Written by Teralyn Mitchell
The Orchid Throne was a moving tale of choices, fate, and loss. I have to say upfront that this is not a YA fantasy as I went into reading this thinking that it would be until I found out Lia’s age. This is a dual point of view story. The story starts with Lia as she’s waking up from a startling nightmare and having to prepare for court, dealing with the emperor’s emissary. We learn some of the dynamic between Calanthe and the emperor but more questions are raised then answered in the beginning. Conrí’s first chapter jumps right into the action of him and his people taking over a town. The story progresses from there to show Lia and Conrí on a collision course to meet.
The Orchid Throne started very slow for me and I had a hard time getting into the story for the first 100+ pages and following what was going on. However, after this point, I could not put down the book. I thought the world building was well done although seeing common words we use took me out of the story in the beginning, but you get used to it. The story was beautifully written and such a moving love story.
I liked Conrí a lot. He was who he was and unapologetic about it. I loved how decisive he was and the fact that he did what needed to be done; he wasn’t scared to make the hard decisions. The things he went through would have broke a lesser man but it made him stronger and more determined to make things right for him and so many others who were wronged. Lia was sometimes frustrating to understand and get behind. I wanted her to fight more and not bend to the whim of the emperor. I understood why she behaved the way she did. Lia was taught all her life that she must protect her country and people at all cost so it was hard for her to not think of them first and make decisions that she thought would preserve Calanthe. Lia came off as cold, callous, and uncaring but she really did have a good heart. She cared for everyone but had perpetuated a certain image for so long that it was hard for her to shed even when she didn’t have to keep being that way. I absolutely loved Lia and Conrí together. There was tension and chemistry between the two of them from their first meeting and I liked how they could get under each other’s skins. Ambrose was my absolute favourite character. He cracked me up a lot with his personality and how he would explain things. He was always so calm no matter what was going on. I liked Sondra as well as she was strong, intelligent, and did what had to be done.
I did like the background that was giving in the beginning and the fact that it hadn’t happened that long ago. The characters were still dealing with the fallout of a tyrant destroying all the other kingdoms and crowning himself emperor. He enslaved the royal and noble families. Both Lia and Conrí had plans to deal with the emperor but they will need each other if they want to defeat him. Once they finally realised that, I was happy and so ready to see what happens when they against the emperor. I am very excited to read the next instalment of the Fallen Empire series.
The Orchid Throne was such a moving and beautifully written adult fantasy romance. I loved the imagery and worldbuilding with strong characters that all brought a different element to the story. Although the story starts slow, it really picks up about a third of the way in and is hard to put down. I am excited to read the rest of this series and try more of Jeffe Kennedy’s books!
The Orchid Throne is available on Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Welcome to the world of Forgotten Empires from award winning author Jeffe Kennedy that begins with The Orchid Throne.
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?
