Roberta Trahan

There's a decent, if not remarkable, fantasy story in here.
I enjoyed the ancient Welsh setting - the tone reminded me of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Arthurian fantasies.

However, this is one of those books that somehow got released before it had a good, tough edit. I do hope the publisher does an update; because it's worth it. However, as of today, it is so full of misused words, errors (not just typos), cliched phrases, and passages laden with purple prose that it's hard to concentrate on the story. I had to keep stopping to figure out what the author's intent was, because the intention was clearly not what was actually written.

Alwen is one of four Elemental Sorceresses who serve a secret temple whose goal is to put a prophesied king upon the throne who will unite the land. After twenty years incognito, she is recalled to her duty. Unfortunately, the second sorceress, Cerrigwen, instantly starts a vicious rivalry, working to undermine Alwen in all things. Cerrigwen's ambition causes her to easily fall under the spell of the mage Machreth - who in turn seeks to overthrow the head of their order.
Cerrigwen's motivations and the reason for her change of heart in her years away never become clear - but I assume that's being saved for the sequel (as are the appearances of the other two sorceresses).… (más)

I was in the mood for a light fantasy - and found myself wondering 'what happened next?' after reading the previous book by Trahan, 'Well of Tears.'

Here, the perspective shifts from the sorceress Alwen's point of view to that of her second-in-command, Glain. The Stewardry continue to pursue their backing of Hywel, whom they believe to be the prophecied ruler who will unite their land. At the same time, they continue to deal with dissension and treachery within their ranks.

The writing is a bit smoother than in 'Well of Tears.' I'd recommend this for fans of David Eddings.… (más)