Veena’s review of Prisoner of the Crown (Chronicles of Dasnaria, Book 1) by Jeffe Kennedy
Fantasy Romance published by Rebel Base Books 12 Jun 18
In her new fantasy series, Jeffe Kennedy gives us the story of Princess Jenna, who had such a profound effect on Harlan (Talon of the Hawk) and Kral (Edge of the Blade). Finally we have the answers that have intrigued readers about Harlan’s blood oath and Kral’s regret and anguish and the security the two princesses in the seraglio enjoy purchased with Jenna’s blood and tears. This story also give us some other interesting connections that were unexpected, which I will leave to be discovered by readers.
Jenna was brought up in a gilded cage in the seraglio under the strict and sometime scary tutelage of her mother, who impressed upon her the need for secrecy upon the pain of death. She anticipated her marriage and dreamed off romance, only to find herself married to a man so evil that a kind wedding guest offered her escape during the marriage ceremonies. After her marriage night when the veils were torn from her innocent eyes, she demanded and won for her sisters a choice in their own marriages.
Stoned on narcotics supplied by her husband and tortured within an inch of her life, she exists until she is able to fool the imperial guards and escapes on a ship that sails before the harbor is shut down. Alone, afraid, and unaware of life, she’s rescued by a priestess of Daru and reinvents herself as a priestess who has taken a vow of silence and abstinence. She sets sail again, fleeing from the Dasnarian force that is looking for her, this time a wiser, more worldly passenger.
The story ends abruptly on a cliffhanger, to be continued. If I have a complaint, it is that it takes so long for the entire story to be revealed.
Grade: B
Summary:
She was raised to be beautiful, nothing more. And then the rules changed . . .
In icy Dasnaria, rival realm to the Twelve Kingdoms, a woman’s role is to give pleasure, produce heirs, and question nothing. But a plot to overthrow the emperor depends on the fate of his eldest daughter. And the treachery at its heart will change more than one carefully limited life . . .
THE GILDED CAGE
Princess Jenna has been raised in supreme luxury—and ignorance. Within the sweet-scented, golden confines of the palace seraglio, she’s never seen the sun, or a man, or even learned her numbers. But she’s been schooled enough in the paths to a woman’s power. When her betrothal is announced, she’s ready to begin the machinations that her mother promises will take Jenna from ornament to queen.But the man named as Jenna’s husband is no innocent to be cozened or prince to charm. He’s a monster in human form, and the horrors of life under his thumb are clear within moments of her wedding vows. If Jenna is to live, she must somehow break free—and for one born to a soft prison, the way to cold, hard freedom will be a dangerous path indeed…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
