I couldn't get into this book after the first 20 pages but continued to read it to see if it could get my attention. It was well written but I didn't like the way the story played out. ( )

I enjoyed this fantasy story involving elves, a princess in distress and gigantic lions. The lions fascinated me as they not only formed life-long bonds with their chosen partners, but were able to communication in a telepathic manner. The princess, Irewen goes through some harrowing and life-changing challenges and finds that her destiny is closely tied to the four nations of elves. Will the four nations be reunited? What will happen to Prince Laegon? Will the evil Elthad and his horrible Drulaak army be defeated? I am looking forward to the next book and the continuation of this adventure! ( )

I would like to thank both NetGalley and the Purple Sun Press for both introducing me to this author and granting me the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Though I received the e-book for free that in no way influences this review.

Prince Elthad (Irewen's cousin), Drulaack, Prince Laegon also a Protector, Laegon's Guardian Bregen, Princess Irewen, Irwiendel, Wood, Sea, Light & Green Elves, City of Dargon, Durgeld is capital of nation Dargon, Lord Brandir (Laegon's father & king of the Wood Elves of Silverden), Miendvel used to speak mind to mind between Protectors & Guardians, King Donriel (Irewen's murdered father)

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel. The characters are interesting, with the heroine appealing in many ways, as is the hero. I didn't see much of the antagonist, but what I did learn of him is enough to make me rather intensely dislike him. I will say however that this ARC was exceptionally challenging to read due to gross errors in the typography. Entire sentences are run together as a single word, making it very difficult and annoying to decipher, not to mention how these flaws throw me right out of the story, thus losing the moment and magic that Ms. O'Connor is working to create. Between the problems with the typography and the two styles of writing that used to denote communication between characters it was a serious challenge to reach that point where I became ensnared by the story and cared less about the technical issues than I did about following the story.

Princess Irewen begins the story as, well, a beloved china doll. Her father, King Donriel of Dargon, dotes on her yet he does nothing to teach her about statecraft or what she'll need to know to properly rule the city of Durgeld, let alone the entire kingdom upon his death. She is also isolated from people by living such an insular life, and therefore is lacking friends. In fact, she hasn't a single person she can call a friend - yet she doesn't notice any of this until after the gruesome murder of her beloved father, the King. Yet by the end of this installation of the story Irewen has found a solid core of inner strength she never knew she possessed.

It is her cousin, Prince Elthad, who alerts Irewen of her father's murder. He is also the one who sends her to the safety of the Wood Elves, their allies to the North. However his hand-picked five most loyal guards are not what they seem, and in the end the two loyal guards are murdered and Irewen too is left for dead. Yet the fates are not nearly done with her, and so she is found by Prince Laegon and his Guardian Bregen. They bring her to a cave that is said to be enchanted to protect the weak and injured. It is during her recovery there that Laegon falls in love with Irewen, and also discovers that they are being pursued by their new enemies. And their new enemy is doing what he can to ensure his success by sending Drulaacks out to kill Irewen. Laegon, with the help of his Guardian, battles and barely kills the three Drulaacks that come for Irewen, for the Drulaacks are men that have been possessed by evil, dark spirits. These spirits make their host bodies impervious to pain, hunger, or any kind of discomfort while at the same time imbuing them with supernatural speed, stamina, and strength.

Laegon and Bregen become almost certain that Irewen is the one whose coming was foretold, the one who would reunite the fractured Elf nation. She would bring together the Wood, Light, Sea, and Green Elves again into a single unified nation that would battle the coming darkness in a bid to save the entire land of Vaelinel. A heavy burden for a spoiled young woman to bear, especially one with no known skills. Yet when they share their suspicions with her she doesn't fall apart. Instead a core of inner strength in glimpsed within her. It is at this point that Irewen stops playing the role of pathetic victim and beings her journey of self-discovery. Once Laegon and Bregen guide her to Silvendel she discovers that she has not only the support of her two brave guides, but of all Wood Elves of Silvendel & the Mistwood. Part of that support includes a very special bond she forms with another, a bond that surprises everyone, but especially Irewen.

Watching Irewen grow throughout this story is rewarding. She goes from being basically a vacuous doll to a strong young woman with faith in herself. Of course she makes errors while traveling her path, yet when necessary she manages to set aside her immature, petty feelings to call upon her inner strength so that she may face her fears. Even when the situation looks most dire for all she reaches deep within in a bid to find the power to save not just herself but those risking life and limb for her. In doing so she demonstrates why Laegon & Bregen are no longer alone in thinking she is the one from the ancient prophecy and will play a pivotal role in not only saving the Elf nation, but in saving all Vaelinel.

Laegon too does some maturing, for all his years he is still quite young as their race counts time. He has always struggled to show, let alone share, his emotions with even his closest of family and friends. Now suddenly he is in over his head, feeling new, raw emotions - all relating to the lovely young Princess he has rescued. He faces a huge hurdle when told he must break his oath to Irewen, at least as he sees it.

But bigger problems are stirring and they result in many interesting discoveries. However they also leave numerous questions waiting for answers, which is one reason I am looking forward to the sequel. Another reason is to see what direction Ms. O'Connor decides to take her characters. She has already put them through so much - will they grow from these experiences or will they shrink back to the safety of who they were before this adventure began? ( )