KING OF SWORD AND SKY, third in C.L. Wilson's Tairan Soul series, following LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS, continues the chronicles of Ellysetta Baristani and her soul mate and husband Rainer vel'En Daris' quest to save his Kingdom and help his true mate save her soul.

In KING OF SWORD AND SKY, Ellysetta travels with Rainer through to the Fading Lands, but is met with anywhere from lukewarm hospitality to downright hostility by the people. She is unfortunately marked by a great evil, Vadim, and many would already have her selling them out to him for her own personal gain.

Ellysetta and Rainer have a steep hole to climb out of; despite his claim that she is his soul mate, many counter that she is using dark arts to bespell him into thinking that. For the Fey she is guilty, and the idea she could be innocent is beyond consideration—she is tainted with Dark Magicks, ergo she is just as bad as Vadim.

You can't go into KING OF SWORD AND SKY without having fully read the first two books in the series. Plenty is explained, but much of the character development of secondary characters were explored in the earlier books, and tensions are carried over from each book as well. The plot is also just as complex, layered with threads that make sense later in the story and mysteries that are flirted with, but left unanswered.

I highly recommend this book, but do yourself a favor and read her other books as well first. With the fourth book (QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS) not being released until next year in June (2009), you have plenty of time to catch up, investigate and be thrilled. ( )

This is such a wonderful series. Each book is better than the one before. The world is immersive, the characters intriguing, and the story is engrossing.
Rain and Ellie are headed to the Fading Lands finally, but all is not well. They are leaving behind a lot of conflict between the humans and the Fey while facing suspicion among the ruling elite of the Fey. They need to save the Tairen kits and then face the Eld Mages in battle. The stakes keep getting higher and higher.
Ellie is gaining new powers, some not exactly what she wants, and Rain and Ellie still need to complete their mate bond. The pacing is excellent as actions shift between characters. A lot of the minor characters have high-stakes plotlines, so I felt a lot of tension while reading. I'm totally invested in this story. I'm still not happy with the covers, mostly because I'm afraid people are missing out on Ms. Wilson's great books, but one of the best fantasy writers I've read. ( )

In this book we get a bunch more plot and build up for the end and less of the romance and naughty bits. I am not saying that is a bad thing, this book has a wonderful plot so i am intrigued to see where it goes, this one was also a re-read in preparation for the next two (and final) books. This book was vastly more life and death than the first two, I was happy with that fact. Also the drama in this book is exponential, I was on the edge of my seat for almost the entire book. There are twists and turns you might never see coming and you even get a huge shock towards the end of the book.

Elly and Rain are two characters that will inspire your devotion and love. I found myself rooting for Elly and Rain and I really wish Elly would just accept the bond and that would mean she would be safe, it's such a solid and easy decision but way to easy. I am waiting and waiting...in the mean time I will continue to cheer for the characters I have grown to love and enjoy.

I haven't read the next book but I have already dived in and I am eager to get to the final book, I need to make sure my favorite characters come through.
( )

4 ½ Stars
I'm completely and utterly in love with this series ( )

4.5 stars ( )

I enjoyed this 3rd book in the Tairen Soul series more than the 2nd, although they are all good. The relationship between Ellie and Rain continues to grow while the evil forces of the Eld grow stronger. There is a fantastic battle in the end, with many questions still unanswered. Ellis has figured out how to save the tairen, but there is so much else for her to do. Two more books! ( )

This book was Outstanding.
Better then the first two, and I cannot wait to read Queen of Song and Souls to hear how the battle continues/ends, and the hopeful conclusion of the Rain/Ellysetta story.
The magic weaves of C.L Wilson are simply beautiful and descriptively amazing.
This series has everything. Love, Deceit, Evil, Good, Jealousy, War, Heartbreaking losses, and Triumph. As well as a host of other emotions.
Well worth a read, or two ;) ( )

Simply the best fantasy/paranormal romance series I have ever read. Highly recommended. ( )

I couldn't finish this book...just wasn't my cup of tea. I have heard great things from other readers though. ( )

Maybe my rating isn't fair, but I couldn't get in to this book at all. When I requested it, I didn't realize it was in a series. I hadn't read of the earlier books. I still gave it a shot, but... lavender eyes on a dude? I love the paranormal genre. But this was seriously weak. ( )

I waited for this book with weighted breath. It is as fast-paced as her first two of this series. Surprises in the storyline keep coming. It is an enjoyable read. I h;ighly recommend this book if you like fanatsy and magic. ( )

I've been putting off this read for long enough that I’d really not expected much from it... In particular I wasn't attached to any of the characters, and so I didn't really care what happened to them either way. That, and the villain was very typically evil, so I wasn't much impressed. After having nothing to do and pretty much wondering what the hey, I was actually pleasantly surprised.

