Warprize
Elizabeth Vaughan
Pub: Tom Doherty
336pp
Fantasy Romance
5 stars
Xylara is the Daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders.
Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. She can't usurp her brother or negotiate a peace--but she can heal the brave ones injured in battle.
But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara's conscience won't let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She learns their language and their customs and tries to make them as comfortable as possible, despite their prisoner-of-war status.
She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. Xylara knows must trade the life she has always known for the well-being of her people, and so she becomes...
My thoughts…On several occasions I read reviews for Warprize that said things like “amazing”, ”spellbinding”, “couldn’t put down” so when I was able to get my hands on a rather worn copy I dug in and I’m thrilled to say I loved it!!
Warprize is the first of a trilogy set in the Kingdom of Xy. The kingdom is under attack by the ruthless Warlord Kier. As in any battle there are many wounded and Xylara Princess of Xy and master healer has her hands full tending to the wounded but her oath as a healer will not allow her to leave even the Firelanders her enemy for death. Xylara begins to learn their language out of necessity in treating them but she also strikes a friendship with the men and its because of her compassion that she catches the eye of Kier. The kingdom is forced to surrender and Xylara must serve as a war prize in order to protect her people but nothing is as it appears.
Xylara is intelligent, practical, and naïve. She has a kind heart and is ready to sacrifice herself for her people, but her passion is healing and it shows in her actions. Kier for all his dark rough ways is a ruler that leads by example and although he is a hardened warrior he isn’t a hardhead he listens to Xylara and really is big hearted despite his apparent indifference. I loved the interaction between Kier and Xylara, they have language barriers and cultural differences to overcome, but they are both so much alike in ways too full of compassion and loyalty.
The main story is Kier and Xylara but the secondary characters are just as wonderful with the sensitive Joden, the humorous Simus, and the cranky but devoted Marcus all make this an awesome read. The trilogy continues with Warsworn and Warlord.
Author sites www.warprize.com
www.eavwrites.com
6 comments:
I've been on the fence about this series for a LONG time. While I hear that the first book is amazing, just like you mentioned and experienced, the next two are described as lacking. I'll wait and see what you think.
Great review!
;) VFG
I loved this book! That's great that it was such a good read. It was a definite keeper for me... Especially since Kier was just all sorts of yum.
This is one of those trilogies that I'll savor. I loved Kier and Xylara together, in the first, second and third story. I hope you get your hands on Warlord and Warsworn too Tricia ;)
VFG-hmm...well I plan on reading the rest of the trilogy so I'll let you know but I think Warprize can be read as a stand alone also.
Anna-Oh yes as soon as I can get my hands on a new copy this is a keeper on my shelf. I've already pushed my worn out copy on my sister :D
Leontine-"savor" I like that it's exactly how I felt about Kier ;) And Warsworn and Warlord are in the mail on the way to me I have to know what happens next.
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