Heretic Sun

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Tales 5 stars review
Review: by Chere

Once again, we're back with Thraxis, Arrow and Viabold. Thraxis has decided that he would like to see his parents. So the three of them show up at the Sanctum Minoris. Anarete, the Prima of the Sanctum Minoris, wants to know why they came. Thraxis explains that he just wanted to see his parents. His parents, Cyaraxes and Jumica, seem somewhat nervous that he has shown up. They are happy to see him and find out how he is.

Later in their room that night, Arrow and Thraxis are standing on their balcony when someone floats up to see them. Arrow recognizes her as Thraxis's sister right away. Thraxis senses that she is black like he is, even though she is wearing red robes. Thraxis knows that rather than lose Thiacene, his parents have disguised her as a red. He just can't figure out why Anarete went along with the deception.

Meanwhile, Anarete wants to know why the Black Council sent Thraxis to her Sanctum. She contacts Vilhardouin to find out. It turns out that Thraxis was not sent by the Black Council to check on Anarete, but since he is there, Vilhardouin decides that the Black Council will come to Sanctum Minoris to check on their progress for themselves. Anarete has just screwed herself. She knows that Vilhardouin will sense that she has hidden Thiacene's power and she will be punished for it.

It turns out that the Sanctum Minoris has found a city of the ancients and is busy excavating it. They are trying to find the ancient city of Xaqqara. Thraxis and Arrow go to the city. Arrow doesn't like the city. She senses evil in it. Thraxis is enthralled by it and immediately starts seeing what he can discover. One day, Arrow and Thraxis go to the nearby human city. They find a man beating a dog. Thraxis uses his power to make the man stop. They take it away. It is an ugly puppy. They clean it up and Thraxis names her Beautiful Girl.

Thraxis becomes more and more involved with the excavation. Arrow is feeling more and more neglected. Thraxis has found a map to the city of Xaqqara. He is hoping that they can follow it and find the city. The Black Council arrives. Vilhardouin orders exile for Anarete and Thraxis's parents. Thiacene is devastated. Arrow takes her away from the Sanctum and teaches her how to use weapons. Vilhardouin will not sanction Thraxis; she needs him to find Xaqqara. Arrow also finds out that she is pregnant with a daughter. She decides not to tell Thraxis, even though Viabold tries to convince her to. She is afraid that Thraxis will feel that she is using him to breed children. The next morning, they set out to the city of Xaqqara. Arrow is very uneasy about this and only goes to keep an eye on Thraxis.

This is a wonderful sequel to "Tyrant Moon". I have to admit that I enjoyed this book more than the first. Personally, the very name Vilhardouin conjures up images of evil and fear, and she definitely lives up to her name. I really love the way that the past is explained from the point of view of Thraxis and ends at the beginning of the first book. Even though Arrow is pregnant, she is still very much the barbarian and is still very protective of Thraxis, as well as Viabold and Thiacene. Thiacene and Arrow become very good friends in this story as well and save each other. This is a wonderful story filled with evil and uncertainties and rebellion against a terrible wrong, but underlying it all is love, the love between friends, between husband and wife and between brother and sister. I have to admit that I cried at the end of the story and didn't want it to end. This is definitely a story that I recommend reading to all lovers of fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Tales 5 stars review
Review: by Chere

Once again, we're back with Thraxis, Arrow and Viabold. Thraxis has decided that he would like to see his parents. So the three of them show up at the Sanctum Minoris. Anarete, the Prima of the Sanctum Minoris, wants to know why they came. Thraxis explains that he just wanted to see his parents. His parents, Cyaraxes and Jumica, seem somewhat nervous that he has shown up. They are happy to see him and find out how he is.

Later in their room that night, Arrow and Thraxis are standing on their balcony when someone floats up to see them. Arrow recognizes her as Thraxis's sister right away. Thraxis senses that she is black like he is, even though she is wearing red robes. Thraxis knows that rather than lose Thiacene, his parents have disguised her as a red. He just can't figure out why Anarete went along with the deception.

Meanwhile, Anarete wants to know why the Black Council sent Thraxis to her Sanctum. She contacts Vilhardouin to find out. It turns out that Thraxis was not sent by the Black Council to check on Anarete, but since he is there, Vilhardouin decides that the Black Council will come to Sanctum Minoris to check on their progress for themselves. Anarete has just screwed herself. She knows that Vilhardouin will sense that she has hidden Thiacene's power and she will be punished for it.

It turns out that the Sanctum Minoris has found a city of the ancients and is busy excavating it. They are trying to find the ancient city of Xaqqara. Thraxis and Arrow go to the city. Arrow doesn't like the city. She senses evil in it. Thraxis is enthralled by it and immediately starts seeing what he can discover. One day, Arrow and Thraxis go to the nearby human city. They find a man beating a dog. Thraxis uses his power to make the man stop. They take it away. It is an ugly puppy. They clean it up and Thraxis names her Beautiful Girl.

Thraxis becomes more and more involved with the excavation. Arrow is feeling more and more neglected. Thraxis has found a map to the city of Xaqqara. He is hoping that they can follow it and find the city. The Black Council arrives. Vilhardouin orders exile for Anarete and Thraxis's parents. Thiacene is devastated. Arrow takes her away from the Sanctum and teaches her how to use weapons. Vilhardouin will not sanction Thraxis; she needs him to find Xaqqara. Arrow also finds out that she is pregnant with a daughter. She decides not to tell Thraxis, even though Viabold tries to convince her to. She is afraid that Thraxis will feel that she is using him to breed children. The next morning, they set out to the city of Xaqqara. Arrow is very uneasy about this and only goes to keep an eye on Thraxis.

This is a wonderful sequel to "Tyrant Moon". I have to admit that I enjoyed this book more than the first. Personally, the very name Vilhardouin conjures up images of evil and fear, and she definitely lives up to her name. I really love the way that the past is explained from the point of view of Thraxis and ends at the beginning of the first book. Even though Arrow is pregnant, she is still very much the barbarian and is still very protective of Thraxis, as well as Viabold and Thiacene. Thiacene and Arrow become very good friends in this story as well and save each other. This is a wonderful story filled with evil and uncertainties and rebellion against a terrible wrong, but underlying it all is love, the love between friends, between husband and wife and between brother and sister. I have to admit that I cried at the end of the story and didn't want it to end. This is definitely a story that I recommend reading to all lovers of fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: To put it simple, I LOVE Ms. Corvidae's work!
Review: From her first novel, WINTER'S ORPHANS, I knew I had to get my hands on more of her awesome writing.

In HERETIC SUN we are reunited with Thraxis and Arrow from TYRANT MOON. They return to the Athraskani lands to discover secrets and deceit. The Black Council enlists Thraxis' help in deciphering ancient tablets that might point to the ruined city of Xaqqara and the lost power of the anciet wizards. Thraxis and Arrow are torn apart as Thraxis becomes obsessed with the city and the beautiful Melilandra.

Arrow is chilled by the ruined city and believes it's an evil best left alone. Confronted by enemies at every turn, she must draw deep from her strength to protect those she loves and save her marriage.

HERETIC SUN is filled with magic, adventure, danger, passion, betrayal and so much more! I've read this book twice and will probably read it again in the not-so-distant future. Ms. Corvidae has amazing talent in the fantasy genre, and she'll be on my autobuy list from now on.