The bond between rain and Ellysetta is definitely stronger. I don't get annoyed at Ellysetta as much, because she's not quite the wimp she was when the first book started, or even throughout most of the second book. That she was willing to sacrifice herself in order to save the tairen eggs appealed to me for her character in a way it never has before, and that she's willing to take charge with rain makes it seem a bit more realistic too. Throughout the second book I kept noting that they were supposed to be "equals" and yet she never really steps out of her place. This book addresses that issue nicely.

Several characters perish in this book, I think. I'm not sure whether I should be glad or not, since I didn't care what happened to them either way, but it seems like a precursor for other characters to die. I think in order for them to win this war Ellysetta is going to have to turn dahlreisen back into their former elf forms. Tenn seems dead struck on opposing her, as are most of the council members. Three marks... What does that mean? She's that much closer to losing, and it comes a little too close for comfort. I think the battle at the end resembles helm's deep in LOTR a lot, and I wonder if that's where she took her inspiration. How are Ellysetta and allies supposed to find out the secret behind how he's opening these portals? If they're supposed to leave no trace of magic, I mean. And how are they going to rescue her fey parents and the tairen souls that are now under the mage's control?

I'm actually looking forward to the next book now. ( )

http://totally2aymless.blogspot.com/2008/09/review-king-of-sword-and-sky.html ( )

"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.
5 stars ( )

King of Sword and Sky picks up immediately after the events at the end of Lady of Light and Shadow. Rain, king of the Fading Lands and Tairen Soul, is en route to the Fading Lands with his truemate, Ellysetta Baristani and her family. Rain was sent to find Ellysetta as she was revealed through a vision to be the salvation of the dying tairen kitlings. And the kitlings are running out of time. There is an evil which is stalking them while still in the egg and the tairen pride cannot do anything to save them. Fueling this sense of urgency is the fact that the Eld (wielders of the forbidden magic Azhran) are getting ready to attack Celieria and the Fading Lands.

King of Sword and Sky is an excellent read and I finished it too quickly. There's everything a reader can ask from a fantasy novel - romance, action, magic and adventure.

First there's Ellysetta. She is Rain's truemate and coming into her power, which her Fey parents covered up for 24 years. She's the only hope the tairen have for survival and Ellysetta has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. If she can't complete the bond with Rain, he'll go mad and die. She has one Mage Mark and this frightens her. She just has to be so strong! As the Fey say, all gifts come with a great price. I really enjoy the fact that Ellysetta is a strong heroine, but she's also not perfect. She does have her moments when the fear rears its ugly head but reason prevails. And her vulnerability keeps her real. Not knowing she was Fey, Ellysetta always felt like she was different from the Celierians and dreamed of belonging, truly belonging somewhere. Once she was revealed to be Fey and a Tairen Soul, she thought the Fading Lands would be the place for her. Unfortunately, the Mage Mark sets her apart and she's not immediately trusted by the Fey. It just breaks my heart.

Then there's Rain. *sigh* I love this character. He hates the Eld with almost every fiber of his being and there's his truemate, marked by them. At first this nearly destroyed their incomplete bond, but now Rain is behind Ellysetta 100%. He has his own vulnerabilties too. Is he a good king? Can he be the man Ellysetta thinks he is? All that and more, let me tell you!

These two lovebirds are complemented by a cast of great supporting characters. There's Gaelen and Bel, two of Ellysetta's quintet. Elly's little sisters, who have a surprise of their own, and last but not least, the tairen pride. I especially enjoy Steli. She's got a great sense of humour.

CL Wilson has created an amazing universe with this Tairen Soul series. The highest praise I can give it is that this series reminds me of the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop.

