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Tairen Soul #4

Queen of Song and Souls

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“A brilliant, sensual must read.”





—Christine Feehan











The incomparable C.L. Wilson brings her phenomenal Tairen Soul novels to Avon Books! Queen of Song and Souls is the fourth book in the epic romantic adventure that combines sweeping fantasy with breathtaking paranormal romance. USA Today and New York Times bestseller C. L. Wilson returns to the Fading Lands, as the outcast lovers, Rain the Fey King and Ellysetta, his truemate, must defeat the gathering forces of darkness through a power forbidden in their doomed world…and the awesome strength of their love.

418 pages, ebook

First published October 27, 2009

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About the author

C.L. Wilson

24 books4,048 followers
C.L. Wilsons unique blend of pulse-pounding action, sweeping epic fantasy, and passionate romance has made her books a favorite read for romance and fantasy readers alike. Praised for exceptional worldbuilding and lyric prose, her critically acclaimed novels have regularly appeared on bestseller lists including the USA Today, the New York Times, and Publishers Weekly.

C.Ls novels have won numerous industry and reader-selected awards including, LifetimeTV.coms Best Paranormal debut of 2007, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, two National Readers Choice awards, the Colorado Award of Excellence, and the Holt Medallion. Ms. Wilson is the honored recipient of the PEARL award from Paranormal Romance as the best new author of 2007, and winner of the 2009 PEARL award for best Romantic Fantasy novel.

When not torturing her characters mercilessly, C.L. enjoys relaxing with her family in sunny Florida and daydreaming of a world where people exercise in their sleep and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is a fat burning food.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
Profile Image for Kristalia .
394 reviews647 followers
October 5, 2015
Final rating: 5/5 stars

Not all battles can be won. Not all lives can be saved. And no matter how we wish it, not all songs end in joy.”
She frowned and tilted her head back to look up at him. “Will ours?”
“I pray so.” Somber acceptance darkened his eyes, and he stroked her cheek in a light caress. “But even if we do not find joy in this lifetime, we will be born again to love once more. That much, I believe without question. In this lifetime, or the next, or even the lifetime after that, our souls will be one…”



Even though it took me a bit longer to read this book, i found it even better than the one before. This series keeps surprising me. Beautiful writing, amazing story, although pretty much dark and definitely not for the faint hearted.

Not to mention how this book ended. I cried and I was devastated after it. Only one book is left and I can't wait to start reading it.


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CHARACTERS :
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※ WARNING: this section might contain a slight spoilers for this book. While i had hidden serious spoilers under the spoiler tags, if you don't like to spoil yourself, just skip this section of my review. If you like slight spoilers, then you can proceed :D

Rain Tairen Soul & Ellysetta Baristani:

Ellie has been marked enough times for all of them to start to worry. Rain, on the other hand, is slowly falling into the Bond madness, and they must complete their bond soon or Rain will be forever lost in madness. Now being outcasts from their own country, they still seek ways to help Celeria and their country to win the war against Eld, who are massing up their armies.

Other characters:

Baristani family: Lost in the Mists, they try to find each other, although the focus was on Lillis most of the time. Kieran and Kiel... also lost.....

I won't write anything of the Fey, except for Adrial and his truemate Talisa - Their story finally concludes in this book - a couple who could not be together because she was wed to another... There are many consequences, and they will soon find out about them...

Shanisorran v’En Celay and Elfeya continue to suffer even worse ever since they helped their daughter. To make things even worse, they are both on verge of breaking.

This times there was also appearance of the Elves, whose customs i really liked. We also meet Galad Hawksheart, the King of the Elves and also other elves who were interesting.

I won't write anything else about characters anymore. Some things are better left unsaid.

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OVERALL :
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I am enjoying this series a lot. And now, there is only one book left and it makes me very sad that i am at the end of this journey.


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MY TAIREN SOUL REVIEWS:

Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul #1)
Lady of Light and Shadows (Tairen Soul, #2)
King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul, #3)
Queen of Song and Souls (Tairen Soul, #4)
Crown of Crystal Flame (Tairen Soul, #5)
Profile Image for SoBeA.
620 reviews49 followers
December 30, 2009
So... the best way to describe this 4th book in the Fading lands series?

Maddening.


But in a good way.

There's just so much going on, and you want to know it all, and you want to know it all, right now now NOW! But then again, no you don't, because then the story's over, and then where would we be? (other then waiting for CLW's next 3 promised books)

But there's a lot happening in this book, and it doesn't seem to stop... and you want our Heroes to get a break, and to be able to just relax, and then they do, but then things pick up again but you can't help but yell at half of them, and tell them not to do it (and I can't tell you what the it is, because that would be a spoiler and if you know anything about this series, it's that the books are so much better if you don't really know anything in advance, but let me tell you, it is so worth it!) and even the bad guys... or rather the people who do bad things, but aren't really bad, because they're being preyed upon by malevolent forces so it's not totally they're fault (again no details, because spoilers are bad!), they're totally sympathetic (even when you want to kill them in a murderous Rage) and the real bad guys... or rather bad Guy because despite there being a few not so great guys, there's only one really bad guy and you hate him. HATE him... In a way no evil villain has made you hate them before.

