book Review Blog
http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Vera Nazarian is an amazingly gifted writer and one who deserves to be widely known. In the Cobweb Bride series she will take you places you never imagined and bring even the Gods to life as she wraps up the final volume of this trilogy.
If you've read Cobweb Bride and Cobweb Empire you know that Death refuses to allow anyone (or anything!) to die as he is in despair over his missing Cobweb Bride. Word is out and families all over send forth their daughters to be potential Cobweb Brides, including Percy Ayren, a young peasant girl from a small village who has become Death's Champion, instead, and given the ability to put the undead to rest by reuniting them with their death shadows. She was accompanied on her journey by several of the other cobweb bride girls and a dashing, brave and handsome Knight, Lord Beltain Chidair, who had sworn himself to Percy as her protector and then fallen for the girl as she had, for him. Cobweb Empire ended with Percy presenting Death with a woman she helped to rescue from a dark spell who appeared to be his bride but turns out to be something quite different. Cobweb Forest picks up right after that. Things will be explained. There will battles and land that vanishes into thin air and love stories for the ages. There are so many memorable characters in this series including a pair of bored young aristocrats and an undead Grand Princess and the man who murdered her who will stay with you, along with Percy and Beltain. I won't spoil this beautiful and poignant finale for you but encourage anyone who enjoys fantasy or just a splendid story to pick up this trilogy.
From the Militant Recommender Book Review Blog
http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Vera Nazarian is an amazingly gifted writer and one who deserves to be widely known. In the Cobweb Bride series she will take you places you never imagined and bring even the Gods to life as she wraps up the final volume of this trilogy.
If you've read Cobweb Bride and Cobweb Empire you know that Death refuses to allow anyone (or anything!) to die as he is in despair over his missing Cobweb Bride. Word is out and families all over send forth their daughters to be potential Cobweb Brides, including Percy Ayren, a young peasant girl from a small village who has become Death's Champion, instead, and given the ability to put the undead to rest by reuniting them with their death shadows. She was accompanied on her journey by several of the other cobweb bride girls and a dashing, brave and handsome Knight, Lord Beltain Chidair, who had sworn himself to Percy as her protector and then fallen for the girl as she had, for him. Cobweb Empire ended with Percy presenting Death with a woman she helped to rescue from a dark spell who appeared to be his bride but turns out to be something quite different. Cobweb Forest picks up right after that. Things will be explained. There will battles and land that vanishes into thin air and love stories for the ages. There are so many memorable characters in this series including a pair of bored young aristocrats and an undead Grand Princess and the man who murdered her who will stay with you, along with Percy and Beltain. I won't spoil this beautiful and poignant finale for you but encourage anyone who enjoys fantasy or just a splendid story to pick up this trilogy.
August 2, 2015
I'm with those who found that the writing and plot deteriorated further in this book from what they had been in the other two. Cobweb Empire ended with a big reveal about who certain characters really were, and that was interesting and intriguing and opened up some great potential for where the story could go. In some ways, this final book realized that potential, but in other ways it was a complete let-down. One thing that I found really jarring was the way that Nazarian handled physical desire; the discussions between Beltain and Hades went into much too much detail about Hades' and Persephone's relationship--I really didn't need some of that fairly explicit and weird description. Contrasting that, though, was a super-chaste relationship that was too noble to be real. And then right at the end, the story really deteriorated by turning into origin stories for semi-mythical figures like Old Man Winter and Jack Frost, and creating a mechanic for how this country could have been in Europe but not be there anymore . . . that was all just too much, unfortunately. When it was crowned by a predictable sort of "death of the hero" moment I heaved a sigh of relief and irritation that it was done.
I liked the general idea of the series. Some elements should have been kept in check, however, in order to allow readers to retain suspension of disbelief. A good editor (or a better one, if Nazarian already has one) would be a real help.
I liked the general idea of the series. Some elements should have been kept in check, however, in order to allow readers to retain suspension of disbelief. A good editor (or a better one, if Nazarian already has one) would be a real help.
March 5, 2020
Prosa trabajada, personajes memorables, imágenes intensas y una historia original y bien hilada que deja muy buen sabor. La trilogía, en mi opinión, cumplió sobradamente con mis expectativas (que eran altas). Un saludo grande para la autora y mi agradecimiento como lectora.
April 24, 2014
Wow, it took me far too long to finish this book. I set it aside and failed to pick it up again for a rather long time, I must admit.
