gilda_elise

Sometimes the price of destiny is higher than anyone imagined....

For three centuries a divine prophecy and a line of warrior queens protected Skala. But the people grew complacent and Erius, a usurper king, claimed his young half sister’s throne.

Now plague and drought stalk the land, war with Skala’s ancient rival Plenimar drains the country’s lifeblood, and to be born female into the royal line has become a death sentence as the king fights to ensure the succession of his only heir, a son. For King Erius the greatest threat comes from his own line — and from Illior’s faithful, who spread the Oracle’s words to a doubting populace.

As noblewomen young and old perish mysteriously, the king’s nephew — his sister’s only child — grows toward manhood. But unbeknownst to the king or the boy, strange, haunted Tobin is the princess’s daughter, given male form by a dark magic to protect her until she can claim her rightful destiny.

Only Tobin’s noble father, two wizards of Illior, and an outlawed forest witch know the truth. Only they can protect young Tobin from a king’s wrath, a mother’s madness, and the terrifying rage of her brother’s demon spirit, determined to avenge his brutal murder.

Talk about an intriguing plot! I’d read Flewelling’s Luck In the Shadows books (which is set in the same world,) and was hoping that this book would be just as interesting. I was not disappointed. This is fantasy as it should be written.

There are few writers who can write children well, and Flewelling is one of them. Tobin, and his friend, Ki, are both engaging characters. Yes, they are children, but children from a time when childhood lasted a very short time, so they both already show signs of the adults they will become.

But perhaps the most intriguing character is “Brother,” Tobin’s murdered twin, now in demon spirit form. How much is what he does to help Tobin, or hinder him?

As the book ends, we are left with many questions, the most important being, will Tobin be able to continue to hide his true self? And what will he be willing to do in order to save Skala? And what will be Brother’s fate? I’m very much looking forward to the second book.