Synopsis:
The start of a compelling epic political fantasy duology, for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Goblin Emperor. Two centuries ago, the kingdom of Honoria’s goddesses were silenced in blood. Now, as the realm’s fragile peace falters, the whims of a king may reignite the engines of war.
‘An absolute triumph… deserves to be next to the classics.’
Hannah Whitten, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King
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At the last remaining cloister of the sun goddess, a young postulant seeks safety for her child but discovers that sanctuary comes at a heavy price. In the castle on the mountain, a queen treads a knife’s edge between loyalty and betrayal, desperate to shape a gentler future. And deep in the mountain’s heart, a blinded priest waits in the darkness, biding his time…
Together, they will risk the wrath of gods and kings – and decide the fate of a kingdom.
Review:
This gave me major Priory of the Orange Tree vibes and I was HERE for it.
There are three main characters that create a beautiful tapestry of political intrigue, a division between belief and responsibility, and intimate relationships.
A desperate mother seeking sanctuary who becomes the Queen’s wet nurse. A heretic queen navigating treacherous court politics torn between her pacifist innocent nature and desire for peace for the greater good above all. Finally, a plotting blinded priest who knows and does more than he should.
“I have no intention of handing our daughter a world more broken than the one I was given. Whatever it takes, I will give her a life that is better and freer and closer to peace than mine ever was. If I have to alter the course of a nation in pursuit of that end, so be it. Honoria must move, because I will not.”
This is a deep character study with each person caught between a rock and a hard place. Be that their convictions, religion, duty, family, and love.
There’s also a great contrasting of the characters which created difficult dynamics and choices.
The romance is such a minor sub-plot, but whilst I liked it, I have to say I was disappointed this wasn’t sapphic. That’s what I thought we were leading to, especially with the comparison to Priory of the Orange Tree.
I can grow fond of what I’m able to control, but I can’t love it, not truly. I can only love those who are equal to me—who may choose to yield, but could just as easily force my own submission.
I appreciated that there was clearly thought behind the blind priest in each scene. I am sick of fantasy books that seem to forget their character’s limitations scene to scene. Saying that, you do have to suspend your belief slightly with his prowess and capability at times.
This isn’t a standalone, but you will definitely be satisfied by how this one plays out. I was shocked by one of the reveals and a bit annoyed by one of them – my Instagram is open to anyone who needs to chat (@booksblabbering).
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