| Genre | Gay / Intersex / Fantasy / High Fantasy / Magic / MPreg / Royalty/Nobility / Shifters / Wizards, Witches, and Mages / Interspecies / Erotic Romance / Mystery/Suspense/Thriller |
| Reviewed by | Serena Yates on 16-March-2020 |
Legends tell of large cats defending the principality of Tournai, but such creatures are only myth.
Or are they?
Prince Philip inherited the throne of Tournai at a young age, and since then, his life has centered around ruling his country and resisting those pressuring him to do as they want both in matters of governance and those more personal. He’s become isolated and lonely. Amory is the second son of a wealthy merchant who has never approved of anything about him or had any use for him. Until now.
When kind-hearted Amory is offered to the prince in exchange for more time for Amory’s merchant father to complete a commission, both Philip and Amory are horrified. But Philip agrees to keep Amory at the palace, where they gradually become friends, then lovers. For the first time in his life, Philip is free to share not only his heart, but the magical shape-shifting ability that runs in the royal bloodline—something the royal family has kept secret from all but those closest to them for generations.
Neither Amory nor Philip imagined falling in love, and they certainly don’t expect what those who oppose their relationship will do to keep them apart—maybe even resorting to murder.
First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, October 2015.
There are various reasons for taking and ways to obtain a royal consort, should one be desired. In Tournai, a small country in a richly developed fantasy world, it used to be more common than it is in the period of this story but it is by no means unheard of. What horrifies Prince Philip when the opportunity is offered to him is the way it happens. Amory, the young man who is to become a “bribe” so his merchant father has more time to finish a chandelier the prince commissioned, is shocked when he figures out why his father took him to the palace. Philip is extremely interested in Amory, but he will not force him to stay, so he pulls him out of the business meeting and discusses the situation with him. Their first interaction sets the tone for the remainder of the novel – their entire relationship is built on mutual respect, an exchange of opinions, and support for each other no matter what fate throws at them. The result is a sweet, romantic story that is not without conflict and suspense, but, after the initial get-to-know-you period, the issues are all external.
Prince Philip is incredibly lonely. His parents died when he was still very young, but he has learned to rule his country with a minimum of help. Others, especially his overbearing uncle, continually offer (mostly unwanted) advice because they think they know better, but Philip knows what he wants and will fight for what he believes in. Marrying to produce an heir is not the top item on his agenda even though his family sees that as his main purpose in life. When he meets Amory he feels the need to get to know him better, and once the awkwardness of the initial situation is dealt with, Philip dedicates a lot of his time to do exactly that. Deeper feelings follow quickly, and despite all the negativity from his family, a few protests about him taking a male lover, and more than one assassination attempt on Amory, Philip perseveres with what he knows is essential if he wants to find any balance in his stressful life. And that is Amory at his side.
Amory is the second son of a wealthy merchant, rejected by his father for reasons that are less than clear, and a talented artist. He also has a minor magic Talent and a kind heart. He has never been allowed near his father’s business – despite the fact the chandelier to be produced for the prince is his design. When he and his best friend are caught kissing, Amory fears the punishment, but instead his father takes him to a business meeting at the palace and pretty much whores him out to the prince. Amory is angry at his father but likes the prince immediately, so he decides to stay at the palace. He is not in love with his friend, and he does not want to go back home with a man who sees him as a commodity, so what has he got to lose? Amory has a lot of change to deal with, but he takes it all in stride. He falls for Philip quite quickly and is determined to stay with him even if he has to marry a woman at some point. What happens instead is not at all what Amory expected, and it turns his life upside down in more than one way.
Royal secrets, old magic and spells, jealous ex-lovers and political enemies alike kept me entertained and glued to the pages of this very imaginative story. It is a fairy tale in more ways than one, and I loved the world building, the characters, and the various surprises sprinkled across the pages. I am glad this is a series – one visit to Tournai just wouldn’t be enough for me.
If you like fantasy of the varied kind – shifters and magic included, if two men from different worlds learning to make a new life together sounds interesting, and if you’re looking for a read full of sweetness, charm, and royal intrigue, then you will probably like this novel as mch as I did.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.
| Format | ebook |
| Length | Novel, 103300 words |
| Heat Level | |
| Publication Date | 16-March-2020 |
| Price | $6.99 ebook |
| Buy Link | https://ninestarpress.com/product/the-princes-consort/ |
