Review: Raven's Quest by Anya Bast

Title: Raven's Quest
Author: Anya Bast
Series: -
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Edition: Trade Paperback
Source: Publisher
Blurb:

Once, Gallus Lucan was in line to inherit the Dragon Throne of Numia—until his future was crushed and his family slain by his malevolent uncle Magnus. Now Lucan has only one ambition: overthrow Magnus and take back what is rightfully his.

Branna ta Cattia is the Raven, a high priestess who has come to Numia to defeat its tyrant. It’s a journey made on the strength of her prophetic dreams, visions of ancient rituals, sacred spells, and of a handsome stranger destined to help her—all in the name of stopping Magnus’s oppression. But Branna’s stranger is more than she expected. For Lucan wants victory his own way. To hell with the consequences.

As the magic of one woman’s love and the brute force of one’s man revenge unfold, Lucan and Branna realize their destiny as spirit mates—and their fears that the ultimate cost of winning freedom could be greater than either imagined.

This was the first fantasy romance book I've read and I was pleasently surprised. I loved the mix of a strong worldbuilding, an incredible adventure and the sweet and complicated romance between Lucan, the rightful heir of the Dragon Throne, and Branna, the high priestess and most powerful magician of her land.

Throught the novel we are reminded that Lucan never wanted to rule and that it wasn't expected of him since he was the youngest of all the sons his father had. It was very interesting seeing him deal with the responsability of leading an army, plus it was also touching how much he cared for them. As for Branna, she had been preparing to take down Magnus for a long time which might have been the reason why she missed so many obvious things that where happening around her, which frustrated me a little. The romance between Lucan and Branna developed at a nice pace and I liked that it wasn't love at first sight, although I would have prefered for them to get more time alone getting to know each other.

Also, I would have liked to know more about Lucan's family, even though they have been dead for a long time in the novel, as well as the other members of Lucan's army and the other lands Magnus conquered.

Overall, this was a great book that includes magic, an awesome adventure and a very sweet love story. I really hope the author writes another book from the point of view of some of the other characters.

Memorable Lines:
Somewhere, beyond that valley below them, within the borders of Numia, the priest awaited her. She trusted the Goddess to lead her to him. In the land of their enemy lived the man who would be her consort . . . and the salvation of Tir na Ban.

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