Book Reviews

But how can Perian come to terms with her true identity when she's been taught to believe her urges and emotions are evil? The fact is, it is fatal for the Drevnya to repress their emotions, and Perian's inhibitions could eventually kill her.

Arrogant and devilishly handsome Randrik alt Harbinnen has a very unusual mission. He must seduce Perian in order to unleash her powers, for only Perian holds the key to destroying the imminent evil that threatens to devastate their world. There's only one problem... Falling in love with Perian was never in his plans.

Written in her lavishly poetic, silkenly sensuous style, Elizabeth K. Burton has created much more than just a simple fantasy story. This is a rich unforgettable tale, filled with dazzling scenes, strong dialogue and vivid personalities. Good vs. evil, old-fashioned adventure and, at the core of it all, a heart-stopping, spine-tingling romance. The reader won't have a choice but to surrender to the enchantment.

Randrik alt Harbinnen has been blessed with certain Talents. However, he prefers to use them for his own enrichment, rather than joining the Temple. His aunt, the Prime Seeker, knows this and tries to respect his decision. So he is surprised when she comes to him for help, and even more surprised at what she wants him to do. His task is to seduce one of the Temple Adepts.

Perian is a Nomad who was orphaned when very young. All of her people are born with Power. But her treatment by the people who raised her has caused her to suppress her nature. If she doesn't find a way to get beyond this, she will die. The Temple hopes that Randrik will be able to do this.

Randrik is reluctant to take advantage of her in this way. But the Temple is determined to follow through with their plan, and will use somebody else if he is unwilling. So he decides to take Perian from the Temple and return her to her own people. He hopes that they will be able to help her. They head for the forest, avoiding the people searching for them, and fighting the attraction between them. Will they finally admit to the bonds growing between them?

I enjoyed this book very much. Randrik and Perian were very likable characters. I also liked many of the secondary characters and wouldn't mind knowing more about them. I would have liked more background on their world, and I hope that will be covered in the future. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book.

Randrik alt Harbinnen is a bit of a rouge, more interested in fighting and having a good time with women than settling down. He finds himself reluctantly thrust into the role of hero, but what is so endearing is that he tries so hard not to be heroic, that his actions are a lot more realistic. Under orders to try and seduce, Perian, a young adept at the Temple of Light, he has no idea what challenges await him.

Perian is a Drevnya, a race of people with powers such as healing. She was brought up by human parents, who tried to inhibit her powers by instilling in her that they were immoral and evil. How were they to know that her powers would manifest anyway, no matter how much they tried to prevent it?

Someone else has noticed Perian, Azdrefel the souleater and the creator of their world. He was banished into the Everdark to stop him from destroying the very thing he created. But now he has become free, but there is only one way for him to stay that way. He has to inhabit the body of a child at the moment of birth. And he has decided that Perian will be the mother of that child???

This is a story of romance and adventure. The sexual tensions simmers between Perian and Randrik throughout. There are so may layers to this story, it's the sort of book you get lost in and forget there is actually a real world outside of it. I enjoyed it immensely.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Silent Screams.