Lord of the Fading Lands

Ok. The cover art for this book is horrendous. It was recommended to me based on some other books that I like, and, wanting an escape from reality, I finally decided to give it a try. I had a few issues with it but finished it in 24 hours and wasn't bored at all.

Definitely a bit of that soulmate action that usually I don't like but the way it's presented here doesn't equal insta-love, which is cool. The characters have to get to know each other and don't just dive into head over heels love despite their magic bond shenanigans.

I'd also like to see less male overbearing protectiveness and more female kicking ass action. I think the main female character has the potential so I'm hopeful that in the next books, she gains some backbone and starts effing up some bad guys.

Lord of the Fading Lands By: C. L. Wilson If you enjoy the blend of romance and fantasy employed by LUNA books, then you will love this new book by Dorchester Publishing: Lord of the Fading Lands. C.L. Wilson's city of Celieria is impeccably detailed and populated with an interesting and yet wholly realistic cast of characters. The Fey Truthspeaker is coming for her annual visit, and this year the Feyreisen, King of the Fey, is accompanying her. He is searching for the woman whom their oracle showed could save the dying tairen, magical winged cats, whose fates are intertwined with those of his people. Little does he realize that this woman is his shei'tani, his soul-mate, and that she is already unwillingly betrothed to another. As if that weren't enough, the Eld, mages and ancient enemy of the Fey, are plotting once more. This debut will draw you into a magical weave of spirit and air that won't release you until the last word is read.

Finding more and more that I prefer low- to no-stakes in my fantasy. I really don't care about the multiple plotlines that are going to converge to try to take the MCs down. Especially if the author doesn't spend that much time on character development. Why would I care if they die, then? LOL

I was enjoying this until the author kept hinting at the next potential conflict. It started happening so often, so blatantly and so conveniently that it left little to the imagination as to how the conflict(s) would turn out. And when said conflicts involved the limited side characters introduced, they started to feel more like puzzle pieces than anything else. Ok eeky creepy boy who likes FMC is obviously going to be a roadblock, ok FMC's only friend who was born to the opposing faction's kind is obviously going to be used against her. Boring. Also, in the first 20%, I don't yet care enough about the FMC to be this invested.