Title: The Engineered Throne
Author: Megan Derr
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Length: Super Novel (346pgs)
ISBN: 9781620042724
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (13th November 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Lord Vellem is a man desperate for escape. His father hides from his problems in alcohol, his mother hides from her misery in drugs, and his brother fled to the relative safety of the royal palace. Vellem eventually found solace in the Royal Army Corp of Engineers, but still could not entirely escape. Then his brother provides him with an unexpected chance, and now Vellem’s marriage to the young prince of a neighboring kingdom is only months away.
The marriage promises not just a fresh start in a new land, but a challenge to his famed skills in building roads and bridges. But before he can settle into his new life, tragedy strikes, and Vellem isn’t certain he’s up to rebuilding the ruin left in its wake.
Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=517
Review: Vellem found his own place in the world when he joined the Royal Army Corp of Engineers, but he still can’t quite escape his father’s vicious alcohol fuelled rages and his mothers fall into the haze of drugs. When his brother offers him the chance to escape for good and to help settle peace on the country, Vellem agrees to marry a neighboring prince, Perdith. But just as Vellem is about to embark on his new life tragedy strikes and Vellem must step into a role he never wanted, prepare his new country for war and also save his fragile marriage.
Ah, to sink into a fabulous fantasy and be swept away to another world is a true treat and Megan Derr always hits the spot. When we enter this story, we are introduced to Vellem and his family and we are quickly pulled into the story. Vellem is a fantastic character who is a blend of confident and insecure, hard and compassionate, knowledgeable and oblivious. Perdith is a character we don’t get to know quite as well but he seems to be slightly shy and awkward but with a flash of temper that makes itself know during trying times. These two men are thrown together to help settle peace between their countries, but their first day together as husbands nearly destroys everything they hope to achieve.
This is a great story that has a bit of everything thrown in, danger, betrayal, a developing romance that’s fraught with misunderstandings and miscommunication. It has mischievous plotting and planning, swift retribution and finally a happy ending. I loved the world building and the way the plot was lay out, it brought me fully into the world as I followed Vellem through a harsh time. Perdith’s and Vellem’s relationship is nearly over before it begins and it is a very tense one, while Vellem does his best to hold it all together it seems that Perdith is pushing Vellem away but they finally come to an understanding when they both give the other a chance.
The supporting characters are brilliant, each of them playing their part wonderfully and adding to the storyline with their personalities. The storyline itself is brilliant with dark betrayal threaded throughout, but with that spot of hope as Vellem refuses to succumb to the despair that is trying to take hold. While we might not get to know Perdith well we do understand why he acts and reacts as he does, he doesn’t know his new husband, and trust is a very delicate thing especially when their countries have been at war for so long and the peace is still new. One thing I can say about them as a couple though, is that when the trust is built they are incredible together and they make a formidable team.
I highly recommend this story to those who adore high fantasy, brilliant characters, a romance that is rocky and trust is fragile, a story filled with doubts, betrayal, devastation, and unforgivable kings, but also filled with hope, trust and developing love.