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I am going to admit something...  This is my least favorite sister of the series but her book is well done.  I didn't dislike her as strongly after this as I did by the end of the last book but she still isn't the favorite one of the trio.  I also found the way this story unfolds to be intriguing and it left me ready for MORE.

We know Ami as the spoiled one... the favorite daughter of the High King who has always gotten what she wanted.  She's managed to find a man who adores her but then has her perfect life ruined by his death.  She's driven to find out who killed her precious true love and when she finds out it was her sister...  well then her sister is evil.  I got why she was upset but her refusal to even listen to those around her trying to get her to understand what happened just served to enforce the spoiled rotten view of her.  Her adoration and devotion to being the spoiled princess devoted only to her Goddess and her now-deceased love takes a bit of a beating as she starts to be intrigued by a monk in white that seems to push her to be more than just a pretty face.  As she finally starts to open her eyes to the world around her we finally get to see a woman emerge that may prove to be a formidable foe for the challenges that lie ahead.  I enjoyed seeing her finally realize that her actions have true consequences and that she needs to make her own mind up in order to truly see what is waiting for her in her future.  She's stronger than I expected once the worst of the bratty child goes away.

Ash...  I enjoyed this scarred man who wasn't swayed by the bratty princess but pushed her to be something more.  He's such a sweet man under the scars and attitude but mainly his heart shines thru to show a man driven by duty and love.  His strength and unique talents serve this tale well plus set up some action we see in the next book.  I loved how he didn't accept her originally and actually wasn't afraid to show her how badly she has acted over the years.  He shows her that life didn't end when Hugh was killed but that she not only could live again... she could find a love that in most respects is truer than the one she thought was perfect.  He wants her not the avatar... not the beautiful princess..  not a woman to be spoiled and worshipped but...  a woman with flaws and all that is true to herself and not a puppet on a string.  His sacrifices for her were amazing and beautiful.

Overall this is a good story with a few surprises but mainly I found this to be a big redemption for a character I wasn't fond of in any way, shape, or form from the last book.  I liked how she was changing and was very glad to see her come out of her spoiled background.

2.5 stars

When I finished reading The Mark of the Tala, I couldn't wait to continue the series. I loved how intriguing this world was. I loved that it revolves around three sisters and their journey to living up to their potential. It's interesting to see the politics in this story and how obsessed some people are with killing the Tala and using whatever means possible to make that happen. I found the Tala very interesting, though, I loved seeing them in the first book and I loved seeing little hints of them in this book.

It's extremely hard for me to write this review, though, because there are certain parts of the story I loved and there are certain parts of the story I hated. For instance, I absolutely hated Ami. I found her childish, immature, selfish and completely oblivious. Even when I thought she was growing up, she would do something that would show just how selfish and conceited she still was. I hated her so much that I ended up skimming or skipping her inner monologue completely because I couldn't take her whinning about how horrible her life is and unfair everything is and how she's Glorianna's avatar and as her avatar everyone must do what Ami said! I just could not handle how gullible she was and the fact that she really only cared about herself really ate at me. I hated that she would listen to someone and believe them and then turn around and listen to another person say something completely different and believe them instead. It was so blatantly obvious she was being used but she still believed every word that was said because the person would say flattering things to her.

However, while I hated Ami, I will admit that I loved her journey. I could not stand her self pity but I loved seeing that journey from what she was to what she ended up becoming. I also loved that along the way, she started to realize just how ridiculous she was and actually wanted to make an effort into changing who she was. The one thing I loved more than anything, though, was Ash - the White Monk. I loved that he wasn't enchanted by Ami's looks and had no issues speaking his mind to her. He didn't sensor himself or try to hide her from what was happening like everyone else and I adored that about him. Add to that, he was such an emotionally and physically damaged person. Seeing Ami fall for someone like him, made her more bearable in my eyes because it showed she wasn't as vein as she started off being.

In the end, it's hard for me to rate this one. I sincerely did not like the heroine but I liked her journey and the courage and strength she found in the end. I loved Ash and I loved the changes he brought out in Ami. I almost gave up on this story in the beginning because of the Ami but, ultimately, I'm glad I stuck with the story because I really enjoyed the ending. And now I can get on to Ursula's story, which I've been waiting for since I started this series!