Title: The Servant Prince
Series: Ice Dragon Tales 01
Author: Hurri Cosmo
Genre: High Fantasy
Length: Novel Plus (343 pages)
ISBN: 9781622321261
Publisher: Silver Publishing (15th February 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Prince Joron of Blade Rain was kissed by a man he had no idea was King Aric of Claymoor Doom. King Aric had no idea the one he kissed was even a man since Joron was dressed as a woman.
Disguised in order to escape his brother, Joron is swept off his feet by Aric when he rescues Joron from an assault and Aric is stunned by that one remarkable kiss. Led to believe the beautiful woman is actually the princess, Aric immediately goes to the king of Blade Rain and offers for the princess’s hand. Unfortunately, King Aric is now betrothed to Liarta, Joron’s sister. Unaware of his mistake, Aric is summoned back to his kingdom and Joron must now travel to Claymoor Doom to renegotiate the marriage deal because his sister is in love with someone else.
When Aric discovers the Prince is actually the Princess, he does the only thing he can think of. He will release Liarta from the contract, but only if Joron takes her place.
However, at the death of his father, the former king, Joron became the powerful new owner of the Ice Dragon Pass, the only safe route through the Norborne Mountains. Unfortunately, for Joron, there are those who would kill for that kind of power…
CONTENT ADVISORY: As the first in a serial novel, this book has a “to be continued” ending. Stand by for the next installment, The Servant King, coming soon!
Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/the-servant-prince-ebook-p-60468.html
Review: Joron is a prince of Blade Run and has lived the last several years helping to fix the problems that his sex mad, cruel father ignored. When his older brother, Diagus, returns due to his father’s ill health he has hope that things will begin to improve, and he holds on to that, hope even as he learns that he has to avoid Diagus at all costs. When his brother inherits the throne, Joron learns he is the owner of Ice Dragon Pass and his stepmother will stop at nothing to return it to his Diagus’ rule. King Aric is visiting to negotiate for passage through Ice Dragon Pass, and to see if he can find the servant who caught his eye months ago. When Aric comes across a lady being attacked he is overcome by her beauty and decides to make her his. Joron is shocked to learn of his sisters impending marriage, especially since she is promised to another who she loves and sets out to Claymoor Doom to convince King Aric to release his sister from the contract and then things become interesting. With Aric refusing to let him go and his brother’s obsession with him, Joron can still only think about his subjects and their suffering, but can he give up the love he is beginning to find or will the threat to others make him give up his freedom?
I have to say that this story was a joy to read, a world that has a medieval feel to it, a generous thoughtful prince in danger, a powerful king who is arrogant, and a new king who isn’t quite right in the head. Joron is an incredible character who is selfless and kind; he is also beautiful and intelligent and has put himself at risk for his people. Aric is an interesting character who is arrogant and very sure of himself, he sees what he wants and will do anything to get it. Diagus is a character who is definitely the baddie, he creeps you out with his obsession, and although you get glimpses of something good in him, the obsession overshadows everything else.
I was pulled quickly into this story and found myself wondering what was going to happen next, the storyline is very involved but has many characters who share the weight. The perspective does move from character to character but in such a way, that it is very clear and not confusing, and I have to say it was nice to be able to see certain parts from other people’s eyes. The storyline itself is brilliantly composed because there is more going on than just Joron and Aric getting together, we have a self-involved Queen/Queen Mother who will do anything to make sure her son has power, we have a new king obsessed with making his brother his, we have an arrogant king who has mystery surrounding him and then Joron who will do anything to protect those he cares about.
Joron’s and Aric’s relationship isn’t easy and from the way the story ended it isn’t going to be easy either, the sex between them is hot and at first it is coercive but Joron soon discovers just how much he enjoys it. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what will happen next, there is so much to look forward to with the different players in the story and the plans that are beginning to unfold.
I recommend this to those who love high fantasy, great characters, a brilliant storyline, some creepiness, danger, hot sex and the beginning of difficult love story.