Elesa and Rogar have certainly had a rocky relationship.  Tied together throughout eternity, Elesa killed Rogar many times in other lives and he returned the favor in their last mortal incarnation.  Now, Elesa has given up her heavenly life for Rogar and taken on the guise of a Hamun--the feral, but powerful incarnation that Rogar of Hamun once bore.  At first Elesa is happy, having discovered her love for Rogar in THE GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY BOOK 1:  ROGAR OF HAMUN, but her new form certainly takes some getting used to.  And, Rogar, who had become so loving, albeit in his gruff way, is now distant.  Rogar has also been changed by the immortal Faerbrareans and is now the Dark Lord.  Cursed to bear out a prophecy that he can't fully comprehend, Rogar finds Elesa slipping further and further away from him emotionally.  But, how can a man, even the mighty Rogar, fight destiny?  Rogar is drawn to Elesa physically, but even he is unsure if the bond they once shared still exists.  Their relationship is further complicated by Rogar's animosity toward Maakon and his ambivalence about his role as a Guardian of Eternity.  Heaven definitely isn't all it is cracked up to be in Belinda Palmer's second installment of GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY.

Readers of this series will not be disappointed with THE GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY BOOK 2:  THE DARK LORD.  Much like the first book in this series, THE DARK LORD offers romantic tension, great dialogue, powerful and compelling characters, and a mysterious world that completely engulfs the reader.  Rogar and Elesa are more fully developed in this installment of their story.  Each one is facing changes in their life and forced to accept that they have a greater role to play in the scheme of things.  In ROGAR OF HAMUN, Elesa is weak and self-pitying, but in THE DARK LORD she finds new strength in herself.  In the guise of a Hamun, Elesa is physically more potent, but internally, she is still Elesa of Relga.  Her journey of self-discovery leads her to see that she is capable in her own rite and more than a match emotionally for anyone.

Rogar, always brooding and angst-ridden, is even darker in THE DARK LORD.  As the title implies, Rogar is a menacing figure, oppressed by his responsibilities as a Guardian of Eternity, torn by his need for Elesa, and pressed by the terrible weight of destiny.  If Rogar is to survive, mentally and physically, he must realize his full potential as a Guardian and accept his role.  Rogar's need and obsession with Elesa is dangerous to them both.  Rogar's progression as a Guardian is very interesting and reveals not only a lot about his character, but about human nature as well. 

As in ROGAR OF HAMUN, Ms. Palmer creates a lush landscape that captures the imagination and completely enthralls the reader.  This is a book you will read in one sitting--it's simply impossible to put down.  More than a fantasy or a romance, THE DARK LORD is a metaphysical treatise on the state of the soul.  Through Rogar and Elesa, readers will discover their own faults and follies, as well as their strengths.  THE DARK LORD is a wonderful book and a great continuation of THE GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY series.  If you enjoy fantasy and romance with a deeper side, this is definitely the book for you!  Good work, Ms. Palmer--we are all certainly anxiously awaiting your next work!