I love this series so much. The only issue I have - which I believe is in this book (I read them all at once so discerning between them can be difficult) - is the kind-of-but-not-really incest that happens. Yes I know they're not technically related, but they thought they were for a long time. And only one of them was under a spell so... Yeah. That's the only part that gets iffy for me.

....Aaaand she's back!

Yes. After the disappointment that was Medalon I was nervous that the Jennifer Fallon I had come to quickly enjoy was a fluke. She wasn't. This book had more of the verve and humor that I had become accustomed to in her Wolfblade trilogy. It is probably no coincidence that the writing crackles when she is writing about the Wolfblade characters, namely Damin and Adrina. I get the impression that she had a rollicking good time writing about them in this series so that is what they merited their own trilogy later.

In this book we pick up where we left off in Medalon, R'shiel has been mortally wounded and spirited away by Brak to the Harshini sanctuary. He bargains with a God to save her life. Death doesn't want to give her up, so he'll only be appeased with the soul of equal value. We never find out who that soul is in this book, I have a suspicion we will in the next book.

The power hungry First Sister, Joyhinia has been made into a lack-wit by the God Dacendarian so the Defenders, amply aided by Tarja and Damin Wolfblade, enter into an elaborate ruse where they attempt to undo some of the damage she has done in her overweening grasp for power.

In the meantime we meet Her Royal Highness the Princess Adrina of Fardonhya. Adrina is smart, sexy (as is the custom of her country she has been trained by a male cour'tesa, a sort of Geisha class of slaves who excel in courtly arts including mostly sex)and headstrong. She has been spoiled by her father and, having been involved in an expensive scrape, he arranges her marriage to the Prince of Karien. The Kariens are a fanatically religious people who view the Fardonhyans as sexually deviant heathens. But they want the war lore that King Hablet, Adrina's father has promised.

What follows is an endlessly entertaining story of Adrina's clash with the Kariens, R'Sheil's slow acceptance of her fate as the Demon Child, manipulations and interferences by the Gods, war, betrayal and romance.

R'shiel and Tarja remain somewhat dreary and they are still the absolute worst plotters in all of this series. The two of them truly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. This is ostensibly their trilogy but thankfully this book doesn't have to rely on them totally like the last book did. Adrina and Damon jump to the fore here and simply jump off the page. She is a fabulous creation. I got such a giggle from the fact that she insisted on referring to her despised new husband as 'Cretin' (his name is Craytin).

And I am impressed by the continuity from this first trilogy to the second one. In the second trilogy she goes backward to when Damin is born and explores his growing up and becoming Warlord. She must have had an explicit idea of his personality while she was writing this one because it is extremely consistent.

I had idly thought of Damin and Adrina as a couple in that series, never dreaming that it would actually happen because the two never actually come close to meeting. Boy am I glad it did. They are perfect for each other. And I look forward to the final book.

I think I read this book in about a day? I could NOT put it down. You can hardly tell this is Fallon's second book - it's so well done. There are no weak spots, the characters are incredibly interesting, and just, eeee <3

The dialogue, especially between Adrina and Damin is just so amusing. You almost laugh out loud at it, even if you're reading in the middle of a restaurant when you should be reading.

How can she create characters that are so bratty, and yet you just read them and love them anyway? :D

I definitely enjoyed the second better than the first. I found Adrina interesting and amusing at times. Damin was a likable and enjoyable character who brought a humorous approach to the story. Personally, I found the story telling aspect by Jennifer Fallon better in this as well, and found myself getting into it more. I'm now genuinely interested in pursuing the next book!

3.5 stars because I love the interactions between Damin and Tarjanian as well as Damin and Adrina :)

I really like Jennifer Fallon as a writer. She has interesting characters and story-lines. Clear and easy to read. This is a good sequel, too - it isn't just a transition book. And there isn't nearly as much threat of hanging the same person over and over in this one.

This was a bit slow-going, until the end. Not much action, but Fallon manages to create some interesting characters. As in all series, there is much happening towards the end. I think book three will be very good.