Hello lovers of major world-building! Keep your thinking caps on while reading this action-packed story in the continuing saga of Ushna, Tristan, and Brian.

There was so much happening in this story, in part because it’s longer than the other books, but also because it seems we’re getting closer to the end. The story started out a bit slow for me. The world and its characters, including friends, enemies, gods and goddesses, continued to be developed at a pace I simply couldn’t keep up with. Fortunately, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story itself, especially since it quickly picked up and focused on the main characters. The author is extremely talented in writing action scenes, and she had me on the edge of my seat several times.

Ushna was such a strong and beautiful person, and it was nice to finally be inside his head. His heart is broken, and he doesn’t even have time to grieve before he and his extended family and friends are under attack. Fortunately, he quickly learns what the reader already knew, that both Tristan and Brian are going to return to him. Watching the three of them reunite, and hearing all of their unique voices, was the heart of the story. Their undying love for each other was so precious, and while I liked each character, Tristan is still my favorite. He brings a sense of enjoyment to the story with his love of life and witty comments. Brian was kind and patient and fit in perfectly with Ushna and Tristan. The backstories of several of the friends were also brought to light to add an even deeper dimension. On top of all of this, you have dragons.

This series must be read in order due to the complexity of the world and relationships and the timeline the story follows. This is the fifth story in the series and there is at least one more listed on the author’s website. Although the overall arc with the gods and the enemies hasn’t been fully resolved, the story felt like it had more closure with the characters.

The love between Tristan, Ushna, and Brian is powerful and engaging, and it might just be enough to conquer their enemies.

Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

BLURB

In the wake of birth and betrayal, Ushna takes the God Ashur to Tristan in a last desperate bid to save Tristan’s life—and is helpless to do anything but watch as Ashur instead buries him in a grave. Though he has no desire to go on living, having now lost Brian and Tristan, Ushna has no choice. Not only do their children need him, the mysterious Simurgh has come out of hiding and forces him to continue on—for there is much to do and little time to do it, especially with treachery and danger closing in on them from every side.