Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Prayer of the Handmaiden
SERIES: The Legends of Ithyria Series Book 2
AUTHOR: Merry Shannon
PUBLISHER: Bold Strokes Books
LENGTH: 312 Pages
BLURB:
When the Goddess Ithyris appoints shy priestess Kadrian to become Her first shaa’din, or holy warrior, in a millennium, everyone is mystified by Her decision—especially Kade herself. On the battlefields of Mondera, as Kade struggles to defend Ithyria from a dangerous new enemy, she’s also brought face-to-face with her greatest personal temptation: the childhood sweetheart who had once nearly kept Kade from her spiritual calling.Erinda was born into the service of the royal family. Endless household chores and a passion for horses fill her days, but her nights are consumed with hopeless longing for the woman she lost to the temple seven winters ago. Erinda knows Kade will never return to her. After all, what mortal could ever hope to compete with a Goddess?
REVIEW:
I have been lucky enough to be able to read some of the f/f books coming out on our website and I was intrigued by this story. A young priestess and her childhood best friend and sweetheart, are put on a path that will either bring them together or finally pull them apart.
Kadrian “Kade” is this shy young woman who has always felt this need to join into the service of the Goddess Ithyris. Yet, even feeling the urge to join the service, Kade has the best friend that means so much to her. Kade has always been the one who likes to be invisible. To be able to live her life in the way of the other priestess’ and find some sort of fulfillment. When she’s tapped to be the first shaa’din in a millennium, she’s confused and so very scared. However, what Kade doesn’t know is that she’s been chosen for this position for such a noble reason. Kade will have to face some things ie Erinda and her own feelings of self-worth, finding out that she’s stronger than she’s ever thought before.
Erinda was born to serve the royal family and has been a good friend to the Queen for years. Erinda knows that she’s gay, however, that’s not the term used, and she’s absolutely fine with who she is. She’s has had discreet relations with other women, however, the only one for her is the one she can’t have, Kade. Erinda has tried to get along the rest of her life and yet, she knows that something is missing and she is feeling more and more envious and has become distracted. Erinda finds that going on a mission with the Queen’s Consort should be something to take her mind off of her feelings of despair. However, Erinda is in for a adventure in not only finding peace, but finding her own strength and love.
Now, there were a few intimate scenes in this book and I will say that they were tastefully done. You felt the characters finally being able to show and share their love for each other. It was rather sweet to watch them grow as a couple.
The secondary characters in this book were really great. I loved Myka!! She was such a wonderful character. She is strong, resourceful and so very brave. I liked that she had her own mind and yet, she was helpful to Kade. She was such a headstrong character and I think that is exactly what Kade needed in a sidekick. Talon and Shasta, the Queen’s Consort and the Queen, respectively were really great characters as they had their own issues and yet, their love and affection for Erinda was felt. Mardyth….WOW, she was a great character. I liked that she wasn’t a weak, sniveling woman. She was very much into being strong and quite frankly….she wants to be top dog and will do anything to get it. I liked that her character was true to herself and that never wavered. Ithyris…The Goddess. I liked that she didn’t hand out information before it was needed. I liked that even a Goddess can learn and remember what it is to love and to be without it for so long, how much she missed it.
I will say that one thing annoyed me throughout this book was Kade’s indecision. Her constant whiny, back and forth…that just drove me crazy. I get why she did it, it just made me angry that it was constant throughout the entire book.
I will say that it was a well written story that had action, adventure, romance, hope and love. It was such a sweet story that I got lost into it and couldn’t wait to see how it ended.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: