In the first book of this trilogy, a youth was discovered, mute, and disfigured outside Isse Tower. Through the course of that book, the youth discovered she was a she, and went on adventures throughout the lands of Erith. Near the end, she met a Diannen warrior named Thorn, and fell madly in love with him. He brought her to a wise woman that was able to bring back her face, and her voice returned at the same time.
Now, the young lady, using the name Rohain, because her real name was still lost to her, has journeyed to the court of the King-Emporer in Caermalor, so that she can report the treasure she found, which by rights, belongs to the king. She’s also hoping to find Thorn there, hoping that now that she has her real face back, he might love her.
And, there is still the mystery of her true identity, which is solved at the end of this book.
I’m really enjoying this trilogy – the books are beautifully written – just the descriptions of the scenery are so incredibly evocative, and she even manages to make the descriptions of the dress of the lords and ladies at court interesting.
There are also a ton of fairy tale references in this book – some much more obvious than others. The author actually lists her inspirations at the back of the book, and while I had picked up on many of them, there were a number I had not heard of, and I’m excited to have this bibliography to track down.
I’m already about half way through the next book in this series – I really needed to see how it would end.