Book: Ashen Blade by D. Kathleen Mcateer
Reviewed by NIN freak
Rating: 4/5
This was a great read. There is a pronunciation guide, which I love to have. (Maps, glossaries and pronunciation guides are some of my favorite fantasy book add-ons.) There is action almost from the start. It isn't drawn out with a lot of exposition.
We have two tortured souls, drawn together by war and hatred. Lycan and Elarian, vampire and moon elf, they have been trying to kill each other for almost a century. They get close enough to do it, but always seem to stop with just a scar to show for it.
Their war with the vampires cared little for things like blood loyalties over doctrine. She Who Is Death declared the creatures the enemy, and thus the moon elves fought, even if they lost their chance at an afterlife.
Elarian, the Ashen Blade, is released from service, she tells her superior she will return with Lucan's head this time. She travels through the Evermist, with the guidance of Fey Wolves, to get to where Lucan's palace is. She infiltrates the palace, and tries to kill him, he catches her at it. Then things really get interesting.
Always so beautiful when you bleed for me, elf. Lucan’s perfect, ashen-gray face flashed before her, quickly followed by his hands covered in her blood
Over all a great read, definitely recommend. A must-read for vampire and elf lovers alike.
No, even in the safety of his own mind, Lucan could never let himself admit that Aurelion killed him those long centuries ago, and that only a ghost remained inside his half-decayed flesh.