Audio Book Review: A Ripple In Time by Victor Zugg

This is a fair time travel adventure.

A Ripple in Time
A Historical Novel of Survival
Written by Victor Zugg
Narrated by Sean William Doyle

Run Time 7h 26min
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Time Travel
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
A struggle for survival in a time long past.
It started as a routine Miami to Charlotte flight for the passengers, crew, and Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason. But a freak storm over the Atlantic propels the airliner unexplainably back in time to the early 18th century. They find themselves on the sparsely populated coast of the Carolina Colony. Charles Town is the only English settlement of any size in the area. It’s an inhospitable place of vast plantations, slavery, hostile natives, tall ships, and marauding pirates.
Finding a way back, if that’s even feasible, is the least of their worries. These unintended time travelers quickly find themselves ill-equipped for hardships and dangers not faced for centuries. Perils loom at every turn in this world of loss, anguish, filth, and sweat.
Foreigners in their own land, can they survive and adapt? Is it even possible for these modern transplants to carve an existence from this foul and odorous place in time?
Stephen Mason will find a way or die trying.

Review:
Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason is accustomed to flying “incognito”. He is called in last minute to cover a routine flight from Miami to Charlotte. The first hour of the flight is fine but then there are dark clouds and a strange storm flash. The plane has lost navigational tools and, more disturbing, the crew cannot locate any familiar airfields, or cities, on the ground. The pilot attempts to land in the water somewhere off the coast of Carolina.

As survivors of the crash gather, Mason, a former Delta Force warrior, begins to access the skills and attitudes of those around him. Some are cooperative and helping, while others are looking out for only their own interests. One young woman is a history student who adds a wealth of information to their situation. When native Indians appear to the survivors Mason is pretty sure that somehow they have landed in the past. No one really wants to believe that they won’t be rescued soon or find a modern city within a short distance. Clearly, they are in trouble, not only with natural survival, but facing possible hostile natives, and likely being branded as witches if they travel into the primitive town.

The story seems simplistic at times but rather suspenseful at others. The characters are not well developed and even Mason doesn’t seem to be a clear leader. Still, I liked the historical details (or conjectures) and I enjoyed following the successes and failures of the struggles of this small band of survivors. There is a light romance which is a little stilted. The author delivers a twist toward the end that at least gives this a hopeful ending.

I read this as a stand-alone but now see this is the first of a trilogy. I’m not sure I am invested enough with the characters to read more. We’ll see. (A boxed set on audio became available January 2022.) I do think fans of time travel and Colonial American history might want to try this.

Audio Notes: I am glad I had this in audio as it is an easy, quick way for me to listen. I wasn’t overly impressed with the narration by Sean William Doyle. When I relisten to the sample, I still find his voice and portrayals to be flat. It didn’t particularly hurt the reading but didn’t enhance it either.

Source: March 2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Pathfinder's Way - A Novel of the Broken Lands by T.A. White

I devoured this fantasy novel full of action and intrigue.

Pathfinder's Way
A Novel of The Broken Lands
Written by T. A. White
Narrated by Christa Lewis

Broken Lands Series, Book 1
Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
Release Date: January 18, 2017
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

The Trateri are about to learn a vital lesson of the Broken Lands. Deep in the remote expanse where anything can happen, it pays to be on a pathfinder's good side. Nobody ventures beyond their village. Nobody sane, that is. Monstrous creatures and deadly mysteries wait out here. Luckily for the people she serves, Shea's not exactly sane. As a pathfinder, it's her job to face what others fear and find the safest route through the wilderness. It's not an easy job, but she's the best at what she does. When the people she serves betray her into servitude to the Trateri, a barbarian horde sweeping through the Lowlands intent on conquest, Shea relies on her wits and skill to escape, disguising herself as a boy to hide from the Warlord, a man as dangerous as he is compelling. After being mistaken as a Trateri scout during her escape, Shea finds herself forced to choose between the life she led and the possibilities of a new one. Her decision might mean the difference between life and death. For danger looms on the horizon, and a partnership with the Warlord may be the only thing preventing the destruction of everything she holds dear.

