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abbythompson's review
4.0
London Harcourt, daughter of the Heirs of Albion's highest ranking member, is on her first grand adventure in her life. After spending her early years and widowhood in the study of ancient languages, London is now in Greece with her father in search of archaeological remains that need translating ... or so she thinks. In reality London's language skills are needed to unearth an ancient magical Source that will lend power and might to the Heir's plans of world-domination. Enter Blade of the Rose, Bennett Day, handsome scoundrel, lover of women and London's father's sworn enemy. London and Bennett's chance meeting set of a string of events and a true adventure for both London and Bennett.
I was so excited not to have to wait for Bennett's story. He's that fun hero who's so handsome and so throughly debauched and rakish that watching him fall in love is just that much more charming. The "I monkeys in hats you" scene ranks up there as one of my all-time favorites.
London's growth and story arc is much more challenging and I think Archer does justice to the emotional struggle London has at her father's betrayal. I think girl's going to have some residual stress and anxiety when all the adventuring is done and things "settle in", but I'm guessing that all happens off stage.
I will confess, as much as I love me some steamy romance (and there is some serious sexy steam between London and Bennett) by mid-way through the book, I'd had enough. Enough of the sultry gazes, the instant moisture, and the constant "they were hot for each other at inappropriate moments" talk. I GET IT. I got it from page 5. You don't need to keep telling me! Get on with the story already! For god's sake, the fate of the free world is at stake!! For once, I got sick of the sex. Don't all pass out now.
Steamy, lovely and utterly charming, London and Bennett's story will make your toes curl and your heart melt.
[Read as an ebook.]
I was so excited not to have to wait for Bennett's story. He's that fun hero who's so handsome and so throughly debauched and rakish that watching him fall in love is just that much more charming. The "I monkeys in hats you" scene ranks up there as one of my all-time favorites.
London's growth and story arc is much more challenging and I think Archer does justice to the emotional struggle London has at her father's betrayal. I think girl's going to have some residual stress and anxiety when all the adventuring is done and things "settle in", but I'm guessing that all happens off stage.
I will confess, as much as I love me some steamy romance (and there is some serious sexy steam between London and Bennett) by mid-way through the book, I'd had enough. Enough of the sultry gazes, the instant moisture, and the constant "they were hot for each other at inappropriate moments" talk. I GET IT. I got it from page 5. You don't need to keep telling me! Get on with the story already! For god's sake, the fate of the free world is at stake!! For once, I got sick of the sex. Don't all pass out now.
Steamy, lovely and utterly charming, London and Bennett's story will make your toes curl and your heart melt.
[Read as an ebook.]
lizabethstucker's review
4.0
Blades of the Rose 2.
Bennett Day, one of the Blades of the Rose, is intrigued by a mysterious woman he meets in a Greek marketplace. Little does he know that London Harcourt is the widowed daughter of the Blades' greatest enemy, one of the head Heirs of Albion. Bennett is a rogue, sex on two legs, who has never considering settling down with just woan. To find himself strangely attracted to the widow of the man he had to kill is a huge shock.
Shocked when she discovers who and what her father is, London joins Bennett and friends in a race to secure one of the most deadly weapons of the magic worlds: Greek fire. London finds herself forced to make decisions that will totally reshape her life and her future. Along the way she blossoms with her new freedom, discovering her own strengths as a woman as well as a survivor.
I adore this series, a lovely mixture of old style adventure novels mixed with magic and romance. London's journey is hard, but she has her love for Bennett to help her through it. Every character in Archer's books are well drawn as well. Indeed this universe she has constructed is so incredibly possible if magic had been a source of power fought over by the empire building members of the Heirs of Albion versus those who have declared themselves Blades of the Rose, who knew all cultures and peoples had their places in the world. 4+ out of 5.
Bennett Day, one of the Blades of the Rose, is intrigued by a mysterious woman he meets in a Greek marketplace. Little does he know that London Harcourt is the widowed daughter of the Blades' greatest enemy, one of the head Heirs of Albion. Bennett is a rogue, sex on two legs, who has never considering settling down with just woan. To find himself strangely attracted to the widow of the man he had to kill is a huge shock.
Shocked when she discovers who and what her father is, London joins Bennett and friends in a race to secure one of the most deadly weapons of the magic worlds: Greek fire. London finds herself forced to make decisions that will totally reshape her life and her future. Along the way she blossoms with her new freedom, discovering her own strengths as a woman as well as a survivor.
I adore this series, a lovely mixture of old style adventure novels mixed with magic and romance. London's journey is hard, but she has her love for Bennett to help her through it. Every character in Archer's books are well drawn as well. Indeed this universe she has constructed is so incredibly possible if magic had been a source of power fought over by the empire building members of the Heirs of Albion versus those who have declared themselves Blades of the Rose, who knew all cultures and peoples had their places in the world. 4+ out of 5.
mreader's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
melbsreads's review
4.0
Trigger warnings: Super controlling parent, torture
3.5 stars.
