The third volume of the Seven Realms series, it really felt like Chima finally has settled into the story of Han and Raisa. Han must finally face the moment we've all waited for - when he discovers his friend and love interest Rebecca is in fact the Princess Heir Raisa of the Queendom of the Fells.

Overwhelmingly, though, this is Raisa's volume. Friction and violence increase as the people trying to keep Raisa out of the way increase their efforts.

Will they succeed?

Of course not. This is a fantasy series, and we all know the heroine and hero ultimately will prevail to win the day. Right? Maybe. Not everything will go to plan as Raisa returns home in this volume. The action and pace of the third volume are more consistent, giving the reader a solid return for their investment in the series. My biggest complaint, and perhaps this isn't fair since the principal character is a sixteen year old girl, is the complete inconsistency in her feelings towards the men in her life. Its difficult to tell who we should be rooting for as a love interest when Raisa herself changes gears every few pages, from mooning over Amon, to Nightwalker, to Micah and Han.

If you've read the other two volumes of this series, then you deserve this volume. The first half of the book is fast paced (I read the first 300 pages in a day) and will keep you on your toes. The second half of the book slows down, right about the point we realize that we are being set up for the fourth book. Although I think this was the best volume of the series so far, I'm only going to give it four stars - my socks weren't blown off, just mildly uncurled at a few points. I would have liked more from Han, and found the one chapter from Amon's perspective both refreshing and unexpected since no other non Han/Raisa character ranked their own chapter. ( )

This was a complete revival of action and thrills. This takes us up to where our grand dame heroine is up for becoming the queen, due to sore incidents and a fight across the realm, for her life no less. This book (only 3rd in the series) breathe new life into my desire to read this series. I am glad it did so, I so wanted to read this series and cannot wait, am even putting other stories on hold to get through this next book!! ( )

This book really stepped up on the political hazards for Raisa as well as the troubles she faces concerning marriage and tradition. ( )

This book really stepped up on the political hazards for Raisa as well as the troubles she faces concerning marriage and tradition. ( )

I loved the plot of this story, however, I was a little disappointed by some of the content. I was thrilled to have found another clean series to recommend, but there is just a lot of horny teenager crap in this book. Raisa is annoyingly teenage stupid girl. She's kissed most the men in the book, and even though she knows people are horrible, she can't seem to make up her mind about who she should make out with.
A good author can make the story compelling enough and the love story sweet enough that they don't have to throw pornography in to sell it.
I decided I would skip over those parts in this next book, but honestly, after a few chapters in, I just realized that I don't need it in my life.
I skipped to the end I see if they end up together and left it at that.

( )