Can a Warlord and a Prince find love when the galaxy is on the brink of war?
Chief Warlord Sohm’lan has a job he loves protecting the family who claims him as one of their own. He has known the loss of a mate and believed he would walk alone for the rest of his life… that is until Prince Mestor demanded more from him than duty. Unable to fathom why Mestor would want a widowed older warrior, … warrior, Sohm’lan maintains his distance believing Mestor will eventually choose an amor closer in age and experience, even though the thought causes him more pain than it should.
Prince Mestor is tired of pretending and his patience is eroding. He needs Sohm’lan to see past their respective ranks and duties to who Mestor is underneath it all. Worried Sohm’lan will be lost to him if he pushes too hard, Mestor and Sohm’lan are caught in a dance of denied desires and tangled obligations.
Warlord Sohm’lan and Prince Mestor struggle to find a way to their heart’s desire against the backdrop of galactic conspiracies, the dangerous mission escorting the Fal’Amoric royals, and discoveries within the Vondorian family that threaten to tear apart everything they hold dear. The two of them stand together to fight the coming battle whatever the consequences.
*Note: Constant is 250,000 words and is the third book in the series that must be read in order.
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I was so very excited to get an ARC of this book!!! This series is one of my all-time favorites and one I constantly re-read when I need a pick-me-up; now I can add Constant to that list. To be able to get a sneak peak at the third book in the series was…words can’t express it! This book was amazing in many way, as not only do we get to see and understand more about the Mar’Sani and Atlainticia’s myths and legends, but we also get a glimpse into the awesomeness that is Lexi Ander’s mind.
The first two-thirds or so of the book mainly takes place along the same time as events in Striker, but the glorious part is that the third book in the series gives us insights into what was going on outside of events that were mainly seen from Zeus’ and/or Dargon’s point of views. Constant gives us POVs from most of the Vondorian family, as well as a few other key characters, and although the plot is similar to what took place in Striker, it feels like a different story because we get to see all the side stories that happened while others were going on at the same time, thereby fleshing out more details and filling in some questions that had been brought up in Striker but either never really addressed or kinda overlooked.
The last third of the book continues past the events of Striker, and fleshes out some of the mysteries of Atlainticia’s history, the Ancients’ origins, and the building war with the V’Saar. Throughout the book, it was an emotional rollercoaster as some secrets were finally revealed and the emotional toll that took on everyone involved. That is not to say that there aren’t still lots of secrets and questions tantalizingly left unanswered. It was very hard to put down and I look forward to re-reading it to savor again all the nuances that Ander expertly weaves into all her stories.
I especially look forward to how she keeps developing the interaction and interconnection of the different species. I mean, there is still the Bespoken to be found and traitors to be brought to justice and practice to make perfect. There is still a lot of work to be done by our friends and still so many pieces of the puzzle that just don’t fit. Constant just made me that more excited to see what is in store in the fourth book…
First off, don’t let the size of this book scare you away. The majority of the first half is told concurrently with the events from book two of The Valespian Pact, Striker. The focus has shifted from Zeus, Dargon, Alpha, and their circle, to Chief Warlord Sohm’lan, Prince Mestor, and the Vondorian family as a whole. Once the backstory has been filled in, the two story arcs merge, and our cast of characters are once again ready to defend their families and their people.
I cannot express what a pleasure it is reading these books. The author has an imagination with which they are able to bring magical species to colorful and brilliant life from the pages. It’s truly fantastic. In addition, they also know how to make sure you feel every emotion the characters feel, from joy to the utter terror of rejection or loss. A lot of details from the past are revealed that have remained closely held secrets, even from those who needed the knowledge most. But choices had to be made, and those in power often face the most difficult.
Mestor has been trying to get Sohm’lan’s attention since he was fifteen summers. However, as Sohm’lan lived in ignorance of his Waterson’s attentions, he never forgot his past. When he could no longer ignore Mestor, and finally gave in to his pursuit, the claim between the two was immediate and possessive.
Many things, from medical advancement to history returning to Atlainticia, happen in this action packed story. Many changes that have been forgotten take place in order to ready each warrior for the coming battles. The enemy they face was introduced in Striker, but the reader learns exactly what vile and reprehensible creatures they truly are in this book.
The denouement of the storyline happens in two phases. One on land, and one in the deep. But, again, a decision had to be made, and one warrior shows his true love of his mate, family, and people, by putting it all on the line for the chance to reach the ear of the being needed to end this divide and abuse on Atlainticia.
There is also Kryp, the Dire D’Noss spy, who takes on an entirely new role in the second half of this book. I can’t leave him out, because I just adore him and what he brings to Mestor and Sohm’lan’s lives, but you have to read the book to find out about him and his charge.
I am waiting with bated breath for the next story, as the search for the Bespoken takes off. I truly can’t recommend this series enough. The imagery in my head often brings to mind the brilliance of the creatures from the movie Avatar. To me, sci-fi/fantasy writing does not get much better world building than that.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
I recommend this book to anyone who loves scifi/romance/action this book doesn’t disappoint. I love the family interactions with all the members of the family plus the other members of the household they are so good. The action is fantastic with lots of enemies. The kids are so adorable. It has all kind of species from all kinds of planets and lots of stories and history of past and future. Their is lots of love put into this book so read it.
Constant is the third book in The Valespian Pact series by Lexi Ander. Secrets revealed, puzzles solved, storylines expanded,…. this book was emotional, entertaining, interesting. . Out of all three books, this one really held onto me and wouldn’t let go.