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marshii1390's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rain and Ellysetta get married after her mother is brutally slaughtered in front of her by eld mages
Her power is unlocked and it’s discovered that she’s a Tairen soul
bodagirl's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
A decent entry into the "chosen one" trope - but the made up "language" (just phrases here and there without a complete glossary) and the half-developed magic system are keeping me from rating it higher.
manaledi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I almost gave up on this series a few times early in this book as the tension grew and the drama dragged. But interesting new characters and a new moment in the plot arc have me at least considering book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual content
katie_rose81's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Second in the Tairen Soul fantasy series, Ellie and Rain are still in the pre-wedding stages in Ellie's hometown. The title is amazingly appropriate as that is exactly what Ellysetta is---a lady bright in the light and overshadowed by darkness.
The Story
Rain is a fey and the Tairen Soul (shapeshifter, sorta) as well as the King of the Fading Lands who lost the love of his life 1,000 years ago during the Mage Wars; Ellysetta Baristani is the adopted daughter of a woodcarver in Celieria whom Rain has joyfully, and reluctantly, discovered is his soulmate.
Time is running short for Rain, the tairen, and the Fading Lands. He must prevent an alliance between the Fading Land ally, Celieria, and the Eld, a land of the fey's most grievous mage enemies. The Celierians have not experienced war with mages for 1,000 years and no longer believe the Eld are a threat whereas Rain does remember the Mage War and his own terrible losses. Then there's the crisis the tairen are facing: kits are dying in the shell and only Ellie can save them but she must willingly accept Rain as her soulmate, her truemate.
A truemate has not been found in over 1,000 years and the first thread has been woven between Ellie and Rain. If Ellie cannot completely accept Rain, he will die as will the hopes and lives of the Fading Lands.
Time is even shorter than Rain believes for the High Mage Vadim Maur has been searching for Ellie for 24 years ever since a servant was spelled to escape with her. Ellie is his daughter and he has high hopes for her magical abilities. He has spies in Celieria, chief amongst them is Kolis Manza who hides himself behind many disguises: a foreign sea captain enlisting Den Borden's hate to hurt Ellie; a favorite at court of the queen's whispering in her ear, using her insecurity and pride to turn her from her husband; and, a seducer of ladies he forces to spy---and worse---for him. The Celierian nobles are an unknown. Many have been unthreatened for too long and consider only profit while others have been making ready for this day.
Then another of the fey finds his soulmate. Already married to a noble and he is physically at-risk if he cannot be in her company. An infamous outlaw Dahl’reisen is found in the company of the fey and he has admitted to killing Celierians. Kolis’ whispering campaign is bearing fruit, rotten fruit. Suspicions toward the fey are quickly culminating into outright hatred and the Eld are secretly massing on the border.
My Take
Wow. We finally find out what Ellie's fits and dreams are truly about. That poor kid.
For the rest, yeah, it's cliché but such a lovely formula it is. Wilson gives the truisms a twist and a flip creating a heart pounding story you will race to finish.
The Cover
The cover has a fey qualtity to it. The woman lying down is obviously meant to represent Ellysetta with the murky, barely visible hooded man with the red eyes behind her sitting in for the High Mage. Nice.
The Story
Rain is a fey and the Tairen Soul (shapeshifter, sorta) as well as the King of the Fading Lands who lost the love of his life 1,000 years ago during the Mage Wars; Ellysetta Baristani is the adopted daughter of a woodcarver in Celieria whom Rain has joyfully, and reluctantly, discovered is his soulmate.
Time is running short for Rain, the tairen, and the Fading Lands. He must prevent an alliance between the Fading Land ally, Celieria, and the Eld, a land of the fey's most grievous mage enemies. The Celierians have not experienced war with mages for 1,000 years and no longer believe the Eld are a threat whereas Rain does remember the Mage War and his own terrible losses. Then there's the crisis the tairen are facing: kits are dying in the shell and only Ellie can save them but she must willingly accept Rain as her soulmate, her truemate.
