Disciple, Part II

Disciple #2

by L. Blankenship

The prince first kissed Kate Carpenter for fear of missing the chance if they didn’t survive the journey home through the monster-prowled mountains.Now that kiss seems like a fever dream. It’s back to work for her, back to the fellow physicians jealous of her talents and the sneers of an infirmary director who wants her shipped off to some tiny village. Kate means to be on the front lines to save lives. She’s worked too hard to overcome her past to let them deny her the chance to serve her homeland when the enemy’s army reaches their kingdom.The grand jousting tournament is a chance to prove she can manage combat wounded, and at the royal Solstice banquet Kate means to prove she isn’t an ignorant peasant girl anymore.But the prince’s kiss still haunts her. Their paths keep crossing, and the easy familiarity they earned on the journey home is a welcome escape from their duties. It’s a small slip from chatting to kisses.This’s no time to be distracted by romance -- a vast and powerful empire is coming to slaughter anyone standing between them and the kingdom’s magical fount.Kate ought to break both their hearts, for duty’s sake.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

L. Blankenship started writing animal stories as a kid and it's just gotten completely out of hand since then. Now she's out publishing her gritty fantasy and hard science fiction adventures. L grew up in New Hampshire but currently lives near Washington, DC.

Reviews

[Samantha LaFantasie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good follow-up of the first book. The storyline is continued and the romance is just as curt and sweet as before only there was much more than I expected based on the beginning. Despite my brief disappointment from the beginning 40% or so, I'm quite pleased that the relationships and the troubles developed naturally and seemed realistic considering the world-building. This actually ended more abruptly than I expected it to, which is okay considering I have the third book to pick up immediately, thanks to the author requesting I review all three.

Though there was less action the tension was just as great. It was a great way to keep the momentum going and not lose any interest in the story itself. I was emotionally involved with the characters and a lot closer to them than before.

The horn things are still a bit confusing, but I've got a better grip on what they are and their purpose.

To add to this, I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Maridebarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review from Amazon:

In the first part of this saga, personal interactions were secondary to the physical dangers that nature was providing. In this second episode, the story principals are back in the King’s court for a long winter of restricted mobility. Now the dangers are all personal. National politics, bureaucratic rivalries, prejudice, impending war, family interactions, all are simmering in one big pot.

I don’t deliberately read any kind of romances, but this fantasy romance is such a logical continuation of the first part of the story that the addition of love to the stew makes the characters all too human in a world where the rules are subtly different. Winter fools indeed. It also sets the stage for all sorts of possible future problems. I can’t wait for the next episode.

[Chris Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid continuation of the first book. More character than plot driven, though it looks like the stage is set for a big siege / battle in the next part. Also a good setup for some potentially wrenching personal dynamics in the future!