The Union: Book 2 of the Spirian Series

Rowena Portch
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432764784
Reviewed by Marty Shaw for Reader Views (1/11)


“The Union” picks up about six months after “The Protected: Book One in the Spirian Series” ended. Skye feels at home with the clan and her relationship with Khalen is as strong as ever, although he’s still hesitant about fulfilling his destiny by taking Skye as his mate.

Tension starts immediately in the story as Khalen’s brother, Traeger, arrives at camp seeking to be taught the ways of the clan by Case, the clan leader and Khalen’s adopted father. While none of the others want to offer any assistance to the Shadow, Case agrees to become his teacher because “events must run their course.” The strain of Traeger’s presence and his obvious desire for Skye causes problems between Skye and Khalen, and a misunderstanding pits the two against one another, resulting in both being surprised to learn that they can match each other’s level of power. Skye angrily leaves the protection of the clan, and Case sends Khalen to a beach house retreat to cool off.

Skye is under the impression that being around old friends might lighten her mood but she soon discovers that being Spirian has made her different, and the Shadows don’t hesitate to attack with her being away from others of her kind. She returns to the clan, and to Khalen, just in time because the Shadows are still convinced that Skye is the healer of legend and they don’t want her to live if she refuses to join them. The fall of Shadow leader Damon in the first book of the series has created a change within the power structure and Skye is the prize that can claim leadership for the one who captures or turns her. As the Protected and the Shadows meet in hopes of avoiding all-out war, subtle forces are at work to manipulate the roles of power, and a personal decision could mean the difference between life and death for Skye.

I was really impressed with “The Union.” With all the major characters already introduced, no time is needed to set things up so the action begins early on. Traeger is given more depth and doesn’t seem as one-dimensional this time around. In the first book, he was simply Khalen’s evil twin; now readers are given more insight into what motivates him.

A new character, Kiara, is introduced and she offers some powerful lessons on exactly how strong and subtle the forces of light and darkness can be. She shows that the power of choice can be a dangerous power if used carelessly.

Sean and his clan of vampiric Shadows didn’t play a major role in Book One so I really couldn’t see why he was so feared, but his much larger role in this story shows why others tread carefully around him. Sean might be insane, or just different. Either way, he leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind that he’s pure Shadow and completely evil. Traeger’s warring nature and conflicting thoughts made him an interesting character, but Sean was a loose cannon that had me holding my breath because there’s no way to know what he’s going to do next.

Both Skye and Khalen are able to come to terms with their doubts and fears, making “The Union” an accurate title; the very realistic danger that the two face together leaves me anxiously awaiting the third book in the series. Incredible powers of the mind and spirit combined with believable characters that are easy to care for makes for another great and exciting read in the Spirian Series.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure