Review by Booklist Review
Keera, formerly the King's Blade, is still mourning the death of her mentor Hildegard and the feared death of the Shades by the hand of the new king and usurper, Damien (in A Shadow Crown, 2023). Unable to sleep because King Damien visits her in her dreams, Keera turns back to alcohol to cope with her guilt and to ensure that King Damien will not invade her mind. While previous attempts to break the seals and unleash magic back into the world failed, a new translation by Vrail leads her and Gerarda to believe that a "blade marked by blood"--i.e., Keera--can open the seals set by the Light Fae. Keera has to find a way to overcome her demons and her great well of grief for her to be effective in the new role thrust upon her. Friends and enemies return to help Keera and Riven break the seals. Addressing a major critique of book two in a most shocking and delicious of ways, Blair is at the top of her game with this third book in her series. Recommend for all public libraries.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Keera is despairing and defeated after the events of A Shadow Crown and turns to wine to drown her sorrows and keep the nightmares at bay. Gerarda, however, remains hopeful that there are surviving halflings to rescue, and she forces Keera to resume training and plan an attack on the palace. Soon a full-blown war erupts as Keera seeks to release the magic that the fae suppressed long ago, but Damien continues to fight them every step of the way and has found new and terrible ways to try to thwart them. This third entry in the usually action-packed "Halfling Saga" series starts slowly, and it's painful to watch Keera become addicted to alcohol again and distance herself from those who love her. Once her strength and hope return, though, the story quickly picks up the pace, with her magic on full display and some impressively unexpected twists revealed. VERDICT After a slow start, the latest "Halfling Saga" book returns to form with hard-fought battles, exciting magic, and sexy scenes, all set in Blair's enchanting faeland. There are also plenty of surprises that will leave readers eager for the next installment.--Melissa DeWild
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