What do you think?
Rate this book
Last T'En Trilogy #3
Desperate Alliances
In a land of enchantment and betrayal, an empress sworn to a new future must face the
world she left behind. . .
With her wine-dark eyes and silver hair, Imoshen is the last T’En empress--blessed with exotic beauty and an extraordinary gift for healing. Once the enemy of the fierce Ghebite General Tulkhan, Imoshen surrendered herself and her island to the powerful invader to save her people. But what began as a political alliance blossomed into a passionate love, and now they share both a kingdom and a newborn son.
Yet Imoshen’s past still comes back to haunt her, as the T’En renegade, Reothe, refuses to relinquish his once betrothed. Believing Tulkhan will reject Imoshen if she carries another man’s child, Reothe uses T’En trickery to seduce her; but Tulkhan’s love proves stronger. Angered and betrayed by Reothe, Imoshen still cannot bring herself to forsake her fellow T’En. For Imoshen is hungry for the ultimate intimacy--the sacred mind-touch that she can share only with Reothe. It is a longing that could jeopardize her heart--and perhaps even the future of Fair Isle.
world she left behind. . .
With her wine-dark eyes and silver hair, Imoshen is the last T’En empress--blessed with exotic beauty and an extraordinary gift for healing. Once the enemy of the fierce Ghebite General Tulkhan, Imoshen surrendered herself and her island to the powerful invader to save her people. But what began as a political alliance blossomed into a passionate love, and now they share both a kingdom and a newborn son.
Yet Imoshen’s past still comes back to haunt her, as the T’En renegade, Reothe, refuses to relinquish his once betrothed. Believing Tulkhan will reject Imoshen if she carries another man’s child, Reothe uses T’En trickery to seduce her; but Tulkhan’s love proves stronger. Angered and betrayed by Reothe, Imoshen still cannot bring herself to forsake her fellow T’En. For Imoshen is hungry for the ultimate intimacy--the sacred mind-touch that she can share only with Reothe. It is a longing that could jeopardize her heart--and perhaps even the future of Fair Isle.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
98 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 20, 2009
The troubles on Fair Isle between the Ghebite invaders and the rebels, led by the T'En Reothe, continue to disrupt any chance of peace on the island even now that Imoshen has stripped him of his powers. Worse, Tulkhan's brother, the Ghebite leader, has become the new enemy and Tulkhan must turn traitor and fight against him to save the land he has come to think of as home.
The last book in the series, Desperate Alliances focuses on the clash of cultures and the sacrifices for peace that must be made. Even without his powers, Reothe is still a threat to the fragile stability that Tulkhan and Imoshen have worked hard for - politics is at the forefront, but there's still room made for romance and the mystery - or secrecy - surrounding their child, Ashmyr, and what will happen to him when the spirits Imoshen called upon to save his life come to claim their side of the deal. This subplot is never satisfactorily resolved and remains a mystery by the end of the book, which is disappointing.
Where the second book was dark and full of mistrust, the third has firmer footing and more hope, though the differences between the races can never be fully overcome. As an exploration and critique of our own squabbles - for land, for rights and freedoms, for superiority - this trilogy presents an engrossing look into a somewhat exaggerated - in the best possible sense - situation that echoes our own problems with racism, religious intolerance, classism, traditions versus an invader's culture etc.
These books have very different titles in North America, which really confused me at first. The only one I prefer is the third one, Desperate Alliances - it makes a lot more sense. I prefer the Australian covers, though. The US editions (of which this is one) are just plain tacky.
The last book in the series, Desperate Alliances focuses on the clash of cultures and the sacrifices for peace that must be made. Even without his powers, Reothe is still a threat to the fragile stability that Tulkhan and Imoshen have worked hard for - politics is at the forefront, but there's still room made for romance and the mystery - or secrecy - surrounding their child, Ashmyr, and what will happen to him when the spirits Imoshen called upon to save his life come to claim their side of the deal. This subplot is never satisfactorily resolved and remains a mystery by the end of the book, which is disappointing.
Where the second book was dark and full of mistrust, the third has firmer footing and more hope, though the differences between the races can never be fully overcome. As an exploration and critique of our own squabbles - for land, for rights and freedoms, for superiority - this trilogy presents an engrossing look into a somewhat exaggerated - in the best possible sense - situation that echoes our own problems with racism, religious intolerance, classism, traditions versus an invader's culture etc.
These books have very different titles in North America, which really confused me at first. The only one I prefer is the third one, Desperate Alliances - it makes a lot more sense. I prefer the Australian covers, though. The US editions (of which this is one) are just plain tacky.
February 11, 2019
Honestly, it was okay. I enjoyed the political maneuverings more than the romance. I felt like Tulkhan was too insecure, especially given Imoshen's obvious devotion. I’m still really annoyed that Tulkhan didn't trust Imoshen, forced her hand, and then basically took the credit when she risked her life for him. Reothe developed most, in my opinion. The ending was...okay.
June 12, 2011
Desperate Alliances is the third book in the Last T'En trilogy. It was also released as part of an omnibus in Australia, titled The Shadow Kingdom.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews