Published Date: September 19th, 2011
Finished Date: August 24th, 2011
Publishers: Carina Press
Format: eARC from Netgalley
Blurb from Goodreads: Selia has run her family's tavern since she was fifteen and can hunt and fight the equal of any man. When she rescues a badly wounded man and nurses him back to health, she has no idea she's about to change not only her life, but also the destinies of two peoples…
The battered warrior is Svistra—a race of bloodthirsty savages determined to destroy her homeland. Or so the stories claim. Jaden reveals a different truth: how his ancestors were driven into the barren northern mountains. Now they are strong and war parties are pushing south wanting their land back.
The son of a Svistra Commander, Jaden is looking for a way to bring peace to both humans and Svistrans. He tries to ignore his growing passion for Selia, but when she is captured he has to decide what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves…
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My Review: This is a 'wow' of a book. This novel contains everything that you could ever want: Suspense, action(definitely lots of action), romance, betrayal, deception, friendship. Really just a fantasticle novel that i would never get bored of no matter how many times i'm going to reread it (and i do plan to reread it.Oh yes i do).
Selia and Oren are barkeeps at a tavern situated near to the Svistra border to the North in Newhaven. Svistra are bloodthirsty creatures(literally. They need blood to survive. But not like vamps. No god-like speed and all)who excel in the art of combat. However, all is not well in Newhave - The Svistra are now rallying up to take back what has been stolen from them time and time again: the land that they called home. Which is in Newhaven.
Selia was hunting for game one day when she came across three thugs bashing up someone else, who she found out was a Svistra named Jaden. At first she was afraid that saving Jaden was a fool's course of action, but as Oren, her and Jaden spend time together, they started forming bonds of friendship.
Oren is a kindred spirit who won't ever harm a fly, so when he and all the men in their little run-down village were taken to be soldiers in the coming war against the Svistra, Selia and Jaden set off to save him. And along the way, not only cupid paid them a visit, Jaden's brethren are out for his blood too...
That's not the whole story, it is much, MUCH longer than that. Testimony of how eventful this book is. Trust me, this book will not disappoint you.
Selia is a kickass heroine who tops my all-time-favourite-characters list. Although the environment that she lived in leaves much to be desired(her mom being a whore and everything), she still grew up to be a loyal, mature, compassionate person. Even when she found out that it was a Svistra she was saving, she still cared for him and gave him a place to stay(even tho it's in the barn, it's still a place to stay). I adore her.
Jaden. Jaden Jaden Jaden. He is one sexy man. Or Svistra in this case. Wow. Hot-ness! Lol. This man really knows how to fight, and how to love. He was so super sweet to Selia, and a damn good friend to Oren. Add to that, he is a natural-born leader. How much more perfect can a guy get?
Anyway, this book was a complex one to write. Not that i would know, but the way Thomas switched POVs all the time and still making it come across clearly, and to actually encompass such a complicated and wholesome plot..That's some real talent here. Really, it alternated between Keldar(commander of the Svistra army - antagonist), Nathan(commander of the Newhaven human army), Jaden(male protagonist!!!), and Selia(female protagonist), but never, not once did i get confused. The entirety of it was well thought out and so very detailed, I applaud the skill Thomas has exhibited.
This novel started off at a not-so-fast pace, but it slowly opens up to the world that the characters lived in, and each of the characters' past. And not long after, it picks up its pace and i find that i couldnt put the book down anymore. I literally clutched my iPad and glued my eyes to the screen. Lol, gruesome visual description. But yeah, it was filled with suspense and jam-packed with non-stop action.
One teeeeensy weensy flaw tho - the initial attraction between our 2 protagonists was a little quick to me. I mean, only after the first few times they talked and already they feel a pull. But it isn't insta-love, that i can assure you. And other than this rather negligible detail, the romance part was slow and sweet, never too rushed. All in all, it was so perfecty romantic that i found myself craving for more scenes with these two in it. I swear, their just so perfect together.
All in all, let me repeat myself, this novel has everything you could ever want and leaves you thirsting for more. A definite 5 stars.
Random musing (which may contain spoilers):
There is a kind of love triangle thing going on this book. Not that the female protagonist was torn between two men, more of the other guy is a third-wheeler. It was kind of amusing when i found out he liked her(not gonna say who and who. Even i'm not that spoiler-y). It was an unrequited love, and sort of uncalled for. Still, it was fun and...amusing, really. Lol.
My Rating:
