Shannon C.’s review of Eyes of Fire (Mylari Chronicles, Book 1) by C.J. England
Fantasy romance eBook released by Samhain Publishing 2 May 08

I love a good fantasy romance. And I have mentioned elsewhere that I like the trope of chick from our world wanders into fairyland. So I was fully expecting to enjoy the first book in the Mylari series. Unfortunately, while the external plot was interesting enough to me that I am almost tempted to follow this series, the romance left me really cold.

Actually, “really cold” is a vast understatement. I hated the romance so much that I was tempted to create a drinking game of it. Every time Calion, our elven prince hero, gets unreasonably angry, take a sip. Every time Talia, our human heroine, uses her martyr complex, take a sip. Every time Talia mentions that she loves Calion — she figures this out before a quarter of the book incidentally — take another sip.

Yeah, obviously, I didn’t like the hero or the heroine very much. And the fantasy aspect of the book didn’t feel very well drawn. Granted, this could be because I’ve read fantasy far longer than I’ve read romance, so I tend to expect strong world-building and get disappointed when this doesn’t happen. The fantasy realm here felt like cobbled together bits from Tolkien, Mercedes Lackey, and someone’s D&D session.

The plot? Human Talia (a name I couldn’t entirely get past because I was reminded of the protagonist in one of my favorite fantasy novels is restless. She’s always felt there was something more to life than meeting her parents’ expectations. As she contemplates her lonely existance, she’s kidnapped by orcs who take her to the world beyond the Faery mists, where they intend to break an ancient prophecy in the traditional prophecy-smashing way of evil monsters everywhere–by having some human-on-orc action. Before they can get to some serious prophecy-breaking, Talia gets rescued by Calion, the heir to the elvish kingdom.

From here, for the next huge chunk of the book, Talia and Calion vassilate between anger and lust, with Calion saying some asinine thing, Talia crying about it, and Calion vowing he won’t hurt her like that again and making things all better. With his penis. Only to repeat ad nauseum. See, the problem is that humans and elves are forbidden to be together because OMG they’re old enemies. (Humans and elves! Living together! Oh noes!)Somehow, Calion treats this like it’s Talia’s fault, despite her not being from his world, and Talia pretty much lets him bully, badger and humiliate her. This only gets worse when they actually enter elven society.

A few things did work for me. I loved some of the minor characters, particularly Calion’s royal guards. And it was nice for a change to have the male be the one to deny that he’s found his soul-mate, because this seems to never happen.

The rest, though… didn’t so much work for me. I thought Talia was a bit of a martyr wet blanket, and wanted to actively shake Calion for most of the book. I stopped caring about halfway through if they’d get their HEA, and even the forbidden love aspect, which is usually one I enjoy, just seemed a little stupid. And then there’s the fact that one of her characters, described as a man of few words, ends up talking like one of those stereotypical Native Americans they used to show in old Westerns.

I think Ms. England clearly has potential. But I can’t recommend this book. I am however being slightly generous with the grades because I was kind of tempted to see where else she takes this series.

Grade: D+

     Summary:

     The Mylari Chronicles Book 1

     An ancient prophecy comes to life in an erotic tale of forbidden love.

     Talia’s visit home turns upside down when dark, frightening creatures appear seemingly from nowhere and transport her to another world. The faerie world. In this mystical paradise, she finds her life and honor threatened for reasons she does not understand.

     When Calion Sáralondë, Prince of the Calen’taur Elves, rescues the human female from an orcan stronghold, his attraction to her is immediate and strong. And the feeling is mutual. Though their love is sardai—taboo—Calion can’t bring himself to send her back to her world. Her presence sets a fire in his soul only mating with her can tame.

     And their passion could be the answer to an ancient prophecy that saves his world.

     This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.

     Warning, this title contains: Scorching Hot Explicit Sex Scenes, Forced Submission, Adult Language, Violence and Interspecies/World Sexual Situations

     Read an excerpt.