"Engaging New World of Hetar - STEAMY"
In this thrilling story which is the initial Book in
Small's new 'World of Hetar' series -- I can only say, Ms.
Small has 'still got it going on!' -- Wow, and holy cow!
This promises to be a historical fantasy lovers dream come
true complete with fascinating new magical beings and
ruthless and greedy adversaries. Simply delicious! Lara is a half-faerie daughter of a renowned swordsman,
John Swiftsword. Lara's half-faerie heritage is most
prominently apparent by her uncommonly beautiful
countenance and she is both revered and feared because of
it. Having been abandoned by her faerie mother, she dearly
loves and would do anything for the father who raised her
including letting him sell her to be auctioned off into one
of the Pleasure Houses of Hetar in order for him to obtain
the funds needed to become a Crusader Knight.
Unfortunately, before Lara is auctioned off the rumors of
her uncommon beauty cause such antagonism amongst the other
Pleasure Houses she is put on a trading caravan to be sold
to the distant Coastal Kingdom of Hetar. Traveling through the forest in the first part of her epic
journey Lara is bought by the Forest Lords who insist on
having her when they discover she is part-faerie and where
she is sexually used and abused. Later Lara would escape
from the Forest to the Desert kingdom where the Shadow
Princes introduce her to the pleasures of seduction and
desire. It would be here that Lara would realize she had a
destiny to fulfill and that destiny would lead her to the
Outlands and Lord Vartan where she would try to determine
if he be her 'true destiny' or just another stop along the
way. People familiar with Bertrice Small will find her signature
elements ongoing in this epic journey with a heroine whose
sexual encounters involve more than just her hero and 'one
true love'. It is an extremely robust story with numerous
fully-developed characters both primary and secondary to
this epic tale. The scenery and settings, though not of
royalty as some of her previous historical epics, are none
the less vibrantly detailed and beautifully rendered with
this authors uniquely descriptive voice. I was totally
entertained with the numerous magical beings introduced
which are a fantasy lover's dream. From Og the Forest Lords
gentle giant; the guardian fairy Ethne; the very magical
Prince Kaliq of the Shadow Lords; right down to Lara's
singing sword, faithful staff, and her golden stallion
Dasras! At 540 pages this is epic in length yet the pages
will fly and at the end, they left this reviewer panting
for more! Highly recommended reading! Marilyn Rondeau, RIO -- Reviewers International Organization
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted January 6, 2007
|
