Blood and Memory

Some of what happened in book 1 are explained and there's setup for book 3, it's a bridge novel and not really anything spectacular.

King Celimus continues to be an evil tyrant and Wyl Thirsk keeps trying to avoid leaping into another body but Myrren's Gift drives him. He also wants to keep the women he holds dear safe. People meet magic and it changes them.

It's interesting but it's somewhat flat.

The second book in Fiona McIntosh's series continues the strange plight of her main character and introduces more cast and more world. As a seasoned fantasy series fan, I recognize that second books can be tricky. And okay, I'll be blunt (because I'm not sure what else to say), this one was disappointing. Unlike the first book which was a whirlwind once it got started, I labored through this one to the end and never felt caught up in the chain of events. The book ended strangely (not uncommon for the middle book) and I will give this author the benefit of the doubt and pick up the next one. It seemed to me that the "telling" of the story took over the action and character development. (am I getting too picky?)

On a positive note, the show more world itself has become more enriched through the events in "Blood and Memory." I am convinced that the story plot itself will not ultimately be disappointing and certain that the author has some surprises in store. (Hope springs eternal) We shall see. show less

An intriging journey through lands depicted at the start of the story. Unknown twists make this interesting reading

great. hard to put down.

The fate of nations hangs
in precarious balance
as a young soldier urgently
seeks answers to a
sinister blessing . . .

General Wyl Thirsk of Morgravia has seen his best friend slain, his sister tortured, and his mentor consigned to a certain death -- all at the sadistic whim of his sovereign, King Celimus. Now Celimus hungrily eyes the neighboring realm, Briavel, and its inexperienced Queen Valentyna, pressuring her into a doomed political marriage -- and thereby forcing Wyl's hand toward confrontation and treason, for only he can save the woman he loves from her hideous fate.

But destiny will send Wyl far from the evil machinations of the despicable king. And as war threatens from the north, where the hated King of the Barbarians plots show more against the south, Wyl must find the mysterious bestower of Myrren's gift in a bid to control the curse that has thrown his life into chaos . . . and is intricately and terrifyingly woven into the future of three realms. show less

QUICKENING TRILOGY

Wyl Thirsk is er getuige van hoe zijn beste vriend voor zijn ogen wordt vermoord. En daar blijft het niet bij. Iedereen in Wyls nabije omgeving, en dit zonder uitzondering, wordt vroeg of laat zwaar op de proef gesteld. Ergo: inmiddels heeft Wyls doodsvijand, de meedogenloze Celimus die met geweld een eind wil maken aan de Thirsk-dynastie, de jacht geopend op de zus van Wyl.

Tegelijkertijd richt Celimus zijn aandacht op het naburige rijk Briavel en, in meer persoonlijke sfeer, op de vrouw op wie Wyl hopeloos verliefd is, de lieve Valentyna.

Wanhopig zoekt de voortvluchtige Wyl naar een oplossing voor alle problemen, daarbij ernstig gehinderd omdat hij - een rechtstreeks gevolg van Myrrens geschenk - gevangen zit in een lichaam dat niet show more het zijne is.

Om daarvan los te komen, zal Wyl eerst de geheimzinnige 'Manheks' moeten zien te vinden, de enige die hem kan verlossen van de vloek die tegelijk een zegen is... show less