|
Browse categories
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
Absolutly fantastic, 18 Aug 2008
This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its plot will have you stuck to the sofa making you unable to put it down until you've gotten to the end. I wasn't sure about it at first but after starting to read i couldn't stop. I now look very forward to reading the other books in the immortal series.
Good but not fantastic, 28 Jul 2008
I have read all of the Immortals After Dark series and each one was really well written with excellent character development, well handled action scenes and super charged eroticism. However, it is not surprising that after five (or six if you include the anthologised story) smashing stories the standard would drop eventually.
This book is not bad, it just isn't up to Kresley Cole's usual standard. The romance seems rushed, even forced and although there are plenty of fun moments - the action scenes are as good as ever - and there are the usual array of fascinating denizens of of the Lore, it is not enough to cover a somewhat floppy plotline.
That said, I am still glad I bought the book (I just don't re read it like I do the Wroth brother stories)
Great story, bit short in the ending but still great..., 28 Jul 2008
I loved this book. I was not convinced that I would enjoy this book considering the lack of Vampires or Lycans but Cade the rage demon really made me change my mind.
Cade is a rage demon who has spent 9 centuries being punished for losing his borthers crown, and Holly doesn't know it yet but she is a halfling (half human, half Valkerie). We know from the previous IAD books that Cade believes her to be his mate, but thinking she was fully human she was forbidden to him. Cade has seemed very superficial in previous IAD books but this latest story has done well to portray him as just in his reserved and stand-offish nature. I also love that Holly is not perfect. She utterly flawed and wonderfully quirky.
One of the main advantages to the world Cole has created, is that it's diverse, full of different species, laws, mythologies, characters and locations. But the added bonus is that she show's no partiality to any of them. The Immortals After Dark Series is building up to the "Ascension", a war that occurs every 500 years. It pits species against species, forces new alliances and does what it's supposed to - thins out the Lore population. Each book in Cole's IAD series is a prequel to the war yet to come and demonstrates how the different species are aligning, that the line between good and evil is very blurred and that anything can and will happen. I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out, and I cannot wait to get to the Ascension....
I would thoroughly recommend this book from Kresley Cole. It's fast paced, well written and doesn't seem forced or cliched. Enjoy...
A very nice addition to the serie, 07 Jun 2008
I enjoyed this book very much even if it is not as much action as the first ones in the serie. The characters are special: a demon, the first in the serie and a girl that is very far from the typical heroine. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the rest of the book was well developed and very much worth reading.
Something Missing, 02 Jun 2008
Having read and loved all the books in this series up until now, I was left a little disappointed by this one. It is written to the same high standard as the previous instalments, but I felt there were some serious flaws in the plot which stopped me enjoying the story.
(Spoilers!) The main problem with the story is that the relationship between the two main characters - the focal point of all these books - seemed hollow and forced here. This is principally because for the first 9/10ths of the book the plot relies on the fact that Cadeon fully intends to hand over Holly to an evil sorcerer who wants to impregnate her and use the child for evil, in exchange for a magical sword which can kill his brother's enemy. Despite the fact that he changes his mind at the very last minute, the fact that he was willing to hand over Holly for most of the book, despite supposedly loving her, makes him seem extremely callous and selfish. The reasoning behind his plan always seemed somewhat flimsy, vague and insubstantial, relying on the justification that he simply had 'no choice' - a fact which was plainly untrue.
In light of this, both Cadeon and his brother Rydstrom come across as being rather unworthy heroes, and I found myself actively disliking them. Finally, the book comes to an unsatisfying conclusion, with Holly hastily - and unbelievably - forgiving Cadeon for handing her over to an evil sorcerer to be his slave. Though he feels guilty for doing it, I thought his intentions soured the relationship from the beginning. Unlike Cole's other books which I have wholeheartedly enjoyed, this one left a bad taste in my mouth, and feeling a bit let down. I would recommend every book in the series but this one, and I hope the next one in the series is back to Cole's high standard.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
Absolutly fantastic, 18 Aug 2008
This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its plot will have you stuck to the sofa making you unable to put it down until you've gotten to the end. I wasn't sure about it at first but after starting to read i couldn't stop. I now look very forward to reading the other books in the immortal series.
Good but not fantastic, 28 Jul 2008
I have read all of the Immortals After Dark series and each one was really well written with excellent character development, well handled action scenes and super charged eroticism. However, it is not surprising that after five (or six if you include the anthologised story) smashing stories the standard would drop eventually.
This book is not bad, it just isn't up to Kresley Cole's usual standard. The romance seems rushed, even forced and although there are plenty of fun moments - the action scenes are as good as ever - and there are the usual array of fascinating denizens of of the Lore, it is not enough to cover a somewhat floppy plotline.
That said, I am still glad I bought the book (I just don't re read it like I do the Wroth brother stories)
Great story, bit short in the ending but still great..., 28 Jul 2008
I loved this book. I was not convinced that I would enjoy this book considering the lack of Vampires or Lycans but Cade the rage demon really made me change my mind.
