NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged trial.

Rory, a former Honor Warrior, loves Ingefær, a battle wizard, very much. They have traveled together for years working as bounty hunters and are ready to begin the next part of their journey together: marriage. While Rory has been hesitant to propose to Ingefær after so many of his loved ones have died, Furæyar Shrine, with its dazzling colors and beautiful view, feels like the right place to finally pop the question (“the gardens were the grandest spot for romance in Vanaby, perhaps the entire Realm”). However, as soon as Rory gets down on one knee, the shrine erupts in flames. He and Ingefær rush to help people, but in the aftermaththey are arrested for suspicion of causing the magically created fire. Lieutenant Smergasil is quick to point fingers at the outsiders, and while Rory is released, Ingefær is kept in jail until the trial, leaving Rory to find the true fire mage who started the conflagration and free her. The task proves difficult, as things have changed recently in the city of Vanaby, with military control giving lieutenants an incredible amount of power—and humans are not looked upon kindly in this land. Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery narrative. The lieutenant and his men watch Rory like a hawk as he’s challenged to use his wits and words to figure out how to free Ingefær. If he lifts a finger against a resident of Vanaby, he’ll find himself back in jail as well; for a former Honor Warrior, this is a great strain, and the author effectively shows how Rory struggles with it. Similarly, Ingefær must struggle to choose between escaping to live as a fugitive or staying locked up until her innocence is proved by the identification of the true culprit.

A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.