Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Cade the Defiant. Cade the Determined. Cade the Defender of Ruldan. Ithrean, the Queen’s Master Painter, knows every title the hero holds, despite not even living in the same nation as the man. There is little he wouldn’t do to collect one more overseas paper on Cade, and he paints images of his obsession in his spare hours.

But news of the famed hero becoming the next ambassador throws the entire palace into chaos and sends Ithrean’s world spinning out of control. His abusive ex, Master Chef Mizean, will do anything to ruin Ithrean’s chance to snare Cade… if Ithrean’s sudden inability to speak in Cade’s presence doesn’t do it for him.

Book Review

Hero worship can have interesting effects and the consequences when admirer and hero get to meet are unpredictable. In this interesting fantasy world, Cade the Defender of Ruldan is a legend, a hero whose exploits are discussed and written about widely. Master Painter Ithrean, a courtier in the palace of Zithneal, has admired him from afar to the point where he has developed a major crush on a man he has never met. All his dreams and fantasies of impressing the hero of his dreams come to a screeching halt when Cade is appointed Ruldan’s ambassador to Zithneal and they actually meet.

In a culture where the written word is only complete when accompanied by art, being the master painter is a pretty important position, equal to that of the master librarian. As a consequence, Ithrean sees himself as essential. Added to the fact that he is attractive in a culture that values physical appearance and is sexually liberated, this makes Ithrean believe he can impress anyone – especially his personal hero. But between an abusive, jilted ex-lover who wants him back for a permanent relationship and all the drama at court, Ithrean has a really tough time of it.

Cade is surprised by the number of people who want to bed him, but seems to resist all the offers, much to Ithrean’s relief. But it also means he doesn’t seem to have a chance – until the palace population goes on a hunt, supported by protective and other spells, and everything changes.

If you like imaginative fantasy settings, if you want to watch a hero worshipper meet his hero and be totally surprised by the unexpected result, and if you’re looking for an entertaining read with a few surprises and a great ending, then you will probably like this short story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The anthology this short story was published in has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Short Story, 32 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	12-September-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $17.99 paperback, $17.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/starstruck-7505-b