A fresh, energetic story that is ready to bewitch and enchant.
A landslide that nearly costs him his life proves to be a double-edged sword for Skaar, a powerful rarkyn who has been imprisoned by some crafty human magic. The wild crash of rubble and debris liberates Skaar from one human captor, but puts him squarely in the clutches of another. After a violent confrontation between the rarkyn and a human girl named Lyss, Skaar finds himself beholden to a different kind of bondage. An unheard-of blood pact is unwittingly forged between Lyss and Skaar, a union that promises nothing but suffering and mutual demise. A wizened old mancer encourages Lyss and the rarkyn to travel to distant Illredus, City of Mancers and seat of the Order and Empire, where help might be found in the form of a slim chance at a cure. The odds are against them, but, as Lyss mused, “A chance of finding a chance is better than no chance at all.” However, disentangling from a monstrous creature is only one item on Lyss’ to-do list. Her number one priority has always been to find her father’s killer and exact her vengeance. Skaar, on the other hand, has his own agenda and Lyss is a fly in his ointment. But a winged monster bound to a non-magic-wielding human in a permanent blood pact isn’t even the greatest threat they’ll face.
Epic fantasy, make room for Nikky Lee’s stunning debut novel, The Rarkyn’s Familiar. Vivid imagery, superior dialogue, distinct characters and fiercely forged friendships are just a few highlights in this dynamic tale. Taking the concept of doing the wrong thing for the right reason to new heights, Lee develops sophistication and depth within the characters, leaving a long list of people and creatures for readers to become affectionately attached to. Offering so much more than a run-of-the-mill revenge story, Lyss and Skaar’s journey evolves into something profound and powerful as their relationship becomes more complex and entangled. Nearly every well-crafted sentence in this brilliant fantasy novel elicits images of a previously unimagined world where fearsome monsters haunt the countryside, magic is regulated by the rule of law, and family is who you make it. Though the world Lee has crafted is unique and the local lexicon is new, the plot and characters feel instantly familiar and comfortable, investing readers in the outcome right from the outset. Regardless of whether you are just beginning to appreciate modern fantasy or have been enjoying the genre since you could first pronounce Gandalf, The Rarkyn’s Familiar is a fresh, energetic story that is ready to bewitch and enchant!
