Finished Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughn. This is the second book in her Chronicles of the Warlands paranormal romance trilogy.

In this one, healer and queen Xylara must stop a deadly disease from decimating the ranks of her adopted people, the Firelanders. But things look grim when Lara and her lover Kier both fall sick, especially since there are warriors among the Firelanders who would like nothing more than to take Kier’s place as the Warlord and kill Lara …

The first book in this series, Warprize, is one of the best books I’ve read this year. So I had very high hopes for Warsworn. Overall, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Why? Well, mainly because nothing much really happens in the second book.  

Near the beginning of the book, Lara and Kier and the rest of the Firelanders come upon a village suffering from the plague. The rest of the book is devoted to Lara’s efforts to save the remaining villagers and the consequences of the plague sweeping through the ranks of the Firelander warriors. Very little happens to advance the overall plot of the series (Lara being named the Warprize and accepted by the Firelander leaders). The book felt like a stop-gap more than anything else.

Also, a lot of people die in this book, which makes it kind of depressing.

Despite that, there’s a lot to like about this book. Lara is still as charming as ever, as are Kier and the other Firelanders who serve as Lara’s guards. And I enjoyed watching Lara and Kier deal with their cultural differences and celebrate their love for each other, even in the midst of the plague tragedy. I just wish there had been a little more action and development of the main arc. 

Overall, a solid read, but not as enchanting as Warprize. Still, thumbs up.

Up next: His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Books in my TBR pile: About 9.