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"I love this book."-Christine Feehan The incomparable C.L. Wilson brings her phenomenal Tairen Soul novels to Avon Books! Lady of Light and Shadows is the second book in the epic romantic adventure that combines sweeping fantasy with breathtaking paranormal romance. USA Today and New York Times bestseller C. L. Wilson continues the stirring, magical romance of Ellysetta, the woodcutter's beautiful daughter, and the tormented Fey King Rain, as darkness rises up all around them, determined to show more destroy their love and their world. show lessTags
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I enjoyed this second book much more than the first. There is a lot more plot development and action especially in the second half. Much more exciting.
This second in the Tairen Soul series begins immediately where the first leaves off. Rain is still trying to convince the king and his council of the dangers the Eld present, as well as trying to further the bond with Ellie and teach her more about her magic. Ellie is confused and frightened by her recurring nightmares and although relying more on Rain, at the same time, she is becoming more confident in trying out her own magic, and making a few missteps along the way. When the secrets surrounding Ellie's birth comes to light, brought by an unexpected source, both Ellie and Rain find show more their new bond tested.
The Eld mages try to find ways to get to Ellie, using their dark magic to compel those closest to Ellie to betray her. The high mage has searched for so long for Ellie and will try anything to bring her to him. Rain and the fey protecting Ellie are just as determined that she come to no harm. Wilson does a great job in making a reader feel the tension building between the Eld, the Fey, and the political factions of Celieria. The second half of this book is action packed and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what follows in the next one. show less
This second in the Tairen Soul series begins immediately where the first leaves off. Rain is still trying to convince the king and his council of the dangers the Eld present, as well as trying to further the bond with Ellie and teach her more about her magic. Ellie is confused and frightened by her recurring nightmares and although relying more on Rain, at the same time, she is becoming more confident in trying out her own magic, and making a few missteps along the way. When the secrets surrounding Ellie's birth comes to light, brought by an unexpected source, both Ellie and Rain find show more their new bond tested.
The Eld mages try to find ways to get to Ellie, using their dark magic to compel those closest to Ellie to betray her. The high mage has searched for so long for Ellie and will try anything to bring her to him. Rain and the fey protecting Ellie are just as determined that she come to no harm. Wilson does a great job in making a reader feel the tension building between the Eld, the Fey, and the political factions of Celieria. The second half of this book is action packed and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what follows in the next one. show less
Honestly, this series just keeps getting better and better. I'm devouring it, already halfway through the third book and I can't wait to see what happens next.
This review is actually for the second book in the series. Rain and Ellie are somewhat impatiently waiting for all the preliminaries to finish so they can finally get married. The Eld Mages and other enemies are setting all sorts of traps, trying to keep Ellie from reaching her full magical powers. The head of the Eld Mages is one of the evilest antagonists I've ever read, and his cruelty truly knows no bounds. All the characters are flawed in some way, but that only makes them more interesting and their actions affect me more as I read further.
This is a romantic fantasy and show more there is plenty of sensual moments scattered throughout the story, but the action is what really makes this series so great. So much happens, yet as I mentioned in my review of the first book, it's little details that make the worldbuilding so great. For example, I can't think of a fantasy that has both Fey and Elves in the same book as two different races (it's led to quite the discussion and research).
Anyway, I highly recommend this series. I can't see how I could be disappointed in the next books at this point as events keep building and more is revealed. show less
This review is actually for the second book in the series. Rain and Ellie are somewhat impatiently waiting for all the preliminaries to finish so they can finally get married. The Eld Mages and other enemies are setting all sorts of traps, trying to keep Ellie from reaching her full magical powers. The head of the Eld Mages is one of the evilest antagonists I've ever read, and his cruelty truly knows no bounds. All the characters are flawed in some way, but that only makes them more interesting and their actions affect me more as I read further.
