 Bringer Of Storms is the second book in The Binding Of The Blade series. The first book was Beyond The Summerland. The first book ended rather abruptly with a significant twist of events that left most readers more than a little stunned. It was expected that the second book would pick up where the first left off but it didn't. Instead Storms skips ahead 17 years and we enter the world the way it is after 17 years of dealing with the problems introduced at the end of Summerland. In some ways this works well for the book but it also clearly makes it a "second book" in a series. This book could never be read as a stand alone story.
This book was not as engaging or interesting as the first one. The plot is fairly simple. For the last seven years Aljeron has been waging a war against Fel Dorath, the city harboring Rulalin. His goal is to capture Rulalin and take him to a council where he can be tried for his crimes from 17 years earlier. The war is wrapping up because the people of Fel Dorath are too weak to fight. The seige on the city has drained their food and water supplies so much that the people are ready to surrender. Seeing that his capture is inevitable Rulalin makes a deal with Malek. Malek intends to come from the mountain and conquer all of Kirthanin. He asks Rulalin to help him by convincing people to surrender and join Malek. In exchange for this service Malek will save Rulalin from capture. The deal with the devil is too tempting to pass up so Rulalin takes it.
During this time Valzaan finally meets Benjiah, Joriaem and Wylla's son. Valzaan explains to Wylla that Benjiah is one of All-father's chosen prophets. In fact, he is the chosen one who is to be used to defeat Malek once and for all. With this information revealed Benjiah joins Valzaan to go and meet Malek and try to defeat him. They are starting from the far eastern side of Kirthanin and begin their journey westward.
By this time Aljeron has captured Fel Dorath and had learned that Rulalin is no longer there. They also soon discover that Malek's army has begun its march from the mountani. From this point on Aljeron's army begins a race to the west. They try to stay ahead of Malek's army long enough to warn civilians and to get to the ships on the coast. They intend to sail south and enlist the aid of the southerners.
The story ends with Aljeron's army reaching the coastal city and Malek's army just behind. Benjiah escapse with Aljeron's army and begins his quest as a new prophet. In a delaying move Valzaan confronts Malek's army and holds them off while to buy Aljeron's army precious time for their escape. In the final minutes of that encounter Valzaan tells Aljeron of a secret mountain where a great dragon lives. If Aljeron can get to the mountain he can convince Sulmandir to enjoin in the battle and Malek can be defeated. After delivering this message Valzaan holds of Malek's army but is destroyed in the process.
This story does very little to tie up any loose ends from the first book. The main plot involves various groups travelling across Kirthanin. There is no real closure on any of the issues raised. In some cases it seems like the author forgot about threads that he started. In particular there was the raid to kidnap Wylla. Malek sent a small party to kidnap Wylla and bring her back to his mountain. The raiding party was thwarted 100%. No one from the party survived. Yet once the party was destroyed there was no mention of it again in the book. Neither Malek or his servants ever once asked about the progress of the raid.
In short, the book was a bit disappointing. It was too much of a transitional book and didn't carry enough of it's own story. Anyone interested in The Binding Of The Blade series will have to read it to know what's going on but it serves more of a functional role (getting from book 1 to book 3) than a narrative role.
The book was kind enough to clear up one nagging issue. The first book introduced Cyranic poisoned arrows. The nature of the poison was that it turned it's victim's flesh to stone. These were particularly effective against the Malekim. It was never explained, in the first book, why these arrows weren't used against the giants. The second book offers an explanation (not a very good one but at least there was an attempt).
And one final note. I think we have a lot more to learn about Synoki. He is not what he seems. I won't spoil anything by stating here what my suspicions are.
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