Review:
Shea went through rigorous training and testing to become a Pathfinder. As such, she knows the monster creatures in the dangerous lands she explores and maps. Unfortunately, Shea has been assigned to a highland community that is led by men who disdain her guide skills and blame her for their own shortcomings. Only one or two men truly recognize and support Shea, and she is glad when they join her missions.

Shea and a handful of men are sent to rescue two young men, one the son of a village elder, who ventured off to a town in spite of warnings. During the rescue efforts they discover other men waiting to be executed. All of the men are released, and the strangers help Shea and her team escape pursuit. Shea wonders about these men especially when the apparent leader declares that she will go with him as ‘his possession’.

Shea escapes but the Trateri warlord, Fallon Hawkvale, declares that he will find her again. The Trateri, a people living in the badlands, are pushing in to conquer the lowlands. They would move into the highlands too if they could figure out how to safely get past the mists.

Shea’s village elders send her and their choice of men to negotiate trade routes with a lowland village. The negotiations are going strangely and as the team tries to leave, they discover they have been betrayed. Shea and her team are given as ‘tribute’ to appease the Trateri who conscript them into service. When Shea is recognized, she is held to be delivered to Fallon. Once again Shea is able to escape before Fallon arrives. As she tries to leave camp she is mistaken as a Trateri scout and pulled into a mission.

Shea finds herself fighting monsters alongside men who should be her enemies. Shea has to decide if she is going to make an escape to the highlands or if she is going to remain with the Trateri and maybe find a relationship with the fierce warlord.

I totally love Shea’s skills and her ability to defeat or escape from the monsters. It seems she isn’t the most patient communicator and that creates the friction that gets her into trouble. I also liked Fallon as soon as he appeared even if he is a bit of a chauvinist barbarian. He is intense and intriguing and there is more to him than initially apparent. It was good to see his character modify as a result of his respect for Shea.

I enjoyed the monsters, action and relationship issues in this well-written story. I was drawn in and wanted to keep reading. I look forward to reading more in the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good fantasy and aren’t offended by a 'barbarian' hero.

Audio Notes: Christa Lewis does a very fine job with the narration. She provides clear voices and conveys the personalities of the characters. The narration enhanced my enjoyment.

Source: 12/19/20199 Chirp purchase $1.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet Audio goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Megge of Bury Down by Rebecca Kightlinger

Megge is a complex character in this engaging story of healers ("good witches") in the middle ages.
Megge of Bury Down
The Bury Down Chronicles, Book One
by Rebecca Kightlinger
Narrated by Jan Cramer

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 11-09-18
Publisher: Rowan Moon
Genre: Coming of Age, Historical Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

In thirteenth century Cornwall, young Megge has just come of age to be apprenticed to her mother, the healer of Bury Down. But first, she must accept and vow to protect The Book of Seasons, an ancient tome that holds life-sustaining power harnessed centuries earlier by Murga, the first seer of Bury Down. At her vowtaking ceremony, yearning to accept her inheritance and take her place among her family's long line of healers and seers, Megge reaches for the book. When she touches it, she feels something writhe within it and becomes convinced that the book is cursed and that she too will be cursed if she accepts it.
Despite her mother's pleas to protect the book from the one who would usurp its power, Megge refuses to even look at it. But when a Blackfriar abbot arrives in the village claiming to be under orders to root out heretics, and imprisons the healer for refusing to turn over her "demon's book," will Megge finally summon the courage to take that vow?

Review:
Megge has been born into a family of healers. One line of the family has an ancient Book of Time and the other line has an ancient Book of Seasons. The books contain healing remedies and techniques and words of celestial wisdom written down by the women over the generations. Each new daughter is trained as an apprentice and prepared to take the vow of the women of Bury Down when they reach a certain age.

When Megge goes eagerly to her vowtaking ceremony she is frightened by a sense of evil and burning from the book. She refuses to touch the book again and chooses to follow a different family member who helps to train her first in shepherding and later in weaving. She knows her mother is disappointed in her but doesn’t realize that she is still being trained to take a role in the family legacy.

