Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Despite their disparate natures, Yarrow, Duncan, and Sasha united against overwhelming odds to save Prince Garith’s life. Now Garith is king and the three friends may be facing their undoing.

Distraught over Yarrow’s departure to find the cure to his magical affliction, Duncan struggles with his new role as Bairn of Windwake, a realm left bankrupt by his predecessor. Many of Duncan’s vassals conspire against him, and Sasha’s unorthodox solutions to Duncan’s problem have earned them the contempt of Garith’s nobles.

When word reaches Duncan and Sasha that Yarrow is in danger, they want nothing more than to rush to his aid. But Duncan’s absence could tip Windwake into the hands of his enemies. In addition, a near-mythic order of assassins wants Sasha dead. Without Yarrow, Duncan and Sasha can’t take the fight to the assassins. They are stuck, entangled in a political world they don’t understand. But finding Yarrow may cause more problems, and with his court divided, King Garith must strike a balance between supporting his friends and assuaging the nobles who want Duncan punished—and Sasha executed.

1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, March 2013.

Book Review

In 'Ice and Embers' by August Li, we pick up where the first book left off with Duncan and Sasha still trying to feel their way through their relationship. They are strong, passionate men and take great pleasure in each other's company, but they miss Yarrow. They promised not to look for him, but they want him to come home. When they are warned by Sai, the Emiri captain, that Yarrow is in great danger, they drop everything to rush to his side; but this complicates things even further before anything straightens out. Each man must face his fears and stand alone before they can stand together. Their way is fraught with angst, trepidation, and danger; but their future together is at stake. The triad will only be as strong as the strength each man can give to it. This will take a great deal of soul searching and determination to prove to themselves and each other the depth of their affection and to reach any kind of resolution to their conflicts.

Duncan is the same as always, steady as a rock, nurturing, and loving; but his sense of responsibility to the people he's supposed to protect is weighing heavily on him. He's torn between duty and love. He and Sasha clash more than ever because of their diametrically opposed views of morality. Sasha just doesn't understand Duncan's lenient attitude and respect for the law, while Duncan can't accept that Sasha's solution to every problem is to assassinate the source. When Sasha causes the worst situation yet for Duncan after promising he would stay out of trouble, Duncan has had it and it ends in a physical confrontation. It's always amazed me how men can beat the hell out of each other and end up closer than before, but this is what happens.

Sasha is as sexy and incorrigible as ever. His overly zealous efforts to protect Duncan prove only to make matters worse. He struggles with the concept of diplomacy and authority. He's given up a lot to be with Duncan and Yarrow and feels lost, without a real sense of purpose. He has no regrets, but a lot of doubts. If he can't kill to defend, then he's not sure what he's supposed to do. Sasha is confused, but loves Duncan and Yarrow and is determined to learn how to show them. It's not an easy task for someone who was taught not to feel emotions because that equates to weakness. He doesn't want to be seen as weak, but he does want to express himself in a way that will be fulfilling not only to himself, but to the two men he loves more than life.

Yarrow is as impulsive as ever and as unbalanced. Try as he may, even after a year, he's no closer to figuring out how to be rid of the evil presence inside of him. He misses his men and desperately wants to return to them. He's also not entirely sure they will want him after all this time, but he doesn't feel safe being with them while he's not entirely in control of the creature inside him. When he comes across an opportunity to find someone who may have the answers he seeks, he jumps at it even though it's fraught with danger, uncertainty, and may merely be a wild goose chase. There's one major change in Yarrow in this book. He's changed in regard to fidelity. Before, he would have taken his pleasure wherever it presented itself, but he has more than one opportunity to be unfaithful and turns them all down; even sweet, sexy Sai who is obviously madly in love with Yarrow. It doesn't feel right to him anymore when his heart is with Sasha and Duncan.

Sai probably changes more than any other character from the first book. Being an Emiri, his life has been carefree, pleasure seeking, and of questionable morals, but in this story, he becomes more serious and begins to really understand the meaning of loyalty. He respects Yarrow's wishes that they not be intimate, although it almost kills him to do so, showing how much he cares for him. Sai is incredibly brave and makes a lot of sacrifices for Yarrow. He puts his feelings aside and even risks his own life to bring the two men Yarrow loves to him when that's where Sai feels they need to be. Through Sai's experiences in this adventure, he becomes a different person, never to return to the person he was before.

This is a truly epic tale which is not only well written, but highly organized for such a complex story. There is so much to keep up with, to tie together, and to keep separate yet August manages to do so with an outstandingly accomplished style. Even with all their flaws, Duncan, Sasha, and Yarrow are incredible men whom I've come to love. True to her style, August answers many of the burning questions speculated upon in the first book, but, also poses just as many in this story—a magnificently ingenious trick to keep me longing for more. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves high fantasy, magic, and intrigue. Thank you, Gus, for another thought provoking, epic adventure.

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 380 pages/139571 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	17-March-2015
Price	$6.99 ebook, $17.99 paperback, $17.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/ice-and-embers-by-augusta-li-and-august-li-10973-b