And the ending... It doesn't end like any of the other books, but it's still as gut wrenching... still as frenzied and surprising, and hope inducing as the last books, and those stupid final pages, the necessary (and interesting, really) glossary and ad for another (unrelated!)book, make you think there's plenty of story left, but really there's not, so when you get to the last word... it leaves you desperate, desperate for the final piece of the story,(but not, because again... then it
would be over...)And you're crying, because really how can you not cry? And you're railing because Ms Wilson is evil incarnate to leave us here, and you know , know her publishers are even more evil incarnate because they're totally going to make us wait another year to know the ending... or she'll decide to rewrite again and we'll still have to wait (and wonder what the original version was like), and how on
earth are we supposed to do that?

so... overall a great addition to the series...Probably reads better if you read it right after the 3rd book... (Even better would be able to wait for the last book, but really once you've started the first book, there's really no hope for you) The story picks up, pretty much where that leaves off. Ohh... and you really want to carve out some time to read this uninterrupted because there aren't really any "okay I can stop here for a bit" moments... Every page makes you want to read the next and the next after that, and to just keep going.



So... In conclusion: I love this series! It makes me all kinds of happy, and makes me even more ridiculously happy that I'm a member of PBS (the reviews over there are what initially convinced me to give this series a chance) and that I'm a reader! and it makes me want to to convince people that they should be readers if just to find an author they like even half as much as I love C.L Wilson :)
Profile Image for Steven Peterson.
Author 19 books320 followers
October 31, 2009
This is volume # 4 in a series, by the talented author C. L. Wilson. However, this specific work. Metaphorically, is like an automobile in idle. It just doesn’t carry the action forward from volume # 3 (“King of Sword and Sky”) into the next book, which would feature the climax to the 5 book series. And one hopes that there might be further future adventures for Rain and Ellysetta after that. But it is time to end this particular series and be on with it.

In volume 3, many issues became clearer—such as the nature of Ellysetta’s true parents, the doomed relationship between a Celerian noblewoman and a Fey warrior, the reason for the death of the kitlings (so precious for the future of the Fey), the power of the mages of Eld, the raw power of Ellysetta. In this volume, though, we seem to be reading a work that is, mostly, a rather static bridge to the climactic volume.

We do not learn much that is new. Rain’s bond madness is manifesting itself. The doomed romance, noted in the previous paragraph, ends in a way that one would have expected. Ellysetta’s parents continue to be tortured. Celerian politics remains as Byzantine as ever.

Some moments, though, do emerge as special. The journey to see the Elves has some interesting twists. The king of the Elves allows Ellysetta to look into the future (although the Delphic pronouncements do not really make the long visit worthwhile to me) .

The book ends as the final struggle (so I assume) is about to begin. Questions to be resolved: Will Rain’s and Ellysetta’s bond become completed? Will the Fey and their allies triumph over the forced of the evil Mages? What will become of Ellysetta’s parents? What will become of Ellysetta’s Celerian step-family? And so on. The promise of such questions being addressed in Volume 5 will keep me interested. All in all, a modest disappointment as the book rather meanders and does not advance greatly where we stood at the end of the third work. But I hope that this book is an aberration in what is otherwise a powerful series to this point.
Profile Image for Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms).
512 reviews72 followers
March 28, 2015
[EDIT March 28, 2015 - Re-reading along with Jeanine. I really am not sure how many times I have both read and listened to the audio of this, my favorite fantasy series of all. There are not words for how wonderful this story and the world this author has created. On to the final book and waiting patiently (well no really patiently) for the promised spinoffs that need so badly to be told. On to the last and fifth book and then will put them away for awhile...until I pick them up to take this journey again]

No words for how beautiful this series is. Just finished reading this for the second time in a little over a month. This series is the first for this author, and she is truly brilliant.

I have read this series twice now (first in 2010) (starting my re-read of the last one) as one long book and am so thankful they were already published when I found them. I totally fell into the world of the Fey King Rain and his truemate Ellysetta, and the writing of these books is incredible. I've never read a series where the heroine has been brought through so many twists and turns and who has remained true to who she is and yet grown stronger with every challenge. She constantly falters and questions herself but draws strength from the, pretty much earth shattering, love she and Rain share. Rain is fighting his own demons within himself along with the demands of defending everything and everyone that means anything to him. Ellie's love extends to the amazing quintet of Fey warriors who guard her and to her love of her mortal family. The author has slowly allowed us to understand more and more about why Ellie is what she is and why the most evil Mage wants her so badly. The evil that could overtake her and with her, the world, becomes apparent in this book. Her battle against darkness really IS the story of these books, but there is so much more. There is darkness and terror in these books, but the good and love on the other side is awe inspiring.

There is a lot one could cry about in these books, but this book is the only one that brought me to tears. Like Ellysetta, I came to love the Fey warriors who guard her and to know them so well. Losing one of them the way it happens in this book did make me cry, and yet there is something inspiring about how it happens. I won't do a spoiler though.

I don't remember who recommended these books to me - someone in a Goodreads discussion. I remember someone said it was a "sweet love story" but then someone else said that Rain and Ellysetta's love story was equal to Jamie and Claire in Outlander. That right there made me buy the first book. I would not consider this a "sweet love story" because that is far too simple of a statement for this pair. I definitely would put their love on the level of Jamie and Claire although they are far different stories. This is a forever and ever love like no other.
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,666 reviews1,107 followers
February 2, 2024
Queen of Song and Souls is the fourth installment in the Tairen soul series. For years I have heard so many amazing things about this series, and its not easy to find a stirring fantasy romance series that captures your heart from the very beginning. This review will be shorter than others, so that I don't give too much away.

