With her debut novel LORD OF THE FADING LANDS, C. L. Wilson instantly established herself as a "must read" author. With each successive book in this series the reader is drawn deeper into Rain and Ellysetta's world. One cannot help but immediately yearn for the next installment. The third and latest, KING OF SWORD AND SKY is a suspenseful and mesmerizing read to be savored slowly and carefully as its complex plot unfolds.

Rain is taking Ellysetta home to Fading Lands, where they hope she can find the answer to save the tairen from extinction. Ellysetta's father Sol and her younger sisters, the twins Lillis and Lorelle travel with them, although they will remain in Teleon at the edge of the Fading Lands as Sol had promised his wife Lauriana before she died.

Upon leaving her family behind to the protection of Kieran and Kiel, Ellie, Rain and their companywhich includes the former dahl'reisen, Gaelen vel Serranis, enter the Faering Mists which admit only the worthy into the Fey kingdom. To everyone's surprise Galen passes through quickly while Ellie and Rain take so long that everyone begins to worry. Ellysetta bears two mage marks, signs of domination by the High Mage Vadim Maur, High Mage of the Eld. Ellie and Rain finally emerge but doubts have sprung up among some of the more influential members of the Fey including several members of the Massan (governing body) as to their fitness to rule the Fading Lands. The Tairen, however, have no doubts and soon Ellie finds herself in Fey'Bahren where she attempts to discover what is ailing the unborn Tairen within the five remaining eggs. Should they die, it would mean the end of both the Tairen and Fey races. In this dire situation some hope and joy is taken from the fact that for the first time in centuries a Fey woman, the Shei'dalin Marissya. is with child due to Ellysetta's wine and keflee induced carnal weave, woven at the state dinner in Celieria. Ellie also heals a huge number of rasa (Fey warriors on the brink of losing their souls) who immediately swear allegiance to her.

In the meantime Rain must prepare the Fey for war against the Eld and as Gaelen had spent his years in exile fighting on the Eld borders, Rain appoints him as chatok at the academy to teach the warriors how to effectively fight against the Eld. This further divides the loyalty of the Fey, as many believe that honor once lost cannot be restored.

Ellysetta soon discovers that the unborn Tairen are physically healthy but are dying nonetheless. They are being attacked but she does not know why or by whom. All of her research in the Fey library and each attempt to heal them have proved futile. Another egg is taken. Her last hope is to obtain the information she needs from the Tairen Eye, the great Oracle that had sent Rain vel'En Daris, Tairen Soul and Feyreisen of the Fading Lands on a quest to Celieria to find her, their supposed savior. But the vision shown by the Eye only serves to divide Rain's people further as a mage-claimed Ellie is shown as the destructive force which destroys them all.
There are those among the doubters who believe the Marissya's conception had fulfilled Ellysetta's part in the Eye's initial prophesy, but Ellie perseveres and when she finally discovers what is ailing the unborn kitlings, shock sends her back haring to the Eye.

But the answer it provides will test the loyalty of their people even further. The Eld are on the borders, war is inevitable, Rain's kingdom is divided - Who will prevail?

Vadim Maur's scheme is beyond horrifying, however Ellysetta is simply amazing! Although she has, as yet, been unable to find her inner tairen or to bond wholly with Rain she is strong and loyal and will stop at nothing to save the pride and their fey kin whether she risks her own soul or breaks every law in the land to do so, and she will stand be her truemate's side come hell or high water. Will she be able to fight the growing darkness inside her or will the Eye's prophesy come to pass? Tune in as the saga continues with QUEEN OF SONGS AND SOULS in June of 2009. ~ Reviewed for PNR Reviews

King of Sword and Sky-great book by C.L. Wilson. Third in the continuing series of Rain and Ellysetta (Tairen Soul-the Fading Lands). If you have not read this series, I highly recommend that you start at the beginning and enjoy them all. C.L. Wilson has created a world full of magic with great characters and a wonderful storyline (Good vs. Evil on a grand scale).

