I can't seem to resist these Fae romantasies, but I may need to take a break from them for a while, as I'm getting somewhat bored with them. The formula seems to involve taking an angry young woman who is down on her luck and thrusting her into a complicated Fae environment (which is, of course, filled with wildly attractive Fae men).
I've always been a bit skeptical about the allure of an inexperienced young human woman to a being who is hundreds of years old. This author provides me with the best explanation yet when Prince Drustan tells Kenna that she reminds him of what it was like to be young. Mind you, I would never choose to be younger than forty ever again—I would never willingly go back to the ignorance of my youth. Your mileage may vary.
And that reminds me of my other problem with this genre—why do the young women always fall for Fae royalty? It reminds me of all those past-life regressions where everyone seems to have been ancient royalty of some kind, never a merchant, a farmer, or an artisan. Yet I know why the authors use this trope. If you want a compelling story, your protagonist must hitch her wagon to a mover and shaker in Fae society. Watching the action is much less engaging than participating. A field trip is always better than a lecture, yes?
Thankfully there is more to this narrative than Kenna's sex life. Prince Drustan may be hot, but he is also planning the revolution to take down the psychopathic King Osric. Kenna loathes the king, hates the restrictions on his subjects, and wants to free the human slaves. But can she trust her heart to a Prince who lies as smoothly as Drustan does?
If you enjoy this book, I would also recommend An Enchantment of Ravens, The Cruel Prince, Lore of the Wilds, The Wren in the Holly Library or (almost inevitably) A Court of Thorns and Roses.
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