Rain and Ellysetta's story has been magical from the moment they first met. They have suffered and have made great strides. In this installment, there is much that we learn about the past of Ellysetta and the future of Rain and Ellysetta. Rain and Ellysetta are coming closer to completing their bond, but time is slowly running out. There is a high level of intensity and emotion that is displayed in this story. In Queen of Song and Souls the danger level of the Eld and Mage have escalated, and Rain and Ellysetta are racing against time to try to gain assistance from their allies. The story is mostly centered around Rain and Ellysetta, and learning about her past and about their destiny. There is quite a bit we learn in this installment.

Overall I couldn't help but admire once again the talent of Wilson. I am still astonished by how much I have enjoyed her. I always love a fantasy romance, and the theme that is present in this series is sensual and epic. The romance between Rain and Ellysetta is intense yet tender too. We see a deeper development in their bond to each other, and there quite a lot of suspense and adventure involved. I loved the aspect of the different combination of danger, romance, and this world that has been created that captures your attention. There is quite a bit of a intensity level here, and it definitely near impossible to put it down. It did leave a bit of a cliff hanger and I will warn you that you will need some tissues to get through this story. But what a great addition to the series and I can't wait to read the last and final installment and find out if Rain and Ellysetta achieve their HEA.
Profile Image for Mandi.
2,343 reviews732 followers
October 20, 2009
The Tairen Soul series by C.L. Wilson is one of my favorites. It is a great blend of romance and action, with vibrant characters and a really, really evil villain. The second book of the series, Lady of Light and Shadows is one of my all time favorite books. I remember reading it and having to put it down because I became too emtionally involved in it - only to pick it right back up.

Queen of Song and Souls starts two weeks after King of Sword and Sky and this is one series I highly recommend you read in order. Ellysetta's sisters and father are lost in the mist and with her four mage marks, Ellysetta cannot go in to search for her family. The only reassurance she has is that she knows if they have good souls they will go unharmed. The mage marks call to Ellysetta, whispering to her to use the black magic of Azrahn when healing. It weighs on her soul, she feels it in every weave of magic she performs. Each time she spins Azrahn, she risks receiving another mark.

Rain and Ellysetta are at odds. Rain risks his life everyday fighting in the fierce battles against the Eld. Ellysetta feels it is necessary to take risks to heal the wounded and others, risking herself, using Azrahn when needed to heal an injured soul. Rain won't stand for it, but Ellysetta sees it as the same risk Rain is making to defend his people. When her temper gets too high and she is at odds at what to do she is reminded by Stelli, one of the Tairen, that Rain has already scorched the Earth once. Ellysetta is the only one anchoring him to his sanity. Ellysetta knows this is the truth and steps back, allowing Rain to win this battle.

Rain and Ellysetta discover the dark fires of the Eld burning and that the Eld are building up there armies on a monstous scale, and this could be bigger than the Mage wars from the past. A umagi Eld is captured and Ellysetta inadvertently performs a truthhold and discovers Vadim Maur, the High Mage, future plans. Vadim's time is running out. His current body is rotting, and his council is sensing weakness. The infants he has raised and tied souls from unborn Tairen have all gone insane once they progressed past childhood. Only Ellysetta has entered into adulthood without a bit of insanity. Vadim wants her body to hold his incarnated soul and he is becoming desperate to get to her.

Rain and Ellysetta have an urgent need to finish their bonding. Once their bond is complete, the mage can not soul-claim Ellysetta. However, the bonding can not be rushed and Ellysetta and Rain must find a way to fight the Eld and all of the dark power that is encompassing Ellysetta, while holding on to their true love.

Queen of Song and Souls really deals with Ellysetta's four mage marks and the extent to which they are affecting her and all the Fey. Ellysetta is much more confident using weaves and healing those in the battlefield or others that need her but we also find an Ellysetta who is riddled with shame and guilt because of the mage marks she carries. No matter how much Rain and others support her, she can not help to think of the destruction she could cause in the future if Vadim Maur finds a way to take over her soul. Gaelen, being a former dal'resihen would routinely kill anyone that had more than three marks. Once someone receives the fourth mark, the person can be influenced by the high mage. This not only has a profound effect on Ellysetta, but Rain creeps closer to the edge with this information. He already scorched the Earth once when is former mate, Sariel died. With news that Ellysetta may have to be killed if she is a marked again or if Vadim Maur invades her thoughts enough to change her, Rain could go over that cliff again.

While this book felt a bit like a stepping stone for the fifth and final book, Tairen Soul, C.L. Wilson gives us delicious interaction of relationships. While Rain and Ellyesetta's relationship is analyzed in detail, we also visit King Dorian and Queen Annoura. The tension is still there in their ever quarrelsome relationship with her accusation of his holding the Fey in higher esteem then herself. A surprising event occurs and someone from the past shows up. Although Queen Annoura is so spiteful and King Dorian lacks communication with her, this is one of my favorite couples. I have no idea what is in store for them in the final book, but I love the journey they have had in this series.

Gaelen and Bel, two more of my favorite characters and part of Ellysetta's quintet that guard her, take a backseat in this story, but don't be let down. C.L. Wilson has said she hopes to give each of them their own book in the future.

Vadim Maur in all of his evilness is again causing turmoil and emotional distress. He is my absolute favorite villain and he does not let down in this book. His torture of Shan and Elfeya is horrific and I am really looking forward to see his demise in the final book. I hope he gets it good!

We do get more from Talisa and Adrial, the couple from previous in the series. Talsia waited until her 25th birthday to find her mate, and when he didn't show, she married the man her parents picked for her, Lord Sebourne. Soon after, Adrial shows up, her truemate. But now she is married and can't break her vows. Adrial is on the verge of darkness, and refuses to leave her, instead staying invisible to be with her constantly. Be ready to go on an emotional roller coaster with this couple.

Queen of Song and Souls is another amazing addition to this series. You will smile, cry, and for many scenes hold your breath and dare not move until you know the outcome. The fifth and final book of this incredible series will be one of my most anticipated books of 2010.
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,690 reviews633 followers
August 31, 2015
This is a combined review over the 5 books of this Series.

OK...so I read all 5 of this series non stop this weekend...

I just couldn't put this series down for the life of me.

Yes, it does drag on in parts and found myself skimming over paragraphs but overall this was a freakin fantastic series full of Fey, Dragons, Mages, Elves and so many other characters...but...

who won my heart??

Ellie - shit...she was a perfect main character and stole the book for me. From the beginning, the way the author developed her character was perfect and sublime!

Rain - Another freaking awesome character...

shit, I might as just say that all the characters in this book stole a piece of my heart.

The one thing I'm a bit upset about is that I don't see any books for Ellie's little sisters and their brave Fey warriors who protected them. I would have loved to see more from this series from the secondary characters.
Profile Image for Luana ☆.
683 reviews153 followers
June 3, 2025
To be honest, the last 60 to 90% of this book was so enchanting. I loved meeting the Elf folk in more depth. The first part of this book starts to get a little frustrating. But I am so glad I powdered through because many questions were answered and you came to the realization that the heroine has her very strong reasons for not completing the thing that she should have already done.

I read many reviews saying that this was a boring book, but to me, after the frustrating parts, aka the mortal queen, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Even though this has a dark aspect to it, and war is inevitably coming, this was the lightest and most emotional book so far.
Profile Image for Cat Russell  (Addicted2Heroines).
349 reviews210 followers
April 13, 2011
"Death offers us hope, at least. Not for this life, but for another."

Once again Wilson delivers a riveting edition to the series. She has created a world that is truly captivating and unforgettable. How could anyone not fall in love with Ellysetta and her shining Fey king?
It's difficult to relate him to the same man that others refer to as "Worldscorcher", the man who once swept torment and destruction over the lands with Tairen flame. Since finding his Feyreisa, he's been selfless and compassionate. Ellysetta's unwavering love and devotion help to mend his battered soul and make him feel worthy again.

"Say it," he rumbled again. "Ve sha kem." .... "You are mine. Say it."

Ellysetta is still struggling with her newfound powers and the haunting dreams that begin to reoccur. Despite reassurances that she is protected, her nightmares return in full force and you begin to wonder if the High Mage is to blame or if Ellysetta is receiving glimpses of real possibilities into her future.

The first half of the story is spent mostly with Rain and Ellysetta as they prepare for the upcoming battle. Ellysetta begins to master tasks that she should not be able to perform so quickly, which results in more confusion and suspisions regarding her origins. Fortunately, she is finally able to receive answers to some of her more important questions before the story ends.

If I had one complaint about this book, it would involve Steli. I have grown very fond of the Tairen and unfortunately she only makes a few short appearances at the beginning of their journey.

Time to run, foolish Eld-prey, she sang. Steli-chakai is here, and she is hungry.

The remainder of the story really takes off. There is an increase in the changes of points-of-view that I just couldn't get enough of. Master Fellows, Melliandra, Talisa and Adrial all made intriguing contributions to the story. There are many relationship difficulties and one set of our star-crossed lovers receive an unfortunate and truly heartbreaking ending.

"I am born a thousand times when I see you,
I live a thousand lives when I am with you,
And I die a thousand deaths when you leave."


We also receive glimpses into Vadim's thoughts and activities. The transition is done smoothly and I was able to read just enough to become intrigued with what he would do next. I have read several books where there is a transition from the primary character's point-of-view to the "villain" and if it lingers there too long I become impatient or uninterested. Thankfully, Wilson executes this perfectly.

Sadly, our beloved Tairen Soul's journey will soon be reaching its conclusion. I honestly can't recall how I came across Wilson's series, but I'm glad I did. I will be first in line when, "The Winter King", releases later this year.


"....he was the purpose of her existence, the soul she'd been born to make whole."
Profile Image for Andy.
171 reviews4 followers
September 10, 2014
I either loved or hated each book in this series--I've never had that happen to me before. Book one didn't thrill me, book two was amazing, book three was solid and then I got to book four and was like...




Why? Because I realized that apart from Gaelen and Mellandra, I HATED everyone in this series! I actually found myself hoping the Mages would win because all of the good characters are so effing annoying. Let's start with Ellysetta.

Ellie is weak...she's supposed to be this mighty character of light and hope with incredible powers and in some respects she is. BUT whenever something goes wrong, she becomes a sobbing, useless, angsty mess who can't stop blaming herself for EVERY LITTLE THING!!



I cannot stand characters like this. They come across as really self-centred to me because they lay claim to every choice and action made by other characters. They only see the world through the filter of how everything connects to them and everything must, therefore, be their fault.



Why should Ellysetta be taking responsibility for the actions of say Adrial when things don't go well with his truemate? He has his own agency and makes his own life choices so I find her guilt over the whole thing to be really aggravating. All it does is give her more cause to doubt herself, which prevents her from bonding to Rain and causes her to be stuck in an unending loop of guilt. The whole book, I was itching to reach into the story and slap her.



Rain and the other powers in the Tarien Soul universe are equally useless. They've had a thousand years to develop new weapons and technologies just on the off chance that Eld rises again. And do they? Do they? No. They continue to fight as they always have and can't manage to think outside the box.

Because of this, the Mages constantly outmaneuver them and the Fey allies consistently find themselves up shit creek. I wanted the Mages to win because they tried so hard and they strategized for so long and I could tell that they really wanted it. Whereas, the Fey relied on a path that would have ultimately lead to their total destruction if not for Ellie's sudden onslaught of devastating power.

What a cop out.


More in my review of Book Five...
Profile Image for Vee.
1,386 reviews104 followers
October 1, 2021
[6.94/10] - reread September 2021

On a reread it is a bit more apparent that Queen of Song and Souls is majority filler and exposition, but it's not boring. There are some really important plot movements and revelations in this book, it's just that it reads like the kind of stuff that needs to be gotten out of the way so that we can move into the events of the final book in the series. I definitely think a lot of this could have been condensed into Crown of Crystal Flame. However, one of my favourite things in the whole series happens in this book so it's not completely throwaway, those scenes were probably some of the ones that I thought about most when I'd reminisce about this series.

Original read - 5 stars
Elves, prophecies, reincarnation...oh my!

First things first, I'm so glad Ellysetta found out the thing I have been dyyyying for her to find out.

A lot of this book was full of the best kind of doom and gloom. The kind that makes you think that there is no way in hell that there will be a happy ending or a victory for the good guys. I'm so excited to see how Wilson resolves all of these intricate plot threads. Ellysetta is going knock my socks off, I just know it!

The ending was incredibly sad but, I think it was important that it happened.

On to the final book, I'm not sure I'm ready to be done with this world quite yet...
Profile Image for Tom.
307 reviews65 followers
September 27, 2012
We get another awesome book in the series.

I’m going with a very short review for multiple reasons. Everything in the last book was left so up in the air that by letting you know what goes on in this one would actually give away some of the surprises. Also if you are reading book 4 you already know where the story is going.

This book was a really good mix of action and world building. Multiple story lines get pushed along without the need for building the situations. Ellie starts to come into her powers and there is a hint of how really strong she is going to be. The bulk of the world building is done in Elvia and it’s a pretty cool world and it’s done with some action mixed in so even that was really cool.

On to the next in the series, which I assume is going to be the last since it came out in 2010. I haven’t read a synopsis or review since starting the series. With everything they have to wrap up it should be a really good one. At least that is what I’m banking on.
Profile Image for Holly.
1,522 reviews1,581 followers
March 31, 2016
This book could be retitled "Ellie meets the elves and a bunch of other stuff happens". Ok, so maybe that's not the most exciting title, but I have to say it really was an enthralling addition to this series and I spent a couple of nights staying up way too late to "read just one more chapter". This book basically just sets up the direction of the storyline of the final chapter of this saga, and let me say when looking toward the future for these characters, the magic eight ball says "outlook not so good". Which only makes me more desperate to read the final book to see how Rain and Ellysetta are going to turn it all around. I mean, a five book series HAS to end with a happily-ever-after, right?! Right.
Profile Image for Gemma.
68 reviews13 followers
February 21, 2010
God, that pretty much broke my heart :'( I love this series, and apart from the annoying realisation that I'll have to wait for God knows how many more books to get to the end of it, this was a great addition to the story.

I just finished reading it only scant minutes ago, so I'm still feeling the effects, but the only word I can properly come up with to describe it is... emotional. Flipping hell, was that emotional!
I'd actually harboured thoughts (hopes would probs be better) that this was going to be one of those series with not much death for people we great to like in it. Often I'd read things with lots of blood & battle in them, only to find when I'm done that there wasn't one character that I'd really invested in that actually came a cropper. After a good while of that happening here (I really didn't like Lauriana Barastani much, so yeah), I guess I'd become a little complacent.
There was actually a bit in the middle somewhere where I thought dear old Gaspare Fellows would perish, and I was really upset - he's not even that big of a character, but I do have some affection for the guy.
So when the blows came, they hit me hard. Like, brink of tears hard.

Some of the characters go through some awful merde here, and I really felt for so many of them. My heart was breaking at numerous points; I do genuinely love loads of the characters, and some of the things they stuck through made me want to cry just imagining it. The way those scenes were handled made me really think that C.L. Wilson has the talent to match the imagination - my heart just bled for them sometimes, it was horrible :(

Just... Talisa & Adrial... Ah, that was sad. I really was desperately wishing for some sort of bolt-of-lightning type thing to come along and strike dead that toad diSelbourne along with his hideous father, they were horrid. What made it harder was I actually felt sympathy for Colum at times; his emotions were relatable, but ultimately I couldn't find any sympathy for him once he got fried (go Adrial!) Despite how tragic it was, the scenes between Adrial & Talisa were really beautiful, and ultimately they still had hope.

I even felt bad for Annoura sometimes :L When she kept on destroying her relationship with Dorian with her stubbornness and pride I wanted to shake her; nobody is a stranger to pride, and I could completely understand why she was acting the way she was sometimes, which made it even harder to read. Even Dorian wasn't immune from it - I know Annoura is a childish brat mostly, but she did love him a lot, and through misunderstandings they wrecked their relationship. It was sad to see, largely since it happens so much to ordinary people, and is such a waste really... :(

There are still a lot of questions left unanswered, and some more were poised in this book. Just where are Lillis & Lorelle? Who is Eillis? At first I thought she might be a mage distraction (could be, who knows), but I hope not. And I harbour hope that Kieran makes a return - since he was seen disappearing under 'rocks and trees' and various Earth-y things, I'm hoping his gift will bring him back safely.
And after reading others wishes for the twins to bond with Kiel & Kieran... Well it seems wrong, since they're tiny, but it would be lovely from a hopeful romantic POV. :L

I desperately want a HEA for this series. After everything, the characters just seem to deserve it. I'll be bracing myself for more heartbreak, after A & T, but hopefully they won't be in vain. After Vadim Maur's alarming actions at the end, I'll keep on waiting until somebody decapitates the man - he's vile. :S The Elves were great; annoying at times, but I liked the King - he seems to have suffered a lot through the Dance, and I hope it ends soon.
I was so happy when Ellie finally realised about her parents - everytime Rain or someone else suggested a theory about her seizures/birth, I became more anxious for her to realise about her parents.
Which brings me on to an unexpected new fave character of mine - Melliandra. Dude, that girl is awesome! Imagine her as an adult - she's a badass in the making. Though it's in vain, a book on her would be lovely - she's the type of heroine I really love :)
If she helps Ellie's parents escape & kills the High Mage, she will officially be my favourite character in the whole thing :L

More than anything I want the perfect end for Ellie and Rain - I hope Ellie can get over whatever it is that's holding her back (?) to complete the bond. I love Rain, and although she can be annoying Ellie is a great heroine, so I would love nothing more than for them both to live happily in the Fading Lands with lots and lots of Fey babies, soppy & old fashioned as it may be. (:

They world building in these books is brilliant. As they go on they seem to become more intricate, well written and beautiful, due to the author or increasing attachment to the characters I don't know. Anybody who loves fantasy or PNR but bemoans the lack of great stories that weave them together well, like I do often, would love these books. They're not perfect, but once you begin they grab you by the throat and don't let go. And if that's not reading is all about, I'm not sure what is. (:
Profile Image for Donna.
167 reviews24 followers
October 27, 2009
Queen of Song and Souls is the exciting fourth book in the Tairen Souls series by C.L. Wilson. In my opinion, due to complex world created by C.L. Wilson, this series needs to be read in order starting with Lord of the Fading Lands, thus experiencing this series to it's fullest.

C.L. Wilson elegantly throws us back in the world of Fey in the prologue where the King of Sword and Sky ended. From there we follow Ellysetta and Rain as they travel across the lands trying to create alliances with the Celierians, Elves and Danae, to help fight the war against the evil Mages of Eld. They have come to realize that Vadim Maur and the Mages have been preparing for this war far longer than they suspected. They know the only way they can win this war is to combine the Fey forces with all of the other races against the dark magic of the Eld. But these alliances are tenuous at best, due to the intrigues of politics between the different races. Unfortunately, during this dark time of war, they can’t afford any weaknesses or doubts.

As Ellysetta and Rain travel, self discoveries are made about themselves, questions are answered and new mysteries are revealed. Ellysetta is also plagued by horrible nightmares and the anxiety of baring four mage marks made by evil High Mage Vadim Maur. And Rain tries to hide from Ellysetta that the bonding madness has started and that it is advancing fast because of the fighting on the bloody battlefields. In addition to the tremendous worry of the war, they are both distress from the inability to complete their truemate bond; completing the bond will keep Rain from descending into madness and save Ellysetta and her powers from being controlled by the evil Vadim Maur.

Queen of Song and Souls contains all the elements that makes a perfect and terrific read for me: a complex and creative fantasy world, edged with darkness; a romantically, poignant love story; edge of your seat suspense; and truly evil and vile bad guys. C.L. Wilson combines all of these elements elegantly with her beautiful prose. I honestly don’t have one complaint about this book. Not one. As this series has progressed, each book just keeps getting better than the last.

I experienced such a wide range of emotions reading this book that by the time I was finished with it, I was emotional exhausted, in a good way. While I was reading my emotions ranged from being anxious, angry, happy, a deep sadness, surprised, thoughtful, and worried. In the end, I was left with a strong sense of forbidding. I’m happy to say we get some long awaited answers but new questions take the place of the old ones. All in all, Queen of Song and Souls is going down as my favorite read for this year, hands down.

Queen of Song and Souls is not to be missed, it sets the stage for the next and final book in this series. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the conclusion to Ellysetta and Rain’s story in Tairen Soul this coming year.
Profile Image for Irene.
1,008 reviews118 followers
April 14, 2021
"Because....when evil came calling, you couldn't reason with it. You couldn't bargain with it or strike terms of peace. You couldn't hide behind a locked door and hope that it would go away. Evil had no mercy. Evil didn't value life. It nursed its children on blood and hate. It celebrated death and hailed murder in the name of its Dark God.

Well, this was great. Finally we have some very anticipated answers, about Ellysetta's origin and The High Mage's ultimate plan and goal. The story becomes darker still, with more atrocities by the Eld and as the web of a centuries-in-the-making cospiracy is revealed thread by thread, the hope for the Fey and the rest of the world diminishes.