This is a romantic fantasy and show more there is plenty of sensual moments scattered throughout the story, but the action is what really makes this series so great. So much happens, yet as I mentioned in my review of the first book, it's little details that make the worldbuilding so great. For example, I can't think of a fantasy that has both Fey and Elves in the same book as two different races (it's led to quite the discussion and research).
Anyway, I highly recommend this series. I can't see how I could be disappointed in the next books at this point as events keep building and more is revealed. show less
Holy.Guacamole! Lady of Light and Shadows is teh awesome. I think it is even better than Lord of the Fading Lands, amazing as it sounds, given how much I raved about book 1!
Book 2 of Tairen Soul series, it starts in the morning after Lord of the Fading Lands’ final chapter. To be honest , I thought the book started quite wobbly on its feet as it appeared that the author wanted to catch us up on what happened before - so all characters were talking to each other, explaining the happenings over the past few days in Celieria and my patience was running thin as I had literally finished book 1 ten minutes before. But that went on only for a few pages and then BOOM BOOM BOOM, a rollercoaster of emotions and events until the very last show more page.
In this book, Rain and Ellie must carry on with their courtship whilst the intrigues and machinations of the Mage still threaten them and the Fey. But now we also add to the equation , the Council of Celieria who must come to a decision about opening its borders or not to the Eld, a Dark Lord that is bent on destroying Ellie (he has his reasons, ok?) plus a lot of emotional showdowns between not only Ellie and Rain, but Ellie and her mother that lead to a climax that is worthy of a Hollywood production.
I cannot even begin to describe how much this book is gripping and how I could not keep myself from turning the pages compulsively until I was done with it. I refuse to tell you more about the plot or how things turn out , not because I am mean but because believe me, you want to follow the same exciting path I did.
But I will be good and give you some teasers of what you can expect (with the accompanying emotion):
We learn about Ellie’s origins (whoa!) , more about Fey magic and History (cool!) , a warrior finds his soul (*teary*), another finds a truemate (yuppie) but she is married (oh noes), there are lots of political chit chat (quite interesting), a major showdown between Mage and Fey (holy crap, that was beyond exhilarating), we learn about the “pets” kept by the High Mage (heartbreaking. Literally, I cried my eyes out here ). Plus, there is a wedding and a few funerals.
And it ends with Rain coming to an important realisation which I guess I HAVE to spoil because it was so amazing. Fellow romance lovers, rejoice:
(…)’I only just realised something I should have known all along.’ He carried her hands to his chest, then cupped her face with one hand while wrapping the other around her waist. He held her close, skin to skin, so that with her shei’dalin senses she would feel for herself the wonder that bloomed within him.
“From this day forward, no matter what happens between us – even if we never complete our bond, even if we cannot save the tairen or the Fey – I want you to know this one thing, Ellysetta Baristini” He smiled into her eyes and gave her the words.
“My heart has followed where my soul has led. Ke vo san, Ellysetta. I love you”.
There are less romantic scenes in this sequel (as the story centres in the tensions between the peoples and the inner battles of every character) but they are all deep and significant like the one above.
And everything I said before about Wilson’s writing and characterisation still stand of course. The woman is seriously very talented and creative.
If only I could weave some magic and show you how much these books are good, I am sure you would be going to the book shop pronto. If only.
One last word: the last time I was this excited about a series, I was reading His Dark Materials trilogy, about three years ago. And when this comes to an end I am prepared to shed copious tears, just like the ones I shed when I closed the last Harry Potter on July 22nd , 10:17pm. show less
Book 2 of Tairen Soul series, it starts in the morning after Lord of the Fading Lands’ final chapter. To be honest , I thought the book started quite wobbly on its feet as it appeared that the author wanted to catch us up on what happened before - so all characters were talking to each other, explaining the happenings over the past few days in Celieria and my patience was running thin as I had literally finished book 1 ten minutes before. But that went on only for a few pages and then BOOM BOOM BOOM, a rollercoaster of emotions and events until the very last show more page.
