Review: ‘Beneath The Forsaken City’ (The Song of Seare) by Carla Laureano

With a storm on the horizon, who will stand against the darkness?

Conor and Aine have barely escaped Seare with their lives. Conor knows he must return to find the harp that could end the Red Druid’s reign of terror, but he must first see Aine safely to her family home on the isle of Amanta. When an unnatural storm tears them apart, they find themselves in even more danger than that which they fled.

Because magic is not the only thing to fear in Aine’s homeland, where the Sofarende invaders harry the coasts and shifting clan alliances make it impossible to know who to trust. Conor and Aine must cling to the whispers of Comdiu’s plans for them and their enduring love for one another, even when the future looks darkest.

But with betrayal at every turn, will they give into fear? Or will they learn to depend on Comdiu completely … before all hope is lost?

About Carla Laureano
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Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Connect with Carla online at her website (www.carlalaureano.com) or on any of these social media platforms:

Facebook.com/CarlaLaureanoAuthor
Twitter.com/carlalaureano
Instagram.com/carlalaureanoauthor
Pinterest.com/laureano_carl

I read the 1st book in The Song of Seare trilogy and loved it, even though I didn’t think I’d like Christian fantasy. It was really great because it was set in the Dark Ages and I love reading about that era.

Now, I’ve read the 2nd book in the series, Beneath the Forsaken City. This one was amazingly good! It truly deserves more than the 5 stars I’m allowed to give it. This books takes up where the first left off and hits the ground running and never lets up. Even to the last sentence.
Now I’m left to sit on pins and needles until the 3rd and final book comes out in the fall.

Beaneath the Forsaken City is set in the Dark Ages, in a time of myth, magic and sorcery. There are some, however, who believe in the true god, Comdiu and His Son, Balus. This book takes the reader on a journey both frightening and thrilling at the same time.

Conor and Aine have just barely escaped Seare before being killed. Married by the captain of the vessel in which they leave, they hope for a new life that is happy, but fear the worst because of the war back in their homeland. Soon, they are parted again cruelly, each left to wonder long months if the other is even alive. Conor knows he must return to Seare at some point to find the harp and hopefully end the reign of terror began by the malicious Red Druid. Aine, too, knows that she must return to find Conor for their future lies in Seare. Both despair of on their own and find themselves in grave danger. The enemy tries to kill their love for one another and their hope in Comdiu. The danger is from both mortal and sorcery avenues. Will Conor and Aine give in to the despair surrounding them or will they trust Comdiu to fulfill His plans for their lives? Even if it means they never see each other again?

Carla Laureano weaves a tale full and rich that draws the reader in from the very first sentences and does not let go, even when the book ends! Because you’re so desperately longing for the third book to see what happens! She has created a land much as Tolkien created Middle Earth. She has also created characters that get down into your heart, characters that leave you thinking about them long after you finish the book. I am finding it hard to pick up another book because I’m still concentrating on the folks in Beneath The Forsaken City. I don’t want to leave them, actually. As a matter of fact, I re-read Oath of the Brotherhood before reading this second novel because I wanted to refresh my memory. I’ll probably re-read both the first two before I read the third and final book, too.

The authors draws the reader into the story so well that I felt as if I were there, seeing the destruction, feeling the dismay and heartache. This was a mighty fine book and I hated to see it end, but I’m very much looking forward to book three. Very well written novel, one that made me think about my own relationship with God and how I react to Him during difficult times.

I guarantee you will not be disappointed with either book. If you do read them, you must start with Oath of the Brotherhood; otherwise the second book will not make sense.

*I was given a copy of the book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have done.