Review: 3.5 stars for book 2 in the Araneae Nation series
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 20, 2012
Ambushed on her way home, spirit walker Mana will rely on the strength of a man that terrifies her not for his skills with a sword, but for the effect he has on her heart.  Vaughn is from a clan with a brutal reputation and Mana's people are more peaceful and believe in soul mates.  Mana is hesitant to accept that a warrior like Vaughn could be hers but when a wayward soul delivers a dire message, no one will stop her from being by his side.Mana and Vaughn seem like an unlikely pair.  She helps lost souls and believes in spiritual healing while he hails from a rough clan that eats the flesh of its enemies but there's a connection that won't be denied.  Vaughn scares Mana because he makes her want to throw her people's traditions out the door and follow her heart.  While most only see a fighter in Vaughn, Mana sees a man that will do anything for his people.  A man that hurts because he knows his mother favors his brother Rhys and wishes for what could have been with Rhys' father instead of his own. There's a lot of hurt inside Vaughn and only Mana can heal him.I adore this pair.  Vaughn makes it clear early on how he feels about Mana and refuses to let her run away yet gives her enough space to figure things out. Mana doesn't know how to handle Vaughn and can't read him like she can others so she hesitates with him.  The relationship builds over time as Mana hates the idea of living without Vaughn and their admissions of love was a great reward for the frustration I built up waiting for it. They're great characters and are at their best as a pair.The book starts out as a journey from the freezing Northlands to the hot Southlands as Vaughn and his men escort Mana and a prisoner home.  Everything changes after they're captured and Mana receives a message via a canis (wolf) with the soul of Vaughn's father inside, warning that a plague has arrived in his homeland and they must get there before it's too late.  The pace isn't consistent; there's a lull then bursts of action then another lull and so on and so on.  I admit to skimming a few sections but for the most part, the scenes between Vaughn and Mana had me glued.  The real issue I had was with Vaughn's mother Isolde.  She's the fearless maven (leader) of her people and tougher than most of her army but a chain of events occurs that results in her losing her position with no argument.  It felt out of character for her and I'm not saying it wasn't the right move for her people; I was just disappointed that she put up no fight.Despite what's happening with the plague and the theories behind its origins, the centerpiece of this book for me was Mana and Vaughn. It was torture waiting for their big moment but in the end it was worth it. I did enjoy coming back to the world in the Araneae Nation, with its unique creatures, inhabitants with fangs (think more spider than vampire), and matriarchal clans. I look forward to returning and seeing what happens next.