Review: Love!  What more can I say?  Read. It.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 7, 2012
Selia is a barkeep running a tavern near the wilds of the north.  She finds an injured man, Jaden, takes him back to the tavern and nurses him back to health.  Except, he isn't a man, but is Svistra, a race that needs blood to survive and who is battling her homeland.  Jaden isn't your average Svistra and introduces Selia to his world.  But, their people are at war.Oh, wow!  I'm a sucker for an epic fantasy and Altered Destiny hits the spot!Selia and Jaden are wonderful characters.  Both have histories that impact their motivations.  Most importantly, they simply make sense and are likable.  Selia learned how to survive as a woman barkeep in a dangerous part of the world.  Jaden's upbringing made him the Svistra we see in this story.  The hint of a relationship between these two kept the pages turning.Beyond Selia and Jaden, there are several other characters of depth that are extremely important to the story.  What I found unusual about this novel was that these other characters were as interesting as the main characters!  Generally, I found everyone intriguing and possessing multiple dimensions, even the bad guys.The plot moves by at a nice pace, neither too fast nor too slow.  The story is told without baggage or the reader feeling as if they missed something.  I adored the entire story where there is a war, and yet, still a romance.  I found Altered Destiny to read like Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series.  Sadly, I think this may be the only book in this world.  Though, I hope I am wrong!If you are a fan of fantasy novels with a hint of romance, Altered Destiny is a must read.  Every character has depth, the storytelling excellent, and the book utterly compelling.  Love!BookingIt Grade:  A