(This review may contain spoilers).
This was another book I originally read quite a while ago and when I had the opportunity to read it again, I jumped at the chance.
I really liked the plot of this book. It was a fairly simple, uncomplicated romance. I enjoyed learning about Keir’s people along with Lara. I do have to say that this book was very slow; there wasn’t very much in the way of action. I still found it fairly easy to read and I was drawn fully into the book.
I did like the fact that Lara formed friendships with the other characters, even though she thought she was actually a slave. It was kind of painful to read about how uncertain she was with Keir…though I did think he could have been a bit more understanding when it came to explaining things to her. I found myself getting really frustrated with him at times during the book.
I particularly liked the secondary characters in this book and I have to say, my favourites were probably Joden and Simus. I particularly enjoyed their friendship and seeing Simus’ relationship with Keir, as someone comfortable enough to joke around with the warlord. It said a lot about Keir’s character as well as Simus’.
I also really liked being able to see the contrasts between Lara’s people and Keir’s. While Keir and his people were clearly warriors, it was nice to see how they lived outside of battle. It was somewhat sad to see that warriors believing themselves not to be whole asked ‘for mercy’, though. I thought that was a way in which the people were lacking, considering they didn’t seem to be able to see any other way apart from that of a warrior. No matter what Keir was trying to do.
I would have liked to see some more depth to Xymund, as he just came across as a villain without any redeeming qualities to him. I was left questioning how he’d kept any kind of control over his people, considering he seemed incapable of actually being a king.
While this book didn’t have much action, I did enjoy the romance and I liked meeting the characters. I definitely intend to reread the next books in the trilogy at some point in the near future.
Ink of Blood 