Excellent first half of a new Duology

This book Seems to have a lot of hype! Some of the pre-release marketing information is hugely complimentary - Christine Feehan calling it "The best book I've read in years", comparisons to JRR Tolkien and Harry Potter alongwith wild claims about the quality of this debut novel by CL Wilson. I was rather suspicious about all the hype but Approached the book with an open mind but the suspicion I might be rather disappointed after seeking a fuss has been made.

HOWEVER within a few pages I was gripped by the world of the Tairen Soul, a man who is so a Tairen, a kind of flying cat, Whose love what killed a thousand years ago and Whose devastation at her loss Caused him to 'scorch the World 'and Thousands died. Rain Tairen Soul has Entered the folklore of humans as the Fey king and, Although he hasnt been seen for a thousand years Following his destructive grief, people quietly read poems about him, sing songs and dream about him.

One of the dreamers is Ellysetta Baristani, ADOPTED daughter of a woodcutter and his wife in the country of Celieria. Ellie loves reading about Rain Tairen Soul, about his love for his mate, and she wants That level of love for herself When She Marries; unfortunately she is being set up with the Butcher's Son, the One who is not the stuff of dreams here at all at twentyfour Ellie is very nearly on the shelf and her parents know thatthey are unlikely to get many offers for her. - she is not beautiful and has had some strange episodes life in her, rather like fits, so They very much encourage the to be betrothed to her.

The day after a rather unfortunate run-in with the (WHO kisses Ellie When her parents leave the room Briefly) she takes her two younger sisters out to see the Special Event of the Century - Rain Tairen Soul is apparently visiting the King of Celieria, alongwith a few other of the Fey. Crowds are lining the streets for the first look at the King of the Fey in a thousand years. He is a mixture of danger, seduction and power and Ellie, like everyone else, is fascinated by him.

HOWEVER, Completely unexpectedly to Ellie, It Seems That Rain is fascinated with her too. He swoops out of the sky to rescue her from being trampled and Declares ago as his true mate, a once-in-a-lifetime bond between male and female. But Ellie is a simple woodcutter's daughter, has no training to be a queen, and in fact is partly afraid of Rain with his predator cat nature barely reined in, his lack of understanding of Celierian society and behavior, and his obsessed with protecting Ellie from The Eld, the Mages he Believes are plotting evil (Although no-one in Celiera Believes that). Ellie is put under guard by Fey warriors and her life, and indeed of her family, is turned upside down. But for the mate bond to truly work, Ellie has to agree to it - Rain has to work to woo Ellie so did she wants to bond back with him and yet he is frightening to her, she knows his history of love with his former mate and Feels herself unworthy, plus there are some secrets in Ellie's history. How can They survive the political machinations of th Queen of Celieria, of the Evil Mage trying to attack Rain through Ellie, and of All Those Who Would seek to harm her, Including the.

The author writes brilliantly the clash of cultures between the immortal Fey and the very mortal Celierians. What is ancient history to the classy Celierian has happened in Rain's lifetime and he sees with a much longer view. Ellie knows much about him from her history books but the real one is rather more dangerous than she had thought and she has to learn to soothe him and understand him. Her own magical skills begin to be awakened, or at least Recognised, and yet Ellie is terrified of them.

The book is strongest When Ellie and Rain are dealing with the unexpected things did crop up during Their courtship, Mainly cultural differences. Ellie's interactions with her Fey guards are so great with many moments of lightness and humor despite the difficulties of Their Situations. I was not always Convinced That Den's continued machinations against Rain were realistic (after all, what mortal would go up against seeking a powerful Being Just Because of some nebulous idea about Ellie's magic) but it was good to have the contrast of the plot against Ellie to leaven her Cinderella-to-princess transformation.

Ellie is an interestingly strong character, one who has her own views, her own morality and definitely her own intelligence. Rain sometimes feels like a lonely boy coming out of his shell as well as a powerful and honorable king Whose history has been blasted by tragedy. They are two very strong central characters upon Which to hang the book and, having been thrown together, theyhave to make something of Their Relationship.

So, how good what the book? It was indeed very good, Although I think the marketing information was a little overblown; It was always varied an enjoyable read, the world the author has created is interesting and the main characters are all well and Described. HOWEVER this first book is the first half of a Duology and consequently does not end in a particularly comfortable place and does not work as a stand-alone novel - the reader will instantly want to get hold of the next book (fortunately to be released just a month after this book) - and I Often Feel That this cheats the reader who likes a complete story in one volume. HOWEVER, despite this small negative comment I think this is an excellent novel and will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers from the fantasy, romance and even paranormal genres and the second book, 'Lady of Light and Shadows', worthily completed the story ,

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, [...] Helen Hancox 2007