Greeno really shines in this novel. It has that something that allows you to be captivated that the first one lacked. I like her writing style okay, even though she has a tendency to ramble a little.
The characters are great and in depth. We really begin to understand Doyce and just how deep her psychological wounds are. We also get to know Jernet better. His temper flares big time, but we see him as a less fickle character than the man he was in the first novel. He also has hurts that go way back. We gain a few new characters, and some characters like Nakum, who were in the first novel, have a greater role in this one. We also get some insight to the Ghatti Characters who are just as interesting as their human counterparts.
The plot is that the border of the next country with whom Doyce's country trades has been closed recently for some unknown reason. Doyce and Jenret are sent as part of a special envoy which includes Nakum as a guide, Rolf (a seeker) as the head, an a Aelbert a seeker and helper to the Monitor (president) of the country. Rolf dies on the way to the border and it becomes Doyce's job to lead the envoy. When they get there they find a country in turmoil. The Queen is dead and the heir missing and unknown. The people in this country are gleaners, the very thing that Doyce's country is having a problem with. An evil man, Maurice, is trying to claim the throne by controlling everyone's mind, and someone in the envoy is helping him. It becomes the envoy's job to help restore the true ruler without being captured or killed by Maurice. There is also a subplot of a romance brewing between Doyce and Jenret. Which is complicated by the Head of the royal guard whom is a handsome man whom has also fallen for Doyce. There are complications upon complications in this novel. All of which are necessary and do add something to the plot. It never becomes too hard to follow. The only problem I had with the plot is it seems some things are resolved too quickly at the end, as if she wrote so many pages and said hum, time to wrap it up.
This novel is better than the first novel. I still believe any of Mercedes Lackey's Herald series to be superior to this novel, but it is a good read. It kept me entrance the whole time I was reading.
Recommended:
