The Dark Prince

Les Fées: The French Fae Legend #1

by Emma V. Leech

The man of your dreams is coming... or is it your nightmares he visits?Laen is Prince of the Dark fae, with a temper and reputation to match his black eyes, and a heart that despises the human race. When he is sent back through the forbidden gates between realms to retrieve an ancient fae artifact, he returns home with far more than he bargained for.

Océane DeBeauvoir is an artist and bookbinder who has always relied on her lively imagination to get her through an unhappy and uneventful life. A jewelled dagger put on display at a nearby museum hits the headlines with speculation of another race, the fae. But the discovery also inspires Océane to create an extraordinary piece of art.

Océane's lonely and romantic heart has created the story of The Dark Prince, but it soon becomes apparent that her story cannot be confined to the pages of a book.And it seems that her hero is far from the troubled, romantic figure she had painted, but something far more sinister.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Supernatural

45 pages, ebook

First published May 8, 2013

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

The first half was good. It had the standard fae lore with seelie and unseelie. Their lands were being destroyed by humans. In the second half, the love triangle drama got amped up. If it had fizzled out and focued on developing their relationship, it could have been good. Even though Laen was a total dick, I still liked him better than Corin, who was one of those too good to be true super nice guys. He was so perfect it seemed fake although it was meant to be genuine. I wouldn't hold it against anyone but a guy that sleeps with any woman that breathes isn't endearing. Considering this is called The Dark Prince, it didn't focus on Laen who is the dark prince. Corin overtook the story, laying the groundwork for the next book. I wouldn't have minded him getting the page time he did as long as Laen had gotten his due too.

The love triangle was obnoxious. Laen kidnapped Oceane and treated her like shit, so he had a lot to make up for. When Corin was introduced, I thought he would be used as a way to make Laen jealous and see the error of his ways, which was what happened. Then the relationship with Oceane and Corin was deepened while Laen sat uselessly on the sidelines. All Laen and Oceane did was misread the other's actions, thinking they hated each, but somehow through it all they were attracted to each other. Honestly, it didn't make much sense. Corin was a creeper, purposely getting close to the woman his best friend wanted. That wouldn't have been so bad if Oceane ever rejected his advances.

Some things needed improvement in the plot and world building. In the beginning, Oceane could see her emotions written on Laen's face as part of his magic. About a third of the way through the book, it wasn't mentioned anymore. The fae had different powers. It was mentioned that Laen was good at battle, but it never mentioned what he could do with magic. This was his book. It should have been explained. The issue of how Oceane was able to write factual stories about real fae was never explained. I was hoping there would have been something more to it than her making it up. It was odd that near the end of the story Oceane had two friends who were deeply concerned about her going missing when until that point she never thought about them. They could have been introduced to the story more smoothly, and it would have been more believable that Oceane really cared about them.

I kind of want to read the next one to find out what is going on with Corin. If that book has another love triangle, I won't be able to handle it.

[Rachel Beamin' · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what to do with this book. Do I like it? Hate it? It’s all so…. I don’t even know how to describe it.
Looking at the cover you think… oooh, yay. Reading the first several HUNDRED pages you also internally think, yes, keep going. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere you want to slam the book shut and tell it to SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Some books can pull of the insta-love making it look like masterpiece, while others struggle through the process and make it rather awkward and annoying. This book, however, took on a whole new “are-you-fucking-serious” insta-love.
Let me explain:
Girl kidnapped because she wrote a book that depicts a dark prince’s life. Sounds interesting enough. Kidnapper aka Laen, keeps her as his prisoner…. Not in a dungeon, but in a cell, but a lush room in his castle, which is also provides clothes and food and what-nots. So for the first good chunk of the book you get to hear about Laen hatred toward the girl.
Then.
BOOM!
Laen loves her. All because his BFF shows some interest in her. Really, Laen? Get your shit together.
So for the remainder of the book, you suffer through Laen’s inner dialogue of how he wants to make everything up to her. SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Next time LAEN, don’t kidnap, hit or degrade your captive if you plan on wooing her afterwards.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

So...the good:
I really liked the concept of this story- Human woman has been writing a story about a dark Fae prince since she was a teenager, however what she thought was simply a fantasy novel with a troubled hero turns out to be rooted in the truth.



