After much brotherly-like teasing from Shayne and
Ryland, the delegation of master metalsmiths grants Fairlie
the master badge. Finally, she can visit her mother in
Stanton who was only too happy to give up her adventurous
daughter at only nine seasons old to apprentice with the
crown's metalsmith.
Shayne Weverton is desperate.
Unbeknownst to Fairlie,
he loves her and can't imagine surviving possibly months
without her. What is he to do? He resorts to acting like an
immature brat and campaigns to badger her until she recants
her decision and stay.
King William holds a gala as a
tribute to those who
died during the Jutras attack. During the ceremony he
congratulates Fairlie's for making master and unveils a
statue she created; a sculpture with the features of Queen
Nasen and symbols of the many who died in defense of
Crosspointe. Its sheer beauty leaves the people speechless
and thunderous applause. While most of the attendees
congratulate her and petition her services, the two strange
foreign ambassadors make her nervous. Prince Vaughn crashes
the celebration. The two brothers leave to discuss
business. Once safely in Ryland's quarters, they embrace.
The disillusioned Prince Vaughn has not rebelled against
his father. Rather he is a spy for King Williams.
The King has been molding Ryland, his son, testing
whether his loyalty to Crosspointe is true. His final test
is Fairlie. He must betray his best friends. If turned to
spawn, she would become a compass-majicar. Is he honor
bound to Crosspointe, the King, or his conscious, but it
must be done soon.
The day after the ceremonies Shayne meets as agreed
with Fairlie who wants to give thanks to Chayos. As par for
the course, they argue until he does the unthinkable. He
risks their friendship and kisses her, finally telling her
he loves her. Faced with his true feelings, she must decide
if she only harbor friendship for him. Confused she travels
into the Maida to Chayos. At the center the speaker of
Chayos, Naladei warns Failie that her destiny cannot be
avoided.
TURNING TIDE by Diana Pharaoh Francis is
complex tale
of the different loves and families one can have. How much
will a person give up for love and family? How much will
they go against their nature for love and family? It is an
adventure fantasy with elements of romance. Ms. Francis
brings out the danger to Fairlie from the first page thru
the end of the book. I want to see what happens next.
They were the best of friends: Ryland, the son of the king,
is bound by loyalty. Shaye is both a majicar and a Weverton,
both rebellious factions. Fairlie, a fiery metal-smith, is
the iron bond that held them all together. Until
now.
Crosspointe’s greatest advantage at sea is its
ship’s compasses—but the compass makers are dying. Without
them, Crosspointe will fall. To save his country and repel
the coming Jutras invasion, the king orders Ryland to commit
an unforgivable act. And soon Ryland, Shaye, and Fairlie
find themselves at war…with each other.