Sunday, December 14, 2014

Review: The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley


Title: The Golden Dynasty
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adult
Reviewed by: Cassie
Summary (from goodreads.com)

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she's not having a wild dream, she's living a frightening nightmare where she's been transported to a barren land populated by primitive people and in short order, she's installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she's from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.



So. Basically, I'm in fantasy rut right now; like, I honestly can't read something that's not fantasy, unless it's freaking fabulous. Dunno why, it just is.
Sooooo, I know that cover isn't that pretty. But when I read the summary of this baby, I knew I had to have it. NOT TO MENTION the fact that I saw Game of Throne gifs in reviews, comparing Circe to Daenerys Targaryen. Similar situation, similar characteristics, etc.
And then I knew.
I ABSOLUTELY had to have it.
Because?
Well, I freaking love Dany. She's my fave from Game of Thrones, in both the TV series and the books.

Yeah, I pretty much treated this as an alternative story for Dany. I honestly imagined her and Khal Drogo as the characters in this book. SUE ME.

Now.

Did I enjoy it? Yes.

Did I like the characters? Yes. 
But it's questionable as to whether or not I would still enjoy them,had I not imagined Dany/Khal Drogo as the pairing. 
Why? Uh . . . I don't know. I just found the characters a bit bland, and somewhat lacking. So I made up for it by blotting out the parts I didn't like and pretending they were from GOT.



. . . And then I was satisfied. BECAUSE LOOK AT THAT, AND TELL ME THAT AIN'T ADORBS.


Did I like the world?
Hmmmmmmm. Yes. I did. It was a bit underdeveloped for my liking, but it was still interesting. Reminded me a lot of the Dothraki world, but no complaints there.

Did I like the plot?
Difficult question to answer. I want to say yes, but when I think back to it, I have a hard time saying there even was one. Drama? Plenty!!! Storyline? Not so much . . .

Should you read it?
If you like fantasy romance, yes! If you like Dany from GOT, YES! If you're bored and found the summary interesting, yes! If you like Kristen Ashley, sure!! Give it a shot, even if none of the above applies. I liked it.

Look forward to some more fantasy reviews, blogettes (OOOOO RAFY STOLE YOUR TERM)
Up next is probably Shielder by Catherine Spangler (if it's good), something by Kele Moon perhaps, or mayhap something new I find and like. Suggestions are welcome!

Kisses and hugs,
Cassie

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