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Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
Return to Turand is Sandra Valencia’s second book in the Turand series. The book is divided into several parts. Part One, Echo Sonata, describes Alexa’s disappearance and how it affects King Gregor, her children, and Lord Victor. When Victor arrives in Toraval with the bodies of Alexa’s personal guards and a broken necklace, Gregor assumes she is dead. In the next part, Alexa’s Lament, King Bin-lot of the Sifiq has captured Alexa and the four priestesses who accompanied her. The women prevail against the brutal conditions by staying faithful to Val. The final part, Tempest, shows Victor keeping his word to Alexa’s daughter, Anlia. Victor finds Alexa on the shore of Turand, barely alive. Standing vigil beside Alexa, Victor hopes she won’t die from an infection.
Sandra Valencia has written a story of love, hope, and forgiveness. Victor's and Anlia’s refusal to believe Alexa has died proves a determination that I find admirable. The transition from present to past is effectively portrayed in memories that do not interfere with the characters' current events. Gregor, Alexa, Victor, Anlia, Nikolai, and many others are all given vivid emotional inner thoughts. The colorful descriptions of the settings in Turand are easy to envision, while a perfect balance of suspense is portrayed throughout. The division of the book made it easy to focus on what Alexa was enduring at the same time as what was occurring in Turand. The Sifiq men are the perfect example of villains who seem slow to understand the consequences of their actions. I recommend it to readers who enjoy inspiring stories about perseverance despite impossible circumstances.
