Warcry

Warcry is the 4th installment of the Warlands series, but the focus is on the romance that was hinted at in the previous books between Atira of the Bear, and Heath of Xy. It’s told in their POVs instead of Lara and Keir. The ex-Warlord and his pregnant Warprize have arrived to Xy, so Lara can safely deliver her heir and cement her position as Queen which due to the events in the first book has left a few enemies who aren’t as welcoming or happy with their return.
I adored the previous books and Warprize is one of my all time favourite books, and I have been eagerly waiting for the followups to see what happens next and how their return to Xy plays out. It was definitely well worth the wait! Unlike the original trilogy of books which show more was told in the 1st POV of Lara, Warcry is narrated mainly with Heath and Atira’s POV which expanded on the outside political intrigue and events. But it also help to explore more thoroughly Atira and Heath’s issues, like the ones Lara had with Keir, were filled with misunderstandings and fear that were obstacles in their relationship. In a lot of ways the tables were turned with Atira being the stranger in a strange land and Heath giving her the space and helping her to understand that committing to a relationship can be a good thing and it’s nothing to fear about.
Although some people may see the swift POV’s which sometimes can happen in mid scenes and in the midst of action. I actually felt it added to the fast pace of the book, and added to the political and tense tone that plays throughout the story. I think this is one of the highlights of the plot, because the political subterfuge which threatens Lara and her family was well thought out. It was tense and not as predictable. I also loved how the setting which was mainly based in and around the castle of Water’s Fall reflected the tense atmosphere of the plots surrounding Lara as well as mirroring Atira’s and the rest of the Firelanders who felt claustrophobic about this huge ‘stone tent’.
I really loved how the romance between Atira and Heath played out throughout the book, although in a lot of ways it wasn’t as prominent as previous books and was more of a secondary story to the main plot of the book. I didn’t think this detracted from the story or their romance because it was already established in the previous books, and that has carried onto this book really well without losing any of their past issues or attractions.
Atira’s and Heath’s growth also shows how much they changed from their initial encounters with each other and as well with their encounters with living with each other’s cultures and people. I loved the symmetry with Atira being the person who learns new things and learning there is more to the people of Xy. The focus on Heath and Atira also expanded their characters. During the original trilogy, Heath was more like Lara’s little brother and although I found his character cute, he never really stood out for me. However in Warcry, he was definitely more fleshed out and I loved how patient but also determined he was to win Atira. And his skills and political knowledge about the people who lived in Water’s Fall added to the story. Nonetheless, I think Atira’s growth was the most apparent, and I loved her journey from the gruff and fixed in her ways warrior in the previous books to the woman who realises that change is a good thing and adapting to it mirrors the broader themes of the series about two cultures clashing but adapting to survive.
It was also a joy to revisit Lara and Keir who we do get to see a lot throughout the book, and it does feel like their story and romance was the secondary relationship but seen through the eyes of others without detracting from the story. We also see how their new changes — as well as the repercussions to those changes — to Xy and the People of the Plains continued, which I loved and really makes their story a true saga with more hints to come.
Warcry is a wonderful installment and I was sucked into this book and the characters. It really felt like I was revisiting old friends. I also get the sense that with the hints in the book, there will be more to come, especially with Keir’s ambitions of wanting to become a War-king and the fact there are still a few threads left open about Lara’s enemies and the political subterfuge that Elizabeth Vaughan has tantalizing hinted. I really hope there is more to come from this world and characters because the ending was something that I didn’t expect. It was a huge fun twist which I enjoyed because it will add some interesting things in future books for this series. And I look forward to seeing how it all pans out.
Warcry is a well written story filled with tense political intrigue and balanced out with a fun and sexy romance with great touches of humour. It also carries on and continues teasing us with hints of more to come in future books. It’s a wonderful instalment in the Warplains saga and it will definitely leave readers hanging on for more! show less

This is the newest release - and instead of being a 1st person story told from Lara's perspective as the others had been, this one is in 3rd person, and is mainly the story of Heath and Atira. There is plenty of Keir and Lara for fans of the couple, but the perspective broadens in this one. Because I read the series back to back, it took a little getting used to but I came to appreciate the different perspectives - there was even a little from Keir's point of view! Lara and Keir have returned to Xy for the birth of their first child and there, they face continuing opposition to the alliance between the two peoples. I suppose there's not much different here in terms of story arc from the first book, but I was so happy with the characters show more and seeing Xy from Atira's point of view, I didn't feel a lack.I'm so hoping there will be more to this series! I have questions - What will happen to Liam and Marcus? What was the light from the Heart? How is Simus? Will Keir become Warking? So, as much as I have enjoyed this series, I am left wanting - there must be one or maybe two books left for the story arc to be told, don't you think?(ETA: I emailed Elizabeth Vaughan and she tells me there are 2 more books planned - one for Simus and one for Joden - one hopes that Liam and Marcus' story will be included in there somewhere too! Unfortunately, I don't think they've been written yet, so we have a bit of wait.) show less

Sometimes I just want a soppy romance and this filled the bill without any problem. Vaughan is a good writer and I enjoyed it.

Typical of Vaughan's writing. Fast paced. Fun to read. Interesting characters that you want to smack in the head.

This is part of a series, I strongly recommend you read the previous books before this one as this book will not make much sense otherwise.
This is about Heath and Atira.
There is a continuation of the story developed from the previous books, they return to the city and there are plots and political intrigue so the book is not solely about Heath and Atria. I loved Heath in the previous books, he proved himself a loyal friend but I was not keen on Atria. Their ways are different and the clash of culture is what formed a lot of the story-line in the first book and it is the main obstacle in this couples relationship. Heath want to bond/marry but Atria feels this will be stifling. I found her annoying though brave and loyal to her people's show more cause, I felt she was unkind to Heath but it's part of the differences between their people that causes this.
The book also raises a few questions which are covered in the next book. show less

Sweet, sometimes funny, but with no real sense of urgency - even in battle scenes. Also, I felt like I learned more about Atira in the first book and she's supposed to be the heroine, while Lara turns more and more into a MarySue. I did enjoy it, but it could have been better. Don't read this until after you've read Warprize, at least

4.5 Stars. The review that follow is a partial review. To read the full review, please visit:
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/2011/11/nor-review-warcry.html

Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan takes the reader on a journey through a fantasy world unlike many that

are out there. A thrilling ride from beginning to end, one filled with romance and humor, adventure and

even a bit of intrigue, Warcry is a wonderful fantasy book, and one that this reader will be reading

again very soon.

Warcry continues the romantic story of the Warprize and the Warlord (Lara and Keir), showing how

the differences in their two cultures may pose a problem for not only themselves but their unborn child

as well. In between continuing their sweet story, Vaughan show more also adds in a new budding romance, that of

Heath and Atria; one is from the Kingdom of Xy while the other is a member of the Plains people.

These are two very different people from two different parts of this fantasy world. Their relationship is

not simple, nor easy, but if the two can work on it together then perhaps a happily-ever-after is in their

future after all.

....
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Review property of NightOwlRomance.com show less