"Terrific entry"

Magiere is a dhampire, born of a human mother and a vampire father. Her birth involved the death of five different species including an elven and a dwarf because she was brought into being for a specific purpose known only to her father. He searches for an orb that will allow him not to need human blood but his dreams tell him that for his quest to be successful he needs a dhampire. At the moment, Magiere's father and a companion follow her and her lover into Lord Darmouth's province in the Warlands.

Leesil was an assassin, slave and spy for Lord Darmouth as were his parents but one day he got fed up with the atrocities he committed and ran away. He needs to know if his parents still live and expects to find the answers in his home province. A friend tells Leesil that his elven mother and human father were last seen running into the lower levels of Lord Darmouth's keep. Leesil, Magiere, the sage Wynn and the fae dog Chap investigate this puzzle. None of the band knows that two opposing forces, the vampire and elves, are maneuvering them and danger doesn't just come just from Darmouth but from enemies they don't even know exist.

Magiere and Leesil are two outcasts who are on a quest that puts them against people who have different plans for them. There is a lot of intrigue in TRAITOR TO THE BLOOD which is one of the reasons it is so hard to put down. Readers finally learn a lot about Leesil's past and his homeland is reminiscent of the old Soviet Union as he and his fellow travelers try to find out what happened to his family. The love that Leesil and Magiere share gets them through some dangerous events. Readers will eagerly await the next book in this terrific series.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 15, 2005

Summary

Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave to Lord Darmouth, ruler to one of its independent provinces. But Leesil's mother trained him too well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now, with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate.

Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who may try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her—one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her...and all those she loves.