Gwen’s review of King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul Series, Book 3) by C.L. Wilson
Fantasy (romance) released by Leisure Books 30 Sep 08
Well, damn. You know that feeling when you’ve read a book that just blows you completely away, and you don’t want to read another one for a little while so you don’t ruin the buzz? Well I had that feeling for about a week after I read this book. I. Was. THAT. Blown. Away.
I don’t gush often. Very few books (or movies or anything really) strike me as worthy of a gush. But let me gush for a little bit on this book. The first two books were good, but this one was GREAT. With the first two, I bemoaned the lack of forward momentum. It seemed like we were reading about every little detail of these peoples’ lives for a LOT of pages (they’ve all been long books). This book definitely didn’t lack forward momentum. In fact, I couldn’t put it down for almost two days straight. The tot wanted to know what I was reading that had me breathless, I was that engrossed.
I won’t give any spoilers except to say that in the beginning of the book we are still waiting for Ellysetta to complete the soul bond with Rain. This bond will make Rain and Elly strong and nearly impervious to the dark influences in both their lives. This inability to complete the bond lent a heartbreaking note to this couple’s relationship. It kept me grounded in what little bit of reality was possible with a series set in an alternate world full of magic and supernatural beings.
Elly matures and evolves in King. Her character begins as the rather small, former mortal and, by the end of the book, becomes so much more. I am sincerely in awe of how she grows thru the book. I can’t wait to see what she does in the fourth entry. It should just blow our socks off.
There are many twists and turns in King. I never quite knew how sub-arcs were going to turn out. I love it when an author is able to surprise me. I love it even more when I want to read ahead but I don’t dare because I might miss something. My eyes were literally glued to the page, one after another, consuming this book in large chunks.
If you aren’t following this series, I don’t recommend starting with this one. The story is involved, full of detail past and present, and because it’s so much fun to read, why would you NOT read the earlier books.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy – it’s a terrific fantasy novel, even without the romantic elements, which are present but in a perfectly delightful way, are not the key driver of the book. It’s a fresh, new twist of these genres. I loved it.
Grade: A+
Read all the TGTBTU reviews and info of this series by following the Tairen Soul Series tag.
Summary:
Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
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I so love this series too, Gwen. My favorite of all time now!
I love this series, too, sure hard to wait until June to see what happens next.
I just read the first book in this series. I really enjoyed it — except for the ending. It just seemed like it ended with no resolution of any of the plot threads going on at that time. Does that happen again in the second/third books? Just curious.
I know there will be some cliffhangers, but I guess I expected more of the plot threads to be tied up at the end of book 1.
I kept book one until I had book two and then read them, it works better I think. I wonder if they were one book that the publishers spilt due to length. I am now keeping book three until book four comes out and the suspense is killing!
I did like this series and read the 1st 2 books earlier in the year. Will keep an eye out for this one it sounds great!
You’re right, Helen. The original book started out as a 1,000-page manuscript. Dorchester split it in two and immediately contracted C.L. to write two more — postehaste. So the story definitely continues over the four books. You really don’t get a true ending any of the first three. If you’re one who likes to have things tied up at the end of a book, you need to have all four in hand before you begin reading! To me, though, these books are so beautiful, it doesn’t matter that I have to have for the next one. I’m happy with what I get right now.
So the series is only going to be four books then? Just wondering.