A truemate has not been found in over 1,000 years and the first thread has been woven between Ellie and Rain. If Ellie cannot completely accept Rain, he will die as will the hopes and lives of the Fading Lands.
Time is even shorter than Rain believes for the High Mage Vadim Maur has been searching for Ellie for 24 years ever since a servant was spelled to escape with her. Ellie is his daughter and he has high hopes for her magical abilities. He has spies in Celieria, chief amongst them is Kolis Manza who hides himself behind many disguises: a foreign sea captain enlisting Den Borden's hate to hurt Ellie; a favorite at court of the queen's whispering in her ear, using her insecurity and pride to turn her from her husband; and, a seducer of ladies he forces to spy---and worse---for him. The Celierian nobles are an unknown. Many have been unthreatened for too long and consider only profit while others have been making ready for this day.
Then another of the fey finds his soulmate. Already married to a noble and he is physically at-risk if he cannot be in her company. An infamous outlaw Dahl’reisen is found in the company of the fey and he has admitted to killing Celierians. Kolis’ whispering campaign is bearing fruit, rotten fruit. Suspicions toward the fey are quickly culminating into outright hatred and the Eld are secretly massing on the border.
My Take
Wow. We finally find out what Ellie's fits and dreams are truly about. That poor kid.
For the rest, yeah, it's cliché but such a lovely formula it is. Wilson gives the truisms a twist and a flip creating a heart pounding story you will race to finish.
The Cover
The cover has a fey qualtity to it. The woman lying down is obviously meant to represent Ellysetta with the murky, barely visible hooded man with the red eyes behind her sitting in for the High Mage. Nice.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, I never had a moment of rest while reading this story. It came alive in my hands and whirled me through the frenzied world of the Train Soul and his mate. Their relationship is moving at a natural rate. It has all the bumps and road blocks that would be found in such a couple, unheard of in most books today. The self doubts, the lack of trust, the impressions of family members, all part of new relationships. For Ellie, going from a woodcarvers daughter to a queen, she has difficult adjustments to make. For Rain, he has a thousand years of demons haunting his heart. It is a beautiful thing to read.
Ellie, is faced with her magic and her parentage. Rain may not be able to live with the truth. Her family may not be able to accept her. Shadows are haunting her dreams becoming stronger. She must learn the truth, only then can she move on. Magic is in her.
Rain is trying to help his young Queen deal with the rude and hateful comments the nobles are throwing at her. He surrounds her with love and tries not to leave her side. But a terrible future might await the city if he does not stop the Eld from crossing the borders. He must convince them to believe, he must gain their trust. Ellie and her unknown magic places the talks into chaos. War may come.
I did not think it would be possible to be better than the first book but this one was. I was so lost in the story, I read for hours and did not even realize it. I am off to read book 3
Ellie, is faced with her magic and her parentage. Rain may not be able to live with the truth. Her family may not be able to accept her. Shadows are haunting her dreams becoming stronger. She must learn the truth, only then can she move on. Magic is in her.
Rain is trying to help his young Queen deal with the rude and hateful comments the nobles are throwing at her. He surrounds her with love and tries not to leave her side. But a terrible future might await the city if he does not stop the Eld from crossing the borders. He must convince them to believe, he must gain their trust. Ellie and her unknown magic places the talks into chaos. War may come.
I did not think it would be possible to be better than the first book but this one was. I was so lost in the story, I read for hours and did not even realize it. I am off to read book 3
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
4.5
Still having so much fun reading this series! This book was even better than the last and just a little bit more spice! I loved getting to see Ellie’s story progress and learn more about her background.
summercampcrush's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Finally some real palace intrigue! The second book really sped by for me. FMC still acted like a little 16 year old for a lot of it. But she’s also brainwashed and being targeted by murderous mages soooooo I’ll forgive her for quaking like a leaf most of the time.
laura_corsi's review against another edition
4.0
I discovered this series quite a few years ago in my romance reading stage, but this series is a cut above. The world building is beautiful and the story features many different characters, good, evil, and in between, not just the principal couple. It is just lovely. I really love the fey language that Wilson creates as well. Definitely worth a few re-reads!