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A review by loverofromance
The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππ
Heart & Feels:πππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.25
First Impressions
The Orchid Throne is the first book in the "Forgotten Empires" series. And this series I saw around so much but I honestly am not sure why I didn't pick it up. I think because I knew it was a trilogy surrounding one couple and I hadn't really gotten on the Jeffe Kennedy train yet or even read any of her books. I am glad I had read some of her other works though before this one. Not sure I would have stuck with this series as this first book is definitely more slow burn. But I was impressed with the world building aspects and the banter between our couple "Conri and Lia". You definitely need to be patient with the first half of the story, but once you get to about Chapter 15, it starts to really pick up pace and then you will be on the edge of your seat.
First Line
The oldest records and recollection agree that it all began with the discovery of vurgsten.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Conri
The Heroine: Euthalia
Summary
Queen euthalia, is queen of the her island and she will do whatever it takes to keep her people safe. She has managed to keep herself from being married from a tyrant who controls much of the mainland. She has learned to play a game of chess when it comes to politics to keep her people safe and free. But there is a tortured man wolf she sees in her dreams that haunts her but also gives her a sense of hope for the future. Conri, who was the former prince of Oriel, was taken into the mines, and he built up his own army and is determined to overthrow the emperor. Conri knows his one chance of hope, is to convince Lia, to marry him and work with her to defeat the mad emperor, but he will have to convince her firstβ¦.
What I Loved
The Orchid Throne was simply fascinating in many respects. It was definitely slower in some respects but I respected what the author was implementing with this story here. We get background plot lines for the two main characters, Conri and Lia. We see how Conri is imprisoned and forms an uprising and takes control again. Then we have the side of Lia, who is queen of an island and her people have magic and grace and beauty. Lia is such a intelligent and cunning heroine. She still is feminine in many respects but I admired her tenacity and her creativity and how she is so meticulous in how she plans for just about anything. She is like a chess master, she is so careful in each step that she takes when she is working with the emperor and his cronies. And she doesn't trust anyone. We also see that she is a magical being and I can't wait to see the type of woman she is destined to become.
The relationship that builds between Conri and Lia was so interesting. I loved their banter. Their interactions are beyond hilarious and we see how well they come together when it matters. Both of them are so stubborn and firm willed, so they were bound to clash. Conri is very new when it comes to working with women, courting and even the more intimate side of a relationship. I love how he could be this alpha warrior, but when it came to the intimate things, he is like a new babe and is so green. Lia is the one who has mastered courtship, kissing and the like. So it definitely had a unique dynamic that isn't common to see in a fantasy romance. I also loved the forced marriage aspect. And while Lia has her own twists, so does Conri. They definitely match so well and I absolutely adored the ending for this book. Its more of a serial teaser, and not a big couple cliffhanger. Which I really respected.
What I Struggled With
The story is very slow in the second half, our couple doesn't even meet until more than halfway so its definitely more to build up the background for our characters and get a sense of who they are. But it definitely is more slowly built and won't necessarily be for everyone. I recommend the audio if you struggle with slow builds, at least for the first book here. But once you get to about Ch. 15, then it picks up pace. But the first half can be a challenge.
Narration
Not my favorite lol The narration is confusing to be honest. There is just no change in tone or inflection at all, so it can be hard knowing when you are in the POV for the hero or the heroine. So it definitely should have been done better especially for a trad pub fantasy romance book.