But some men seek the powers of the books and are willing to challenge the women as ‘witches’ doing the devil’s work in spite of the healing help they have provided in the community. A Blackfriar abbot arrives and is told by jealous young women to hunt out Megge’s mother and aunt. The confrontation puts Megge in a stressed situation as she will have to take some action if she wants to save her family.

The author takes a good portion of the story developing Megge’s character and adding the family history through story telling times. Megge is a young girl who wants to choose her own destiny, not realizing the significance of the family legacy. I liked Megge’s conflicted character and the strong female mentors who helped shape her and give her courage.

The author does a good job of building the mysticism and tension that could easily surround skilled healers in the middle ages. The story reaches a twisted climax and conclusion but leaves open issues for the sequel, The Lady of the Cliffs. I am not a huge fan of coming of the age stories and I am glad this is much more. I enjoyed this one and hope to get the second book at NetGalley too. I recommend this story to readers who like historical dramas with a touch of ancient runes and incantations.

Audio Notes: Jan Cramer is a British born narrator who delivers the Welsh accents wonderfully. The sound is lovely and added to my being immersed in the thirteenth century world. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2020 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020 NetGalley Alphabet goals.

Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank

This retelling of the beginning of the legend of Robin Hood moves quickly and is engaging.

Hood: an Outlaws novella
by M.C. Frank

File Size: 1781 KB
Print Length: 71 pages
Publication Date: January 7, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07ZZJ4JC5
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Meet Robin Hood's band of outlaws. Their story starts with Christmas, a lost love, a hungry town and a robbery.
In this Outlaws novella, Robin Loxley is a tortured young man mourning the loss of his title, his lands and his first love. Tonight, with the help of his close friends, he will get a new name that will live in history, a cat that could care less that Robin happens to be the most brilliant archer in medieval England, and a chance to prove himself by rescuing a lady from a fire.
But this is no ordinary lady...
And that is no ordinary fire...
HOOD is a prequel novella to the beloved bestselling Outlaws series by M.C. Frank.

Review:
Robin is now an outlaw with a small group of followers: John, the big warrior, Tuck, the excommunicated monk, Will, the brother of his heart, and Alis, the lady who learned to fight to survive. The group has rallied around Robin even though he is still trying to figure out how to lead and what to do. His friends have aliases to protect their true identities when in the villages. Now they are toying with giving Robin his own alias.

Each of the characters apparently has a sad history that has landed them together. This novella focuses on Robin’s history through flash-backs to some of the heart-breaking traumas in his past. This occurs while the group faces a bleak Christmas Eve. They are aware that the Sheriff’s men have raided the surrounding villages taking a toll in not only taxes but holiday feasts. Are Robin and his friends willing to risk their lives to retake the bounty and return it to the people?

I enjoy retellings and found this to be a quick, engaging read. I enjoyed the extra development of the characters as well as the action scenes. While staying consistent with the legend that we know, the author provides intrigue and humor in arriving at the famous name. I recommend this to readers who enjoy retellings.

Source: Author pdf March 2020. This qualifies for 2020 Author goal.

Audible Book Review: An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

This is easy listening, but not compelling.

An Easy Death
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Series: Gunnie Rose, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-02-18
Language: English
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Alternate History, Historical Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) delivers the first thriller in a new trilogy that presents a chilling alternate history of the US where everyone believes in magic - but no one is sure whether they can trust it.
After the assassination of FDR in the 1930s, the US collapses and is picked off by the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. We find ourselves in the Southwestern states, now known as Texoma. It is here that the gunnie Lizbeth Rose tries to piece out a life, running security on runs from Texoma across the border to Mexico, where work and prospects are stronger.
When two Russian magicians come looking for a man named Alex Karkarov, they hire Lizbeth to find him or his family, but there are problems: The man they're looking for is dead, but he has a daughter they now need to find, as an ever-growing set of sorcerers and gunnies do not want them to succeed. It's a good thing Lizbeth is a deadly gunfighter; too bad she hates sorcerers, even the ones on whom she has to learn to rely.
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) returns to fantasy in a taut thriller set in a US where magic is an acknowledged truth, but disreputable.
©2018 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

Review:
Lizbeth Rose’s world is an alternate Southwest US because a flu epidemic contributed to a government collapse. This resulted in America being broken up with territories going to Canada (in the north), Mexico (to the south), Russia (in the west) and UK (in the east). Most ‘native’ Americans are frightened and cautious of Russians magicians known as Grigoris.

