Demon Fox…”The land of my people. The people who are suffering from the injustice of others…. I readied to level all of Asteria in one single blow.” This is where the prophesy began…
King Aryan, Ronan’s father, had believed he could bring the Demon Fox back and use the one wish to get the power he wanted. As others before having learned there is more to a prophesy than is always told. Leila’s death would not grant the wish he thought was his to control. It went to the lover of the blood weaver. Ronan would bring Leila back. And so, the battle for Asteria would begin again.
Ronan and Leila would seek help from an enemy that would become an ally, but the journey to Keldara in search of peace between the Grasslands and Keldara would be a dangerous mission for any messenger sent to negotiate peace with King Eduard. Leila was to find herself a pawn the King would use to get a hold on Valoria by forcing himself on her and then marrying her against her will. Her fight to get free and back to Ronan will be a deadly struggle, while a battle will change the hands of power once again.
But even free of Keldara there is truth to be learned before going back to Valoria. There is a secret held so tightly those who know of it become ghosts on the wind, as Ronan and Leila search them out. Even before they can find the woman, they search for news comes that King Alwyn of Eldwain is dead. King of the fae, Caelan would be in an even more dangerous position, as he already has allies among the Central Plains, a foothold in Valoria and would now rule in Ellyndor. Now he will come for Leila, to try to force a marriage on her. However, what Caelan isn’t aware of is that there is another contender for the throne. One who wants justice for her people, to depose Caelan and stop his reign of terror and put an end to the wars.
In this final tale that began with “The Lost Heiress” the prophesy that began it all is shared, as secrets slowly break free to be heard by all, treachery, betrayal, war, and death but through it all Ronan and Leila’s love and respect for each other hold them together, each willing to give their lives for their people, their homelands and each other. Enemies will become allies and those they thought to be friends will reveal their real desires. And the biggest secret of all will be answered. The impetus that started long before Leila ran as a child from Valoria and the reason she had to stay hidden will complete the story’s circle.
Ronan and Leila’s tale was the heart of this beautifully crafted trilogy, as battles raged around them, enemies and even family members tried to separate them. Leila has always been the key to power, but she sought only to serve the people around her, wanted to see a better world, one of peace for those in all of Asteria. At the center, she was the one most often attacked, in danger or harmed. And through it all Ronan was there, along with Henry, a young boy she had befriended. There are others that finally realize they need to seek the truth, that will join them. I admit that I was surprised at the twists and turns the story took at times. The biggest secret of all I never spotted until it was revealed. I couldn’t stop reading and going back to my highlighted notes in the book over and over again, until I could live inside the tale as it happened. The adventure, drama, dangers and spicy romance was all encompassing for me. I loved the people and reveled in the evil villains’ dastardly actions. And I must admit my favorite of the homelands was Central Plains it was wiggling with life, smells and enigmas. The smells of tea in the tea house, as I heard the storyteller sharing a tale and the Rose Petal that turns out to be more that a house of pleasure and the idea of Leila’s small clinic where she created her herbs and remedies.
The only part that left me wanting was the epilogue, I would have enjoyed a more encompassed telling of Ronan, Leila, Marcel, Serene and how Asteria had all fared ten years hence. And perhaps a peek at Shiro, the Demon Fox as well. I highly recommend this colorful tale. I would step into any world Karina Espinosa would care to share, always.