Forest Fire by Tenaya Jayne
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Series: Legends of Regia #2
Source: Personal Library
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Banished to Earth. Hunted by the queen’s assassins. Forest must fight to find a way back to Regia. Lonely and brokenhearted, she waits for Syrus to break through her banishment.
Separated from Forest, Syrus lives his days in anguish, trapped in a portal that goes nowhere. While Regia’s civil war ravages the land and the balance of power tips, the world will learn it’s the Rune-dy pulling the strings.
Forest must face the horrifying secret of her origins and learn her father’s identity. Attain her freedom through retribution and wage war inside her own heart. Will she be able to accept the gift Syrus offers, or will one mistake separate them forever?
THIS REVIEW INCLUDES A FULL CHARACTER MAPPING – IN THE HOPES THAT A THIRD BOOK MIGHT BE ON THE WAY.
(and I apologize in advance for repeating some of the things I said in my review of Forbidden Forest)
Legends of Regia has the potential to be an amazing Epic Fantasy series! The world of Regia is full of complex societies – Elves, Shifters, Werewolves, and Vampires (plus various crossbreeds and spirits). Each have their own ideals and customs which weave a detailed narrative even before one considers the multitude of individual characters (who are fully developed with political aspirations, sometimes scheming, and generally suffering from some sort of emotional upheaval).
I find this richly developed world to be highly entertaining and well crafted. It’s a series which leaves me both happily sated and starving for more.
I adore Forest (I’m a sucker for badass female leads) Forest’s struggle to find her place in society is relateable, even in this high-fantasy setting.
I loved this little dialogue with a handmaid “doll” she fired from the court in Onyx Castle:
“Just who do you think you are?” screamed the doll. “I can trace my lineage back six centuries.”
“That’s nice,” Forest said acidly. “I’m the bastard child of two races. And I have a party to get ready for. So get out of my sight and stay out.” Forest gave them all a broad grin. “Welcome to the new world order.” She slammed the door in their shocked faces.
Naturally, Forest struggles with the rapid changes pressed upon her in this book (and she is entitled to a mini-meltdown), but as soon as her emotional struggles became too over the top for me, the author blessed us Netriet who stepped in to literally slap some sense into Forest:
“Look, Forest, I think you’re pretty awesome.” Forest snorted and rolled her eyes. “No, really,” Netriet pressed. “You’re an amazing person. You’re just an ingrate.”
(Thank you, Tenaya Jayne)
Syrus is a dreamy leading man, though I wish we could have learned more about what HIS aspirations were for the future of Regia and his birthright.
In the hope that additional books will be published in the Legends of Regia Series, I’ve mapped out the characters and settings so that they can be reviewed. (I tried to pick up Forest Fire Three months (and 40 books) after reading Forbidden Forest and quickly realized that I needed to re-read book one to refresh my memory. In my opinion, there is no hardship to repeated readings of either book, but if you want to jump straight into a book three (assuming there will be a book three – hint hint, Tenaya Jayne) here is how things left off in the World of Regia by the end of Forest Fire:
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Forest – Operative for Fortress who had a hatred of Vampires. A bastard half-breed Elf/Shifter – and therefore born into the lowest class possible. She guards an inter-dimensional portal (from Regia to Austin), reluctantly drafted as a bodyguard for Prince Syrus, who she discovers is her predestined life mate. (By the end of book two she is appointed Hailemarris, a sort of supreme judge. A position created by the Rune-dy)
Syrus – Vampire Prince, heir to the throne. Believed to be dead after an assassination attempt which left him blind. Master of the Blood Kata (a sword and Vampire martial art), given the title Sanguine Mage (By the end of Book Two, the general population of Regia still does not know he is alive. Forest and Syrus take up residence at her cottage and are on good terms.)
THE HIGH COUNCIL:
Devonte – the Wizard. Considers himself superior and above the law. – in book two, he heals Leith of the thorns.
Nahcaan – the Ogre. One of the most educated, talented, and easy-going ogres in all of Regia.
Zefyre – the Elf priestess. Forest’s aunt. Had a longstanding affair with Lush. The Mole within Paradigm, Plotting the overthrow of Regia by pitting the Vampires and Werewolves against each other. By the end of Book Two she is facing possible death at the hands of the Rune-dy for sending sacrificial messengers to Philippe.
Frost – the Werewolf. A superior politician, posh, slick as they came.
Gagnee – the Shape shifter. Changes her appearance more often than any other shifter in the whole of Regia (probably to eavesdrop on her underlings).
Lush – the Vampire. “Nobility scum, condescending with every syllable. Everything from his clothes to his tone of voice was calculated precisely. Arrogant and ambitious. Nothing more than a successful social climber.” Had a longstanding affair with Zefyre. Becomes the accidental accomplice of Zefyre by trading classified information. By the end of Book Two, his scheming is known, and he will soon face the consequences of his actions.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Leith – Vampire, owner of Forest (he branded her with a combination of lover and slave markings which bind her to him.) his ownership of Forest is a secret. In book two he is imprisoned by Rahaxeris and infected with thorns (which cause him to relive all the hurt he has caused others) he is sprung from his prison by his prison by his fater, cured by the Wizard Devonte, and killed by Syrus when he attachs Forest.
Kindel – manages the operatives of Fortress, reports directly to the High Council, recommended Forest (who he is secretly in love with) for the mission of escorting Prince Syrus to Wolveswood (by the end of book two he has been appointed as Forest’s personal assistant)
Lorcan – Twin brother of Leith, also holds a grudge against Forest. Threatens to expose Forest’s slavery to the court at Onyx Castle. Murdered by Syrus.
