Lord of the Fading Lands; C.L. Wilson

Lord of the Fading Lands is the first book in author C.L. Wilson's ongoing Tairen Soul series. The second novel is Lady of Light and Shadows, the fourth book comes out in June of this year. This novel was published in October 2007 by Leisure, which is an imprint of Dorchester Publishing. The reader needs to know upfront that this series has more in common with science fiction and fantasy series in that the hero & heroine's storyline isn't resolved in this novel. Meaning, the love relationship between the h/h is not resolved in this book. In the romance genre the norm is to have the relationship between the h/h wrapped up by the end of the first novel even when the overarching plot continues in the next novel. All of that being said, I really enjoyed this novel, the world and the characters and the cultures.

The magic race of Fey, who live in the Fading Lands, are long lived yet close to extinction. Hopscotch over the human filled country of Celieria to Eld, land of mages and the Fey's archenemy. The mages are plotting, manipulating the humans, stirring the pot as it were. Ms. Wilson has set her world up so that you have: race wars, intolerance fueled and abetted by religion, a new type of 'soulmate', scheming queens and lots of other fascinating stuff. Fortunately the series appears to be long enough to weave all of these threads together.

Rainier vel'En Daris, Feyreisen, is traveling to Celieria City. The Fey send one diplomatic mission annually, under most circumstances the Feyreisen doesn't go. The dire circumstances and a prophetic vision impel him. Rain is desperate to save this people, so he goes. Ellysetta Baristani is a Celierian young woman living with her family in the capitol city. She is not their biological child, but an orphan they found and raised as their own. Due to her age and the Celierian culture, her parents try to force her into a marriage she doesn't want. Until Rain shows up and puts paid to that idea.

Ellysetta is Rain's truemate- a concept introduced by Christine Feehan in the Carpathian series, but called soulmates. Ms. Wilson's concept of truemates is slightly different: the woman, despite her 'destined' status as the other half of the hero's soul, must be courted. Wooed. Her family and their wishes must be taken into account. If she doesn't or can't accept the truemate bond, she can't be forced or coerced. In fact Fey males compete with each other in reference to courting rituals and wooing. I loved that aspect- that the men compete over wooing, to show their respect for and love of, a woman. Women as honored and respected partners- not woman as conquest, object of love, one who must be impelled to accept the male.

This book does the world building. Outlines the characters, their background and motivation and outlook. Foreshadowing of events to come in the next books. Possible internal conflicts in main characters.

Best quote: "mind what you wish for, the Gods may grant it."

Image found on Fantastic Fiction.