This book picks up where the second book ended with Rain and Ellysetta (along with the Fey and Ellie's remaining family) journeying to the Fading Lands to begin preparing for the coming war with the evil Elden Mages. I truly enjoyed this book and took my time reading it because I just did not want it to end. There are some wonderful surprises along the way and some sad moments for the Tairen. Also, some very disturbing scenes of torture by the High Mage against Ellysetta's captive Fey parents and others that demonstrate the true extent of the Evil they will have to face.

As expected, the book has a cliffhanger ending. There is another book coming in the series so we will have to wait to see how everything is finally resolved. Personally, I hope it will not be the last book in the series. The author has created so many wonderful secondary characters. I hope she will continue on and give us some of their stories as well.

C.L. Wilson knows how to bring her world to life. The story she is building is rich in character, plot and excitement. I devoured the first 2 books and couldn't wait to get my hands on this her 3rd and wasn't dissapointed. I can't wait for the 4th and then to sit down and read the entire set back to back. I hope she continues to let us visit this world by writing other stories set there. A great way to escape.

As always very pleased when dealing with Amazon.
Very happy with C.L. Wilson. The book picked up where the other left off. There were some twists that you just did NOT see coming. Can't wait to read the next one.

This is a great book, but note there are 2 other books to be read before this one. I cannot wait for the next book!!!!

CL Wilson has done it again! Rain and Ellysetta's story continues. You finally get to meet the Tairen and Ms. Wilson has alot of tricks up her sleeves. can't wait for Queen in June 2009 !

Not quite as good as the 1st 2 books, but it left me eagerly anticipating #4.

AWESOME! That's the best way to sum up this book. I've been waiting on it for MONTHS and finally it came out and I had it finished in 3 days. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and you never know what'll happen next. CL WILSON is fast becoming my favorite author. Please read this book as well as the two before. Now if only Spring would get here so I can get my hands on the next one....

At the end of Lady of Light and Shadows, Ellysetta Baristani had just discovered that she was a tairen soul, a true counterpart for her mate Rain Tairen Soul, Defender of the Fey and Lord of the Fading Lands. Ellie had also just lost her mother in a battle against the Elden mages, including the one determined to steal Ellie's power and use it for evil.

King of Sword and Sky begins with Ellie training to rein in her powers and wield them with patience and restraint. She is trained by the Fey soldiers who work for Rain and by Marissya, a healer who can teach Ellie the full extent of her powers. Ellie is also focused on saying good-bye to her family so that she can travel beyond the Faering Mists and complete her bond with Rain.

Only not all of the Fey are welcoming to their king's new mate. In fact, many of them distrust Ellie's powers and fear her mage marks will bring darkness to the Fey. Even more so, they worry that any woman who can heal a dahlreisen (those Fey who have turned to evil and forgotten the path of light) must have somehow taken some of that darkness into herself. Still, they are marginally accepting and let Ellie into their fold so that she can focus on finding a solution to what is killing the tairen, in order to save her and Rain's people.

King of Sword and Sky is readers' first glimpse of what lies on the other side of the Faering Mists. The mystical Fey are revealed to not necessarily be so larger than life and Fey politics play a big role in this story. Rain is their king and has been since the last tairen soul was killed, but not all of this people follow blindly. This is a man who once scorched the world, and his people wonder if it might happen again under the influence of his new mage-marked lady love. Still, Rain has always been a man of strong passions and never has that passion been more focused than it is on his relationship with Ellysetta. Things finally start heating up between them in this book, and I had more than one moment when I was rooting for them to make it work and complete their bond.

Fans of the Tairen Soul series will not be disappointed with this newest installment, but new readers should start at the beginning with Lord of the Fading Lands. It was one of the best books I read last year, and you'll be a little lost without reading it first for background. And after you enjoy this story, sit tight for the final installment Queen of Song and Souls, which will no doubt provide a riveting conclusion to this dazzling fantasy romance series.