There are still elements in the story that bother me a lot, but the plot and action keep it an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Yodamom.
2,173 reviews215 followers
December 6, 2010
The war with the Eld is unavoidable, rain and Ellysetta must gather all the allies they can. She still carries hurt marks and tries to do as much good as she can while she can. The vision the oracle sent her haunts her every move. Rain is losing his grip on sanity, the bond is not completing and war brings the madness closer. They visit with the Elf King for a eye opening and disturbing premonition. Horrible truths are revealed, many lives will be lost. One pair of lovers has the ultimate ugliness thrust at them.
This was a very dark and pivotal book in the series. I found it sometimes hard to read, still a beautiful weaved tale, it dealt realistically with the darkness that had to be exposed. I loved the Elk kingdom, fantastic.
Profile Image for Lazybee.
512 reviews34 followers
February 1, 2016
I expected great things from this book, as usual this series never fails to amaze me. Life is fun, when books like this are your companions.
Profile Image for Suz.
2,292 reviews73 followers
December 24, 2019
I think this was the best entry in the series so far, although I have to say the end kinda sucked.

There were a lot of revelations in the story, much of it in either exciting or frustrating ways, and the story took a long step forward. I still find most of the relationship stuff to be a bit over wrought and/or melodramatic, but it's not badly done and in this entry there isn't as much of it as there is in other entries in the series. Folks who read for the feelz would like this series.

I thought the resolution to the melodrama at the end of this one was abrupt and unsatisfying, particularly since the melodrama was so emotionally fraught and the resolution was rather cold.

I have to say that the narrator of books 3-6, Emily Durante, does a more than adequate job of narrating this series. The fact that the first two books are done by different narrators would seem to lean one toward preferring the Durante narration if for no other reason than consistency. But I find that here at the end of book 5 I am still wishing they'd stuck with the narrator of book 2, Amy Cardy. Cardy's voices were stronger in that they were a bit less breathy in the way some females voices can be. Durante's voices are competent, with the ability to differentiate characters and genders as well as tone and inflection. But she's just a bit breathy, or a smidge more so than Cardy, I think.
Profile Image for Michele (Reading Lark/CanadianTwiMom).
218 reviews40 followers
March 13, 2012

My review can also now be found on Reading Lark After Dark: http://readinglarkafterdark.blogspot....

Queen of Song and Souls opens with a shorter retelling of the ending of King of Sword and Sky's battle sequence, and told more from Lillis's point of view. And then we jump right over to another facet of the battle and Ellysetta now joining the other shei'dalins in healing the wounded following the last epic battle.

Ellysetta has come a long way from the beginning of this series. She is much better at controlling her magic and powers and is finally able to be of some help, which she embraces only too well. However, her strong will to help others negates her better judgement again and again, which gets her, and inevitably Rain, into trouble.

Many of the questions that Ellysetta needed to know of her origins are finally realized in Queen of Song and Souls. We learn (or for some of us who suspected, it is confirmed) who are Ellysetta's biological parents, how she got her tairen, and how is it that she is so powerful. Ellie also learns she has a greater purpose than just saving the Tairen kitlings and the fey from extinction.

While several major characters were sort of absent from this installment (and I missed them terribly), we also met the Elves of Elvia. This race, closely related to the fey, are seers and deeply spiritual, and are long-lived like the fey. They are tall and slender with pointed tips to their ears, and have a goldish lustre to their skin versus the silvery luminesence of the fey. While similar to the fey in many ways... both races have strong differences that serves as a source of friction. The Elves look at an individual's role in the world as their "song"... and how their song relates to the gods' wills (known as the Dance). Like someone who can prophesize, they see possibilities or variations and interpret and witness, without influencing coming events. Whereas the fey are champions... fighters... for the Light. You can imagine the frustrations they encounter with each other.

Meanwhile, Vadim is growing weaker in his current shell... grotesquely described... and desperately needs Ellysetta so he can continue in his diabolical plan of conquering the world. Just when you think you can't feel more loathing for this "man"... you are surely proven wrong.

Ellysetta & Rain's continuing journey to completing the truemate bond (shei'tanitsa) is slowly progressing (by Rain's standards, although he is not pushing Ellysetta). When you look back at where they started a short time ago... and where they are now... it's amazing how utterly in-tuned they are to each other in such a relatively short time... but they're not quite there yet. And they've got the added pressure of getting to that "finish line" in completing the bond to not only save Ellysetta from being claimed by the Mages (as she's got 4 of the 6 needed Mage marks), but now Rain is showing signs of the bond madness, and it's being accelerated by the battles they encounter along the way.

Ellysetta & Rain's romance offers the respite needed to get through these extremely bleak and heady situations... and their physical relationship continues to sizzle. They both seem to be more comfortable in their relationship with each other, and even have some pretty intense disagreements... as both are very strong willed. They also have some sweet banter and are most definitely each other's source of strength. And what I truly love about Ellysetta is that she stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to go against the grain.

We also have the heart-breaking side-bar relationship between Talisa and Adrial, another truemate bonding that has huge challenges of their own.

And I have to interject before finishing up here by saying that I absolutely adore Master Fellows in this installment!

There is so much to talk about from this book, but it's difficult without providing spoilers so I'll have to leave it at this. So... ambivalently, I'm off to read the fifth and final book in this very awesome series... I'm just very sorry that it's coming to an end. I've been immersed in this world for about a month now and it will feel strange once it's done. I do hope that Cheryl continues to write more from this series.

Profile Image for ⋆˚࿔ mary &#x1d717;&#x1d71a;˚⋆.
321 reviews30 followers
July 16, 2023
"You were born to be a world changer. It is not an easy path to walk…The question, Ellysetta Erimea, is not whether you will change the world, but whether you will change it for the good."

