"A lot of action bun not enough characterization"
Besides werewolves and vampires the fairie (fey, sidhe or
what have you) folk are my favorite creatures to read
about. There is usually a sense of mirth and magic that
surrounds them. This story is anything but light and
frothy though. It's deadly serious and not in that heart
wrenching emotional way that makes for a keeper. Scahta is queen of a dying race of sidhe (fairy folk). Her
people are slowly starving to death due to the constant
raiding and invading "men". Most of the babies born to her
race are dying. In order to save her people and create
strong children to continue her race, Scahta decides that
she must make one of the hardy "Men" her king. She has
been watching the men and chooses one who exhibits signs of
kindness. Anlon is the man she chooses. Entranced by Scahta's loveliness and ethereal air, he
quickly agrees to spend one year as her husband in exchange
for an exquisite sword. Does he sweat and ponder over this
decision? No. But hey, he's a guy :) What he doesn't
anticipate is the series of "tests" he'll have to endure to
prove his worth before he's crowned king and allowed to
share Scahta's bed. Then comes lots of action in the way
of a series of tests, a quest to purify a sword, and a trip
back in time. Scahta does her darndest to keep her emotional distance
from Anlon but during the course of things they fall deeply
in love. It happens rather abruptly and there is never any
real courtship so, for me, it didn't work at all as a
romance. The tone of the story is very dreary without any
light touches of humor that would've made it more tolerable
and where, oh where, was the magic? These sidhe folk were
reduced to puny little weaklings; so highly disappointing.
Also, I never felt emotionally connected to either
character. If you're into a lot of action and don't mind
it when an author skimps on characterization you might like
this more than I did. It didn't work as romance for me and
because I never grew to care about the characters it was
far too easy to put this book down. Laurie Shallah © Copyright 2002
for
ParaNormal Romance Reviews
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 13, 2002
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