Warcry

A barbarian woman and a castle guard find love amid political intrigue in this pleasant blend of romance and classic fantasy, the fourth installment of Vaughan's Chronicles of the Warlands (after Warlord). The queen of Xy is now the beloved bride of a barbarian warlord. In their retinue, Heath of Xy, son of the royal seneschal, woos the lusty warrior woman Atira of the Bear, whose dislike for city life and settling down amusingly recall male barbarian romance hero stereotypes. As Queen Lara attempts to regain control of the fractious nobility, Heath and Atira team up to fight conspirators and thwart assassination attempts while helping to lower the cultural barriers between the subjects of Xy and the warriors of the plains. Hints of the interesting plains culture will engage fantasy fans, and the protagonists' convincing chemistry will please romance readers. (May)