Title: Sword of Niraz
Author: Julie D'Arcy
Published in 2006 by Mundania Press
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 1-59426-120-2
Related Books: Legacy of the Black Dragon
The Saga continues...but will the price be too high this time? It has been over twenty-one years since Narokah; the Dark Priest was overpowered and doomed to the Fiery Abyss. Vellandril was certain by keeping the Sword of Niraz in his care instead of returning it, he was doing the right thing, but years later, he finds himself on a new quest, that leads him to buried secrets as he once again must leave the elven village of Tarlis-Leah.
Vellandril Ballindoch, King of Tarlis-Leah cannot believe that the Sword of Niraz has been stolen. He had kept the sword close to him in hopes of remembering the days of old when he and the others had shared good times. It had been his only link and by thinking it was safe, he had been drugged and it stolen, from him, right under his nose. He feels like he has betrayed the Gods. Now he must go out and find it and this time return it to its rightful place. He seeks the advice of Meggahn, since she always held wise counsel. He could only hope that she would send the Knight Sir Gwayne, Johden's father, in Garrik's place, on this search for the sword.
Queen Meggahn is surprised to see Vellandril but when he inquires of her husband's whereabouts, she informs that Garrik and her son have gone west to fight in the raging war. The battlefield only grows worse and she can only hope that they will be spared and return to her when the fighting is over. When she learns why Vellandril has come for help, she insists that the King's First Knight go along with him to find the sword.
Johden has fought many years to try to forget the elven prince, Vellandril. Even after all the passing years, when she sees him again, her knees turn to jelly. To keep her heart intact, she must be bold and feisty, so she decides to be rude to him. She cannot believe she has to join the elf on some mission to find the sword again but she is the best of the Knights and she does enjoy a great adventure. And when Gabriene steps into the picture, she refuses for anyone to tell Vellandril that he is Vellandril's son. When she is ready to inform the elf, she will be the one to do so. For now she will accompany Vellandril every step of the way, while trying to keep her feelings locked deep inside her heart.
Gabriene Ballindoch has no idea that his father is the elf prince. After he decides to follow his mother on the journey, he hopes to uncover his best friend's killer. A moon ago, Jon, the Baron's son was murdered and it still bothers Gabriene. But in his way to locate the killer, he learns the identity of his father, as well as the woman fated to be his love. Morganna le Mordah is not the ordinary woman that Gabriene expected. He found her somewhat cold, unfeeling and cruel underneath all that beauty. But that was after she had wished him to lie with her, and discovered he was an elf, known as scum of the earth. Morganna had no idea that one man would make her come alive with a simple touch, after she had been told how awful it would be for a woman to mate with a man. She quickly learns that what she was informed was incorrect. After seeing that Gabriene is an elf, she gets irate and calls for help but after he is gone, she only remembers his delicate touch and how he made her feel so much like a real woman. Now she realizes where her love really lies, but after feeling the sensations that Gabriene instrumented to her body, she doesn't know if she will ever see him again. Even though he was forbidden, that only made her want him more.
It has been twenty-two summers since Vellandril entered the Castle de Danann, and twenty-one summers since he has seen the lovely face of Johden. He can't believe that he has returned to a place he sworn he would never set foot again. Vellandril may have betrayed her, but one thing that never stopped was the buried love he held in his heart for her. But more importantly, he never knew that there was a son that he never knew and one that would make him most happy. After Vellandril learns that he has a son, he is more torn with Johden and doesn't understand why she had to keep the secret. It is an intense battle between the two as their heart opens and the past is revealed, opening events that stir strongly for the two. If the sword were not enough to worry over, others are caught in their own upsweep of events with sworn revenge, losses of inheritance and escapades that abound as a war rages in the west with loved ones wondering if their husband or sons will return home again.
Sword of Niraz is a very impressive read. Once again this reader was captivated by the scenery and the characters that detailed this lovely fantasy. I could almost feel the sensation flowing through Vellandril when he hears that Johden was not married. And the meeting of the two after all the passing years was so real, so genuine, it just smoldered in the pages. I loved the character of Johden, strong, feisty and determined to stand on her own, yet a softer side to her whenever she is around Vellandril that just oozes through her pores. Not to mention Vellandril when he is near Johden, the chemistry between the two is remarkably written and the dialogue, magnificent. Gabriene and Morganna had their own fiery heat that sprinkled in the storyline. All the characters were so remarkable that it is hard expressing them in one word, but this reader could feel their emotions strongly.
Julie D'Arcy crafts another brilliant tale that engages immediately from the first page. With her in-depth characters, wonderful intrigue, and detailed description of a breathtaking area, this is one story that should not be missed. If you haven't read the first of the series, Legacy of the Black Dragon, it would be best to read it first, then spring right into the Sword of Niraz. Just get a comfortable chair, sit back and get ready for a fascinating venture that will not be forgotten. She blends in excellent conversation, and a storyline that keeps the story moving along, creating a tale that practically comes to life with every flip of the page. From the lovely castles, the intense fighting and the damsels often in need of help, she pens a charming book that is a timeless piece of art. I like the way she makes her heroine's strong, yet tender, and her hero's ready to do anything for the one woman they love. This is one explosive read that shouldn't be missed. Why not pick your copy of Sword of Niraz up today at A href="http://www.mundaniapress.com/books-swordofniraz.html" target="_blank">www.mundaniapress.com where an exciting fun-filled adventure waits in this dynamite read! I love her work! And the covers are spectacular.
Sincerely good reading,
Linda
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