by Jeff Wheeler

This third book in the series starts with a look inside the mysticism of The Medium, followed by a lot of action and changing fortunes for Maia. There's a lot of tension and great storytelling to move it forward. I felt that the series had definitely found its feet with this one.

I don't want to spoil what actually happens, but the kingdom is under threat, the succession is under contention and Maia's marriage is under the pressures of the demands of rulership, both at home and in Dahomey. There is plenty of conflict and twists and turns to keep the reader guessing what might happen next.

Though there are more books to the series, I feel finished with this one. There is too much stress and doom without enough happy interlude to keep me going further. Maia drives me nuts with her generous attitude, even when people betray her trust, and though she is basically likeable, she doesn't have an edge to her to make me care deeply.

Having said that, I've enjoyed reading three books of the series. Good Fantasy.

by Jeff Wheeler

Second book in a series.

The story begins around the same time the first book was ending, so there is just a little crossover. An Earl is to be executed for refusing to sign an oath of submission. It's a shocking situation that violates everything the king's sworn oath to the Medium as a Maston stands for, and is witnessed by a loyal kings man who is imprisoned with his sons through a tower window. He realizes then that he and his sons must escape somehow, because they are likely to have their turn soon on the chopping block.

Meanwhile Maia has reached Muirwood Abbey and is settling into her studies, while dealing with mixed reactions from the other students due to her banished status. But there is no rest for Maia. Even more shocking news comes and the safety of the Abbey is compromised.

This is not a five star series, but it's really holding my attention and I'm looking forward to reading the third book. This one has fleshed out the characters who were introduced in the first book and some of them have developed significantly. I sometimes want to shake Maia and tell her not to be so naive, but she's generally a good character and I think she'll turn out alright in the end.

That is the one problem with this volume, it doesn't end. It's not exactly a cliffhanger, but an important situation is left unresolved so that reading the third book is compulsory. Luckily I have it waiting, but I don't like series books that hold me hostage!

Worthwhile Fantasy read.

by Jeff Wheeler

This is an old style mock-Medieval Fantasy novel with the Patriarchal society typical of these fantasy worlds, but it's well done. The main character is Maia, a princess who is learning magic forbidden to females. The world building starts early on and has a dark, conspiratorial feel to it. Magic plays a big part and there is something called the medium which serves as the magical force that everyone tunes into.

The patriarchy is strong in this one to the point of serious misogyny, but that plays an important role in the plot. Much of the political situation is unfair to Maia and her father, who I felt was a bit of a pig, does nothing to protect her from the machinations of men, though he says that he loves her and insists on her loyalty to the kingdom. To be fair to him, he does protect her from the wicked stepmother who adds a Cinderella-like subplot to the story.

I went back and forth a few times deciding whether I liked one of the important characters (The king of Dahomey) or not. Deciding who to trust was a feature of the story and I think the author did a good job of keeping me wondering about several characters through different phases of the story.

My one real complaint is the flashbacks and dreams. I found the changes too abrupt and therefore confusing more than once. It is largely typical of Fantasy in that the protagonist goes on a journey fraught with dangers and enemies on every side, but the ambiguity of the good/evil dichotomy in various characters, including Maia herself, gives it an original slant and hold interest.

As a first book of a trilogy, the ending did tie up the immediate situation adequately, while leaving larger questions open for the books to follow. I will look forward to reading them.

Perhaps aimed at the young adult market, this novel takes the War of the Roses and transposes it into a fantasy version with an interesting plot involving an 8-year old boy called Owen and the manipulations by those at court to gain favour and bring justice. Characters are developed well and the plot moves along at a good steady pace, making the whole experience worthwhile. A quick complaint: why do all fantasy novels (nearly all) have to include a bully to pick on young main characters? (See Harry Potter et al.) The book is fairly original and I recommend it to lovers of fantasy novels.

I read this book quickly and didn't get bored, so I must have liked it....right? The premise is solid, and I enjoyed reading the author's note about his inspiration for the story line and the characters. Put several things in perspective for me. It's certainly not the most sophisticated or epic piece of fantasy I've ever read, but it's a good story. And I found myself drawn to several of the characters. Wheeler does tend toward the more shallow, "light" descriptions, so it left me wanting at certain points. I'm a fan of series' like Outlander, ok? I like lots of meaty details! But I know that's not for everyone. Anyways...I've consistently seen that the second book is even better so I'm really looking forward to that!