After a devastating raid by the slavers of the eastern Ottalan Empire that cripples her clan, killing the chieftain and his wife, Seraphimé, princess of the Osprey Clan, is left for dead in the snows of her homeland, the Sierran Tundra. Rescued and then guided by an ancient god who seeks to wake the tundra and rally her nations against the looming Eagle of the Desert, Seraphimé is instructed to strike south for the homeland of the proud and war-like Greyl tribes to seek aid for her beleaguered people. The terms of that alliance are more than she can bear. As Seraphimé struggles to choose between her duty and her heart, the Tigil Mstusa plots in the centre of the desert Ottalan Empire. His raiding party obliterated by a mysterious man and his three black hounds in the tundra, Mtsusa wants revenge and he plans to enact it with the full force of the mighty Ottalan Empire behind him. Seraphimé must make peace with her fate or risk the destruction of her people, and the god whom she loves. The Summer Bird is volume one of the two volume epic The Seraphimé Saga.
I first met S.M. Carriere last May and have since become friends with her. I have read everything she has published and find myself wanting more. This is my second time through "The Summer Bird" and I was just as enthralled with it as I was with my first read!
"The Summer Bird" is an excellent story with very good character development. I love the fact that S.M. Carriere refrains from describing in painful, minute-by-minute details of several six month journeys, but maintained a good pace throughout the story. Despite my comment, the one thing I thought was missing was a bit more description of Seraphime's trek from the Tundra to Beveii. I am now waiting, rather impatiently I might add, for "The Winter Wolf".
I read this book cover to cover in a single day and am pleased to report that she’s done it again. Last year, I read her The Dying God & Other Stories, she’s one of those indie authors who works hard, edits harder, and deserves success. The book covers the story of Seraphimé, a clan princess who barely survives her clans near-destruction and follows her recovery.
