The House of Gaian by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Faerie, Magic, Tir Alainn Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: It began as a witch-hunt. But the Master Inquisitor’s plans to eliminate all traces of female power in the world have expanded all traces of female power in the world have expanded to crushing the Sylvalan barons who oppose him – and to destroying the wellspring of magic in the Mother’s Hills. Faced with the evil, human, witches, and the Fae become uneasy allies. But even together, they aren’t strong enough to stand against the armies the Inquisitors are gathering. So they look for help from their last possible ally. The House of Gaian. The reclusive witches who rule the Mother’s Hills. The witches powerful enough to create a world – or to destroy one…And the witches’ long-held creed “Do no harm” is about to give way to a more important one: Survive.

This is the climactic end of the Tir Alainn trilogy. The Lightbring has learned that  Ari and her Neall are alive. As the Master Inquistor changes the one Fae that he is afraid of the hunter has promised to take care of things. When I learned what that meant it brought me to tears. The power shifts amongst the Fae, and yet some will not except what is to come. But what blew me away was when they woke Mother’s Hill. The story is so complex and you can’t seem to get enough. Again Anne has done it again with this complete trilogy. It’s one that should be read time and again. I can’t say it enough time that this is one to read and have on your shelves.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451459423

Pages: 432

Series: Tir Alainn Trilogy

Volume: 3

Shadows and Light by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Faerie, Magic, Tir Alainn Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Ever since the slaughter of the witches, the Fae – who should be shielding their long-lost cousins from danger – have ignored the needs of the res of the world. And shadows are again gathering in the eastern villages – dark, potent shadows that threaten the lives of every witch, woman, and Fae. Only three Fae can stand against the growing madness and help prevent more bloodshed – the Bard, the Muse, and the Gatherer of Souls. Aiden, the Bard, knows how desperately the world depends upon the Fae’s protection. But the Fae refuse to heed his warnings about the wickedness lurking amid the trees. Now Aiden and his one true love – Lyrra, the Muse – must embark on a perilous journey to find the one Fae who can convince the rest to leave their secure perches to save the witches and mortals. Because if the Fae don’t act soon, no one will survive…

This story changes the main characters to Aiden and Lyrra, whom we met in the first story. As they travel around to help save both the witches and the Fae. They are trying to figure out what they need to do. All the while Aiden just wants to make Lyrra safe. And tell her to be his wife which isn’t done in the Fae’s world. I love the way the to of them interact together. You get to see a side of the Fae that is very different. I found the whole thing very enjoyable. I can't wait to read the last book of this trilogy, The House of Gaian.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451458990

Pages: 432

Series: Tir Alainn Trilogy

Volume: 2

The Pillars of the World by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Faerie, Magic, Tir Alainn Trilogy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The Trees Whisper of Danger…The youngest in a long line of witches, Ari senses that things are changing – changing for the worse. For generations, her kin have tended the Old Places, keeping the land safe and fertile. But with the Summer Moon, the mood of her neighbors has soured. And Ari is no longer safe. The Fae have long ignored what occurs in the mortal world, passing through on their shadowy roads only long enough to amuse themselves. But the roads are slowly disappearing, leaving the Fae Clans isolated and alone. Where harmony between the spiritual and the natural has always reigned, a dissonant chord now rings in the ears of both Fae and mortal. And when murmurs of a witch-hunt hum through the town, some begin to wonder if the different omens are notes in the same tune.

Ari is a great character who is strong and one that learns fast of the Fae around her home. She is befriended by The Huntress. As well as the lover of the Lightbringer. Neall who has always been in love with Ari, just didn’t have the courage to tell her. The Fae are great but I love the dynamic between Neall and Ari. They just seemed to fit from the start. The whole thing with the witch-hunters was well written. I loved how this world just unfolded and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Shadows and Light.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451458508

Pages: 432

Series: Tir Alainn Trilogy

Volume: 1