I'm not going to add a synopsis as those can be found elsewhere. I do want to say that I did very much enjoy this book, like the first two. However, unlike the first two I found myself losing interest somewhere halfway through for whatever reason. It still had that beautiful dreamy quality that Vera does so well but somehow some of the explanations or scene-hopping or something (I'm not sure what) started to drag just a bit and I found myself losing the threads of the story for a while there.
Luckily I finally picked the story back up and finished it in a day. Well worth the read to get to the end, even if I felt like I was slogging through a bit of the repetitious parts. I'm pretty stingy with my 4- and 5-stars so know that this trilogy is still very good and definitely worthwhile if you like both fantasy and mythology. Just know that parts of it might be a bit slow-going but I recommend sticking in there and continuing on so you can get to a very satisfying ending.
March 8, 2014
This whole series, including this book, gripped me to the end. 75 pages from the end and I had no idea how things were going to resolve. This was one of the most creative, imaginative, and different stories I've ever read. I loved most of the characters (the "cobweb bride" girls all kind of blended together, but otherwise, everyone else was vivid and vibrant), the world building (I love the ultimate end of the Domain and the Realm and how it all tied together into "magical realism" so that it could be true they had existed in Europe at one time), and the twist and turns of the plot. I loved the final resolution of the Sovereign/Persephone plot line, though I didn't really buy the way Percy's plotline was resolved (being vague so as to not give away spoilers), and I haven't yet decided how I feel about the resolution of Clare and Vlau (their storyline was one of my favorites throughout the series). There remained throughout the series some clunkiness in the writing, which is the only thing that prevented me from giving this 4 or 5 stars. However, the creativity and imagination behind this story really blew me away. Looking forward to more from this author.
February 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this series. Our heroine, Percy Ayren, faces a seemingly insurmountable task, one that no earthly being has ever encountered. The final installment focuses more on the gods, their place in the universe and how their actions affect human life. We finally learn why the world is shrinking and what needs to be done to make things right.
This installment was my favorite of the series for a number of reasons. The author went to great lengths to create an original world, filled with well-developed characters. The story is beautifully written, action-packed and original. I found myself caring deeply for Percy and Beltain. I was also shocked by the pain and anguish suffered by Hades… yes, HADES!
(Side Note: I hope there will be a Percy/Beltain follow-up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.)
In my opinion, Cobweb Forest could be a standalone novel, as it details what occurs in the other books. However, I do recommend reading the entire series. You’ll be glad you did!
5/5 Stars! Kudos to Vera Nazarian for this series!
This installment was my favorite of the series for a number of reasons. The author went to great lengths to create an original world, filled with well-developed characters. The story is beautifully written, action-packed and original. I found myself caring deeply for Percy and Beltain. I was also shocked by the pain and anguish suffered by Hades… yes, HADES!
(Side Note: I hope there will be a Percy/Beltain follow-up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.)
In my opinion, Cobweb Forest could be a standalone novel, as it details what occurs in the other books. However, I do recommend reading the entire series. You’ll be glad you did!
5/5 Stars! Kudos to Vera Nazarian for this series!
November 24, 2014
What a satisfying end to this trilogy! Although the ending is a bit too neat for my taste, I did enjoy reading the last book. The writing improved over time as compared to the first book and Percy is one of my favorite heroines now. She's brave and compassionate and never annoyed me.
Persephone (the Goddess) is such a wicked thing - it really annoys me she got away with all the cruel things she did with a slap on the wrist. (Oh, you were temporarily insane, no problem bae, now come and take care of my hardon for me: said Hades) Ugh, I hated her.
Apart from those minor quibbles, I loved the fact this trilogy was mostly driven by amazing female characters. I am considering naming either my first born or my cat Grial.
One last thing - I thought the grammar was a bit off. For example, the tendency to put prepositions at the end of sentences. That drove me insane.
Persephone (the Goddess) is such a wicked thing - it really annoys me she got away with all the cruel things she did with a slap on the wrist. (Oh, you were temporarily insane, no problem bae, now come and take care of my hardon for me: said Hades) Ugh, I hated her.
Apart from those minor quibbles, I loved the fact this trilogy was mostly driven by amazing female characters. I am considering naming either my first born or my cat Grial.
One last thing - I thought the grammar was a bit off. For example, the tendency to put prepositions at the end of sentences. That drove me insane.
October 18, 2022
I'm so hooked on this trilogy I can't even.
The first two books were amazing, and then the third happened and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Like, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. I read three quarters in one sitting and then had to stop because my eyes were crossing.
