KING OF SWORD AND SKY

Author: C.L. Wilson ISBN: 9780843960594 10/2008 FANTASY Publisher: DORCHESTER/LEISURE

ONLY ONE POWER COULD LEAD THEIR PEOPLE TO VICTORY…TAIREN SOUL The magical tairen were dying, and none but the Fey King’s bride could save them. Rain had defied the nobles of Celieria to claim her, battled demons and Elden mages to wed her. Now, with magic, steel, and scorching flame he would risk everything to protect his kingdom, help his truemate embrace her magic and forge the unbreakable bond that alone could save her soul.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

KING OF SWORD AND SKY, third in C.L. Wilson's Tairan Soul series, following LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS, continues the chronicles of Ellysetta Baristani and her soul mate and husband Rainer vel'En Daris' quest to save his Kingdom and help his true mate save her soul.

In KING OF SWORD AND SKY, Ellysetta travels with Rainer through to the Fading Lands, but is met with anywhere from lukewarm hospitality to downright hostility by the people. She is unfortunately marked by a great evil, Vadim, and many would already have her selling them out to him for her own personal gain.

Ellysetta and Rainer have a steep hole to climb out of; despite his claim that she is his soul mate, many counter that she is using dark arts to bespell him into thinking that. For the Fey she is guilty, and the idea she could be innocent is beyond consideration—she is tainted with Dark Magicks, ergo she is just as bad as Vadim.

You can't go into KING OF SWORD AND SKY without having fully read the first two books in the series. Plenty is explained, but much of the character development of secondary characters were explored in the earlier books, and tensions are carried over from each book as well. The plot is also just as complex, layered with threads that make sense later in the story and mysteries that are flirted with, but left unanswered.

I highly recommend this book, but do yourself a favor and read her other books as well first. With the fourth book (QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS) not being released until next year in June (2009), you have plenty of time to catch up, investigate and be thrilled.

Alexandra Cenni