Lady of Light and Shadows

Rain vel’En Daris Feyreisen, King of the Fey and a Tairen Soul, discovered his Truemate Ellysetta Baristani in the previous book Lord of the Fading Lands. We resume their story as they continue courting, and developing their bond.

In order for Ellie to accept the bond, she must accept herself and the magic within her that she has always feared. There is, of course, much more to the story than this tender romance.

The evil Elden Mages have been discreetly recovering in number and power after the wars of a thousand years ago. They have insidiously been manipulating neighboring Celieria, where Ellie and her family reside, and where the mortal Celierians cannot recall the horror that was wreaked by the Mages and their minions...history being such a distant manner for memory to survive. Through engagement in trade and diplomacy they hope to sway the Celierian government to open its borders. Well planted spies in the upper echelons of court as well as those people having the misfortune of bearing Mage marks work behind the scenes towards this terrible goal.

The Fey are aware that their heretofore ally is leaning toward temptation, leaving both their peoples at risk. Unfortunately, relatively recent events point to dahl’reisen, Fey whose souls have been taken over by darkness, making attacks on the borderlords of this land. Some do not differentiate the Fey from the dahl’reisen and there are those who fan this flame to sinister purpose.

We are welcomed back to the beautiful and dangerous world as created by Ms Wilson. Readers will remain enchanted by the Fey and the descriptions of magic spun so vividly one can see each glowing strand as it is brought forth in battle, in peace, and in love. There are well-described difficulties with diplomacy when nearly all in Celieria doubt Fey intent. Play on tenuous trusts as well as betrayal from where one may least expect balances the unexpected sweetness of some scenes with some bitter flavor in others. The same can be said with the bright love of Rain and Ellie, and the heartbreaking sacrifice of a different but heroic couple.

Characters are given breadth and depth. Readers will love to hate the Mages of Eld but they are not to be dismissed as cardboard bogeymen. Various pawns in friends and family will inspire sympathy and pity even as they act with tragic consequence. Then there are those who will capture our respect and hold it regardless of their circumstances. Many of the secondary characters stand out and it is with sincere hope that we will hear their stories told in turn.

There was some trepidation in writing this review for fear of being so vague that readers will feel frustration and yet it would be terrible to spoil the surprises to be had.

LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS is a marvellously written, masterfully plotted story. It proceeds at a fair clip from mild beginning, political intrigue and shivery menace, to heart pounding culmination. And yet the romance itself is strong enough to stand equal to the rest of the excitement of this wondrous and intricate tale.

Readers should treat themselves and begin at the beginning with Lord of the Fading Lands in order to appreciate the fullness of the second book. Indeed, the two books were originally intended as one complete account. This is not a journey that will be regretted, on the contrary, we are only saddened that the book has to end.

November 2007