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amethystbookwyrm's review
4.0
In Ourthuro, the King’s word is law and no one can go against his wishes, not even his daughter, Princess Leena. However, Leena is keeping a dangerous secret, she has fallen in love with Mikza, a solider, and here father will punish them both if he ever finds out, but she is willing to abandon her life of luxury and risk it all to be with him. Will they be able to escape before it’s too late?
The Golden Cage is a really enjoyable prequel short story in the A Dance of Dragons series. Even though it is a novella, it is not lacking as it has forbidden romance and it was great to learn more about Leena.
I liked Leena as she is strong-willed and relatable, and is not easily swayed by her father. Mikza is a strong and protective character although I think he would have known more about how the king watched Leena.
Although not a happy ending, I am looking forward to reading the other short story about Leena. I would recommend The Golden Cage to people who enjoyed The Shadow Soul.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
The Golden Cage is a really enjoyable prequel short story in the A Dance of Dragons series. Even though it is a novella, it is not lacking as it has forbidden romance and it was great to learn more about Leena.
I liked Leena as she is strong-willed and relatable, and is not easily swayed by her father. Mikza is a strong and protective character although I think he would have known more about how the king watched Leena.
Although not a happy ending, I am looking forward to reading the other short story about Leena. I would recommend The Golden Cage to people who enjoyed The Shadow Soul.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
tmleblanc's review against another edition
4.0
“The Golden Cage” by Kaitlyn Davis is a quick, compelling introduction to the world of Ourthuro. Leena is a sympathetic princess seeking to be with the one man she loves. Leena’s father, the king, rules his country and household with an iron fist. Women are not honored in Ourthuro and in just a handful of pages, I grew to detest the king and the male-centered culture. The treatment of women and the individuals below nobility was heart-wrenching and Leena’s kind heart (and mine) were sickened by the actions of others.
This short story is definitely a teaser piece for the larger series. I wanted to know more about Ourthuro and Leena. Will she find love? Will she find freedom? Who in the kingdom can she trust? I’m definitely keeping an eye on the series and hope to read more once the series is complete.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
This short story is definitely a teaser piece for the larger series. I wanted to know more about Ourthuro and Leena. Will she find love? Will she find freedom? Who in the kingdom can she trust? I’m definitely keeping an eye on the series and hope to read more once the series is complete.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
heather4994's review against another edition
4.0
This is a novella but it packs a lot of "grab you" in such a small page count! A king with 12 daughters and one son. At his fifth birthday he is gifted a sword with jewels and a sharp edge and because of a small misstep by the servant presenting it to him, the little boy becomes a barbaric image of his father in one small act. It is the last act that gives Leena the push to leave with her lover. She wanted to save her half brother, keep him from being like their father, but seeing no chance of it now, she and her lover plan their escape. As you can imagine, things aren't that simple.
It's a good story, Leena reminding me of a strong heroine from other stories. For some reason it feels like this setting is in the Far East, but there really isn't a reason I can say why. Just my idea. I thought at first with the twelve sisters this would be part of a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. No, not at all. There is the hint of political scheming going on, a barbaric and misogynistic ruler, and adventure. I've read the synopsis for the next full novel and I can't see how they are connected at all, but I am going to read it. The story is not unique, but it is compelling enough that I want to know what happens to Leena and what that next story has to do with her story.
If you enjoy fantasy, I think you'll enjoy this one. The world building has just begun but the palace, the place where Leena lives is the Gold kingdom and down it goes from there until the stone meets the ocean. I think this is going to be really good. And even the hint of dragons....I'm ready to read more.
It's a good story, Leena reminding me of a strong heroine from other stories. For some reason it feels like this setting is in the Far East, but there really isn't a reason I can say why. Just my idea. I thought at first with the twelve sisters this would be part of a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. No, not at all. There is the hint of political scheming going on, a barbaric and misogynistic ruler, and adventure. I've read the synopsis for the next full novel and I can't see how they are connected at all, but I am going to read it. The story is not unique, but it is compelling enough that I want to know what happens to Leena and what that next story has to do with her story.
