Review: Master of Crows by Grace Draven

5 stars for Master of Crows by Grace Draven.

Master of Crows is an enthralling tale of romance, danger and magic.

Grace Draven brings fantasy romance to a totally different level by writing beautifully, a storyline that centers on not just the romance aspect but fantasy as well. It is not solely a love story with the male protagonist in mage robes casting a few dark spells here and there, masquerading as fantasy; it is a plot, rich and deep in a vividly painted fantasy world, with well developed characters dipped in heavy doses of light humor immersed in a slow buildup of romance.

My only grievance is that the initial 10% of the story is slow-moving as the author lays the foundation of her world building. But once that is done, I have a hard time steering my eyes away from the story. It has such a fierce grasp on me that I happily obliged to ride the journey alongside the characters.

All in all, an enchanting and magnificent fantasy romance, one of the rare few whereby the characters leave deep impression long after the book is read.

A jewel of a story with an equally matching gem of a book cover.

Publisher: Grace Draven
Publication date: 8 Aug 2011

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What would you do to win your freedom?

This is the question that sets bondwoman, Martise of Asher, on a dangerous path. In exchange for her freedom, she bargains with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer’s treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. A risky endeavor, but one she accepts without hesitation–until she falls in love with her intended target.

Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, is a desperate man. The god called Corruption invades his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power if he will help it gain dominion over the world. Silhara struggles against Corruption’s influence and searches for ways to destroy the god. When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she’s a spy. Now he fights a war on two fronts–against the god who would possess him and the apprentice who would betray him.

Mage and spy search together for a ritual that will annihilate Corruption, but in doing so, they discover secrets about each other that may damn them both. Silhara must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love, and Martise must choose continued enslavement or freedom at the cost of a man’s life. And love.

*Blurb from author's website*

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