Lizbeth is a “gunnie” or bodyguard and guide in a bleak, rough land. She has recently suffered a loss of team members after a surprise attack by bandits. Lizbeth isn’t happy when two Russians appear at her door seeking to hire her skills but the fee they offer would allow her some security. She agrees to help them look for a man named Alex Karkarov or his rumored daughter. They fail to tell her the political importance of their mission that other sorcerers are set on preventing their success. Lisbeth and her two clients are repeatedly attacked and Lisbeth has to rely on some of their skills as they travel. But as the journey brings them to the place where the man was killed, it becomes clear that Lisbeth hasn’t told her clients some important facts,

The story moves along a deadly path to the mission’s conclusion. There is quite a bit of violence by gun and magical attacks. Although the journey makes good action, the plot doesn’t seem to present a clear purpose other than introducing gunnie Lisbeth and her alternate world. Lisbeth is a well-developed character which is more than I can say for the background history that led to this alternate US. I found the story interesting entertainment but not compelling towards further books in the series. Readers who like alternate history, magical elements and a strong heroine may want to check this out.

Audio Note: Eva Kaminsky does a reasonable job and did well with the accents. Her rendition of Lizbeth sounded a little older than the character who is (I think) no older than her early 20s. Still, I am glad I had the book to listen to as it was an easy listen.

Source: 12/16/18 November Credit at Audible. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and #SciFiMonth 2019 goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Ethereal Squadron: A Wartime Fantasy (The Sorcerers of Verdun)

I totally enjoyed this alternate history military fantasy.
The Ethereal Squadron: A Wartime Fantasy (The Sorcerers of Verdun)
by Shami Stovall

File Size: 3713 KB
Print Length: 327 pages
Publisher: TCK Publishing (December 26, 2018)
ASIN: B07KWT5BHK
Genre: Action, Historical Fantasy, Historical Military
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

SOLDIERS, SORCERERS, AND MONSTERS...THIS IS WORLD WAR ONE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER IMAGINED IT.
It’s 1916, and the world is on fire.
The Great War has already consumed much of the globe, but a second, secret war between sorcerers threatens to crack it in two. The ruling families of Germany and Austria-Hungary, those with the chill of magic in their blood, will stop at nothing in their quest for power, and they’ve drawn the entire world into a bloody war because of it.
But Florence Cavell—codename Geist—means to stop them. She had to defy her family, cut her hair, and disguise herself as a man to join the legendary Ethereal Squadron: a joint US-UK division of the allied powers’ mightiest sorcerers. Armed with her powerful specter sorcery, which allows her to “ghost” through bullets and barbed wire alike, Geist fights a tireless battle to end the war once and for all.
But then the Germans unleash the Grave-Maker Gas, a concoction so deadly it destroys everything it touches and transforms even the strongest sorcerers into terrible monsters. Even her ghostly magic can’t resist the gas’s corrosive power, and it costs Geist everything she loves—her team, her friends, even the use of an arm.
This is the new weapon that could end the war—and give the Germans the world.
Now Geist must risk it all to lead a new team deep into hostile territory to discover the source of this terrifying new technology before the enemy sets it loose upon the world. Will she be able to stop the Grave-Maker Gas before it’s too late...or will the secrets of her past finally catch up with her?

Review:
Florence Cavell has special specter sorcery skills that come in handy by allowing her to “ghost” through bullets, barbed wire and more. This gained her the code name ”Geist”. All of her Ethereal team mates are named after their powers, and each one has a special skill that helps them succeed as a team. Geist returns from a devastating battle where she learned of a horrendous new weapon in use by the Germans and lost members of her team to the corrosive, skin eating gas.

