Virtual Warrior by Ann Lawrence is a continuation of her previous novels set in the world of Tolemac. As those who have read my previous reviews will know I was very impressed with the idea of Tolemac although the first book, Virtual Heaven, left a few holes in the story and things did not tie up particularly well. The second novel Virtual Desire was much better.

This third instalment is somewhere in between the two.

Neil Scott who owns the game store with Gwen has heard all about the world of Tolemac and how Gwen and Vad travelled between the two worlds. He is not sure if he believes them or not but he is willing to risk losing everything to escape into the game. After carefully gleaning the information from Gwen and Vad he deliberately travels into the game.

There he comes face to face with Ardra, who readers will remember from Virtual Desire, just at the time she needs his help.

Ardra is the lifemate of Tol and together they rule the Fortress of Ravens and guard the ice. But Tol is an elderly man who knows he is nearing the end of his time and as a woman Ardra cannot be allowed to rule alone.

Waiting on the borders of her land is Samoht, the High Councillor, who is waiting to take control of the fortress and the ice.

Neil, who re-names himself Lein on his entrance into the game, finds himself arriving in this world at a precarious time. By saving Ardra’s life from outcasts who attack her he finds himself, on the advice of Nilrem the wiseman, bound to her until she can repay him. He also finds himself reliant on her having lost everything he brought into the game with him to the outcasts. As he is no longer able to pass himself off a merchant he claims Pilgrim status and so avoids being immediately branded a slave.

Ardra’s lifemate Tol soon dies and Ardra is given a challenge by Samoht which if she completes it successfully will result in her having proved she would be able to rule alone. Her task is to find and return the Vial of Seduction which has been stolen from the safety of Tolemac by Cidre the Goddess of Darkness who resides in her own fortress in the Tangled Wood.

And so a rather large party including Lein, Samoht, his sister Einalem, Ralen (Tol’s younger brother), Nilrem and an assortment of others accompany Ardra to the fortress to see if she can complete the task within the eight days of mourning that has been allowed to her.

Fast paced and at times very amusing Lein and Ardra become closer although she has initial reservations about whether he is a spy for Samoht due to the facts that he has a snake, a symbol of evil on his arm and that he carries with him two glass ear rings in the shape of roses which are the symbol of Samoht. There is an amusing twist in that Lein when claiming Pilgrim status did not realise that in doing so he is declaring himself celibate.

The story does however leave several things unexplained. Lein for some reason has acquired the power to command snakes, not unlike Harry Potter. However whilst J K Rowling explains where Harry acquired this ability Ann Lawrence does not do the same for Lein. It is a mystery that is never really explained, nor is the fact that he is a walking alarm for evil, flaring up in an unusual rash whenever someone evil is near him.

Overall the story is strong and there are several twists and surprises in it and certainly possibility for another sequel. I just wish that a few more of the loose ends had been tied up.

RATING : 
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Also by Ann Lawrence: Virtual Heaven, Virtual Desire, Lord of the Mist and Lord of the Keep.

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Visit Ann Lawrence's website.