The Mage's Daughter, A Review

The Mage's Daughter is book two of Lynn Kurland's wonder full Nine Kingdoms Series. Staying true to the trilogy format this second book is a bit darker and more desperate. Kurland sweeps her brush across this wonderful canvas and the vision her words create helps us to continue on her epic journey.

Morgan, left for dead in book one has to deal with her healing her weakened body and accepting that only does magic exist but it exists everywhere. Even in the least likely places. No one is who she thought they were least of all herself. This book is full of choices for Morgan, should she stay safe and secure in a magic sink hole, where no magic exists? Should she follow Miach? Should she remain Morgan, the shield maiden? Should she embrace her heritage and become Morghaine of Ceangail? Each cross road takes her further into danger and yet closer to becoming a truly strong mage..

Miach, having paid the ultimate price for withholding his true identity, fears for Morgan's very life and leaves his pratt of a brother, the kings wedding to chase after her. Missing her by a mere day he is forced to enter the assassins keep to find her. Every one can enter and everyone leaves... just not by the front gate. The only way to make it out the front gate is by earning his mark. Training to become a swordsman.. amazing Morgan he advances fast in the ranks. Learning how to fight without magic, a skill that unknown to him, he will need in the future.

Typical to the trilogy format, it seems that evil has a secure footing and while despair has not fallen over the land.. The situation is dire! An ancient spell is leaking into the lands and the Lothar, the ultimate evil has corrupted even that evil to do his bidding. He insidiously, weaves his magic to creep forth and search for all members that are left of Morgan's blood.

As they travel this journey they face Morgan's past.. We touch base with some of the characters from the first book and are introduced to some wonderful new ones. Morgan a girl who believed she was alone in the world is suddenly over run with protective relatives who want what is “best” for her. This takes patience and love on Morgan's part as she tries to explain that Miach is what is best. Although a mage, he is an honorable man.

Leaving us at the point where hope and doom collide we are left on the edge our seats waiting for Lynn Kurland's next installment. Fortunately Princess of the Sword is out and I can rush to read it.. 




Shauni

Star of Morning, A Review

The first in book in Lynn Kurland's Nine Kingdoms series casts a delightful spell upon the reader. Kurland weaves a sensual spell as she slowly crafts her story. Introducing characters in full detail that leaves one feeling like she is standing right there with them. Her landscaping reminded me of fields and streams set to canvas with the paint of her words. In general a rich fulfillment of promise.

Morgan, the shield maiden was as unassuming as a girl could be, trained first by mercenaries, then educated in secret amongst orphaned young men and finally trained by the master of assassins. The one thing she was sure of was that magic was bad. At best the user depended too much upon it and not practicing more mundane things, like skill... At worst, it was corrupt and evil used by those who chose to destroy the kingdoms. So what's a girl to do when her mentor, her father figure asks her to deliver this one little dagger to the King of a different land? This one little dagger that glows and sings to her. That constantly pulls at her sense? This little dagger that is causing her to dream, dark dangerous dreams..

Miach, the Archmage, brother to the king, loyal to the kingdom. Miach upon realizing that the king's magic has failed him sends the king off to find the one person who can wield the Sword of Angesand. Long hanging in the king's hall. Bespelled years before by a powerful queen. Sending his pompous brother and king off to do his duty and find the person who can wield the sword is his only hope but as time passes and he has not heard from the king he sees no recourse but to follow him.

Upon meeting the brothers she things King Adhemar at best a pompous twit of a landowner full of himself and Miach, his sweet but rather hapless farmer of a brother. While finding both men attractive, well Adhemar until he awoke and opened his mouth (made me giggle) she was drawn to Miach. A man she could trust, turn to and rely on. Together along with her traveling companions, fellow mercenaries and friends, they set off to Neroche to deliver the dagger to the king.

Along the way Morgan, the girl who hates magic finds that she can remember the odd spell, that she indeed has magic within her. Which terrifies her, she wants nothing more than to be the shield maiden that she thinks she is. As they travel towards the kingdom of Neroche, darkness follows and evil stalks them. Each step closer to Neroche more dangerous than the last. And yet each step they take into darkness draws Miach and Morgan ever closer together..

A wonderful beginning to this trilogy, I am completely looking forward to reading The Mage's Daughter and Princess of the Sword the next two books in this trilogy. From what I understand Ms Kurland is going to write three complete trilogies about the Nine Kingdoms. Which given my pension for things to match makes me very happy. There are Nine Kingdoms so there should be Nine books. I know I am looking forward to reading each and every one of them.

Shauni

A Few Good Books

Whenever I wander the bookstores I try to find books that my girls will enjoy. The boys are harder to pick for and have their own eclectic styles so I sorta glaze over when choosing for them. Of course I can always count on anything by Tolkien but face it the man died in the 1970's and is unlikely to produce any more work...

Anyway I was looking around and stumbled upon these fabulous books by Cindi Chima... I suppose You could call it the "Heir" Series. It is about teenagers finding out that they are different that they have gifts that there is a place for them in this world and that there are others out there who are like them. It talks about standing your ground, fighting for what is right and believing in yourself. All wrapped up in an exciting story about Warriors and Wizards and the age old battle of good vs. evil. For more about the impressive Ms Chima please hop on over to her website I found it to be easy to maneuver and am very much looking forward to her next series..