I'm currently reading this book. I had actually started reading another book at the same time, which was a 'bestseller' (Kusher's Justice) but Kate's book, which was not, won over. It started off very dramatically, with the leaving of the King's lover, who had just had his baby four months previously. Right away, the reader is captivated by their love story because the woman is actually from another 'world', one separated by magic. She is also a completely different humanoid species, immortal, a dragonic human, therefore the baby is half human and half in-human...and you know that his fate will be one of a kind.
But that's just the prologue. The book takes place twenty years later and it is about the fates of two people, Alain and Liath. They come from completely different backgrounds and parts of the world, yet their paths are meant to cross and are crucial in the affairs of the world.
Alain's part of the book is the religious part; he was raised by monks on a distant island, until the Eika (the warriors of the dragon people 'world') attacked and he escapes. He is visited by the Goddess of War and promises her to fight on her side. She gives him a rose that never wilts, so that he will not forget that her visit was real. He is recruited to the army, though as a labour boy, rather than a soldier. It is there that Alain sees his first Eika from up close, a captive wildman who acts like a wolf rather than a man and in fact, he sleeps in a cage with the vicious dogs. Alain takes an interest in the Eika, and is the only one who does not mistreat him. In fact, he takes pity on him and saves his life. It is at that point that the Eika speaks to him and tells him that he's indeed a Prince...
Meanwhile, sixteen year old Liath lives with her father, who has possession of ancient, secret books of magic. One morning, when she wakes, she finds her father dead and it is now up to her to guard the books of powerful knowledge. In fact, Hugh, the monk, knows of these books and accuses Liath of stealing from her, so that he may force her to be his slave as a way to pay off the debts. Through a well thought out brainwashing, and beatings, Hugh tries to break Liath and tell him where she hid the books. After a year, Liath breaks, submits and tells him where she buried them. The books are not there, however, as Liath's friend, in whom she confided, re-buried them elsewhere. Hugh beats Liath almost to death, then tells her that they are moving. On the day that they are to leave, Liath is offered a way out by the King's Eagles army, who have come to recruit...
It is these two journeys of Alain and Liath that they meet. I have not finished the book yet. The one thing that's different about this work, being fantasy, is the strong religious aspect. Also, being written by a woman, a lot of the key figures are women as well, like the head biscops and goddesses. When people pray it is to the Lord and Lady... I'm alright with that, although I find it unrealistic. (ironic, being a fantasy that I'd want some realism) The book is also very political, which can be hard to follow at times and I find it distracting from the main characters. Also, another thing I love to do when I read is try to guess the outcome, which at this point, is impossible for me to fathom. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the book started easy to read, simple and enjoyable, then about halfway in it became this complicated, new character-filled saga. It's still enjoyable and of course, it suits the story, as the main characters come out of their comfort zones into the dangerous, outside world. But at times, I just feel like I ought to take notes... Overall, I'd give this book a thumbs up for a read. The characters are interesting, likeable and worth the time.
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