Above : Author pic
This fantasy/romance novel centres around Wren, princess of Thezmarr, an alchemist and poisoner, and Torj, a warrior whose bravery is renowned across the Midrealms. These two have history, having fought together in the magical Shadow War five years earlier. Now, Wren is given the task of coming up with an antidote for a powerful alchemical poison. She’s also – at last – been offered a place at a prestigious alchemy academy, and much to his chagrin, Torj is assigned to guard her there. He’s angry because she poisoned his last charge, and feels this job beneath him. She’s angry because she doesn’t want a bodyguard – specially Torj.
But their shared history, and the fact that Wren used her royal magic to save Torj during the war has forged a bond between them. I’m no doubt at something of a disadvantage here, not having read the four books that make up the earlier series The Legends of Thezmarr. They dislike one another, exchanging bitter barbs, but secretly each lusts after the other. As much as they try to sublimate their physical attraction, the air seethes with sexual tension.
At the academy Wren and her fellow students are initiated into the various arcane branches of alchemical study. Alchemy in this context is not about turning base metals into gold, or finding a potion for eternal life, or that sort of thing. Rather it’s the study of plants and other natural materials to poison, to maim, to heal. Alchemy is a weapon of war, and peace is fragile in the Midrealms. The instructors assign perilous and difficult tasks, and graduating to the next level is challenging, even life-threatening.
Meantime, dark forces are at work and Wren is in real danger. Torj is at her side, dutifully protecting her above all else. The real story is, of course, the relationship between the two main characters. For me, however, that part of the plot was laboured, and I wished Wren and Torj would just get on with things. In fact, their whole relationship greatly annoyed me. Nevertheless, readers will enjoy the story, which moves along at a good pace, and ends with a cliffhanger, intended to leave Scheuerer’s fans wanting more.
Published by Bramble, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, 520 pages
ISBN 978 1 035067411 (HB); 978 1 035067428 (PB)
RRP $34.99
