Published: 31st October 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
My Rating:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Kingcomes a breathtaking new tale of love and adventure set in the mystical land of Mystral...
He wasn't supposed to choose her...
Seafaring prince Dilys Merimydion has been invited to court the three magical princesses of Summerlea. To eradicate the pirates threatening Calberna and to secure the power of the Sea Throne, Dilys vows to return home with a fierce warrior-queen as his bride. But politics has nothing to do with unexpected temptation.
She didn't dare wed him...
A weathermage like her sisters, Gabriella Coruscate's gentleness exemplifies the qualities of her season name, Summer. Yet her quiet poise conceals dangerous powers she cannot begin to wield. Better to live without excitement, she reasons, than risk her heart and lose control— until an irresistible Sealord jolts her awake with a thunderclap of raw desire.
Until evil threatens everything they hold dear...
When pirates kidnap Summer and her sisters, Dilys is in a desperate quest to save the woman he loves. Only by combining his command of the seas with the unleashed fury of Summer's formidable gifts can they defeat their brutal enemies and claim the most priceless victory of all: true love.
This was one of my most anticipated releases. I read The Winter King a little while ago and loved it in all it’s cheesy, romantic, crazypants ways because it was fun and had story and it was fantasy romance and that is such an uncommon mix. It had the usual romantic drama and it had this great story line and characters. It was a little ridiculous and I loved it for that and I was so, so excited to read The Sea King so I was daring and requested on Edelweiss (which I’d never done before because that place scares me). I am so glad I did request it because it’s a brilliant read and I will definitely be buying my own copy as well because this book really builds on the larger story arc hinted in the first book but it’s on your face and obvious by the end of this second one.
First of all, the storyline is a little farfetched and ridiculous once more. This time we have Dilys (who we should all hopefully recall from the first book) here to claim his prize, his right to court and try and win the hand of one of the Seasons of Summerlea. The only problem is, one of the seasons, Summer, has more than a few secrets and she doesn’t want anyone finding them out, certainly not Dilys who has a fire in his eyes who from a single look makes her feel more than she is used to. Gabriella is hiding her powers and avoiding being courted by Dilys Merilylidion. He makes her feel too much and last time that happened there were terrible consequences so she isn’t risking that again. Dilys can tell there is more to her than the kind and gentle persona she puts out the world. She also fears that madness runs in her family (her father did go loop-de-doop in the first book) and she fears the same is happening to her so she plans to get through this courting nonsense and plan her escape and isolation. Only, Dilys is far more intrigued with her than he should be and is determined to figure out what the hell is happening with her. I think we all know where this one is going, right?
I admit, the book was long and the pacing was a little off for me. I kept waiting for more to happen than misunderstanding and Summer avoiding people and being a ridiculous person scared of her own feelings but it took a long while for the story to really get going. It was the second half of the book which hooked me once Gabriella and her sisters were kidnapped (which is not a spoiler as it’s in the summary and yes that takes like half a book to happen so you understand how slow the build up in the first half was). It was the kidnapping and then the need to rescue them where the action really got going right up until the end of the book.
I admit, the kidnapping and what follows was uncomfortable, I know it’s a spoiler so be warned when you get to the bold be wary… *SPOILER* there is non-consensual touching and rape happening upon the kidnapping. I won’t reveal how it happens partly because I don’t fully remember the details, but also because that’s a major spoiler but it’s important to know *SPOILER*. The kidnapping and the events that followed whilst the Seasons were taken did make me uncomfortable because it was so awful. It was definitely my least favourite part of the book because I understood why it was there and happening but it felt unnecessary as well almost as if it was for effect except I am certain the events of this book will be important when it comes to the next one so I think it is part of developing the characters but it sucked to read and may put readers off.
Apart from that part of the book, though, the rest I loved. I was fully there cheering Dilys on (even though he was a bit of a dick who didn’t think before he spoke) and wanting Summer to admit she was more than meets the eye and get it on with the hot guy she obviously loves and cares for and who will treat her like a queen! Who doesn’t want to be treated like a queen by a hot guy? I would so sign up for that.
I really enjoyed this book, basically. I am so here for the next one and I know I’ve missed loads out of this review because I loved it so much and I always miss major plot points when I love a book. I also waited an age to write the review to try and get my thoughts straight and that so didn’t help anything. If you’re looking for a slightly ridiculous but totally awesome fantasy romance this and Winter King are the books for you. They rocked my socks off. So often in fantasy romance either the fantasy or the romance is stronger, in this one both are good. You get awesome world building, fantastic characters and steamy romance all in one book. What’s not to love?
Have you read this or any of C.L. Wilsons’s other books? And what is your favourite fantasy romance? I need more of this genre.
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