Twenty-One Arrow Salute (The Order #2.5)

The world building, of an elven army and the different regiments, is excellent and information is slipped unobtrusively into the story. The author provides a Glossary at the back of the books but I felt no need to check it. I never once felt lost in the narrative or clueless as to who or what something was.

This story features Verhan, Ervyn’s smart-mouthed irreverent cousin. He’s passed basic training and is now assigned to The Queen’s Regiment in the capital. He’s a good archer, or he wouldn’t have made it into the regiment, but he’s mouthy, easily lured into a brawl, and a self-proclaimed equal opportunities man-whore. When he gets caught spying on an officer in a bath-house, his immediate superior blackmails him into helping out another new recruit.

Hernan Seinnes, is a redhead Asirwynian in a regiment made up predominantly of dark-haired dark-elves, and he’s been chosen to be the lead archer in the Queen’s celebrations. It took me a moment to realise that Hernan was the same archer we meet at the end of the Highlander, and that as such Verhan might have an issue with him.

The relationship that develops between the two men as Verhan teaches Hernan how to handle a dark elf’s bow—come on now, minds out of the gutter—is full of banter and sexual tension. Poor Verhan as he realises he wants more than sex from this relationship is a mess in confusion and denial and a joy to read as Hernan worms his innocent way under Verhan’s skin. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable and so well written.

The thing with Verhan, which we already know from our previous meetings, is that despite his ‘devil may care’ attitude he has a big heart. A heart fully capable of love, and, because he’s not used to relationships of a romantic nature, a heart far too easily broken. And when it breaks, Verhan does too in an impressive and heart-wrenching meltdown. I have to confess this part tugged so hard on my heartstrings that my eyes watered—shut up, of course they weren’t tears.

Author, just so you know, I want more of these two. I want to see Hernan take Verhan to all his favourite places around the city. I want to see the care Verhan will take with Hernan as he leads him carefully through their physical relationship. I want more! (Greedy reader is greedy.)

I can’t recommend this series enough. Even if you aren’t a fantasy fan these stories are an effortless way into the genre and very character driven. If you love seamless worldbuilding, banter, sexual tension, and flawed but likeable characters then these books are definitely for you. ( )