In this book, Rain and Ellie must carry on with their courtship whilst the intrigues and machinations of the Mage still threaten them and the Fey. But now we also add to the equation , the Council of Celieria who must come to a decision about opening its borders or not to the Eld, a Dark Lord that is bent on destroying Ellie (he has his reasons, ok?) plus a lot of emotional showdowns between not only Ellie and Rain, but Ellie and her mother that lead to a climax that is worthy of a Hollywood production.
I cannot even begin to describe how much this book is gripping and how I could not keep myself from turning the pages compulsively until I was done with it. I refuse to tell you more about the plot or how things turn out , not because I am mean but because believe me, you want to follow the same exciting path I did.
But I will be good and give you some teasers of what you can expect (with the accompanying emotion):
We learn about Ellie’s origins (whoa!) , more about Fey magic and History (cool!) , a warrior finds his soul (*teary*), another finds a truemate (yuppie) but she is married (oh noes), there are lots of political chit chat (quite interesting), a major showdown between Mage and Fey (holy crap, that was beyond exhilarating), we learn about the “pets” kept by the High Mage (heartbreaking. Literally, I cried my eyes out here ). Plus, there is a wedding and a few funerals.
And it ends with Rain coming to an important realisation which I guess I HAVE to spoil because it was so amazing. Fellow romance lovers, rejoice:
(…)’I only just realised something I should have known all along.’ He carried her hands to his chest, then cupped her face with one hand while wrapping the other around her waist. He held her close, skin to skin, so that with her shei’dalin senses she would feel for herself the wonder that bloomed within him.
“From this day forward, no matter what happens between us – even if we never complete our bond, even if we cannot save the tairen or the Fey – I want you to know this one thing, Ellysetta Baristini” He smiled into her eyes and gave her the words.
“My heart has followed where my soul has led. Ke vo san, Ellysetta. I love you”.
There are less romantic scenes in this sequel (as the story centres in the tensions between the peoples and the inner battles of every character) but they are all deep and significant like the one above.
And everything I said before about Wilson’s writing and characterisation still stand of course. The woman is seriously very talented and creative.
If only I could weave some magic and show you how much these books are good, I am sure you would be going to the book shop pronto. If only.
One last word: the last time I was this excited about a series, I was reading His Dark Materials trilogy, about three years ago. And when this comes to an end I am prepared to shed copious tears, just like the ones I shed when I closed the last Harry Potter on July 22nd , 10:17pm. show less
Ellie's troubles increase as she continues to go through the complicated pre-marriage rituals. Each day of her life seems to become more and more complex with the difficulties between her and her family (mainly her mother) echoed by the political machinations between the King of Celieria, Rain Tairen Soul and the evil Mages of the Eld. Ellie's bridegroom, Rain Tairen Soul, is a fascinating character and she learns more about him as the book progresses; however Ellie is also learning more about herself and much of what she is learning looks bad. The narrator gives us insights into what is happening in Eld and we learn more about Ellie's provenance, much of the information seeming very worrying. How can Ellie be the good person that she show more seems with the history that she has had, and is she merely being positioned as Rain's mate in order to destroy the Fey from within?
As a standalone book this doesn't work but read alongside 'Lord of the Fading Lands' it's one of the most exciting fantasy books to have been published in a long time. show less
As a standalone book this doesn't work but read alongside 'Lord of the Fading Lands' it's one of the most exciting fantasy books to have been published in a long time. show less
mazing, I never had a moment of rest while reading this story. It came alive in my hands and whirled me through the frenzied world of the Train Soul and his mate. Their relationship is moving at a natural rate. It has all the bumps and road blocks that would be found in such a couple, unheard of in most books today. The self doubts, the lack of trust, the impressions of family members, all part of new relationships. For Ellie, going from a woodcarvers daughter to a queen, she has difficult adjustments to make. For Rain, he has a thousand years of demons haunting his heart. It is a beautiful thing to read.
