Sandy M’s review of The Fire Lord’s Lover (Elven Lords, Book 1) by Kathryne Kennedy
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 6 Jul 10

Kathryne Kennedy has done it again. With the fate of her Relics of Merlin series unknown due to her move to Sourcebooks, I lamented the loss of a such a terrific series. Ms. Kennedy is one of those authors who gives a reader something different all the way around in her books. So getting into a new series when you’ve loved a previous one so well, you’re a little hesitant starting out. This author proves she’s got what it takes to magically weave a story that will leave you spellbound.

England has been taken over by Elven Lords, each master of his own domain. We begin with Firehame where Imperial Lord Mor’ded is the Fire Lord. His champion son, General Dominic Raikes, has just returned with the surrender of the king under his belt.

A bastard from a liaison with a servant, Dominic has never had respect, love, pride, or anything positive from his father, no matter how hard he works for any scrap. However, with his recent coup he’s finally gotten a smattering of reaction from the man. That doesn’t keep Dominic safe from the fire test his father renders to make sure the son’s magic doesn’t surpass the sire’s, though.

Betrothed to the Fire Lord’s son, Cassandra has been reared gently in a convent and is currently preparing for her wedding. Along with all her lessons and nuptial plans, she’s also the Rebellion’s secret weapon – she’s been trained to kill and Mor’ded is her first target, the goal to put England back in its citizens’ hands.

Because his father has always used what he’s cared for against him, Dominic learned early in his life not to care for anyone or anything. Therefore, it has been nearly all of his life that he’s kept emotion of any kind at bay. Even when suffering the fire test, he shows no reaction to his father, not letting the lord see his pain. His betrothed takes him by surprise at every turn, and he begins to feel a range of emotion for her, from intrigue to lust, but in public he shuns her and insults her. In his bed, however, it’s a totally different story and these two sizzle like you wouldn’t believe.

Cassandra begins to know the man beneath his stoic mask and realizes that Dominic is not as unfeeling or cruel as everyone has been lead to believe. She begins to understand why he’s blocked all emotion from his life. And she begins to want him as a man, to be in his arms, to feel his own special brand of pleasure each night.

Even with this new realization, Cassandra can’t give up on her mission, despite her husband’s assurance she will not succeed. But she’s known she may have to give her life for the Rebellion and their cause. It’s only now that she’s found happiness that she’s determined to find a way to have both freedom and her happily ever after.

Ms. Kennedy has created a new world where magic is the centerpiece once again. Each elven realm has its own magic and we’re given just enough to intrigue us about what future books may hold. I love that she has Dominic and Cassandra eventually working together instead of being in conflict with each other throughout until the very end as most books do.

And for a villain, Mor’ded is an evil one. His magical power is what is important to him. He couldn’t care less about his son. The scenes of those fire tests are done so well, you can feel Dominic’s pain as well as his refusal to give in completely to his father.

The only small criticism I have is the ending is a little too pat as well as a little too unrealistic, which is sort of crazy considering we’re talking fantasy here. But even in fantasy, this is a little much, too much to actually believe and to believe that it went over like clockwork. But because it is fantasy, I’m willing to let it go, especially because I have a feeling it will be used in future books.

I’m skimming the surface here on this book. So much happens, and Ms. Kennedy’s writing is as magical as her story, that you won’t put it down once you begin reading. The characters draw you in immediately; you root for them to end the tyranny and to find their hearts along the way. And the magic. Well, it’s just…..magic.

Grade: A+

Summary:

If his powers are discovered, his father will destroy him…

In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven Lords, the Fire Lord’s son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father, until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Unless his bride kills him first…

Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married…

Then Dominic and Cassandra together discover an unspeakable evil, one that threatens the destruction of the magical realm they would give their souls to save…

Read an excerpt.