She then finds her self kidnapped and taken to the Fae lands by said Prince, and the implication of her book may have a bigger impact on the whole of Faery than just their strange connection. Drama ensues.

The bad:
So yes, I liked the premise. However, the writing..not so much. It just felt really rushed and a bit disjointed overall. I mean how long was Oceane really in the Fae lands? It only seemed like a few days?
She falls in love and has two guys head over heels in love with and fighting over her in like...less than a week? The pacing was just way to quick and it felt like there was no build up.

It was just like wham-bam you love me now.






-------------------Spoilery Stuff ---------------------



Also I didn't like the love interest Laen. Why exactly did he change his mind so quickly about the h? After he slapped her and knocked her out-twice, and implied he would sexually assault her- why did he all of a sudden decide he's in love with her?



Because she wore a pretty dress? Because his friend hit on her? Because she slapped him? 'oh she slapped me, I now love her fiery temper because I'm a Prince, and no one corrects my bad behavior' Yes, she's the one.

I just...no.

Also, if you need everyone around you to tell you "what a great and wonderful guy the H is and that he's really not so bad, forgive him, he's hot, he's not usually like this, he loves you, be charming for him, he's going to act like an ass but just push through that" and convince you that you should be with him....then maybe don't listen to those people.



Yeah he had reasons (not for beating her mind you), but if he can't even make up the effort to explain himself then no, you don't deserve forgiveness.

didn't realize this book actually made me that mad until I sat down and wrote this review, I was more concerned about the writing- but there ya go.

[Varsi Appel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Prince ...this is NOT the Wattpad version....better, longer, more in depth!

The first book in Emma Leech's new series, Les Fées: The French Fae Legend tells the stories of the Fae in Alfheim, specifically, Laen Braed, Prince of the Dark Fae and Corin Albrecht,The Elven Prince of Alfheim. For this first book of the series, we join Prince Laen as he journeys to the human realm to recover a precious fae artifact, a jeweled dagger, but ends up bringing a human woman, Océane DuBeauvoir, back to the fae realm along with the dagger

Emma weaves a mesmerizing tale that takes to readers to the highest heights and plunges them into the depths of despair. Her abilities are such that, at any moment, one expects her characters to step out from the pages and into their lives.

The Dark Prince is one of those books you pick up one evening and you don't put it down until the last page is read emotionally spent yet yearning for more. GET YOUR COPY NOW!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-F%C...

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in Love.......again and with a book no less.
Is that even possible? I didn't think so but I can guarentee that people all over the world will read this an do exactly the same.
Emma Leech has done done it again with her third novel, the first in the Les Fées: The French Fae Legend series.
It is rare that I find a book that I want to re read so soon after finishing but I felt a sense of loss as I came to the last page.
That is what Emma brings to her magical stories, she makes it possible to feel part of the story, to feel like you know the characters, that they are somehow friends. Many times I found myself getting pulled into the atorynwhete I would actually shout "Take me, Take me to the Fae lands."
Her descriptions are extraordinary, both of the lands she has created and the many characters she introduces us to.
I defy anyone to read this and NOT fall in love with either Prince Laen or Prince Corin.
Well done Emma, I can't wait for the next books in the series

[Mihlean · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.5

Not a bad read, but I didn't enjoy it that much. The writing was really good, and the world that was created I loved too, but I was just.. Missing something. Something crucial.

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC]

Love triangle

[Cary Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Prince by Emma V. Leech was an easy 4.5-star book for me. The writing flowed easily and drew me in. The characters were colorful and dynamic, and the romance was tantalizing and sweet. Though there were some questions left unanswered, I didn’t feel as if they were forgotten – simply waiting to be answered.

I do have two qualms though. The first is that the book moved a little too quickly for me – not egregiously so, but enough that I wished the pace had been slowed down a little, particularly in the last half of the book. The second qualm I had, is that the plot was a bit thin. I understand that there is more to the series and this is simply an introduction to a larger plot… but individually, the overarching plot of this book didn’t progress much.

If anything, I wish the book was longer, more in-depth, but this is a passing dream. Overall, I loved the story. I was happy to read it and I am excited to continue in the series. I would certainly recommend it to fantasy romance lovers.

[Lonleypurplecat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminds me a lot of A Court of Thorns and Roses, except this isn't as well written (although for a fan fic it is pretty good). I found the hero to be quite inconsistent in characterisation. First, he hates humans with a passion, so much so that he wants to start a war with them. This hate is never really fully explained and is used as a convenient plot device to create conflict between the hero and the heroine. And then somewhere along the way he suddenly stops hating humans because he gets to "know" the heroine through all the quality time he spends interrogating and threatening her. That's some high quality bonding right there. And then he turns from this cold and cruel fae who contemplates killing the heroine because she kicked him on the leg, to a mushy loser who has a sob story past and is worried about what the heroine thinks of him. It's like there were two different characters, and halfway during the story, the mushy loser launches a sneak attack and kidnaps cool fae, ties him up and throws him down a well. That's probably what happened, cause we never see any more cool fae again.
And also, don't you just love it when the author tries to name the heroine something unique to make her a special snowflake, but instead it just sounds utterly stupid? Cause that's what happened here. I'm not French, and the heroine doesn't seem be to French, and if she is, then she doesn't look like it. Anyway, her name is Oceane. When I read it, I was like, wtf, how the hell do I pronouce that? So I just assumed the e at the end was silent and settles for calling her Ocean, which, let me tell you, was hilarious in my head.

[Blanca · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Received this book in exchange for an honest review***

This was the first book I have ever read by this author and I can honestly say Emma Leech has gained a fan for life. Her writing is exceptionally intriguing I couldn’t get enough of the characters and the imaginative and captivating storyline. You can’t help but fall irrevocably in love with the Fae especially Prince Laen and Prince Corin who are ultimately the most passionate and desirable characters. The all-consuming love they express towards Oceane is breathtakingly beautiful. I love how each character draws you in with their heartbreaking story, you learn how they come to overcome their struggles and how they deal with the interference from the “real world”. This is definitely a series I will continue reading, I am really glad I was able to review this book I highly recommend this book!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fae romance! Yes, please!

I loved the plot, characters were interesting and entertaining. I loved the subplot of the book writing. It really made you wonder. Highly recommended!

[Anna Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this book, it was a draft that Emma was sharing on a website. I was recovering from a huge addiction to Karen Marie Moning, Highlander Series, more exactly The Immortal Highlander. So yes, I needed another shot of Fae luscious men. Right from the beginning it was the cover that allured me and enticed me to read it. I'm a picky reader, I read a lot, especially Fantasy and Paranormal, but there are books that I close right after the first chapter. It has nothing to do with the slow pace of a story or the lack of dialog, it has more to do with the way the author portrays their characters and how they speak to your soul. It was just after a while in my happy world of reading that I understood that I was already submerged on the plot and I was enthralled by the writing and the descriptions. You can say a lot about this book, but Emma knows how to write and that's a given fact. She can also created complex characters that makes us feel what they feel and makes want them to be happy.
Is Laen stubborn? Yes. He can appear to be a really stubborn gorgeous fae. Is Oceane a worthy female character. Definitely. She's strong, she's independent, she doesn't go down without a fight and the both of them match perfectly. There are witty dialogs, moments you want to smack Laen and then kiss him until he stops talking. There are even moments where Corin makes his flash appearance and lights the mood with his ability to see things that Lean is too stubborn to see. Now you are thinking, but you didn't say anything about the plot... Of course not, you have to read the book to know the story. Besides, there's a pretty blurb to help with that. If you like a world with a strong female character and sexy fae males, then you are going for a ride that you will not forget. I didn't. Laen is still one of my favorite characters of the many Emma built. I can't wait to read it again. *This book was offered me in a giveaway that I had the luck of winning*

[Lilian Flesher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a couple of the authors book before and they were absolutely fantastic, I expected no less from this book and by goodness I was not disappointed. Emma has a terrific way of writing, her characters become part of you, they are exciting, colourful and inspiring. The Dark Prince takes you on a journey you will not forget, you will be rooted to your seat, kindle in hand, and mesmerised by the whole story line. The book is magic, fantasy, paranormal, romance all rolled into one, written in a perfected style that makes you fall in love with these terrific characters.

I love the terrific names Emma chooses for her characters, they just are so fitting you can relate to them as if you knew them personally. I cannot praise this book enough, its the first in the series of Les Fées: The French Fae Legend, and believe me the next one will be just as terrific as this one is.