Cade is a rage demon who has spent 9 centuries being punished for losing his borthers crown, and Holly doesn't know it yet but she is a halfling (half human, half Valkerie). We know from the previous IAD books that Cade believes her to be his mate, but thinking she was fully human she was forbidden to him. Cade has seemed very superficial in previous IAD books but this latest story has done well to portray him as just in his reserved and stand-offish nature. I also love that Holly is not perfect. She utterly flawed and wonderfully quirky.
One of the main advantages to the world Cole has created, is that it's diverse, full of different species, laws, mythologies, characters and locations. But the added bonus is that she show's no partiality to any of them. The Immortals After Dark Series is building up to the "Ascension", a war that occurs every 500 years. It pits species against species, forces new alliances and does what it's supposed to - thins out the Lore population. Each book in Cole's IAD series is a prequel to the war yet to come and demonstrates how the different species are aligning, that the line between good and evil is very blurred and that anything can and will happen. I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out, and I cannot wait to get to the Ascension....
I would thoroughly recommend this book from Kresley Cole. It's fast paced, well written and doesn't seem forced or cliched. Enjoy...
A very nice addition to the serie, 07 Jun 2008
I enjoyed this book very much even if it is not as much action as the first ones in the serie. The characters are special: a demon, the first in the serie and a girl that is very far from the typical heroine. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the rest of the book was well developed and very much worth reading.
Something Missing, 02 Jun 2008
Having read and loved all the books in this series up until now, I was left a little disappointed by this one. It is written to the same high standard as the previous instalments, but I felt there were some serious flaws in the plot which stopped me enjoying the story.
(Spoilers!) The main problem with the story is that the relationship between the two main characters - the focal point of all these books - seemed hollow and forced here. This is principally because for the first 9/10ths of the book the plot relies on the fact that Cadeon fully intends to hand over Holly to an evil sorcerer who wants to impregnate her and use the child for evil, in exchange for a magical sword which can kill his brother's enemy. Despite the fact that he changes his mind at the very last minute, the fact that he was willing to hand over Holly for most of the book, despite supposedly loving her, makes him seem extremely callous and selfish. The reasoning behind his plan always seemed somewhat flimsy, vague and insubstantial, relying on the justification that he simply had 'no choice' - a fact which was plainly untrue.
In light of this, both Cadeon and his brother Rydstrom come across as being rather unworthy heroes, and I found myself actively disliking them. Finally, the book comes to an unsatisfying conclusion, with Holly hastily - and unbelievably - forgiving Cadeon for handing her over to an evil sorcerer to be his slave. Though he feels guilty for doing it, I thought his intentions soured the relationship from the beginning. Unlike Cole's other books which I have wholeheartedly enjoyed, this one left a bad taste in my mouth, and feeling a bit let down. I would recommend every book in the series but this one, and I hope the next one in the series is back to Cole's high standard.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.
In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.
Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.
Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.
It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.
Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.
The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!
KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!
I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!
reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves
Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!
First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...
KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!
KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)
I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!
C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.
Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.
If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.
Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!
Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.
The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?
I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.
Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
Absolutly fantastic, 18 Aug 2008
This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its plot will have you stuck to the sofa making you unable to put it down until you've gotten to the end. I wasn't sure about it at first but after starting to read i couldn't stop. I now look very forward to reading the other books in the immortal series.
Good but not fantastic, 28 Jul 2008
I have read all of the Immortals After Dark series and each one was really well written with excellent character development, well handled action scenes and super charged eroticism. However, it is not surprising that after five (or six if you include the anthologised story) smashing stories the standard would drop eventually.
This book is not bad, it just isn't up to Kresley Cole's usual standard. The romance seems rushed, even forced and although there are plenty of fun moments - the action scenes are as good as ever - and there are the usual array of fascinating denizens of of the Lore, it is not enough to cover a somewhat floppy plotline.
That said, I am still glad I bought the book (I just don't re read it like I do the Wroth brother stories)
Great story, bit short in the ending but still great..., 28 Jul 2008
I loved this book. I was not convinced that I would enjoy this book considering the lack of Vampires or Lycans but Cade the rage demon really made me change my mind.
Cade is a rage demon who has spent 9 centuries being punished for losing his borthers crown, and Holly doesn't know it yet but she is a halfling (half human, half Valkerie). We know from the previous IAD books that Cade believes her to be his mate, but thinking she was fully human she was forbidden to him. Cade has seemed very superficial in previous IAD books but this latest story has done well to portray him as just in his reserved and stand-offish nature. I also love that Holly is not perfect. She utterly flawed and wonderfully quirky.
One of the main advantages to the world Cole has created, is that it's diverse, full of different species, laws, mythologies, characters and locations. But the added bonus is that she show's no partiality to any of them. The Immortals After Dark Series is building up to the "Ascension", a war that occurs every 500 years. It pits species against species, forces new alliances and does what it's supposed to - thins out the Lore population. Each book in Cole's IAD series is a prequel to the war yet to come and demonstrates how the different species are aligning, that the line between good and evil is very blurred and that anything can and will happen. I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out, and I cannot wait to get to the Ascension....
I would thoroughly recommend this book from Kresley Cole. It's fast paced, well written and doesn't seem forced or cliched. Enjoy...
A very nice addition to the serie, 07 Jun 2008
I enjoyed this book very much even if it is not as much action as the first ones in the serie. The characters are special: a demon, the first in the serie and a girl that is very far from the typical heroine. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the rest of the book was well developed and very much worth reading.
Something Missing, 02 Jun 2008
Having read and loved all the books in this series up until now, I was left a little disappointed by this one. It is written to the same high standard as the previous instalments, but I felt there were some serious flaws in the plot which stopped me enjoying the story.
(Spoilers!) The main problem with the story is that the relationship between the two main characters - the focal point of all these books - seemed hollow and forced here. This is principally because for the first 9/10ths of the book the plot relies on the fact that Cadeon fully intends to hand over Holly to an evil sorcerer who wants to impregnate her and use the child for evil, in exchange for a magical sword which can kill his brother's enemy. Despite the fact that he changes his mind at the very last minute, the fact that he was willing to hand over Holly for most of the book, despite supposedly loving her, makes him seem extremely callous and selfish. The reasoning behind his plan always seemed somewhat flimsy, vague and insubstantial, relying on the justification that he simply had 'no choice' - a fact which was plainly untrue.
In light of this, both Cadeon and his brother Rydstrom come across as being rather unworthy heroes, and I found myself actively disliking them. Finally, the book comes to an unsatisfying conclusion, with Holly hastily - and unbelievably - forgiving Cadeon for handing her over to an evil sorcerer to be his slave. Though he feels guilty for doing it, I thought his intentions soured the relationship from the beginning. Unlike Cole's other books which I have wholeheartedly enjoyed, this one left a bad taste in my mouth, and feeling a bit let down. I would recommend every book in the series but this one, and I hope the next one in the series is back to Cole's high standard.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.
In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.
Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.
Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.
It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.
Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.
The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!
KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!
I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!
reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves
Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!
First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...
KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!
KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)
I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!
C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.
Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.
If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.
Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!
Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.
The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?
I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.
Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
woo!, 07 Oct 2008
I thought this series would be a trilogy, but guess what it's going to continue, more hints and revelations of Kaylin's future.
I really didn't want to put this book down. Now can't wait for Cast in Fury!
Recommend these books, 10 Jul 2008
Having recently decided to give a few new authors a try & I'm glad I chose Michelle Sagara as one of these. After reading her first three offerings of Kaylin Neya, I am anxiously awaiting her next book and this can't come quickly enough!!
Interesting..., 08 Jul 2008
Cast in Secret follows on a few days after the second book in the series, Cast in Courtlight. In this instalment a prophetic dream so strong that all of the Oracles even the apprentices receive the same vision, the end of life itself. One very powerful Oracle focuses on Kaylin and begins painting a picture of her on his wall. He is so powerful that he is disabled by his gift. He doesn't speak, he doesn't sleep and he doesn't react like a normal person, his only form of expression is drawing and painting so Kaylin and co. have to determine who or what could be behind this and how to stop it.
Kaylin learns more about the Tha'alani, a telepathic race who can search a person's memory which most find unnerving including Kaylin, and to a lesser extent the Dragons and the Oracles. Kaylin sees Severn in a slightly different light as a Wolf instead of as a Hawk but also how he approaches the Tha'alani - without fear and with a little envy I think. She also learns more about herself, and of the others that have had the marks she has. We are introduced to the elements earth, air, fire and water with the emphasis on water but I won't go into this as I don't want to give anything away.
In every book so far (this is the third - the first being Cast in Shadow and the second, Cast in Courtlight) Kaylin has been working through her harrowing past and has been trying to move on. We see her grow not just in her power but as a person and that for me made this an interesting read.
There is still plenty of danger surrounding Kaylin especially since it looks like she will be meeting the Dragon Emperor soon. I really enjoyed learning about the Tha'alani, and their history as a people, they are a very interesting race. This series is progressing really well and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Cast in Fury.
Not as good as the previous but still good, 29 Nov 2007
I think that Cast in Secret was a bit of a let down. It is still a really well written and an excellent read. It just doesn't have the depths that the previous two did, we don't find any more hidden depths to Kaylin and Severn's path, we find out more about her hatred of the tha'alani, but they freak me out too and it was nice that she was vulnerable to another species that she couldn't or wouldn't just pull out her daggers on.
It sounds like I'm being negative and I'm not, I really enjoyed this and would have given it an easy five, but the previous two are superior.
another exciting read, with yet more to come..., 21 Nov 2007
From the back:
"Still avoiding magic whenever possible, Corporal Kaylin Neya (actually she's still a Private and stays a private...) relished investigating a regular theft case once again. Until she found out the mysterious box taken from Elani Street, where the mages and charlatans mingled, and it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between the two. But she was hoping this might be a mundane case - when in the back room Kaylin saw a lost-looking girl in a reflective pool... who called out Kaylin's name.
Shaken, Kaylin tried to stay focussed on the case in hand. But since the stolen item was ancient, without a keyhole, and held tremendous darkness inside, Kaylin knew unknown forces were again playing with her destiny - and her life..."
This follows on from Cast in Courtlight by only a few days and is pretty relentless in pace. A hell of a lot happens, with the principle players being Kaylin, Severn, the dragon Lord (although Tiamaris from the first book reappears) and the Tha'alani (Ybelline from the first book is a key player here). Lord Nightshade continues to interfere and Kaylin is maybe gaining some wisdom, at last. We learn a tiny bit more about Severn, although he remains mostly the capable, enigmatic, strong, all-knowing character we already know. I read this too fast, and will re-read it soon. I gather from the web that there are two more books planned, and I look forward to them. These are good books, with strong characters, complex plots, and enough mystery to keep you reading and wanting more.
|
|
|
 |
|
Lord of the Fading Lands
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
|
*Amazon: £2.38
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
Absolutly fantastic, 18 Aug 2008
This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its plot will have you stuck to the sofa making you unable to put it down until you've gotten to the end. I wasn't sure about it at first but after starting to read i couldn't stop. I now look very forward to reading the other books in the immortal series.
Good but not fantastic, 28 Jul 2008
I have read all of the Immortals After Dark series and each one was really well written with excellent character development, well handled action scenes and super charged eroticism. However, it is not surprising that after five (or six if you include the anthologised story) smashing stories the standard would drop eventually.
This book is not bad, it just isn't up to Kresley Cole's usual standard. The romance seems rushed, even forced and although there are plenty of fun moments - the action scenes are as good as ever - and there are the usual array of fascinating denizens of of the Lore, it is not enough to cover a somewhat floppy plotline.
That said, I am still glad I bought the book (I just don't re read it like I do the Wroth brother stories)
Great story, bit short in the ending but still great..., 28 Jul 2008
I loved this book. I was not convinced that I would enjoy this book considering the lack of Vampires or Lycans but Cade the rage demon really made me change my mind.
Cade is a rage demon who has spent 9 centuries being punished for losing his borthers crown, and Holly doesn't know it yet but she is a halfling (half human, half Valkerie). We know from the previous IAD books that Cade believes her to be his mate, but thinking she was fully human she was forbidden to him. Cade has seemed very superficial in previous IAD books but this latest story has done well to portray him as just in his reserved and stand-offish nature. I also love that Holly is not perfect. She utterly flawed and wonderfully quirky.
One of the main advantages to the world Cole has created, is that it's diverse, full of different species, laws, mythologies, characters and locations. But the added bonus is that she show's no partiality to any of them. The Immortals After Dark Series is building up to the "Ascension", a war that occurs every 500 years. It pits species against species, forces new alliances and does what it's supposed to - thins out the Lore population. Each book in Cole's IAD series is a prequel to the war yet to come and demonstrates how the different species are aligning, that the line between good and evil is very blurred and that anything can and will happen. I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out, and I cannot wait to get to the Ascension....
I would thoroughly recommend this book from Kresley Cole. It's fast paced, well written and doesn't seem forced or cliched. Enjoy...
A very nice addition to the serie, 07 Jun 2008
I enjoyed this book very much even if it is not as much action as the first ones in the serie. The characters are special: a demon, the first in the serie and a girl that is very far from the typical heroine. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the rest of the book was well developed and very much worth reading.
Something Missing, 02 Jun 2008
Having read and loved all the books in this series up until now, I was left a little disappointed by this one. It is written to the same high standard as the previous instalments, but I felt there were some serious flaws in the plot which stopped me enjoying the story.
(Spoilers!) The main problem with the story is that the relationship between the two main characters - the focal point of all these books - seemed hollow and forced here. This is principally because for the first 9/10ths of the book the plot relies on the fact that Cadeon fully intends to hand over Holly to an evil sorcerer who wants to impregnate her and use the child for evil, in exchange for a magical sword which can kill his brother's enemy. Despite the fact that he changes his mind at the very last minute, the fact that he was willing to hand over Holly for most of the book, despite supposedly loving her, makes him seem extremely callous and selfish. The reasoning behind his plan always seemed somewhat flimsy, vague and insubstantial, relying on the justification that he simply had 'no choice' - a fact which was plainly untrue.
In light of this, both Cadeon and his brother Rydstrom come across as being rather unworthy heroes, and I found myself actively disliking them. Finally, the book comes to an unsatisfying conclusion, with Holly hastily - and unbelievably - forgiving Cadeon for handing her over to an evil sorcerer to be his slave. Though he feels guilty for doing it, I thought his intentions soured the relationship from the beginning. Unlike Cole's other books which I have wholeheartedly enjoyed, this one left a bad taste in my mouth, and feeling a bit let down. I would recommend every book in the series but this one, and I hope the next one in the series is back to Cole's high standard.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!, 13 Oct 2008
In part one: Lord of the Fading Lands, a woodcarver's daughter called Rain Tairen Soul from the sky and a courtship begun.
In part two: Lady Of Light And Shadow, the courtship continues as a fierce battle knocks on Celierian doors and secrets reveal themselves.
Now in part three, King Of Sword And Sky, Rain takes his Shei'tani to his homeland where new challenges lie for Ellysetta. Enter a new world where Fey gather to meet the Shei'tani of a Tairen Soul, a Tairen pride that roars their welcome and the battle that becomes more violent and more grim with each passing day.
Like a bard of old times C.L. Wilson has once again raised her voice to tell another story in her Tairen Soul series and one thing's for sure, many will gather to hear it! As I started to read the first page of KING OF SWORD AND SKY I was walking back into the vibrant world of the Fading Lands and met the characters that I came to treasure in Lord Of The Fading Lands and Lady Of Light And Shadow.
It didn't take much for me to be completely absorbed in this tale as it takes off right where Lady Of Light And Shadow had left me. On a fivefold weave and on Tairen back I was led deeper into a world that took my breath away. The almost lyric prose of C.L. Wilson combined with a highly imaginative writing skill made me wander in a deserted Elven town, visit the Fey' Bahren and was in awe of the Hall of Scrolls. Though the author takes time to make the reader see all the splendor of her world it is the plot and a plethora of memorable characters that never lets your attention falter and only makes you wish for more. Four hundred and sixty-seven pages and they go by in the blink of an eye.
Of course Rain vel 'En Daris and Ellysetta Baristani are the main couple and their true mate bond that needs to gain in strength. Doubts and concerns are their ever present companions but they also get to feel beauty, share each other's joy and wonder. Their bond and feelings just echoed in my heart as I read the pages, hoping for all the good things but knowing a bond is not just forged in good times. It is in the troubled times that the trials will test the bond's strength. It also makes the love shine stronger and the magic of the true bond brighter. I don't know if I can capture the words to describe this soaring romance that makes my heart response with all my emotions. There are moments that gave me goose bumps from what I "saw" in my mind's eye, filled my eyes with tears and made my heart leap in joy. The author has a gift to evoke it all with the reader and she will make you care for each Fey and Tairen.
The Fey warriors are a sight to behold and the Tairen pride is impressive in their loyalty and playfulness. Belliard, Gaelen, Kiel and Kieran are all present but I also got to meet new Fey and Tajik vel Sibboreh is one that will demand your attention with his gruff but loyal attitude. The diversity in their natures and magic is what made me want to get to know all of them and makes me understand Elly all the more in her decisions. But if there is one character that had me from the first moment I met her it is Steli. She is Tairen and considers herself to be the first blade, the fiercest defender of the pride. She is loyal, knows no shame and will bleed for you in protection. Her very nature just brings a bright smile to my face and this tale became that much richer with her in it!
KING OF SWORD AND SKY enters the next stage of the story and it will affect many characters, will become more dire and sacrifices must be made! The good versus evil element is superbly executed by C.L. Wilson and drives me to keep turning the pages, no matter what hour, what needs to be done or who's calling. With every book in her Tairen Soul series she delivers a tale of otherworldly proportions and is a symphony of exquisite writing. It combines a rich and dazzling cast of characters, who are led by a dynamic pair that scorches the pages with their profound love and is framed by a plot that keeps you firmly set is this world. Submerged in this tale, in this world, the sum of its parts leads to awe inspiring romance, a page devouring battle and the image of Fey warriors that shout: `Mei'felani. Bei'santi. Nehtah, bas desrali. Live well, love deep. Tomorrow, we die.' burned in the mind's eye!
I cannot praise this series high enough for it is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance! In the end C.L. Wilson masterfully leads the reader to yet another action driven ending that makes you feel sad to leave the Fading Lands and count the day's until Queen Of Song And Soul is released.
Romantic Fantasy has never been so exhilarating to read...or so addictive!
reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves
Stunning, 13 Oct 2008
KING OF SOUL AND SKY is the third installment of C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series, with the final installment due out in June 2009. If you haven't yet started this series, you really must go back to LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and start there...I promise it won't disappoint!
First of all, if anyone out there is unsure as to if they should continue or even start this series, all I'm going to say is visit C. L. Wilson's website, read the extracts and let the beautiful writing and exquisite storyline speak for itself...
KING picks up where LADY left off; with Ellie and Rain making their way to the Fading Lands, where Ellie will have to try and figure out what is killing the Tairen kitlings, discover the true extent to her own powers and where they come from, and last but not least complete her soul bond with Rain, who will succumb to madness if she does not. Needless to say, there is a lot happening in this book, and is the longest one yet of the series-I for one am not complaining! Wilson really has a way with words, making her characters seem very realistic, so much so that you will fall in love not just with the self-doubting Hero that is Rain, but the minor characters as well! This series has been a joy to read, and in KING we get a look at the Fading Lands and the Fey, and an even closer look at the horrific schemes and clever plotting of the 'baddies', who will actually send a shiver down your spine...just as the characters, landscape, relationship stories and love scenes are described with wonderful skill and detail, so it is also true for the darker aspects to the book. You learn more about Ellie's parents and the full extent of the horrors and tortures they have been put through for 1000 years...I can only hope there is some sort of happy ending for them!
KING sees Ellie grow and develop even more as a character, and as a consequence so does her relationship with Rain deepen and mature. Her life is not all fun and games once she is behind the Mists however, and we see her cope with more trials in the Fey lands.
KING definitely cannot stand alone, and I would really recommend that you catch up on LORD and LADY before you start off, because Wilson starts off with a page-turning pace and maintains it throughout. There is a certain amount of closure at the end of the novel however, so do no fear that you will be left completely hanging! I for one cannot wait for the release of QUEEN :)
I would recommend this series for fantasy, romance, and paranormal fans. Truly worth a go, and would be a good series to start with if you are new to fantasy scene!
C.L. Wilson does it again!!!!, 09 Oct 2008
King of Sword and Sky continues straight after the previous book and what an engaging read it is. If you liked the previous two books in the series this story will not disappoint.
Ellie is still learning the arts of magic and trying to come to grips with the vast power that she has inherited. The shock of losing her mother and leaving her father and sisters in Telon are weighing heavily on her shoulders. After travelling from Celieria city to the outskirts of the Fading Lands Ellie and Rain's first trial is to go through the faering mists. Which proves to be just as hard as they both thought it would be. There she'tanista bond is still not complete and the Eld, in secret are mustering there troups for an invasion. The Tairen cubs are dying in there eggs and it is up to Ellie to find the answer. The High Mage of Eld is a vile person and the lengths he goes to to achieve victory are shocking and extreme. I found the introduction of the Tarien to be wonderous.
If you like paranormal romance and romantic sagas and have not read this wonderful series by C.L. Wilson I would suggest you buy it.
Patience is rewarded!!!, 07 Oct 2008
As noted, I had to be particularly patient whilst waiting for book no. 3 to reach me. I kept nos. 1 and 2 handy to refresh my memory, and no. 3 is well worth the wait. As the previous reviewer notes, Ellie does sometimes leap before she looks, but with the very best of intentions. The "baddie" is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but I found myself morbidly fascinated by all his (quite repulsive in parts)deeds of wickedness. However, I'm sure Rain and Ellie and assorted supporting players will overcome his horribleness. Got to go - few more chapters to read - I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, ghoulishness, and acts of derring-do. FABULOUS!!!!!
Third in Tairen Soul series, 01 Oct 2008
C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.
The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?
I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.
Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
woo!, 07 Oct 2008
I thought this series would be a trilogy, but guess what it's going to continue, more hints and revelations of Kaylin's future.
I really didn't want to put this book down. Now can't wait for Cast in Fury!
Recommend these books, 10 Jul 2008
Having recently decided to give a few new authors a try & I'm glad I chose Michelle Sagara as one of these. After reading her first three offerings of Kaylin Neya, I am anxiously awaiting her next book and this can't come quickly enough!!
Interesting..., 08 Jul 2008
Cast in Secret follows on a few days after the second book in the series, Cast in Courtlight. In this instalment a prophetic dream so strong that all of the Oracles even the apprentices receive the same vision, the end of life itself. One very powerful Oracle focuses on Kaylin and begins painting a picture of her on his wall. He is so powerful that he is disabled by his gift. He doesn't speak, he doesn't sleep and he doesn't react like a normal person, his only form of expression is drawing and painting so Kaylin and co. have to determine who or what could be behind this and how to stop it.
Kaylin learns more about the Tha'alani, a telepathic race who can search a person's memory which most find unnerving including Kaylin, and to a lesser extent the Dragons and the Oracles. Kaylin sees Severn in a slightly different light as a Wolf instead of as a Hawk but also how he approaches the Tha'alani - without fear and with a little envy I think. She also learns more about herself, and of the others that have had the marks she has. We are introduced to the elements earth, air, fire and water with the emphasis on water but I won't go into this as I don't want to give anything away.
In every book so far (this is the third - the first being Cast in Shadow and the second, Cast in Courtlight) Kaylin has been working through her harrowing past and has been trying to move on. We see her grow not just in her power but as a person and that for me made this an interesting read.
There is still plenty of danger surrounding Kaylin especially since it looks like she will be meeting the Dragon Emperor soon. I really enjoyed learning about the Tha'alani, and their history as a people, they are a very interesting race. This series is progressing really well and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Cast in Fury.
Not as good as the previous but still good, 29 Nov 2007
I think that Cast in Secret was a bit of a let down. It is still a really well written and an excellent read. It just doesn't have the depths that the previous two did, we don't find any more hidden depths to Kaylin and Severn's path, we find out more about her hatred of the tha'alani, but they freak me out too and it was nice that she was vulnerable to another species that she couldn't or wouldn't just pull out her daggers on.
It sounds like I'm being negative and I'm not, I really enjoyed this and would have given it an easy five, but the previous two are superior.
another exciting read, with yet more to come..., 21 Nov 2007
From the back:
"Still avoiding magic whenever possible, Corporal Kaylin Neya (actually she's still a Private and stays a private...) relished investigating a regular theft case once again. Until she found out the mysterious box taken from Elani Street, where the mages and charlatans mingled, and it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between the two. But she was hoping this might be a mundane case - when in the back room Kaylin saw a lost-looking girl in a reflective pool... who called out Kaylin's name.
Shaken, Kaylin tried to stay focussed on the case in hand. But since the stolen item was ancient, without a keyhole, and held tremendous darkness inside, Kaylin knew unknown forces were again playing with her destiny - and her life..."
This follows on from Cast in Courtlight by only a few days and is pretty relentless in pace. A hell of a lot happens, with the principle players being Kaylin, Severn, the dragon Lord (although Tiamaris from the first book reappears) and the Tha'alani (Ybelline from the first book is a key player here). Lord Nightshade continues to interfere and Kaylin is maybe gaining some wisdom, at last. We learn a tiny bit more about Severn, although he remains mostly the capable, enigmatic, strong, all-knowing character we already know. I read this too fast, and will re-read it soon. I gather from the web that there are two more books planned, and I look forward to them. These are good books, with strong characters, complex plots, and enough mystery to keep you reading and wanting more.
lord of the fading lands, 17 Jul 2008
what can i say i know this is really bad but if i picked this book up in a bookstore and saw the cover i would of put it straight back on the shelf...looks a bit corny and not something i would usually go for, im so glad that i read this though, what can i say other than it is amazing!
As soon as you start reading thats it you cant put the book down, it has everything you could ask for, love, passion, action, magic, good versus evil. Its one of those books that keeps on surprising you the only thing that i will say that if you do buy this book be prepared to not have a social life for the next few days and also to buy the 2nd one the lady of shadows the same time, i did not do this and it was horrible to have to wait for the next one to arrive!
I have three sisters and they are all hooked too!
Totally loved it!, 05 Jun 2008
This is an absuloubtly fantastic book, and despite my initial reservations "Oh no, another fantasy romance hybrid that's bound to bore me to tears" I was utterly blown away by the world, the storytelling, and the characters.
This is a story where fantasy and romance go together so perfectly that it simply wouldn't be able to exist if one of them were missing. The sexual tension of this book is brilliant, I loved all the characters, really came to care for them and the world, and just couldn't stop reading. I can't wait to read the next thing, and my only dissapointment with the series so far is that the third book isn't out yet, so I'm going to have to wait for it to be released.
Exciting new Author, 27 Feb 2008
What can I say that has not already been said about this exceptional book?
I am so glad that I brought Lord of the Fading Lands. I received the book at approx. 2pm and finished it the next morning at 2.30am. Waited one day then re-read the whole book again. Yes, Lord of the Fading Lands is a book that once you start reading it you can not put it down. You just have to keep turning the pages to find out what is going to happen to Rain, Ellysetta and their fantastic supporting cast.
This book is a delightful addition to the genre and I highly recommend it. Some of the elements that comprises this book are an epic love story, great warriors, good verus evil with well writen sex scenes to top it all off. I ordered the second in the duology as soon as I finished the first book.
Happy reading.
bEST BOOK I'VE READ IN AGES, 17 Feb 2008
This book has everything in it to keep you flipping through each page. It has magic, romance, etc. Amazing from the first page o the last.
A refreshingly different take on the alpha male scenario, 10 Jan 2008
I bought this book because it kept on appearing on my recommended list. I'm glad I did - the plot line was engaging and refreshing. In fact the concept was strong enough that the idea of a alpha male claiming his mate was bordering on a secondary to the world in which it is based - I found it fascinating and I'm awaiting the arrival of it's sequel. I'd also be really interested to hear if CL Wilson decides to write fantasy being the main genre and the romance secondary. Her writing style is such that I think she's make a fantastic pure fantasy writer.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Awful Hero, 22 Sep 2008
Regardless of everything else in the book (which wasn't awful but wasn't great either) I can't give this book more than a one star review because the hero sexually assaults the heroine within the first couple of chapters of the book.
In my opinion there is no justification for sexual assault and therefore I could not enjoy this book.
Sexy, romance-fantasy-horror novel, 25 Aug 2008
This was my first foray into this genre. I must say, I was initially put off by the cover as it looked like one of those novels that desperate or under satisfied women read - and to be fair...it was - as it jumped right into the passion pit within the first ten pages. BUT...it was well written with a good story line and great character development that made you understand the feelings / agendas of each individual. I liked the author's style of letting readers into the thoughts of the two main characters at important moments. I did think Emma held out a bit too long in satisfying her desires, and Lachain was a bit overly sensitive to her reluctance for a sex-starved, middle ages type Scotsman. As well, there were a couple of storylines that went unanswered (Lucia & Garreth and Furie) - maybe in a sequel. Other than that, I liked the book for what it was and would recommend it to adults who like this genre.
Scorching sex scenes, 21 Aug 2008
I was unsure when I first started reading this book. I am no prude, I like the ocassional sex scene, but this book from page one is sex on legs!
Yet despite my initial reservations, a plot materialises and the heroine becomes a stronger and more powerful character, and the hero becomes softer and more noble.
There is one sex scene that is the hottest I have ever read - so be sure to have your partner near to hand!
If you are a prude when it comes to sex scenes, then this is not the book for you.
lord protect us from americans in scotland, 18 Aug 2008
well-lets cut to the chase: its not the most original idea-conflicted unsure Virgin vampire with un tapped talents meets incredibly handsome bit of rough for mutual admiration and some incredibly trite self examination-and a bit of nookie
However-if you have ever acyually met a scotsman/visited scotland-the great hilarity id the go at a written scottish accent.its one of the best bits of comedy i have read in a while.
the descriptions are of a chocolate box (think St Andrews golfing holidays)What no rain? lots of Occh-does not a highlander make.
Och now then lassie can ya no do betta than that?
VERY DISSAPOINTED!!, 12 Aug 2008
I cannot believe how on earth this book gained such good reviews! I am an avid reader of all sorts of paranormal vampire romance, it is by far my favorite genre, and usually I trust the amazon reviews, but this book does NOT deserve all these good reviews unless I suppose you have never read another novel in your life and you have no point of comparison, but the without wanting to go in to the MANY reasons why I think it's so bad, I just felt it was my duty to balance out this totally undeserved score. The book reads like a australian surfer girls idea of gothic, there is too much smart ass cliche, too much focus on the whiny girls feelings, not enough story developement, you wait for them to get together for ages, and when they finally do, you don't understand how it happened, or what pushed the decision to be made in the first place. It's just awful, cliche, terrible, and I hate being negative but honestly, don't waste your money, and go buy J'R Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series instead!!!
Absolutly fantastic, 18 Aug 2008
This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its plot will have you stuck to the sofa making you unable to put it down until you've gotten to the end. I wasn't sure about it at first but after starting to read i couldn't stop. I now look very forward to reading the other books in the immortal series.
Good but not fantastic, 28 Jul 2008
I have read all of the Immortals After Dark series and each one was really well written with excellent character development, well handled action scenes and super charged eroticism. However, it is not surprising that after five (or six if you include the anthologised story) smashing stories the standard would drop eventually.
This book is not bad, it just isn't up to Kresley Cole's usual standard. The romance seems rushed, even forced and although there are plenty of fun moments - the action scenes are as good as ever - and there are the usual array of fascinating denizens of of the Lore, it is not enough to cover a somewhat floppy plotline.
That said, I am still glad I bought the book (I just don't re read it like I do the Wroth brother stories)
Great story, bit short in the ending but still great..., 28 Jul 2008
I loved this book. I was not convinced that I would enjoy this book considering the lack of Vampires or Lycans but Cade the rage demon really made me change my mind.
Cade is a rage demon who has spent 9 centuries being punished for losing his borthers crown, and Holly doesn't know it yet but she is a halfling (half human, half Valkerie). We know from the previous IAD books that Cade believes her to be his mate, but thinking she was fully human she was forbidden to him. Cade has seemed very superficial in previous IAD books but this latest story has done well to portray him as just in his reserved and stand-offish nature. I also love that Holly is not perfect. She utterly flawed and wonderfully quirky.
One of the main advantages to the world Cole has created, is that it's diverse, full of different species, laws, mythologies, characters and locations. But the added bonus is that she show's no partiality to any of them. The Immortals After Dark Series is building up to the "Ascension", a war that occurs every 500 years. It pits species against species, forces new alliances and does what it's supposed to - thins out the Lore population. Each book in Cole's IAD series is a prequel to the war yet to come and demonstrates how the different species are aligning, that the line between good and evil is very blurred and that anything can and will happen. I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out, and I cannot wait to get to the Ascension....
I would thoroughly recommend this book from Kresley Cole. It's fast paced, well written and doesn't seem forced or cliched. Enjoy...
A very nice addition to the serie, 07 Jun 2008
I enjoyed this book very much even if it is not as much action as the first ones in the serie. The characters are special: a demon, the first in the serie and a girl that is very far from the typical heroine. The ending was a bit abrupt, but the rest of the book was well developed and very much worth reading.
Something Missing, 02 Jun 2008
Having read and loved all the books in this series up until now, I was left a little disappointed by this one. It is written to the same high standard as the previous instalments, but I felt there were some serious flaws in the plot which stopped me enjoying the story.
(Spoilers!) The main problem with the story is that the relationship between the two main characters - the focal point of all these books - seemed hollow and forced here. This is principally because for the first 9/10ths of the book the plot relies on the fact that Cadeon fully intends to hand over Holly to an evil sorcerer who wants to impregnate her and use the child for evil, in exchange for a magical sword which can kill his brother's enemy. Despite the fact that he changes his mind at the very last minute, the fact that he was willing to hand over Holly for most of the book, despite supposedly loving her, makes him seem extremely callous and selfish. The reasoning behind his plan always seemed somewhat flimsy, vague and insubstantial, relying on the justification that he simply had 'no choice' - a fact which was plainly untrue.
In light of this, both Cadeon and his brother Rydstrom come across as being rather unworthy heroes, and I found myself actively disliking them. Finally, the book comes to an unsatisfying conclusion, with Holly hastily - and unbelievably - forgiving Cadeon for handing her over to an evil sorcerer to be his slave. Though he feels guilty for doing it, I thought his intentions soured the relationship from the beginning. Unlike Cole's other books which I have wholeheartedly enjoyed, this one left a bad taste in | | |