Kidnapped at Dusk

The Incandescent Kingdoms #0.5

by Leialoha Humpherys

She’s visiting her grandmother to learn the true history of the crown. He’s an outcast with a noble heart. They’re on opposing sides. So why do they find themselves working together to learn the truth? Princess Sen is in charge of planning a grand ball, one celebrating 300 years since Starshine Kingdom became the first Incandescent Kingdom. There’s only one problem… nobody knows where the kingdom’s star stone is hidden… and, if legends are correct, Princess Sen and her family should know where the stone is. After all, having the stone makes them the royal family. If anyone were to find it, the emperor, her father, would be forced to step down while another takes his place. Is it possible grandmother knows where the stone is hidden? As the sun sets on Princess Sen’s journey to her grandmother, a young man kidnaps her. She has no idea what he wants from her, especially when he agrees to let her go if she takes him to grandmother’s house. When the two travel together, aiding those in a house fire, spending too much time in the wildflower fields, and escaping a gang of rebels, it seems they might have misjudged each other too soon. Yet they’re enemies, and Princess Sen has a feeling that the truth grandmother shares will deepen the ravine of hatred between them… or was there even a ravine to start with?
“Kidnapped at Dusk” is a prequel novella to the “Incandescent Kingdom” series. It can be read before the series or as a standalone. This enemies to lovers novel with a Japanese cottage core setting is a clean and swoony romance, perfect for young adults and adult readers!

Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Retellings

170 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2023

Reviews

[Reese Songbird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this after reading Married at Sunrise, which I absolutely adored. Unfortunately this one fell short for me, and I found myself bored and annoyed by the characters and just didn’t care about the plot. It’s a shorter book, so it could be just because I didn’t have enough time with the characters, or I was just not in the mood for it, I don’t know. There was nothing wrong with the book, it just fell flat for me and wasn’t my thing.
I’m sure a lot of people would love this!

Content:
No spice romance, some mild violence

[Courtney Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at work, and I ADORED it! Kaito and Sen were *ADORABLE* together and I loved watching how they brought out the best in each other. The only thing wrong with it... it made me wish I had more of Lei's books on my bookshelf to read (in addition to the ... twelve(?) I already own...

[Lorin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I absolutely loved this retelling of Red Riding Hood! I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this really wonderful series!

[DJWman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kidnapped at Dusk" by Leialoha Humphreys is a delightful and clever retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood story. This novella is an engaging prequel to the "Incandescent Kingdom" series, and it can be enjoyed either before diving into the series or as a standalone.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, captivated by its intriguing characters and well-crafted plot. It was challenging to put down because of its captivating narrative. The author's fresh take on the Red Riding Hood tale added an exciting twist to the classic story.

Sen's character development is a highlight of the story, and her growth is well-executed, considering the novella's length. At the beginning of the story, I found Sen's character irritating and frustrating, but her journey toward personal change was both compelling and relatable. She embarked on a path of change, and the narrative realistically depicted the challenges she faced as she sought to become a better and more humble person.

The character of Sen's grandmother added a delightful touch to the story. Her enthusiasm and presence were both heartwarming and engaging. Kaito, the male lead, was an intriguing character, and I appreciated the depth and dimension given to his role.

The conclusion, while not what I anticipated, offered a satisfying twist, adding depth and intrigue to the story.

This novella promises an exciting start to the series, and it will be fascinating to explore not only how the characters and their journeys continue to develop but also to delve into the other Incandescent Kingdoms in the subsequent installments. It's a must-read for fans of retellings, with a strong focus on character development and an engaging narrative.

As someone new to this author's work, I look forward to further exploring this series and reading other works by the author in the future.

[Megan Crofton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the enemies to more vibes! The beginning was a tad slow for me but I loved how the story progressed. A very interesting story! I loved the suspenseful turn it took. I loved seeing the FMC's confidence and bravery come out.

[Tammy Villiers · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I already reviewed this before but on the proof edition)

This was clever Red riding hood retelling, and I’ve read some of them, and I really enjoyed this one!!!

Sen’s character arc, her growth was well done considering this was more of a novella than a full novel. Her grandmother was very enthusiastic and I loved reading about her. Kaito was a very interesting lead and I liked him a lot.

Now I’m very intrigued by her brother and hope we get his story!!

I’ll definitely check more books !!!

[Tayler Marie Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read! I enjoyed the plot and Sen's character arc. She really redeemed herself and it made her that much more real! My favorite character was Kaito! He was mysterious, yet complex. I found the unknowns about him very intriguing! I completely expect to see more of Kaito in the future books! Would definitely recommend this author! Can't wait to read more of her work!

[Pauline]

This novella didn't feel as good as the first book of this series.

The characters were annoying to say the least and it seemed to run in circle for a long time.

I truly didn't get the same feel as the first book I read.

[H J Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Kidnapped at Dusk' is a thrilling read, with stunning character development. Though it is a novella it does not feel too short, unlike this review.

[aem · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice reimagining of Red Riding Hood...

[April May · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the start of the story, I felt really irritated and fed up with Sen, but her character development was nice to see, especially with the fact that it was realistic. She was trying to change, but that didn't mean that it was going to be easy or quick. It had to be a conscious choice she made, and maybe she sometimes forgot, but what was important is that she kept going on that path.