BOOKS | Review: Eidolon by Grace Draven

Name: Eidolon (Wraith Kings #2)

Author: Grace Draven 

Publisher: Independently published

Date published: April 2016

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 323

Rating: 5/5

In a bid for more power, the Shadow Queen of Haradis has unleashed a malignant force into the world. Her son Brishen, younger prince of the Kai royal house, suddenly finds himself ruler of a kingdom blighted by a diseased darkness and on the brink of war. His human wife Ildiko must decide if she will give up the man she loves in order to secure his throne.
Three enemy kingdoms must unite to save each other, and a one-eyed, reluctant king must raise an army of the dead to defeat an army of the damned.

- From Goodreads. 

This was definitely different to Radiance, with a lot more drama, angst and action, but it was still a great story, although it probably won't become as much of a comfort read as Radiance has become for me.

It was interesting to learn more about the world in this book, especially the politics and relationships between the different kingdoms. We saw some of it in the first book, but it was good to see it in more detail in this one.

It was certainly a more angst-filled storyline for Brishen and Ildiko, but it was clear they always cared for each other throughout the story and wanted to look after each other, and it was lovely to see them get through the difficulties and be stronger together at the end.

I think there were some wonderful new characters introduced, and we got to see more of Kirgipa, who we only saw briefly during the first book, and was a very sweet, likeable character. I really liked the start of the relationship that began between her and another new character, Necos. He was very kind and protective and I thought the two of them together were very wholesome. I would have loved to see more of them, and I did not expect to enjoy another perspective or point of view outside of Brishen's and Ildiko's, but I really liked all of Kirgipa's parts in the story.

Overall, it was a very thrilling and captivating story and a great conclusion to the conflict that was begun in the first book. I really love the characters and world and would always be happy to read more, even when it's just a cosy story about the characters with less focus on the plot. 

BOOKS | Review: Radiance by Grace Draven

 Name: Radiance (Wraith Kings series #1)

Author: Grace Draven

Publisher: Independently published

Date published: 2014

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 296

Rating: 5/5

The Prince of no value

Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.

The noblewoman of no importance

Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn’t just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she’s known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.

Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.

- From Goodreads.

Radiance was a really wonderful read, it had me engaged from beginning to end and made me really happy to read. 

The romance was addictive and unusual. I do not think I have ever read a story where the couple finds each other ugly at first and it made for some really amusing moments, and was a good way for their relationship to start with friendship and develop into more in a believable way. I loved the way they talked to each other, and were quite honest with each other from the beginning and saw each other as equals. I really rooted for them as individual characters and together in a relationship too.

The world building was interesting to read about, and I liked how the author created the different cultures and how the people from the different kingdoms were so different from each other but could get along and find similarities between them too.

Along with that, the side characters were well developed too, especially Lord Serovek Pangion, who I thought had a very well layered personality and was a great addition to the story, and Anhuset, who was always enjoyable to read and a very fierce character.

The author built up the plot well, including enough action to keep things thrilling but also including a lot of scenes between Brishen and Ildiko that developed their relationship and made the romance intriguing. All of this lead towards an exciting climax that made for a great conclusion to the story and set up for what could be some fascinating stories set in this world in future books.

Overall, this was a really great book and it made me look forward to reading more of Grace Draven's work in the future. It was a marvellous love story that I really enjoyed and will read again many times. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fantasy romance with a unique premise.