On a footnote, Emma V. Leech is the author of The Key to Erebus (Les Corbeaux: The French Vampire Legend Book 1) and The Heart of Arima (Les Corbeaux: The French Vampire Legend Book 2) both of which I read and these were absolutely amazing books too. This author will never let you down with her amazing, exciting, stories.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as soon as I was done reading "The Key to Erebus".The Key to Erebus. Book 1
It was fantastic and I was pretty much swept off my feet, leaving me in a state where I just needed more of this awesome writing. So I went to Emma's profile and found this series, thank god for it. It was as well-written as "The Key to Erebus" (All of her works are!). The Dark Prince is the first book in the series, and so I began binge-reading this too. (Late into the nights as I couldn't peel my eyes away from it actually.)

It talks about a human girl and the prince of the Fae lands. It'll be magical and there are lots of scenes that are easily relatable to. Something to fuel the imagination or recharge a mind, that's what it did for me anyway. Definitely recommended if you love something good to read. Or instead, JUST READ IT.

The books are available on Wattpad on Emma's profile. Look for "LaDameBlanche". You won't regret starting on it!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first EVER book that I've read from Emma V. Leech, I went in unsure what I was getting. But once I started I was quickly enthralled in the story, & now I NEED MORE!! This is book 1 in Emma's "The French Fae Legend" series, I recall I had it in my Wattpad library, but never had a chance to read it before or any of Emma's other books.

Oceane, Princes Corin & Laen jump out of the page, at first you dislike Laen... I mean come on, he abducts Oceane from her workplace & takes her back to his Fae home. But soon it seems he starts to like her, but then Corin decides to push Laen to expose his feelings... Oh My Goodness, this was a fun, if not slightly dark read, full of memories re-surfacing for the Princes about their childhood, also for Oceane & her childhood...

I seriously devoured this book, I was intrigued by Oceane's ability to write what seemed to be not only Laen's childhood, but possibly Corin's too. Do we find out how Oceane is able to do this?? Has all the stories she's written, come true?? I can't wait to find out, in the next books in the series.

[Lita Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS FOR THIS AMAZING BOOK!!
Emma knows how to write a good story, and boy does she deliver with this one.
If you loved her first series, Les Corbeaux: A French Vampire Legend, then you will love this new series. The Dark Prince gives you a chance to get to know a familiar face from the Corbeaux series, Corin, and his best friend Laen. Both boys, one an Elf and the other a Dark Fae, rule as Princes in the Faery realm.
Emma paints such a vivid picture of Faery, you can all but reach out and touch the odd and exotic flowers and fruits that grow only in that realm. She weaves each character into your heart and every emotion they are feeling, you'll feel yourself. I soon found myself laughing with Corin as he teased Laen mercilessly, or sobbing uncontrollably when Laen talks about losing his mother. This book has imprinted itself onto my heart and I absolutely cannot wait for the second installment of this series. Well done Emma, you never disappoint!!!

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one. Started out interesting. There was a lot of slut shaming and importance on virginity, but mostly slut shaming. I was surprised. There was a love triangle that had strong Team Edward/Team Jacob vibes. None of my questions were answered. Why was the human queen evil? Was she really evil or just misunderstood? What happened? Why was our FMC able to write out and "see" part of our MMC and his best friend's lives? Did everyone fall in love with each other after 2 or 3 days? I couldn't tell why they would fall in love. They were just fighting and hated each other. It also seemed to drag, maybe was too long, so I skimmed. What was going to happen with the FMC's best friend? We were shown somethings that didn't seem important and just told things that should be important to the story. This just didn't work for me. 2.5 stars.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 & 1/2 stars rounded up. Not sure how I feel about this book. It did hold my attention, but left me all disappointed in the end. For starters, this book had a hero identity crisis. Laen or Corin? The story almost felt like it was centered around Corin. I learned a whole lot more of him & I really never got much of a feel or knowledge of Laen at all. It was mostly second hand knowledge at best from his sister or from Corin. I’m sorry, the relationship between Océane & the 2 males just felt confusing, not even like a love triangle. For her to “fall in love” with Laen at the end just felt all kinds of wrong since they really didn’t have much for interaction in a positive way in the whole story.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know some people said there were different versions of this book, so I want to clarify right off that I read the full-length version. I really wanted to like this book, and at first I thought I would, but 100 pages in I wanted to give up, and call it quits. The only reason this book got finished, as painful as it was, is so I could get credit for one more book, as part of my reading challenge.
The characters are not fully fleshed out; making them unlikeable. The plot fizzles out; and the love triangle is totally unbelievable.
I won’t be reading the rest of the series.

