Review: The Orchid Queen by Jeffe Kennedy

Welcome to the world of Forgotten Empires from award winning author Jeffe Kennedy that begins with The Orchid Throne.

THE ORCHID THRONE by JEFFE KENNEDY

Publication date: September 24, 2019

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Series: Forgotten Empires #1

Genre: fantasy romance

 

Synopsis

A PRISONER OF FATE

As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Euthalia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Euthalia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?


Praise for The Orchid Throne:

"An enchanting world awaits in The Orchid Throne...With detailed world building and an intriguing cast of characters—especially a warrior woman and an enigmatic and amusing wizard—this captivating story will have readers holding their breath." - BookPage

"A captivating read that grows more engrossing with each chapter." - Romance Reviews Today

"A captivating fantasy romance by a writer who knows how to lure you in and hold your attention until the very end. The Orchid Throne is a fascinating fantasy romance novel that I did not want to end!" - Lovely Loveday

"The Orchid Throne is a captivating and sensual fantasy romance you won’t want to miss! High stakes. Remarkable worldbuilding. Unique and compelling characters. A slow-burn romance that’ll make you combust.” – Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of The Kingmaker Chronicles


"Jeffe Kennedy's The Orchid Throne is an epic tale of grand scope with its battles and political machinations, and above all, its relentless pursuit of hope in the face of suffering. Con and Euthalia, united in their goal of destroying a usurper emperor, are a perfect match for each other. A beautifully told story of loss, endurance, and abiding devotion from a master of fantasy romance." - Grace Draven, USA Today Bestselling Author of Phoenix Unbound

Purchase your copy now!

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About the Author:

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author whose works include novels, non-fiction, poetry, and short fiction. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow, received the Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship for Poetry, and was awarded a Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award.

Her award-winning fantasy romance trilogy The Twelve Kingdoms hit the shelves starting in May 2014. Book 1, The Mark of the Tala, received a starred Library Journal review and was nominated for the RT Book of the Year while the sequel, The Tears of the Rose received a Top Pick Gold and was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2014. The third book, The Talon of the Hawk, won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015. Two more books followed in this world, beginning the spin-off series The Uncharted Realms. Book one in that series, The Pages of the Mind, has also been nominated for the RT Reviewer’s Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2016 and won RWA’s 2017 RITA® Award. The second book, The Edge of the Blade, released December 27, 2016, and is a PRISM finalist, along with The Pages of the Mind. The next in the series, The Shift of the Tide, will be out in August, 2017. A high fantasy trilogy taking place in The Twelve Kingdoms world is forthcoming from Rebel Base books in 2018.

She also introduced a new fantasy romance series, Sorcerous Moons, which includes Lonen’s War, Oria’s Gambit, The Tides of Bàra, and The Forests of Dru. She’s begun releasing a new contemporary erotic romance series, Missed Connections, which started with Last Dance and continues in With a Prince.

In 2019, St. Martins Press will release the first book, The Orchid Throne, in a new fantasy romance series, The Forgotten Empires.

Her other works include a number of fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns; the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion; an erotic contemporary serial novel, Master of the Opera; and the erotic romance trilogy, Falling Under, which includes Going Under, Under His Touch and Under Contract.

She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

You can find her on:

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REVIEW

The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What a surprise this one was! I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first read by the author, but I really appreciated the originality Ms. Kennedy put into the plot. A lot of fantasy storylines tend to run together with overused tropes and predictability. The Orchid Throne does rely on the forbidden magic trope you find in so many but beyond that it was a refreshingly unique story. Admittedly, you have to be patient in the first half because the pace is excruciatingly slow for a good, solid chunk. It took me much longer than it should have to push through the beginning. Euthalia and Conrí meet around the halfway point which is when the action and dialogue intensify and pull you firmly in.

The island kingdom of Calanthe is ruled by the cunning Queen Euthalia. Deliberately cultivating a naive and frivolous persona, she secretly outsmarts those who underestimate her. Her home is famed for their licentious Flower court, but even more so for being the sole kingdom under Emperor Anure's vicious rule to remain standing. It's the last sliver of pleasure and excess when the rest of the world has suffered destruction and horror. This privilege was won with a deal with the devil of sorts when her father promised her hand in marriage to Anure in exchange for Calanthe's preservation. You would expect royals to marry for duty or advantage, but this bargain that was struck had a sour smell to it when you think about the fate of so many other previously flourishing kingdoms and their inhabitants.

No one was exempt from Anure's wrath, no matter their station in life. Royals like Conrí, former Prince of Oriel were sent to the mines at Vurgmun where they were enslaved until their bodies gave out on them. Con's fear of death eventually whittled away, and in its place was a bloodthirsty need for revenge. He doesn't see himself as a "King of Slaves" or a leader to look up to despite the many victories with his band of rebels. He simply fights because the alternative would be surrendering to the shackles once again, and his freedom is not something he's willing to lose ever again. Even if he never gets the chance to bring Anure to justice, at least he could say he fought until his dying breath for it.

    The wolf prince had grown up and broken his chains, thirsty for vengeance. One day it would be Anure himself, and then it would be enough. As much as anything ever could be.

I really liked Con right from the start. He's been through literal hell and back and though he's undoubtedly brutish and unpolished, he's honest and affectionate with those in his inner circle. Sondra and the wizard Ambrose constantly busted his balls which was thoroughly entertaining. Ambrose especially was my favorite! I could just picture the twinkle in his eye as he joyously flustered or confused everyone around him. Ambrose joined forces with Con to bring a fated prophesy into being. The addition of his magic is a welcome advantage, as well as his guidance in locating the Orchid ring that they seek. Euthalia and her magic family heirloom may be their only chance to defeat the emperor for good.

I enjoyed the romance between Lia and Con. Though it felt a little rushed from enemies to affectionate couple, it didn't necessarily feel unrealistic. Lia was backed into a corner and was forced to make a difficult decision with him, but once she did, she was in 100%. She was determined to give him support, honesty, and loyalty. Even when they were enemies, she gave him respect and acknowledged his humanity which bumped my opinion of her up quite a bit. The first book in a fantasy series tends to be a little slower, so I think the next installment in the Forgotten Empire could prove to be a much more consistent pace. If you like fantasy with revenge, court intrigue, bloody battle scenes, and a dash of romance, this one will be for you. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series takes us next!

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