(3.5 stars) http://sarityahalomi.blogspot.com/201...

Okay, let's start with the cover It's very beautiful and very eye-catching.

Now I must divied the story to 2 parts:

At the first part of the book- (approximly till page 160)

The story itself has a promising quality to it. But here is my problems - I really love badass heroines. those ladies that don't need to hide behind a man for protection. Ashlyn has the potential for this, she know how to hunt, she had a training in martial arts and according to the author she suppose to be good in both of them, but at the first trouble she is behaving lie a damsel in distress.

Secondly - Her reaction to the temple site - was defiantly unreliable...But the floor… the bloodstained stone floor captures my attention. They didn't bother to clean up after the remains of the Shrine Maidens were removed. Small pieces of flesh and bone are strewn among the blackened pools of dried blood. My hand flies to my mouth to hold in the scream trying to escape..." As a huntress she should be used to see flash and blood without getting distressed about it. For the description itself you could think that the attack in the temple happened a few days ago... only bones and dust should be left after 25 years. The author should explain her distress differently.

Third - The descriptions - of the other characters tend to be some how flat. It is also hard for me that descriptions of the physical treats, like color of eyes and hair, repeat on them self too many times , like the author wasn't sure that the reader didn't caught them on the first time. Personally it give me the feeling that the story not flowing freely.

For the plot In short -

Ashlyn golden eye and red long hair, is a young heroine "Chosen" to make a dangerous journey to find a relic that would save her homeland. The previous Chosens never returned home. She is forced to say goodbye to her family and begin her mission to retrieve the relic. Fortunately, she will not be alone. A dashingly handsome mercenary,

Zane Elistaire, Auburn hair and red eyes. Has some handy, healing powers that he inherit from his mom. Zane has been hired to accompany her on her quest. Once they set out on their journey, Ashlyn and Zane run into monsters, pirates, bandits, magical creatures, an evil sorcerer, and much more.

Zane and Ashlyn. - there was undefinable attraction. While I really loved them together, the first half of the plot focused a little too much on their relationship. They spend most of the first half of the book passionately kissing (and moaning, etc.) but the fact that Ashlyn couldn't punch her V- card yet for the quest kept it all YA appropriate. There was no tension or conflict in the relationship, which made the the passionate scenes little bit boring. Luckily, the second half of the book picked up quite a bit and the true plot got underway.

So.after all above it sere as a good explanation why ....The story start and progresses slowly to my like.

Shadow - a fenrir wolf, not many left of his kind. Smart and awesome character. For some unfathomable reason, Shadow's ferocious presence can calms horses.Shadow very good in guarding and catching breakfast for Ashlyn and Zane,

Freya - griffin (her name connected to the Norse myth) .green-hued eyes. feathered wings, leonine body; the creature's large beak and talons. It is she and she became a good friend with Shadow.

Delistaire -an evil sorcerer and Zane's father. He used to control Zane's mom with a crystal and the one who responsible to her death by accusing her as a magic user. He did so because she fail to heal his mistress. He has a long dark straight brown hair and red eyes.

The Norse mythology - here and there touches of mythology that added another layer to the story. Loki (He suppose to be the trickster - not the good guy) and his mother the goddess Rieki. Loki emitting glow like a blue halo of light. Long shimmering white hair falls down to his waist . azure eyes, pointed ears and long white tail - this description remind me immediately one of my favorite manga hero Inuyasha. Usually appeared to Ashlyn as a white wolf.

The Monsters - A really unique monsters that Ashlyn and Zane had to fight on their quest, They have a tendency to appear one after another without giving to our heroes enough time ti recover,

felrik - Has red eyes. They're a strange cross between a wolf and a boar… so in the most basic terms, a vicious wolf with giant sharp tusks and serious territorial tendencies.

goblars slick glistening green skin, little humanoid goblin-like things with sharp fangs. Despite being stocky, they move with amazing speed. Sometimes armed with short swords.

basilisk - scaly and green and izard-like body.

hydrangas - odd plant type things with vines dangling from their limbs . the only way to get rid from them is by burning them as their limbs grow back immediately if hacked off. They wrap their vines around their prey and slowly drain the life from it. The harder the prey struggles, the tighter the vines become, until the prey is either suffocated or sucked dry.

harrier - rabid bunnies - with scary fangs

Cockatrices - dragon monster with the silly rooster head that can kill with a glare. common in the southern plains

At the second part of the book the pace start to increase, the characters now seams fuller. The author forgot those annoying descriptions that i mention above so the wasn't jumpy anymore. New and interesting characters came to light and over all the potential started to unfold. at the same time we discover that both Ashlyn and Zane can use magic and do it Despite it was forbidden by the law and the punishment was severe - death. Unlike Zane's father which used the magic in an evil way they use for a good causes.

Taranis. a pirate who read a cheeky pirate popped up in the last third or so of the book. At first it seemed that Wheaton was aiming for a love triangle, but luckily things between Ashlyn and Taranis never got beyond flirtatious banter. His goofy antics were refreshing, and he was kind of very likable guy, which on their 1st meeting that what he said ti them:

......"He [lord Noran] wants me to take you to Karina [the island wherer is the mgical statu] . Let's see, you have an evil sorcerer [Zan's father] trying to kill you. Your cargo includes a fenrir[Shadow[ and a griffin. And on top of it all, you want to practice magic aboard my vessel. You don't ask for much, do ya?"..... ( )