Ellie, is faced with her magic and her parentage. Rain may not be able to live with the truth. Her family may not be able to accept show more her. Shadows are haunting her dreams becoming stronger. She must learn the truth, only then can she move on. Magic is in her.
Rain is trying to help his young Queen deal with the rude and hateful comments the nobles are throwing at her. He surrounds her with love and tries not to leave her side. But a terrible future might await the city if he does not stop the Eld from crossing the borders. He must convince them to believe, he must gain their trust. Ellie and her unknown magic places the talks into chaos. War may come.
I did not think it would be possible to be better than the first book but this one was. I was so lost in the story, I read for hours and did not even realize it. I am off to read book 3 show less
Ellie, is faced with her magic and her parentage. Rain may not be able to live with the truth. Her family may not be able to accept show more her. Shadows are haunting her dreams becoming stronger. She must learn the truth, only then can she move on. Magic is in her.
Rain is trying to help his young Queen deal with the rude and hateful comments the nobles are throwing at her. He surrounds her with love and tries not to leave her side. But a terrible future might await the city if he does not stop the Eld from crossing the borders. He must convince them to believe, he must gain their trust. Ellie and her unknown magic places the talks into chaos. War may come.
I did not think it would be possible to be better than the first book but this one was. I was so lost in the story, I read for hours and did not even realize it. I am off to read book 3 show less
A decent entry into the "chosen one" trope - but the made up "language" (just phrases here and there without a complete glossary) and the half-developed magic system are keeping me from rating it higher.
I was dying to read this book, since I ended Lord of the Fading Lands.
I have started it by mistake and read a couple of chapters, so I was even more interested in start reading it.
I like this book more than the first one. The story has more rhythm, is more fast paced action.
And the villains get much more definition, the stop being a couple of shadows to be 2 (only one in the end) concrete villains.
I liked Ellie's evolution, I had noticed she was a little childish in the first book, but I hoped that it was because she was a vary young Fey. It seems that I kind of guessed that right, she becomes more adult in this book.
I also liked the fact that even though this is only the second book in the series of at least 4, the end is truly and show more ending. A very fairy tale ending, with a wedding (even if it isn't a and lived happily ever after). show less
I have started it by mistake and read a couple of chapters, so I was even more interested in start reading it.
I like this book more than the first one. The story has more rhythm, is more fast paced action.
And the villains get much more definition, the stop being a couple of shadows to be 2 (only one in the end) concrete villains.
I liked Ellie's evolution, I had noticed she was a little childish in the first book, but I hoped that it was because she was a vary young Fey. It seems that I kind of guessed that right, she becomes more adult in this book.
I also liked the fact that even though this is only the second book in the series of at least 4, the end is truly and show more ending. A very fairy tale ending, with a wedding (even if it isn't a and lived happily ever after). show less
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C. L. Wilson is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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- Canonical title
- Lady of Light and Shadows
- Original title
- Lady of Light and Shadows
- Original publication date
- 2007-10-31
- People/Characters
- Ellysetta Baristani; Rainier vel'En Daris
- Important places
- Celieria
- Dedication
- For Christine Feehan, an amazing talent and an even more amazing soul. Your friendship is one of my greatest treasures.
And for Diana Peterfreund. Because you believed so strongly, because you wouldn't let me quit, and... (show all) because when I got "The Call," the only person on the planet more excited than me was you.
And for Lisa Richter, my sister Lisette, just because. You know all the reasons. - First words
- Ellysetta Baristani stood in the dark, fire-lit cavern of Fey'Bahren, the fabled nesting lair of the tairen.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Rain Tairen Soul's shadow raced over the moonlit ground, heading west toward the Fading Lands.
- Blurbers
- Alyssa Day; Gena Showalter; Christine Feehan
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 720
- Popularity
- 39,212
- Reviews
- 22
- Rating
- (4.24)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 7
