Seed of Seerling by Amy Kennedy

Originally Posted at Bibliophile’s Retreat by Melissa Meeks

VMI Fiction (July 1, 2008)
The Harkonians and Seerlings not only find themselves constantly at odds with each other they are unable to reconcile their disparate religions. Harkonian traditions and beliefs follow the OnE True God while Seerling traditions are not only Matriarchal but worship a hierarchy of goddesses with varying areas of responsibility. Their beliefs also dictate infant sacrifice and rites of ascension for the heir to their â€œthroneâ€. Astril questions her Seerling traditions and beliefs when she is able and takes what learning she can from her grandmother who spent several years studying under Priest Augur of Helgard and follows the Harkonian God instead of the traditional Seerling goddesses. As a child Astril crosses paths with a young Harkonian who has strayed, perhaps intentionally, onto Seerling land and nurses him until he has recovered the strength to return home.

Later Astril and other Seerlings are captured by Harkonian warriors and taken back to work the fields. Toren discovers her presence and although promised to a Harkonian noble, he realizes his heart belongs to Astril instead. He desires to rescue her from slavery under his people but needs a feasible method of doing so without anyone suspecting his true motives, he also wishes to gain permission to study under the priests at Helgard for a time in lieu of training with the Harkonian troops at home for fighting the Seerlings. Can Toren and Astril find a way to unify their peoples despite the long running strife and traditions that cannot meld? Will their lives become entwined as a result of their feelings for one another or will they be forced to remain forever at odds because of the war amongst their races? Read this adventurous fantasy in a unique world to see what becomes of Toren and Astril as well as their people. Find out if peace and forgiveness are truly as powerful as many claim them to be. (ISBN#9781933204659, 288pp, $13.99)