Review: The Horse Mistress (The Eborusi Chronicles Books 2 - 4) by R A Steffan

The Horse Mistress: Books 2 - 4 by R.A. Steffan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A different take on fantasy

This box set is the excellent follow on from the first book in The Horse Mistress series, which is available for free. The Horse Mistress books are the first section in the overarching saga of The Eburosi. This means that this section of the saga, told via Carivel, Senovo and Andoc is complete.

The trio faced many obstacles in their lives before meeting each other and once they met the trials were not over. They face the resentment of their fellow villagers, the anger of Volya, the chief and the prospect of war with the Empire. It is the friendship and loyalty of the villagers from nearby Meren that help the trio immensely through their trials with their own villagers and against the enemy.

So much happens in this box set that is impossible to reveal much without spoiling so much of the plot. This box set is plot heavy in relation to the first book, which established the characters and their relationship with each other. It takes all three working together and supporting each other, even when they have to be apart for the sake of their community to even hope to bring a successful outcome against tremendous odds. All three have to work to their strengths, Andoc with his strategic brain and gift for leadership, Carivel’s work with horses and her ability to help with weapons innovation and Senovo’s ability lead with compassion and strength as a priest and to change shape into a wolf.

I really liked how the author had all three working together but separately some of the time. They went and did their own thing, but always coming back to each other for solace. I also liked how when one would get wrapped up in their own troubles the other two would let them get on with it for a while and then yank them back to take a break and look after themselves whilst taking time to bond again.

I also liked how though this a fantasy saga and the characters do go on journeys, they are not longer than a few weeks and they are to meet with other people who can help before returning home. So often in fantasy the hero goes on long journeys and become Heroes (with a capital H!) Their abilities transform them. This book takes the heroes on a journey that is more about their standing within their community. It is about protecting home by staying there and doing the hard work. It isn’t all about fighting, it’s about treaties and friendships and working together to develop new strategies and weapons and above all else their identities. Throughout these books they all come to terms with who they are and what they have to offer those around them and that is a much more epic tale than fighting monsters and casting spells.

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