Book Review: The Ephemera Series: Belladonna SPOILERS!

In 2007, Anne Bishop returned to her Landscapes of Ephemera for another chapter in the story, this time focusing heavily on Glorianna Belladonna, her love life, and the events in another part of Ephemera. Plus, Glorianna becomes even more evil that the Eater and we see how well It takes that. Synopsis: The thrilling follow-up to Sebastian. The Eater of the World continues to spread its dark influence across the realm of Ephemera, corrupting people's souls with doubts and fears. Only Glorianna Belladonna possesses the ability to thwart the Eater's plans. But she has been branded a rogue, and must stand alone against the encroaching entity. But she is not alone. In dreams, a call has traveled throughout Ephemera-"Heart's hope lies within Belladonna"-and reached Michael, a man with mysterious powers of his own. It awakens a fierce hunger within him to find the dark-haired sorceress he's dreamt of-a beautiful woman named Belladonna. Together, they may be Ephemera's only hope.

The novel opens with Glorianna Belladona and Sebastian pondering if the Eater of the World is dead. Two weeks earlier, in the town of Dunberry, a woman died to It (Eater of the World). In the present, the Magician, Michael, attempts to use his magic gift for listening to people's souls to sooth the town and lighten Dunberry. On the White Isle, Sister Merrill and Sister Shaela travel to Raven's Hill to demand (Merrill demands) that their former Sister, Brighid, force her nieve, Caitlin Marie--Michael's sister--to give them heart's hope and belladonna plants for a prayer cicle. They git it to them and send them off, Merrill, Shaela, and the other Sisters manage to separate White Isle from that realm of Ephemera. It is angered and attacks a convoy of ships. Michael, scared and angry, attacked at Raven's Hill by the Eater and hate-filled villagers, crosses a boarder and ends up in one of Glorianna's dark landscapes. Caitlin wants to go somewhere safe and ends up in the Bonelover's landscape. Michael travels to the Den of Iniquity and Sebastian takes him to Gloriana via a dock and boat that Michael must use. He passes the River's Test, then Glorianna's. She's puzzled by the fat that Michael has some kind of connection to the "wild child" (as Michael calls Ephemera) and takes him to meet her family and see that Caitlin ended up in Aurora, Nadia's home. After getting to know Glorianna, Michael realizes that she's the Warrior of Light and according to a story, she must drink from the Dark Cup to trap Evil and become the thing that Evil fears. Even though both of them are falling for each other, they hesitate to take things further.

Glorianna, Lee, Michael, and Caitlin travel back to Raven's Hill. Michael and Lee learn from Captain Kenneday that, though the White Isle is visible, no one can reach it. Gloriana tells Caitlin that her secret, hidden, unseen garden is at Raven's Hill because Caitlin needs it to be and that's it's grounded elsewhere. The four of them decide to take Brighid back to the White Isle via Kenneday's ship. When they can't reach it, Lee creates a Bridge and they cross over to the White Isle. Merrill will let Brighid back into the Place of Light if she leaves and denounces the evil (Michael, Caitlin, Lee, and Glorianna). Merrill, loathing Caitlin because she's a "sorceress," says, at the same time Caitlin does, that "I don't want you."* In response, Ephemera shatters the White Isle, creating a sort of moat around the Place of Light. Lee creates Sentinel Stones in the lake to guide people coming and going. Glorianna and Brighid learn from Shaela that people from Darling's Harbor--on the White Isle--have been searching for the Heart Seer for twelve years, since Caitlin found Darling's Garden. Caitlin settles in and Brighid does the same in Sanctuary. Sebastian tells Michael that he (Michael) is both a threat and a promise. Learning that the Eater is striking in his territories, Michael tells Gloriana about the Warrior of Light. After spending one private day with Michael, Gloriana goes back to the remains of the Landscapers School and lures most of the Dark Guides and the Eater there. She then seals off that landscape and sheds all her light and becomes the thing that Evil fears. It realizes, after being harmed by Its former friends that It needs light to survive. Lee is angry at Michael. Michael asks Sebastian to help him get Glorianna out of that pure dark landscape. Ephemera pulls Gloriana out after months of her family and Michael sending her gifts. She comes back as two halves of a whole. Michael and Sebastian both are glad that Glorianna is back.

All in all, a great read and one of the best fantasy-romance novels I've read in a while. So much world building and magic and romance to fill a novel and keep you entertained for a couple of weeks. Definitely worth reading for any fan of Fantasy and Romance.