Into the Wind (Merman of Ea: Book 2)

Title:  Into the Wind  (Mermen of Ea: Book 2)

Author:  Shira Anthony

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  216 pages

Rating:  B+

Quad Shot of Love

 

Blurb:  Sequel to Stealing the Wind

Mermen of Ea: Book Two

Since learning of his merman shifter heritage, Taren has begun building a life with Ian Dunaidh among the mainland Ea. But memories of his past life still haunt him, and as the threat of war with the hostile island merfolk looms ever closer, Taren fears he will lose Ian the same way he lost his beloved centuries before. Together they sail to the Gateway Islands in search of the fabled rune stone—a weapon of great power the Ea believe will protect them—and Odhrán, the pirate rumored to possess it.

After humans attack the Phantom, Taren finds himself washed up on an island, faced with a mysterious boy named Brynn who promises to lead him to Odhrán. But Taren isn’t sure if he can trust Brynn, and Odhrán is rumored to enslave Ea to protect his stronghold. Taren will have to put his life on the line to find his way back to Ian and attempt to recover the stone. Even if he does find it, his troubles are far from over: he and Ian are being stalked by an enemy who wants them dead at all costs. 

With a foreword by C. Kennedy.

 

Review:  This is such a fun series. The second installment of the series starts off a few months after the first book ended. The action and the complexity increase and the story just keeps getting more interesting as new characters are added and more information is revealed. 

Taren and Ian are a committed couple and very much in love. Taren and Ian have to move past their fears and jealousies if they are going to survive and save their people. But while there are still some issues they have to deal with, they are both willing to be who the other man needs, which will make all of the difference in what will come for them.

Taren is learning more about his Ea nature and how to use the powers he is discovering within himself. Memories and dreams of the past begin to overwhelm not only his sleep, but even his waking hours and are a driving force in his choices. 

Taren has to trust himself and his decisions, he has to become more independent and confident. He does so much growing in this book, moving beyond his slave mentality and embracing the future he is making with Ian, knowing that he can stand on his own. 

Ian has to do a lot of his own growing as well. He’s so possessive and hot tempered, always jealous and trying to protect Teran. Ian has to learn to trust that Teran can take care of himself and that no matter how far he may roam, Teran will alway come home to Ian. They are soulbound and that means forever. 

I loved the way that the relationship between the men developed in this book. As well as all of the relationships we saw from the first book. There are some new characters that I found very intriguing and are so important to the continuing story. 

There are losses that hurt and changed the men and their lives forever. There are some new possibilities that opened up and are so dang cool. I can’t wait to see where Shira Anthony takes them. 

A fantastic installment in an excellent series that just keeps getting better. 

Reviewed by Nina