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Corelands
To save his home, he must destroy it.
Aurion Illica’s life is buried in Lione’s politics until an assassination attempt lands him in the hands of enemy Nurmi warriors, whom Lione had enslaved for decades. In exchange for his life, he leaves behind his affluent life and agrees to remain in the north and serve them.
Lania, the Warrior of the Nurmi, never expected to save a Lionian councilman, but far from regretting it, she forms a bond with her old master. She knows Aurion has a part to play as the Lionian Sovereignty fights on several fronts, but she cannot be sure whether he will be with or against her. As she grows close to Aurion, she prays he will stand at her side.
Aurion Illica’s life is buried in Lione’s politics until an assassination attempt lands him in the hands of enemy Nurmi warriors, whom Lione had enslaved for decades. In exchange for his life, he leaves behind his affluent life and agrees to remain in the north and serve them.
Lania, the Warrior of the Nurmi, never expected to save a Lionian councilman, but far from regretting it, she forms a bond with her old master. She knows Aurion has a part to play as the Lionian Sovereignty fights on several fronts, but she cannot be sure whether he will be with or against her. As she grows close to Aurion, she prays he will stand at her side.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 24, 2025
Once again, we’re back in the world of The Falling City.
This time around, the positions are reversed when Aurion ends up a captive of the Nurmi. However, Lania and Aurion do end up together again. We’re also back with Lania’s twin, The Priestess, and Haro and the rest of the Nurmi. Again, I really do enjoy reading anything by D. Lambert. Her imagination is something else with all the different worlds and politics and situations she comes up with. Her writing style just pulls me into her stories and doesn’t let go. Then there’s the people and their relationships. Of course, there’s battles and wars and fighting. After all, Lania is The Warrior, but these stories all seem to be character driven. I can’t wait to see what D. Lambert comes up with next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This time around, the positions are reversed when Aurion ends up a captive of the Nurmi. However, Lania and Aurion do end up together again. We’re also back with Lania’s twin, The Priestess, and Haro and the rest of the Nurmi. Again, I really do enjoy reading anything by D. Lambert. Her imagination is something else with all the different worlds and politics and situations she comes up with. Her writing style just pulls me into her stories and doesn’t let go. Then there’s the people and their relationships. Of course, there’s battles and wars and fighting. After all, Lania is The Warrior, but these stories all seem to be character driven. I can’t wait to see what D. Lambert comes up with next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2025
Didn't want to put down. If it's been a while since you read the last book in the series brush up a bit. It took me a bit to get reoriented in the series. Could read as stand alone but you might feel your missing things. Ends with completion. Love the characters and plot. Good morals on people being people no matter the race or gender. Even our cultures enemies have some good. Fighting for what's right and your people. Good vs evil.
Not an easy afternoon read. An all day or several days read.
Fairly clean as in closed door but mature subjects. Like rape, murder. Etc.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not an easy afternoon read. An all day or several days read.
Fairly clean as in closed door but mature subjects. Like rape, murder. Etc.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2025
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. Gripping from the first page, the journey of Lania and Aurion quickly turned into an unputdownable, action packed, tension filled, suspenseful struggle as they encountered enemies, assassins, strange traditions, and slow buildup of feelings toward each other. Determined to save Lione and help free the captured slaves, complex plans are made, and working together an incredibly complicated plan was put into action. What happens next is epic and one of the most exciting conclusions I have read in awhile! I can’t wait for more!.
September 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this book is really quite interesting and I absolutely love the character and I like that you get a look at both sides. You’re not just looking for one point of view you get two point of view.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
This is the story of Lionia. It carefully follows the first book and links solidly with the previous tales from Espar: "I am Gensiana Galanth,” she introduced with another fluid bow, “granddaughter of Tohmas, last King of Espar". Is is the story of the Nurmi people, but it could not be complete without their oppressors, the Lionians. This is a struggle for freedom and the Warrior leads her people in this battle. She is both tactician and strategist to most wisely use her skills and her people to the best effect.
They are two very different nations of people. Lania is the Warrior but her guiding light is her sister, Akara, the priestess. Akara could use the diving stones but for Lania: "She knew they could see the will of the One God, but that was all." It was a difficult life for the Nurmi, sometimes just a struggle for survival: "There was food, to start. Dried rations were delivered to Teali in sufficient amounts to restock the village for the remainder of the persistent winter." The Lionians have the White City and massive resources.
"Lania was stubborn, it was true, but she was only stubborn when it served her. She was quick and precise and cruel, if she had to be, and yet could demonstrate the most sincere care when called to defend her people". She earned the respect of her people.
Lania and her sister were connected through the Dreamworld. At times Lania "was swept up in feelings that were not her own, dragged into the Dreamworld by her connection to her sister." This results in a very different connection to the enemy. Aurion was a warrior and a politician for the Lionians, yet his "debt saved the life of my only remaining family.” A single tear fell from the eye of the Warrior in echo of her sister’s grief. “I see a Lionian—I cannot ignore that—but I see a man who knows love and honor and joy. There is no monster there.” When he wondered how that came to be, the answer was simple: "You called me in the Dreamworld. Akara heard you and told me." How could he explain to anyone that "the plane of existence that was the Dreamworld or of the chord binding a person to their mind as it traveled within the plane." But he comes to know that it works and it is this connection which saved him and allowed him to be a key player for peace.
Very ordinary events are revealed in incredible, yet subtle detail: "The sound of the pages crinkling under his fingers, the sight of the writing across the paper, and even the scent of the beeswax candle burning nearby made him sigh in pleasure." Even these books are special: "when wizards walked among us, they enchanted the books. Now, they will never run out of pages or age."
This process of learning who the Nurmi are allows Aurion to appreciate them as a people. The author uses these emotional ties, battles and silent skills to paint a world that will come to life as you read. There is action, adventure, battles and just plain human struggles for existence, for love, for life, ... You will be pulled into the people, the world and their struggles.
Certainly this book is worth the read.
They are two very different nations of people. Lania is the Warrior but her guiding light is her sister, Akara, the priestess. Akara could use the diving stones but for Lania: "She knew they could see the will of the One God, but that was all." It was a difficult life for the Nurmi, sometimes just a struggle for survival: "There was food, to start. Dried rations were delivered to Teali in sufficient amounts to restock the village for the remainder of the persistent winter." The Lionians have the White City and massive resources.
"Lania was stubborn, it was true, but she was only stubborn when it served her. She was quick and precise and cruel, if she had to be, and yet could demonstrate the most sincere care when called to defend her people". She earned the respect of her people.
Lania and her sister were connected through the Dreamworld. At times Lania "was swept up in feelings that were not her own, dragged into the Dreamworld by her connection to her sister." This results in a very different connection to the enemy. Aurion was a warrior and a politician for the Lionians, yet his "debt saved the life of my only remaining family.” A single tear fell from the eye of the Warrior in echo of her sister’s grief. “I see a Lionian—I cannot ignore that—but I see a man who knows love and honor and joy. There is no monster there.” When he wondered how that came to be, the answer was simple: "You called me in the Dreamworld. Akara heard you and told me." How could he explain to anyone that "the plane of existence that was the Dreamworld or of the chord binding a person to their mind as it traveled within the plane." But he comes to know that it works and it is this connection which saved him and allowed him to be a key player for peace.
Very ordinary events are revealed in incredible, yet subtle detail: "The sound of the pages crinkling under his fingers, the sight of the writing across the paper, and even the scent of the beeswax candle burning nearby made him sigh in pleasure." Even these books are special: "when wizards walked among us, they enchanted the books. Now, they will never run out of pages or age."
This process of learning who the Nurmi are allows Aurion to appreciate them as a people. The author uses these emotional ties, battles and silent skills to paint a world that will come to life as you read. There is action, adventure, battles and just plain human struggles for existence, for love, for life, ... You will be pulled into the people, the world and their struggles.
Certainly this book is worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews