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Nine Kingdoms #10
The White Spell
The New York Times bestselling Nine Kingdoms Saga continues in a land where light and dark magic vie, and where a reluctant hero and seemingly defenseless stable maid must join forces against an encroaching evil.
Acair of Ceangail, youngest bastard son of the worst black mage in history, has followed in his father’s footsteps, wreaking havoc throughout the world and leaving powerful enemies in his wake. After a year of reparation, he owes a final bit of twelve months spent working in a barn without using his magic.
Léirsinn of Sàraichte understands horses, stable work, and how to judge men’s hearts. When she starts seeing shadows where there should only be light, she knows there is evil afoot. Unfortunately, it's something she can’t fight on her own.
Acair’s attempts to aid Léirsinn only draw the notice of dangerous mages against whom he is currently defenseless. With only each other to rely on, Acair and Léirsinn find themselves suddenly in a race to save the world before it’s consumed by darkness...
Acair of Ceangail, youngest bastard son of the worst black mage in history, has followed in his father’s footsteps, wreaking havoc throughout the world and leaving powerful enemies in his wake. After a year of reparation, he owes a final bit of twelve months spent working in a barn without using his magic.
Léirsinn of Sàraichte understands horses, stable work, and how to judge men’s hearts. When she starts seeing shadows where there should only be light, she knows there is evil afoot. Unfortunately, it's something she can’t fight on her own.
Acair’s attempts to aid Léirsinn only draw the notice of dangerous mages against whom he is currently defenseless. With only each other to rely on, Acair and Léirsinn find themselves suddenly in a race to save the world before it’s consumed by darkness...
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2016
34 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Kurland
70 books1,569 followersLynn began her writing career at the tender age of five with a series of illustrated novellas entitled Clinton’s Troubles in which the compelling hero found himself in all sorts of . . . well, trouble. She was living in Hawaii at the time and the scope for her imagination (poisoned fish, tropical cliffs, large spiders) was great and poor Clinton bore the brunt of it. After returning to the mainland, her writing gave way to training in classical music and Clinton, who had been felled with arrows, eaten by fish and sent tumbling off cars, was put aside for operatic heroes in tights.
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 26, 2017
This series has continuously been something of a comfort read for me. There is darkness, but I always know that the good-guys will prevail. I like the fun and the interesting world that I can easily fall into. The romances are sweet, and the stories are interesting. I love these books for exactly what they are.
Each trilogy in this overall series focuses on a different story and couple. And though you can come into each trilogy separately - without reading the rest - I'd at least recommend reading the first trilogy. It starts with Star of the Morning and will really help orientate you in the world. All the other trilogies build off of this one, and the relationships begun there.
I absolutely adored Morgan and Miach's story (trilogy 1). I've re-read it many times and still love it to this day. Trilogy 2 was still quite good. Trilogy 3, I liked it, and I'll re-read it, but it couldn't compare to Morgan and Miach. I was beginning to think that nothing ever would.
And then along came Acair. To really understand where he's starting out, you need to know what happened at the end of the last trilogy. Fortunately Acair is quick to remind us all. It's a little skewed, but I think you could safely jump in here and enjoy the story.
What I love most about Acair is that he's unapologetically himself. He was the antagonist in the previous trilogy, and is a "dark mage" in the world. Though probably not as dark as some (like his father for example). You can expect there's going to be something of a redemption story here, but I hope not too much. Because Acair is like a breath of fresh air that I've been looking for in this series.
He's on a bit of a forced penance trip at the moment. Making up for all the wrong he's done in the world. Or at least making a start at it. He grumbles about it quite a lot, but I actually like that.
Léirsinn fascinates me. I'm incredibly curious about her history and lineage - and I suspect we'll find out more in the next book. I can't wait to see how this world expands, yet again, to include more peoples and more magics.
I'm also more than a little concerned about the shadow-spots that keep appearing all over the Nine Kingdoms. And just who might be wreaking havoc. I have some suspicions, but I wonder how accurate they'll actually turn out to be. I don't expect a lot of plot twists in these books, because you can usually deduce what's coming - the foreshadowing alone gives large hints. But I always like the build as we, and the characters, figure out what's going on and what to do about it.
Now, disclaimers, though these are fantasy romance novels, there is NO SEX in them. I don't miss it. The romances are sweet and it's just not needed. The fantasy world is not complicated. It's becoming more vast, but there's little explanation about how magic is in the world except that it's tied to bloodlines. Don't expect complicated and epic proportions of fantasy here.
The Nine Kingdoms books are uncomplicated reads that bring me joy. I smile frequently while reading them, and even when bad things happen I know that the hero/ines will come out on top. I always finish with happiness in my heart. And for the first time since book 3, I'm really excited for the next in the series.
More reviews at: The Alliterates
Each trilogy in this overall series focuses on a different story and couple. And though you can come into each trilogy separately - without reading the rest - I'd at least recommend reading the first trilogy. It starts with Star of the Morning and will really help orientate you in the world. All the other trilogies build off of this one, and the relationships begun there.
I absolutely adored Morgan and Miach's story (trilogy 1). I've re-read it many times and still love it to this day. Trilogy 2 was still quite good. Trilogy 3, I liked it, and I'll re-read it, but it couldn't compare to Morgan and Miach. I was beginning to think that nothing ever would.
And then along came Acair. To really understand where he's starting out, you need to know what happened at the end of the last trilogy. Fortunately Acair is quick to remind us all. It's a little skewed, but I think you could safely jump in here and enjoy the story.
What I love most about Acair is that he's unapologetically himself. He was the antagonist in the previous trilogy, and is a "dark mage" in the world. Though probably not as dark as some (like his father for example). You can expect there's going to be something of a redemption story here, but I hope not too much. Because Acair is like a breath of fresh air that I've been looking for in this series.
He's on a bit of a forced penance trip at the moment. Making up for all the wrong he's done in the world. Or at least making a start at it. He grumbles about it quite a lot, but I actually like that.
Léirsinn fascinates me. I'm incredibly curious about her history and lineage - and I suspect we'll find out more in the next book. I can't wait to see how this world expands, yet again, to include more peoples and more magics.
I'm also more than a little concerned about the shadow-spots that keep appearing all over the Nine Kingdoms. And just who might be wreaking havoc. I have some suspicions, but I wonder how accurate they'll actually turn out to be. I don't expect a lot of plot twists in these books, because you can usually deduce what's coming - the foreshadowing alone gives large hints. But I always like the build as we, and the characters, figure out what's going on and what to do about it.
Now, disclaimers, though these are fantasy romance novels, there is NO SEX in them. I don't miss it. The romances are sweet and it's just not needed. The fantasy world is not complicated. It's becoming more vast, but there's little explanation about how magic is in the world except that it's tied to bloodlines. Don't expect complicated and epic proportions of fantasy here.
The Nine Kingdoms books are uncomplicated reads that bring me joy. I smile frequently while reading them, and even when bad things happen I know that the hero/ines will come out on top. I always finish with happiness in my heart. And for the first time since book 3, I'm really excited for the next in the series.
More reviews at: The Alliterates
March 18, 2017
After reading the first six books in this series and being quite sick of it since the fourth, I've elected to not continue with this series. Why put myself through the pain when there's so many other great books waiting for me?
July 4, 2017
I have been dying for the next Nine Kingdoms novel, literally checking Goodreads and her website every other week or so for any news of either a Sosar trilogy or Acair trilogy.
I. Can't. Stop. Spazzing. October is so far away.
I. Can't. Stop. Spazzing. October is so far away.
September 28, 2016
Acair of Ceangail, youngest bastard son of the worst black mage in history, has followed in his father’s footsteps, wreaking havoc throughout the world and leaving powerful enemies in his wake. After a year of reparation, he owes a final bit of penance: twelve months spent working in a barn without using his magic.
Léirsinn of Sàraichte understands horses, stable work, and how to judge men’s hearts. When she starts seeing shadows where there should only be light, she knows there is evil afoot. Unfortunately, it's something she can’t fight on her own.
Acair’s attempts to aid Léirsinn only draw the notice of dangerous mages against whom he is currently defenseless. With only each other to rely on, Acair and Léirsinn find themselves suddenly in a race to save the world before it’s consumed by darkness.
White Spell was really beautiful. I love the world, I love the characters, I love the emotional journey, everything.
Kurland doesn't waste anything in this book, she doesn't mince words or use empty vocabulary to get her story told. Each statement and sentence has a purpose and meaning. Its wonderful.
Honestly I love Kurland's writing. She's a talented story teller.
Also I have to admit how much I liked Acair. I mean really. Who wouldn't like a guy like him by the end? That amused acceptance totally won me.
*Warning * *May contain minor spoiler*
Even at the conclusion the journey continues on and he's content to do so with the woman he loves at his side. Love it.
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Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin/Berkley Publishing
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! I love hearing from followers! Thank you!
Léirsinn of Sàraichte understands horses, stable work, and how to judge men’s hearts. When she starts seeing shadows where there should only be light, she knows there is evil afoot. Unfortunately, it's something she can’t fight on her own.
Acair’s attempts to aid Léirsinn only draw the notice of dangerous mages against whom he is currently defenseless. With only each other to rely on, Acair and Léirsinn find themselves suddenly in a race to save the world before it’s consumed by darkness.
White Spell was really beautiful. I love the world, I love the characters, I love the emotional journey, everything.
Kurland doesn't waste anything in this book, she doesn't mince words or use empty vocabulary to get her story told. Each statement and sentence has a purpose and meaning. Its wonderful.
Honestly I love Kurland's writing. She's a talented story teller.
Also I have to admit how much I liked Acair. I mean really. Who wouldn't like a guy like him by the end? That amused acceptance totally won me.
*Warning * *May contain minor spoiler*
Even at the conclusion the journey continues on and he's content to do so with the woman he loves at his side. Love it.
Booklikes
Goodreads
Google Plus
Blogger
Amazon
Wordpress
RSS
BlogLovin
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin/Berkley Publishing
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! I love hearing from followers! Thank you!
October 28, 2016
A pronunciation guide would be nice.
November 4, 2016
Lynn Kurland’s Nine Kingdoms books have been personal favorites for many years. The series follows the surviving children of an evil mage and how they’ve rebuilt their lives after a catastrophic event ripped their family apart. The previous three trilogies in the series focused on good men and women having to defend the realm from dark magic. In The White Spell that formula comes with a bit of a twist when a bad man is forced to do some good.
Following in the dark footsteps of his sire, Acair of Ceangail has created a reputation for himself as one of the most powerful black mages in the Nine Kingdoms. Only a year earlier, he had nearly collected all the magic of several kingdoms for himself before he was thwarted by his half-brother and the power was returned. Rather than facing some kind of trial by the people affected by his actions, Acair is given the more humbling task of visiting those he had wronged in order to apologize. As the book opens, Acair has visited most of the noble houses but absolutely refuses to visit the kingdom of the Dwarfs or to meet with their king. The two mages guiding Acair’s journey tell him to either make his appearance at the Dwarf court or he can live for a thousand years without his magic. Never one to simply accept the terms of others, Acair negotiates his sentence down from a century without his power to a single year of living as a normal mortal man.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
Following in the dark footsteps of his sire, Acair of Ceangail has created a reputation for himself as one of the most powerful black mages in the Nine Kingdoms. Only a year earlier, he had nearly collected all the magic of several kingdoms for himself before he was thwarted by his half-brother and the power was returned. Rather than facing some kind of trial by the people affected by his actions, Acair is given the more humbling task of visiting those he had wronged in order to apologize. As the book opens, Acair has visited most of the noble houses but absolutely refuses to visit the kingdom of the Dwarfs or to meet with their king. The two mages guiding Acair’s journey tell him to either make his appearance at the Dwarf court or he can live for a thousand years without his magic. Never one to simply accept the terms of others, Acair negotiates his sentence down from a century without his power to a single year of living as a normal mortal man.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
October 26, 2016
I love this series! This is book #10. The books are written so that three books feature a specific couple and then the next three a different couple, but they are all part of the same fantasy world and inter-related in one way or another. This book is the first of the story of the very evil mage, Acair of Ceangail, who among other bad things tried to steal all the magic of the world in the last book. He did not succeed and has spent nearly all of the past year paying penance by going from one kingdom to the other and groveling and apologizing. Not things he is good at! His very last act of penance is to go to an unpleasant town and work for a year in a stable (he does not particularly care for horses) and he is forbidden for that year to use magic! That is kind of like one of us being forbidden for a year to use our hands.
The heroine in this story is Leirsinn ofSaraichte who loves horses and has a way with them and who works at the stable owned by her uncle. Uncle is a villain. I won't go into what happens, but it is a typical read of this series (which apparently I do not get tired of) with all the wonderful characters and amazing world - shape-shifting, flying horses, dragons, magic. I had trouble liking Acair and I am sure he would have been fine with that. It will take another book for me to get past the things he has done in previous books. I wish these books were in audiobook as I would love to listen to them and to figure out how to say all these names. Perhaps that is why they are not!
The heroine in this story is Leirsinn ofSaraichte who loves horses and has a way with them and who works at the stable owned by her uncle. Uncle is a villain. I won't go into what happens, but it is a typical read of this series (which apparently I do not get tired of) with all the wonderful characters and amazing world - shape-shifting, flying horses, dragons, magic. I had trouble liking Acair and I am sure he would have been fine with that. It will take another book for me to get past the things he has done in previous books. I wish these books were in audiobook as I would love to listen to them and to figure out how to say all these names. Perhaps that is why they are not!
February 1, 2021
This story is a little slow, but I did enjoy reading Acair's determination to do good so he can use his magic again. I do like Leirsinn's steady character, but was hoping the two of them might have a bit more romance between them before the end of the book. As it is they care about each other, but not willing to admit it. Maybe book 2 will have more romance as they search for the maker of the dark shadows, try to rescue Leirsinn's grandfather, and ride around on wild ponies that change into wilder dragons.
October 11, 2016
3-1/2 stars
These are all definitely seeming the same, the Nine Kingdoms books. Same sort of hero, same sort of heroine, same gentle banter and self deprecation. Getting rather tired and old now
These are all definitely seeming the same, the Nine Kingdoms books. Same sort of hero, same sort of heroine, same gentle banter and self deprecation. Getting rather tired and old now
October 13, 2016
Such a fun and refreshing read after Ruith and Runach's stories! I love the idea of Acair as the hero and following him along on his begrudging quest for redemption.
September 4, 2025
I am stopping halfway through the book. I’m so disappointed. I loved the first trilogy, but each one after that is just the same variation of the first. Acair is the only saving grace in this book. I really enjoyed his character, but Leirsinn is just insufferable to me. I can’t stand this whole “I don’t believe in magic even though it’s staring me in the face” or even worse “I’m going to blame you for saving me from the fact that my uncle wants to kill me and even then I’ll pretend I never heard him say it”. What??? I wanted to shake her so hard. Go and get killed! And let’s have the book just be about Acair’s adventures.
All in all, quite disappointed. I think if I read something more of Kurland’s it’ll have to be in a whole new world with genuinely different characters. Otherwise it’s too copy and paste for me.
All in all, quite disappointed. I think if I read something more of Kurland’s it’ll have to be in a whole new world with genuinely different characters. Otherwise it’s too copy and paste for me.
September 3, 2017
Finally! Another Nine Kingdoms novel that returns to the charm and action of the first books in the series. Kurland has found her groove again with Acairs story.
Kurland is brilliant and I am a loyal fan, but she has been in a slump (absurdly repetitive) lately, and it's been hard slogging through her latest books.
I'm so glad I gave The White Spell a chance, though. Acair's character was so amusing- he reminded me of Cusco in the Emperor's New Groove when he saves Pacha from the crumbly canyon wall, "...ehhh, it was a one time thing." haha, Acair tries so hard to convince everyone he's evil.
Kurland is brilliant and I am a loyal fan, but she has been in a slump (absurdly repetitive) lately, and it's been hard slogging through her latest books.
I'm so glad I gave The White Spell a chance, though. Acair's character was so amusing- he reminded me of Cusco in the Emperor's New Groove when he saves Pacha from the crumbly canyon wall, "...ehhh, it was a one time thing." haha, Acair tries so hard to convince everyone he's evil.
February 13, 2023
I was searching for a book like this, so glad I asked likewise for recommendations. I just wanted to be a damsel that gets rescued by a bold chivalrous manly dude… and this delivered. I loved the characters .. I will say I wish I had started with the first in the series after reading this book, because I feel like a lot of the worlds history was referred to in this one, and I got the feeling I would have had a clearer picture of what some of the characters were going on about had I read them in the correct order first. Outside of that. Acair is fantastic and one of my favorite new book boyfriends.
January 17, 2018
the not-so-bad guy as the hero? okay. enjoyable and a slight change of pace. the female, though having the typical 'more to her than she realizes', she has a bit more sass and spunk than some of the other female leads. the whole of them even being interested in each other, but couldn't possibly be interested in each other really didn't come into play very much in this. though, i imagine that will pick up in the next one. overall, quite enjoyable.
January 18, 2020
Intrigue, adventure and self discovery. Acair is son of a terrible black mage and has done his share of causing trouble. During his penance he is helping Leirsinn, a beautiful young woman with a special talent. They encounter trouble in their journey, but for Acair it is also a journey of self-discovery. Is there hope for a black mage to turn over a new leaf? I can't wait to read the next in this series!
February 16, 2022
4.5 stars
I'll admit I skipped books 4-9 of this series based off the reviews and based off what I experienced while reading books 1-3. However, despite this and my belief that Kurland smashes her keyboard to come up with the names of people and places in the Nine Kingdoms, I'm so very glad I gave this final installment of this series a second chance. I adore Leirsinn and especially Acair. I love Acair's roguish and witty quips, and his devil-may-care, bad boy persona.
Also, my love of horses meshed quite well with Leirsinn's love of the same. Plus I believe Kurland is a horsewoman herself (or she's at the very least familiar with horses), so she did Leirsinn's love justice. It's usually very easy to tell when an author does or doesn't not know anything about horses.
Anyway, after reading this book, I happy to move on to the next in the series. I so dearly hope this book's quality is maintained in the remaining books of this series. 🤞
I'll admit I skipped books 4-9 of this series based off the reviews and based off what I experienced while reading books 1-3. However, despite this and my belief that Kurland smashes her keyboard to come up with the names of people and places in the Nine Kingdoms, I'm so very glad I gave this final installment of this series a second chance. I adore Leirsinn and especially Acair. I love Acair's roguish and witty quips, and his devil-may-care, bad boy persona.
Also, my love of horses meshed quite well with Leirsinn's love of the same. Plus I believe Kurland is a horsewoman herself (or she's at the very least familiar with horses), so she did Leirsinn's love justice. It's usually very easy to tell when an author does or doesn't not know anything about horses.
Anyway, after reading this book, I happy to move on to the next in the series. I so dearly hope this book's quality is maintained in the remaining books of this series. 🤞
March 19, 2017
A nice addition to the series. I like Acair, humorous interactions. Though this series does seem to be repeating the same story line, guy protects girl who's in trouble, fall in love, save the world. But I enjoyed it all the same
May 28, 2017
A lot of self absorption and poor me syndrome. At times this Acair was a complete antithesis of his former self.
Red haired heroine, Leirsinn, starts as a weak character but is slowly developing some back bone by the time this cliff hanger ends.
September 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my favorite of the trilogies since the first three books. The pacing is a bit slow at times but it has a good mix of humor and intrigue that kept me interested.
July 5, 2018
This is Book 10 of the Nine Kingdoms, which means it's Book 1 in the 4th trilogy. Book 2 will be out next year, and the story will complete in Book 3. At the bottom of this review, I'll leave my normal listing of the books in the series so you know how the series works.
This is my favorite series, and I have given most of the books 5 stars. The first trilogy is my all-time favorite story across genres, authors, etc. Does this mean I hold these books to a higher standard because I expect so much? Or does it mean that I am generous in the ratings because they're my favorites? Frankly, I'm not sure. Probably a mix of both, so here is why this one gets 3 stars.
This is the beginning of Acair and Leirsinn's story. We met Acair a number of times in other stories, and he was considered a troublemaking black mage. He is one of Gair's bastards. Now he's the... well... I can't exactly call him the hero yet, though that's clearly what he will be by the end of the trilogy. In this one, we are discovering that "evil mage" doesn't quite fit him as well as "mischief-maker." Of course, when your mischief involves magic big enough to topple kingdoms, and you tried to steal the world's magic, it's no wonder that people call you evil. And yet, we're discovering a bit of an altruistic side to Acair. (We can't quite call it good, yet.) There are a number of lines that he does not cross... we just never knew this about him before. Those were too lost in all the trouble he was always causing. Now we get some hints about why he was the way he was as well, though nothing's resolved, this being only the first 1/3 of the story.
