Fel’annár is a half-breed elf, one whose appearance is that of the proud Alpine elf even though he has been raised and sees himself as a Silvan. He's proven himself as a warrior in battle, but still is looked down upon by the Alpine elves. At least, until he learns of his true identity. Now, he must come to terms with a past he doesn't want to admit exists, while finding his new role between the two elf factions and coming to terms with himself. And all of this with the threat of a civil war looming over him.

I did not read the first book in this series, which was a mistake. This book takes off where the last one ended and dives right into a complex tale and world. It took me several pages to figure out who the characters were as well as their place in the world around them, and that with quickly changing points of view. In other words, this is not a stand-alone.

Elf and epic fantasy fans are sure to love this book. The world building is extremely well done, allowing the scenes and battles to come to life while keeping the wonderful feel of a rich fantasy world alive. The characters each have their own worries, problems, pasts and agendas. Some are easy to like, others easy to hate, and yet others fall into the gray area. By changing points of view, the layers of intrigue and threats deepen and grab hold. It's hard not to cheer for Fel’annár and feel for him as he tries to find his footing.

The atmosphere of war, power plays and prejudice are strong and convincing. Fel’annár is up against inner battles as well as outer ones, and all the while carries the pride elf fans love. And with the very difficult path he has to follow, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it so much that I want to leave my honest thoughts. ( )