K. B. Forrest weaves an exotic fantasy tale of dragons, strange beasts, and a land full of witches and people who aren’t what they seem. Artavan is a fierce warrior and jack of all trades when his emotions aren’t getting the best of him. Tork, his friend from childhood shows that he’s been hiding behind a façade for years. Both of the men like to tell tall tales but Artavan doesn’t tell them with the intent to make others look bad. Tork has no trouble taking credit for things others do as he cowers in the bushes.

The Pavlavans tell a ghastly tale of what happened to their land. Artavan is in the fight partly because he admires and comes to love Devdata. It’s great to see him grow as a man through the battles they have to fight. Not only does he fight dragons, huge worms and bulls, he has to fight his own sense of inferiority ingrained by abuse through the years.

This is a great story woven by an author who excels at the craft of writing to make the scenes and people come alive. Mixed with the battles and fight of good against evil is some excellent humor as we watch the characters come become real under her pen. This is an easily read escape from the mundane things of the world into a well built land of fantasy.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
March 10, 2009