C.L.Wilson is now one of my favorite authors.....I have her three books on her tairen series...cannot wait for the fourth and final book ......

I think this is a wonderful book. C.l.wilson has created a world full of magic and mystery! This new book is an amazing addition to the series! If you have not read the first 2 books please do so and then this one. The action never slows down and keeps on the edge waiting to see how it all comes together. Go get this book and see what happens between Rain and Ellysetta.

The Tairen Soul series is three quarters finished with this book. I wish it could go on and on. C. L. Wilson is definitely a great story teller with many twists and turns in the plot. I recommend this series, in order, to anyone who likes fantasy/paranormal romance.

This is an incredible novel, and is in keeping with the more-than-impressive series. I just want the next novel as soon as possible. The characters are complex, and their personalities are revealed to us and developed throughout this series. The reader believes in these characters and wants them to succeed (or suffer!) with intensity. I spent an entire weekend reading this book, and I'm already going back to reread my favorite sections.
There is alot of suspense and heart-breaking emotion; the world-building that Wilson has accomplished is impressive and masterful. I fell in love with Ellie and Rain from the beginning; Ellie's parents were a surprise to me, and my concern for their well being now surpasses my interest in Ellie and Rain. When an author can bring supporting characters to life with such intensity, you know that you are reading an incredible book.
I hope that you enjoy, and that you get your hands on this book quickly. Just be prepared to lose hours of sleep and to suffer along with these remarkable characters.

I will start off by saying I love this series. I am so glad I took a chance on a new author and picked up C.L. Wilson's first book, Lord of the Fading Lands.

My main problem with this book was that it seemed to drag in places. There seemed to be little movement forward in the story until near the end of the book.

Overall, it is a good edition to the series and a necessary one, but it just dragged a little too much.

This is the third installment of Ms. Wilson's Tairen series featuring Rain and Ellie, king and queen of the fey, and Tairen souls (a large flying cat like creature) the last of their kind. They are leaving Ellie's city with her family in preparation for the fight with the Eld and trying to save the fey and their allies from the evil High Mage.

If you enjoy Christeen Fehan's Dark series this is for you. Wonderful powerful characters breathtaking out of this world landscapes.

I never want this series to end! I love Rain and Elysetta. I can't get enough of the Tairen Soul series. Every lover of fantasy romance needs to read this series. I hope somehow that Elfeya and her truemate either escape or are rescued soon because i can't freakin stand them being prisoners anymore it's making me crazy!

As a bookseller, sometimes we get advanced copies of books from authors that are not well known. A little over a year ago I found a copy of Lord of the Fading Lands that we had received. And while you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, that's what drew my interest to pick it up. So glad I did!

C.L. Wilson is an author to watch! She has an artist's way with words. She's created a truly magical world filled with Fey, evil Mages, wonderful creatures called the Tairen and spun her own special weave of love, friendship, honor and sacrifice.
Her characters gain more depth with each new volume of the series, and while I love the main storyline of Rain and Ellysetta, I also have to admit her other characters have me hooked as well. Connecting the dots between the supporting characters, both Fey, Celerian, Eld, and the Tairen is a fascinating puzzle. Galen is my favorite secondary character. Why do I always like the 'bad' boys? :)

This third installment of the Fading Lands does not disappoint. It picks up right where the ending of Lady of Light and Shadows left off with Raine bringing Ellysetta back to the fading lands. The lovers face numerous challenges: The Mages of Eld are planning another war, Ellysetta still doesn't understand her vast powers nor how she will help save the Tairen. Not to mention the High Mage is trying to claim her soul.
And just HOW are the Fay going to react when they see Galen, the former dahl'reisen Dark Lord returning home? dahl'reisen are considered 'lost souls'...those who have strayed from the Fey path of honor due to killing so many others (in battle, etc) and the weight of those souls becomes too much for them to bear and they are banished from the Fading Lands. The Fey do not look kindly upon their 'fallen' brothers. Now Ellysetta is bringing one of them, the most notorious, home with her. But first they have to get through the Faering Mists that guard the Fading Lands.

The Tairen are counting on her to save them. The ferocious winged felines (the size of Clydesdales) are the source of the Feys magic, and are connected somehow to the life force of the Fading Lands. The kitlings are dying in the eggs and no one can figure out why.

If you like Fantasy stories with strong female characters (as well as compelling male ones), stories that bring the Fey out of legend, the creation of fascinating creatures like the Tairen, Good vs Evil on an epic scale, and a true love that lasts no matter what, then you will love this series. I guarantee it.

Lord of the Fading Lands
Lady of Light and Shadows
King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul)

And don't miss the next and final chapter of Raine and Elly's story, The Queen of Song and Souls, due out in March of '09. I can't wait!!!

I loved the 3rd book in the series. Even though the book was almost 500 pages I never felt it dragged. We got to see just how evil the Eld are. Ellysetta starts to learn who she is as her powers grow. The only bad thing about the book is it really leaves you hanging and it is a long wait for the next book (It was supposed to be a month.....)!

Rain, the Tairen Soul and King of the Fey, is bringing his truemate, Ellysetta, back to the Fading Lands. There are many things they need to accomplish, both as a couple, and separately.

Together they need to complete the truemate bond that will bind their souls. But first Ellysetta must work to control the powerful magic within her, and fight the evil that is trying to claim her.

In addition, Ellysetta needs to discover what is killing the Tairen kitling in their eggs and try to save those that remain. If she is unsuccessful, the Tairen could face extinction. She also has to learn to live among the Fey, some of whom are less than welcoming.

Rain will work to prepare his Fey brothers for war with the Eld, who want control over the Fading Lands. In addition, he faces opposition from his own council, who think he is not fit to lead the Fey.

This is the third book in the Tairen Soul series, and I've loved them all. C.L. Wilson's descriptions of the Fey and the world in which they live are beautifully done and extremely captivating. I've fallen in love with several of the characters, not the least of which are Ellysetta and Rain. The love they share melts my heart.

Ellysetta's battle to save the kitlings held me captive, and I loved the way Rain stood up to those who opposed him, and fought for his wife. One of the things I adore about these books is the complex levels that weave together to tell the story, keeping you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. I for one can't wait for Book 4.

King of Sword and Sky is a definite Recommended Read for me. The books do need to be read in order, so that you get in on the ground floor.

Amelia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

KING OF SWORD AND SKY
C. L. Wilson
Fantasy Romance

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Ellysetta Baristani is a Tairen Soul and is now married to Rainier vel'En Daris. She is also the Feyreisa. This position and power holds many requirements and duties but a few stand higher priority than the others. First on her list is to find what is killing the Tairen while still in the eggs, second stop the impending war, third complete the bond with Rain.

Rain wants nothing more than to have Ellysetta behind the faering mists where she would be safe in his home. He knows that to her, her family is more important then her safety so he grants her a few more precious days with them. The time is cut short however when it seems that the primage is again at her soul. Rain will do anything to protect his truemate and cure those of his pride of the evil that is killing them

KING OF SWORD AND SKY picks up only 7 days after the end of `Lady of Light and Shadows', Ellysetta is assorting her family to the safety of Teleon. It is there that Sol and the twins can hide from any of the Eld's allies. What she does not expect is the sudden attack that is just like so many others that she has experienced in the past. The fey think that it is the work of the Vadim Maur, the primage, and it is, however it is just not an attack on her. She is feeling the torture that her real father is feeling. Rain whisks her away to the Faering mists where life seems to become even more complicated. Neither Rain nor Ellysetta can figure out what is killing the Tairen babies. The Tairen's eye crystal has prophesied that Ellysetta will be the death of all that is light. Half of the Fey either love her and the other have are wary of her and her mage marks. The only good thing that she has going is the fact that she can heal all the Rasa by restoring their souls. On top of everything that happens a huge family secret is revealed that could change everything.