Maxcarion – Rouge wizard and mercenary who blinded Syrus in the assassination attempt. He is the goal of the journey in book one, but is unable to cure Syrus. He does, however, save Forest for the collar placed on her by Philippe.
Redge – Syrus’s bodyguard, best friend, all-around right hand man. Soldier in the Vampire Army.
Philippe – Leader of the Werewolves. Wears a cloak made of the wolf pelts of his enemies. Forced his subjects to learn and speak only French (and they’re rubbish at it) – Murdered by Netriet at the beginning of Book Two, throwing the pending Civil War into action.
Cristiana – Vampire Queen, conniving. In book two she separates Forest & Syrus, imprisoning Syrus in Onyx Castle and banishing Forest to Earth before sending countless assassins to kill her. She is finally stopped by Rahaxeris who banishes her from Regia, frees Syrus, and pulls all the Vampires from Earth.
Zeren – Vampire King
Netriet – Vampire, a sacrificial messenger sent to Philippe by the Mole inside Fortress. Forced to wear an enchanted ring (the “collar”) to deliver her message, then tortured by Philippe as he sought to master the ring. In the beginning of book one she Murders Philieppe, and nearly dies but it saved by Shi and the Heart. Unfortunately, the Heart was tainted and has changed Netriet into a Golum like split-personality.
Rahaxeris – Elf. Head of the Council of the Rune-dy. Zefyre’s brother and Forest’s father – though nobody knows his association to Forest except for Zefyre. By the end of Book Two, his relationship to Forest is made public. He reveals that he has been looking after Forest her whole life, achieved the position of head of the Rune-dy to protect her, and is restructuring the entire political system of Regia in order to make a better world for her.
Shi – the ghost of a Dryad – an extinct race. She’s the keeper of the Wood (kind of like an Ent) ally, confidant, and adopted mother to Forest. In book Two she saves Netriet after she falls from the Lair, her use of the healing power of the Heart in its weakened state causes her to believe that Netriet is probably changed for the worse.
SMALL PARTS AND “RED SHIRTS”
Pipha – Vampire, long dead life mate of King Zeren. Presumably murdered by Christina.
Tek – Werewolf merchant at the Fair who deals in human contraband
Martia – Ogre and Tek’s mate, attempts to befriend Netriet in Book Two
Kitch – Elf patroller outside Kyhael, unlucky enough to have stumbled upon Forest & Syrus’s campsite. Murdered by Rahaxeris.
Susa – Elf clerk inside Kyhael who relayed the report of Forest’s presence to the Rune-dy
Prefect Camber – Elf, a high profile “gofer” and the Rune-dy’s go-to-guy.
Liasia – Shifter, long dead mother of Forest
Ithiel – Vampire, legendary Lord Master of the Blood Kata who trained Syrus.
Marius – Werewolf Ambassador to Paradigm
Gahu – Werewolf, an officer of Philippe’s army
Mindy & Rachel – human girls who come into contact with Leith. They call Forest to kill him
Hezeron – member of the Council of the Rune-dy (specializing in experimentation)
Abshael – member of the Council of the Rune-dy
Cassian – member of the Council of the Rune-dy
Menjel – member of the Council of the Rune-dy, he is also the former high priest of the Rune-dy whom Rahaxeris overthrew to gain his position
Baal – assistant to the Rune-dy Council members, unofficial assistant to Forest
Plixtz – assistant to the Rune-dy Council members
Merhl – the ogre in Onyx Castle with skill in portals, feels he owes Forest a debt
Dracula – yes, that Dracula. Member of the Royal Family
Ena – The lowest ranked handmaiden of Christina’s court & the only to be retained by Forest. By the end of Book Two she is hired as Forest’s Personal Secretary at Fortress.
Vladien – Vampire, nephew of Dracula, father of Leith & Lorcan
Merick – Vampire juggler in the Fair, secretly saves Netriet from two Werewolves
Guyas – a “newbie mage” in training at Obsidian Mountain
Taurus – a “newbie mage” in training at Obsidian Mountain
PLACES:
Austin, Tx – Forest’s home on Earth
Regia – a world in another Galexy
Paradigm – capital city of Regia
Wolveswood – a labyrinth Forest on the edge of the Werewolf city
The Lair – Werewolf stronghold at the base of the Eastern Regian Mountains
Desert of Halussis/Dreaming Desert – barrier to the Vampire city, comprised of highly toxic because black shadow sand which causes hallucinations.
Onyx Castle – Vampire stronghold within the Desert of Halussis
Fair – a gypsy-like open black market of Regia
Kyhael – The elf city.
Brigadoon – the world Queen Christina was banished to
Obsidian Mountain – where the masters of the Blood Kata go to train
IMPORTANT POINTS:
- Vampires have been in power for a long time in Regia
- By the end of Book Two we are working toward a Republic-based system of Government
- The Rune-dy is a secret order of Elves who specialize in experiements and tourture and are feared
- Werewolves and Vampires have always been enemies
- Ogres are the constant allies of Vampires
- Shifters are considered second-class citizens
- Any Halfling (combination of the 4 pure races) is shunned by society…
UPDATE:
I found the following blurb on Tenaya Jayne’s Website
“I’m not able to throw down any dates for you yet, but I can tell you things have moved from concept to Work-in-Progress! The Legends of Regia #3, DARK SOUL(working title) may well turn out to be my favorite of the series. Social unrest, terrorism, murder, romance, a triangle, new villains, new heroes, and a new, one-of-a-kind heroine! I’m excited!”
Dark Soul by Tenaya Jayne
The Smutsonian 