Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Warsworn
Author: Beth Vaughan
Publisher: Tor
ISBN: 0-765-35265-6
Release Date: April 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Futuristic Romance
Year/Setting: Future
Overall rating: See below
Sexual content rating: Subtle
Elizabeth's Website:
www.warprize.com
Lara (short for Xylara) has sworn her allegiance to a man who was once her enemy. However, this man has won both her respect and her heart through the short time they have been together. Keir, the Warlord, truly cares for the people under his umbrella of power as well as the land they hail from. He desires to do the best for all of them but fights with those who wish to depose him – in particular, Iften.
As they are returning to Keir’s homeland, they stumble upon a village fort under the domain of Xy, Lara’s homeland. Initially, the scouts think the village is readying to fight. Lara, however, quickly figures out the truth. The village has marked their gates with the mark of the plague and is trying to keep them from entering. As a healer, Lara can do no less. She struggles to aid these villagers but in the end all that remains is a babe. Even one of her guards succumbs to this plague. Inspire of her best efforts, the plague ventures beyond the gates of the city and she faces more demons than she ever could have guessed. It takes all of her wits to keep herself going and save the souls of those she has come to love.
Beth Vaughan is a talented writer and one, which I enjoy greatly. Warsworn is a gifted tale of perseverance and determination in spite of all odds and the joy that can come from success. She possesses an incredible talent for drawing the reader into the story and making them feel as if they are riding the horse along with Lara. The sights viewed by the caravan are readily understandable and easy to recreate in the backdrop of your mind. Even the smells float across the page to reach your senses.
Beth creates a time honored love between the two main characters of the. That love surpasses time and illness through the strength of the character as illustrated by the devotion displayed through Beth’s words. I enjoy the fortitude in Lara’s character to stand up for what she knows to be right even amongst people who are not her champions. I also had to savor the grit and integrity shown by Keir. As a leader, he has the force to command the troops and the vigor to see it through. But even more as a leader he has the forte within himself to listen to those around him before making decisions. That to me is the truest sense of a leader.
Above, I asked you to see below for a rating of this book. I actually have two ratings for this book so use whichever one fits the parameters of reading for you. As a sequel to Warprize, Warsworn is well done and keeps the tale moving right along. It pulls you right back into the story and you fall in with the troupe all over again. So, I would rate it a 4.75. The only negative I have for this story is if you haven’t read the first people. This book would be a struggle for someone who hasn’t read the first book so I would have to give it a 4 or maybe 3.75. The excellent writing and underlying story are still absolutely wonderful but it is much harder to get the hang of the different speech style and lifestyle represented in this futuristic culture. I wouldn’t recommend you stay away from this book. Far from it, I would recommend you get Warprize and read it first and then continue with this book.
All in all, Beth, well done.
Lori
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