#BookoftheMonth - Barrenlands (Changespell Saga #0) by Doranna Durgin

Genres:
Fantasy, Adventure

Blurb:
Before there was Dun Lady’s Jess…

Magic, betrayal, and a twice-cursed exile–only one man’s determination can untangle the deadly intrigue that binds them together.

When Ehren’s sovereign and friend was killed, Ehren, First of the King’s Guard, was far away — sent on a wild goose chase by the First Level Ministry, whose number he now believes must contain at least one traitor.

When a First Level wizard orders him to stop searching for the assassins and instead to find and neutralize the dead king’s distant family, his suspicions deepen to near certainty.

And Ehren is determined to find those exiles – if only so that he may guard them with his life.
​

Universal Purchase Link

My Thoughts:
BARRENLANDS is a prequel action and adventure high fantasy story that starts of with the betrayal and murder of Benlan, the King of Solvany. This starts a set of events that rocks the world that Ehren knows, and with it, just who he can trust.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I wish we'd been given more information about Varien. He was the big bad from the start, giving out dodgy missions and trying to kill our hero. However, we never really learn WHY. Ehren guesses it's power or greed, but doesn't know for sure. Maybe more information is given in subsequent books, I don't know.

All in all, I enjoyed this foray into different lands, with different obstacles to overcome. If you are looking for a high fantasy that will leave you wanting the next book immediately, then I can definitely recommend this one.

Goodreads

Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”

Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.

BookBub