Ravan has been given a chance at a new life. Unable to live without his beautiful Nicolette, his first task?…journey to save his lover from the tyrant who has taken her.
Believing it will be a venture against all odds—a death mission—he discovers instead a world of happiness he’d never imagined possible. But old enemies lurk in unforgiving shadows, turning his newfound joy into the most unspeakable terror of his life.
Now he must learn to depend on those most loyal to him while embarking on a flight like no other. The Turkish empire is his final destination as he tries desperately to save his son. Little does he know Nicolette is fast on his heels to help in ways that only she can.
When their worlds collide in the Ottoman Empire, a dark mercenary, an enchantress, their son, and the crippled girl he loves find the power to rise above and overcome for the noblest of all reasons—perfect love.
Sharon Cramer is an aspiring time-traveler, alien princess, and master painter of Halloween faces. In the meantime, she writes from a dank, dark cave, somewhere in Washington State. THE EXECUTION is her breakthrough novel and the first of The WINTERGRAVE CHRONICLES.
Hard at work on her new Sci-Fi, Fantasy series, THE CERULEAN STAR, she also creates children’s picture books, including the multi-award winning MARLOW and the MONSTER.
When not surfing black matter threads and planning historical ruin and perfectly crushed hearts, Sharon can be found wandering around Eastern Washington. Driven by sleeplessness and an endless draw to the keyboard (and the occasional extra strong coffee), she is inspired by unorthodox friends and extreme weather. Mother to three sons, a good horse, and several dozen fish (most of which have names), she is married to a man who surely has won the Nobel Prize for Extreme Tolerance.
I read this book immediately after The Execution and was glad to see that Ravan and Nicolette were successfully ruling over the Wintergrave kingdom and have started a family of their own. The premise of this book mirrored Ravan's adolescence under the command of Duval. Risen, the only son of the mercenary and sorceress, gets kidnapped along with his true love, Sylvie. The two must face challenges that will test their physical strength, mental fortitude, and Risen's young heart. Another beautifully written installment to the Wintergrave trilogy. This book immediately look hold of my imagination and whisked me away. Sharon Cramer writes simply and eloquently, drawing you in with vivid imagery and powerful diction. I look forward to reading more!
It was a little strange to discover that this sequel dipped into fantasy where the first had not. This instalment also lacked the signature narrative style of The Execution. Where the entirety of the first book takes place in a dungeon, this relies on situation to provide drama. Had it not been for the connection made with the characters from the prequel, one might be less concerned with their fate in this instalment. So, having not really gotten to know Niveus in this book, it's not foregone that readers will feel compelled to continue with the final volume in this as yet incomplete trilogy.
This book moved along a bit slower than the first because to me it seemed like there was more to tell. Ravan has returned to Nicollette only tofind the man he wished to kill was already dead. So he and Nicollette marry and rule the Ravan Dynasty together with their children. But Ravan's mistake of allowing a fire to live 12 years ago has come back to haunt him when his Dynasty is attacked and his son Risen is taken. Ravan takes after his sons captors. This book is as good as the first one and I'm looking forward to the finale of this trilogy
I was very very apprehensive about there beings a sequel. It took me a long time to open this up to read it but once I did I was transported to Ravan's world once again. I loved the new characters, the action was intense and I spent a while day reading it lol.
I loved this book, don't get me wrong but I would have rather this be a stand alone novel vs a sequel (hence the 4 stars.) At the end of the book the author revealed there will be a 3rd book. The feeling of apprehension returned....
But I will read it because this author NEVER disappoints me =)
Risen is the continuation of the beautiful love story begun in Execution. It carries the story of Raven and Nicolette to that of their son Risen, and his beloved Sylvie. This, like the first book, is a story of how love and affection can soften the hardest of hearts and change a warrior into a true man. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the days of chivalry and who liked the first book in this series. I look forward to reading the third book coming out this year.
This book was intense! I could not put it down. There is so much action, love, integrity, pain and anticipation. I went to places I'd never known, felt admiration for the integrity and courage of a man who is a mercenary, a father and the soul mate to a "witch." He lives to retrieve his son , Risen, who was stolen for revenge. It is a bittersweet journey of coming of age and the unspoken link between two hearts. I actually read this book twice, I liked it that much. I can not wait to read Niveus!
Being the second book in a series is always difficult because the author must remind the readers of the previous happening . Since I read this right after I finished the first book, it was somewhat boring. I must say the author wrote the flashbacks pretty well and the story was continuous and interesting. I would have given this book a 4 if it had been a first book,
I obtained this book free from Amazon and read it immediately following "The Execution". The story moved somewhat slower than the 1st book; but, satisfied my curiosity regarding what happened to Raven next. The story centered around his family life and the perils they faced. Not sure I'll read the next book of the series...I'm content ending the story here.
Risen was close to being as good as The Execution, but not quite. Like others, I found it to move a bit slower than it predecessor. I still found it to be very entertaining. There was lots of action and the story was very well told. I will definitely read the third installment when it becomes available.
I loved this book. It's rare that a second book is as good as the first. I preferred the first book; the story was more unpredictable and exciting. This book, however, was unpredictable and exciting in its own right. I was gutted when I found out that the last book won't be released until the 1st August. That's too long to wait!
What a wonderful adventure and love story. After finishing the book I'm hoping that I have not heard the last of these characters. The secondary characters were well developed as well and make you not want to part with them. Hopefully Niveus will reintroduce Salvatore and the others we met in Risen's story.
Rarely do I think a sequel is as good as a fresh first. This one is as captivating as Execution was. Great read. (Again,unfortunately the editing left something to be desired.)