Dark Moon Defender by Sharon Shinn

Another fun book to read in this series - Ellynor is a character we haven't met before, and she is that rarity, a sensible but interesting character. She is also that rarity in modern writing, though not in life, a women who can see her male relatives are oppressive and controlling in some ways but still loves them and wants to remain in the family. She also copes well in another restrictive environment, having an excellent sense of what to conceal and what is worth rebelling against.

Justin is the other main character. I am certainly not giving away any part of the plot if I say they fall in love - a couple always fall in love in Shinn books. However, when he objects to her going to nurse in a place he thinks dangerous, do they compromise and she goes with a guard? No, she goes alone and is captured. Marriage is about both parties wisdom and worries being accommodated, not one person getting their own way entirely, which makes me worry a bit about them.

We also see that Shinn is cheating with Senneth and Tayse, a couple from an earlier book. Because of Senneth's power the king is quite happy to have Tayse, a kings guard, trail around after Senneth permanently: most people have to come to some compromise about careers. I did enjoy this book, even though I think Shinn is not being realistic about relationships.

Dark Moon Defender first published 2006