A Feast of Souls (Araneae Nation, book 2)by Hailey Edwards
Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Length: 257 pages
ebook and paperback
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Samhain
The only way to save her is to bind their souls as one.
Born with the ability to communicate with the dead, few things take Mana by surprise. But when a canis lopes into her life, announcing himself as the long-dead father of a childhood friend, she’s shocked. To make matters worse, he has a dire message that she alone can deliver.
Now Mana must face Vaughn, the male who inspired one too many girlish fantasies, and impart the spirit’s message—without acknowledging her source—so the soul can be laid to rest.
With rumors of a burgeoning clan war setting his nerves on edge, the last thing Vaughn needs is for an innocent to get caught in the crosshairs. But the woman he remembers as an awkward girl refuses to leave his side until he’s heard her out. That’s not the only change in her that calls to him. Her kindness soothes his battle-scarred soul—and he craves her in ways a warrior shouldn’t.
When they are both captured, they learn of an even greater threat. The plague devastating the southlands has come to his clan home. And his best—and only—chance to keep his people alive is the female who walks among the dead.
Warning: This book contains one fierce hero with a nose for danger, one stubborn heroine who smells like trouble, and one wolfish spirit who makes most relationships with the in-laws seem downright tame. Fur, fangs and some biting should be expected. But never fear, the hero has a sword, and he knows how to use it.
Natalie Gibson's review:
Book 2 had a much more paranormal feel than book 1, A Hint of Frost. Kokyangwmana (called Mana for short) is a spiritwalker, a healer, and a shaman of sorts. Vaughn is a warrior, fighter and next in line to be Paladin of his clan. They grew up knowing each other and Mana came to think of Vaughn as one to be watched and weary of. She is blind to their connection and plays off Vaughn's flirting as lighthearted. Vaughn, brother to Rhys, escorts Mana back home after she saves Rhys' life. They are captured, and after that it is an action packed story that I won't ruin with a synopsis. There's a plague, conspiracy, secret binding, betrayed husbands, murdered lovers, and even a wild canis housing the soul of a man who refuses to pass to the other side.
The clans are humanoid fae with spider-like attributes who live in a world divided between the two seasons, summer and winter, by a magical curtain and ruled by the two gods. Each clan has a different venom, some strong, some weak, some that bind and bring pleasure and some that can kill. They can all spin silky threads, but it comes easier to some. Some are war-like and some are peaceful farmers or weavers. They all must work together to survive and yet are very distrustful of each other. The setting was rich and well staged fantasy.
I was so happy that this book centered around Vaughn as he was a favorite character from book 1. He did not dissappoint as a leading man. The romance rose naturally between two people who've known each other their whole lives. The sexual tension was thick, the end satisfying. Hailey Edwards weaves a good yarn, or should I say web, and the result is a 5 star read.
Half of the Araneaeans believe in soul-mates. Mana is in this half and so even while she grows to love Vaughn and wants him desperately, she won't ruin herself through sexual relations with any other than her soul-mate. There is only one sex scene at the end and while it is sizzling, it is such a small part of the book that I would give it a 2 flame rating.
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