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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Book Review: The Darkling Lord: Court of the Banished book 1 (Annwyn Series 4) by Shona Husk

The Darkling Lord: Court of the Banished book 1 (Annwyn Series 4)
by Shona Husk
Paperback, 219 pages
Published March 19th 2015
A darkling with a lust for power…

Henry Saint shouldn’t exist. Every year on his birthday, he kills someone and takes their soul so that he may live another year. He is a darkling, not fairy… but not human either. Yet he is bound by the laws of both worlds. With a new King on the throne of Annwyn and the mortal world trying to rebuild after plagues killed so many, Henry seizes the opportunity to carve out a place of his own. He wants Detroit.

A spy without a soul…

Darah was Felan’s spy before he became King of Annwyn. Now he has one last mission for her. He wants her to join the darkling’s Court and discover what Henry’s endgame is. No one trusts the Banished when they gather in great numbers. As Darah gets drawn into Henry’s world she realizes he can give her the one thing she could never find in Annwyn—love. But is love worth betraying her King?


I’ve always loved stories about the Fae and what happens when the mortal world collides with the fairy one. Fae are morally gray and that makes them such great characters. You can’t predict what they will do. Husk’s Court of Annwyn series is pure paranormal romance with all the basic tropes, including forbidden romances…which is my romance drug of choice. But Husk has also created an intriguing fairy world for her characters to play in. Forbidden romance + world building + fairy = Happy reader!

This book introduces a new type of fairy into Husk’s world. Henry is a darkling, the son of a Grey (a banished fairy) and a human mother. There are so many complexities to the story and I can’t talk about one without having to explain another and another and…you know. Henry and Darah come from completely different backgrounds, but both suffer the same problems with deep seeded mistrust issues and fear of showing vulnerability. This is where the PNR aspects of the story are. They fight the attraction, deny the attraction, while everyone warns them to not get involved. But accepting each other means betraying their individual causes. There’s a little angst, and a heartbreaking loss, but also some humor in the form of Henry’s right-hand man Kaid, that sexy beast, who I hope we see again!

If you like interesting twists on fae mythos, an anti-hero and a good dose of romance then give this one a try. All the books can be read as a stand-alone, but if you want to experience the progression of the series arc world building you should read them all.

“He walked back into the bar and ordered three more glasses of whisky which he intended to drink faster than was wise. One to wash the taste out of his mouth. One to celebrate having a new soul. And one to forget the price.

When you were even part fairy, nothing came for free.”


Review: To Love a King (Court of Annwyn #3)


4 “dice throwing” sheep




SharonS

About the Author: 
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Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn't looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she weaves new worlds and writes heroes who aren't afraid to get hurt while falling in love.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, Carina Press and Sourcebooks. She is represented by the Ruben Agency.


2 comments:

  1. I have a love/hate relationship with morally grey characters. It takes skill and cojones to write them.

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    1. I love the anti-hero, of course in the end I expect the hero to redeem himself

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