This book is another action packed trip into a fascinating world filled with a lot of magic and some very bad evil stuff that is waiting at the gates to get in. The book picks up right where the last book ended. Their world is under imminent threat of a really really bad guy. Branwyn, a Sentinel, is sent from her country to ask for help from Heliodar. Heliodar didn't take as much damage the last time the big bad came started on his reign of terror - so they are likely to be more cautious about accepting his return. Zelen sits on the council as a representative from his influential and wealthy family. Zelen is also a healer and basically an all around good guy. He and

Branwyn spend the first 30% of the book dancing around each other and what is going on in their world. That portion of the book is a little slow - but once you get deeper into the story it becomes so much more than court intrigue and Zelen and Branwyn feeling each other out. While the mystery of what is wrong in Heliodar isn't that big of a mystery - watching Zelen and Branwyn work and fight through it is a great ride.

I am really enjoying this world and this series - I can't wait to read more. It seems like this book really set up a lot of what will happen next. While you could read this as a standalone and be totally fine, I would recommend you read the book before it first. Isabel Cooper drops you right into the world and doesn't do a lot of explaining about things - which I loved because it made me read more closely and connect dots. This book is definitely one for people with curious minds!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book, but these opinions are all my own!

I have read other books by Isabel Cooper before. She is a terrific writer. I love the mix of fantasy and romance here. The characters are strong, brave and likable. A wonderful and intriguing plot. Can't ask for more in a fantasy/adventure/romance....

I received this ARC in exchange for my opinion but my views are not affected in any way.