In this novel of secret sorceries and forbidden desires, the mystic Cammon must put aside his personal feelings for Princess Amalie while he reads the souls of her suitors for any potential threats.
Twelve Houses Series; Book 4
Ace
November 2007
On Sale: November 1, 2007
Featuring: Cammon; Princess Amalie; Queen Valri
432 pages ISBN: 0441014690 EAN: 9780441014699 Hardcover Add to Wish List
King Baryn has decided that if he marries his daughter Amalie to a high-ranking noble, the rebellious marlords might be pacified and he might be able to avert a war. So he invites all the young serramar to the royal city to court his daughter.
To protect Amalie from any unsavory suitors, the mystic Cammon is installed to monitor all of Amalieโs courtships, because Cammon is a reader who can tell if someone harbors violence or malevolence in his heart. Much to the dismay of her advisors, Amalie begins to fall in love with the wholly unsuitable Cammon.
Even worse, war comes to Gillengaria anyway, and Amalie can only be kept safe through the combined efforts of the Riders, the mysticsโand the wild raelynx that has mystical powers of its own.
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Interesting tidbit: While each of the Twelve Houses books is meant to stand alone, this one would be fairly difficult to follow for anyone who hadnโt read the previous three books, I think. I always considered it the concluding chapters of one very long novel, and I tried to tie up all the threads and clues that were presented in earlier books. I also jumped at the chance to bring back minor characters from the previous books to make cameo appearancesโSosie, Mayva, Kelti, Torrin, Lara. Everybodyโs here.
In terms of theme music, I havenโt really been able to come up with a good heavy metal ballad that fits Cammon and Amalie. Sadly, the song that most seems to capture their relationship is The Monkeesโ โCheer Up, Sleepy Jeanโ with the line about the โdaydream believer and the homecoming queen.โ Iโll keep thinking.
Favorite scene: Without question, Chapter 29. Action! Heartbreak! Desperation! Rescue! I love it.
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