I honestly think P. L. Nunn is a great writer. However, for the book of this length, I didn’t feel it offered enough. I found it difficult to like Illya until at least half way through the book and some parts of the book seemed to drag because of the constant setback in developing the relationship between the two main characters. At one stage, I honestly wished Illya to suffer because his naïve views about men sex were becoming a little too much. But Illya’s softness towards dogs and his sympathy for injured animals did win me over in the end, and he proved loyal to Ashe. I also liked Ashe (though not as much as Bloodraven) and the fact that Nunn did not try to change his character to an unrecognizable degree pleased me. I think the book could have been better but it was still very much enjoyable. Best of the best.....even bested Bloodraven. Never thought the writer i hated so much when i had been reading Neko would be the one that would make me pick up my lazy self to appreciate her for grandeur and loftiness of this remarkable piece. Turned out i did have favoritism streak in me. Illya character is so contradictory, physically fragile but strongest at the same that even the magnificent Ashe couldn't come up to his level. His curse of seeing ghost was just a bonus in his character, so yeah...Illya is the one i would love to meet in real life some day...“Odd, that after not being able to escape his stare – his intense notice – that now the sudden lack of it was disturbing.”His shyness was cute, reservedness was complimentary, maturity was astonishing,and his love for Ashe....so so so much adorable. i loved him when he finally surrendered to Ashe and his emotions. "Do I make you miserable?” he asked, getting it out on a single breath.Ashe’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Where did that notion come from?”“She said – you never had such swings of bad humor until – I came. That you were never melancholy. Do I make you so?”“Lurene?” Ashe’s brows drew down. “She speaks when she ought to hold her tongue.”“Do I?” Illya stepped forward, lessening the distance between them.Ashe took a breath. He shook his head and smiled grimly. “You like to drive me crazy, little ranger. But I've not decided to condemn you for it yet.”“Forgive me.” Another step and he could feel the warmth from the prince’s body."Love Love Love it......but when it comes to Ashe....his character though solid in his skin, didn't charm me as much as Illya did....he was a royal through and through...and when it came to his love, he even did it like royalties...“I ache,” he said softly. “Gods, Lurene, I ache for want of – him – and it’s all I can do to grant the rest of the world an iota of my attention for the lack of him. Abstinence is a terrible thing.” He smiled ruefully as he said the last.”Even in this confession, he is thinking about himself. i wished, crossing my fingers when he went to see his father....i wanted him to kill the old goat and take Illya away to the one place he could call home.. i know he could show his love in the only way he knew how to....but for Illya i had more expectations (sue me)I love P.L Nunn picturesque quality (i dont think i just read it, m sure i was behind Rina, stalking Illya everywhere :D), historical tidbit (though its fantasy) it always had an ability to draw me...minor character sketch (Ven, Kenyth, Rina even Cornel though he scared me a lot:D)Its all come in one deal...Highly recommended.
