Title: Visions
Series: The Harp & Sword Chronicles 03
Author: Myristica
Genre: High Fantasy
Length: Novel Plus (313pgs)
Publisher: Silver Publishing (26th January 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: A year after becoming Prince Stephen’s warrior guard, Thaddeus is faced with his greatest challenge ever–losing Stephen to the lung sickness that has plagued him all his life. When visions of Stephen’s healing come, can Thaddeus trust them?
After only a year of being Prince Stephen’s warrior guard, Thaddeus is faced with his greatest challenge ever–losing Stephen to the lung illness that has plagued him all his life. But as Stephen lies dying, a vision is given to Thaddeus, and he must follow it if his Vome and Varie is to be saved. In doing so, Thaddeus, Stephen, and Lieutenant Kinarr find themselves pawns of the Gods and victims of Stephen’s older brother, Prince Megar, who plots to throw Stephen into slavery…and kill their father. When Thaddeus and Stephen are separated and forced into compliance by their captor, the Tearing of Souls begins, pushing Thaddeus to make the most difficult decision of his life.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains elements of rape or near rape.
Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/visions-ebook-p-1245.html
Glossary at back of book on pg.305
Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Stephen and Thaddeus have had a peaceful year since their joining, but now the Gods and Goddesses are manipulating them again. Stephen has a breathing attack that nearly kills him; both Stephen and Thaddeus receive visions that send them on a path that could destroy them both. Stephen, Thaddeus and Kinarr find themselves victims of Prince Megar, when Megar decides he is tired of waiting for the throne, setting a plan in action that the Gods like and are using to their own advantage. Thaddeus has to make a hard choice when he is separated from Stephen, but is the decision he makes the right one?
This story continues one year after the end of Passion’s Chill. Well, for those of us that adore Stephen and Thaddeus this story is about to make you wish that Megar was real, just so you could torture the b*****d, but remember he’s one sick and twisted puppy that might enjoy it. Stephen has been doing well with his health for the past year, when suddenly he is struck down again by the whims of the Gods, Thaddeus will do anything to keep his beloved alive so finally agrees to do as their visions suggest. They set off accompanied only by Kinarr and are captured by a slave trader who has an arrangement with Folon and Megar. To know more read the book *g*, seriously I am not giving anymore away about the storyline, but I will say I was surprised and my inner bloodthirsty bitch was very happy.
Visions is really well written and the world building is fabulous, each book builds more onto the world and we discover that the Dolan’s who serve the Aggregate aren’t quite as ‘holy’ as they would have everyone believe. We see many characters from the previous books and there are one or two new ones (Rown and Chinma) that I expect to see in future books (Myristica, I is watching *narrows eyes*), there are some surprises and the groundwork is being laid for the next book (The Quest).
Thaddeus and Stephen’s relationship is one of pure love (the depth of that love becomes apparent late in the book), and even though Stephen and Thaddeus can’t consummate their relationship their love is fierce and can stand anything that is thrown at it. For those of you who wonder, yes, we have the aftermath of rape and a general knowledge that it is happening, but we don’t get detailed scenes. Don’t worry though our characters are stronger than the enemy and boy, will the enemy regret it.
I will recommend this to those who love high fantasy, great characters, a complex and solid storyline, a deep pure love, battles, blood, a bittersweet ending and the promise of another great book.