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A personal space where I share what I love, what moves me, and what I would recommend without hesitation.
Bride to the Fiend Prince
Dark Rulers · Book 1
Rebecca F. Kenney
★★★½☆Synopsis
When her father surrenders to an invading kingdom, Amarylla doesn't realize she's part of the treaty until it's too late. Drugged to prevent resistance, she's swept away to the dark, tortured kingdom of Terelaus, where she is forced to marry the Fiend Prince. When Amarylla holds a dagger to his throat on their wedding night, she and the Prince come to a tenuous arrangement of their own. But he may not be the greatest danger lurking in the Cursed Palace.
The protagonists
AMARYLLA
THE BRIDE WHO DOESN'T SURRENDER
Handed over as part of a peace treaty she never agreed to, drugged and dragged to a cursed kingdom. But Amarylla is no damsel in distress — on the first night she holds a dagger to her new husband's throat and negotiates her own terms.
GALANRAE
THE FIEND PRINCE
The feared Fiend Prince of the cursed kingdom of Terelaus. Tormented, full of secrets, and far more complex than his reputation suggests. The problem is we only get her POV, which leaves much of his story in the shadows.
My review
This book turned out to be a great surprise. My only problem is that it moves very fast and doesn't dig deep enough into some points, so it feels like it falls short. I would have liked to know more about the world, and especially about the male lead — we only get her POV, so much of Galanrae stays in the shadows. I think it could have been something extraordinary, but it lacked consistency. That doesn't take away from how good the story underneath is: a heroine forced to marry the villainous prince of the enemy kingdom, a curse that affects her people, all driven by a hunger for power. It's an entertaining story, a quick read. I recommend it if you like romantasy and need something to pass the time.
Who is this for?
Fans of romantasy looking for a fast, entertaining read to pass the time
Readers who love the trope of the bride forced to marry the villainous prince of the enemy kingdom
Anyone who enjoys heroines who are damsels but never in distress, with Beauty and the Beast vibes
Where to buy it?
AmazonReading with Matcha · Made with love by Ari