The Thirteenth House (The Twelve Houses, Book 2)
by Sharon Shinn
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sharon ShinnEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-02-27
ISBN: 0441014143
Number of pages: 496
Publisher: Ace
Book Reviews of The Thirteenth House (The Twelve Houses, Book 2)
Book Review: A Royal Progression of Parties and Assaults
Summary: 5 Stars
The Thirteenth House (2006) is the second fantasy novel in the Twelve Houses series, following Mystic and Rider. In the previous volume, Senneth, Kirra, Tayse, Justin, Donnal, and Cammon left the south and journeyed to Ghosenhall to report to the King. After presenting their report, the group broke up and went their separate ways.
Queen Valri offered Cammon the use of a garden for the raelynx and visited the creature herself, even taking control of its mind for a while. The next day, Senneth took Cammon into the city to meet Jerril and Cammon agreed to spend some time learning from the mystic. Then Senneth met with the King and received the assignment of guarding the royal princess.
The King also asked Senneth to visit her brothers and suggested that she might wish to take a King's Rider with her. Senneth knew that the King was teasing her, but that he also was signaling his acceptance of her relationship with Tayse. That evening, Tayse and Senneth met outside the palace and he pledged to go wherever she went.
In this novel, Romar Brendyn -- the man selected as regnant for the king's daughter -- is abducted and taken to an almost deserted house on the edge of the Tilt domains. One of his escorts escapes and returns to Ghosenhall, reporting the kidnapping to King Baryn. Kirra, Donnal, Cammon and Justin are sent out to rescue the regnant.
Once in the isolated house, Kirra shapeshifts and visits the cell where Romar is held. She shapechanges some furnishings into useful escape tools. She also changes bars on the windows into weak wooden rods.
That night Romar breaks the rods, slithers down the rope and runs to the rendezvous in nearby woods. He is startled when Donnal -- in wolf form -- escorts him to the others, but doesn't slow down his pace. When Romar reaches the rescuers, he quickly mounts the spare horse and they gallop away.
Close to Merrenstow, the party encounters an armed group of Romar's retainers looking for him. They hand off Romar to his own men and prepare to leave. Romar doesn't want Kirra to travel with such a small escort, but she insists.
In this story, Kirra and Donnal return to Danan Hall in Danalustrous for her sister Casserah's coming of age party. Before the party, her father Malcolm tells Kirra that he is designating Casserah as his heir. Since Kirra is the eldest child, she is puzzled and hurt for a moment, but then realizes that her acceptance of becoming the heir is due only to her sense of responsibility. Like her mother, Kirra would much rather be free to wander as she pleases and soon wholeheartedly agrees with her father.
Casserah is very much like her father. She has his landsense and is dedicated to the domain. She has always been reluctant to leave home for any reason, but now she should make herself known to the lords of other domains. Malcolm and Kirra encourage her to attend the upcoming circuit of seasonal balls, but Casserah flatly refuses. Instead, they agree that Kirra will attend in the guise of Casserah. She might even find a husband for the heir.
Thus, Kirra returns to Ghosenhall as Casserah, with only a small entourage. Of course, Donnal accompanies her, usually in the guise of a large dog. Casserah's maid Melly is included to advise Kirra on the clothing that Casserah would wear. Naturally, a pair of guards go along as her escort.
In Ghosenhall, Kirra-as-Casserah joins the ladies in the royal party. Queen Valri and Princess Amalie are planning a royal progression to introduce the lords and ladies to the formerly reclusive royal heir. Senneth accompanies Amalie as her bodyguard. Naturally, Tayse and Justin, together with two more King's Riders and twenty soldiers, are going along to provide further protection for the party.
Romar doesn't recognize Kirra at first, but soon learns her identity. He courts her and she eventually gives in to his advances. Although aware of his married state, she follows her desires and is soon spending the nights with him. Her friends all warn her that she is setting herself up for heartaches, but she doesn't want to give up Romar.
This story continues to uncover plots against King Baryn. Lestra Coralinda appears at the ball in Coravann. Her brother Halchon Gisseltess -- who is supposed to be interdicted in Gissel Plain -- shows up at the ball in Nocklyn. And Romar is attacked several times during the circuit.
Kirra also encounters red-horse fever in her travels. The illness often strikes children and causes great pain. Although able to relieve the disease symptoms for a short time, Kirra has found no way to cure the ailment.
Princess Amalie remains a mystery in this volume, although the story does bring out her unusual lack of fear and her habit of voicing outrageous responses to ordinary politic remarks. Senneth and Kirra are beginning to like the girl, but agree that she needs to gain more experience. However, they are still puzzled about her personal views and attitudes. Queen Valri is also a puzzle, but they do know that she is terrified by the risks that Amalie faces.
Highly recommended for Shinn fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of shapeshifting mystics, traitorous intrigue, and unwise romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
Summary of The Thirteenth House (The Twelve Houses, Book 2)
After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during which she unexpectedly encounters her former compatriots. The motley group of mystics and warriors faces many dangers-and Kirra places herself in peril when she falls in love with the married Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House...Literature & Fiction Books
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