Magic, bindings and freedom!

-

The Sorcerer's Daughter: The Defenders of Shannara  

by Terry brooks



Paxon Leah, the Druid's Blade, and protector to the Order has come a long way since Defenders of Shannara first began. Now he faces a challenge that will compromise the order and destroy those he holds dear. The dark sorcerer Arcannen Rai strikes into the heart of Druid and Federation strongholds with a twofold attack. One, as the Druids and Federation forces are meeting to forge a peace agreement. The other, the abduction of Paxon's sister Chrysallin who has come into her own magic from Paranor.
This latest offering in the Defenders of Shannara has Leofur, the dark sorcerer Arcannen's daughter and Paxon's lifemate coming into her own. 
Horrified that Chrysallin has been taken whilst under her care Leofur is determined to bring her back. She is joined in her quest by a shape shifter, Imric. They must join together psychically, a process that brings its own share of angst and burdens for both.
As their quest goes forward, they find themselves battling the feared witch Melis of the Murk Sink fens and the very land itself. Meanwhile Chrysallin is doing all she can to hold fast.
Paxon and the few remaining Druids escape from the Federation stronghold, pursued and outnumbered they crash in the wilds. Their journey back to Paranor is fraught with similar dangers and deaths. Once at Paranor they are besieged from within and without as Arcannen works to seize for himself  magics  that will enhance his dark powers.
Magic powers and twisted logics come into play as both Paxon and Leofur are taken into places that are dangerous and difficult, physically and emotionally.
Another roller coaster read with a very human side given to the use of the magics that come into play. Leofur comes to a place of realization about her own path forward that resonates well with all that unfolds.

A NetGalley ARC

****

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Things aren’t as they seem!

-
Image
A Murderous Tryst  (Beatrice Hyde-Care Mystery #11) by Lynn Messina    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Oh my! Bea certainly has a lot to contend with. Bea’s rattled! The Duke has been missing from their bed for a night. When a distraught Bea come downstairs the next morning she finds her beloved husband Damien clasped in the arms of a glamorous female. A female who turns out to be Kesgrave’s first mistress, Mrs. Penelope Taylor! What?! Of course Bea’s heart sinks and she falls back on her painful memories of Aunt Vera’s responses to such a situation. Bea is both shaken and traumatised, but determined not to show it.  It seems Penny has been accused of murder. Actually  Penny’s desperately trying to avoid Newgate.    As a former mistress Penny does the unthinkable thing in society’s eyes. She asks for help from Bea. Bea’s response is just as shocking. She says yes. Kesgrave is as usual inscrutable. Of course this is the beginning of a harebrained chase, complications between Bea  and Amien,  and an investiga
Read more

Women in war—Internment by the Japanese 1942-45.

-
Image
Sisters Under the Rising Sun  by Heather Morris    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fitting tribute to the women interred by the Japanese in Indonesia and Malaya during 1942 until liberation in 1945. Amongst the internees are a group of Australian Army nurses who were not given recognition by the Japanese as members of the armed forces and therefore not prisoners of war according to the Conventions of war.  Sister Vivian Bullwinkle is the only survivor of the massacre of a group of soldiers and nurses on Radji Beach, Bangka Island near Sumatra  in 1942, after the sinking of  HMS Vyner Brooke. There are a number of civilian prisoners in the camps like Norah Chambers and her sister Ena.  Combined, the story of these women interred under terrible conditions, their struggles and achievements are monumental.  Their gifts to their fellows beyond speech. Music plays an important part in uplifting the prisoners’ spirits. It’s truly a privilege to read about their plight, their vows to each other, and their braver
Read more

The Three Muscateers—three widows, three sets of different circumstances

-
Image
The Widows' Wine Club  by Julia Jarman    ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Different enough to be interesting but I kept losing which character was which. I almost feel I need to read it again to follow who’s who. I do know that three women came together to form a support group, going to the pub for lunch etc. Better than the local widow’s group in the church hall.  All three had recently lost their husbands and now had to find a way to face their new lives. Viv Halliday is a knowledgeable gardener. Zelda Fielding is setting herself up with internet dates and searching the web for her unknown father. Janet had a controlling husband who it turned out was having affairs, and their son is just as controlling. How their lives unfold is the new challenge. A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.                                               Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Read more