Percy and Beltain are back, right along with Claere and Vlau, and all the rest of them ... AND THE GREEK GODS.
I was always a sucker for the Hades and Persephone myth and I honestly really love this retelling, with its much darker twist on the legendarium and how it all came about. But I also enjoyed that it wasn't just Hades kidnapping Persephone - it was her wanting him, too.
And then of course, Percy figuring out how to outwit a goddess. That was just pure badass.
If there's going to be an Aphrodite cameo some day because of the Sapphire Throne though, I might just squeal!
The first two books were amazing, and then the third happened and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Like, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. I read three quarters in one sitting and then had to stop because my eyes were crossing.
Percy and Beltain are back, right along with Claere and Vlau, and all the rest of them ... AND THE GREEK GODS.
I was always a sucker for the Hades and Persephone myth and I honestly really love this retelling, with its much darker twist on the legendarium and how it all came about. But I also enjoyed that it wasn't just Hades kidnapping Persephone - it was her wanting him, too.
And then of course, Percy figuring out how to outwit a goddess. That was just pure badass.
If there's going to be an Aphrodite cameo some day because of the Sapphire Throne though, I might just squeal!
January 10, 2015
This is the last of this series. I have loved this series so much that I have spent the last week entrenched in reading these books & I might suggest that you do the same. By now it has become apparent that the Gods reign unable to know what they can do or even what has gone wrong. The Empress is in truth a Goddess gone mad and grief as drawn her astray. She is the Goddess Persephone the wife of Hades (Death) daughter of Dementia. Nobody knows what to do and what they can do drives them and despair drives them even further. The world has gone to Hades and what is left is somewhere in Europe. But it is the simple village girl Percy who guides her heart at its conclusion - so hankies & tears & cheers!
February 5, 2014
4.5 stars
A satisfying ending to the series.
It loses a half star due to too much repetition of information. If you've already given us a detailed description of a character it's not necessary to repeat that description every single time they appear in the story. There's also a scene where we get information on what's going on from the God's side of things. It's important information but the scene goes on and on and on. I was anxious to get back to the action and I found myself mentally screaming, "We get it already! Let's move on!"
These are minor complaints. Overall this series is excellent. Well written, interesting characters and an engaging story. Highly recommended.
A satisfying ending to the series.
It loses a half star due to too much repetition of information. If you've already given us a detailed description of a character it's not necessary to repeat that description every single time they appear in the story. There's also a scene where we get information on what's going on from the God's side of things. It's important information but the scene goes on and on and on. I was anxious to get back to the action and I found myself mentally screaming, "We get it already! Let's move on!"
These are minor complaints. Overall this series is excellent. Well written, interesting characters and an engaging story. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2014
This was the last book of The Cobweb Bride trilogy, and I have to say I was not disappointed. It is so refreshing to read a story that takes well-known tales and mythical figures and recombines them in an interesting new way. I was never sure what to expect, which is saying something, as I've read so many books that I'm rarely truly surprised by anything. My only complaint was the excessive use of italics, which in most cases were not needed for emphasis. The words alone showed where the emphasis already was. An engaging story, an unlikely heroine, and well worth the time I spent reading it.
January 2, 2014
this is a new classic. if I had to recommend a trilogy that would appeal to teen and adult alike, this is it. a perfect blend of Austen type romance, Walter Scott's type action and adventure, with a lyrical, folk-mythology that reminds me a bit of Alice walker. phenomenal random book find! this last book is an emotional roller coaster that is a tiny bit edgier than 2nd book and the flow of the story is better.
March 13, 2014
So incredibly good! For a three-book series, a tight little tale, and each volume unique. The opener leisurely sets the stage, the second book drags you on the quest at breakneck speed, and this last volume is dire, wonderful, heartbreaking, and redeeming.
Really clever use of mythology, history, and pure fantasy to create a wonderful tale. Few free books I can say truly make me a fan of an author, but I am sold.
Really clever use of mythology, history, and pure fantasy to create a wonderful tale. Few free books I can say truly make me a fan of an author, but I am sold.
May 2, 2014
The ending was...different. I still love the story but the author brought in concepts involving Greek mythology....death, life, seasons, and a little bit of every religion that overwhelmed my brain. So what was a cute light read became very confusing for some parts of the resolution. I enjoyed the ending though, once I got past that the fact that I would never understand the purpose of Hades and his white bridegroom counterpart.
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