Alliance Forged
Kylie Griffin
Berkley, Jul 3 2012, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425256015

Human Light Blade leader Kalan and his human/half demon Na’Chi wife Annika offer an alliance to her species. Desperate as only purebreds survive especially with the demonic Na’Reish horde hunting them down for genocidal extinction, the Na’Chi led by Varian the warrior accept.

The shaky pact collapses when Light Blade rebels, opposed to the agreement, assault a Na’Chi encampment. In the attack, Varian saves the life of Kalan’s blind sister Kymora the temple-elect of the goddess. They are attracted to each other, but the warrior trusts no one not of Na’Chi at a time when the Na’Reish prepares for war and the Light Blade rebels continue their hostilities.

The second Light Blade romantic military fantasy (see Vengeance Born) is a terrific thriller as the endless war between demon and humans is reaching a critical mass with the Na’Chi caught in the middle. The lead couple is a strong pairing of interracial attraction and doubts while the support cast enhance the internal human squabble. With an insightful look at racial intolerance in a time of long-term constant combat and security alert, fans will appreciate Kylie Griffin’s superb look at an Alliance Forged does not mean alliance accepted even with a common enemy on the march.

Harriet Klausner