[Donna Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loves this book you have to read The Key To Erebus and The Heart Of Arima you get to know Corin and this book lets you know him more. The Dark Prince Laen well I just want him to be real so I can have him for my self although Corin is lovely is there any chance I can have them both ?? Will just have to wait now for the next book I guess then I can xx a beautifully written book and a fantastic read xx

[Sucker4Smut]

3.5 stars.

This book was good and I definitely didn’t regret reading it.

Oceane is a human who gets abducted by a fae prince, Laen, for her proximity to a fae relic and for writing a book about a fae prince (that happens to be his story).

She wakes up in the Fae realm and is held as a prisoner at Laen’s castle. She’s then meets the elf prince, Corin. Then a love triangle ensues.

The things I liked about this book:
-the love triangle. Who doesn’t love two guys fighting over a girl?!
-the characters: Corin was flirty and charismatic. You can’t help but like him. Laen is broody in a sexy way and Oceane is a good balance of smart, sassy and brave. She’s also not annoying (Aka too helpless or makes bad decisions 24/7...you know the type), so that’s a plus!
-The bigger plot sounds promising with the Fae realm dying.

Things I didn’t like:
The beginning was kind of like getting whiplash. Laen just shows up and abducts her. You don’t learn a whole lot about why he’s there. He also HATES her. Doesn’t find her attractive. Nothing. Not even a hint of attraction. Then, all of a sudden, out of blue without little reasons why, he finds her super sexy and can’t live without her. She puts on a fae dress, Corin shows interest in her and BAM he loves her.
I wish there was a little bit more suspense to the love side of his feelings. A little bit more development. Corin’s love for her is much more believable and they spend a lot of time together.

Halfway through the book, you forget the whiplash and it becomes more real and interesting.

I’m intrigued enough to read the rest of the series and I’m excited for Corin’s story!

Definitely worth a read if you like alpha male, fae, love-triangles, etc.

[Susan Saltos · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book very much, I was surprised and disappointed there wasn’t very much interaction between the two main characters Laen (The Dark Prince) and Oceane. There was a lot more of Corin than Laen. Corin was meant to be the “love triangle” aspect of the story for the male lead to overcome. And while I love Corin, he plays a big role in Ms Leech’s French Vampire series and was phenomenal there, there was too much of him and too little of Laen in this book. I saw no reason for the two main characters to fall in love with each other as they hardly spent any time together at all! And when they did spend time together, it was him hitting her (twice) over the head, yelling and threatening her, her slapping him and yelling back at him. I understand why the violence was needed in the story, but there was very little to reconcile it. I understand this was one of Ms. Leech’s first novels, she has done numerous more books over the years since then and her historical romances are amazing. Those are more focused on the romance while this series and the French Vampire series is more focused on the action. Ms Leech is superbly skilled at world building. Had they been 50% romance and 50% action that would have satisfied me more as I expected both series to be romances and there’s not much of it. Her world building in this series and all her other book series are simply fabulous though. She has such a deep and vivid imagination that I truly envy.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oceane is just a young girl trying to get by in Paris, her apartment is awful and she barely get by with money. But she loves history and the libraries so when she is kidnapped by a madman everything she believes changes. Laen the prince of the Dark Fae wants the truth from her about the book that she has. All the books about his world were meant to be destroyed when the gates were closed. And he doesn't believe that it is all make believe. The book is all about his life and he will do whatever he has to in order to get the truth. How can she make him understand that it is all her imagination and it isn't a plot to get the humans to be allowed to come back to his world? His treatment of her is awful but when his best friend Corin the prince of the elves things seem to get worse. Corin can't believe that his friend is acting this way, he knows that he hates the humans after what happened to his mother but he has taken it too far. Corin is taken by Oceane he believes that he is in love but he knows that she only sees Laen. Should he help his friend win over Oceane or is this is chance at happiness? Will Laen ever accept that she is telling the truth and that he could love this woman? Oceane doesn't know what to do she knows that she wants to go home but she also wants to stay but will Laen allow her to? A good read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is pretty solid and I actually liked the book until about the 40% mark...by that point, one expects the story to be immersive, interesting, and increasingly complex or it's likely to be DNF'd.

