Reseña: Wardance (Chronicles of Warland 5)

Wardance (Chronicles of Warland #5)

by  

Elizabeth Vaughan

400 pages

Published April 25th 2017 by Birch Cove Press (first published April 11th 2017)

ISBN:0998450111 (ISBN13: 9780998450117)

Idioma; Inglés. 

BLURB: Spring returns to the Plains, and with it, the Time of the Challenges, when warrior fights warrior in a contest for rank and status. For Simus of the Hawk, now is the time to raise his challenge banner, to fight for the chance to finally become Warlord. But his deadliest challenge does not come from other warriors, or even the sundered Council of Elders. For on the first night of the Challenges, a mysterious and deadly pillar of white light scorches the night sky-instantly changing everything for the People of the Plains. Now a warrior-priestess, Snowfall, stands before Simus, who dares to speak of peace, of reconciliation. Her knives are sharp, her tattoos alluring, and her cool grey eyes can look through Simus and see...everything. Now Simus and Snowfall must solve the mystery of the pillar of white light, and protect their people from all the destruction and chaos it brings. Snowfall fights for her place beside Simus, despite resistance from friend and foe. The warrior-priests have abused their power for many years. Can Simus face the challenge of trusting Snowfall with his honor? And perhaps...with his heart?

My rating: 3.5*

My bookshelves: action-adventure, fantasia-epica, magia, magical-practitioners, priestess-sacerdotisa, warlords, warriors.

For those who have not read the sagas of this author, namely Epic of Palins and Chronicles of Warlands, I clarify that both are intertwined. This is a book that you come to understand only if you have read the previous books; and especially after the actions on Destiny's Star (to know about the 'Sacrifice').

Simus of the Hawk is Keir's second, and he supports his new ideas for the Plains and wants to help him achieve that. This means that they would leave a way of life that consists in obtaining several goods through the pillage; as well as learning other ways of healing and other ways of thinking. These changes to what is essentially their way of life have a violent opposition of other leaders and warriors, and especially of the warriors-priest led by Hail Storm.

Now it is spring on the Plains, time for the warriors to gather once more at the Heart to elect four Warlords, one for each cardinal point, who will be in charge of guiding their people to gather food and everything necessary for the survival of the people during winter. The choice is basically by combat. The stronger male or female warrior among his peers is the one who will lead them.

Simus is here for the title of warlord, but then the warrior-priest , always secretive, prevent the warriors from approaching the Heart.

Later, the great pillar of light is a surprise. And then the warrior-priests are dead ... except the young people who have stayed with Elder Wild Winds.

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“‘Magic is a blade that cuts both ways.’” Wild Winds could almost hear the echo of his friends’ voices as he spoke. “‘That which was taken is restored. That which was imprisoned is now freed.’” Wild Winds sighed. “‘Embrace the old. Preserve the new.’”

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The fact that a warrior-priestess is present to dispute the title of Token-bearer for Simus is not to anyone's liking. Snowfall faces the mistrust and hostility of the warriors surrounding Simus , who share Keir's ideas. That is not the way that is done.

In this particular case, I would not speak so much of worldbuilding, but of the richness of the Plains culture (although it resembles several cultures nomads on horseback). The idea of having to change to survive, that change scares, annoys and generates even hatred is something always present throughout the series.

To all this, we continue having glimpses of what happens in Xyr (with Keir and Lara), with its own problems ... and that seems that they will complicate even more things in the Plains.

The thing between Snowfall and Simus is very insta-love. Although I like the personality of Simus, a man who wants to laugh and who is not afraid to make their own decisions even though his friends do not agree with him.

Pros: Stronger female characters. Diversity of races in the Plains. Both MC are not white.

{BUT I am very sorry for Amyu. That is a very difficult point to swallow about this culture, that you are not an adult if you do not have five children is horrible. I wish Lara undestand better her anguish for being useful, and prove who she is. And that she can fly.}

This is light reading, but despise the number of pages, and many POVs, I feel like the plot does not advance much, and there are many things pending for another(s) book.

nota: Quedan muchas cosas sin resolver , y continua en el sgte.

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