Several years ago, I won a copy of Jeffe Kennedy‘s The Fiery Crown. As a second book in a then-unfinished series, it has sat on my shelf ever since. But I am making an effort to read more of my physical books. So, I borrowed The Orchid Throne from the library, and when they did not have a copy of The Promised Queen, I purchased one.
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?
I’m going to write a single review for this whole series, since it is a single story. Each book picks up just as the last ends.
I adored this wholly. There was a moment in book three when I thought Kennedy brought in some pointless kink to write to the market, and I was annoyed. But even that turned out not to be pointless after all. So, I basically just loved all of this.
Con and Lia are marvelous characters. He’s just the Goodest of Good Boys when he’s not being a dangerous, murderous rebel. She’s smart and poised. She’s also 26, if I remember correctly, and he is of a similar age. So, they’re full adults. There’s no young or new adult angst over self-discovery or sex. Nor is there any artificial misunderstandings or third-act breakup. The side characters are also marvelous and complicated. Ambrose is my favorite, though I enjoyed them all.
True, there isn’t much of a sense of the rest of the world, outside of the immediate happenings 
of the book. Where did Con’s army go, for example? Once the Illustrious Toad was deposed, what of his court and the regular people? But the world and magic are interesting. The pacing is also, admittedly, uneven. But that was something I noticed, and then I shrugged. It didn’t particularly bother me.
All in all, Jeffe Kennedy (who I’m relieved to discover is not male) is definitely on my watchlist now.
Other Reviews:
Nerd Girl Loves Books: The Forgotten Empires
None of this is helped by the author thanking God, first and foremost, in her acknowledgements. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, obviously. But it does stand as a datapoint when one is looking at a (fantasy) story that so matches the fundamentalist agenda of seeing women as best serving in the home and as subordinate (silent) partners to men in positions of authority. I’m just saying.
