Title: The Crystal Chalice: Volume II Lost Myths Saga
Author: Debora Hill and Sandra Brandenburg
Published in December 2006 by Fire Mountain Press
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 1-929374-44-5
Related Books: Land of the Wand: Volume I Lost Myths Saga
Since returning from the Land of Wand, Lillian moves to Stockholm, Sweden to be near Marshall, as he continues his music tours. Without her, Marshall still dallies with the groupies that destroy their relationship. Valaura and Evan have not married, though not for the lack of trying on Evan’s part. He fears loosing Valaura so commissions the wand to be remolded into a chalice. Celebrating the anniversary of the Land of Wand trip, Lillian, Valaura, Evan and Marshall meet in Stockholm to drink from the newly molded cup…transporting them to the Land of the Chalice, King Lucifer’s kingdom.
Lillian arrives close to King Lucifer’s home where she meets his son, Abaddon, a true Anjeles with ebony wings. Questioning the boy Lillian discovers twenty years has passed since their last visit, in her time only a year has gone by. Ariel and Sterling’s daughter, Silvera is now twenty. Valaura turns up in Lucifer’s bedroom where he is sleeping with a beautiful woman. Lucifer stirs and follows her out of his room. Valaura learns how many years passed since their last visit. Lucifer’s interest in her is evident when he suggests she share his bed for a needed rest. Marshall lands in Silvera’s chamber. He is stunned to hear twenty years has passed too. Marshall, true to form, beds the girl not realizing she is the daughter of Ariel and Sterling, his friends, and granddaughter to King Lucifer. Evan appears on a balcony inside the castle. Sterling comes to his rescue delivering him to the banquet.
As they join in the banquet room, it is clear that Silvera is an overly indulged young woman, commanding everyone around her including her grandfather, Lucifer. Then she declares Marshall is her consort now and that Lillian is nothing more then a concubine, infuriating both Lillian and Valaura. Moreover, Sterling and Lucifer are angry ordering Marshall to form a blood bond to restore Silvera’s compromised virtue. Marshall quickly tires of Silvera’s obnoxious childish behavior, but indulges in one more dalliance before tossing her aside. Defusing the situation, Lucifer takes Marshall and Evan on a frost monster hunting expedition, which Valaura joins too. During this hunting trip, Evan realizes that he may loose Valaura’s heart to King Lucifer, but will honor any choice she makes on the matter. Attacking the hunting party, Amazzone women kidnap Marshall and Evan, for breeding purposes.
With the men hunting, Ariel announces plans for a birthday ball in honor of Silvera turning twenty. However, with the aid of Lucifer’s older brothers; King Nicholas of the Land of the Wand, King Mephistopheles of the Land of the Pentacle, and King Beelzebub of the Land of Swords, Ariel’s plan includes squashing Lucifer and Sterling’s order that Marshall and Silvera become bond mates. Once her father-in-law’s brothers arrive, Ariel informs them of her brother, Puck has gathered rogue Anjeles to resettle her father’s land. Her presence in the Land of the Flyers is crucial to ensure her brother does not succeed with an uprising. Meanwhile, Silvera knows the baby is Marshall’s, and glad for it. When she expresses happiness with her mother’s leaving, Feldspar, her only friend, sees Silvera as a spoiled, willful young woman. She is distraught when he turns away from her in disgust. As the kingdom prepares to rescue Marshall and Evan, the men endure degrading treatment in the Amazzone women’s hands. Marshall bucks at their superiority and command of his body, whereas Evan quietly submits waiting for the opportunity to escape.
The Crystal Chalice: Volume II Lost Myths Saga, published by Fire Mountain Press, continues this engaging story. Ms. Hill and Ms. Brandenburg masterfully allows this story to be read on its own or in sequence, giving the reader a choice. Like its predecessor, the plot is engrossing, drawing the reader in from the first page and never letting go. Evan Stone, Valaura Bennet, Marshall Storme and Lillian Curtis revive their original roles with more maturity and confidence. Marshall and Lillian’s love is troubled throughout this story, while Evan and Valaura’s love matures. Even with King Lucifer’s wooing of Valaura, Evan remains true, trusting her heart.
Adding some intrigue and spice is Silvera, bratty, demanding daughter to Sterling and Ariel, whereas their son, Abaddon is a delightful addition with his flying antics and innocent playfulness. Yet, I cannot help but laugh when the Amazzone women take prisoner, Marshall and Evan. I felt certain Marshall’s shout of joy could be clearly heard, though only overshadowed by worried for Evan’s survival. In the end, my concern should have remained with Marshall, maybe because he is so young and immature the sordid ordeal lingers with him. Yet, his lesson in fidelity was a hard one. The furbles, huge cats made for riding and the frost monsters make for more entertainment. So does the return of Herschel who finally finds love again, since his first wife died in the first book leaving him miserable. Sterling and Ariel rekindled their love as they join forces to confront her brother Puck, and his renegade band of Anjeles’. Check the authors’ web site for future releases of the Lost Myths Sagas, and other upcoming books.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
Debora Hill and Sandra Brandenburg Interview Review Buy Books
