Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.
As tends to be the case with series, odds are good you like certain ones more than the others. Out of the three books released to date in the Tairen Soul series, this one would be my least favorite. And I’m not entirely sure why, but…
The thing is, I liked it when Rain was courting Ellie. I liked when they were in Celieria. Sure, they couldn’t stay there indefinitely, but I was surprised to find that I didn’t enjoy the Fading Lands more (or at least as much as the mortal world.) And, honestly, I didn’t enjoy the romance as much, either.
See, since book one, Bel has been it for me; he stole the show. When I turn the page, my eyes immediately search out his name. If it’s there somewhere, I’m happy, but if it’s not I find myself impatient for him to come back. It’s tough loving a secondary character because he’s never around enough to truly satisfy.
So, wouldn’t you know it, not only is my favorite character secondary, but the one other to really snag my attention is as well. Galen. (If you read the series, you saw that coming, didn’t you?) I like his arrogance, and I like even more that it’s – mostly – a mask.
I love Bel’s and Galen’s dedication to and devotion for Ellie. The way they treat her moves me more than Rain’s love for her could. My favorite parts of King involved the three or when one interacted with another. And there just wasn’t enough of that. (I fully realize it’s unreasonable to think there should have been more, but that’s where I stand.)
However, I did really enjoy the greater inclusion of the tairen in this one, and Ellie’s attempt to save the kitlings motivated me to keep reading. I had to know if they were going to make it. Also, the ending was a good set-up for the next one, which, according to C.L. Wilson’s website has been delayed.
Even though I liked the other two more, I’m definitely on board for the fourth and final book in the series; I have to know how it’s going to end. And, yeah, I’m hoping for a bit more Bel, too. Okay, a whole lot more. 
I have this in the TBR, but have just about decided to wait until the last book comes out and read them together. I did like the way it was possible to do that with the first two books.
Kerry – I think that’s a really good idea! I should have, too, but my willpower is seriously lacking when it comes to these things.
I have Lord of the Fading Lands waiting to be read in my room and I’m very excited to read it. It’s really good to know that the series stays good with each of the books!
Mishel – I really enjoyed the first two, and while the third one, in my opinion, wasn’t quite as good, it was still good. If that makes sense.
I couldn’t agree more. The first two books ROCKED. The third book was less than great by comparison. However, it was a decent book.
I am SORELY disappointed that C.L. Wilson has not been faithful to her deadlines. I’ve had a great deal of difficulty finding a captivating book, or book set. I thought I was blessed with this series–even though I’m not at all a romance fan! Unfortunately, I’m so sick of waiting for Wilson to get off the dime, I’ve lost much of my interest in this series.
I understand that she plans to continue the stories of Bel and Galen–I suppose that will take another ten years. Is she slow or lazy? Perhaps the hype that followed her first release went to her head. I don’t know. I just wish she hadn’t been so cavalier about her deadlines. I live by deadlines, and I honor them.
The series is good, but I’m very quick to tell people not to even start until she is finished.