✧༺☾༻✧


My review for Lord of the Fading Lands , Lady of Light and Shadows , King of Sword and Sky ,


I feel like this book definitely revealed a lot of stuff to the characters that the reader already was aware of. First off I have been WAITING for Ellysetta to find out who her parents are. Absolutely broke me when she realizes that the seizures she's been having have also been when he father is being tortured. The stakes were raised in this book and the tension was felt. Vadim Maur is the most evil character that I have ever read. Even though not much technically happens in this book besides her training. Traveling, some invasive dreams, this book had me. I started this book in June, read about twenty pages put it down for a month for reasons I no longer can remember, and then picked it up and read it in about three days. I have to force myself to write this review first before starting the last book. This series has me emotionally invested in ways fantasy and romance books that are coming out right now can't.

*ೃ༄Ellysetta: This book starts out with her standing her ground and telling Rain that just as he has a place in this was as King of the Fey, she also has one as its Queen. She calls him out for doing the exact same thing that he's doing. "You fight out there. Well, that is my battlefield. And I'm every bit as determined to win my war as you." She had a lot of things revealed to her in this book, and I feel like it's all going to explode in the final book, even more so than it already has.

*ೃ༄Rain: I love him but I also wanted to shake him in this book. In the very beginning of the book, I understand why he was mad, but at the same time, you can't ask her not to save people. As the female fey are known for their empathy. The second time is when Rain told Ellysetta that she could not go after her parents who were actively being tortured and have been for the past thousand years! Why the frick is she even asking? I would go. I also understand why he would be hesitant, but he doesn't even have a plan. He should have been supportive, hands down no question instead he gives a whole grocery list of why he cannot save her parents. Ellysetta is so lenient with him, I wish they honestly would fight more in this book. He needs his butt whooped

*ೃ༄Predictions: The fact that this book has a literal scene out of Romeo and Juliet on the last page, my mouth was hanging open and I just sat there wondering if I really just read that. In the last book, I drew comparisons between Rain and Ellysetta and Talisa and Adrial and how their romances are foils of each other and now they're dead? I swear right here and now if the author kills Rain, even for a second, I don't know what I'll do. This is heavy handed foreshadowing. But I'm also convinced that she will. First off, Sarah J. Maas whose ACOTAR series plagiarized this one (and I have so much evidence) I am predicting, because of how that series ends that Rain does die by Tairen venom, or a Fey'cha and the Shadar horn that Hawkshart gave them that is "rumored by legend" to heal a man killed by Tairen venom. Rain is going to die, or become very close to it and Ellysetta is going to save him using the horn. Not to mention he has a timer on his life already!!

I'm going to give this book five stars, but if I'm being exact it's more like 4.25.

5/5 stars
Profile Image for Heather.
140 reviews
October 29, 2009
This is book 4 in the Tairen Soul series, and it really does need to be read in order, as each book builds upon the last. If you pick this book up and read it without reading the previous one you are going to be missing so much.

I LOVE this series, but I didn't feel that this book really moved the story forward much. It mainly covers the coming war between the Eld, and the Fey and their allies, and how everyone is preparing for it. It seemed to drag a little, and by the end I was getting sick of listening to Ellie whine about not being good enough and still worrying that she couldn't control the "darkness" within her. However, that's really just a minor complaint, this is probably my least favorite book of the series, but still worthy of a 5 star rating! I still loved the book and the writing, world building and characters are so rich it's a wonderful epic fantasy about the triumph of good and love.

The book is a page turner as it switches between a few different story lines. Rain and Ellie are outcasts from the Fading Lands but still working to defeat Eld, they are also trying to complete their truemate bond. Ellie's family is caught in the war as they are ushered to safety, there is distrust among the Celerian leadership, there is unrest in the Fey leadership; there's so much happening it's impossible to put the book down.

This book/series has everything you could ask for; romance, suspense, action, and adventure all wrapped up in superb writing. The secondary characters and story lines are just as rich and developed as the main story. None of the characters are perfect, they are all struggling with their own "demons" (some literally) and insecurities, but it's these flaws that make them so loveable and interesting too read about. It's the attention to the details that really draw you into the story.

I can NOT wait for Crown of Crystal Flame to find out how this unforgettable story ends!
Profile Image for Marjorie Pfister.
60 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2015
I'm going to rate these books as a series, not as individual books, simply because after book 2, they're basically the same book..only more annoying.
I might be influenced by the narrator who was truly awful, in books 3-5. Seriously very hard to take a hero/heroine seriously who lisp and read in breathy baby voices. Even the strong Fey hero. Not inspiring.
But annoying narration aside, this series was reallllly slow moving. War..angst, more angst..by the end of book 3 I didn't really care if these annoying people bonded, if they saved their world, NOTHING. It was like high school with torture. Not all that interesting.
I fast forwarded my way through most of book 4, and didn't miss much. Just another couple whining. One was bad enough.
Wah wah..I don't know how to mate bond..Wah wah..I married to someone else and just found my twoo wuuve.. Gag. We're all so noble..we're just sickening. Que the Air Supply soundtrack.
If I never here the word "be-love-d" in choking sobbing gasps..it will be too soon.
And I still have book 5 to finish. MERCY...
The only solace I have, another over used word, is that Audible has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This series will go back. It is not
BE-LOVE-D.
SOB....SNIFF..
Did I mention the incomprehensible Fey language. Never mind. It's not worth going into. I can't imagine trying to read it.
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