Kristie J’s review of Eidolon (Wraith Kings, Book 2) by Grace Draven
Fantasy Romance published by Balestra Publishing 18 Apr 16
Last year Radiance got a lot of good buzz in the romance world. I was one of those saying how good and unique it was. So when the next book Eidolon came out, it was a given I’d be reading it too. I think the first book needs to be read in order to ‘get’ this one.
In the first book, we meet Brishen, the second son and a member of the Kai race. Because he’s the second son and his older brother is destined to be king, Brishen is the ‘spare.’ His only real use is a political alliance through marriage. And the one who has been chosen to wed him is Ildiko of the Gauri race. While related to the king, she is also good mainly as a means of political alliance. But Brishen and Ildiko of are two different races and while each is attractive to their own race, they are repellant to each other. But both want it to be a successful marriage and they become very good friends, as they see past the outer exterior and fall in love with the inner person. Brishen’s mother is a very evil witch, and after she caused them much trouble, they have settled down to their lives as prince and princess of a minor section of the kingdom. Eidolon picks up not long after Radiance ends, and things are not going well.
This book opens with a horrific scene. In order to gain more power, Brishen’s mother releases a very vicious and deadly force, the galla. After being set loose, they attack and kill/eat everything in sight, starting with the royal palace. The only survivor is a baby girl, the granddaughter of the king and queen. Since she was the only royal who escaped the carnage, she is now the queen. In ultimate irony, the evil queen, the one who released the galla, is destroyed by them. As the horde spreads out destroying everything in their path, the nursemaid and two guards escape and begin to make their way to Brishen’s holding, along with all survivors of the galla, the terrifying demon-like creatures that have been released.
At the same time Brishen and Ildiko have heard of the release of the galla and the destruction they are wreaking. They both do what needs to be done to protect their own kingdom, as well as the horde of Kai that will be coming to them for sanctuary. They know the galla will be the destruction of all the races, not just the Kai. If that weren’t enough of a burden, they don’t know of the survival of the very small new queen, so as things stand to their knowledge, Brishen is now king. Because they are of two different races, Brishen and Ildiko are unable to have children, and because Brishen is the last of the royalty and the Kai people won’t accept Ildiko as queen, she knows they must part.
They are completely in love and Brishen refuses to even consider it, Ildiko is his only peace in this time of terror. The only way to defeat the galla, because they cannot be killed, is to become a Wraith, which means his mortal body needs to die to release his spirit body. Because the galla are so powerful and continuing to grow in numbers, there needs to be more than just Brishen as Wraith. So along with housing the ever-growing number of refugees making their way to his holding, appeasing the upper echelons of the Kai who are jockeying for power with the new king, Brishen has to work out treaties with the other races and ask for volunteers to take in ridding the land of the galla by agreeing to become Wraiths as well.
This is a fast-paced, intense fantasy. The romance aspect was stronger in the first book when Brishen and Ildiko were falling in love. But never fear, those, like me, who need romance in their stories, there is still a strong and physical connection between Brishen and Ildiko as they are challenged by outside forces. Brishen is forced to take on the role of leader and king, a position he never wanted. Ildiko, as his wife and consort, also takes on roles she never expected.
A number of years ago, fantasy was my reading of choice, but it’s been a long time since it was. This book, and Radiance, make me wonder why it took so long. I’m delighted to recommend this story.
Grade: A
Summary:
In a bid for more power, the Shadow Queen of Haradis unleashes a malignant force into the world. Her son Brishen, younger prince of the Kai royal house, suddenly finds himself ruler of a kingdom blighted by a diseased darkness. His human wife Ildiko must decide if she will give up the man she loves in order to save his throne.
Three kingdoms on the verge of war must unite to save each other, and a one-eyed, reluctant king will raise an army of the dead to challenge an army of the damned.
A tale of alliance and sacrifice.
View a trailer excerpt.
Other books in this series:
