Path Series

Path of Fate, Path of Honor and Path of Blood by Diana Pharaoh Francis is a very creative and spellbinding series of novels. In this trilogy a healer named Reisil learns that her original path in life has hit a sharp turn when she is chosen by her ahalad-kaaslane, or animal familiar, a beautiful goshawk to walk the path of the goddess and help save the land of Kodu Riik. Like most Science Fiction/Fantasy novels our hero is bestowed with a special power that terrifies the noble populous, but gives hope to the poor people who are being afflicted with a bizarre plague that not even the best healers can cure. In addition to political unrest and the plague, there is an evil race of creatures called Nokulas who have an affinity for human flesh! Whats stranger still is that these creatures were once people!
Soon, Restil learns that the Nokulas and the plague both stem from a cursed city named Mysane Kosk. This once flourishing city was transformed into an evil realm of shadows and darkness during a battle between waring lands. Throughout this trilogy our Heroine meets new friends and makes new enemies. Coupled with her ahalad-kaaslane and her extraordinary powers Restil and her friends must cure the plague, destroy the Nokulas and learn the secrete of Mysane Kosk before open war destroys whats left of Kodu Riik.

I gave this series a ratings of 4 out of 5 green faries for 2 reasons: One reason was because I did not like how Restil, our heroine who controls this great power and is chosen from the goddess to save her world, gets is snubbed by the same people she is protecting and instead of her telling them off and standing up for herself, she hides away! I would have like to see her tell those people off and say "Hey! I saved your butts, how about a Thank you?!" The second reason was that I didn't like was the end. I don't want to spoil it, but the way her and her true love end up was disappointing.
Now for the parts I liked...all the rest! I love animals, so I really enjoyed how the ahalad-kaaslane were linked to their pet familiars. I also enjoyed the entire cast of characters ( but I didn't like when a certain one was beheaded ). I felt that many of the story lines in this series were very original and imaginative. I absolutely recommend this series! Also, kudos to whoever did the cover art, it was beautifully done and really draws your attention to the books.