Tuesday Tales :: Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughn

I’ve been a fan of fantasy romance for some time and although finding those books that really stick with you is rare, when you do find them, they always leave a lasting impression. Today’s rec is one of those.

Author: Elizabeth Vaughn
Title: Warprize (Warlands #1)

Blurb:

The daughter of a Warrior King, Lara was trained as a healer, helping both friend and foe. And when the enemy warlord agrees to cease hostilities in exchange for Lara, she agrees to become the Warprize.

Buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Warprize-Chronicles-Warlands-Book-1/dp/0425240541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330415964&sr=8-1

Warprize is book 1 in this trilogy featuring Lara and her Warlord hero, Keir – (who is one of the yummiest heroes I’ve ever read! LOVED him!) Given to the Warlord in exchange to end the fierce battle against their lands, Lara’s brother (the new king) gives the Warlord her hand…but hatred for his sister twists his words and Lara thinks she’s a slave, given in exchange for peace.


The cultural differences between Lara and the warlords people is great but Lara learns their language in small increments. Trained as a healer, she’s of great value to the warlords people but their customs are very different from her own. She has to adapt to their way of thinking and doing things and as hard as she tries, she missteps every other time she tries.


I loved the characters in this book and there are many. The secondary characters are just as bright and interesting as the main characters are and the detail in the world-building is phenomenal. The way the Warlord’s people are described, I pictured native american Indians as they were a tent living people who roamed the open plains, living where the land was most fertile.


My only complaint about the book is the first person narrative, from Lara’s point of view. Call me greedy but I enjoy getting inside the heroes head and I wasn’t able to in this case but that doesn’t mean the book suffers for it. It doesn’t. You still get a very good sense of who Keir is through Lara’s eyes.


The first book is followed by Warsworn, as they travel from Lara’s homeland to Keir’s and the trials encountered on their journey. The last book, Warlord, takes place in Keir’s country and the Warprize (Lara) is presented before the elders of his people.


If you enjoy fantasy romance without the mystical creatures and foreign landscapes, you’ll love this. You can read excerpts of each book on Ms. Vaughn’s website.


Excerpts For Warprize, Warsworn and Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughn.