This is fantasy of the best kind: there is a war against a cruel enemy, heroes who fight for the freedom of the conquered people, and it is all set in a world so convincing it had me glued to the pages. But it is also so much more! The internal conflict Yoli, "the kitchen boy', faces is set up carefully, then blooms just as the external crisis comes to a head, and tests Yoli to the limits of his abilities. I loved the whole story, but the character development on top of the adventure and beginning romance was the proverbial cherry on a very, very nice fantasy cake.

Yoli is a simple man. He is the lowliest of the low, a kitchen servant who gets all the tasks nobody else wants to do. Sold into slavery when he was a young boy, he has taught himself not to expect anything from life, not to hope for more. Trouble is, even after years of drudgery, he still can’t quite get there. He is one of the few who knows what High Commander Koehen's problem is, and is able to help him with it. The contact develops into more and – boom – hope blooms. When Yoli is put to the test, he has to decide if his convictions and beginning love are worth suffering torture. There is only one answer for him, and his real personal development begins once he is sure.

High Commander Koehen is a bit of an enigma in the beginning. He is determined to fight for his people's freedom from the "southern invaders" despite his issue, and wants to do right by Yoli once he recognizes how attached they have become to each other. Koehen definitely grew on me once he had learned to see what Yoli's life was like and what he might want. Since Yoli never says anything, it takes Koehen a while, but a few nudges from his best friend and wizard Vlaad later, he gets with the plan. Unfortunately, by then it is almost too late, and he develops the craziest rescue plan in history to bring Yoli back.

I was breathless halfway through the book. The tension is amazing, the setting and characters fascinating; especially the enigmatic Vlaad, the magician who is as close to Koehen as a brother. If you like stories that will sweep you away, if you enjoy characters who have a tough life and have to struggle and fight but are rewarded with great growth and a happy ending they didn’t even dare dream of, and if you're looking for a read that will fascinate and delight you, then I can definitely recommend this book. This story and its characters will stay with me for quite a while!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )