Review: Great Fantasy Adventure!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 3, 2012
The Firelight of Maalda by Melissa Douthit is book two in the Raie'Chaelia series and it's another great fantasy adventure! I read the first book The Raie' Chaelia last year (my review) and I really enjoyed it. Both books are kind of out of the realm of what I usually read but I find them fun, entertaining, and a little heart pounding at times. The series is written for young adults but it can be easily enjoyed by us older folks as well.The Firelight of Maalda picks up right where the first book ends and finds Chalice, Jeremiah, Ben, and the rest of the survivors leaving Barenthren for Portalis where they will be safe and the survivors can be healed from the mental trauma they have suffered. It is there that Chalice learns more about who she is and begins to practice more with her powers. It is also here that she learns where her destiny will take her and what she has to do to protect those that she rules.In this sequel the romance develops much more between Chalice and Jeremiah and as with book one it is handled very tastefully. These two are so completely bonded to each other that neither feels complete without the other one. Truthfully Jeremiah is the only one who can talk any sense into Chalice when she is on a rampage and Chalice is definitely a girl with a mind of her own who doesn't like to be told what to do. I love that about her and also her spunky attitude is refreshing as well and it's especially funny when she is subjected to princess lessons. Let's just say that while Chalice's history makes her a princess all she really longs to do is be out on the battlefield right alongside her people.The book continues to build with plenty of action and suspense. There is, after all, an enemy to beat. The last few chapters of the book had me on the edge of my seat where I find myself still sitting because the book ended in a major cliffhanger. You can now find me anxiously awaiting the third book in the series to find out just what happened!I quite enjoyed The Firelight of Maalda. I do think you should read book one to really enjoy this one. The Raie' Chaelia introduces us to the characters and builds the world a little but The Firelight of Maalda really expands on Chalice's powers and the world she lives in and that's what made book two my favorite so far. Melissa writes in such a descriptive way and she paints such a vivid picture of the world that Chalice lives in that you can really see it in your mind and imagine yourself there. The Firelight of Maalda is certain to take you out of your own little world and transport you into one much larger and more exciting.