"terrific fantasy"

Xylara, the WARPRIZE and Keir, the Warlord are escorted by thousands of "Firelander" soldiers who travel to the Heart of the Plains for a ceremony to confirm Lara's status. When they reach the walled village of Wellspring, they find the sign of the plague. Unable to stay out as a Master Healer, Lara enters to help those suffering inside while the soldiers wait nearby.

However, the plague escapes the quarantined village Wellspring spreading amongst Keir's warriors. Iften the Second, who believes he is the worthy warrior who should be the Warlord, sees an opportunity. He challenges Keir, not fully healed, to determine who will lead their people in a battle to the death. Iften plans to eliminate the Warprize once he dispatches the warlord, but others have additional termination plans for moving up the ranks.

The second War tale (see WARPRIZE) is a terrific entry in what so far has been a great trilogy. Lara as a healer cannot stop herself from helping the beleaguered villagers of Wellspring, who to keep the Warlord out of their plagued city shoot arrows at the feet of the warriors. Her good intentions prove costly as the plague leaves the city and enters the nearby military encampment. The Warprize's endeavor makes for a strong action-packed yet philosophical fantasy that will keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout while afterward pondering the question of medical care during a quarantined lethal epidemic (think of the flu issue).

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted April 11, 2006

Author interview

Summary

Lara is the Warprize

A powerful healer, she has sworn an oath of loyalty to Keir the Warlord, and his people. Now the Warlord and his chosen mate face enemies within the tribe and danger lurks on every hand as they journey toward Keir's homeland.

When they reach a village marked with the warnings of the plague, Keir forbids Lara to heal the sick, commanding that she not risk her own life. But both Lara and Kier are strong of will and neither will bend easily, even for love; and when Lara disobeys, she pays the price: both she and Kier are plague-struck... and so is their entire encampment.

In the midst of the dying, Iften, a rival warrior, gathers his followers and challenges Keir for the right to rule their tribe. If Keir, weakened by the sickness, loses -- he dies.

And so does Lara.

To save her love, her life, and her adopted people, Lara must find a cure for the plague -- and fully embrace her sworn role as Warprize to her Warlord.