February 2, 2008

A reviewer could say many things about the Sons of Destiny novels by author, Jean Johnson, and here are but a few:  Consistent characterization, thorough yet purposeful exposition, believable ‘bad guys’, and downright succulent romantic content. 

 

Though The Song is the fourth book in this series, the characters living within it remain as distinct and potent as individuals as they were when they were first established in The Sword.  Even the more recent additions to the expanding cast of characters each possess as much life as those they join on the Isle of Nightfall. 

 

As in the earlier books in the series, there is in The Song a certain amount of necessary exposition to forward the overall plot of the series as well as to allow the book to stand on its own.  Expectedly, Jean has done her usual admirable job of keeping the back story and plot development relevant to the current volume, as well as keeping it understated enough to never run over the characters and their relationships. 

 

Already, the Sons of Destiny have faced many dangers in fulfilling the first three verses of the prophesy that seems to both curse them and guide their exploits.  In The Song, the main hardship is not the villain, but rather the effects of a tragic loss in the second book in the series, The Wolf.  Still, when the characters encounter additional outside antagonism in this story, it comes from competent and clever opponents and not merely senseless attackers. 

 

In regard to romance and seduction, The Song lacks nothing.  From tickling caresses and kissed-over murmurs to mussed bedclothes and the logic behind why new lovers might opt to still sleep in their pajamas instead of skin to skin, the author omits no delicious detail and does so without sacrificing rich characterization in favor of rampant hormones and clichéd simile. 

 

All around, The Song is a well-written piece of Romantic Fantasy, and it lends itself to the promise of more of the same to come in the latter half of the Sons of Destiny series.