Liviania’s review of Knight’s Fork (Gods of Tigron, Book 3) by Rowena Cherry
Futuristic romance released by Love Spell 1 Oct 08
The third novel of the Gods of Tigron series focuses on Prince Djarrhett and Queen Electra-Djerroldina. Electra was married to the third royal brother of the Volnoths and never expected to become Queen. Now that she is, the two species cannot produce children and the royal couple desperately needs a heir. She approaches ‘Rhett, a Djinn with eyes the same color of her husband, but he misunderstands her request for a sperm donor as a proposition. Soon most of their relatives and other acquaintances believe the two are having an affair. Thus Prince Tarrant-Arragon decides to maroon them on Earth using his equerry Grievous and nephew Thor-quentin.
I like this couple better than the two previous. ‘Rhett, raised by his grandmother on Earth, understands women’s rights and wants to extend them throughout the universe. He can come off as sanctimonious, but he’s not a hypocrite. He holds himself to the high moral standards he wants everyone to follow. He’s bothered by how much he would like to sleep with Electra because that’s not the kind of person he wants to be.
Electra knows what she wants and goes after it. She comes up with a tricky solution that will allow her to solve the infertility problem without being unfaithful to her husband. Their relationship is very touching, because you know the marriage is doomed since the husband is not the hero. But Electra goes to great lengths to protect his honor and keep their vows because she still loves him, if not his culture.
Conversely, I like the plot of Knight’s Fork the least. The first two had various factions scheming and plotting, with one coming out on top in the end. It was neat to see the plans untangle and discover who could best predict future outcomes. In Knight’s Fork everyone is still scheming, but they’re doing it with hardly any information. It’s the kind of plot that could be resolved in two minutes if any of the characters bothered to talk with each other. Any of the characters would be able to correct most of their mistakes with the tiniest bit of clarification. The frustration of the plot ruined some of my enjoyment of the great couple and interesting side characters. (Thor-quentin, in particular, looks like he might be a future hero in the series.)
I enjoy this series. I have to be in the right mood for the humor, which is something like a hormonal thirteen-year-old boy who plays chess and reads too many romance novels might use, but when I am it’s the right kind of silly. In addition, it might be better for new readers to start with the first novel, Forced Mate. The characters’ names and relationships (romantic and familial) are complicated and Knight’s Fork presumes some familiarity with the setting. This was not my favorite, but I’ll return for the fourth (if a fourth is written.)
Grade: C
Summary:
The Queen Consort of the Volnoth needs a sperm donor, and only one green-eyed god has the right stuff. Little does she know she has pinned all her hopes on the crown jewels of the fabled Royal Saurian Djinn. Not only is he the son of her greatest enemy, but he has taken a vow of chastity.
The Saurian Knight is caught between a problem father who has all the moral integrity of a Mafia Don, and a married Princess who would stop at nothing to have his seed in her belly. No matter which way he turns, he’s “forked.”
Taking the wrong lover…in the wrong place, at the wrong time…is dangerous. And when the High and Mighty intervene, it can be fatal. Can true love and a pure White Knight’s virtue triumph, when society loves a right royal scandal?
Read excerpts here.
Other books in the series:
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I myself read Knight’s Fork first and while the Dj names got a bit much I was able to sort them out. I liken this novel to one of the Merry Gentry novels by Laurel K. Hamilton with the goal being “get pregnant yesterday!” and while Electra doesn’t have Merry’s contingent of male faeries to serve her the idea is the same.
It’s so unfortunate how the term “fairy/faerie” has gotten abused over the last couple of decades. It’s a perfectly good noun that has been given a bad connotation for no good reason, either for the intended target or for the original meaning.
But every time I read it, I giggle a little at the mental image of Tinkerbell. How sad is that?
lol! Imagining Frost in a Tinkerbell costume is hilarious.
I suppose they share the “get pregnant” goal, but I don’t see much similarity past that. Can’t wait for the next Merry Gentry though, after all the plot development we got in A LICK OF FROST.
I like to use fairy for Disney, friendly whatever and faerie for the real meaning. I’m Irish, I have to do something . . .
LRP – you’re so right! What a mental image.
And Liv – I’m with you. Cannot wait for the next Merry Gentry. Lick of Frost was excellent.
I think this series by Cherry will have to go in my TBR. I’ve heard good things about all three books – odd titles notwithstanding.
Odd titles yes and Forked has another meaning as I am sure you know… similar to spooned.
I think Frost would burst an artery if forced into a Tinkerbell costume.
(Totally missed that the first time.)
I think in this time it’s a clever play on a Chess term. I believe all of Cherry’s titles are? The book is original, and refreshing and very intelligently written. I think perhaps Cherry being Brit, the famous Brit humor comes into play and often Americans miss it or don’t like the droll style of amusement.
I highly recommend it. Well worth the time and money.