"Xylara is the Daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders. Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. She can't usurp her brother or negotiate a peace--but she can heal the brave ones injured in battle.
But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara's conscience won't let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She learns their language and their customs and tries to make them as comfortable as possible, despite their prisoner-of-war status. She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. Xylara knows must trade the life she has always known for the well-being of her people, and so she becomes the... Warprize."
Rating: Excellent - 5 stars
I heard great things about this book last year and the subsequent novels in the trilogy. I decided to read it but had a difficult time acquiring Books 1 & 2. I don't think anyone turned theirs in to a UBS. I ended up ordering them from Amazon. It was well worth it.
I'm not fussy on novels narrated in the first person, but I try not to let that discourage me from trying new authors because I learned last year to keep my mind open. I just hate to think that I would never have read Jennifer Armintrout or Rachel Vincent or Elizabeth Vaughan.
This story was excellent - I was immediately caught up into the fantasy world and couldn't put the book down. Xylara, called Lara in the book, sacrifices her life and freedom for the safety of her people when the enemy Warlord, Keir, demands her as a tribute. She is fearful and believes she will become a slave but is surprised when she is treated quite well. I really enjoyed the two cultures learning from each other and their surprise at the differences in their traditions. I'll be starting Book 2, Warsworn, soon. I highly recommend this series.
Excellence Factor: Excellent - 5 stars
Steaminess Factor: romantic to slightly sensual
Total Books Read: 50
HARL - 30
Other - 20
TBR Challenge totals: 12 out of 50 (24%)
26-April-2008
~ ElleJay - Team member of Novel Obsession
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the pleasure is having lots to do and not doing it!
Hi ElleJay,
I'm sooo excited to see you read and Loved this book! I absolutely Loved it as well!
There was just the one spot in book#1 where i wasn't sure i was going to like the H, and i really wanted to hurt him, "LOTS", but it ended up being a huge misunderstanding, so i forgave him, then proceeded to fall head over heals for him. YUM!
Kathy D
Hey Ellejay - glad you enjoyed this
I really enjoyed the trilogy too
Hi Kathy
nearly time for Phury
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
No more excuses, just READ!
Elizabeth Vaughan has
Elizabeth Vaughan has written a wonderful trilogy. Each one of these books had excellent stories. Her books are now autobuys for me.
She has another book just out this month and I will be getting it, of course. Ms Vaughan returns to that world with this novel which is called Dagger-Star!
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Hi Sadhbh! I can't wait!
Hi Sadhbh! I can't wait! I have it pre-ordered.
Hi Shelley, I also had Dagger Star pre-ordered, and it's here waiting for me to get to it. Soon i hope.
Kathy D
I've been looking for this book
for quite awhile now... I have the next two, but I really don't want to read them out of order ~ especially if I can help it!
And like you ElleJay, since last year's challenge and the number of rave reviews that I read, this has been on my list... now all I have to do is come across the book! LOL
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Don't start it without
Don't start it without book#1 Kathy, it won't be the same imo. Book #1 starts the story off, and the preceeding books are characters we've met along the way...I think it would'nt be near as good out of order.
Kathy D
KathyD is right!
It is hard to find used - after months of searching I ended up getting it thru Amazon.
~ ElleJay - Team member of Novel Obsession
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the pleasure is having lots to do and not doing it!