At first it is hard for even her superior to believe and understand the horror of the Grave-Maker Gas. It is crucial to find a way to combat or stop the gas. She is assigned to lead her new team, including a mysterious man she rescued from the German dungeon, to go behind enemy lines to get more information. Every step they take puts them in danger and challenges their skills. And soon they are facing monster soldiers created through experimentation with blood stolen from other sorcerers.

Initially only one person at the base knows Geist’s true nature but the closer she grows with the team the harder it is to hide not only her sex but also her family background. She is afraid everyone will reject her leadership, if not condemn her, when they discover her secrets.

I very much liked Geist’s character. She is loyal, brave, determined and caring, in addition to being a skilled warrior. Her newest team member, Vergess (Vergessenheit or Oblivion), discovers her secret and it becomes clear that he plans to try to protect her whenever he can. He has secrets of his own and I really liked his strengths and his gentlemanly attitude toward Geist. The team has to work through suspicion and tension while trying to stay alive.

The characters are well defined with their histories shared as the danger ramps up. The story is set in an alternative wartime 1916 Europe. It is creative and action-packed. I was pulled in by the opening action and remained engrossed as the suspense and the emotional and interesting interactions continued. I sort of wish there would be more stories with these characters.  I recommend this to readers who enjoy a strong alternative military fantasy.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: Storm Glass (Harbinger Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler

This has strong world building and engaging characters.
Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Series: The Harbinger Series, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-19-18
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Epic, Fantasy, Historical
My Rating: 4.25 0f 5.0

Publisher's Summary
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain Series comes the first novel in a bold and richly imagined world.
Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.
Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.
Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.
Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.
But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
Cettie is one of the abandoned orphans in the below, earthbound world. This is the world forced to struggle and slave to help maintain a world where only the wealthy are allowed to learn the Mysteries of the world in the clouds. Cettie is plagued by nightmare dreams of an evil ghost whom she keeps at bay only by surrounding herself with the other orphaned children. One night Fitzroy, an admiral from the upper world, finds Cettie and the starving children. Fitzroy banishes the ghost and Cettie finds the courage to beg him to help her. He takes her to his home in the clouds while he takes steps to adopt her.

Sera is an only child born to a wealthy and powerful family. Her parents are more concerned with their power then embracing their child. And to protect her they have sheltered her and kept her away from children her own age. She is distracted during lessons, always dreaming of the world beyond her sight. Her father is frustrated by her lack of diligence and isolates her even more. Sara has heard rumors of the orphaned girl from the world below and envies her experiences in the world. She longs to meet Cettie but her father prohibits any contact.

Although Cettie suffers from those in the household with prejudiced views, she never gives up. Cettie helps Fitzroy make an extremely important scientific discovery. As this book draws to a close it is clear that this discovery is going to change things significantly for Cettie. Somehow Sera will be involved with the change as things progress in book two.

The world building is not so unusual in its extreme class systems, but it is extremely well developed with a great steampunk feel. The steampunk elements include airborne ships and experiments with elements from Fitzroy’s mines. The Mysteries are not fully disclosed but are hinted at as part of the history and power structure of the society. There is good action, tension, mystery and suspense. The characters are well developed and share common traits of curiosity about their world although they come from opposite perspectives. I loved Cettie’s courage and caring for others. I even have some sympathy for Sera too.

I read The Banished of Muirwood, book 1 in the Covenant of Muirwood, by Wheeler which also had good world building but seemed like I had missed elements from a prior series. Storm Glass seems to start a new world and it was easy to become engaged in the plotline. I am looking forward to listening to book 2, Mirror Gate, soon. I recommend this to those who enjoy rich fantasy with supernatural and magical mysteries.

Audio Notes: Kate Rudd is an excellent narrator. She gives the characters their appropriate voices and got me immersed in the world. I fully enjoyed the audio and will listen to the next book in the series.

