Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Snow Leopard Guardian
SERIES: The Prophecy of the Valda-Cree
AUTHOR: Diana DeRicci
PUBLISHER: Purple Sword
LENGTH: 303 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2022
BLURB:
The Valda-Cree lion has returned.
With it come new challenges to the mages and those who follow his hopes, who believe in the will of the Goddess Adhrer to a free and prosperous Kielbos. Doubters and allies will reveal themselves.
Duran is but one of the six mages who believes in the prophecy, the goddess, and Lord Morrow. As keep liaison, he works tirelessly to ensure a fledgling peace can grow in strength. With the introduction of the skin shifters to the keep, their outlook strengthens. One skin shifter in particular has caught Duran’s attention, though he’s not sure why now, or why this feline shifter.
But there is more at play that can affect their futures as Duran and the mages of the keep continue their journey to return the Valda-Cree lion, the true blessed royal line, to the throne. Questions and quests.
A crown missing for centuries.
The Blood Spawn army’s purpose.
And did someone say dragons?
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second in a series and will not make any sense without having read the first book. Must be read in order.
This story begins immediately after the events of the first book. Jayce and his entourage are set up in the previously abandoned castle and are approached by some additional clans. There is a reunion with people from Jayce’s past that is both unexpected and welcome. But some of the new arrivals are set on betrayal and have ulterior motives. Jayce and his mage Rune have further cemented their bond. However, trouble is afoot and it will take more allies to ensure that Jayce is protected as he works to build his magic and his support throughout the lands.
Royce is a snow leopard skin shifter. His clan has thrown in with Jayce, Lord Morrow. He’s drawn to one of the other Mages, Duran. Duran is also drawn to him. When Royce is sent to watch a potential bad actor and his men, Duran decides to follow, leading to some unintended trouble. While Royce is able to make sure that Jayce and his company are warned in time, Duran has to be left behind. Despite his discomfort in being away from Duran, Royce doe his duty. Duran is given a great gift in his familiar. He also is given a task – recover the lost crown of the Valda-Cree. And he’s told where it has been hidden. It’s in another realm and he’s only got three days time to recover it. Thus begins another quest that require Royce, Rune, Duran and Grayson, another of Jayce’s company to enter the realm of the dragons to recover the crown. Without it, Jayce will not be successful in restoring the Valda-Cree to Kielbos.
Whoa. This is another surprising book from Ms. DeRicci. I was intrigued by the first book in this series – with it’s serious world-building and extensive set of characters. I will say I did have to refer to the provided notes on the cast of characters as it’s been a while since I read the first book. This installment continues to deliver a fantasy tale worth the time on such a long book. Duran and Royce’s story is a slow burn one. They are dancing around each other for much of the book – similar to Jayce and Rune’s story in some ways. There are many obstacles in their way to get through and the bigger picture for them to achieve in order to be together. I really enjoyed this book and the twists and turns that came with this latest quest. Generally fantasy is not my genre of choice, but I have been really pleasantly surprised by this series. Recommended for fans of fantasy, slow-burn and quest stories!
RATING: 
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