If you enjoy fantasy, I think you'll enjoy this one. The world building has just begun but the palace, the place where Leena lives is the Gold kingdom and down it goes from there until the stone meets the ocean. I think this is going to be really good. And even the hint of dragons....I'm ready to read more.
jljaina's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this more than expected. I am often not a fan of novellas unless it is a series that I am already invested in. This was my intro to the series. And is has left me craving more!
Leena seems like a sweet girl who has seen too much cruelty for her years. Unexpected since she is a princess, right? Not when the evil one is her own father. She has much to learn of the word but a decent grasp of the limited reality she knows. The ending left me with mixed emotions. I can't say what because I don't want to mislead you in why I think that way without spoilers. Very mild fantasy element so far. And no known dragons which left me sad with that series title. But this was just a prequel so I am not without hope. There is a story to her backround not yet shared....
Leena seems like a sweet girl who has seen too much cruelty for her years. Unexpected since she is a princess, right? Not when the evil one is her own father. She has much to learn of the word but a decent grasp of the limited reality she knows. The ending left me with mixed emotions. I can't say what because I don't want to mislead you in why I think that way without spoilers. Very mild fantasy element so far. And no known dragons which left me sad with that series title. But this was just a prequel so I am not without hope. There is a story to her backround not yet shared....
urlphantomhive's review
3.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
A short prequel novella. A short review.
I got the first book in this series some time ago on Netgalley, but I hadn't come around to actually reading it yet. This novella was for free on Smashwords, so I thought I'd try it as an appetizer.
And, although I was not familiar yet with the world or any of the character, I did become really interested into this series. It's a short story about a princess trying to escape the golden cage she's been living in (and escape her arranged marriage), so it's not groundbreaking new. But it's quite enjoyable and I hope to read this series soon.
The Golden Cage is a prequel novella to the A Dance of Dragons series. The first book in this series is The Shadow Soul (review to come). There is also another short story, The Silver Key, and a second book The Spirit Heir.
A short prequel novella. A short review.
I got the first book in this series some time ago on Netgalley, but I hadn't come around to actually reading it yet. This novella was for free on Smashwords, so I thought I'd try it as an appetizer.
And, although I was not familiar yet with the world or any of the character, I did become really interested into this series. It's a short story about a princess trying to escape the golden cage she's been living in (and escape her arranged marriage), so it's not groundbreaking new. But it's quite enjoyable and I hope to read this series soon.
The Golden Cage is a prequel novella to the A Dance of Dragons series. The first book in this series is The Shadow Soul (review to come). There is also another short story, The Silver Key, and a second book The Spirit Heir.
maureensbooks89's review
4.0
In ‘The Golden Cage’ we follow Princess Leena, one of the many princesses in the Ourthura realm. But Leena isn’t happy with her life as an princess. No, Leena hates her life at the in palace. The only light in her life full of darkness is Mikzahooq, a personal guard with the job to protect Leena. But no one knows Leena and Mikza are secret lovers, desperately looking for a way out of ‘The Golden Cage’.
Although this story is a prequel novella, and there for very short, I loved this story immediately. I’m a real sucker for forbidden love stories and this one pulled me in right from the start. In just a short time Kaitlyn Davis pulls you inside her story and makes you fall in love with the characters. I especially loved the main character Leena and the way she dealt with her life in ‘The Golden Cage’.
Even though there are many love stories out there, I still found this one very original. The tattoos and Leena’s swimming. I really loved it and I just couldn't put it down.
Lying with an cocktail in my hand on the beach, I can definitely conclude that this short novella is a great first book and a great start for beginning in ‘The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragons #1)’. I can’t wait to read that book.
Although this story is a prequel novella, and there for very short, I loved this story immediately. I’m a real sucker for forbidden love stories and this one pulled me in right from the start. In just a short time Kaitlyn Davis pulls you inside her story and makes you fall in love with the characters. I especially loved the main character Leena and the way she dealt with her life in ‘The Golden Cage’.
Even though there are many love stories out there, I still found this one very original. The tattoos and Leena’s swimming. I really loved it and I just couldn't put it down.
