Randrik alt Harbinnen was perfectly happy living his life amongst the beggars, thieves and other low-lifes of the city. The Power he possessed allowed him to sense when an attack was coming, or even see in the dark. That all changed the night his Aunt Callisa, Prime Seeker of the Temple of Light, walked into the tavern where he sat. Randrik had always had fun needling his Aunt, as she always felt that he should have chosen to commit his life to the Temple and train to advance his Power.

Randrik could never have guessed what his Aunt wanted him to do. He was to seduce and make love to a new initiate named Perian. Perian was of the nomadic race, the Drevnya. They were a people connected to the Earth and nature. The Drevnya expressed themselves openly--including expressions of love and sex. Because of the incorrect beliefs of a foster farm couple who raised Perian, she was told that her kind was evil, and the young girl was constantly reminded of that with beatings and sexual abuse by her foster father.

Because of this, Perian had become a very controlled and unexpressive woman. She did as she was instructed and nothing more. If she remained this way she would die, as it was part of her nature to be expressive in every way. The Seekers in the Temple knew that Perian had a very strong Power--most likely more powerful than they had ever seen. They were willing to use whatever means necessary to unleash that Power. They were going to need it if what Aunt Callisa feared was going on in the East was true.

Randrik did not like Perian much (and she felt likewise), but he took on the task to amuse himself. Through his senses he learned of Perian's past life. He also realized that his Aunt and the others in the Temple only wanted to use Perian for her Power. Randrik had never cared much for the Seekers, so he decided that he would take her away and reunite her with her own people in the forest.

Once they had found Perian's people, it was made clear to them that what Aunt Callisa feared was true. An old god, the Souleater, was trying to take over the world again. It would take the combined efforts of Randrik and Perian to confront the Souleater and bind it in the Everdark for good.

This is a great story on two levels. First, it is the age old conflict of good vs. evil. Secondly, it is the story of a man and a woman who at first hate each other, but come to love one another even though they find it hard to accept their love. This story is fluid and is never boring. It is one of those books you want back from your best friend so you can read it again.

Reviewed By: Kathy Martin
© July 2004