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Book Reviews of Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1)

Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1)
Lord of the Fading Lands - Tairen Soul, Bk 1
Author: C. L. Wilson
ISBN-13: 9780843959772
ISBN-10: 0843959770
Publication Date: 10/2/2007
Pages: 402
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 253

4.2 stars, based on 253 ratings
Publisher: Leisure Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

21 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

PaulaH avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 36 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I read alot of good things about this book and ended up getting it from here. I did see it in the stores, and wasn't real sure that I would like it from reading the back cover. WOW...What a surprise. I loved this story. Like the previous person said, I didn't want to put it down. The story was well written and definately keeps your interest. I loved Rain and Ellie, they were two strong characters that had a wonderful story. I also really liked Bel..I hope there is more about him later. I would recommend this books to anyone who likes paranormal romance. It doesn't disappoint.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 93 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
When I saw this book at the store, I thought it looked a bit to sci-fi/fantasy for me, but a PBS buddy recommended it to me & WOW - this is a great book. A very original story of the Fae and Mage. The author has created a really cool world & when one reads the story they can really imagine it. The main characters are great and the story line is really good and not so predictable as many of the paranormal books can be. I dont want to give away any spoilers, but this book is great. I could not quit reading it. 5 stars
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I liked this book. From looking at the front cover it is not something that I would like, even reading the back cover it still did not sound good to me. But with all I have heard about this book, I decided to check it out. And I am so glad I did. It was a very good story. It grabbed me from the begining, the middle was a little slow, but the ending was really good. I wish it would have moved a little faster than it did, but it was a good book. I am reading the second one currently and I have to say that I am dissapointed that the next parts don't come out until the end of 2008, but I will make due. Overall it was a great book, not like anything I have read to date.
gypsybookworm avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is one of the best books I have ever read! I was totally enthralled from the first page and when the PBS member wouldn't respond to my interest in ordering book two, I canceled the order and am rushing to go BUY it for full price at the store(as soon as it opens!). I NEVER buy books full price. Well, it's That good, and I just couldn't wait.
It is rich with detail and full of character development. You instantly fall in love with Rain and sweet Ellie. Even though I am only getting a glimpse in this first book, I loved the culture of the Fey, and I think there was a healthy balance of suspense, mystery and the tension in their romance. It isn't hard to follow with Wilson's concepts and is pretty 'basic' in it's adventure(meaning typical fantasy plots with magic, enemies and war, orphans with mysterious backgrounds), but the dialogue between characters is rich and mature and intelligent and not at all simple. I simply just devoured it! It has jumped to my favorite books of all time, and once I read the others, probably my most favorite series! I LOVE PBS for helping me discover new authors and new worlds! This one is a diamond in the ruff, a gem for sure!
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Great romance, magic book. I have read the whole series so far and am anxiously awaiting the 4th book. The author draws you into this world with detailed descriptions and doesn't leave you wondering how things work or what things mean. You come to care not only for the main characters but for the secondary ones too. C.L. Lewis took the time to develop her characters and the drama of this fantasy novel. This is NOT a cookie cutter book with a predictable plot. I loved it and hope you do too.
TSarien avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I would not call this book a paranormal romance, like it says in the spine, since it has very little in the way of romantic happennings. I'd say that it is more like a Lord of the Rings for females, since instead of 2 homo-erotic hobbits, it's centered around a couple (Rainier and Elysetta) and the way they interact with their quickly crumbling society. A war in the making, evil rumbles in Mordor... err the Eld lands; evil mages, petty jealousies getting in the way of truth, prejudice between the rich and the poor, strife between the beautiful and the mundane... JRR Tolkien would be proud.
Structurally speaking, once you get used to the mind-talking of the Fey, the story flows at a nice pace. The background grips you and becomes another character in the novel, which is something not every author can do.
I'd certainly recommend this book to those wanting a little romance in their fantasy.
Bandelara avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely spectacular read, new, fresh, a great story
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I could not put this book down. It has everything. Magic, evil mages, really hot fey, and elves. I did mention hot feys. Ellysetta is also a very strong heroine. Kind of rare in books.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This has to be one of my all time favorites. I can hardly wait for the ones that follow.
jilld avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 156 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ellysetta Baristani, the adopted daughter in a humble woodcutter's family, has suffered from nightmares ever since she was a child. Now, even as an adult she still has nightmares, but keeps them hidden from her parents. She has always felt different from them, but she tries so hard to fit in, wanting please them.

