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.

Summers at Castle Auburn; Sharon Shinn

Ok, I'm falling way way behind here. This is my last June write up, then I've gotta get going with the July books. Procrastination is my middle name. Summers at Castle Auburn was published by Ace in 1991. Link to author's website in the title above. Nowadays it can most often be found in the young adult section. Cover image courtesy Fantastic Fiction.
For those of us who have no idea where Cotswold England is, here's a map courtesy of Cotswold PC. Ms. Shinn has set this novel in the Cotswolds area, albeit way back in the mists of alternate history.

Coriel and Elisandra Halsing are what contemporary folks would call half siblings. Unfortunately, Coriel was born on the wrong side of the blanket, so she was pretty much left with her granny until her father dies. Then her uncle convinces Coriel's wise woman granny to allow Coriel to spend the summers with him and his niece Elisandra at the seat of power: Castle Auburn. Elisandra has been betrothed to Prince Brian Ouvrelet since they were infants. Appearances are deceiving with Elisandra, beware coming to quick conclusions. Bryan is what he seems, unfortunately. Selfish, petulant, manipulative and cruel Bryan is destined to become the next King when he reaches his majority in several years. Kent Ouvrelet is Bryan's cousin, nurtured from the cradle to the responsability and duty of his position. Currently that seems to be mainly smoothing over ruffled feathers in Bryan's wake.

Coriel is the odd girl out. The reader benefits from her perspective as the outsider, but her lack of knowledge of some of the hidden currents of political and social events colors our perceptions. Through her eyes we watch events unfold over the summers: alliances made and alliances weakened, the young folks grow and change. More reckless, more aware, creating public personas, each person develops over the course of the years. Could Coriel be more unaware of the feelings of those who love her? Could the reader have seen it coming sooner? Finally the denoument arrives. Decisive actions and far reaching choices must be made. What happens to Coriel and Elsisandra makes for fascinating reading.

Very highly recommended.

The Queen in Winter Kurland, Shinn, Delacroix and Monette

This anthology of romance tinged fantasy was published back in 2006 by Berkely and includes works by Lynn Kurland, Sharon Shinn, Claire Delacroix and Sara Monette. I also read the previous fantasy romance anthology, To Weave a Web of Magic. I think this one is stronger than the previous one, but I don’t own it any longer and direct comparison is therefore impossible.

A Whisper of Spring by Lynn Kurland is s short story set in the kingdom of Neroche. Symon the mage must rescue Iolaire the elfin maid. I couldn’t help but picture Liv Tyler as the elfin maid, which enhanced my reading I think. For me this story is very visual, and it unfolded neatly.

When Winter Comes by Sharon Shinn showcases a small kingdom slowly being dragged into civil war. Sisters Annie and Sosie and Annie’s baby Kinnon must flee their family home and search for refuge. Along the way they make friends and find answers. Set in the same world as the 12 Houses series.


The Kiss of the Snow Queen by Claire Delacroix is a unique take on the Merlin trapped in a cave myth. I found a secondary character named Loki the most compelling. I pictured him as Michael Fassbender(image at left) who plays Azizeal on the tv series Hex. And I’m thrilled to discover Ms. Delacroix is writing a paranormal series featuring fallen angels.

A Gift of Wings by Sarah Monette is a heartfelt exploration of the painful effects of post traumatic stress syndrome on the loved ones of those who suffer emotional and physical trauma, all wrapped up in a cabin mystery.

Of the stories I thought Ms. Monette’s is the strongest both in terms of emotional content and plot. It is one of the few stories I’ve read recently where the female lead convincingly carries the relationship. The other story that impressed me was the one by Ms. Shinn. I regret to say I’ve not read her Samaria series. I just can’t seem to get around the visual of folks with wings, I guess. The other two stories are well done, but I felt each one had individual elements that stood out against the background.

Goddess of the Rose; P.C. Cast

Written by P.C. Cast Goddess of the Rose was first published by Berkley in 2006. I have read two of the other books in the Goddess Summoning series and I like them all. Review of Goddess of Spring HERE. Ms.Cast's heroines are smart and capable without beating the reader or the hero with it- a trait I find lacking elsewhere.

Mikado Empousai is an ER doctor who lives and works in Tulsa Oklahoma. Her all consuming hobbies are raising roses and volunteering at the local municipal rose garden. One night after a blind date with a guy who makes snap judgements about people based on what they read (!!!), Mikki is transported to the Realm of the Rose under Hecate's domain. Let's just say she breathes new life into an all women all the time locale desperately in need of regular care.

The beast, meanwhile, has haunted Mikki's thoughts and dreams since she was in Tulsa. Exactly how she ended up in the Realm with him puzzles her at first. After Mikki gets her bearings, though, her attraction to him returns in full force. First she must save the roses, then find the love starved ladies a little companionship then maybe she'll have time for the beast.

The Beast actually has a name, and a cool one at that. Unfortunately for him he has a long history of mistreatment and neglect which affects how he reacts to Mikki. Apparently the sins of the father are visited upon the son even in the Realm of the Rose. Luckily for all- Mikki's there to save the day.

Looking beyond the superficial to the substance underneath is always insightful. Dropping a stone in a pond causes ripples- watching the ripples and how they effect changes in the pond and along the shore is fun too. Mikki is the stone dropped into the pond. Will the pond be positively or negatively effected?

Highly recommended. Keeper.


Corrected: Sept. 30, 2008 ~ As the anonymous poster below kindly pointed out, I was mistaken thinking Mikado Empousai is an ER doctor. On page twenty of the copy I used for research, Ms. Cast writes, "..executive assistant for the director of nursing services at St.John's Hospital .." (Goddess of the Rose, P.C. Cast, Berkley Publishing Group, NYC NY; ISBN 0425208915) I appreciate the chance to set the record straight.




Image found at Barnes and Noble

Stronger Than Magic, H. Cullman

Stronger Than Magic was written by Heather Cullman and published by Topaz in 1997. I found STM on a list of fairy or fantasy related romances. I can't remember exactly which site, most likely All About Romance. A list of Ms. Cullman's work can be found HERE.

Alys Faire has been trapped in the fairy world trying to earn her way back to life within the mortal realm. Back in the day she was the proverbial "fairest of them all"- but she was also shallow, vain and manipulative and contributed to the death of the fairy king's son. As punishment she must learn her lesson and she can return to the mortal world. Alys is one hell of a slow learner, because she's been stuck with the fairies for five hundred years.

Finally she gets a turn on earth playing matchmaker for one Lucian Warre, Marquess of Thistlewood. Echoes of Alys' original misdeed echo down through time as Lucian's suffering is a direct result of Alys' previous behavior. It's payback time for little Alys. Lucian is a decorated soldier just back from the War. As such he's a little of a control freak, a little rigid and very much a difficult case for a matchmaker. At least, I would think so. Alys, however, figures this couldn't be so hard- decorated war hero, wealthy. No prob. right? The matchmaking mamas in London will be all over him.

Naturally anything involving the Faeries is more complicated than it first appears. I was pleased to see that both Lucian and Alys evolve into better people. Alys most especially. I thought Alys' sidekick Hedley Bragg was a riot. Every main character needs a buddy who deliberately messes everything up and yet also one who's there for him/her when the chips are down. This being a romance the requisite HEA is there. Stronger Than Magic will make it onto the temporary keeper shelves and I'll likely read it again before the end of the year to see of I still want to keep it.