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nipomuki's review against another edition
4.0
CW for slavery and abuse. I was hesitant to give the whole four stars, but the book was too good for just three ;-)
I listened to it in a short time, the narrator did a great job, I was emotionally involved and wanted to know how it would work out. Also I was satisfied with the way consent was treated in this difficult situation with one of the heroes being a captive to the other. I have read another fantasy romance where the heroine was captive to the hero, and I hated that they had sexual interactions while she was not free. This never happens here, both heroes take the subject of captivity very seriously.
I did not wholly like the heroes, both annoyed me from time to time, especially James. Then I had some issue with the use of mortal and immortal. Immortal only seems to mean having a really long life expectancy, as elves are dying throughout the book. I was not as much into the traveling, but I know plenty of people whose catnip that is. For those who are into this for the sex: it takes a long time, and the first time is with the wrong guy! But the longing is nice.
I listened to it in a short time, the narrator did a great job, I was emotionally involved and wanted to know how it would work out. Also I was satisfied with the way consent was treated in this difficult situation with one of the heroes being a captive to the other. I have read another fantasy romance where the heroine was captive to the hero, and I hated that they had sexual interactions while she was not free. This never happens here, both heroes take the subject of captivity very seriously.
I did not wholly like the heroes, both annoyed me from time to time, especially James. Then I had some issue with the use of mortal and immortal. Immortal only seems to mean having a really long life expectancy, as elves are dying throughout the book. I was not as much into the traveling, but I know plenty of people whose catnip that is. For those who are into this for the sex: it takes a long time, and the first time is with the wrong guy! But the longing is nice.
jljaina's review against another edition
5.0
In some ways this was only 4 stars but my enjoyment factor made it a strong 4.5, so rounding it up!
Honestly I was expecting more a BDSM novel. Lots of sex scenes. No. I got a rare slow burn romance instead that I really liked. So we have the lord, James, who won a rare elf slave in a game of chance. He is utterly against slavery but in desperation of saving his family and all those under his protection keeps the elf in slave status but overall does not treat his as one, to the best of his ability. He only demands one thing, for the elf to help him get their Luck back to save those he cares for. Understandable, but still so wrong.
Loren, the elven slave, is a mix of strong will in challenging James, yet also submissive due to fear and distrust. There is a lot of miscommunication between these two.
I liked the character building and how complex they were. A bit annoying at times but overall, great. I quickly devoured this book. Once I started, it was all I wanted to do on my free time.
Honestly I was expecting more a BDSM novel. Lots of sex scenes. No. I got a rare slow burn romance instead that I really liked. So we have the lord, James, who won a rare elf slave in a game of chance. He is utterly against slavery but in desperation of saving his family and all those under his protection keeps the elf in slave status but overall does not treat his as one, to the best of his ability. He only demands one thing, for the elf to help him get their Luck back to save those he cares for. Understandable, but still so wrong.
Loren, the elven slave, is a mix of strong will in challenging James, yet also submissive due to fear and distrust. There is a lot of miscommunication between these two.
I liked the character building and how complex they were. A bit annoying at times but overall, great. I quickly devoured this book. Once I started, it was all I wanted to do on my free time.
vivri's review against another edition
4.0
I usually avoid romances that involve slavery since many excuse or even romanticize slavery. But I'm glad I took a chance on what turned out to be a surprisingly light, sweet romance. Both James and Loren are likable characters (though James is such a nice person that the premise of him buying a slave almost doesn't work as a concept) who gradually develop feelings for one another despite both being unwilling to start a relationship while Loren is enslaved. Unlike a lot of superficially similar stories, the story isn't overly dark in tone, and it often feels like a fantasy enemies-to-lovers story—until something intentionally brings the awful reality crashing back in on the characters and the reader. Despite a few mostly minor missteps dealing with the subject matter, there's a good balance of romance and angst, and the slow burn necessitated by Loren being unable to consent until he's free was very well paced.
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