#Review: King of Sword and Sky by C.L. Wilson - 5 Wine Glasses

Title: KING OF SWORD AND SKY
Series: Tairen Soul Book 3
Author: C.L. Wilson
Format: Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
Published : Avon (September 28,2010)
ISBN : ISBN-10:0062023004
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

One passion could unite them.
One enemy could destroy them.

Rain, the proud and haunted Fey King, risked everything to follow his heart and his destiny to Ellysetta—his truemate, his love, the woodcarver's daughter who possessed miraculous gifts she did not understand. He defied the nobles of Celieria to claim her, battled demons and Elden mages to wed her.

And now he must protect her—and his imperiled kingdom—with magic, steel, and scorching flame. For his soul-kin, the magical tairen, are dying, and only the Fey King's bride can save them . . . if Rain can help his beloved embrace the magic within her and forge the unbreakable bond of passion and power necessary to save her soul. 

Linda's Thoughts:
"Ve sha kein'tani. Kem'san. Kem'teisa." You are my mate. My heart. My soul. He growled the words against her lips, sending them on Air to her ears, on Spirit to her mind, singing them on their bond threads in the shatteringly vivid tones of tairen song. With hands and words and lips and teeth, he laid claim to her, declaring possession, marking her with his touch, his kiss, his breath, the scent of his skin rubbing hers with hot friction, singing to her soul. 

KING OF SWORD AND SKY by C.L. Wilson is the third installment in the author's epic romantic fantasy. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it. I discovered C. L. Wilson's books when I happened to read and fall in love with THE WINTER KING last year. While waiting on the next book in that series to be released, I discovered that she'd previously written the Tairen Soul series, and I have become addicted to it also. I enjoy epic romantic fantasies and, honestly, I consider this collection to be one of the very best in that genre.

First of all, this is absolutely a series that must be read in order. I cannot imagine plunging into the series at this point without having read the previous two books. Truly, you would be hopelessly lost. The series is about Fey King Rain, the Tairen Soul, and his shei'dalin and truemate, Ellysetta. The word building, the fantasy world, the romance and the development of the danger plot have evolved from the first book. Please do yourself a favor and read this series from the very beginning. You won't regret it.

KING OF SWORD AND SKY picks up right where book two left us. Rain and Ellysetta have wed. Their true bond is not complete; only a few strands of it are in place. The bond must be complete to save her from the dark marks that have been placed on her by the dark High Mage, Vadim Maur, and to save Rain from the bonding madness that will come if their bond is not completed. They must learn to trust one another unconditionally and become as one to complete the bond. Each has a way to go.

In this book, we learn much more about the tairen. From the earlier books, we learned that they are declining - their kits are dying before they are hatched - and that the Eye had foreseen Ellysetta as the one person who could save them. She is desperate to do so but has no idea how. The tairen are ferocious winged felines who can breathe fire. They are the source of magic for the Fey and, if they all die, so will the land of Fey. As it is, the magic in the land of the Fey is waning. Steli is the head of the Pride and she's a hoot!

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Ellysetta’s true parents, Shannisorran and Elfeya, remain trapped by Vadim Maur and the evil mages of Eld. I shudder every time more of their story is shared. They have endured sadistic torture for a thousand years since they were both captured during the last war. Their love is beautiful and tragic. I absolutely abhor the dark High Mage and his minions and hope they all suffer long, torturous deaths. That would actually be too good of an outcome for them.

Following please find just a few of my very favorite quotes from this awesome read:

"They eat when they are hungry, sleep when they are tired, and kill their enemy without doubt or regret when he threatens them. Do you know how calming that is?"
"To kill your enemy?"
"To have no regrets."
---

"Come, shei'tani." Rain unwrapped the cloth from about his waist and snapped it out to its full length, lowering it over a dense bed of ferns. "Time for sleeping." One black brow arched, and his lavender eyes began to glow. "Or other things."
---

He groaned and shifted, his hips bucking up against her in instinctive demand. "You tease."
She purred and touched her tongue to the round indent of his navel. "I but prolong the pleasure."

This book discloses some mind-blowing information about Ellysetta's deceased mother and her two half-sisters. It ends with a cliffhanger but that's not a big deal as the next book is already available - and on my nightstand. The evil mages of Eld are planning their war and Vadim Maur badly wants Ellysetta for his. The legendary struggle between the dark and the light continues with QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS.

If you enjoy epic romantic fantasies featuring the Fey with love scenes so beautiful, you will most assuredly swoon, deep betrayals, and battles that will determine the fate of all, this series should be on your must-read-soon list!



Suggested Reading Order:
LORD OF THE FADING LANDS (book 1)
LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS (book 2)
KING OF SWORD AND SKY (book 3)
QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS (book 4)
CROWN OF CRYSTAL FLAME (book 5)