The Wizard's Ward

This book is amazing. You have characters who resemble different people in different ways. The characters make human mistakes, have human thoughts. The characters are completely what you could consider perfect. The story line gives you lots of twists and turns. It will show you places you never thought would be in this book. This book has things happening in it that you didn't think would happen. This book is suspensful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. All in all, this book is suspensful, amazing, wonderful, enjoyable, and completely worth reading. I may not recommend it to young readers, but to older, more advanced readers, pick it up and read.

I am a long time fantasy reader and I really enjoyed this book. Being more of a fantasy reader I enjoyed the action sequences best (the original escape through the woods and the final battle at the mines). I preferred the subtle romance scenes. This had the best hero I have seen in a long time. This is the best of the Luna books I have read so far!

If you are a Deborah Hale fan, you're going to love this story. LUNA has made no secret that these books are fantasies with strong romantic elements, and Hale delivers on all fronts. With careful attention to detail that makes the world of Umbria come to life, she peoples it with wonderful characters. Maura and Rath are well-suited, and their quest to find the Waiting King is everything it should be. Hale is a storyteller first and foremost, and while her writing style isn't for everyone, those who like her, "like her a lot." I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Once the Kingdom of Umbria was a peaceful pastoral place where magic healed and helped the people. Then the Han invaded Umbria, destroying its customs and culture, and forbidding magic to be practiced at all. Those who do use magic are shunned by people except when they are needed to heal a hurt. Maura Woodbury, the Enchantress of Windleford, is used to being ignored because she has the love of her mentor the wizard Langbard. One day the wizard tells his ward that she is the Destined Queen who will wake her future husband the Waiting King from his unnatural sleep and then he will deal with the army of occupation.Before she can adjust to her fate, an outlaw is in danger of being killed by the Han and using magic Maura rescues him. Langbard convinces Ratho accompany Maura to Prum where she will find a map that will lead her to the Waiting King. During the journey, Maura and Rath fall in love but there is nothing they can do about it because her destiny lies in a direction away from him. The Han are aware of their quest and send their most powerful mages and warriors to stop them.Deborah Hale has written a delightful, exciting and memorable romantic fantasy about a heroine who believes in all the old legends and a hero who believe only in himself. Together they make a powerful fighting force in their quest to rid their country of the conquerors who wish that the pages of THE WIZARD'S WARD. This fantastic novel will also appeal to fans of sword and sorcery novels.Harriet Klausner

Deborah Hale is a greatly loved author of historical romance with a huge following of fans. I couldn't wait to read her first fantasy novel, as I have loved her previous books, and I was not about to miss this one, which I enjoyed immensely. If you're a fan of Deb Hale, don't miss this book, as she delivers a fast moving story full of adventure and romance. As always, her characters are genuine and interesting, and the story is full of atmosphere and neat twists, and at the same time it's a fresh and different style for her. If you haven't tried Deb Hale, this is a great time to start.