Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When Captain Darrius Durand and Princess Jessa of Lyoness announce their love, they know it will be an end to many things. What they do not expect is that it will be the beginning of so much more. For good or ill, in the wake of their declaration, the tide of events that sweep through the corridors of Blackstone Keep will change the course of history. While one kingdom awakens to the drums of war, another finds itself entangled within the dark legacy of an aging tyrant. And when an age-old prophecy is reborn beneath the light of their new love, Darry and Jessa must forge their own path through the turmoil, a treacherous path that leads them to a truth that no one expects, a path that binds their fate to an ancient love still caught within the threads of time.

 

Book Review

This book is a stirring sequel to ‘Nightshade’. It is essential that you read ‘Nightshade’ before reading ‘Blackstone’ so you can understand the main characters and the all-important settings. Then the extraordinary breadth of this tale can truly be appreciated. Along with becoming familiar and comfortable with this story's use of the mythologically poetic phrase, <threads from the Great Loom>, the incredible grand picture and scheme of things will unfold meaningfully before your eyes and in your heart. Astounding!

Jessa-Sirrah's talents, skills, and sensitivities were expanding beyond belief in some ways after she and her lover committed themselves to each other. Their lives together will need to grow and prosper away from the protected sanctuary of Blackstone Keep. However, there are some exceedingly dramatic and explosive scenes early on, that had both Jessa and her lover right in the thick of things. By the way, Blackstone Keep is the seat of power for Arravan and Jessa pledges her oath of fealty to the land of Arravan and the crown of Durand. She is a royal princess from Lyoness, so this shift is quite profound. In fact, all of Jessa's actions speak to the amazing focus and phenomenal change that is presented in this second book. Remarkable!

Darrius Lauranna Durand, preferably called Darry, is a true wild card and there are layers upon layers supporting and expanding this youngest royal member of the Durand family in all her compelling manifestations. Not only is she profoundly linked with her historical hero, she shares a nearly incomprehensible bond with a golden mountain panther. This astounding animal called Hinsa is also intimately linked although not quite as physically as Darry is with Jessa-Sirrah. The power, scope, and intensity of the love story between Darry and Jessa places this series, in my mind, unquestionably heads and shoulders above anything I have ever read so far. I have read and reviewed Blackstone close to a half-dozen times to date and still cannot know for sure how many more times I will move through its pages in awe, wonderment, and continuing to find new nuances, enlightenment, plus multiple levels and instances of sublime passion. Completely amazing!

I truly hope there will be countless additional books in this series. Please read ‘Nightshade’ first, and then revel in the incandescence of ‘Blackstone’. Brilliant!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 240 pages/72100 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-August-2014
Price	$9.99 ebook, $16.95 paperback, $16.95 bundle
Buy Link	http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/9781626391239e.html