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Sequential Tart reviewed Marie Bilodeau’s Warrior of Darkness.

The review, by Sheena McNeil, contains some ’spoilers’. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Here it is:

I love this book just as much as the first, and while I don’t know how Book 3 will end, I do know how the author will handle the last book. There are three main heroines, each with a book in the Heirs of a Broken Land series. Princess of Light introduced us to all three while focusing on princess Casara, her newfound magic and a battle for survival as more Eloms attack. Warrior of Darkness picks up where it left off but with the focus now on the warrior Avarielle. She manages to escape from Siaballa’s Rage (a previously impossible task!) and finds the missing prince! They find friendship and help from a man Avarielle freed in Book 1, Kryde. However, Elihor’s magic tries to kill the young prince, and an attempt to cross back into Graydon separates them. Now Avarielle attempts to help Kryde save what’s left of his people who are being turned into Eloms. The Wall of Loss is falling, Shirina gathers what’s left of the Circle and Casara leads an army to the West. Is there struggle playing them right into Siabala’s hands or will newfound powers save them all?

I love that the story shifts to focus on Avarielle, and that (I assume) Book 3 will focus on Shirina. The three leading ladies are all strong, inspiring women, and they are all quite different. Even with the focus on one, all three still play major roles in the developing story, and there is a nice balance of switching between them so that we don’t lose track of what else is going on with them and the big picture. I also love how Avarielle allows us to gain an inside look at the people of Elihor as she is the first (and only so far) of the three women to experience all three major areas of their world. Plus, the romance is a nice touch even if it is tragic … but I was quite shocked by the twist at the end. I mean, as far as I knew Avarielle and Kryde did nothing more than kiss and snuggle (they were always exhausted and / or injured). I’m still scratching my head on this one, but otherwise it’s a straightforward read that will enthrall and engage you.

There are some other aspects of the story I really like. The prince is brought back and given some kind of magic power! This calls into duty the two older guards we left in Book 1 so I’m quite curious to see how they all fit into the final battle. We also get another side to the Elihor / Graydon history, romance and betrayal as well as more information on and interaction with Siabala. It’s all quite interesting, and still, so much of this story has the grand scale that The Lord of the Rings has with rich characters that are well thought-out. This book is a bit harsher with torture, deaths and suffering but it does an admirable job depicting the bleak situation this world is in. I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for an epic swords and sorcery story with some killer female leads.

Written: January 2, 2011
Published: January 3, 2011