Doing this one like the last set of three;

2018 Spring:

Book 1 - I was very pleased to see this book focused suddenly on a girl character and not a boy, if in the same family and thus making use of some of the same 'powers.' I found the switching pieces of politics and change a breath of fresh air. I loved the addition of the Oath Maidens. I liked that the ages were different in this one. I do find the reliance on stories/experiences from the earlier trilogy a little too often and heavy-handed in places.

Book 2 - I'm a little disappointed in the same kind of love plot twist happening at the end of this book as happened in the last one. But I did appreciate the Oath Maidens here, again, and I nearly teared up at the point where the entire force was seen for the first time, by the King. That whole scene was divine. I feel a little uninterested in the wizrs, and very certain about what is happening with Morwenna (especially since she's Morgaine in these Arthurian Tales).

Book 3 - ( )

Oh, the twists and turns. What still ceases to amaze me is how I keep seeing scriptures quoted but not cited. Looking forward to the final book as it's obvious we aren't done yet. It is good that I a seeing background that shows up in the first series I read (Harbinger).
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Meh, they stopped following the old characters in this book. not really worth the read if you wanted more from them. ( )

This one was so much better than the last. There was more action and it was much easier to get through.

I would have given it four stars but there were just some plot lines that bothered me. It just seems totally unrealistic that Gahalatine would be so power hungry but a short speech from Tyrnne and he realizes the error of his ways. And he would be willing to bow down to someone he sees as inferior just so she will marry him. I think it just happened so quickly at the end, it was hard to believe. And just as unbelievable is that Tyrnne would so easily forgive and be willing to marry a man that has brought so much destruction and devastation into her life. Even if it wasn't him but his Wizr who kidnapped her father and killed her brother and grandparents, I can't help but feel like she would have a hard time marrying Gahalatine. Again, I think this book would have benefitted from chapters told from multiple pov. It's hard to really understand the other characters when you only see them through Tyrnne's viewpoint. Knowing Gahalatine better might have made the ending more believable.

Anyways, I do enjoy this series and I'm looking forward to the next book. ( )

“They call him the Painted Knight, but I think of him as my silent shield. When I am in danger, he is there.”
(from The Silent Shield)

Unlike the second book in the series, which followed several years after the events in the first, The Silent Shield begins soon after the end of The Hollow Crown. The narrative continues to follow Tryneowy “Trynne” Kiskaddon as she continues to train and learn the extent of her powers. Fresh after the loss of her own father, Owen Kiskaddon, who was kidnapped during battle, tragedy strikes again, and Trynne must learn how to continue to protect the king as well as her own lands.

I don’t think this book was quite as strong as the previous book in the series, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Like in the previous book, I enjoyed watching Trynne’s journey to becoming a strong, independent woman (or, young adult), all whilst navigating the slippery slope of politics and trying to fight an opponent trying to conquer Kingfountain.

Trynne had to endure a lot in this book – I won’t mention specifics, because I don’t want to give anything away – but her resilience in the face of so much adversity was commendable. Instead of giving up and quitting, she used her challenges to become stronger and more determined than ever.

The ending wasn’t as huge a cliff-hanger as I was expecting, so I am really not sure of what to expect in the final book, The Forsaken Throne. I can’t wait to see how the series ends!

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.

You can view this review on my blog, Allison's Adventures into Wonderlands:
https://allisonsadventuresintowonderlands.wordpress.com/2017/12/05/jeff-wheelers... ( )