Date of Reading: 19/09/2022
Author: Seth Haddon
Publisher: Blind Eye Books
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Source: BookSirens
Rating: 4.5/5
About the book:
Since time immemorial the warriors of the Paladin Order have harnessed arcane powers to protect their rulers. For Balen, who has given up his chance at love and fought his way to the top of the Paladin Order, there can be no greater honour than to serve his king. But when assassins annihilate the royal family, Balen suddenly finds himself sworn to serve the very man he abandoned.
Now with their nation threatened by enemies both within and outside the kingdom, Balen must fight hidden traitors and unnatural assassins, while also contending with the biting wit and dangerous charm of young King Zavrius. To save themselves and their nation they will have to put aside their past and reforge that trust they lost so long ago.
Review:
If it is not for the preview available in GoodReads, I would have passed over this book, all thanks to that cover which gives off a different vibe. Let me clarify it for you then. It is not a spicy heated love story as implied (apart from two scenes towards the end), but a very slow romance with ample political intrigue in the mix. It was like reading The Captive Prince series again, all in one book. The story might be different, but the teasing, eluding king won't fail to remind you of a certain prince.
Balen and King Zavrius were sweethearts once, but he gave up his love for the prince for his career as a Paladin. Fate had other plans though. Zavrius's siblings are killed making him the last of the royal line and therefore the new king Balen is sworn to protect. With their old chemistry still intact, this has proven to be a much more laborious task. Oh, Zavrius sure makes him pay for ditching him . . . and the angst was worth waiting for.
The battle scenes are another factor that I enjoyed. Haddon has a way of pulling us to the fights and the twists that come one after the other keep you always at the edge. Mallet and Lance, our sidekicks/brothers provide the necessary comic relief. If I could only have another story featuring these brothers! Lance, you sure are awesome!
All in all an action-packed, swoon-worthy romance with hilarious moments that will give you an irresistible time. Highly recommended!
Meet the author:
Seth Haddon is a queer Australian writer of fantasy. He is a video game designer and producer, has a degree in Ancient History, and previously worked with cats. He lives in Sydney with his partner and their two furry children. Some of his previous adventures include exploring Pompeii with a famous archaeologist and being chased through a train station by a nun.
