Shannivar: The Seven-Petaled Shield-Deborah J. Ross

Shannivar: The Seven-Petaled Shield Deborah J. Ross DAW, Dec 3 2013, $7.99 ISBN 9780756409203 Though heir to the magical Seven-Petaled Shield, Zevaron knows he is man without a country. He loathes Cinath of Gelon who led the violent annexation of Zevaron’s kingdom Meklavar. When Zevaron encounters Cinath’s niece Danar, the heir to the empire, he agrees to protect her as she and others journey to a meeting of the threatened independents; his motive is not just because he has a debt to her father, but mostly to anger Cinath. Zevaron and Danar traverse the Azkhantian steppes where the nomadic clans gather to join the opposition to Gelon’s brutal expansion. When a late arriving clan arrives with upsetting news of lethal eerie animal behavior and strange new deadly creatures, Zevaron believes he must head to the far north to challenge the evil causing these abominations in spite of the prophecies insisting he will fail. Nomadic warrior Shannivar joins him on his quest. The second The Seven-Petaled Shield fantasy is an exciting fast-paced thriller as the protagonist and a female warrior encounter dangerous forces. Entertaining in spite of a middle book feel; the storyline is filled with plenty of action and creative threats but no subplot climaxes. Still fans will enjoy Zevaron’s latest quest adventures alongside a courageous ally while setting up what looks like will be an incredible finish. Harriet Klausner