The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

Goodreads Description:  Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen.

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.

The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

My review:  Ok, what can I possible say about this series?!  I love it!  This has got to be one of my favorite series of all times, right up there with Harry Potter and Twilight.

Ms. Chima's writing just grabs me right into the story.  I love the characters:  Raisa is such a strong young woman, yet has a real vulnerable, human side, I love Dancer and Cat, I didn't see enough of Amon in this book (but guess that that's part of where his and Raisa's relationship is right now), and I can't say enough about Han!  Oh, and then there's the Bayars...  There are so many parts to this story that are just amazing, and so much detail!  There are all the social classes with their dialects, all of the policitics and intrigue going on, and then there's the magic and the romance.

I'll have to say that I had a really hard time finishing the book.  Not for reasons that you might think, but because I know that this book hasn't even come out in the bookstores, and I don't know when the next one is coming out!!  Argh!!