Legacy of Morevi (Arathellean Wars) [Paperback]

"Legacy of Morevi: Book One of the Arathellean Wars" is a sequel to "Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe & Askana" which was written by Tee Morris and Lisa Lee. In "Legacy", the adventures of Rafe Rafton and Askana Moldarin continue. Not having read "Morevi," I can definitely say that "Legacy" can be read and understood without having read the first one. Having gotten hooked on this story, I definitely plan on reading both and anything else that Tee Morris writes.

In this tale, Rafe Rafton has crossed the Great Rift to be with his love, the First Queen of Morevi Askana Moldarin and his daughter Ashtari. Askana is pleased to see Rafe, however, the First Ladies of the Blood and his daughter aren't as taken with him. Underlying all of the intrigue and ordeals that Rafe and Askana have to deal with, Rafe hopes to overcome his daughter's reticence and win her love. The First Ladies of the Blood are not helping with this. Morevi is a female ruled society and they are not receptive to Rafe. He is referred to as the Queen's "consort," even by his own child. They are even less than thrilled when his old pirating buddies show up.

When the safety of Morevi is threatened by Askana's past the adventure really begins. The Elves of Arathelle prove that they are not the typical light hearted elves of fairy tales. The people of Morevi's freedom and safety are threatened by them. Then there are also the dangers involved with the creatures of the Southern Wood. Of course, having to cross the Great Rift provides its own adventures.

I loved this story. It has everything that a reader could want in a fantasy novel, magic, mayhem, suspense, intrigue, romance and hope. Once I began reading "Legacy of Morevi," I felt like I had actually stepped into another realm. Tee Morris writes with such depth, you feel more like you are watching what is happening rather than reading it. His vivid descriptions bring this world to life. He also does a fantastic job of developing his characters. This novel is a must read for fantasy fans.

5 out of 5 spaceships

Reviewer: Paige Lovitt for Multiverse Reviews

"Askana Moldarin had thought her lover's acclimation to Morevi would be easier. After all, he had rallied the people to her side, helped repel the Eyrieners at the gates of Songkusai, and rescued Morevi's Queen from a revenge that spawned the darkest of magic. As a result her nation was still rejoicing in a "new dawn" of prosperity that, some prayed to the Great Mother, would know no end."

Rafe Rafton, admired, feared Captain of the Defiant, did not regret his choice to cross the Rift to this strange world of magic, creatures of nightmare, and female rule. Most of the time. His contributions to their victory, their freedoms, their lives meant little to the Ladies of the Blood who did not hide their disdain and animosity toward the consort of the First Queen. For Askana, Rafe put up with it, but that disdain and animosity spilled over to and influenced his own daughter, Ahstari. Even Askana's love could not thaw the cold of dejection caused by his daughter's continued refusal to accept him. And now her defiance and refusal, and a dark secret from Askana's past will test them, their relationship, and all of Rafe's and Askana's skills and strength.

An invitation from Morevi's allies, the Elves of Arathelle, dark secrets, a conspiracy spanning worlds, and revenge, cast Rafe and Askana into a battle against the creatures of the Southern Wood, back onto the decks of the Defiant to brave another Rift crossing, and against the magic of the Elves, at its most dark and primitive, in both worlds, to save their child, themselves and Morevi.

In our modern world, tales of sorcery and magic, the mystical and powerful, ancient religions and legends passed down through the ages of every culture have shifted to the shelves of children's fairytales. Author Tee Morris blends these legends and stories and shifts them back to adult adventure across time and space and genre. Legacy of Morevi sails through the "Rift" of imagination and fantasy to become for the reader an alternate reality of swashbuckling, magical adventure. True to code of honor of the Arthurian Legends, Morris gives his readers characters of the same dimensional reality that have fueled the long search and debate of literary and historical scholars: Are those legends truth or fiction?

Tee Morris has the gift of the storyteller and maybe just a bit of sorcery. For a few entertaining suspense filled hours, under his spell, Morevi, Arathelle, the Defiant, and the reign Henry VIII became my reality. I crossed the "Rift" of disbelief without feeling the ripple of suspension. The plot hums beneath the surface of rich characterization, dialogue, and action. The timeline straddles time and worlds, with the same balance Rafe strides the decks of a storm tossed ship. The magic tingles the spine and terrifies. The story pulled me into the very human emotional struggles of Rafe and Askana's life, and yanked me into battles against inhuman creatures and magic.

Cross the Rift of imagination. Step onto the decks of the Defiant. Escape into the world of Naruihm with Tee Morris' Legacy of Morevi: Book One of the Arathellean Wars. It's magic time!

reviewed by Sherryl King-wilds for www.fantasynovelreview.com

The past has come back to haunt First Queen of Morevi Askana Moldarin in a most horrific way, a way that once again threatens the First Queen with the loss of her queendom and all that she holds dear--her young daughter Ashtari and Ashtari's father Rafe Rafton.

Rafe Rafton, the Sea Wolf, has given up his wenching and privateering and tried to settle down with Askana and Ashtari, but he is not quite domesticated, and he wants to be a husband not a consort. He also wants a daughter who will love him not tread on him like dirt underfoot as Morevi's female-dominated society dictates.

It, however, appears the maneuverings of the man-hating, politically powerful women of Morevi are the least of Rafe's worries when the Arathelleans, a powerful race of elves, threaten Morevi with war. Once again, Rafe and Askana must seek alliances beyond the rift separating Morevi and our historical Old World, but betrayal upon betrayal sticks them both between a rock and a hard place while the Legacy of Morevi's shocking ending leaves the reader with the question "When will the next book be out?"

Tee Morris spawns more adventure, court intrigue, and some harsh "realities" within the lush landscape of Morevi, delivering a tale that will hit the reader much like a punch in the gut (in a good way)--it will leave you breathless!