Merchant of Alyss (#02 in Legends Of The Realm Series)

To read this series is to immerse yourself in another world - one that owes its magic to Mr Locke's writing as much as it does the mage-force that operates within it. His writing is not just descriptive; it is atmospheric. I deliberately slowed down my reading rate in order to give myself the time to absorb everything, and even then I think there will still be things to take in on a second or third reading. The characters are well-drawn, and I particularly love the subtle way in which the author conveys the depth of Hyam and Joelle's love for one another. There is no specific mention of religion in this book, but there are still some fine Christian principles woven into the story, most notably the idea that there is a greater good that must be considered outside of our own needs and desires, and that we can and must persevere in the face of hardship in doing what is right. And just a warning - Hyam's journey is not finished yet. I wouldn't say this novel left me hanging, but there are some matters that I am keen to see resolved. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the next part of the journey! If you are looking for a well-written portal to another world, this is your opening.