Later, looking at some of the reviews I noticed that this is Cheryl’s first book. But once I relegated the story to a romance, I put up with that. There was no real description of the culture, politics, economy, or any of the other world-building I expect in a fantasy. Again, it was limited to only a few of the primary characters. Once I got past the disappointment, the characters got me involved. I could see an excellent story about the battles between the two families, but we never really got there. So far so good.īut after the third (or thirtieth) description of how glancing at Darian causes her whole body to tingle, or warm, or long for, or whatever I became really tired of the teenage emotionalisms and the solid lack of details or events surrounding the very real tale of intrigue, warfare, good versus evil, and all the rest. She’s dropped into a world of swords, horses, evil enemies-both human and animal. The parallel world concept is really overdone, but it’s handled well in this version.

I must admit, with the bland cover and the misleading description, I was seduced into reviewing this book because I love fantasy. With no hope of returning home on her own, Marisa has no other choice but to join Darian on a risky mission to negotiate peace. When a mysterious lightning storm suddenly strikes, Marisa is hurled into the ancient alternate dimension of Carnelia where she meets Darian Fiore. Westbow’s description: After the death of her father, Marisa seeks comfort in the woods of Gold Hill.

The Carnelian Legacy by Cheryl Koevoet