Helpful Score: 2
I have to say that I had a vague feeling of unease by the end of this book, because I felt that the author had a great concept and it wasn't developed nearly as well as it could have been - so, a bit of disappointment over the unused potential of a good idea. If you like this idea ALSO TRY: Jennifer Roberson's Chronicles of the Cheysuli/Shapechanger series - its just AWESOME, or Tamora Pierce's Immortals series (start with Wild Magic - series is WONDERFUL and also suitable for pre-teen & youth level readers).
From the BACK COVER: "The joyous reunion has brought peace to the people of the River and the Marchlands. With learning the art of warfare now prohibited, it seems peace will be assured for eternity. But the arrival of a well-trained foreign army - complete with Magians who practice the magic of destruction - may spell the death of this now defenseless civilization. At greatest risk are the magic-gifted healers and the spirit-linked - men and women linked at birth with an animal who shares their thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations. For the Magians have sworn to annhiliate them.
Perhaps most in danger is Kiarda, a young woman destined to be spirit linked to a fox. But when the fox kit is killed at the time of Kiarda's birth, its spirit has nowhere to go but into the infant's own body. This unheard of event leaves Kiarda ill-prepared when her unsuspected link finally claims her, transforming her into the companion whose spirit is totally entwined with her own. The resulting misunderstanding will see an innocent man condemned to death, and send Kiarda on an odyssey into the very heart of danger. Targeted for destruction and with only one trained warrion in her party, what chance does Kiarda have of surviving to carry the warning home before its too late?"
From the BACK COVER: "The joyous reunion has brought peace to the people of the River and the Marchlands. With learning the art of warfare now prohibited, it seems peace will be assured for eternity. But the arrival of a well-trained foreign army - complete with Magians who practice the magic of destruction - may spell the death of this now defenseless civilization. At greatest risk are the magic-gifted healers and the spirit-linked - men and women linked at birth with an animal who shares their thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations. For the Magians have sworn to annhiliate them.
Perhaps most in danger is Kiarda, a young woman destined to be spirit linked to a fox. But when the fox kit is killed at the time of Kiarda's birth, its spirit has nowhere to go but into the infant's own body. This unheard of event leaves Kiarda ill-prepared when her unsuspected link finally claims her, transforming her into the companion whose spirit is totally entwined with her own. The resulting misunderstanding will see an innocent man condemned to death, and send Kiarda on an odyssey into the very heart of danger. Targeted for destruction and with only one trained warrion in her party, what chance does Kiarda have of surviving to carry the warning home before its too late?"
