The Shamer's Signet by Lene Kaaberbol

The Shamer's Signet by Lene Kaaberbol
Book 2 in the Shamer Chronicles

Hardcover: 322 pages
Published: 2005

One look into the Shamer’s eyes and a person’s darkest secrets are revealed

Dina has recently come into her uncomfortable powers as a Shamer, and now even her brother, Davin, no longer dares to meet her gaze.

Yet in these dangerous times there are far worse things in store for the young Shamer, who is kidnapped and forced to use her gift as a weapon against innocent people. Dina must get free. Can her brother help her escape?


From what I have seen many seems to agree with me that this book was rather boring, it dragged, and is the weakest book in the series. Though that I have yet to see. But it did ruin it a bit for me.

I think the reason for me is that half the book is seen through Dina's eyes, and I like those parts. She is a great young heroine, who is caught up in something she is too young for in a way, but handles is as well she can. But then there are parts from her brother's POV, and I found those boring, I don't like her brother, and it drags out the book. Still it's good teen fantasy, and I can't say for others but for me it gets too boring. I guess in a way it gets too children's book like when her brother shows up sometimes too. Too young. Because then again when Dina shows up it gets darker, ecpecially when she is kidnapped and certain things regarding others are hinted at. There lies darkness.

Not much to say about this one when I didn't enjoy it as much. It wasn't as fast a read either, and that was why I liked the first one. Maybe someone younger would enjoy it more.

I like Dina's friend Rose, she is cool, Dina is as I said a good heroine, her brother is sadly lacking, and their mother is a good woman. In this one we meet some more people in the highlands were they are hiding, but we don't get to learn that much about them after all.

Still I will read more when I have heard they are better, and I do want to know what is going to happen. I just hope there is no more from her brother's POV, or that I will start liking him. Because Kaaberbol knows how to write, and keep up the suspense.

The Shamer's Daughter - Lene Kaaberbol

The Shamer's Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol
The Shamer Chronicles, book 1

Pages: 240
Genre: fantasy
Ages: 9-14
Published: 2004

One step, two steps, a slow, writhing waddle, its head lowered, no more than a foot or so off the ground…onward it came,…the long, long body curved like a winding river, huge and glittery…Almost the worst of it was the slowness…I could see its pale yellow eyes clearly now. Slowly it raised its head, swaying from side to side...

Dina stands transfixed in the pit of alligator-dragons she must cross to rescue her mother in the labyrinthine castle of the wicked Lord Drakan. Three people have been murdered by someone, and Dina's mother has been summoned to confirm the guilt of young Nico, who was found standing over the bodies with bloody hands. She is a Shamer, and to meet her gaze means confronting all the shameful acts one has ever committed. Yet she finds no guilt in Nico, and will not accuse him, although Drakan is strangely, and menacingly, insistent that she do so. Dina has inherited her ability, but finds it alienates her from everyone in the village. She longs for just one friend who will look her in the eyes. But now Drakan has threatened to use his dragons to execute her mother publicly on the morrow, and Dina must find allies to save her.

(Good reads blurb)

I had seen this one around, and then I saw the books in the library. On the youth side and I was like now, but then I thought later on why not. Why not read because I think I am too old to read something meant for 9-14 year olds. Never read any Danish fantasy so I gave it a shot.

What a short and easy read, the book took now time at all. I could have finished the whole series in a short period of time, but I decided to read something else in the mean time. It was a good book, it kept me interesting, some danger moments, like when the dragon bit her, and she is running from the law. But not too much danger, and I would give this to my kids if I had any. it does suit everyone too. And it wasn't too simple to read for a grown-up. Kaaberol has done good with this one.

I like her gift, if she looks people in the eyes she can see their shame, she can also make them feel shame by using her voice. That is why her mum gets called in, to find a murderer cos she would see it in his eyes. But this doesn't turn out as she had wished, and then Dina comes there too. It has a good evil character in Drakan, he is totally without shame, and cannot be touched by their power then.

I will read the rest of this series too to see how it turns out, and it takes no time at all, so I like that. I now understand why I managed to read so many books as a kid.

So different to review books like this, so i don't know what to say. But good easy book.

Now back to Midsummer for me, enjoying my holiday.