So when the story opens, the marvelous (and powerful) Sollier and Runach (from the last two trilogies) are busy telling Acair that his penance (for tryng to steal the world's magic, of course) is not yet done. He's got to go a year without magic... in a place of Sollier's choosing. That place happens to be a horse farm in an ugly town far away from the comfort that Acair is used to relaxing in and the palaces that he is used to lurking about. And so Acair trots off, and he quickly discovers that he's being followed by a spell of death which will pounce on him the moment he tries to use his magic.
Leirsinn lives and works and slaves for her horrible uncle, caring for the horses. She has a gift with horses, and not much else to her name other than a grandfather who is very sickly. (He is the only reason Leirsinn slaves for her uncle, of course.)
It isn't long before both Acair and Leirsinn begin to discover things that seem worse than usual. Strange things. Things having to do with magic. Things that do not seem to have much to do with Leirsinn's uncle or Acair's past... until they overhear various people plotting their deaths.
Thus they are off, and the adventure begins. There's a lot of internal struggle and thought. They travel to several places, but the journeys aren't detailed. A lot of threads for the trilogy were begun, and I am intrigued by them. They have a lot of promise, but it's hard to give this book a high rating when it currently has to stand on its own. It's entirely possible that it will be rated more highly once we can read the rest of the story and we know where all these threads are going.
I laughed out loud in a number of spots. I was still drawn into the world and the story. The romance was very light as usual, but I like watching characters who fall slowly for each other, rather than rapidly falling in passion at first sight.
I also found Acair's character intriguing. I'm rather confused about what's going on inside of him, but then, so is he. He is an extremely conflicted character who has always liked to be seen as the bad guy... except what he wants to do this time doesn't fall into the bad guy category. Leirsinn isn't quite sure what to make of him... and neither are we.
Leirsinn is very likeable, for the most part. Her gift with horses is a major thread of the story, and I liked that. Her discovery that magic exists is very reminiscent of past trilogies, but it's handled differently and is a briefer part of her struggle than other characters have in the past, which is a good change.
Finally, for past Nine Kingdoms readers who may have been worried about it... Acair does not deny his birthright (far from it in fact) or hide who he is, and they have not yet visited a single library in search of a spell. I like how different his character is.
Here's how the series works:
Two Prelude short stories, found in anthologies with other authors:
The Queen in Winter ("A Whisper of Spring" When Symon, the first king of Neroche, woos and wins Iolaire)
To Weave a Web of Magic (The Tale of Two Swords where Mehar and Gilraehen fall in love)
Miach and Morgan's story is told in:
1- Star of the Morning
2- The Mage's Daughter
3- Princess of the Sword
Ruith and Sarah's story (which OVERLAPS Miach and Morgan's story in the timeline) is told in:
4- A Tapestry of Spells
5- Spellweaver
6- Gift of Magic
Rùnach and Aisling's story is being told in:
7- Dreamspinner
8- River of Dreams
9- Dreamer's Daughter
Acair and Leirsinn's story is being told in:
10- The White Spell
11- The Dreamer's Song
12- date not announced.
This is my favorite series, and I have given most of the books 5 stars. The first trilogy is my all-time favorite story across genres, authors, etc. Does this mean I hold these books to a higher standard because I expect so much? Or does it mean that I am generous in the ratings because they're my favorites? Frankly, I'm not sure. Probably a mix of both, so here is why this one gets 3 stars.
This is the beginning of Acair and Leirsinn's story. We met Acair a number of times in other stories, and he was considered a troublemaking black mage. He is one of Gair's bastards. Now he's the... well... I can't exactly call him the hero yet, though that's clearly what he will be by the end of the trilogy. In this one, we are discovering that "evil mage" doesn't quite fit him as well as "mischief-maker." Of course, when your mischief involves magic big enough to topple kingdoms, and you tried to steal the world's magic, it's no wonder that people call you evil. And yet, we're discovering a bit of an altruistic side to Acair. (We can't quite call it good, yet.) There are a number of lines that he does not cross... we just never knew this about him before. Those were too lost in all the trouble he was always causing. Now we get some hints about why he was the way he was as well, though nothing's resolved, this being only the first 1/3 of the story.
So when the story opens, the marvelous (and powerful) Sollier and Runach (from the last two trilogies) are busy telling Acair that his penance (for tryng to steal the world's magic, of course) is not yet done. He's got to go a year without magic... in a place of Sollier's choosing. That place happens to be a horse farm in an ugly town far away from the comfort that Acair is used to relaxing in and the palaces that he is used to lurking about. And so Acair trots off, and he quickly discovers that he's being followed by a spell of death which will pounce on him the moment he tries to use his magic.
Leirsinn lives and works and slaves for her horrible uncle, caring for the horses. She has a gift with horses, and not much else to her name other than a grandfather who is very sickly. (He is the only reason Leirsinn slaves for her uncle, of course.)
It isn't long before both Acair and Leirsinn begin to discover things that seem worse than usual. Strange things. Things having to do with magic. Things that do not seem to have much to do with Leirsinn's uncle or Acair's past... until they overhear various people plotting their deaths.
Thus they are off, and the adventure begins. There's a lot of internal struggle and thought. They travel to several places, but the journeys aren't detailed. A lot of threads for the trilogy were begun, and I am intrigued by them. They have a lot of promise, but it's hard to give this book a high rating when it currently has to stand on its own. It's entirely possible that it will be rated more highly once we can read the rest of the story and we know where all these threads are going.
I laughed out loud in a number of spots. I was still drawn into the world and the story. The romance was very light as usual, but I like watching characters who fall slowly for each other, rather than rapidly falling in passion at first sight.
I also found Acair's character intriguing. I'm rather confused about what's going on inside of him, but then, so is he. He is an extremely conflicted character who has always liked to be seen as the bad guy... except what he wants to do this time doesn't fall into the bad guy category. Leirsinn isn't quite sure what to make of him... and neither are we.
Leirsinn is very likeable, for the most part. Her gift with horses is a major thread of the story, and I liked that. Her discovery that magic exists is very reminiscent of past trilogies, but it's handled differently and is a briefer part of her struggle than other characters have in the past, which is a good change.
Finally, for past Nine Kingdoms readers who may have been worried about it... Acair does not deny his birthright (far from it in fact) or hide who he is, and they have not yet visited a single library in search of a spell. I like how different his character is.
Here's how the series works:
Two Prelude short stories, found in anthologies with other authors:
The Queen in Winter ("A Whisper of Spring" When Symon, the first king of Neroche, woos and wins Iolaire)
To Weave a Web of Magic (The Tale of Two Swords where Mehar and Gilraehen fall in love)
Miach and Morgan's story is told in:
1- Star of the Morning
2- The Mage's Daughter
3- Princess of the Sword
Ruith and Sarah's story (which OVERLAPS Miach and Morgan's story in the timeline) is told in:
4- A Tapestry of Spells
5- Spellweaver
6- Gift of Magic
Rùnach and Aisling's story is being told in:
7- Dreamspinner
8- River of Dreams
9- Dreamer's Daughter
Acair and Leirsinn's story is being told in:
10- The White Spell
11- The Dreamer's Song
12- date not announced.
November 5, 2018
I loved this series with every scrap of imagination I possess. Every character that is added to this world through a set of three novels entrails me further and makes me wish I could live amount them.. amazing read once again
January 26, 2020
Not Kurland's normal hero
...loving this dark mate's journey! ...really enjoying this side of Acair. Fun to see glimpses of past characters pop in here and there, too. Kurland never disappoints.
...loving this dark mate's journey! ...really enjoying this side of Acair. Fun to see glimpses of past characters pop in here and there, too. Kurland never disappoints.
September 29, 2024
acairs the funniest nine kingdoms mc. aw buddy you wanna be evil so bad huh. yeah hon its definitely a spell making your chest hurt when you help someone youre not a good guy at all and everyones very intimidated
November 26, 2017
Has no climax at all. Really just part of a book.
January 2, 2018
This drug interminably. Only going to read the next one, because I foolishly already purchased it.
April 28, 2018
I like that this time the lead man is a bad guy! It's a nice break from the noble characters.
August 22, 2018
Enjoyable looking forward to next book...
March 3, 2019
One of my favorite fantasy romance series still
June 11, 2019
Rather silly
January 1, 2020
I love this series! I waited a long time to start this trilogy until it was complete— finally! On to books 11 and 12!
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