Renee Wildes

I've often wondered if in romance and fantasy novels a class was taught about 'how to recognize your life mate and ways to ensure they don't run away', it might solve a lot of issues. For one thing, you won't make stupid blundering comments or move too fast when you should be learning the lay of the land (so to speak). I have a feeling Cianan might have taken a class along those lines, for his patience with Maleta is extraordinary.

Cianan has a hard time ahead of himself. Maleta isn't sure she wants Cianan--not because of anything personal, its just...she's had a hard life. Not any easy life. You don't become a tool vengence without giving something up (well not if you're a well-rounded character at least), and Maleta gave up what she thought she didn't need.

I really liked Maleta, her worldview wasn't completely black and white and she straddles the line of 'almost going too far' well. She struggles and tries and understands that not everyone is like those men who used her so long ago, but what the mind understands doesn't mean the heart does. She's a strong woman--her past wars with her present (and future) with equal strength, but its not until Cianan that she consciously works past the issues.

Cianan, as I mentioned, is a patient and gentle guy. Unlike Loren from the first book he recognizes that his life mate isn't going to be on her knees blessing the Lady for the wonderful fortune of having Cianan as hers. He understands that to get to know Maleta, get her to trust him and open her dormant heart to him, he has to work with her. Prove himself. So nice to see in a hero!

This is a shorter novel then Duality was, but it didn't feel like anything was cut out. Wildes does a really good job of keeping the pace moving without sacrificing detail or development.… (more)

Selkie! They rank pretty high on my list of 'most awesome and under rated fae creatures' (almost as high as 'Kelpies', but well those creatures are known to be brutal human liver eating monsters...so I doubt there's a romance there), so its with great happiness I read this. Shame on you if you don't know what a Selkie is.

Unlike Duality or Hedda's Sword this had less of a 'fantasy' feel to me. Or rather, it felt less like a fantasy that had no business with Earth. I could easily have seen this set on the coast of Ireland or Scotland, or even New England perhaps.

This is also just under half the length of Duality and a good seventy pages less then Hedda's Sword so it was a much quicker read. Not a lighter read though, it was emotionally as intense as certain parts of Duality were, but a quicker read by page count.

Trystan, who first appeared in Duality to help Moira (his sister), recounts how his quest began. That is, he promised Dara to go off and look for others like her, his search leading him to Rhattany where he has met Finora and her brood. Sadly his quest decides to be the most complicated thing he could have ever envisioned. Dragons, angry selkies, spiteful mermaids, kids who see things...its an endless tide of misfortune.

Passion is what drives nearly every person in this story--lusty passion, greedy passion, protective passion...its amazing how many different ways a passionate nature can assert itself. I liked Finora, but I liked Anuk so much better. Arrogant, selfish and mostly self-centered, she grows throughout the story as she learns things aren't what she was told. Life isn't exactly like what she was told it was.

In all I enjoyed this the best of the three volumes of the Guardians of Light available so far. It moved at such a wonderful pace and the characters were so full of life! Renee has mentioned that several more books are due out in the series, so take it from me--catch up now while you can.… (more)