Wednesday, December 9, 2020

review of The Lost Shrine series 1: By Vengeance Guided by Amberlyn Holland

 

 


 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776828-by-vengeance-guided

This book begins a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a 'power couple' brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.

Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling, even in this first installment, where a fertility rite is crucial to the plot.

Caerwyn of the Isles is of the Milesan race, who are each born to embody a godlike power of their universe, which overshadows their human personality when invoked properly. His is the spirit of Vengance, and has kept him roaming the lands of this world to redress the killing of his parents in defense of an ancestral Cauldron of power. He is aided in this by his foster brothers the Hounds, with shape-shifting abilities of the Thousand Tribes race but also Milesan ones, granted by the healing Cauldron. They have been summoned by Daen, prince of Galwei, because he suspects he has been bewitched. The culprit? His betrothed, Lady Liadan of Hara Dale.

Liadan herself knows that this betrothal is all sorts of wrong. The match would badly upset the balance between her tiny principality and its neighbors; besides, she was not supposed to be the true heir, but rather her sister, and eventually, her three year old niece. Now Gui, her sister's husband, is attempting to manipulate her the way her sister once allowed herself to be used. Ancestral secrets of the land are in grave danger. What does the stranger who calls himself 'Wyn' have against her family? Is he friend or foe?

What he and the Hounds uncover will not only seal the fate of Hara Dale but all of the human kingdoms.

This book stands alone quite well, but you will be wanting more happy endings for our other heroes.

No comments:

Post a Comment