Lying with an cocktail in my hand on the beach, I can definitely conclude that this short novella is a great first book and a great start for beginning in ‘The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragons #1)’. I can’t wait to read that book.
militsa's review
4.0
Leena is a very strong character and her story was nice. I hope to see more of her Pov as the series goes on.
jeanz's review
5.0
Wow! What can I say? Looking forward to the next book!
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I'm not sure on the exact order I should be reading these books in, as some prequels are best read after the first book but hey I'll read it first, I can also re-read it after book one.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded this one when it was free on Amazon UK. The cover features a female floating in water, and there is also a golden cage which is very imposing and totally relevant to the plot of the book too. Would the cover make me pick it up in a book store? Yes, definitely!
The book is set in the metallic, gleaming city of Orthuro. This dazzling city is ruled with a fierce, often cruel to those around him called King Razzaq. The novella is initially set within the Palace during a celebration of the marriage of King Razzaq's eldest daughter. Leenaka or Leena for short is the next eldest daughter so it is with mixed emotions that she attends the party. On one hand she is happy for her elder sister, but on the other she is only too well aware that as the next daughter to be matched will be her. Leenaka does not wish to be matched to some rich spoilt nobleman as she has already found love herself. Sadly a forbidden love. Leenaka has fallen for one of the palace guards. He is in fact her personal guard, Mikzahooq, Mikza for short. Leena is floating in her "high happy love bubble" when her father brings her back down to earth with an enormous devastating thud. He has somehow found out about the illicit love meetings. To say King Razzaq is furious, enraged and his temper is like an erupting volcano is an understatement! He has Mikza thrown in the palace dungeons. Leena is confined to her room. Now Leena feels desperate and truly alone. It was only Mikza that made putting up with the prison like feel to her life, worth it and that kept her going. Leena and Mizka had been working towards a plan of running away together. . .but everything was lost now. Leena isolates herself from everyone and spends her time in her pool far under the water. It was the only place that Leena could find any type of peace now she was separated from Mikza. Leena is so desperate to see Mikza even it is only to say goodbye, she manages to find one of the guards who is friends with him and asks him for help. Then at risk to himself also, Tam smuggles Leena down to the dungeons to sees Mikza. Leena expected Mikza to have been beaten but nothing could have prepared her for what she see's. King Razzaq has granted Mikza his life but has made him into a "nobody". Everyone in Outhuri have tattoo's, they reveal what "class" you are in. The richer the person the more intricate the tattoo's design. As a trusted member of the palace guard Mikza's arms were covered in complex, elaborate designs. . . or they were. King Razzaq has ordered the tattoos to be removed and the only way for them to be permanently removed and for him to be changed to the lowest of the low within the class system of his peers. The apalling sight of Mikza's now heavily scarred tattooed arms literally grinds whats left of Leena's already broken heart to dust. To remove Mikza's tattoo's have been cut off his arms! We also learn that the King has made a "deal" with Mikza, not that Mikza had much of a choice. The King has granted Mikza his life if her promises to never see Leena again. Naturally he had to promise this and as a man of his world he tell Leena that there is no way they can ever be together. It is with a heavy, crushed hearts that they couple say their final goodbyes.
So did I enjoy the prequel novella? I really loved this prequel novella. Would I recommend the prequel novella? Yes, I think it could be read as I read it as a prequel or after reading the fist novel of the series. It is certainly well worth reading. Has reading the prequel novella made me want to read more of this series? Oh yes, as soon as I finished this novella, I immediately wanted to dive right into the first full novel, The Shadow Soul. Would I be interested in reading other titles by this author? I will without a doubt be checking out other titles by this author.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I'm not sure on the exact order I should be reading these books in, as some prequels are best read after the first book but hey I'll read it first, I can also re-read it after book one.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded this one when it was free on Amazon UK. The cover features a female floating in water, and there is also a golden cage which is very imposing and totally relevant to the plot of the book too. Would the cover make me pick it up in a book store? Yes, definitely!
The book is set in the metallic, gleaming city of Orthuro. This dazzling city is ruled with a fierce, often cruel to those around him called King Razzaq. The novella is initially set within the Palace during a celebration of the marriage of King Razzaq's eldest daughter. Leenaka or Leena for short is the next eldest daughter so it is with mixed emotions that she attends the party. On one hand she is happy for her elder sister, but on the other she is only too well aware that as the next daughter to be matched will be her. Leenaka does not wish to be matched to some rich spoilt nobleman as she has already found love herself. Sadly a forbidden love. Leenaka has fallen for one of the palace guards. He is in fact her personal guard, Mikzahooq, Mikza for short. Leena is floating in her "high happy love bubble" when her father brings her back down to earth with an enormous devastating thud. He has somehow found out about the illicit love meetings. To say King Razzaq is furious, enraged and his temper is like an erupting volcano is an understatement! He has Mikza thrown in the palace dungeons. Leena is confined to her room. Now Leena feels desperate and truly alone. It was only Mikza that made putting up with the prison like feel to her life, worth it and that kept her going. Leena and Mizka had been working towards a plan of running away together. . .but everything was lost now. Leena isolates herself from everyone and spends her time in her pool far under the water. It was the only place that Leena could find any type of peace now she was separated from Mikza. Leena is so desperate to see Mikza even it is only to say goodbye, she manages to find one of the guards who is friends with him and asks him for help. Then at risk to himself also, Tam smuggles Leena down to the dungeons to sees Mikza. Leena expected Mikza to have been beaten but nothing could have prepared her for what she see's. King Razzaq has granted Mikza his life but has made him into a "nobody". Everyone in Outhuri have tattoo's, they reveal what "class" you are in. The richer the person the more intricate the tattoo's design. As a trusted member of the palace guard Mikza's arms were covered in complex, elaborate designs. . . or they were. King Razzaq has ordered the tattoos to be removed and the only way for them to be permanently removed and for him to be changed to the lowest of the low within the class system of his peers. The apalling sight of Mikza's now heavily scarred tattooed arms literally grinds whats left of Leena's already broken heart to dust. To remove Mikza's tattoo's have been cut off his arms! We also learn that the King has made a "deal" with Mikza, not that Mikza had much of a choice. The King has granted Mikza his life if her promises to never see Leena again. Naturally he had to promise this and as a man of his world he tell Leena that there is no way they can ever be together. It is with a heavy, crushed hearts that they couple say their final goodbyes.
So did I enjoy the prequel novella? I really loved this prequel novella. Would I recommend the prequel novella? Yes, I think it could be read as I read it as a prequel or after reading the fist novel of the series. It is certainly well worth reading. Has reading the prequel novella made me want to read more of this series? Oh yes, as soon as I finished this novella, I immediately wanted to dive right into the first full novel, The Shadow Soul. Would I be interested in reading other titles by this author? I will without a doubt be checking out other titles by this author.
vera_ann's review
5.0
Perfect short story prequel!
It had a beginning, middle and end to the story. It draws you in right from the get go. The author really gives you a good idea of the world build and draws you into the characters. There are hints of what is to come and how much bigger the world may be. Enough of a teaser to think huh? I wonder what is going on with that, but not so much to be unsatisfied with the novella.
Wonderfully put together novella. It drew me in and loved the little story in it while leaving me really interested in reading the series. The pacing was quick and flowing. I think this may be the first novella I read that didn't just give me a taste of the author's writing and series, but really pulled me in. I have high hopes for the authors writing ability and this series.
If you want a taste of what this author has to offer in this series pick it up. A fantasy world with a class system, set in a small kingdom.
It had a beginning, middle and end to the story. It draws you in right from the get go. The author really gives you a good idea of the world build and draws you into the characters. There are hints of what is to come and how much bigger the world may be. Enough of a teaser to think huh? I wonder what is going on with that, but not so much to be unsatisfied with the novella.
Wonderfully put together novella. It drew me in and loved the little story in it while leaving me really interested in reading the series. The pacing was quick and flowing. I think this may be the first novella I read that didn't just give me a taste of the author's writing and series, but really pulled me in. I have high hopes for the authors writing ability and this series.
If you want a taste of what this author has to offer in this series pick it up. A fantasy world with a class system, set in a small kingdom.