The Kingdom of Frewyn is being invaded by the Galleisian infantry and at the forefront of the battle is Boudicca MacDaede, a First Captain in the Frewyn armed forces. Her regiment is charged with defending the borders between the two nations, but when Frewyn’s last line of defense falls, Captain MacDaede enlists the assistance of a Haanta, one of giants from the islands to the far north. Promising to free him from his imprisonment in exchange for his help, she gains his trust long enough for them to win the battle and save the Frewyn border from being breached. The giant’s freedom is granted, but Rautu cannot return home unless he redeems himself in the eyes of his people for past his transgressions. He is offered a place by the captain’s side, and together, they defeat the Galleisian forces and become the saviors of Frewyn.One year later, King Alasdair Brennin takes the Frewyn throne, Boudicca is made commander, Gallei and Frewyn reach an accord, and Rautu is granted an invitation home. He is eager to return and see his brothers but finds it difficult to leave Frewyn without Boudicca at his side. He has become accustomed to her company and the idea of being made to live without her begins to distress him. Rautu invites the commander to the islands in hopes of finding a way for them to remain together, but when they arrive at the white shores of Sanhedhran, not everything goes as planned: one of the dangerous Haanta magi is freed, Rautu’s three brothers are strangely missing, and the neighboring nation of Thellis leads an attack on the islands.
Together, the commander and the Den Asaan Rautu must find a way to unite their two nations and defend against the Thellisian fleets, but can they do so successfully when an envious Frewyn king, and impending war with Thellis, and a cruel Haanta military leader would keep them apart?
What a spellbinding first book in the Haatan series!!
My imagination was captivated by Michelle’s writing. She has created a world in which I could fall into and visit for days upon days.
This book is really good as it conveys the story of the Commander who is from Frewyn and how she comes to meet Rautu who is a giant also known as Haanta.
My initial thoughts of Rautu were that he was a very arrogant person, one who is also impatient, impolite with no manners and one with little to no emotions. As the story progressed I realised he has emotions, ones he doesn’t share too openly. He seems to come across as an arrogant person because of being a Haanta. The Haanta people are very proud people and they are different in many ways to those of the Commanders people.
The relationship between Rautu and the Commander was really teasing and enticing. Rautu’s relationship begins with Boudicca during the war between Frewyn and Gallei when she lets him go free in return for his help in fighting in the war. He develops a tolerance of her and through this tolerance his feelings for the Commander deepen.
When Rautu is invited to return home he is reluctant to return without Boudicca so he invites her to visit the islands where he lives. On the journey to the islands the relationship between the Commander and Rautu deepens as he does a lot of observing of Boudicca and there are times when things start to get physical, but Rautu doesn’t pursue any physical relationship as he knows the law of his people and wants to stick by those laws.
I enjoyed seeing this relationship develop in the way it did as it felt like the Commander and Rautu are representations of their the two countries. To me they represent the two countries uniting not in love but in friendship to defend their lands from invasion from Thellis.
I have found the Haanta people very interesting as they live by many rules that are set out in a book similar to Bible. They seem happy and content to live and follow the rules set out for them.
Their way of life is so simple, one that they are all designated a purpose from a young age. The Haanta children are not raised by their birth parents. They are given a rank and are raised in the temple. These children are raised with those who have the same purpose in life. Being designated a purpose and being raised with people of that same designation sounds like a good way of life. Having only one thing to focus on is a good way to keep life simple. It does sound a bit boring but the Haanta people wouldn’t know any different as that’s all they have known.
When I learned of the existence of Magi I became very intrigued and wanted to know more about them. They really fascinate me and hopefully in the next book I’ll learn more about the Magi that the Commander took under her wing and took her to her homeland.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read some adventure along with some romance.
5/5