Rain Tairen Soul, King of the Fey has a vision in the Tairen Eye and sees that Ellie is his Truemate. She will be the savior of his dying people and therefore seeks her out immediately to claim her for his Queen. All this is much easier said than done, because a darkness has been building. What exactly, Rain doesn't know. Rain senses that the Mages or Eld are biding their time and waiting for the right moment to strike. He can't sense them, but deep down he knows something is wrong.

Even though Rain and Ellie are fated as truemates, their love and trust of one another slowly builds over the course of the story. I know many readers dislike this plot device, but Ms. Wilson makes it work within the context of this story. Because Rain has the Tairen inside him he sometimes comes across as more beast than man. He has to have iron control over himself and the Tairen inside so that he doesn't frighten Ellie. She has to come to trust him for them to complete their soul bond. He can't coerce her into trusting him, he has to win it the old fashioned way, by courting her. They spend a lot of time over the course of the story getting to know one another. In the mean time, the boarder disputes are getting bad. Mages are starting to take power and an attack is made on Ellie. This book does not have a conclusive ending. The next book Lady of Light and Shadows picks up where this book leaves off.

Lord of the Fading Lands had an incredible amount of world building and characterization. There are many different characters and the reader is introduced slowly to them. This makes it easy to keep track of who's, who in the zoo. Some are more fully drawn than others. Readers may come to have a soft spot for Bel, the captain of the quintet who is plagued with sorrow. I hope later on in the series he finds his own truemate.

One thing I found confusing was the different races of beings. Sometimes there were two names for same faction. The reader just has to get used to it and let the story unfold. Everything becomes clear about halfway through the story. Also, Ellie came across as very pure and sweet. Almost too sweet for my taste. I saw this as a weakness, but I am curious to see if she grows more throughout the series. Going from a woodcutter's daughter to a Queen is sure to challenge anyone.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 384 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book didn't want to put it down. Has magic, evil mages, hot fey, and elves. Looking forward to more by this author.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Who is C.L. Wilson? I'll tell you, now one of my favorite authors. This book is great! If you like "Lord of the Rings"-type books but are a romance junkie---this is for you. Excellent start of a very compelling series. Don't get turned off by the cheesy book cover---this is a really talented writer.
zhollywood avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 104 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I don't know that I would've read this book if I realized it was a continuing story of this type. I'm used to the series where each book is about a specific character while still continuing the grand plot.

I'm glad I didn't realize it. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I immediately requested book 2. I feel like a broken record sometimes, but the creativity it requires to create a whole world of multiple races and put a new spin on our understanding of them, just amazes me.
hocky avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 34 more book reviews
awesome great world building, highly recommend, can't wait to get the next one (only one problem with this book its a cliffhanger it doesn't finish in this book, i hate waiting) enjoy.
jai avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 310 more book reviews
The romance was about as equal to the fantasy for me and I couldn't connect to the main characters so then couldn't connect to the romance. And on the fantasy side, it didn't wow me. This is one of those books where I'm a little surprised: I didn't like it. It was very close to being a DNF. I found it very hard to connect to but I was encouraged to keep going and so I did. After a certain point I figured I may as well read it all so I can say I honestly gave the whole book a try. Many people loved this book, obviously things that bothered me were seen differently by others. I see so many good reviews (a few from people I usually agree with!) that I question my sanity. I recommend looking at the other reviews and make up your own mind.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Wow! Loved this and want to read the rest of the series. I can hardly wait for the newest one.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
great series of books can not wait until Oct to buy the lastest one.
Clair avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 225 more book reviews
What a wonderful story. Really liked this one. Can't wait for the next.
reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
L-O-V-E-D I-T! Every character is a delight. Not usually into fantasy, but, this was wonderful.
FriscoOBX avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 601 more book reviews
interesting storyline and great hero. I didnt like heroine however.
nmsunshine avatar reviewed Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul, Bk 1) on + 301 more book reviews
Tairen Soul drove back the darkness and he loved with such a passion but now a thousand years a new threat was calling him back. He must claim his true mate and embrace destiny woven for him in the mist of time.