I am at a loss for words. I can not think of the proper way to describe my love of KING OF SWORD AND SKY! If I could give this book more than 5 Enchantments I would. C. L. Wilson has a way of making her stories come alive. Each page I read was as if it was taking place in front of me. I did not see the words on the page I saw what was happening in the story. I could see the colors of the sky, I could smell everything, and most of all I could feel the pain and love. This is the kind of story that sticks with you and makes you think of it for days to come. I cried with the way the book left off but I understand why it ended as it did. I have faith that the fourth book, Queen of song and souls will be just as good as the first three were. With that said the books does not stand very well by itself and the first two should be read before KING OF SWORD AND SKY. The character relations are very confusing and the first two explain it all. I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants a page turning, never ending action, keeping you on the end of your seat, story.

[...]

This book (the whole series really!!!) is one of the best I've read EVER. The books are well written. The richness of the description makes you feel like you are living the story. The plot is wonderful with many levels and subplots. Very well written.

I love all the Tairen Soul books. I am anxiously awaiting the next one. Any book that makes you wish you could be the character is a good story. Worth the time.

I love this series and this third book is as good as it gets. Excellent job Ms. Wilson! Can hardly wait for book 4. I'm also glad to see at least one of these books is now available on the Kindle. I hope all of the books will soon be. This series is definitely a keeper!

CL Wilson has written a complex series that neatly interweaves fantasy, romance, and believable politics. Loved this latest installment - stayed up way too late to finish it last night. I am chafing at the notion of having to wait until next June for the final chapter, but I know it will be worth it. For those of you who have not discovered Ms. Wilson's work as of yet, do begin with the first book in the series. The storyline builds naturally from there. I'm not really a romance fan, as such, but I loved this series because the romance is a subplot to all of the political machinations and magical intrigue, and yet the hero's passion is still a lovely thread throughout. The stakes are huge, the bad guys are seriously bad news, and the good guys valiant but beleaguered - what more could you ask for? Best of all, I really can't predict how it's all going to turn out... although I have my hopes! I heartily recommend this novel and this series.

King of Sword and Sky was good but not as good as the authors previous two books. The storyline kind of drags here and there throughout the book but easily picks up in the end.

C L Wilson's first two books in this series, 'Lord of the Fading Lands' and 'Lady of Light and Shadow' were an astonishing debut pair of novels that introduced us to the world of Rain Tairen Soul, a shapechanging powerful fey King and his truemate, apparently ordinary Ellysetta Baristani. But there was far more to Ellysetta than met the eye and the first two novels showed how her powers were gradually revealed and how she began to understand her position as truemate to Rain.

The third book, 'King of Sword and Sky', continues the story directly after the end of the previous book. After the shock of Elly's mother's death, she and Rain, their bodyguards and the remaining members of her family set off for the Fading Lands. However this isn't going to be happy ever after, there are many problems within the lands of the Fey as their lands become barren, their women no longer have children and the Tairen, the great cat-like flying beasts, also seem to be sickening. Can Elly's arrival change things, or will the dark forces that are buried deep inside her cause problems? Can Rain continue to be king or will his association with Elly mean that he is placed under suspicion? Can Elly come to terms with her powers and will she understand from where they spring?

I read this book almost a year after reading the previous two and it took me some time to get up to speed with the story, events, characters and - particularly - terminology. This would be a very difficult book to understand if you hadn't read the previous books and it makes few concessions to a reader with a rusty memory. The author piles on more and more terminology and phrases in Feyan, a foreign language that appears to be liberally sprinkled with apostrophes. I found the first half of the book particularly heavy going and it seemed to take a long time to get round to any action. Elly is still a rather difficult character, one who leaps before she looks and who tends to do her own thing, albeit with usually the best of motivations. There were some slightly disturbing scenes in which the evil High Mage played a part and there was more focus on sex than in the previous book.

