I really loved this book. I thought that the story really moved along great and it is an excellent sequel to Brennan's first book. I love horses and that is another reason that I really like this trilogy.
Wonderful horse-lover's escape!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I really enjoyed this second offering. The character development continues to intrigue. Ms. Brennan's ability to paint those characters are neither wholly good nor wholly bad makes them interesting and more true-to-life. (Except Gothard -- pure evil, that one.) And the horses...sigh. Such wonderful descriptions of them and their roles as gods-on-earth. Any horse-crazy woman who has studied the art of dressage for the pure love of riding, will be mesmerized by this story. And for those who aren't into the fat white horses (lol!), the book's message that relationships are at the heart of every triumph and conflict will keep you reading.
A Solid Middle Pillar of theTrilogy
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This book follows the first one in the series, The Mountain's Call, picking up with Euan vying for the position of High King and Kerrac's magic forcing him from the mountain. What follows is a winding road of self-discovery, sacrifice, and above all, an eloquent treatise on the nature of love. My only true problem with the book came as a romance reader and writer. Because of Valeria and Kerrac's physical affection for each other, not once during the first book, nor the second, was the subject of birth control discussed. Now, I understand this is a fantasy, but Valeria is a farmer's daughter, which means she knows exactly what happens, and if that isn't enough, her mother is a midwife. Yet, it isn't until a pregnancy is necessary to the plot, then we hear about "wards" that may have failed or it may have been the gods' toying with the characters. Or it could simply be that their actions caught up with them. Either way, this part of the plot seems contrived, because what did you expect when two people express their physical love without protection? Other than that, the plot unfolded with page-turning speed, and the reader guessed, but never quite knew exactly where the story would take her. That meant the emotional tale packed a punch, and surprise was exhibited in precisely the right moments. A good setup for the third book, and a wonderful middle pillar of the trilogy.
If you like horses and fantasy this book is for you!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Caitlin Brennan is one of those authors who captures your attention with witty unpredictable plot. This was one of those books that you just can't put down, but first you have to read "The Mountains Call", the first book of the series. It is a book with romance, fantasy, horses, and best of all action. The pace of this book was perfect; there were no moments of boredom! That I can guarantee! Enjoy! And if you like it keep and eye out for her next book of the series!
magnificent romantic fantasy
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Euan Rohe, a Caletanni barbarian almost brought the Empire and the Emperor to its knees during the Great Dance. Valeria, a rider of the wild stallions who are gods made flesh, finished the Dance with her own and seven other stallions and for a time war was averted. Valeria returns to the mountain for more training while Euan escapes to his homeland and allies himself with Gothard, the baseborn son of the Emperor who wants to Unmake his father's empire. War is coming and the Emperor, his warriors and his mages are at the border waiting for the right time to strike out at their enemy. Gothard has a stone that has the power to Unmake, once he knows how to use it. Valeria and her lover Kerrick, with their stallion gods travel to the battleground to stop Gothard before he starts using the stone's power to crush the Emperor's forces. Partners in love and battle Kerrick and Valeria perform a Dance unlike any dance the stallions performed, one that will determine the fate of the Empire. This is the second book in this magnificent romantic fantasy series (See THE MOUNTAIN'S CALL) and it is full of more action, romance and drama than its prequel. The love Kerrick and Valeria feel for each other is tested by secrets he keeps from his lover and the wounds that refuse to heal, both magical and physical, inflicted on him by his half-brother. The battle scenes are magnificent, the characters are realistic and the storyline is pure magic; readers will eagerly await the next book in this tantalizing series. Harriet Klausner
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