"It is not often that one can stare into the abyss and take action." (page 301)

Obligation's Unity is one of the two first books that starts the series of Carving Legacies. I started with the "second" one because the blurb sounded more promising to me, though I am planning to get Key of Arcandus and read it as well because this series is very promising.

The Lobwendel are on the warpath in Belforem, undead creatures the Titanians have been fighting without seeing a permanent solution for years now. People die and join the ranks of the undead and Lyonesse, as the priestess of the god of Soldiers as well as the goddess of Death, knows the sacrifices and challenges her people face, walking with them through the ordeal and being their support with the blessings of the Gods. The High Priestess Rós and Jarl Cathal believe that a solution could be in the Hanmel Kingdom and so sent Lyonesse oversea to secure an alliance via marriage and gain the knowledge or military support for the war against the Lobwendel. Petra, a slave that came from there, is given to her to help her with the language and customs. And both women feel uncomfortable and struggle together. Lyonesse is not used nor in favor of having a slave and finds an agreement with Petra, that leads to an understanding and could be the foundation for a friendship. But in Hanmel Lyonesse finds she is not used to the politics of the court nor is she in nature a very diplomatic person. And the alliance seems impossible to secure. And she has no idea what the state of her home and her people is. Can she return in time with a solution and help? And what will she find?

It was a joy to read this book. On occasion I managed to put it down without any issue and return to the tension on a later time, while in other parts I was carrying my e-book reader around in case i would find a few seconds to read on and find out what was happening. A delightful mixture in my eyes.

The world building is intricate and well done, and not in a way that overwhelms you. But bit by bit when it is needed. The dialects of characters take time to get used to but it gives them a strong voice and, in my eyes, also a strong realistic feeling. Dialects and Accents carry over and not ever region of the same country would pronounce the words the same way. The cultural differences between the two places the story takes place in can be felt and makes absolute sense. As well the visible differences of the people. The Titanians are tall and strong and the people of the Hanmel kingdom are smaller and wiry. The cultures are different as well and I liked to see the difference and how it is hard for both sides to understand and move in the other culture. There is racism present as well, subtle and prejudiced, which made it feel very similar to the subtle kind of our own world and how it can lead to making it already harder to communicate and find common ground when this swings just under the surface. The focus is not on this topic though and it makes sense for me. The fighting scenes are written well and I gained each time either satisfaction (cheering a character on and being delighted by the outcome) or a tension built up that is an absolute delight.

The characters are wonderfully fleshed out and I love them. Lyonesse is a headstrong woman with a kind nature and a temper that can frighten whole armies. She is what I like to see when I think of a complex and strong female main character. She makes mistakes, misjudges, carries grudges but also lets go and reconsiders herself and the world she thought she knew. She tries her best every day and is committed to her cause and calling, making her strong in mind. And there is no harm in her ability to kick some ass physically. Desmond is a competent man that struggles with his past of grief and guilt, making him one of my favorite characters and character developments in this book. And he has what I like to call a yearning nature when he loves and cares for someone. So if you like a good slow-burn romance that goes through its ups and downs and challenges, I would recommend this. Petra is another favorite of mine. A woman that faces a lot of pain and trauma, and yet can still find a kindness in herself and did not break under it. She is spiteful and full of a fighting spirit with a head on her shoulders that makes her one of the greatest allies Lyonesse could have found, if you ask me. I do hope to hear more of her story and where she will be now. There are more that get introduced in the book but these three are for me the main ones and the ones that spark an fondness in me.

The plot is engaging and flows in the tension just right for me. I would classify this as a book about court intrigue and coups, making it part of my personal favorite plots! Though the shape of the court might not be the classic one, making it just more fun to explore and see! It also goes about the horrors of war and how people use the moments or create them because they believe to gain something of it, disregarding the price that has to be paid or if that is the right thing at all. And how it is better to ask for help and appreciate other cultures, than to disregard them beneath you and worthless. Something I find very important to remember, especially in the times we live right now.