Where the Heart Festers (Blood of Eith 3) by Gillian Grant-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2022

A legacy of grief, a sacrifice for love, a battle that may destroy them all…

Half-elf Evren Hanali is dying. She has only vague, terrifying memories of losing her heart and gaining blood magic in return. Her companions, the Wandering Sols, believe the only way to save her is to return Evern to her home. A return to Orenlion means a return to toxic politics and a legacy of traumatic memories, where old friends have changed and old enemies won’t let her slip away again. But when they are approached by a prince in need of an escort through the treacherous Deep Wood, Evren reluctantly agrees to guide them.

The simple escort mission takes a dangerous turn when the prince is kidnapped, thrusting them all into a thousand year blood feud between the elves of Orenlion and the monstrous Hisrachi race. Amidst the brewing storm, Evren’s attraction to one of her companions grows, a weakness her dying body can’t afford and the simmering war won’t allow. Surrounded by betrayals, lies, and spies, her magic slowly killing her, and with a thirst for revenge, Evren won’t allow someone she loves to sacrifice their life to save her own.

But time is running out and dark secrets are revealed as a battle rages across time for an ancient relic that may alter all their futures. If only Evren can survive long enough

•••••

REVIEW:WHERE THE HEART FESTERS is the third instalment in Gillian Grant’s adult BLOOD OF EITH dark, high fantasy, adventure series focusing on twenty-three year old, half-elf, hunter Evren Hanali of Orenlion, and her ragtag team of misfit warriors who call themselves the Wandering Sols. WHERE THE HEART FESTERS can be read as a stand alone but for back story and history I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from third person perspective (Evren) WHERE THE HEART FESTERS once again, focuses on Evren Hanali and the Wandering Sols, as they are tasked with protecting and guiding Prince Barrion Rhys, as he embarks on a journey towards peace with Evren’s homeland of Orenlion, a journey that sees the travellers facing a sentient forest known as the Deep Wood, the Archdruids of the Wood, a necromancer determined to take control of the world, a nest of Wyvern, and giant spiders known as the Weavers or Hisrachi. Evren is reluctant to return to the place that is nothing more than memories of heart break and pain for our story line heroine, a place where she will have to face the truth about the people and the past but Evren Hanali is dying and the truth will reveal a destiny born of blood and family, of death and life. As Evren struggles to move forward, betrayal, vengeance and a lust for control take aim, destroying everything and everyone in its’ path.

Most of the previous story line characters return including Sorin Trinity, goblin Arke, dwarf warrior Solri Amet, elf Abraxas Kain, and half giant / warrior Gyda, and the return of Nerezza Quill. We are introduced to Prince Barrion Rhys; Hisrachi Matriarch Shelis, and her solider Anep: Neri a Weaver yet not; as well as several members of the political elite of Orenlion including Soveriegn Wasanthi, Khama Song Mei, Fen, and Evren’s childhood friend Aster. Not everyone is willing to help Evren as the world around her implodes.

WHERE THE HEART FESTERS and the BLOOD OF EITH series is similar in premise and make up, reminiscent to Lord of the Rings™ franchise, a striking familiarity to Game of Thrones™ series, as well as Dungeons and Dragons™ including plot lines, characters, history and lore. Once again, an army of the ‘walking dead’ including a reanimated dragon are controlled by the ultimate evil, someone who was once a kindred spirit with the Wandering Sols. The premise is complex, well-developed and descriptive; the characters are numerous, energetic, colorful and dynamic. WHERE THE HEART FESTERS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Where The Shadow Beckons
Where the Night Consumes

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Gillian Grant was born in Texas and grew up enthralled with fantasy stories of all kinds. As she got older, she often traveled with her family and imagined wild adventures while exploring the mountains of Colorado and the glens of Scotland. Back home in Texas, she took her love of fantasy to the next level and sat a group of friends down to play Dungeons and Dragons. From there, they built the world her first novel, Where The Shadows Beckon was set in. When she’s not writing, Gillian is normally juggling too many D&D campaigns, grooming dogs, and imagining her next adventure. She still lives in Texas with her two cats.