Okay, here's the thing. I really like the stories in this series. They're set in fun locations. The magic system is super cool. The female characters are badasses. The male characters are...ridiculous, but they're always respectful of the badassery of their love interests. The villains are a little one dimensional, but you can't have it all.
Where this series falls flat for me is the romances and the sex scenes. Don't get me wrong, I think there's a great dynamic between the characters. But the sex scenes are SO CHEESY and questionably written.
I knew it wasn't going to be great when on their second encounter, London is asleep in her tent and Bennett sneaks in and watches her sleep and thinks "I could totally wake her up with sex right now". BRO. THAT IS RAPE. BACK RIGHT THE FUCK OFF. And, like, I get that he's meant to be a cad and a scoundrel. But noooooooooooope.
So yeah. The sex scenes were laughable (especially the part where his dick left "a trail of moisture" up the inside of her thigh, which just made me think of a snail), but the actual story? Pretty stinking fun.
3.5 stars.
Okay, here's the thing. I really like the stories in this series. They're set in fun locations. The magic system is super cool. The female characters are badasses. The male characters are...ridiculous, but they're always respectful of the badassery of their love interests. The villains are a little one dimensional, but you can't have it all.
Where this series falls flat for me is the romances and the sex scenes. Don't get me wrong, I think there's a great dynamic between the characters. But the sex scenes are SO CHEESY and questionably written.
I knew it wasn't going to be great when on their second encounter, London is asleep in her tent and Bennett sneaks in and watches her sleep and thinks "I could totally wake her up with sex right now". BRO. THAT IS RAPE. BACK RIGHT THE FUCK OFF. And, like, I get that he's meant to be a cad and a scoundrel. But noooooooooooope.
So yeah. The sex scenes were laughable (especially the part where his dick left "a trail of moisture" up the inside of her thigh, which just made me think of a snail), but the actual story? Pretty stinking fun.
prgchrqltma's review
4.0
Characters: Ancient language expert, Cryptographer/Adventurer
World Building: alternate magical victorian reality
Plot: Discovery and protection of magical artifact
Sex: Medium
Read another: Yes
Second in the series, first for me. Really interesting world building.
World Building: alternate magical victorian reality
Plot: Discovery and protection of magical artifact
Sex: Medium
Read another: Yes
Second in the series, first for me. Really interesting world building.
krisrid's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. A nice combination of action, adventure, paranormal and romance. A fun, easy-reading, light entertainment read.
I've read other books in this series and it is perfect as a light and fun "fluff" read. That doesn't mean it isn't well written, because it is. The author really handles the variety of aspects in this book deftly and the weaving of the adventure and action aspects with the romance and magical aspects feels very smooth and natural.
I like the characters in this story. They feel real and have real challenges, even though we are dealing with magical stuff. These are likable characters and as a reader I enjoyed going along with them on their adventures. London especially, who dealt with some pretty difficult situations in this book was easy to like. She was tough and determined and I like strong female characters, so I liked London and rooted for her throughout this story.
Overall this is the perfect book for when you don't want to work too hard and are just looking for light entertainment in a read and some fun escapist story telling.
I've read other books in this series and it is perfect as a light and fun "fluff" read. That doesn't mean it isn't well written, because it is. The author really handles the variety of aspects in this book deftly and the weaving of the adventure and action aspects with the romance and magical aspects feels very smooth and natural.
I like the characters in this story. They feel real and have real challenges, even though we are dealing with magical stuff. These are likable characters and as a reader I enjoyed going along with them on their adventures. London especially, who dealt with some pretty difficult situations in this book was easy to like. She was tough and determined and I like strong female characters, so I liked London and rooted for her throughout this story.
Overall this is the perfect book for when you don't want to work too hard and are just looking for light entertainment in a read and some fun escapist story telling.
windyskirt's review
3.0
enjoyed the main characters. plot? well the plot went something like this:
found a clue = boff
fought a battle = boff
got injured in a battle = double boff
shipmates are fighting again = boff
some part of his/her anatomy glistens in the sunlight/moonlight = boff
found a clue = boff
fought a battle = boff
got injured in a battle = double boff
shipmates are fighting again = boff
some part of his/her anatomy glistens in the sunlight/moonlight = boff
mskennedyreads's review
5.0
Maybe because I've been to Delos and Mykonos and other places in the book....but I really enjoyed it. More cohesive overall than Warrior (Book 1) and more fun because the world building had already been established in book 1.
lyradora's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A heck of a fun ride. Magic, mythology, lost treasure, romance, and a hero who respects the heroine's intelligence.