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Kael Vapensigsson is one of the elite Chosen—a Warlord whose strength comes from the gods themselves. But despite all his power and prestige, he is plagued by a prophecy that threatens to destroy everything he loves.
When Kael summons Ishtaer to his room and discovers the marks of the Chosen on her body, including the revered mark of the Warrior, both Warlord and slave seem to have met their match.
But as their lives become increasingly entangled and endangered, Ishtaer is forced to test whether the Chosen ever have the ability to choose their own fate.
My thoughts:
I really liked this one. I would not call it fantasy romance, because yes there were romance but far at the end. Too many issues before that. So light romantic fantasy, something ;) Cos it sure is not epic fantasy either, not with the whole will they wont they going on.
I liked the world, and the sprinkle of norse words here and there did make it cool. And it does show the difference between places in this world.
First, the Chosen are those with a mark of a Healer, a warrior or a Seer and they learn their trade so to say at a school. Kael is a warrior and now a feared pirate, warlord, but he does it in service of his Emperor. So he is a good guy. Sure he says some wrong things when he first meets poor Ishtear, but he could not even imagine what she has been through.
Ishtaer our heroine, wow, some of the more damaged heroines of late. I did like how it was portrayed, she was broken, she was timid, after years of abuse you do not just snap out of it. Not if you are that broken. So it takes time. Sure she learns the ways fast after it, but hey if you got it you got it. I guess that is how the Chosen work. So I looked through my fingers with that.
The romance comes late. A slow friendship, getting to know each other, living their own lives. The romance is not the focus, no, she needs to find herself. He needs to learn that everyone can't be protected.
My thoughts:
Magic, fighting, a cool world, I do feel that Kate Johnson needs to write about other people in this world. She is on to something here.
Cover
Nice
Paperback, 356 pages
Publication: UK Feb 7, US ebook Jan 2014/print March
Fantasy romance
For review
I really love that cover and this book sounds amazing. I think I'm going to buy it now.
ReplyDeleteYES DO
DeleteI love that cover, too. Very intriguing. The book sounds good too :)
ReplyDeleteSimple and so beautiful
DeleteThis one sounds interesting! I've been on a bit of a Fantasy kick lately; thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteDo give it a go, it was so, tragic, cool and good
DeleteOhh I don't mind the absence of romance until the very last part. I don't mind that at all! And a damaged heroine in a fantasy novel... what more could you ask for?
ReplyDeleteLovely review.
I do think she was one of the more damaged I have read about lately. But it was real, she was a slave, it's not like she ran around in fields singing
DeleteSomehow I seem to enjoy romances that develop really slowly more, so I think waiting until the end for romance sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteWell it sure is more real that way, than oh I LOVE YOU!!! Kiss kiss. Yeah, not the way she had lived
DeleteFantasy with a bit of romance, count me in :)
ReplyDeleteI love fantasy :D Fantasy romance, not always cos the romance always takes over, but here it did not
DeleteThis sounds like a great worldbuilding and character book. I also like that cover.
ReplyDeleteI did ask and she had no plans on writing more and I was all noooo, cos I want more from this world. I love good worlds
DeleteThis sounds super good. I'm glad the author made her recovery emotional more realistic...
ReplyDeleteGAH! I love her eye makeup on the cover.
I know! Why can't we all look that cool
DeleteWhere are you finding these books it's always awesome
ReplyDeleteI got really lucky this time
DeleteIt's the weekend! Wheeee!
ReplyDeleteYES!!!!!!!!
DeleteI giggled as you tried to classify what genre this one..I am working on a review tonight for a book that has a Outlander vibe and a fantasy feel but not high fantasy more middle fantasy with an Austen voice..hahaha!
ReplyDeleteLol it was hard cos fantasy romance is always so..well love love sex. This was not. But not epic so where does that leave me? Lol, light fantasy with a romantic feel
DeleteI love fantasy, especially fantasy that isn't overtaken by a romance. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
ReplyDeleteI do love my epic fantasy the best but this one was nice cos it was light, and still had romance, that did not take over. I hate when it takes over cos that means less fantasy
Deletelate romance, I like that. this sounds good and the cover is cool!
ReplyDeleteIt was very fitting, cos if it had happened at once..no
DeleteOh I'm liking that cover. Sounds pretty good!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is pretty
DeleteSounds nice, no insta-love :)
ReplyDeleteThough I think you would think Isthaer can do too much, knowing you
DeleteThis book sounds just perfect. I want, I want, I want!!
ReplyDeletehmm I confess the genre in intriguing and well I love when we can find great worlds, always love to discover them.
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun to reading more set here, but maybe she will write another cool world
DeleteThis one sounds really cool and I think the cover is pretty. :) Maybe since it's not an epic type of fantasy I should check it out!
ReplyDeleteI think you would like it :D
DeleteThe slow friendship into romance sounds wonderful to me
ReplyDeleteI do love it :)
DeleteInsta-love drives me bonkers these days. Slow build is good. :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, me too
DeleteSounds nice B, adding it to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteHmm, now this sounds great! I love the sounds of it. And that that you enjoyed it so.
ReplyDeleteIt was just good :D
DeleteWow, this sounds like an amazing read!! I'm definitely putting this one in my TBR =D
ReplyDeleteYay, it is really good
Delete