After Luce and Jude's parents died they became orphans and ultimately slaves. While the work was hard, they knew what to expect, and they were always together. When soldiers from a mystical continent said to have magic buys them they don't know what to expect, but the reality may be far worse than their previous lives. Luce is to be a mistress of Prince Jonathan in an attempt to rid the kingdom of the curse placed by the previous queen where no one can have children. Jude, however, finds himself among the mountain folk who despise magic and seek to end the curse through other means.
I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I don't really know what I was expecting with this book going in, but this wasn't it. There is a curse across a kingdom put in place by a scorned woman where no one can have any babies until one is born. Seems a little harsh, but hey emotions run high. Curses are cast. Things happen. I'm not saying she was in the right, but her sister is a bit of a bitch.
This story follows a brother and sister who were bought at a slave market, but throughout they don't act like anyone would expect slaves to act. They are headstrong and argumentative, rarely bowing to authority. It makes for good reading, but I don't know how realistic that would be. Farm hands going to a new land? Sure. I could buy that. But slaves as their background seems a little far fetched. Especially when the original blurb for the story says "after a lifetime of slavery". Also, it was never explained how they went from being orphans to being slaves. Did their parents die and then poof they're owned by others? Or maybe they were captured? I mean they can't have realistically have sold themselves into slavery. Plot hole? I don't know.
Then there is the kingdom they are taken to. It is long boat ride away, given, but an entire continent that other places know about that isn't sought out because it is hidden by magic? I don't buy it. Especially if it is a rich kingdom. Other places are going to be putting their best people on that. And why is this one continent the only place in this world with magic? Did someone just round up all the magical people like lepers' and say "You live here now. Good luck!" Like I have questions.
Barring these very odd points, in my opinion, the book was decent. There are some petty women fights including one of the main characters and some high school type drama, some sex scenes, fight scenes, and even a happily ever after. While Jude isn't realistic as a slave he is probably my favorite character. He stands up for his sister, rolls with the punches, and is down for an easy lay.
When I first read the blurb on this book I thought it was a fantasy, but it leans heavily into the romance sector. It's not smut, mind you. I can honestly say that if you find yourself hating a character in this book there is a good chance something bad is going to happen to them and you'll get a petty sense of satisfaction from it. I'm glad everything worked out in the book and hope for good things from this author in the future.
This book is available on Amazon on Kindle Unlimited or you can buy it for $2.99 by clicking here.
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