Of Truths and Beasts-Barb Hendee, J.C. Hendee

Of Truths and Beasts
Barb Hendee, J.C. Hendee
Roc, Jan 4 2011, $26.95
ISBN: 9780451463753

Wynn Hygeorht accompanied by her vampire-protector Chane Andraso and the elven wolf Shade pursues her search for the Forgotten History. Having found lost texts on her trek, Wynn returns to her guild to peruse the treasures that offer a small window to the Forgotten History. To her ire, the Guild leadership takes away the documents and sends her on a wasted mission.

Obstinate and resolute, Wynn and her two traveling companions seek the long lost stronghold of Baalate Seatt, home of the Dwarves. There she hopes to locate the Orb of Spirit used by the Ancient Enemy in the war that became part of the Forgotten History. Stonewalker Ore-Locks, who hides the fact that his ancestor was the mass murderer Lord of Slaughter, joins them on the quest while Sau’ ilahk the wraith wants to prevent them from succeeding on their search.

The latest quest fantasy entry in the Noble Dead Saga Series Two (see In Shade and Shadow, and Through Stone and Sea) is a fabulous thriller due to the strong yet vulnerable heroine who holds the story line together. Action-packed once the frustrated Wynn leaves the stifling Guild, fans will want to join the searchers as they seek an apparent ancient weapon of mass destruction (one of the five orbs), but also wonder why the urgency to bring such a killing device potentially into usage; pondering whether the wraith is right. A super entry, it behooves newcomers to at least read the previous two novels in this series as so much goes on the in the world of the binary star Hendee.

Harriet Klausner