LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS by C. L. Wilson

Tarian Soul Series, Book 2
Publisher: Avon
Date published: September 28th, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-202301-8
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


When Ellysetta Baristani wished for someone other than a potential suitor, she got much more than even she bargained when the Tarian King, Rain Tarian Soul, claims her as his true-mate. Now days away from their wedding, Elly and Rain are finding that her magic is much more powerful than they imagined and mystery swirls around her as she tries to figure out her magic. Tensions roil as the Tarian try to convince the Celiera that the Eld Mages are back with a vengeance. Can Elly, Rain and their allies find a way to survive the plots that swirl around them as the Eld tries to take Elly for their own purposes?

I have got to admit, this second installment in the Tarian Soul series is a fast paced adventure from start to finish. I have to stress, though, you need to read the first book, LORD OF THE FADING LANDS, in order to understand this book. LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS continues where the first book leaves off and I was enthralled from the first page. The writing is tight, characters are finely developed and the storyline flows nicely. C. L. Wilson does a great job in keeping the reader intrigued with some questions answered then a crop of new ones leaving us guessing. I can’t get enough of this series and found it to be an enjoyable read on a rainy afternoon.

Ellysetta Baristani never anticipated to having a person like Rain show up declaring she is his true-mate. Now she finds herself wielding powerful magic that she has no control over and a past that is beginning to make itself known to her. Mystery swirls around Elly as tension flares as the Eld mages step up their plot to get Elly at all costs and to destroy the Tarian. These characters are so well developed I was amazed at their growth from book one to book two. This is an author who knows how the characters will act, react in situations and more. I found them to be completely enjoyable and I am longing for my own Tarian to come down from the sky now. The secondary characters were just as developed with hidden nuances that kept me glued to the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next for them.

LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS is an enjoyable second book that, in my opinion, is even better than the first book. The story moves along at a nice pace and the reader gets a glimpse into different sub-plots that weave themselves around Rain and Elly’s story with ease. If you are looking for a wonderful paranormal/fantasy series to enjoy, I highly recommend the Tarian Soul series. I cannot wait to read the third book and see what happens next for Elly, Rain and all their friends and family. C. L. Wilson is a great addition to the fantasy/paranormal genres and I look forward to see what she has coming in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

LORD OF THE FADING LANDS by C. L. Wilson

Book 1 in Series
Publisher: Avon
Date Published: October 2010
ISBN 978-0-06-202302-5
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Fey King Rain Tairen Soul, once knew love and peace until the Mage wars destroyed his sanity and his mate. Maddened by it all, he scorched the world and left for a thousand years. Until he felt the presence of his Tairan mate, his true mate…someone who awakens his long thought dead heart. Ellysetta is a humble and sweet woodcarvers daughter until she asks for someone kind, and honorable and gets Rain, the Fey King. Now Rain and Ellysetta have to face not only Ellysetta’s fears, but also try to convince the world that the Eld Mage’s are coming back and not just for trade. Danger is coming to the world again and it has Rain and Ellysetta in its sights. Can Rain finally convince Ellysetta to accept the truemate bond that has begun between them? Or will the evil mages once again cause chaos and destruction in their quest for power?

I found this to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. Author C. L. Wilson debut book introduces the reader to a world of magic, conspiracies, secrets and more within its pages. This was a tightly written story that had me engrossed from start to finish. Within the pages I was enthralled by the way Rain wooed his truemate, Ellysetta and the mystery behind the reemergence of the Eld Mages. With each page I was drawn further and further into the world of the Fey and magic. The world building was topnotch and the way the characters grew by the end of the first book had me grinning with pleasure. Ms. Wilson delivers a series that has something for everyone, magic, mystery, multi-faceted characters and a fast paced storyline.

Rain Tarien Soul is the Fey King and he’s been quiet for over a thousand years after he lost his sanity, when his mate died from the Eld Mages in the Mage War. Now someone calls to his soul in a way he never anticipated, for it’s his one truemate, a woman who breathes life into a heart he thought long dead. Now he has to convince her they are destined to be together and in the process, find a way to warn that the ancient evil, the Eld Mages, are back and are a danger to everyone…including the Fey. Ellysetta is a simple woodcarver’s daughter who never anticipated, a man like Rain would want to be with her, or even desire her. But with Rain, Ellysetta finds the peace she craves and a love that will transform her into the woman she was meant to be. The characters in this series are very well written and complex, with vulnerabilities we see within the pages of the LORD OF THE FADING LANDS. The characters kept my attention and had me eager to see what they would do next. Rain and Ellysetta are a perfect match together and I was hopeful Ellysetta would soften her heart towards Rain. There were some secondary characters to keep the storyline moving nicely and I am eager to see if they show up in the next few books.

LORD OF THE FADING LANDS is a wonderful, well written story that will leave you breathless and eager for more. This is a new to me author who will definitely be on my reading list from now on. If you are looking for a new series to enjoy, grab this first book in an exciting new fantasy series and settle in for an afternoon of reading pleasure.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.