Synopsis
They say love conquers all… but can the conquered ever love the conqueror?
Twenty-five years ago, there was life. Twenty-five years ago, there was peace when the descendants of the dryads and naiads kept all life in balance. Until one fateful night when the Oderbergs invaded, executed the royal house of Domonov and took Domovnia for their own, ruling with an iron fist and an edict of fear.
Roslyn Pleveli, like most of the orphans of that night, wants revenge and an end to the persecution of her kind. Yet, even if the Domovnian’s use of magic was permitted, she wouldn’t be much help, able to command only a few lowly weeds. But everything changes when she saves the life of an injured young man in the forest not knowing it was the prince of the Oderbergs himself. Ordered to see to the rest of his treatment, Roslyn is snatched from her home and all that she loves by his soldiers.
Now, in the Oderberg stronghold, she has the chance to change things. With the royal family within her grasp all she has to do to free her people is kill them… but can she do it, or will something more powerful than revenge heal the wounds of the past?
**SPFBO 9 Semi Finalist **
Review
There was a time when I first joined that I was uploading some older reviews because I wanted to highlight indies that I had already read. I think from time to time it would be nice to get back to that. So, here’s one for you today!
Read originally in 2023, this is a little less in depth than my later reviews, but I hope you enjoy:
I was very interested in the author’s journey to narrate the novel herself, so when I saw an ARC sign-up, I jumped right on it. The narration is vivid, distinct, and overall a fantastic job for a first outing!
Other than following along with the author’s narration journey, the only thing I knew going into this was that I was a fan of the cover. I believe this falls under what people are calling romantasy, which is not typically my bag, but this one is done pretty spectacularly. The fantasy world isn’t just a backdrop, it’s living and deep and filled with lore. The romance is front and center in the plot, but the author doesn’t leave the world building or characterization behind. I thought the love interest was interesting and believable, and the climax and twists took it to something other than just romance.
Now there is a bit of spice…the author teases it several times without going there, but then it finally does. Spice is not for me typically, but I thought the use of it was in the correct places for sure, and it doesn’t go excessive, which for me would just be smut. Read and like whatever you please, it’s just not usually for me!
I’m impressed, as this is my first from the author, and I’m sure it won’t be the last now. Personally, a 4/5*. Romance, fantasy, and a bit fairy tale too; this one delivers on what it sets out to do.
As romantasy has kind of completely taken over in many typical reading spaces, I feel like this was pretty ahead of its time … or perhaps, right on time? And now there are five books total in the series, and I’m not sure if it’s even done or not! So if this is your genre, what are you waiting for?? Check this one out!
Leave a Reply