Despite some of these criticisms this was still a very good book. C L Wilson's imagination is impressive, her list of characters interesting and varied and her worldbuilding congruent. Those who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy the continuation of the story - as long as they can remember the people, events and Feyan phrases from the previous two books!

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

The evil High Eld Mage destroyed much of the Fey and Tairen. Both races seem on the brink of extinction with little hope for surviving. However, one individual based on an ancient prophesy may be the savior; the true mate of the Fey King

The problems are that the true mate of Fey King Rain Tairen Soul is Ellysetta Baristani; she is linked to their lethal enemy; besides she mourns her losses as her mom was killed in the recent assault. War is inevitable and Rain understands the significance of Ellysetta to the cause. However, most of his allies starting with the nobles of Celieria and other supporters do not trust her due to her direct ties to the High Eld Mage. Without her the king knows they lose even as he wearily yet heroically tries to save the Tairen kitlings.

The third Fey-Tairen fantasy (see LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and THE LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS) is a great addition to one of the stronger genre series in years. The gloom and doom is spreading with the Fey King and his true mate the only hope to halt the evil advance and ultimately defeat it, but Rain knows his allies distrust his true mate; as they believe she is aligned with the malevolent lethal enemy. Thus a relatively simplistic scenario leads to a complicated societal order that enhances the "reality" factor. Fans of good vs. evil fantasy epics will want to read this entertaining saga.

Harriet Klausner

"King of Sword and Sky", book three of four, takes you on a magic ride with Rain and Elly. Share their love as Elly is introduced to her past and future. Feel the warmth and fear Elly experiences as she is introduced to a new way of life, her destiny.

C.L. Wilson has grown as an author. The development of story and character is amazing. This is one book you'll not be able to put down.
King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul)

I pre-ordered this book, because I have enjoyed this series so much. Pre-ordering was a first for me. I was hooked! If the truth be told, I never knowingly read unfinished stories. I have been sorry that I did it this time, only because I was enthralled with this story and Ms. Wilson severely delayed her remaining publication dates.

I am not a romance fan, or even a true fantasy fan, but C. L. Wilson's books are fabulous fantasy. C. L. Wilson's character development, story line, and descriptive passages are all terrific.

Part three assumes previous knowledge of the story's beginning. Certainly, no problem for me, but be warned--you will need the first two to come up to speed. In the way of enhancing what you learned in the first two books, this book brings you a full view of the Tairen that have been a common theme in the series. It is certainly nice to really have an opportunity to meet them.

I was very disappointed at being left hanging in all of the story lines originating in the first two books. There is precious little progress, and NO closure in this 460 plus page volume for any of the multiple components already in play.

As you can see, this book did not progress the story sufficiently to satisfy me. Add to that the delays in publishing this volume and the newly announced extended wait we now face for book four. Book four is now scheduled for release in June of next year, after an original publication scheduled in July and an initial delay to October 08.

I give it three stars only as an important component in the series. As a stand-alone book, it does not even reach that level. She neglected so many characters and began too many new political and character threads. Given Wilson's propensity to forward a story slowly, I am not hopeful that the one remaining volume will adequately complete this story without cutting corners.

I waited impatiently for book three, but I am not so anxious for the fourth. All in all, I would have preferred less detail and more advancement in the story and better insight into the fate of existing characters.

NEW READERS: If you have not yet started the series, I STRONGLY recommend you wait until all four books are published. There is nothing to "hang your hat on" at this stage.

C.L. Wilson has a lot to live up to with, King of Sword and Sky, the third book in this fanasty saga and the continuing tale of Ellysetta Baristani and her soul mate and husband Rainer vel'En Daris who must save the Tairens from extinction. Ellysetta is the key to the Tairen's salvation and if she fails, both the Fey and Tairen will fall victim to their enemy, the Mages of Eld. King of Sword and Sky begins where Lady of Light and Shadow has left off. Rain is taking Ellie to his home, the Fading Lands, along with her father, Sol, and her younger twin sisters, Lillis and Lorelle. Ellie's family will not be traveling on to the Fading Lands, but will be protected and guarded by the trusted Fey warriors who follow Rain. Ellie is not just a simple woodcarver's daughter who has fallen for a mystical man, but a very powerful being who is also Fey and has mage powers.

