Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Horse of Bells
AUTHOR: Pelaam
PUBLISHER: Breathless Press
LENGTH: 29,097 Words
BLURB:
A legendary horse, magic, and a man shrouded in mystery. Who can he trust? Caolan risks both his heart and his life to uncover the truth.
When his life is saved by a stranger, Prince Caolan feels an immediate connection to the man, and promises to meet him again. Forced to break that promise to protect his brother Donal, Caolan waits for the day he can return to the forest.
On their trip home, almost a year later, he and Donal are tricked by their step-mother into attempting to steal the legendary Horse of Bells from the infamous Dark Prince Tuathal. Honor-bound to accept the geis she set them, the brothers leave their castle to complete the quest.
During their journey, they meet the enigmatic Traveler. Caolan is confused and troubled by his reaction to the man. Is he a friend, or are his intentions darker and more deadly?
REVIEW:
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the writing style, character development and storyline.
As the story begins Queen Fidelma is dying. Her dying request to her husband, King Somerled, is to send their two sons to safety from her cousin, the evil Doireann. Once he leaves the room Doireann comes in and completes her ongoing poisoning of the Queen. The King has already fallen for Doireann’s conniving ways and marries her right away. She convinces him to ignore Fidelma’s plea.
Prince Donal, and his brother Prince Caolan are hunting for a wild boar as the story begins. Caolan has decided to hunt with only his bow, forgoing the standard practice of using dogs as part of the hunt. Prince Donal and an attendant go one way and Caolan the other. When Caolan spots the boar he draws back his bow and his bow snaps in half, propelling Caolan to the ground where his leg is gored by the boar.
From out of nowhere arrows fly and kill the boar and then the man who fired the arrows steps out and saves Caolan’s life. Sparks fly immediately and the two kiss. Caolan vows to return monthly to the same spot and the man disappears into the woods just as Donal rides up.
One thing leads to another, and Caolan is unable to fulfill his pledge. Nearly a year later, the evil Queen Dorieann finds a way to trap Donal into a geas. He must steal the Horse of Bells from the neighboring Kingdom’s prince. Everyone who has ever tried, has died.
When Caolan accompanies him, they don’t realize that events will arise that will change both their lives forever. How will they get along with the mysterious “Traveler” who appears to despise Caolan. What will happen when they get to the neighboring Kingdom? Is there any stopping the evil Queen Dorieann?
I liked the story. It was kind of like a fairytale. I would have liked it much more if it were longer with more details. I think the story, plot and characters could easily have supported a full length novel. Not to say the story isn’t complete, because it is. I just enjoyed it so much, that I wish it were longer! I recommend the story. Pick it up today if you’re in the mood for a slightly smutty fairytale.
RATING: 
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