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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In The Chimera Snare by S Black and E Black, Benson rules the realm of Celestine through a system where power determines succession; his concern for an heir leads him to pursue a hidden alternative beyond his marriage to Athelisa. In secret, he arranges the birth of a second son, Von, through Aelis, a woman taken from the rival realm of Daeva, intending to use the child’s inherited abilities to strengthen his line. Aelis is confined while preparing for her child’s future, and her actions place Von beyond Benson’s immediate control. As Von matures, gaps in his memory obscure the truth of his origin, even as he begins to uncover fragments tied to both Celestine and Daeva. His search draws him toward the man responsible for his existence, setting their paths on a direct course.
S Black and E Black’s The Chimera Snare takes its name from a banishment ritual that traps a target between realms, used to erase Conall while preserving the ruler’s public image and control. Aelis leads the charge of characters, and the authors do a wonderful job of fully developing her. She constructs an Entrance Tile to escape captivity, then later makes a stunning confrontation while protecting Von. I really like Alyona, who is an essential supporter in the compound. The settings are fantastically depicted, from a spherical Gateway chamber that shatters under red lightning to the vineyard and mountain pass with shifting terrain and exposed elevation. Where the authors shine is in the deep world-building, where social order is linked to inherited essence as a mark of status, reinforced by councils and Perivinds who regulate unions. Inter-realm movement is through artifacts and rituals, while abilities such as Sangromancy and Parallel define combat and mobility. Readers who enjoy well-written and immersive fantasy will adore this book. Recommended.