Instead...the characters are one dimensional, superficial, and shallow. The story moves too slowly and far too quickly all at the same time - we go from an angsty prince having a valid hatred of humans to Bam! in love with a human with almost no lead up, extended turmoil, etc. And, of course, he's not the only one whose only just met her in love with her, either. But at the same time the story keeps chasing its own tail - without any real advancement.

It's a shame really because this easily could have been four stars plus for me - instead, I'm frustrated that I really didn't like any of the characters enough to continue reading the series. It's not bad but it could have been oh so much better.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 4 out of 5]

>Book Review – The Dark Prince
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the French Fae Legends series and ends in a HEA. Oceane is a human. She writes fairy tales as a way to cope for a lonely existence. The problem is, her stories are real in the fae realm. Laen is a fae prince who kidnaps Oceane to find out how she knew all about him, from the last story she wrote. He is really mean to her. Laen not only hits her, he threatens her. His friend, Corin is a flirty fae who always gets the girl. He wants Oceane and his actions cause Laen to realize how much he also wants Oceane.
>The jealousy is a cute trope, but having Oceane and Laen get an HEA is not real believable. They never really communicate with each other. Laen constantly lets Oceane down. Corin explains why Laen does what he does to Oceane, but Oceane and Laen never really converse themselves.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars.

[Lexis DeRoma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars
This book started out strong. The first half of this book was so good. And then the book in the second half just wasn’t it. I’m pretty sure it was supposed to be enemies to lovers but it wasn’t.
So Oceané our main girl here gets kidnapped by Our main guy Laen because she wrote a story that parallels his life. Laen hates humans due to his past and his father, so he doesn’t like Oceané very much. So after staying at Laen’s estate, he randomly decides he doesn’t hate her. It like comes out of nowhere and doesn’t make any sort of sense. From the second half on the relationship progresses faster than 90 day fiancé.
Also the plot fell flat. We never know why Oceané came up with Laen’s story and there was nothing happening for most of the story.
The characters also had no definition to them. They were very 2 dimensional. The only character that I feel like was developed and that I liked was Corin. He had layers and was like able.

[Ashley Grins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in middle school at some point on Wattpad. Before it was published and let me just say the absolute grip this had on me in middle school was insane. When the book was only available on KU all that time ago I just forgot about it. Something made me think of this book and I finished it in 2 days just like middle school. Rereading it another time with new eyes and being older was so much different. I saw the structure of the story, the setup for the next book, and not just the romance. although I'm always here for the romance. I honestly just wish Oceane and Laen had more scenes together. I feel like a decent amount of the book is Oceane and Corin kinda pining and not Laen. Although I do get it in moving the story along. I honestly just read those first 5 chapters for free on Wattpad for so long that they are ingrained in me. To read the whole book was so damn nice!! KU for the win!!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a love story

This was good, it was just different than I thought I was getting. This was more of a love story. There was some intrigue and mystery going on but it played a very small part and that was what I was most interested in, I thought that the book was going to evolve around this. There's no real villain or nothing to keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm hoping as the story progresses, the plot of what started in this book begins to unfold. I guess if I was looking for a love story mostly, I would have loved it but I wanted more about the Fae lands and what is going on in them. Another thing, and perhaps I missed it was how did he even know about the book she wrote, I mean, everything that transpires is because of this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me state, I received an Advance Reader Copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review. Also, this author is new to me, and won't be for long

Wow. I loved this story. I love how strong, yet vulnerable Oceane is. Such a beautiful name she has as well. I was surprised that she didn't carry any fae blood, especially with her story telling. OMG!!! Laen is so hot, and so moody. Corin & Aleish, were Gr8 people of the story too. I cried so hard, it hurt, when we finally met Cara. I definitely recommended this read, & am looking forward to reading the next story. 5 Thumbs up.

[LowBrowReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As tolerant as I can strive to be towards tortured heroes, I will draw a line at whacking the heroine over the head (twice) and repeated threats of rape and/or torture.

However good of the grovel H gives at the end, any woman with half a brain in their head would RUN and weep with gratitude when the arsehole is finally outta sight.

Of course, it doesn't happen. Noooooo - the moment the hulky Fae bastard makes a bit of smoochy face our brilliant mind of a heroine grabs her heart and decides she is in love.

Aaaarghhhh!!