ABOUT THE BOOK

When Sage Wolfe is accidentally mistaken for a peace offering, her world turns upside down. Dayton, the young, handsome, and insane King of Rosementh whisks her away to his castle to be his bride with the promise that he can give her the world and anything she desires. These offers become tainted as Dayton’s true colors show themselves; he is cruel and violent and Sage vows to run away or die trying.

Just when Sage thinks she is hitting rock bottom, a hooded stranger named Jonathan Kreider comes to the castle. He doesn’t say much but his actions speak for themselves. Not only can he wield a sword or shoot an arrow better than most of Dayton’s men, but he always seems to be a step behind Sage, and though it should terrify her, for the first time Sage finds herself filling with hope.

Sage is faced with a choice. Should she run away from the wicked king who took her away from her family? Or should she stay to learn more about the man who lurks in the shadows, the man that makes her heart race and almost makes suffering Dayton’s wrath worthwhile? Sage is about to discover that nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets; Dayton, the man that calls himself Jonathan Kreider, and even herself.

MY REVIEW

I am pleasantly surprised with Ms. Bennson’s debut fantasy romance presenting a strong heroine, an evil king, and a mysterious hero.

Sage is the best dancer in her hometown of Community, who catches the eye of the handsome, but evil, Dayton the Pillager King, who kidnaps her and claims her as queen. His periods of kindness and spells of violence and twisted depravity eventually come to light, and Sage feels confused and hopeless about her fate.  When the attractive and mysterious stranger, Jonty, arrives to help her escape, his dedication to keeping her safe is baffling for someone she doesn’t know, but he seems so familiar. What will the king do to Sage and Jonty when he finds them?

He didn’t care if people thought he was insane, being crazy made people fear you. It was the idea his men didn’t think he was capable of ruling, that he’d somehow gotten soft. It was the looks of sympathy and insecurity he couldn’t take. That and his soldier’s negligence.

I found a pitiful king with a dual personality to be a clever move. On the one hand, he is sweet and immature, and on the other hand, he is unexpectedly violent and damaged. I think I was just as astonished at Dayton’s behavior as Sage was.

Sage is a brave, unselfish, and smart young woman who makes the best of her situation, but when she realizes it is either die at the hands of the king or escape, she courageously goes for it. 

Jonty is my favorite character. His determination to protect Sage and his reasons why (which I cannot include due to spoilers) are so honorable and romantic.  He’s a true hero in my book!

Overall, Ms. Bennson has done a wonderful job combining a sweet romance with some dark subject matter such as mental illness, abuse, and abandonment. Give this debut novel a try!

Thank you to Ms. Bennson for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kay Bennson is from Northwestern Connecticut where she lives with her husband and son. She doesn’t remember a time where she wasn’t writing stories (in fact, some of her best ideas were forged in high school classes and at part time jobs). When she isn’t writing, she enjoys video games, Irish dance, gymnastics, and fanfiction.

Follow Kay on her website, Goodreads, and Twitter.