And "Queen of Seven" is currently my favourite web-serial.

Liseli and Russ Markson of "Alisiyad" return for the sequel, and, impossibly, become more nuanced, realistic and engaging.  However, the story continues because of the birth of their daughter, Eliasha (or Elly).  Elly’s parents are affected by their journey to Alisiyad, and these changes are passed down to Elly, who develops magical abilities.

Taking place on Earth, "Queen of Seven" is even better than its predecessor because it is firmly rooted in reality.  Liseli and Russ deal with the emotional ramifications of their adventures with conflict, passion and humour, just like real people reacting to traumatic circumstances.  Their love for each other is palpable, emanating from the page.  And Elly’s life comes across as something that could really happen (if a real person had magic).

The dialogue between characters always rings true, there’s never the tendency in fantasy for overlong exposition or flowery speeches.  Because these are real people.  Everything is motivated and a natural outgrowth of previous events.  Nothing is wasted. 

And when Sien Auriel enters Elly’s life and brings romantic and fantasic elements back into the story, she deals with it in the way an exceptional young woman would in real life.

In short, this is a story that you can live inside, and never want to leave.

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