The only thing I don't like about King of Sword and Sky is waiting until next summer for the next book!! ( )

King of Sword and Sky portrays the classic theme of the struggle between good and evil. Using characters familiar to fantasy fans (including mages, the fey, and elves), Wilson's romantic fantasy explores the decisions that those fighting for good must make in their battle against evil. Is it acceptable to use a small amount of evil in an eternal war? Does the smallest taint of evil undo all of the good a person has done and will do.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book are the fantastic Tairen, a beast that seems to be somewhat akin to the griffin. These magnificent beasts are the true soul of the Fading Lands that the fey are fighting to save. Readers are sure to be drawn to their intelligence, magic, and struggle to survive.
There is enough background in this third book in C. L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series that readers new to the series can catch-on to the back-story, but a glossary of terms used would be appropriate. ( )

In this third installment from C.L. Wilson, Ellysetta Baristani is finally married to the Tairen Soul, Rain, who is King of the Fey, and on her way to her new home in the Fading Lands. But to enter the Fading Lands, Ellysetta must first pass through the Faering Mists. None of the Fey know if Ellie will be able to pass through the Mists as no one who has been mage marked has ever done so, and Ellie has two mage marks received by the High Mage Vadim Maur. The Fey Oracle, the Eye of Truth, has foretold that only Ellysetta can save the Fey from the mysterious illness that is killing their kitlings at birth. But to have any chance at saving the kitlings, she must first pass through the Faering Mists.

High Mage Vadim Maur had Ellysetta in his grasp but underestimated her power and she managed to escape. He has mage marked Ellie twice now as he plans to make her his new vessel as his mortal body is finally dying after 1000 years. He ruthlessly continues to track her through her dreams and sends his minions after her and her family.

King of Sword and Sky will keep you reading from page one without letting you up for air until the last page. ( )

Though I have not yet read the previous two books in this amazing fantasy series, I can confidently tell you that anyone who has not read this series is missing out!

When I found out that I had managed to snag an ARC copy of King of Sword and Sky from LT's Early Review program, I tried to find the first two books at my local library, hoping to read them before this one arrived so that I would not be lost. Sadly, my library only had one of them, Lord of the Fading Lands, and someone had it checked out for the next month. Even though I picked up King of Sword and Sky with no prior knowledge of the series or the fantasy world that it envolved, I was only 'lost' a few times in the story, and even then it was only briefly and it did not damage the over all enjoyment of the book. I do plan on going back to read the first two books as soon as I can, but I have to say that even though this was written as a series, this book could almost be a stand alone, though I am sure that if you read them all in order you will triple your enjoyment of the captivating series.

King of Sword and Sky is an amazing combination of romance and fantasy, magic and passion, adventure and mystery. It's not just fantasy, it's not just romance, but it's a perfect mix of all of that, and so much more. The love is sweet and tender, the characters are interesting and funny, strong when they need to be, and the sex is pretty intense too! As bestselling paranormal romance author Christine Feehan is quoted to have said about this book: "A brillant, sensual must read." ***Please NOTE, again, that those are not my words--- they belong to C.F. and are written on the front of the ARC cover!****

From page one, heck, from book one, you are drawn straight into this mystical world of fantasy and love, strength and evil, and you won't be able to put it down until the very end! I had heard that this was suppose to be the last book, but the ending seems... lacking, like there is suppose to be more books to come. Perhapes there is and I simply misunderstood, which is entirely possible since I am new to this compelling series. Even if this was suppose to be the last one for sure, the ending is still wrapped up nicely, so you will not be left asking 'Wait, but what about...'. But I do hope that C.L. Wilson writes more after this, because I can honestly say that I am now hooked!

4.5/5 STARS! A brillant story, a spectacular series, worthy of awards and many re-reads. A definite must read for any fantasy fan, romance fan, or just plain book lover. Prepare to be sucked into the world of the Tarien Soul series...you just might want to stay there and never leave! ( )

In this third installment from C.L. Wilson, Ellysetta Baristani is finally married to the Tairen Soul, Rain, who is King of the Fey, and on her way to her new home in the Fading Lands. But to enter the Fading Lands, Ellysetta must first pass through the Faering Mists. None of the Fey know if Ellie will be able to pass through the Mists as no one who has been mage marked has ever done so, and Ellie has two mage marks received by the High Mage Vadim Maur. The Fey Oracle, the Eye of Truth, has foretold that only Ellysetta can save the Fey from the mysterious illness that is killing their kitlings at birth. But to have any chance at saving the kitlings, she must first pass through the Faering Mists.

High Mage Vadim Maur had Ellysetta in his grasp but underestimated her power and she managed to escape. He has mage marked Ellie twice now as he plans to make her his new vessel as his mortal body is finally dying after 1000 years. He ruthlessly continues to track her through her dreams and sends his minions after her and her family.

King of Sword and Sky will keep you reading from page one without letting you up for air until the last page. ( )

Feb 2018 = 4.5 stars
Jun 2016 = 5 stars (favorite in the series) ( )