Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin – a Review

Posted on by

Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin – a Review

Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin is the second book of her Light Blade series, and it is going to be rerleased tomorrow, July 3rd. If you remember from my review of Vengeance Born, the Light Blade series is fantasy romance.  Griffin does a masterful job of creating this worldbuilding, of Humans (Light Blade), Na’Reish (demons), and Na’Chi (half human/demons).  The story picks up shortly after Vengeance Born left off, when Kalan,  the Chosen of the Light Blade, forces his command of the Council and Soldiers, by allowing Na’Chi to be part of their alliance, and his commitment to Annika, a NaChi, as his mate.  In order to win the ungoing war with the Na’Reish, the two sides need to join hands to work together to defeat the enemy. 

But prejudice is still a big issue for many to accept the Na’Chi as friends.  Alliance Forged is a dual story, showing how prejudice threatens to divide the Light Blade soldiers, with friends turning against each other.  Those that are willing to work with the strong Na’Chi and those who refuse to accept them as allies.    The other part is the romance between two unlikely pairings, but one that you saw the start of in Vengeance Born.

Kymora is Kalan’s sister, she is the priestess, the Temple Elect.  Kymora, who is also blind, speaks for the Lady, who is the human’s deity. Kymora is such a wonderful character.  She cares about others, and you marvel at how she can get around her blindness. She uses her gift, being able to sense aura’s and has worked to perfect that gift.  Kymora believes she has a destiny that the Lady expects her to fulfill, and that is to bring the Na’Chi and Humans together to help save them all.

Varian is the leader of the Na’Chi. We met Varian in Vengeance Born, when he led his people to follow Annika and Kalan when they returned to Sacred Lake.  That was when Varian and Kymora met, and soon thereafter, an uneasy alliance was born.  In this book, Kymora is working with the Na’Chi to teach them how to live with humans, and help them.  She befriends Varian, who isn’t an easy person to deal with.  Varian takes it upon himself to protect his people, and half of his inner self is full demon, that he brings out during battles.  Varian has a hard time keeping this dangerous angry part of him in control.   He begins to realize that Kymora soothes his anger, and he finds unfamiliar feelings, he doesn’t know how to handle when he is around her.  Kymora, finds herself content and happy around Varian, and she was very aggressive with him, trying to entice him to act on his feelings, until he could no longer resist.  Varian has always believed he would never have someone love him; that his people respected him as a leader, but did not want to be his friend. 

This is an amazing love story, to watch Kymora break the shield around Varian, and how they both explored their growing love, something neither had experienced.  Very nicely done, as I really enjoyed this romance, as it was totally different, and very nice to see. 

The ending was very exciting with the rebels fighting the alliance taking things too far, bringing danger to their own people, and sides have to be chosen.  The climatic ending is a race against time to save their own, and during this battle, Varian opens his heart to his true love.  A great story, and wonderful ending.  The battle is still on the horizon, with the humans/na’chi to possibly face the uncoming Na’reish demons.  The third book will be about Arek, who played a big part early on in this book, and in the first one.  I already cannot wait for his story, and to find out what will happen to him, as well as the war upcoming.  Great book and series by Kylie Griffin.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Publisher

Share

21 thoughts on “Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin – a Review”

  1. Another great review and another book for my bulging TBR pile (you realize my Ipad is filling with accommodations from you and Sandy faster than I can get through others? Sighing. Love the review, love the premise of the story, and I know I am going to love the book… and I know I am going to put some to the side to read this one.

  2. Great review Barb: You can make a story sound wonderful well i guess there has to be something their to catch your interest, sounds different in a good way . And i have to say i’m digging the art work on this cover , I just love a great cover.

    • Lori, the cover of both VENGEANCE BORN and ALLIANCE FORGED have been created by Gene Mollica (www.genemollica.com) – he’s a wizard as far as I’m concerned as he’s done such a fantastic job on the series so far.

      So many little details about he characters and setting are hinted at in the covers. I’ve had quite a few readers comment about those details once they’ve read the book (VB). 🙂

      • Well Gene does a beautiful job on your covers , and i find that when i’m looking for a book it’s the cover i reach for ,then i read the back cover .Looking forward to meeting you on tuesday for your interview ,thanks for taking the time to reply to my message Kylie

  3. I enjoyed this series so far, and the author is an excellent story teller. It is a different concept, original and very well done. As for the author, Kylie Griffin, she is great. Just wait til you see our interview tomorrow…such fun. 🙂

  4. Holy Hell…I want the paperback just for the cover……growll and purrrrrr.

    Great review Barb and like MaryAnn said…..my ipad is so full with the new books we keep promoting…..I don’t know if I will ever have time to sit down and just enjoy!!

  6. I second Sandy’s comments regarding the book’s cover. grrrrrrrrr, so yummy. 😉
    This series sounds interesting, I shall have to check it out. I love the fantasy genre as much as the paranormal. Once again Barb, thanks for adding another author and series to my every growing list. 😉

    • Hi Kylie…and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

      You wouldn’t happen to know who is the cover model for ALLIANCE FORGED? *whispering* …we interview cover models at The Reading Cafe.

      • Sandy, I know VENGEANCE BORN’s cover model but not ALLIANCE FORGED – but, I shall endeavor to find out for you. 🙂 Let me get back to you.

  9. such a wonderful review. i loved the premise of vengeance born, and now this one too. this is a must buy for me. thank you.

    look forward to your interview tomorrow, kylie.

    • Thank you, Mari! If you do purchase the print versions of the books I’d be more than happy to send you signed bookplates if you’d like.

      This offer is open to anyone from Barb’s readership – the least I can do for your commitment to buying the books! 🙂

      • D’oh, would help to leave an email address – kyliegriffin71 (at) optusnet (dot) com (dot) au – I just need a postal address so I can send them.

Leave a Reply