Land of Palins, after the Troubles

A female mercenary, known only as Red Gloves, comes to the Land of Palins with her sword sister, Bethral, looking for work no longer available in the Warlands, now at peace. What the two women find is a land destroyed by war, ruled by torture and terror, with the few survivors moving through the landscape like ghosts. They first meet Josiah living on the remains of what was once an obviously prosperous estate. The mercenaries seek shelter during a storm, and when Josiah walks in on Red during her bath, he sees the mark of the dagger-star on her breast. To the stunned Josiah, this mark means Red Gloves is one of the Chosen who will free Palins and rule, but Red only cares about her next meal and survival. Josiah’s strong body attracts Red, who has gone too long without fulfilling her needs for a man. Something sad and broken in handsome Josiah prevents an easy, satisfying affair between them. The mercenaries move on looking for work...but will a great cause seek them out?

In a return to the world of the Warlands trilogy, Elizabeth Vaughan successfully creates a new set of characters and a new story. Josiah, now a poor and broken goat-herder, was once a ruling baron and mage. His people dead, his lands burned, betrayed by a woman he loved, he seems to be nothing, until he sees the mark of the dagger-star. In an oppressed land, only the whisper of prophecy holds out any hope, and Red Gloves personifies that hope. Red joins the struggle, because in spite of her seeming indifference, she hates oppression. Josiah pulls at her heart and body, and Red will do what she can to mend the spirit of both a country and a goat-herder. Red is a warrior, protecting herself with cold indifference, but she is not afraid to take on a big job. In a role reversal, Red is the alpha hero, a lusty one, while Josiah is broken in spirit before he finds the strength to fight. Though Red and Josiah find their happy ending, there are other fascinating characters who must have their stories told, and I hope we see them soon. DAGGER-STAR is a very satisfying read.

Other titles for this world can be found in the Chronicles of the Warlands: WARPRIZE, WARSWORN, and WARLORD.

Lisa Baca