Guest Review: Bastian by Elizabeth Amber

Bastian

by Elizabeth Amber

(Lords of Satyr # 6)

Elizabeth Amber has created a world of fantasy, based in the old religions and histories of Europe and Rome. The rich textures of this world are fascinating, and the mix of real history and fantasy are designed to draw the reader into the story. I will admit that I found this one slow going at first, but soon became enthralled by the story of betrayal and salvation unfolding in Silvia’s story. And make no mistake about it-this is Silvia’s story just as much as it is Bastian’s. There is a back-story here, the history of Michaela and Silvia, their lives as Vestal Virgins, and how each chose their own very different path to happiness and acceptance.

Silvia is a strong and determined woman, eager to achieve her goals. As Michaela’s best friend, she feels guilty when she finds herself falling for Bastian, but as Michaela’s most loyal friend, she denies the attraction, even to herself. I watched as she went from host to host, taking each character as her own, and trying to fulfill the death wish of each host. Whether male or female, child or adult, she gains a bit from each host, and has become very adept at what she does. Sensuous yet innocent, Silvia is a marvelous mix of the many personalities united in one very old soul. I like that she refuses to be deterred from her goal of freeing her fellow Ephemerals held captive by the evil Pontifex, even if it means giving up any happiness she could have with Bastian.

Bastian is the perfect image of the hero. Tall, dark and exceedingly virile, he is the ideal every woman seeks, but rarely finds. I liked that he isn’t perfect, however, and his small flaws make him more attractive overall. I loved the irony of a man whose family is in the wine industry being unable to touch liquor in any for without disastrous effects. As a very successful excavator and archaeologist, he has hidden the fact of his colorblindness from everyone. I loved that it was only through Silvia that he gained the colors in his vision, and thus always knew her, no matter what form she came to him in once he realized the cause. And I loved that he was willing to love and accept her, no matter what form she took, male or female.

This is a story filled with danger, for both Silvia and Bastian. Bastian is seeking the very same stones that Silvia is, but for a different reason. He believes, and rightly so, that the six stones on the Earth side are keeping the existence of ‘other kind’ hidden from the humans, and fears what could happen if the stones leave earth for the Elseworld. Sylvia believes the stones will free her ‘sisters’ held captive for so many centuries. It is also a story filled with passion, romance and scorchingly hot sex in many unusual places. Which one will beat the odds to achieve their goals? Will these two ever be able to be together, and love each other for who they really are? You must read Bastian to find the answer to that. I promise you, it is worth the trip.

Can this story be any hotter? Yes it can, and things just get better and better!!! This one, like all the Lords of Satyr, is well worth reading over and over. 

We'd like to thank Nancy for providing UTC with a guest review of Bastian!  

Visit her blog at Dragons and Shifters and Books, oh my!