SURRENDER
The Ferryman and The Flame Book 1
Rhiannon Paille
Genre: YA Fantasy,
Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1480029859
Number of pages:
402
Word Count: 100k
Cover Artist: Marc
Wolfe www.marcwolfeart.com
Book Description:
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?
Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is--a Flame--one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Short Excerpt:
“Sorry I
scared you,” he said.
Kaliel pressed her lips to her knees, hoping she could
hold in her emotions. “I’m not afraid of you.”
Silence hung between them for awhile. He shifted on the
cloak, the black tunic he wore shifting with him. He stretched his legs out,
and Kaliel looked at his shin-high boots and breeches. He stole a glance at her
turtle shell. “What are you afraid of?”
Kaliel stood. “Happy endings.” She didn’t know how else
to explain it. She had contemplated the parable so many times it was
exhausting. It didn’t matter which path she took—neither of them seemed very
appealing. She let the mist soak her sleeves and stick to her skin. She heard
Krishani behind her before he ran his hand down her back making shivers run up
her spine. He stayed there, a foot away, and she wished he would move closer,
envelope her in his arms. He wasn’t supposed to talk to her. This had to be
wrong. What would the brotherhood think?
“Happy endings?” he whispered. He sounded both unsure and
nervous. “What do you mean?”
“What if someone comes?” She was worried Lord Istar would
burst through the trees and find them in this compromising awkwardness. It
seemed more taboo than practically drowning in the lake.
Krishani let out a breath. “Nobody ever comes here.”
Kaliel closed her eyes. “You come here.”
Krishani took a step forward and she could feel the heat
radiating off him. “All the time.”
She didn’t
answer, instead listening to the sound of the falls. Moonlight glinted off the
flecks of water. She thought about the orb of ice he created for her. She
hadn’t been able to do anything close to that awesome.
“What are
you thinking?” he asked again.
She closed
her eyes and felt her energy shift; like it had the day she went to the Great
Oak. Heat rushed through her as she leaned back, trying to feel him, but not
trying to force it if it wasn’t what he wanted. It was clear to her he cared,
but she was so worried about whether or not she should let him.
“My
parable,” she whispered.
He went rigid, his hand sliding down her upper forearm. “What
did the Oak say to you?”
She shook her head. “Never mind, I have to figure it out.
Both paths seem so dreary.”
“You seem too sweet to have a
bad parable.”
She didn’t
want to talk about the nightmares of the Flames, the parable, the fact the
Brotherhood would disapprove of him touching her. It felt so natural; the last
few moons had been lonely without him. She couldn’t explain what she felt, but
she couldn’t watch him marry the land and leave the island.
“But I do,” she said. She drew her hands instinctively to
her chest, her elbows digging into her ribs. He dropped his hand as she turned,
and buried her face in his chest. He reluctantly ran his hands through her
hair, letting them rest on the small of her back.
“I thought about you every day,” he said as she pressed
her cheek into his tunic.
She smiled against his shirt. “And I thought about you.”
“Promise me something?” He wasn’t holding her, not
really, their bodies weren’t pressed together and the inches between them made
Kaliel feel cold.
“What?”
“You’ll find a happy ending.”
“What if I can’t?”
He pulled back and brushed his thumb across her cheek.
“Promise me you will.” His eyes met hers and his jaw dropped. His hand paused,
cupping her face in his palm. He held her
gaze, her heart beating hard. Before she had time to answer, he pressed his
lips against hers. She didn’t expect him to do that and it was better than she
imagined. She came to life under him, kissing him back with unyielding passion
that made him pull away to seemingly catch his breath.
Kaliel’s sadness drained away as he broke from her lips
and then cupped her face with both hands and kissed her again, pressing the
length of his body against her. His kisses made her feel light and giddy, like
she could float into the sky. She slid her hands up his chest and looped them
around his neck. There was swimming in the lake and losing her breath and then
there was this. Being out of breath with him was like drowning in a sea of
happiness. He could keep her prisoner forever and she’d never complain. He
pulled away again, and wound his arms around her waist, trapping her against
him. His lips found hers again, rough and inexperienced, but strong and
satisfying.
She opened
her mouth and his tongue grazed hers, warmth spreading from her heart to the
rest of her body, making her tingle. She smiled against his lips.
“I missed
you.” She tried to steady her breathing.
Krishani
shook his head and put his hands on either side of her face. “This is all I
want. This and nothing else, ever.” His mouth covered hers again. He pressed
himself against her and she sighed. It felt like she had known him her entire
life and even longer, if longer even
existed.
Images
appeared behind her eyelids—the shape of a boy and a girl wearing gaudy crowns
on their heads. They were painted into parchment, but they were blurry. She was
too elated by Krishani and his lips on hers to record the images, but they
seemed familiar.
And then
everything changed. Krishani pushed his lips against hers one last time and she
felt the shift in her energy dissipate. It was as though all the joy
evaporated, replaced by intense fear. She pushed him away and tried to
understand the pounding in her heart that made her want to break in half.
Bloom the weed of temptation.
He looked confused
and shocked. Without a word, she turned and fled towards the Elmare
Castle.
My Review:
What an amazing cover! I don't think I could walk out of a bookstore without buying Surrender. The cover stands out and grabs your attention. It's absolutely beautiful!
Paille"s masterful writing skills created a beautiful world. Her description of the characters, Kaliel and Krishani, brought their innocence to life. By the end of the book, I found myself falling in love with the Kaliel and Krishani and I hoped for a happy ever after ending.
Without providing any spoilers, I must say the ending gave me the "I must download the next book immediately" syndrome. I must know what happens next! My only criticism to Surrender is the background of the story. I wish there had been more information provided to the reader about the races and the land of men.
I rated Surrender 3 1/2 STARS! Hope everyone takes the opportunity to read this book.
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
About the Author:
Rhi was never a normal girl. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a stride of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She studied at U of Sedona and MIMT, obtaining a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. She's married to a chef/comic book shop owner and she has a fondness for architecture. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her website:
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