Chronicles of the Warlands (Warprize, Warsworn, Warlord)
Vaughan, Elizabeth A.
New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2005, 2006, 2007.
This is escapist reading at its best. The series combines romance and fantasy and exotic locales that let you forget your troubles for a while. The first book deals with Princess Xylara becoming the Warprize. Her mountain country is being attacked by people of the plains, who eventually are the victors. She believes that in order to save her people, she must be given in slavery to Keir, the commander of the Firelanders. All her life she has heard horrific stories but she is a trained Master Healer and can do nothing else but serve her people as her king decides. The rest of the story deals with her coming to terms with what's happened and starting to journey towards Keir's homeland. It's very fast-paced and has lots of interesting descriptions of what the scenery is like, new foods, new friends, travelling by horse -- all the joys of a new culture. It's very nomadic and romantic.
The second book has more intrigue, politics and "magic". The two main characters, Keir and Lara, are firmly attracted to one another. She better understands her position so this allows the author to build up tension in the form of enemies to Keir's position. They encounter a new plague that results in the death of loved ones but still remain committed to their mutual vision of combining the two lands and peoples. Meanwhile, the class of Warrior Priests is introduced as a counterpoint to Lara's methods. The Warrior Priests keep themselves aloof and mysterious so many of their people believe they use magic, if they'll even condescend to heal you.
The last book begins with their arrival in the Heart of the Plains and Lara's testing as Warprize. This one has more actual fighting but still lots of politics. There's a fantastic scene where Lara gets to display more of her determined attitude when the council tries to intimidate her. Towards the end, there is actually some magical, mystical events for those of you who want more fantasy. I won't say more and risk spoiling the story for those of you who think you might enjoy being taken away from it all.
I just couldn't put these books down. I love series where I get to keep learning more and more about the characters. It's supposed to be a trilogy but I really think there's room for continuation even if only a book of short stories to gather up the threads of Marcus', Simus' and Heath's lives. Of course, a fourth book about Lara and Keir as WarKing wouldn't be a bad idea either!
Her web site has sample chapters if I still haven't convinced you.