Book Review Tuesday: The Prince’s Man, The Prince’s Son #epicfantasy #fantasyromance @DeborahJay2

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Warm and cozy window seat with cushions and a opened book, light through vintage shutters, rustic style home decor. Small cat on window seat, along with coffee cup by pillow, Words Book Review Tuesday superimposed over image

Happy Book Review Tuesday. I hope the weather is tolerable in your part of the world. February has been most unkind to the northeast, bringing non-stop snow, snow squalls, and freezing rain and sleet. Needless to say I’ve hunkered down indoors whenever possible–a great time for reading. Today I have two novels in a wonderful fantasy series to share. As the log line for these books say . . . “Think James Bond meets Lord of the Rings.”

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Book cover for The Prince's Man shows image of long-haired handsome young man in cloak on horseback

The Prince’s Man
Five Kingdom’s Book 1
by Deborah Jay

One of the best fantasy novels I have read in ages, The Prince’s Man combines court intrigue, nefarious plots, and dazzling realms. Rustam (Rusty) Chalice is a debonair dance master who lives a double life as a spy in the service of his prince, while also frequenting the beds of highborn ladies.

His life takes a turn when he is forced to team with Dart, the court’s royal assassin—a woman—with the goal of transporting a sickly elf across hostile, mountainous territory. Through the arduous journey, all three characters undergo brutal transformations and evolve as they are tested time and again, forced to rely on one another. At the same time, threats to the throne involve a traitorous noble, an illegitimate heir, and a diabolical torturer. There are layers upon layers of plot, all woven neatly together for a satisfying conclusion in this first book of what promises to be a stellar series.

I was smitten with all three of the lead characters, especially Rustam who undergoes the most compelling transformation of all. You can’t read this book and not be caught up in the lives of Jay’s rakish spy, Risada, Elwaes, and so many others. Even the secondary characters are fleshed out and vibrantly written. We meet so many along the journey, yet each leaves a distinctive mark.

The writing is exquisite, layered with beautifully detailed descriptions of enthralling realms, fantastical creatures, and breathless adventure. Every bit as riveting are the cloak-and-dagger machinations of several royal houses and the cruel manipulations of power-hungry men who seek the throne. From the moment I opened the first pages, I was sucked into the author’s expertly crafted world of intrigue and danger. A truly engaging story. Although book one delivers a wrap to the story as presented, I look forward to continuing for the full scope in books two and three. Highly recommended!

5 Stars

AMAZON LINK
Genre: Epic Fantasy > Fantasy Adventure > Fantasy Romance

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The Prince’s Son
Five Kingdoms Book 2
by Deborah Jay

Book cover for The Prince's Son shows image of long-haired handsome young man in cloak on horseback

The second book in a series, The Prince’s Son picks up where the first book left off. Rustam Chalice is once again in the thick of things as he leads a bridal caravan delivering the older of twins to her intended. Nessa, the younger twin, joins her sister for the journey, along with their maid and friend, Enya. What starts off as a simple journey soon twists into nightmarish proportions, especially for the girls when they are abducted by a vile clan chief.

As in the first novel, I was enthralled by the deftness of the author’s writing, her ability to weave scenes that kept me on pins and needles, and a plot that leaves the reader eagerly flipping the pages.

Whether Jay is writing a beautiful descriptive passage or one rife with danger and raw brutality, her talent places the reader in the heart of the scene. She did an excellent job of wringing emotion from me. I alternately cheered, recoiled, wept, and felt the same broken, joyous, or determined fortitude of the characters. Some are truly abhorrent, and the author didn’t shy from showing that side of them. Others, heroic, complex, resilient.

The relationship between Rustam and Lady Risada will always be the heart of the story for me, but there are layers upon layers of plot threads in this deftly built world. There are several surprises in store, plus a wonderful “comeuppance” for one of the more loathsome characters. I’m looking forward to continuing the journey in book three!

5 Stars

AMAZON LINK
Genre: Epic Fantasy > Fantasy Adventure > Fantasy Romance

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Aren’t the covers for these novels positively gorgeous? I’m thoroughly smitten with Rustam and Lady Risada and look forward to reading more of their story in book three. Rumor has it Deborah has a fourth (and final?) novel in the works for this series. I’ll be grabbing it on pre-order as soon as it’s available. Book three, The Prince’s Protege is already waiting on my Kindle.

Thanks for joining me for another Book Review Tuesday. Wherever you are, stay warm, and happy reading!

54 thoughts on “Book Review Tuesday: The Prince’s Man, The Prince’s Son #epicfantasy #fantasyromance @DeborahJay2”

  10. These sound like the kind of books that cost readers sleep:) I’m guessing there are plenty of scenes that make you turn pages until you feel “safe” enough to put the book down for the night. The story sounds incredible!

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Thank you Mae, and thank you everyone else – this post makes a difficult week sooooo much better!
    And yes, there is a fourth book more than half written (lockdown has been a boon for that), and yes, it’s the end of this particular story, but I have at least another six planned after this one, moving onto the next generation of characters.
    One thing I’m never short of is ideas!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Wow! That’s amazing, Debby. It sounds like there is plenty of adventure to come in the world you’ve created. I look forward to the conclusion of this series arc, as well as the new ones you have planned. I’m glad the post today brightened your week. Thanks for brightening mine with your excellent and entertaining novels!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Sue. They aren’t magic-heavy, and more focussed on the characters than the magic systems. A number of my work colleagues who hadn’t previously read fantasy gave them a go because they were intrigued to read books written by someone they know. So far they’ve all loved them 😀

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  20. I loved both of these books, too, Mae, though I’m behind on my reviews. 😦 Something I’m planning to fix very soon! And I have #3 awaiting me on my Kindle. I really need to catch up with the series, as I think Deborah has done a fabulous job with the tale so far! Great reviews! (Congratulations, Debby!)

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I need to dive into book three too, Marcia. I’m thoroughly smitten with Rustam and Risada and look forward to discovering more of their adventures. So glad to know you enjoyed these too. Debby crafted amazing characters and an amazing world. I loved all the intrigue with the titled houses.

      Liked by 1 person

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  22. Both books look like fantastic reads, Mae! I love fantasy that transports me to other dimensions and this sounds like it does. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I’ll be adding them to my long TBR list. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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