A Heart of Blood and Ashes

January 27, 2020
Combining the scope of an epic fantasy with the scorching sex scenes of erotic romance, Meljean Brook (the Iron Sea Series), writing as Vane, makes a splash with this enemies-to-lovers romance that kicks off her A Gathering of Dragons series. All that barbarian Maddek knows about Princess Yvenne when he captures her is that she’s the daughter of his greatest enemy and thus will be the means of his vengeance. He doesn’t expect the weak but courageous woman to offer an alliance, agreeing to aid him in bringing down her family as she’s burning with her own hatred against her controlling, power-hungry father. Their perilous journey back to Maddek’s homeland to enact their revenge is studded with pain and hardship, but also with sexual tension that develops into an erotic relationship. Warrior Maddek proves himself to be honorable and honest, and Yvenne, though no match for him in strength, demands his respect from the very beginning with her wit and fortitude. Though their trek, which takes up the bulk of the novel, occasionally drags, it offers plenty of tantalizing glimpses into Vane’s richly imagined dark fantasy world. Fans of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel trilogy will be hooked. Agent: Nephele Tempest, the Knight Agency.

A young woman destined to be queen agrees to marry a man who suspects she had a hand in the murder of his parents. Maddek is a fierce warrior, known for his fighting prowess throughout the western realms. When he learns that his parents, the Parsathean king and queen, were murdered by Zhalen, the ruler of an allied nation, the alliance council prohibits him from retaliating. If Maddek were to directly attack Zhalen, it would upset the delicate power structure of the alliance. Undeterred, Maddek orchestrates the kidnapping of Yvenne, Zhalen's only daughter. Yvenne convinces Maddek her thirst for vengeance against her father is equal to his, and she suggests they marry and align against him. Once she marries, Yvenne can take the throne as the rightful heir in her matrilineal kingdom. Maddek agrees on the condition that she must never again speak of his parents. Their long journey to Maddek's home is full of terrifying beasts, magically fueled creatures, and other dangerous adventures. They make a pact: Yvenne will teach Maddek how to think strategically like a king, and he will help her become a warrior queen. Although Maddek is attracted to her strength and admires her fortitude, he refuses to trust her. Yvenne is equally drawn to Maddek, but she cannot love anyone who will not listen to her. This stalemate between vengeance and love permeates their every interaction, which Vane fearlessly explores through masterful plotting and characterization. Imaginative worldbuilding and compelling political intrigue add depth and complexity to their passionate and wildly romantic love affair. A showstopper.

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