Overall View
The Orchid Throne is a Majestic fantasy that culminates the elements of a high risks fantasy with a slow burn romance that will curl your toes and make your heart sing in those small moments of clarity and thrills.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Warrior, Royalty, Alpha Male, Unconventional Heorine, Leading Lady, Virgin Hero,
Themes: Angsty, Witty Banter, Sex/Kissing Lessons
Tropes: Forced Marriage/Marriage of Convenience,
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Elizabeth Vaughan
CL Wilson
Milla Vane
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrator:
Elizabeth Brook
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππ
Heart & Feels:πππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.25
First Impressions
The Orchid Throne is the first book in the "Forgotten Empires" series. And this series I saw around so much but I honestly am not sure why I didn't pick it up. I think because I knew it was a trilogy surrounding one couple and I hadn't really gotten on the Jeffe Kennedy train yet or even read any of her books. I am glad I had read some of her other works though before this one. Not sure I would have stuck with this series as this first book is definitely more slow burn. But I was impressed with the world building aspects and the banter between our couple "Conri and Lia". You definitely need to be patient with the first half of the story, but once you get to about Chapter 15, it starts to really pick up pace and then you will be on the edge of your seat.
First Line
The oldest records and recollection agree that it all began with the discovery of vurgsten.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Conri
The Heroine: Euthalia
Summary
Queen euthalia, is queen of the her island and she will do whatever it takes to keep her people safe. She has managed to keep herself from being married from a tyrant who controls much of the mainland. She has learned to play a game of chess when it comes to politics to keep her people safe and free. But there is a tortured man wolf she sees in her dreams that haunts her but also gives her a sense of hope for the future. Conri, who was the former prince of Oriel, was taken into the mines, and he built up his own army and is determined to overthrow the emperor. Conri knows his one chance of hope, is to convince Lia, to marry him and work with her to defeat the mad emperor, but he will have to convince her firstβ¦.
What I Loved
The Orchid Throne was simply fascinating in many respects. It was definitely slower in some respects but I respected what the author was implementing with this story here. We get background plot lines for the two main characters, Conri and Lia. We see how Conri is imprisoned and forms an uprising and takes control again. Then we have the side of Lia, who is queen of an island and her people have magic and grace and beauty. Lia is such a intelligent and cunning heroine. She still is feminine in many respects but I admired her tenacity and her creativity and how she is so meticulous in how she plans for just about anything. She is like a chess master, she is so careful in each step that she takes when she is working with the emperor and his cronies. And she doesn't trust anyone. We also see that she is a magical being and I can't wait to see the type of woman she is destined to become.
The relationship that builds between Conri and Lia was so interesting. I loved their banter. Their interactions are beyond hilarious and we see how well they come together when it matters. Both of them are so stubborn and firm willed, so they were bound to clash. Conri is very new when it comes to working with women, courting and even the more intimate side of a relationship. I love how he could be this alpha warrior, but when it came to the intimate things, he is like a new babe and is so green. Lia is the one who has mastered courtship, kissing and the like. So it definitely had a unique dynamic that isn't common to see in a fantasy romance. I also loved the forced marriage aspect. And while Lia has her own twists, so does Conri. They definitely match so well and I absolutely adored the ending for this book. Its more of a serial teaser, and not a big couple cliffhanger. Which I really respected.
What I Struggled With
The story is very slow in the second half, our couple doesn't even meet until more than halfway so its definitely more to build up the background for our characters and get a sense of who they are. But it definitely is more slowly built and won't necessarily be for everyone. I recommend the audio if you struggle with slow builds, at least for the first book here. But once you get to about Ch. 15, then it picks up pace. But the first half can be a challenge.
Narration
Not my favorite lol The narration is confusing to be honest. There is just no change in tone or inflection at all, so it can be hard knowing when you are in the POV for the hero or the heroine. So it definitely should have been done better especially for a trad pub fantasy romance book.
Overall View
The Orchid Throne is a Majestic fantasy that culminates the elements of a high risks fantasy with a slow burn romance that will curl your toes and make your heart sing in those small moments of clarity and thrills.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Warrior, Royalty, Alpha Male, Unconventional Heorine, Leading Lady, Virgin Hero,
Themes: Angsty, Witty Banter, Sex/Kissing Lessons
Tropes: Forced Marriage/Marriage of Convenience,
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Elizabeth Vaughan
CL Wilson
Milla Vane
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrator:
Elizabeth Brook