Review: 3rd book in my entire life that made me cry...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2014
*Warning - May contain Spoilers* This book 3 in the series, and they do need to be read in order.This has only been the 3rd book EVER to make me cry. The first one was Bambi (but that doesn't count b/c I was only 6), the second was book 3 in the Darkangel series, and this one. I don't lie about this stuff b/c I don't really get emotional with this kind of thing. So yeah, I'm serious...After Rowena defeats almost all of the guard in an attempt to earn her freedom and the impending fight-off between her and Caedmon is concluded by the King to be a draw, Rowena sets out in the middle of the night on her own. But before too long he's chasing after her, but not for the reason you think.After engaging in an impromptu battle, it seems she's again fighting for freedom, but he only wishes to show her the mistakes she's been making that no one else noticed before. He eventually says the necessary words "I submit" and he does. While I love that he did this, it would have meant more to the Court if he'd said it in public. However, he does in fact love her enough to help train her further instead of hindering her. That really is love, especially in a place where most men would do the opposite. He loves her enough to help her hone her skill, because if she's really going to leave him, he wants her as protected as she can be, even if it's not by his own self.After cuddling up for warmth to sleep (she's still on guard), she wakes up...not on guard, but having to fight soldiers sent by Caedmon's half brother, Caedmon is shot with a poison arrow, and fleeting on Rowena's stallion they eventually end up in the Black Forest facing the land's "greatest evil"...As fast as Rowena made the horse go, it wasn't fast enough. Caedmon doesn't make it and Rowena fights with her self on what's more important: her memories, i.e. her past, her freedom, or Caedmon. What good is freedom without your soul mate? What good is your past if you have no future? Is Caedmon's will or her own more important? It's neither and both at the same time. That's the paradox. And all of it is an internal struggle.Here's the spoiler - here's where I cried. Not because Caedmon died. I've read about a lot of character deaths and I didn't even blink. It's that a man could love a woman SO much, he'd rather not keep her in an invisible cage...for there is no key for that... but that she be happy even if it isn't with him. He let her go, he helped her skill so she COULD be on her own, and that's love. If you love someone you don't try and keep them or dominate them. You let them go...let them come back on their own volition.Now the reputation of the Black Forest, the gigantic bat winged and furry Dreggs, have descended upon the couple and upon Rowena's preparation to fight till the death to protect Caedmon's body, the leader tells her there's a way to bring him back, as his soul still remains in that realm. You know why? Because once you meet your soul mate - as opposed to your mate's soul (there's a difference) - it doesn't want to exist without you or vice verse. I've studied soul work so there's a whole bunch of existential stuff I could get into but for the purpose here I'll just say that 2 half of the same whole are incomplete without each other...After leaving Caedmon in the Cave of Tears he's finally reunited with his soul and they both realize the legends of the cave and forest are true, but not necessarily the legends about the Dreggs. The Dreggs have a bad reputation, but they're not all they seem (don't judge a book by its cover). They're seen as evil entities by those that really know nothing about them. However, they were more than helpful to the one they see as their messianic heroine.The cave's water is the tears of the nine goddesses. While the "religion" of the realm is a little bit of several actual religions, one does not have to be of a particular faith (or any) to get the message that the Universe loves you enough to heal you/your soul, if you allow the divine intervention in - that if you love someone enough you sacrifice a piece of yourself for them. Her head also doesn't hurt as much with him as it normally did when she crossed through the veil, lost her memories, and thought about the past. The past hurts. Let it go and move on seems like the best thing to do and he tries to convince her the future is what matters. While this may be true, the fact is that all of your memories - good or bad, painful or happy, regretful or proud - are what make you who you are.After binding their souls (I'm not going into detail here but let's just say I think you can figure it out) Rowena's misses Caedmon for the first time since she "met" him upon his return home (since she doesn't remember the past). Her only bargain with him is equality, as it is priceless. No amount of money or jewelry can compare to infinite freedom and autonomy. Again: two halves of the same whole is equal, not one ruling the other. That's how the universe is balanced. Caedmon sees the strength beneath Rowena's skin; she's not as fragile or helpless as she looks. One would do well to not underestimate their opponent, even if it is a woman. She just might kick your rear end...Once the two stormed the Castle Seviere and fight their way into the room where all of the chests are, they find the key. Well, the 'key' that was Rowena all along. Not having her memories it was Rowena everyone wanted since she'd lost her memories and could have been 'used' for universal good or destruction - depending on who got their hands on her. As I said, it's ALL of your memories and experiences that make you who you are, and anything...anything can be used for good in the right hands or bad in the wrong ones. YOU are the key to your own future. No man, no woman, no man made god/goddess, no amount of money...just you.Having the golden key back, Rowena and Caedmon find the mirror which brought Rowena there in the first place, pledge allegiance to each other...and jump through...Of course I HAD to start that one right away since this one sort of ends in a cliffhanger, but so far it's my favorite one.