Into the Dark Lands (The Sundered, Book 1) | Michelle Sagara West

Into the Dark Lands (The Sundered, Book 1) | Michelle Sagara West | Excellent Book!

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Into the Dark Land...

	Into the Dark Lands (The Sundered, Book 1) Michelle Sagara West Benbella Books, 2005 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 17 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A gifted healer and fierce warrior, Erin has been a Servant of the Bright Heart her entire life, fighting for millennia against the enemies of her people, the Servants of the Dark Heart. After she has a life-altering vision that reveals that the end of the world is quickly approaching, Erin is chosen to be the champion of Light?and the enemy of Darkness. Embarking on a difficult journey into the stronghold of the Dark Heart, Erin discovers that no magical sword can save her, and hers is no simple quest. An epic battle begins here, with her personal struggle upon which the fate of a world rests.

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Compelling Dark Fantasy

Into the Dark Lands is the first in the Sundered Quadrology. It begins the story of Erin of Elliath, Warrior of the Light, and Stefanos, First Servant of the Dark. Erin is born into a time of constant conflict, the Servants of the Bright Heart and the Servants of the Dark Heart have been locked in a war for millenia. The Lady of Elliath has traversed various futures, trying to find the one that will end the war. She has found only one slim hope that her granddaughter Erin will be able to pull a lasting light from the darkness. The course she chooses for her people is full of sacrifice and pain, risking everything for just the possibility of success. Erin is born a healer, scarred by personal loss, she chooses instead to wield a sword and fight the enemy on the battlefield. But her greatest struggle will happen after she is captured by Stefanos and taken to the Dark Heart's stronghold.

I loved this story. It's not one I'd recommend if you prefer a lighter romantic tale. It's essentially a very dark version of Beauty and the Beast. Bear in mind also that it's not concluded here, there are three more books to come. The character description can be sparse, I think the only physical thing we learn about Erin is that her hair is auburn, and then not until well into the story. I often find myself imagining characters differently to how authors describe them, so this was quite freeing.

The first part of the story deals with Erin's childhood, her training and how she becomes a warrior. There are scenes here that are absolutely heartbreaking. When Erin attends her father's funeral as a young child. MSW absolutely captures the loss of childhood innocence.

Eventually Erin is chosen to be Sarillorn of the Line, a member of the Lernari who contains a portion of the Lady's power, and carries it onto the battlefield. It is through her exploits as Sarillorn that she captures the interest of the First Servant of the Dark. At the end of battles Erin heals both her own side and that of the enemy, causing some of the mortal members of the Malanthi army to change sides. She becomes a great threat. When she is eventually captured by Stefanos, she offers herself in exchange for the other hostages.

So begins the second part of the story - the development of a relationship between Erin and Stefanos. He agrees to her bargain, because there is something in her that draws him, and he wants to take her apart over and over again, until he can understand what it is. Make no mistake Stefanos is not misunderstood, he's empty of all save his purpose - he isn't human and MSW just makes this so clear. What he forgets however, is that when the darkness touches the light, the light also touches the darkness. By torturing Erin, he is also changed.

This story is so much about choice - what would you give up, what would you sacrifice for a lasting peace, for love when you never understood what love was. It's also about the nature of things. Stefanos remains true to his nature, even as he is able to offer concessions to Erin. But Erin expects / hopes for more from him. In the end would you choose to be true to yourself, or to the one you've given yourself to. How far would you bend for that person, before you break completely.

I don't like to give 5 stars to the first in a series, but this story is so darkly powerful, it deserves them.

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Excellent Book!

I thought that this was a great read, most definately on top of my list! And since I always prefer the dark type of the (anti) hero that Stefanos represents, this book totally "did it" for me! Reading the rest of the reviews, i can understand how some readers had difficulty with the first half. Although i would not call it confusing, the beginning did not have the "flow" that makes for an easy read. However, once the two characters meet, the story really takes off and i was totally hooked until the very last page. As an avid reader, i've read a number of books which were part of the larger series, to never get past the first one. In this case, i am eager to see what will happen next, and would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a good book.

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The most romantic fantasy series ever!

Please read this series of 4 books if you love fantasy with a strong heroine and a brooding dark hero. Stefanos is amazing- his transformation from evil to good all through the power of love is wonderful. The heroine is not perfect but neither is the hero. The power of love to overcome all obstacles is what this series is all about. And there is happy ending to tie things up on the 4th book. I cannot reoommend this series highly enough.

Sagara West Sundered Series

Happy to find and report that a name doesn't change a thing with Michelle! Sagara or Sagara West her imagination is intact and amazing. I love finding new heroes in new worlds and adore the comfort of falling into the familiar rythm of a favored author. Each of her series' heroes are so different but posess a similar strength. As of now i have bks1&3 and am trying to find 2 so I can get to the end of it. I loved the backstory beginning. It's great to be included in Erin's entire life instead of a few years at war. What lies ahead I cannot say but a princess from a line of magical healers trained as warrior will everyone she loves die or betray her in some way? Thanks for female a warrior who isn't just waiting for a knight to ride in and save the day. This is another magical fantasy triumph!!

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Could have been a 4 star!

I agree with several of the other reviewers who gave this book a low score.
It jumped around way too much in the beginning, it took way too long to get interesting and to get to the real heart of the story (it was the author's first book I think).
I started this book, and by page 85, was ready to give up and give it a review of two stars.. Then I went and read some of the reviews, decided to give it another chance, and skipped ahead to where the heart of the story lay (really didn't start until about page 150, and I believe is where the author should have really started the story). Then, it got a hold of my interest...before that, it was really boring..
It's the story of a girl, bathed in light, who ends up being captured by the dark, and ends up living in its castle...and what happens when the darkness is as much intrigued with the light, as the light is with the dark..that part of the story was very original..it would have been really hot if the sex scenes had incorporated that contrast and expression in them (they were kinda a dud).
I'd be curious to see if the second in this series is any better.
If you're looking for a good fantasy read, Cast in Shadows is a much more interesting story, and better written frankly than this book.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

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