River of Dreams by Lynn Kurland

River of Dreams
Nine Kingdoms – Book #8
By Lynn Kurland
Release Date: January 7, 2014

Links to order River of Dreams:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Aisling of Bruadair is frantic to find both the truth about her future and a mercenary to save her country. When an offer of aid comes from an unexpected direction, she is relieved her quest is almost complete. But she soon realizes her task is far from over . . . and will include perils she never dreamed she would ever face.

Rùnach of Ceangail has offered to help Aisling with her quest, then he fully intends to take up his life as a simple swordsman far from magic and evil mages. Unfortunately, a chance finding of a book of indecipherable spells tells him that an ordinary life is never going to be his–especially when he realizes that the book he has in his hands belongs to a black mage who will stop at nothing to have it back.

With time running out, Rùnach and Aisling must solve what seem to be unrelated mysteries before others find those answers first and plunge the Nine Kingdoms into a darkness it will never recover from . .

Review:

River of Dreams, written by Lynn Kurland, is the highly anticipated 8th installment into the fantastic Nine Kingdom’s series.  It is Book # 2 of the third trilogy; following the quest of Runach of Ceingail and Aisling of Bruadair.  If I could describe this caliber of writing in only one sentence, I would state that these books are like music…a rhapsody not for the ears, but for the eyes.  Lynn Kurland is perhaps the only author I have ever contemplated buying the audio version, over the written–simply so I can listen to her phonetic style of pen being read aloud.  I have never come across such lyricism before, and therefore cannot accurately describe.   It is a signature stamp of authenticity, if you will, for the old world feeling one receives upon visiting a series such as this, and something a reader must personally experience, in order to fully understand.

For anyone who has ever wondered at what the “romantic” side of the Fantasy genre has to offer, I urge you to pick up these books.  And furthermore, I dare you not to love every second you spend reading them.  As a long time patron of Fantasy…I cannot get enough of this series, and would recommend them to any, and all types of readers.   Although it could be said, that this novel differed from the non-stop action level found in some of the other work of this series, Ms. Kurland maintains a superb balance with intriguing mystery, heart rending emotion, and tenderness.  While I found myself laughing more so with the previous installment Dreamspinner, than with any other novel of the series…in contrast, this book took me in the complete opposite direction.

While River of Dreams held an abundance of humor filled banter between main, and secondary characters–it wouldn’t be a novel of the Nine Kingdoms without such moments after all–this newest addition tugged continuously, and mercilessly at my heartstrings.  It showcases what I find to be the most profoundly emotional scene since the second installment; Mage’s Daughter.  And may I just say, if books were to be nominated for categories like we see on the big screen…the award for first kiss, goes to Runach and Aisling–hands down.  Such a raw, endearing, beautifully romantic moment.  My toes curled a little, not gonna lie.  I have always been a reader that feels drawn to the emotion contained within a story, more so than with any other element.  The Nine Kingdom’s series is teeming with sentiment…one of the many, many reasons this particular series is amongst my most treasured. 

With each release, there is something new brought to the table, and River of Dreams was no exception.  It can best be defined as a journey to self awareness.  Our hero Runach–is a character readers have come to know since the first trilogy of this series.  Yet in this installment, we see a transformation, that not even he, himself thought was possible.  I must say…I suspected way back upon our first meeting with Runach, and yet this author cleverly derailed my theories at every turn.  How ironic to find my suspicions were correct all these books later…and yet the delivery of such, was done in a way I NEVER saw coming.   Like our Runach, there is nothing I love more than a good mystery.  Kudos for keeping me guessing Ms. Kurland–when I consider myself a veteran at following clues. *laughing* 

Which leads me to our female lead, Aisling–who is fast becoming my most favorite heroine of the series.  Admittedly, Morgan (from the first trilogy) is a tough character to overthrow.  However, Aisling is unique in a way I have come across very rarely in literature.  Our first impression of Aisling can be compared to the location with which we first meet her.  Like Buel, our heroine is bereft of color, light, and emotion…bereft of life.  She is essentially a blank canvas, with which Ms. Kurland gradually adds lines, shading, and contours.  Once her character begins to take shape, we glimpse subtle changes here, and there.  At first, seeing only minute sprinkles of color, until it morphs into bold, glittering splashes of paint.  With each page we turn, Aisling simply….comes to life before our very eyes. 

In closing, River of Dreams finally provides a culmination of answers, to many long running questions.  How will our hero protect himself, and the woman he has come to love, now that he lacks the magic that once ran within his veins?   Who was responsible for our heroine’s dire escape from a life of slavery…and why she was enslaved in the first place? What profound knowledge do Runach’s villainous half-brother’s believe they can filch from within his mind? Many more questions come upon the wake of these answers.  What roll could a simple weaver from Bruadair, and a self exiled, elven Prince–possibly play within the nefarious game of darkness that has begun in the Nine Kingdoms?  Perhaps most importantly, who…or what is Aisling herself?  Together, our hero’s will work towards unearthing the secrets of who they once were, and will define who they have presently become.  Both struggle to come to terms with what their places will be in the future.  And readers will bear witness…as the fresh bloom of their love is tested against such a cacophony.

Time after time, book after book, Lynn Kurland crafts a tale vividly alive with imagination.  Like the power with which her character’s wield, she weaves stories with a magic that could only be conjured from dreams.  I look forward to learning where the third and final installment of Aisling, and Runach’s harrowing journey will take us.  Thank you Ms. Kurland for sharing your phenomenal gift of story telling with the world, and I am emphatically grateful to the Reading Cafe, for allowing me to read, and review an ARC from one of my most favorite series in literature…twice now. 🙂

Reviewed by Miranda

Copy provided by Publisher