Enthralled [Paperback]

I really wanted to like this book. It had an intriguing premise and it was fantasy mixed with romance, two genres I can't resist. It was an interracial novel which another big favorite of mine (and frankly are not enough of).

Sadly, I was everything but "enthralled" with this novel. It left me with a lot more questions and a sense of having been cheated.

Enthralled is supposedly a fantasy novel that doesn't take place on earth. The worlds of Kush and Akkadia were just words. There were no vivid descriptions of the time and place where the action happens. When I think of awesome world-building fantasy, Anne McCaffrey's Pern automatically comes to mind. In the case of this book I had no idea of whether Kush or Akkadia were technologically advanced or based on a feudal system. Yes, there were transports mentioned, but how were they powered? A little backstory on the formation of both planets and how the war between them began would not have been out of place. In the hands of a skilled author, it could have been deftly interwoven.

The two main characters, Candace and Ares are the leaders of warring planets who decide that marriage would solve the long-standing feud between their worlds. They were shallow stereotypes with no personality quirks, no life to them; just names on a page and some superficial physical descriptions, but nothing that set them apart or made them unique or memorable. They talked like modern people (including the over-use of profanity), and if this was set in a fantasy realm, I had no idea if such words were a part of their vernacular.

For an Amazon, Candace was more than wimpy in spite of her "competence" with a sword. She seemed to give into Ares' demands very quickly, especially when it came to Ares using his incredible sex appeal. This is not a woman who ruled over a planet of women warriors. Candace could seriously use lessons from Xena. Worse, it's a contrived plot device to generate heat between two characters whom otherwise would have no reason to get together. And Ares was ridiculously alpha, almost laughably so. I didn't feel drawn to him--I actually felt like kicking him in the teeth.

I actually found the sex scenes rather dull and amateurish, including the "family orgy" scene which seemed a blatant rip-off of Jaid Black's 'The Empresses New Clothes'. Not that I have a problem with interracial erotica as such, but don't call something "romance" when there's none to be found. There was no build up, no erotic tension between Candace and Ares. Both actually behaved more like a love-starved teenagers rather than the supreme leaders they were supposed to be.

I gave Enthralled a two-star rating because it does have promise, but it needs a LOT more work and should be a much longer novel. The author had a great idea, it was just badly executed.

Queen Candace of Kush needs to rebuild her world after an ongoing war with Akkadia. So when she receives a secret invitation from Ares, King of Akkadia, she is receptive about working together towards a peaceful resolution. What she does not expect is to have her socks knocked off by a man who is her enemy.

Ares takes a well-planned risk to meet the Amazon Queen. Prior to the war, Akkadia and Kush enjoyed a harmonious and productive existence, which abruptly ended when a visiting dignitary was killed on Kush. From the moment he first sees her, Ares can only think of devouring Candace.

Candace and Ares agree to a treaty, but they are realistic about the opposition they must face together. Old hostilities and hatred still run rampant on both sides. The newlyweds are faced with their own internal battles as they strive to forge a relationship. If they do not show a united front, their enemies will destroy everything they are working to achieve for both planets.

I read Enthralled in one sitting. The plot is tried and true, but the sci-fi setting added fresh gloss to the story. I enjoyed the premise about the importance of family and relationships. The love scenes threatened to melt my hard drive! Ms. Aiden does an amazing job with the fight scenes. She balances the Amazons by making them strong and independent women that come across as sensual and feminine. The men are quite masculine and very assertive. The characters are all gorgeous and multicultural/multiethnic in appearance, which adds an interesting contrast. I look forward to reading more as this series progresses further.

This work is also available in print.

Patrice
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I really liked the concept of this story. Ares and Candace were made for each other. They're adversaries hoping to bring peace to the people and decide it's better to join together so each planet can survive. It was short but it will keep you interested and waiting for the next in the series. Give it a try.