The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland, #2) by Kristen Ashley Review

The Golden Dynasty - Kristen Ashley

I purchased this book on the recommendation of Jessica at Rabid Reads. I'm really glad I did. It is a great book and one I probably wouldn't have picked up without the recommendation. While there are paranormal aspects to this story, they are a much smaller scale than what I'm used to.

The main character Circe wakes up in a pen with several other women, most of which don't even speak the same language as she does. She does finally find one woman who speaks English and explains what is going on. The women are paraded through town and then released in a "hunt". The warriors, once they've proven themselves worthy, are allowed to hunt down and claim one of the women as a bride. Circe catches the eye of the Dax Lahn, the king of the Horde. 

This is a dark story with rape and domestic violence. Dax Lahn figures out that if he really wants to win his wife's affection, he has to do things differently than just raping her. That is when he seeks the help of another English speaking warrior wife, Circe learns her way around this new world. She falls in love with him and the world. The people even fall in love with her.

I read this book without reading book one, though I will probably go back and look into that book and other books by this author. I really enjoyed this story.