The reason Ellie also has the marks of the Mage is due to Vadim Maur, the High Mage of Eld. He rules over all the Mages and is so, so evil. He has made Ellie's Fey parents, Shan and Elfeya, his prisoner for five hundred years and has used horrible tortures on both. Vadim wants Ellie because he was able to give their daughter some very dark mage powers. She is his ultimate perfection, a possible tool to destroy those against him, and a way for him to rule the world. Ellie was his first experiment and since then he has gone on to make more just like her. And Ellie just may be the most powerful of all. Vadim is able to kill the unborn baby Tairens by taking their souls and life forces, and using them to make future powerful Mages. The Tairens are totally clueless to what Vadim is capable of and because of that he is winning. All hope seems lost, that is until Ellie and Rain arrive.

Ellie and Rain have a lot of work cut out for them because the Fey senses that Ellie has dark magic within her. They know she has these mage powers and they feel she is an abomination, that Rain has been tricked into believing that Ellie is his soul mate. The Fey Rain thought would welcome his new bride, turn against Ellie, and soon Rain will have more problems that just the Eld Mages who are planning an attack on the Fey again, after a thousand years. Rain and Ellie are basically on their own with only a select few by their side to help them. Ellie will try to find out why the unborn Tairen are dying and save them. Rain will begin to ready his troops for battle because the Mages are on their way to destroy both the Fey and Tairen for good.

In all honesty, my review does not do King of Sword and Sky justice. It is so easy to say, "You must read this book!". As for the reasons why, that is a bit more difficult. C.L. has written another complex story, as in, complex being the key word here. And, let me tell you, this is one book that you cannot speed read through or lose your concentration with. Each page should be savored as you read, every character and their actions should be paid close attention to, because there is a slow build up to the final battle between two powerful enemies. I am not even sure if Rain and Ellie will survive because each day brings them, their friends, and loved ones closer to possible death. This is not a happy go lucky read, but a very dark, dark book filled with death, murder and torture, both physical and spiritual. And the culprit? That nasty piece of work, Vadim.

Oh how I hate Vadim! Let me count the ways! I wanted him to die a slow painful death with disembowelment and any other painful torture I can think of. What he inflects on Ellie's parents and even Ellie herself is so horrible. I have read many villains in my lifetime, but Vadim takes the cake. He is the total opposite of everything that is good inside of Ellie and Rain and I cannot wait for him to get his just desserts. If you are one who enjoys having such a visceral response over a character in a book, Vadim just may be the one.

Where as Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadows was a start of a journey and more of a romance with fantasy elements thrown in, King of Sword and Sky is the opposite. The fantasy and magic is more upfront and Rain and Ellie are now a team who understand each other. They are still very much in love and there are some nice scenes of love making between them, but really, their romance is a secondary one to everything else that is going on.

C.L. Wilson's Tarien Soul series just may be the closest one I can think of in comparison to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books. And, King of Sword and Sky is no exception. I found myself unable to move away from reading, wanting to get to the end to see how things will continue into the fourth and final book, Queen of Song and Souls, set to be released in June 2009. This is one book that everyone must read and if you haven't read the first two in this series, you are so very much missing out. The world that C.L. Wilson has created does not just make for good reading but brings to light an incredible vision that doesn't happen all too often. Take my word for it, the Tairen Soul books are cherished reads that should be passed down to each generation of readers. If there is one book you read this year, it must be King of Sword and Sky.

Katiebabs

Lord of the Fading Lands
Lady of Light and Shadows

C.L. Wilson has created a story that so engrosses the reader that these charaters in the book matter. I loved this book and cannot wait until the next and I believe final book in Rain and Elly saga coms out. If you have not read any of the previous books in the series, buy them because they will be on the keeper shelf that I know everyone has in their home.