Review: Beautifully crafted story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 25, 2013
I knew I would like this book when I first glanced through it.It is truly a beautifully crafted story with a mixture of elves and humans that is nothing less than magical.While I buy a ton of Kindle books (they are more portable when traveling and allow me to have access to multiples), I love the feel of a paper book- this is one book I will also be buying as a paperback for my home library.  It is truly a special read.  I’ve already placed one of the author’s other books on my Wish List and bought another one as Lana Axe is clearly a “must read” author.Her characters are beautifully created and detail overall is excellent.Elves have been threatened, sold into slavery and worse due to an oppressive king.  His son, the prince, doesn’t have the same mindset and works to help the elves including buying and freeing some from slavery.His end goal is to talk with the elfin clans and to try to find a way to cease the war between humans and elves but it won’t be an easy road for him.The tension runs thick as the elves are suspicious of any human help, let alone help from the son of the king who has persecuted them the most.The story between the humans and the elves is fast paced.  You understand why the elves are so bitter and why they react the way they do to a king who is trying to grab up all the land where they have lived peacefully and quietly for generations.Added to the mix of characters is Yori, half human/half elfin.The one thing the elves need is their special weapons – weapons made with rune etchings.  The runed  weapons were a top commodity and highly valued by the elfin tribes. Yori’s deceased father was an elf and also a rune carver.The prince wants Yori to visit the elves and look for into the process of runed weapons.  He has offered to help Yori with a matter if Yori does so.  Yori, experienced at the forge already, is eager to find out about his family heritage.He sets off to find his father’s people.  Learning the elfin magic art of rune crafting upon the weapons come naturally to Yori when he meets his grandfather and begins working with him at the forge.But will he use the ancient craft to help his elfin family or take back what he knows to his human family?You’ll have to read the book to find out.