VERY MINOR SPOILERS BELOW:
Well the reviews were right. This book checked nearly all of my boxes for this genre.
At certain times it was gritty, violent and shocking. Definitely NO fluff (and not for the faint of heart or those that crave political correctness in their love stories). Other times it was INCREDIBLY romantic, endearing, and even thoughtful. An immensely enjoyable story of love, compromise and acceptance by two very different people from two VERY different worlds. As most have noted it is like a fantastic fanfiction for Kahl Drogo and Daenerys from Game of Thrones.
The one aspect of this book that I loved above all others was kah Dax Lahn! He was the epitome of an Alpha. Lahn rules the Korwahk people; and because the Korwahk do not appoint their kings aka Daxes, he gained his title by force (challenging the incumbent Dax and swiftly besting him). He is a capable leader who is always one step ahead of his enemies. He understands the balance between might and intelligence, savagery and tenderness. He speaks seven languages (not including English), commands an army of 75,000 hardcore warriors, and his people are thriving under his reign. All who know of the Horde King fear him and wisely so, as he is fiercely protective of his people…and new queen.
Lahn was such a dichotomy. While he actively worked on changing so many of his less than desirable personality traits and ingrained beliefs for Circe’s love (although begrudgingly), he was at least willing to make those changes, but he NEVER became a pushover, nor did his character lose his edge. On that aspect Kristen always stayed true to Lahn’s character. There were so many scenes where Circe would make a demand or ask for a concession and I would think, "I hope he doesn't go along with this, because that would be so unlike his character”, and Kristen surprised me every time by making Lahn stand his ground. And despite of many of his backwards edicts, he was surprisingly progressive in other areas, i.e., accepting one of his trusted advisors and not caring that he was gay.
Kristen also remained true to the Korwahk people's way of life including the unflinching way in which they claimed their wives, enslaved prisoners of war, and doled out punishment. There were instances of rape, domestic abuse, beheadings, mutilation (although he REALLY deserves it), suicide, humiliation and sooo much more. I was able to look past that because, ONE, I'm a weirdo who likes a little gore, and TWO, because of their “ignorance”. These people knew no other way. They are chiefly isolated from outside cultures and these beliefs and traditions have been passed down for generations and no one in the right position had ever come along to teach them better, until Circe.
With that in mind Kristen didn't write Circe as the “great white hope” that would fix all of their ignorant ways and instantly lead them into enlightenment. Circe enacted changes, but in smaller ways that didn’t alienate her or cause resentment and ultimately ended up having a positive ripple effect. One very intense, yet touching example is when Circe is trying to explain to Lahn why he should not personally take part in an act that Korwahk warriors do when pillaging villages. Even though he was enraged at her request and staunchly against it, he ultimately agrees to her wishes. Well other wives and warriors take note of this and the seed is planted. Another example was how Korwahk warriors “take” their wives and how very little the woman’s needs and wants were considered in that process, especially those who were not of Korwahk heritage and could not express themselves due to the language barrier. Through Circe’s growing relationship with Lahn, other warriors start taking note of how truly happy their king was with his bride, this causes them to start taking Circe’s advice and they let her “school” them on the proper way to get to know their new wives in a gentler, more giving way.
I liked Circe in that she was smart. She never did anything stupid like try to escape; which would have undoubtedly ended with her putting herself and others in danger. She tried to rationalize her circumstances as best she could, but as she did so she continued to adapt and accept her new role as wife and Queen. She remained open minded and embraced the Korwahk people as her own. Even though she was the Dahksahna she did not hold herself above anyone. She became the unfortunate charge for four slaves, and once she learned that she would not be able to dismiss them, she decided she’d treat them like the humans they were. She treated them kindly, with love and affection and bought them gifts and clothes.
Circe also had very beautiful relationships with the wives of the Lahn’s warriors. They had the shared experiences of a very brutal introduction to their husbands and I feel that that bonded the ladies. There was only love, and trust between them. They were always there for each other, helping each other to settle into their new existence, teaching the new wives about proper customs, explaining the sometimes disturbing Korwahk traditions and interpreting their complex language. This not only bonded the women, but it also gave the reader extra insight into why the Korwahk behave the way they do, why certain traditions and rituals exist and the importance of some of those traditions in the continued strength and wellbeing of the Korwahk.
Outside of the love story between Circe and Lahn was the non-stop action! Nearly every chapter contained some exciting sub-plot, whether it was attempted kidnaps, attempted murder, attempted coups, or fights to the deaths! I was NEVER bored reading this book.
Once you get past their unfortunate beginning, the affection, love and trust that builds between Lahn and Circe is really a treat to witness. Kristen presents so many surprisingly gentle, sweet and ROMANTIC scenes between Lahn and Circe. The way they overcame their language barrier with their actions, early on sex is the only way they can express what they feel for each other, so there is lots of touching, and caresses. As they start to learn each other’s languages you are treated to verbal expressions of their love, their hopes, their dreams, their fears! I just couldn’t believe how wonderfully written the scenes were between them! I immensely enjoyed the dialog.
I did have a few gripes. The most glaring was how immature Circe could come across at times. Sometimes she sounded like an 18 year-old girl instead of a woman in what I think is her late 20s. As a woman in her mid-30s that just grated on my nerves..."like a lot"! As with most love stories there is usually some plot device written into the story to create tension and cause division between the hero and heroine, and that was the case towards the end of the novel. I hated how rushed their separation was written. It felt forced and I didn't feel like the Lahn that had literally worshiped the ground Circe walked on would have believed another; less credible person, over her so quickly and so vehemently. Nor did I believe his fierce reaction and almost immediate distrust of Circe.
Overall I was very pleased with this book and while I rarely re-read books this is one of the few that I can see myself re-reading every year. There were truly wonderful scenes between Circe and Lahn, Circe and Diandra, Circe and just about everyone she encountered: about life, about adapting to unforeseen changes and circumstances, about hate, abuse, compromise, forgiveness and most of all LOVE.
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Reviews with images
CAN I HAVE MY OWN KAHL LAHN???
Any GOT fans?I have a confession, when Khal Drogo was killed off I stopped watching. I was shocked they killed him off and my broken heart never mended, until I stumbled upon this GEM of a book! I've had this book for 7ish years and it is still my #1 read whenever I need to take a step back and refocus.This is the second book in Kristen Ashley Fantasyland series. I really enjoyed book 1, but book 2!!! There's no comparison for me. She creates this world where quite honestly I'm amazed. Her conception of developing a romance between a Horde King and a woman of today's world in an alternate universe just wows me. It's pure magic. Their interactions are hilarious, but more, to see each MC learning each other's customs is heartwarming and beautiful.You are not going to find a damsel in distress in this book, oh no. But what you will get is a kicka** warrior queen, a Horde king that will do anything to keep his queen happy, warriors dedicated to their Horde, fights to the death and so much more✨
Top reviews from other countries
Julia
Entweder man liebt diesen 2. Teil der Fantasyland Series oder man hasst ihn
Reviewed in Germany on January 6, 2015