A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane
A Gathering of Dragons #2
Epic Fantasy Romance
July 21, 2020 by Berkley
ARC

Favorite Quote:

“Never have you been restrained in the pleaure you give to me, and never have you held back your heart. So always I end here in this way, so utterly satisfied and fully loved, the most blessed of all women.”

As he was the most blessed of all men.

A Touch of Stone and Snow is the second book in the breathtaking, epic fantasy romance series, A Gathering of Dragons. After reading and LOVING the first book in the series I was more than ready for another adventure in this fabulous world.

Book two starts out a little slower, but has a vastly different feel. Moving away from the story arc of Ran Maddek and his queen, Yvenne, Ms. Vane changes course a bit and introduces readers to a group of travelers looking for protection and help. This is a second chance romance and features a fierce, indepedent heroine seperated from her homeland and shunned by her people and a hero who feels no loyalty to his birthplace, yet is compelled by his blood and the truth of his heritage to help them.

Lizzan and Aerax were childhood friends and lovers ultimately seperated by circumstance and a percieved betrayal, yet as soon as you meet them you can feel the love that they have for each other. Lizzan is a protector at heart, even though her journey has taken her away from all that she loves and led her to a lonely road with weary travelers needing security. She asks the goddess Vela for a quest and is tasked with protecting the one man who she feels betrayed her at her lowest moment, but who she still treasures.

Aerex felt like this awesome mix of beta and alpha hero. He ADORES Lizzan and despite her feeling like he basically abandoned her, which he would never, but you know he has reasons and secrets. He also has taken on a task to complete that will basically change his small country forever. This couple are at odds about several things (so much angst), but the devotion and support for each other practically jumps off the page it’s so palpable.

Plus their relationship is so damn sexy.

The Destroyer is still coming and this author is slowly building alliances to fight him. I’m not sure how many books are planned in this series, but I can’t wait until all these strong, competant characters fianlly come together. The world-building in this series is some of the best I’ve read and with each new adventure I’m excited to discover new lands and meet interesting characters. The next two main protagonists have already been introuced and I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation for their story . Seriously, I can not wait.

A Touch of Stone and Snow is another spectacular entry into The Gathering of Dragons series. It’s crazy good and I can’t wait until my next journey into this world.

P.S. Did I mention there is a big, scary, cuddly saber tooth cat? How do you resist that? You don’t. Go one-click.

Final Grade-B+

Content warnings from author’s website– Blood and violence, consent, nonsonsensual rape/sex as part of worldbuilding, absuse and torture

AMAZON * GOODREADS * AUTHOR’S WEBSITE