Veena’s review of The Elf King’s Lady (WildeCoast Saga, Book 2) by Bernadette Rowley
Romantic Fantasy published by Momentum 26 Nov 15
A few years ago close to Thanksgiving, while browsing in Barnes and Noble, I discovered a new author and a fantasy romance series that, for the first time in my life, caused me to reach out to an author and join a fan forum. It was here that I met our very own Sandy M and eventually found my way to this pond. So when I saw this book and read the back blurb, I was transported back in time, but, unfortunately, my imagination took me to a high that was impossible to achieve in the actual reading of the story.
Alique and Kain have a distant relationship born of mutual respect for the other’s position. Yet they find themselves unlikely allies when news of an attack on her family’s farm throw her under his protection. As Alique proves herself a lot stronger than a fair maiden in need of protection, Kain finds himself thawing toward her and ultimately admiring and then caring for her, particularly when they are thrown into forced captivity together.
The black elves are enemies of Thorius, and unbeknownst to him, Kain might have elven blood and, in fact, might even be heir to a black elven princedom. Kain finds himself shaken as his foundation is ripped away from him, leaving him adrift. From being the general of the armies of Thorius, standing at the right side of the Monarch, he’s the son of one of their gravest enemies. As he tries to navigate his way through a mire of emotions and distrust, Alique becomes one of his few temporary anchors.
In the meantime, Kain’s sister and her bosom companion have come to recruit him to their side while their enemies are attempting to neutralize and eliminate him. As the body count and distrust mounts, it’s not clear who’s going to come out the winner. Alique, meanwhile, cleaves to Kain even as he tries to distance himself from her. But when she’s gravely injured, he’s the only one who cares enough to see her restored.
While it is entirely my own fault for starting in the middle of a series, I think the author does an adequate job of tying the threads so I did not feel totally adrift. But as the story comes to a conclusion, there are many questions still unanswered, all of which I suppose will be answered as we move along. I did enjoy how the trees in the forest spoke to Kain and how he was able to enjoy telepathic conversations with his sister, but, overall, I found the story a good but somewhat unremarkable and not enough to make me a fan of the author or the series.
Grade: C
Summary:
In the midst of a war between elves and men, two unlikely companions find love. But in this battle of ages, can they defy the very blood that courses through their veins?
The human kingdom of Thorius is once again under threat from the dark elven menace. General Kain Jazara has sworn to protect Thorius from all danger, magical or otherwise – but first he must rescue the highborn family of alluring healer Lady Alique Zorba.
Thrown together in their quest to save Alique’s family, and eventually themselves, from the merciless elven clan, the pragmatic General and the impulsive Lady Alique discover an undeniable passion. But when Kain’s world is torn apart by a personal revelation, he turns his back on both Alique and his homeland.
Can Kain find a path back to love and victory in time? Or will he allow revelations from his family’s mysterious past to destroy his relationship, his happiness, and his kingdom?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
