How far have you traveled during your life? Have you started out on the top of the world and slipped a bit lower? Or were you the one that started out at the bottom of the heap and clawed your way to the top? Just because you've started out in poor circumstances doesn't always mean that you'll end up there as Rory finds out in The Heir of Westfell, the first book in the newest series by Christopher Wilcox, Sr.

Fifteen-year-old Rory thought he was only a poor boy living with his grandmother in the forest, far from civilized portions of Aluria and too close to the Outlands. While hunting, he hears the screams of his beloved grandmother and races for home to find marauding soldiers tossing her limp body into the flames engulfing their humble cabin. Laying low until they have gone, he watches his entire world go up in smoke. Little does he know that this is the first step on the road that will lead him to his rightful place.

Alone now, Rory travels through the Great Forest, not sure where he is going until he comes to a stone tower. Within he is acquainted with an elderly man and learns that Richard is his grandfather. He is told the truth of his past and the plans for his future. The current Duke of Westfell is old, and grateful that Rory has come, although he is broken-hearted to learn that Abigail is dead. The woman whom Rory thought to be his grandmother was actually his mother, and was the only child of the Duke. Thus, Rory is now the new heir of Westfell.

In subsequent adventures, Rory learns more about the kingdom of Aluria and the part he must play in its future. He grows from boy to man, falls in lust and love, and learns his father is of the Lords of the Great Forest, placing Rory in line to be heir to that throne, as well. Rory grows to be a strong warrior with unusual powers as he goes along, making a name for himself amongst both branches of his parentage.

Rory seemed to me to be far too self-centered at times, a trait that Richard trained out of the boy as he grew but he apparently picked up again along the way. He gave the impression of a spoiled child at some points. Early in the relationship, Bethany, Rory's future bride, came across as a princess with the thoughts and intents of a bar room wench. She redeemed herself as a stronger young woman further on in the story. The plot progressed at a good pace, moving smoothly from one situation to the next, covering quite a few years in the young couple's lives.

The Heir of Westfell is the open door, an invitation to a new series of adventures from Christopher Wilcox, Sr., author of the best selling Aethereal series. If you enjoy the days of olde, pixies, nymphs, sexy Forest Lords and wenches, and the special brand of magic that holds them all together, you'll thoroughly enjoy The Heir of Westfell.

 
Reviewed By MargeAnna Conrad
© January 2008