3. Dreamspinner by Lynn Kurland

 Aisling of Bruadair has lived a provincial life, heedless of the evil creeping over her land. That ordinary existence changes forever, though, when she is sent to the opposite end of the world to find a master swordsman. If she fails, her life--and her country's safety--will be forfeit. She just never expected that swordsman to be a wounded elven prince masquerading as a simple soldier. Powerless and scarred from a long-ago conflict, Rùnach of Ceangail has spent years in obscurity, ignoring battles he can no longer fight. And although he has been drawn back into the world, he fully intends to live an unremarkable life far away from events he knows he cannot change... Until Rùnach meets Aisling and realizes that she is far more than what she seems, that their alliance has attracted unwelcome notice, and that some battles must be fought.

 

 

When I first heard that Lynn Kurland was writing another novel about the Nine Kingdoms, I have to say, I was very hesitant to read it.  The last book in her previous continuation of the series, Gift of Magic, was pretty terrible.  A complete disappointment.  Need I go on?

 

But, I really, really, really enjoyed Morgan and Miach's story, and the beginning of Ruith and Sarah's story, so I figured I would give it a chance.

 

I am SO GLAD I did!  This book felt so much to me like the first three books in her Nine Kingdoms stories, it was refreshing.  I also loved the cameos that some of her previous characters played.  A very fun read!

 

I was worried when I heard it was about Runach... that somehow he would magically be all "awesome and powerful" again and that the story would be completely ridiculous.  But Kurland did a great job of keeping her characters true to themselves.  I loved reading about Runach and Aisling's exploits (and that this story seemed less gag-worthy than Ruith's) and trying to figure out Aisling's secrets.

 

I really look forward to the next installment in this series!

 

Rating: 4/5