Allegiance Sworn by Kylie Griffin – a Review

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Description:
There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.

Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.

But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races

Review:

Allegiance Sworn by Kylie Griffin is the third book in her Light Blade series.  For those of you who may not have read my reviews on the first two books, this is Urban Fantasy Romance.  In this world created by Griffin, we have Humans, Na’Reish (demons), and Na’Chi (half demons). The series premise is built around the Light Blade warriors, and their battle against the Na’Reish demons.  In the first two books, Kalan, the Light Blade Chosen, and his sister, Kymora, who is the Priestess, had their stories told, and we knew Arek, the third member of this close friendship would be next.

Kylie Griffin does a wonderful job continuing this series so smoothly in to the next storyline, where we pick up with Arek now being held by the Na’Reish as a prisoner.  Arek makes such a wonderful and damaged hero, not to mention the hottest one yet.  I loved Arek, with all his hotness, and his issues he must learn to deal with, but more about him later. 

Arek has met his match, when he meets a female Na’Reish leader, Imhara.  As much as I loved Kymora the best female in this series, I totally adored Imhara.  She is a great kickass heroine, who is perfect to battle Arek and his Na’Reish hatred. Imhara, as the Clan leader, is not a true Na’Reish, as she comes from the old ways, believing in the Lady, and helping humans survive against the violent demons.  Imhara has planned for many years to try to form an alliance with the Light Blade humans, and work with them to destroy the leader of the Na’Reish, Savyn. 

It is Imhara’s warriors to rescue Arek, but he is ready to kill Imhara and her warriors, since to him they are demons, and not to be trusted.  What follows is a wonderful story, of Imhara and her people breaking down Arek’s damaged barriers and getting him to learn to trust them.  The chemistry between them was awesome, even if it was a match that could never work, but slowly the barrier and trust between them breaks down.  Arek had to face his own demons of the past, and find a way to help Imhara and her team destroy the enemy. 

This was such an enjoyable read; I could not put the book down.  Besides a great couple like Arek and Imhara, Griffin has created some wonderful secondary characters throughout this series, and in this book, Rassan is excellent.  Watching Imhara work on Arek to open his eyes, and heart, and eventually finding herself totally falling for him, and his fighting off his own attraction was wonderfully done.  The main villain in this series continues to appear, but the new villain, Yur, was despicable. I loved how Imhara handled him and the other Na’Reish warriors who look down on woman, especially a strong and fierce woman like Imhara.  The ensuing battle to attempt to defeat the enemy was filled with excitement, adventure in a dangerous climax. At the end it was great to meet up with Kalan, Annika, Kymora, and Varian. However, Griffin though resolving everything in this story, leaves things open to continue this series, and I for one hope she does.  We need more of this Light Blade series, and the world she has created.  I also love Kylie Griffin’s writing style. I highly recommend that you read this book, but please start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author