{Review} Promising Light by Emily Ann Ward

Promising Light
by Emily Ann Ward
Series:  Protectors (#1)
Source:  e-book courtesy of Emily Ann Ward in exchange for a fair and honest review
Available as of January 16, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Grace began a secret courtship with Dar for the thrill of doing something against her father, the king’s general. She hadn’t planned on falling in love with him. When Dar suddenly leaves her, she searches for answers, reluctant to let him go.

Everyone seems determined to keep the truth from her—until she’s kidnapped by Dar’s family. They’re shape changers who claim she can break a curse set on them ten years ago by the Protectors, a group of noblemen determined to stifle magic in the name of safety.

Torn between two worlds, Grace isn’t sure who to trust. If the curse endures, Dar’s family could die out forever. But to help them, she’ll have to leave behind everything she knows.

Rating:

My Review:

Promising Light was a wonderfully entertaining read that kept me wondering what would happen next.  The setting was masterfully crafted and depicted while still providing the reader with romance, suspense, and heartache.  

Lady Grace Ellengreen is the strong, beautiful daughter of the King's general.  She has been sneaking around with Sir Dar, the son of the respected governor in Shyra, behind her father's back.  He is madly in love with her but willing walk away to protect her when she meets with a cloaked man.  Given no explanation as to what is going on and why she needs to be protected,  she accepts she will never see him again, and welcomes an offer from Prince William to begin a courtship.  On her way home from a trip, she is kidnapped and must decide whether she will help end a ten year curse that is threatening Dar's family or ignore the request.

I will admit that in the beginning I was thrilled when Dar left Grace.  He was evasive, courting another girl, and unwilling to answer any questions about himself and where he grew up.  Then William swooped in and gave her a distraction and I was giddy with excitement.  She was with the Prince and would have an easy life, but about a third of the way through I began to despise William.  He was controlling and couldn't trust Grace.  Why be with someone if you can't trust them, right?  Then Dar was back and willing to do anything to keep her safe, not happy with all of her decisions, but set on keeping her alive no matter the cost.  He redeemed himself in my eyes.

Emily Ann Ward created a unique world that I am looking forward to exploring more in her next book.  The plot was great and the relationships were more than believable.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat dying to know what would happen during intense scenes and was still unsure of the end all the way to the last page.

Overall, this book was fantastic.  It was creative and detailed.  I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to read about an epic adventure.  

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.