Source: Audible title December 2018. This is part of my 2018 Audiobook Challenge.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Kingdom of Summer by Gillian Bradshaw

I would like to read more by this author.
Kingdom of Summer by Gillian Bradshaw

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402240724
• ISBN-13: 978-1402240720   

     Genre: Historical Fantasy
     My Rating 4.5 0f 5.0

Product Description:
On the path toward greatness, even a hero makes mistakes.

Armed with his magical sword and otherworldly horse, Gwalchmai proves himself the most feared and faithful warrior of Arthur's noble followers. But while defending the kingdom, he commits a grave offense against the woman he loves, leading her to disappear from his life and haunt his memories.

With his trusted servant, Rhys, a commonsense peasant, Gwalchmai tries to find her in the Kingdom of Summer, where Arthur has sent him. But an unexpected and most malevolent force of evil and darkness is loose-that of his mother, the witch-queen Morgawse-and Gwalchmai finds that the secrets of his past may deny him peace...

In the second book of Gillian Bradshaw's critically acclaimed trilogy, Sir Gawain comes to life as Gwalchmai, startlingly human yet fantastically heroic.

Review: I really enjoyed the tone and compelling story.

This story is told by Rhys, a young farmer in the lands south west of Camlann - known to most of us as Camelot. On a cold winter day a weary and injured stranger arrives with a beautiful warhorse and shining sword.  Rhys soon learns this is Gwalchmai, a famous warrior in King Arthur’s “family.” As Gwalchmai takes a few days to heal he enchants the family with a tale of sorrow and mistake from his youth.  Gwalchmai is traveling the countryside, even in winter, seeking a young noblewoman so that he might ask her forgiveness for the wrongs he committed against her.

Rhys is drawn to what he sees as the nobility and perhaps glamor of serving the great King. He offers to go with Gwalchmai as his servant.  Traveling with the determined warrior is hard going even though Gwalchmai is kind and undemanding. In fact Rhys begins to bargain for their lodgings and supplies when he realizes that Gwalchmai is too distracted by his ponderings to take a care for basics.

After a month or so at Camlann, Arthur sends Gwalchmai north as an emissary to an enemy King. Rhys and another warrior, Rhuawn, travel with him.  They pass through the beautiful lands of the Kingdom of Summer, the otherworldly place where Gwalchmai got his magical and deadly sword.

When they arrive at the enemy fortress Gwalchmai is startled to discover that his father, a weakened leader, his sorceress mother, Morgawse, and his half brother, Medraut, are visiting. Apparently Queen Morgawse is plotting with the enemy, King Maelgwn.  Gwalchmai is civil but it is clear that the relationship with his mother and brother is strained. 

Medraut uses charm and subtle lies to confuse Rhuawn into thinking Gwalchmai is mad. Rhys’ fierce loyalty to Gwalchmai keeps him from falling to Medraut’s deception. Rhys is captured and tortured by the sorceress but escapes with the help of a serving maid he had befriended. He is re-captured and returned to the evil Queen where he witnesses a mystical battle between the Light of Gwalchmai and the Darkness of Morgawse. 

ARC Cover

There is a distinctly “otherworldly” tone to the writing and story. I felt sorrow for Gwalchmai’s tortured character and I liked how Rhys displayed his own nobility and honor through his unshakable loyalty. The story was slightly slow at the beginning but the desire to know what happened compelled me to keep reading. I was sorry when it ended and I hope the third book tells more about these characters. This was fine as a stand alone as I had not read the first book in the trilogy.

A favorite quote - Rhys contemplating the state of the world beyond his home:
"A complicated world, where to act might be to act wrongly, and not to act even worse."

 ~~~~~

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.
 1982 Cover

2.  For and extra entry, tell me which cover you like best: the Amazon cover shown at the top of the post, the ARC cover to the right just above or the 1982 cover to the left.

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4. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 30, 2011. (This month's book giveaways will all end on the 30th except for Friday Picks, SBB or other special posts.)
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED between October 1 and 3. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.