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I’ve been enjoying Jeffe Kennedy’s Uncharted Realms fantasy romance series since I picked up The Crown of the Queen, a bridging novel between the author’s Twelve Kingdoms series (which I’ve yet to read) and her Uncharted Realms series (which I’ve now read almost to completion). The end of that series is out now (The Fate of the Tala), but before I get to it, I wanted to catch up with a novella released in 2019, The Dragons of Summer. Originally it was included in the Seasons of Sorcery anthology in 2018 but is available now on its own. The author has also released a high fantasy (not fantasy romance) series, Chronicles of Dasnaria, which links to these others as well. I don’t think you have to have read every story previously to enjoy this one, but some familiarity with the characters and overall plot is definitely advantageous. This review may contain spoilers as a result of its multi-series background.
Former Prince of Dasnaria Harlan Konyngrr became a mercenary and is now consort to High Queen Ursula. A formidable enemy has found a way through the magic shield protecting the Kingdoms, and a defining battle is looming. When news comes to light that rocks Harlan to the core, he must choose between secrets and vows that will determine who has his true loyalty. Ursula has his heart – but is that enough?
Anyone who enjoys fantasy romance should be reading Jeffe Kennedy. What started as a trilogy about three sisters and their fates has spawned into three linked series with excellent worldbuilding, unique characters and magic systems that combine the gifts of foresight and shape shifting with the ever present battle against evil. In this case, it’s the followers of Deyrr, a religious cult that feeds on death and whose high priestess has found a way for her zombie-like minions to infiltrate the Twelve Kingdoms due to breakdowns in the magic barrier that has previously protected them. Harlan is a unique individual in that he knows the political ins and outs of Dasnaria, a neighbouring kingdom not under Ursula’s rule, and when a missive comes from his brother King Hestar about making an alliance while having Dasnaria’s military amassing on Ursula’s borders, Harlan concedes it makes the most sense for her to marry one of his brothers. After all, he’s always expected her to make a marriage of state for the good of her people, no matter his own personal vows to her. Ursul,a though, has other plans.
The story is told from Harlan’s point of view, and includes insight into his upbringing in Dasnaria, the plight of his younger sister Jenna (featured in the Chronicles of Dasnaria) who escaped a brutal marriage to parts unknown, and the vows he made to Jenna and his other sisters in those days that prevent him from being entirely open with Ursula. The strain on their relationship comes to a head with the offer from his brother. The underlying tension of waiting for an attack from the Deyrr minions is ever present, making for an exciting story with high points of action, battle scenes, and magic used to its full advantage (and yes, there are dragons too!). Yet through it all, the feelings Harlan has for Ursula are ever present and they share a passionate love scene, a brief moment of respite from the ever present reality of their tenuous situation.
Time and again, I return to this author because of her ability to weave personal stories into broader political and social contexts. Her magic systems are well developed and build on each other and similarly, the worlds are continuously and smoothly expanding. The fight between good and evil is always at the heart of a good fantasy story and the author has that in personal conflicts as well as larger ones. And the passionate and sexy romances are full of strong characters for whom you want to see a happy ending. Harlan and Ursula come out of this particular tale with a bond that’s stronger than ever, and are ready to face the unknown together. I’m ready for the finale!
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Grade: B+
Book Type: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 16/04/20
Publication Date: 04/2019
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I'm a biochemist and a married mother of two. Reading has been my hobby since grade school, and I've been a fan of the romance genre since I was a teenager. Sharing my love of good books by writing reviews is a recent passion of mine, but one which is richly rewarding.
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Thanks Christina – I am going to try this one.
I have just finished The Mark of the Tala and am about to start the next one – Thanks for the recommendation!
So yes, Dabney, to answer your question ( I tried to reply to your comment but it put my comment at the bottom of the list anyway), the Orchid Throne is a good one to try for new readers. However it is part of an ongoing series – the ending isn’t a cliffhanger but the story isn’t resolved and the same couple appears in the second book The Fiery Crown which is coming out in May. I think it’s supposed to be a trilogy.
As Christina said, The Mark of the Tala is the start of the Twelve Kingdoms series; The Pages of the Mind is the start of the spinoff series, The Uncharted Realms (which I where I entered into the series, still have to read those first 3). Either of those is a good starting point too, and obviously if you enjoy them you’ll have lots more to read.
The Orchid Throne is the start of a completely different series. I enjoyed it quite a lot too.
Sorry – Actually the first 3 are referred to as The Twelve Kingdoms – start there with Mark of the Tala!
I would start with Uncharted Realms – the first book is Mark of the Tala. If you like it, there’s a lot more and you can keep going. The Orchid Throne is great, but I don’t believe the second book is out yet.
Kennedy readers? Thoughts?
I haven’t read her either – what do you recommend starting with? Her back list looks big, so I’m hoping I will like her style. Thanks
I’ve been thinking about reading her but thought I’d start with The Orchid Throne. Is that in a third series?