Blood and Memory: The Quickening Book Two

This is a true Trilogy, while things will get wrapped up, the package isn't always neat. Some very harsh things happen to the main character. So I disagree with one reviewer who thought it was a light read. I liked the fact that I couldn't predict how the author was going to resolve things.

I really liked that it kept you guessing and that the characters didn't always get what they want.

The magic of Myrren's Gift has saved Wyl Thirsk's life again, although not his body... He finds himself now in the body of the female assasin who has killed the last body he inhabited, that of Romen Koreldy. Wyl still needs to try and protect his sister from the evil king Celimus. He also needs to find a way to protect his love, the Queen of Briavel, from having to marry Celimus. Plus find a way to rescue his friends from the northern kingdom. ... And he needs to find out what is behind Myrren's strange gift to him by finding her mysterious father. Surrounded by an assortment of interesting characters, Wyl proceeds in his various quests--ultimately to save the kingdom he loves from destruction. Several questions are answered, but many more remain, and I eagerly look forward to reading the next book.

This book started a little rocky when I first read it. The first chapter was definitly not my favorite, though after the story had started, the epic tale of Wyl Thrisk had me in its hold. Before I explain any more, I will mention that I despise books that are predictable - This is not one of those books. The many twists and turns of this book kept me fascinated and the series in its entirety was well worth every penny. If you are a lover of magic and fantasy, want something new and original and dont like predictable storylines: Buy. This. Book.

Kept alive by the magic of the Quickening, warrior Wyl Thirsk witnessed ruthless King Celimus of Morgravia kill Myrren the Witch; the person who gave him his paranormal skill to switch bodies. He vows vengeance while he resides inside his third body that of Faryl the female assassin. Romen Koreldy had killed Wyl's body, which due to Myrren's Quickening enabled the deceased to move his soul inside his "conqueror". When Faryl killed Wyl's second body that once belonging to Romen, he moved inside her flesh. In each case he kept his memories expanded by that of the body he uses. King Celimus plans to conquer neighboring Briavel either by marrying Queen Valentyna or invasion. Concluding that her country will be slaughtered in a war, Valentyna ponders marriage to the insane abusive Celimus, which she believes would be worse than death, but also fears the outcome to her people if the vicious soldiers of Morgravia attacked. Wyl continues his search for his sister, his desire to return to his beloved beleaguered queen, his need to kill Celimus, and finally trying to understand the Quickening. This terrific dark fantasy will get fans to believe in sorcery especially the Quickening but to better understand what is going on especially with the magic, new readers should start with book one, MYRENN'S GIFT. The story line is action-packed as Celimus puts in motion his scheme to annex his neighbor while Wyl in a female's body (interesting psychological twist) struggles with several potentially conflicting objectives. Readers will question his thinking skills because he makes the same fundamental errors which places him in unnecessary jeopardy, but that cranks up the excitement so that the audience has a fabulous saga to follow. Harriet Klausner