Format: Paperback, 384 pages
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Source: Publisher
Genre: Romance / Fantasy
The first book in a new fantasy romance series about a queen and a former prince who marry in order to defeat an evil emperor.
Welcome to the world of Forgotten Empires from award winning author Jeffe Kennedy that begins with The Orchid Throne.
A PRISONER OF FATE
As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Lia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…
A PRINCE AMONG MEN
Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Lia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?
The Orchid Throne, by author Jeffe Kennedy, is the start of the Forgotten Empires series
following Lia, the Queen of Calanthe, and Con, the fallen prince of
Oriel and King of Slaves, as they join together to take down an evil
emperor. The story alternates narrative between the two characters. Queen Euthalia (Lia) is determined to defend her island of Calanthe, the only
kingdom not violently conquered by the Emperor, by other means.
Euthalia's power lies in both magic and political cunning.
Lia assumed the throne of her flower island after her father died, and has been successful in
keeping the emperor distant, since she is fated to be his virgin bride. Maneuvers that are getting
trickier by the day. Especially with spies around her court keeping an
out for any rebellious activities. With the magic of the Orchid Ring on her finger and Calanthe herself
sending her visions and dreams to guide her way, she will do anything to
protect her kingdom. Even marry the dreaded Con who is obnoxious, brutish, and arrogant.
Con is the Prince turned King of Slaves. Conri's power lies in brute strength and reluctant leadership. Con had been a slave working to mine the toxic
substance called Vurgsten that allowed the Emperor to destroy
his kingdom and kill his family. He organized a slave rebellion and,
with the help of a wizard and two trusted comrades, they set out to take back territory from Emperor Anure. Ambrose, said wizard, tells him he has to marry Euthalia to defeat the Emperor. But, Lia has been engaged to the Emperor for years.
As this is the first installment in the series, the author tries
to fit as much information to introduce the world she has created. I thought the first half of this book was rather slow. The two character don't meet until around this point. Once the two of them meet, the banter between them escalates. Lia isn't going to stand for anyone invading her island and push her around into surrendering everything she's fought for. Thankfully, cooler heads in the form of Ambrose seem to control the two overachievers so that they don't continue to butt heads. Otherwise, this would have been a one trick story and there would be nothing more. And, who can forget the sex scenes. Welp, if you love sex scenes, you're all set.
pretty cover. i don't read a lot of 'royal' novels, but the ones i have read i enjoyed.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental