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The Four Arts #2
The Forbidden Heir
She ran to save her life. Now what . . .
Lady Sophia Mackenzie has left almost everything behind. Her country. Her family. Her trust in the queen she suspects tried to kill her. All she has left is her own fledgling magic and her new husband, Cameron. But having fled Anglion to stay alive, she now has to learn how to face the dangers and temptations of Illvya, a land where the magic they practice is everything she’s been raised to fear.
To those who rule Illvya—the mages with their demon familiars and the parliament—having an unbound royal witch like Sophie in their midst is to some an unparalleled opportunity and to others an unbearable threat. As factions form around them, Sophia and Cameron struggle to navigate the intrigues and repercussions of their flight from Anglion. Illvya seeks to control them and Anglion may well still be trying to kill them. As their choices close in around them and Sophia begins to discover the potential of her powers, their bond—both magical and emotional—is pushed to the limit. In the end, in order to survive, Sophia will have to decide between loyalty and destiny and hope the price of her choice is one she can bear to pay . . .
Lady Sophia Mackenzie has left almost everything behind. Her country. Her family. Her trust in the queen she suspects tried to kill her. All she has left is her own fledgling magic and her new husband, Cameron. But having fled Anglion to stay alive, she now has to learn how to face the dangers and temptations of Illvya, a land where the magic they practice is everything she’s been raised to fear.
To those who rule Illvya—the mages with their demon familiars and the parliament—having an unbound royal witch like Sophie in their midst is to some an unparalleled opportunity and to others an unbearable threat. As factions form around them, Sophia and Cameron struggle to navigate the intrigues and repercussions of their flight from Anglion. Illvya seeks to control them and Anglion may well still be trying to kill them. As their choices close in around them and Sophia begins to discover the potential of her powers, their bond—both magical and emotional—is pushed to the limit. In the end, in order to survive, Sophia will have to decide between loyalty and destiny and hope the price of her choice is one she can bear to pay . . .
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2017
266 people are currently reading
1134 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Scott
28 books594 followersM.J Scott is a RITA® Award nominated author. She is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.
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She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
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Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormjscott
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She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 23, 2017
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Forbidden Heir by M.J. Scott
Book Two of the Four Arts series
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy provided by the author
Summary (from Goodreads):
She fled to save her life, but surviving what comes next might destroy everything she believes in…
The royal witches of Anglion have always been bound to serve their country. But Lady Sophia Mackenzie, whose unbound magic and near claim to the crown made her a target, was forced to flee Anglion, leaving behind a dead assassin and shattered loyalties. Now she finds herself in Illvya, where the magic is everything she’s been taught to fear and the only person she can trust is her new husband, Cameron.
Sophia and Cameron must navigate a strange world of illicit temptations, dangerous threats and political intrigue, where as a royal witch Sophia is both prized and reviled.
As she begins to master her powers, the factions seeking to control Sophia close in, and her magical and emotional bonds with Cameron are pushed to the limit. To survive long enough to claim the future she seeks, she may have to choose between love and loyalty, and hope the price of her choice is one she can bear.
What I Liked:
The Shattered Court was one of my favorite adult books back in Spring 2015. To this day, I've reread it so many times, I could probably quote the book. I'm a huge fan of adult fantasy romance and the book really clicked for me. The Forbidden Heir has been a long time coming and I found that I wasn't disappointed at all. While I loved The Shattered Court more, I was completely hooked on this sequel and I'm dying for more.
The Forbidden Heir picks up pretty much exactly where The Shattered Court left off, with Cameron and Sophie fleeing Anglion and seeking asylum in Illyva. They are granted asylum but they trust no one, especially since the Illyvan customs on magic are strange to them. Cameron and Sophie must be on guard at the Illyvan magic school and at court, where there enemies are both familiar and unfamiliar. To protect themselves, they must make choices that could put everything they worked for at risk.
Much of this novel takes place in the Academe, where Cameron and Sophie are granted asylum under strained circumstances. They decide to train at the Academe and take classes to strengthen their skills, while they are lying low. But tensions are very high, especially when an envoy from Anglion arrives, demanding that Cameron and Sophie return. Sophie is a valuable commodity to Anglion, and not just as an heir to the throne.
This story was packed with action, political intrigue, scheming, and high stakes. There was a different feel to this book, compared to the first book. In the first book, everything felt confined to Anglion and Cameron/Sophie's bond. But this book takes the story to bigger, broader heights. More important figures come into play, like the emperor, who has taken an interest in the young couple.
This book is told in both Cameron and Sophie's third-person POV, which I'm always a fan of. Dual POV in romance novels really works, and the author does a great job with both. I also love third person narratives and this was well-written as well.
Cameron was a favorite of mine in the first book and he remains a favorite. I love how protective and fearless he is when it comes to Sophie. Alpha males get a lot of crap for being too macho and manly and whatnot, but on Cameron, the alpha male archetype works. He never tries to control or subdue Sophie, but he is so committed to her as a husband and protector. I love his loyalty and his strength, and his clever mind. He is the smarter and more careful of the two, but that's not to say that he doesn't make mistakes.
Sophie is more impulsive and less experienced in certain aspects of court, but she is also very intelligent and a fast learner. She is just as brave as her husband and she has a backbone and a will and she is never afraid to speak her mind. Sophie is a strong female protagonist and I have never not liked her so far.
As a couple, Cameron and Sophie really fit together. Cameron is strong and steady and always there to catch Sophie, and Sophie is impulsive and headstrong and so caring. They balance each other with their strengths and weaknesses, and they lean on each other as any healthy couple might. I loved seeing their relationship grow in this book because they became even stronger as a couple, which made them stronger characters. They have many obstacles and trials to overcome, among themselves as well as involving outside threats, and I think as a newly married couple they worked through things well.
Not to mention that the romance is pretty steamy. Cameron and Sophie have great chemistry and this chemistry doesn't let up just because they're married, or on the run.
The conflict of the book boils down to the Anglion queen demanding that Cameron and Sophie return... as well as the Anglion line of heirs growing shorter (with Sophie being next)... and of course the emperor has his say in whether or not Cameron and Sophie can leave. Throw in some demons that won't leave Cameron and Sophie alone, and they've got big problems. The ending of the book is not quite a cliffhanger but it ends with some serious problems in the horizon, and I'm definitely looking out for more. I can't wait to see what trouble these two get up to next!
What I Did Not Like:
The ending is a bit shocking and made me a little disappointed (in terms of one of Sophie's decisions). I think a bit more communication with Cameron would have been nice, but in the end, I think what happened was probably inevitable. The ending sets up well for a third book so I'm not mad about it, but it was the type of ending that left me on edge.
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely recommend this book, if you enjoyed The Shattered Court! And actually I highly recommend The Shattered Court, if you're a fan of adult fantasy romance and have not read the book. It's a favorite of mine. This sequel is quite good and will not disappoint! Binge-reading the series is a solid idea, given the ending of this sequel.
Rating:
4 stars. I'm excited for The Unbound Queen, whenever it will be published! The title alone makes one think... I bet it will be an exciting third book. I'm definitely going to reread books one and two in the meantime! Give this series a shot if you love fantasy, romance, and an action-packed story.
EDIT, March 3, 2017: The cover has been revealed! Check it out below. =)
WHERE IS IT I WANT IT I NEED IT GIMMEEEEEE.
The Forbidden Heir by M.J. Scott
Book Two of the Four Arts series
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy provided by the author
Summary (from Goodreads):
She fled to save her life, but surviving what comes next might destroy everything she believes in…
The royal witches of Anglion have always been bound to serve their country. But Lady Sophia Mackenzie, whose unbound magic and near claim to the crown made her a target, was forced to flee Anglion, leaving behind a dead assassin and shattered loyalties. Now she finds herself in Illvya, where the magic is everything she’s been taught to fear and the only person she can trust is her new husband, Cameron.
Sophia and Cameron must navigate a strange world of illicit temptations, dangerous threats and political intrigue, where as a royal witch Sophia is both prized and reviled.
As she begins to master her powers, the factions seeking to control Sophia close in, and her magical and emotional bonds with Cameron are pushed to the limit. To survive long enough to claim the future she seeks, she may have to choose between love and loyalty, and hope the price of her choice is one she can bear.
What I Liked:
The Shattered Court was one of my favorite adult books back in Spring 2015. To this day, I've reread it so many times, I could probably quote the book. I'm a huge fan of adult fantasy romance and the book really clicked for me. The Forbidden Heir has been a long time coming and I found that I wasn't disappointed at all. While I loved The Shattered Court more, I was completely hooked on this sequel and I'm dying for more.
The Forbidden Heir picks up pretty much exactly where The Shattered Court left off, with Cameron and Sophie fleeing Anglion and seeking asylum in Illyva. They are granted asylum but they trust no one, especially since the Illyvan customs on magic are strange to them. Cameron and Sophie must be on guard at the Illyvan magic school and at court, where there enemies are both familiar and unfamiliar. To protect themselves, they must make choices that could put everything they worked for at risk.
Much of this novel takes place in the Academe, where Cameron and Sophie are granted asylum under strained circumstances. They decide to train at the Academe and take classes to strengthen their skills, while they are lying low. But tensions are very high, especially when an envoy from Anglion arrives, demanding that Cameron and Sophie return. Sophie is a valuable commodity to Anglion, and not just as an heir to the throne.
This story was packed with action, political intrigue, scheming, and high stakes. There was a different feel to this book, compared to the first book. In the first book, everything felt confined to Anglion and Cameron/Sophie's bond. But this book takes the story to bigger, broader heights. More important figures come into play, like the emperor, who has taken an interest in the young couple.
This book is told in both Cameron and Sophie's third-person POV, which I'm always a fan of. Dual POV in romance novels really works, and the author does a great job with both. I also love third person narratives and this was well-written as well.
Cameron was a favorite of mine in the first book and he remains a favorite. I love how protective and fearless he is when it comes to Sophie. Alpha males get a lot of crap for being too macho and manly and whatnot, but on Cameron, the alpha male archetype works. He never tries to control or subdue Sophie, but he is so committed to her as a husband and protector. I love his loyalty and his strength, and his clever mind. He is the smarter and more careful of the two, but that's not to say that he doesn't make mistakes.
Sophie is more impulsive and less experienced in certain aspects of court, but she is also very intelligent and a fast learner. She is just as brave as her husband and she has a backbone and a will and she is never afraid to speak her mind. Sophie is a strong female protagonist and I have never not liked her so far.
As a couple, Cameron and Sophie really fit together. Cameron is strong and steady and always there to catch Sophie, and Sophie is impulsive and headstrong and so caring. They balance each other with their strengths and weaknesses, and they lean on each other as any healthy couple might. I loved seeing their relationship grow in this book because they became even stronger as a couple, which made them stronger characters. They have many obstacles and trials to overcome, among themselves as well as involving outside threats, and I think as a newly married couple they worked through things well.
Not to mention that the romance is pretty steamy. Cameron and Sophie have great chemistry and this chemistry doesn't let up just because they're married, or on the run.
The conflict of the book boils down to the Anglion queen demanding that Cameron and Sophie return... as well as the Anglion line of heirs growing shorter (with Sophie being next)... and of course the emperor has his say in whether or not Cameron and Sophie can leave. Throw in some demons that won't leave Cameron and Sophie alone, and they've got big problems. The ending of the book is not quite a cliffhanger but it ends with some serious problems in the horizon, and I'm definitely looking out for more. I can't wait to see what trouble these two get up to next!
What I Did Not Like:
The ending is a bit shocking and made me a little disappointed (in terms of one of Sophie's decisions). I think a bit more communication with Cameron would have been nice, but in the end, I think what happened was probably inevitable. The ending sets up well for a third book so I'm not mad about it, but it was the type of ending that left me on edge.
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely recommend this book, if you enjoyed The Shattered Court! And actually I highly recommend The Shattered Court, if you're a fan of adult fantasy romance and have not read the book. It's a favorite of mine. This sequel is quite good and will not disappoint! Binge-reading the series is a solid idea, given the ending of this sequel.
Rating:
4 stars. I'm excited for The Unbound Queen, whenever it will be published! The title alone makes one think... I bet it will be an exciting third book. I'm definitely going to reread books one and two in the meantime! Give this series a shot if you love fantasy, romance, and an action-packed story.
EDIT, March 3, 2017: The cover has been revealed! Check it out below. =)
WHERE IS IT I WANT IT I NEED IT GIMMEEEEEE.
June 12, 2020
Will update in the morning.
LIES, I am updating today.
This second book was just as good as the first. The only problem was the format for me. Apparently ebooks are really not my bag.
I enjoyed the character development, I can't wait to see what happens in book three, and I want to know all of the answers (WHICH THERE AREN'T ENOUGH OF YET)! If romance, court intrigue, and magic based fantasy are your bag then I highly recommend this series!
LIES, I am updating today.
This second book was just as good as the first. The only problem was the format for me. Apparently ebooks are really not my bag.
I enjoyed the character development, I can't wait to see what happens in book three, and I want to know all of the answers (WHICH THERE AREN'T ENOUGH OF YET)! If romance, court intrigue, and magic based fantasy are your bag then I highly recommend this series!
November 24, 2017
The Forbidden Heir is the second book in the series? Trilogy? I don't know 'The Four Arts'.
Like the first book, I greatly enjoyed the second one. This is one of those strange books that are neither amazing nor horrible. It isn't particularly unique, the writing style isn't brilliantly amazing, and the characters are almost ordinary given the genre and the type of book it is. And still, I have a lot of fun with this series so far. You could almost call it a guilty pleasure … except I don't feel guilty.
Now that I confused the few of you who actually read my reviews let's begin with the basics.
The plot of The Forbidden Heir picks up right after the ending of Shattered Court. Cameron and Sophie had to flee and are now in the magical school of Illvya. Obviously, their problems don't end there. They might have escaped the people who were trying to kill them back home but now they positioned themselves right in the middle of a huge political game. The Emperor of Illvya takes an interest in them and it's not entirely clear to what end and their Queen is sending a convoy to bring them back home. But can they trust the crown's assurance? To make matters worse, Sophia's importance in the game seems to continuously grow.
So far so good. A fantasy story with lots of magic and political intrigue. There are many of those out there. What did I love most about this book? What did I have the most fun with? The answer is easy. It's not the world building, it's not the political games (though I did enjoy those). What I loved most is the relationship between Cameron and Sophia. It didn't seem like a useless addition of drama. The one conflict they have in the book was well established and hinted at before it actually happened. Their relationship seems incredibly loving and supportive but also … safe? Except for a short interruption neither of them doubts the other's love. They are happy and secure in their relationship. It felt incredibly realistic to me. The small moments they had, hell, I even enjoyed the sex scenes as a part of a happy and whole relationship and that hasn't happened to me in a while. They appear to find safety in each other in the confusing and dangerous situation they have to face. And it just made me really really happy to read it. Seriously, you hardly ever find a depiction of such a healthy relationship. They actually talk to each other!!!!!!!!!!
Also, I feel like I have to compliment Cameron's character some more. In fantasy and especially in YA fantasy there is a trend to have strong female leads, which is awesome, but usually their love interests are just as strong, just as important, just as powerful. Cameron in this series is not. It's made clear repeatedly that Sophia is the more powerful of the two of them, she has a higher position within the nobility, she is more important for the political games being played. He knows that, he acknowledges it … and he's perfectly fine with it. Not once was he trying to control her er hold power over her. He doesn't feel inferior to her. And Sophia doesn't look down on him. There are no power struggles in their relationship and I found that to be incredibly relaxing.
All in all, despite some lengths, this book made me very happy and I'm waiting for the next book.
I'd recommend this to everyone who likes fantasy books with a heavy emphasis on politics and history and doesn't mind a strong love story as the core relationship.
Like the first book, I greatly enjoyed the second one. This is one of those strange books that are neither amazing nor horrible. It isn't particularly unique, the writing style isn't brilliantly amazing, and the characters are almost ordinary given the genre and the type of book it is. And still, I have a lot of fun with this series so far. You could almost call it a guilty pleasure … except I don't feel guilty.
Now that I confused the few of you who actually read my reviews let's begin with the basics.
The plot of The Forbidden Heir picks up right after the ending of Shattered Court. Cameron and Sophie had to flee and are now in the magical school of Illvya. Obviously, their problems don't end there. They might have escaped the people who were trying to kill them back home but now they positioned themselves right in the middle of a huge political game. The Emperor of Illvya takes an interest in them and it's not entirely clear to what end and their Queen is sending a convoy to bring them back home. But can they trust the crown's assurance? To make matters worse, Sophia's importance in the game seems to continuously grow.
So far so good. A fantasy story with lots of magic and political intrigue. There are many of those out there. What did I love most about this book? What did I have the most fun with? The answer is easy. It's not the world building, it's not the political games (though I did enjoy those). What I loved most is the relationship between Cameron and Sophia. It didn't seem like a useless addition of drama. The one conflict they have in the book was well established and hinted at before it actually happened. Their relationship seems incredibly loving and supportive but also … safe? Except for a short interruption neither of them doubts the other's love. They are happy and secure in their relationship. It felt incredibly realistic to me. The small moments they had, hell, I even enjoyed the sex scenes as a part of a happy and whole relationship and that hasn't happened to me in a while. They appear to find safety in each other in the confusing and dangerous situation they have to face. And it just made me really really happy to read it. Seriously, you hardly ever find a depiction of such a healthy relationship. They actually talk to each other!!!!!!!!!!
Also, I feel like I have to compliment Cameron's character some more. In fantasy and especially in YA fantasy there is a trend to have strong female leads, which is awesome, but usually their love interests are just as strong, just as important, just as powerful. Cameron in this series is not. It's made clear repeatedly that Sophia is the more powerful of the two of them, she has a higher position within the nobility, she is more important for the political games being played. He knows that, he acknowledges it … and he's perfectly fine with it. Not once was he trying to control her er hold power over her. He doesn't feel inferior to her. And Sophia doesn't look down on him. There are no power struggles in their relationship and I found that to be incredibly relaxing.
All in all, despite some lengths, this book made me very happy and I'm waiting for the next book.
I'd recommend this to everyone who likes fantasy books with a heavy emphasis on politics and history and doesn't mind a strong love story as the core relationship.
September 18, 2018
I want to like this series more but there is something about the characters and plot that makes it difficult to get lost in. The writing is fine. There’s nothing blatantly wrong with the plot. I just find myself really disconnected from Sophie and Cameron’s problems and wish there was a hook or a catch that would make them unforgettable.
June 28, 2022
I really enjoyed the second book in Scott’s trilogy. Most fantasy writers tend to separate the main characters in book two, and while the reunion can be sweet, I almost always find it annoying. So, I really liked that Scott chose to leave them together & on the same side in this book.
There are many directions book 3 can go, and I’m excited to see how the story ends!
There are many directions book 3 can go, and I’m excited to see how the story ends!
January 12, 2018
If you liked the first one, you will most likely like this one. It is just very nice and a pleasure to read.
December 20, 2021
My feelings about this are definetely mixed: do I think this is amazing, writing or plotwise? No. But I still read book #2 adnd I am currently reading book #3 and that is really unusual for me. I could, I can, find plenty of plot or style holes in this series but it still kept turning the pages. Somehow the plot reveal pace or pace in general, the universe is just working for me, nitpicking apart.
January 21, 2018
This was a very quick read - it was so compelling, and really held it's own as the middle book in the trilogy (I assume).
It does the thing that I love for middle books to do, which is after book one has scattered the pieces, book two lines them up, ready for them to fall back in place (or into new places) in book three.
It does the thing that I love for middle books to do, which is after book one has scattered the pieces, book two lines them up, ready for them to fall back in place (or into new places) in book three.
November 7, 2017
This is a marvelous book. The world building is unique and complex. The characters are well developed and likable and there is intrigue for days. If you've read the first book in the series it only gets better in this one.
Highly recommended and already eagerly awaiting the next.
Highly recommended and already eagerly awaiting the next.
December 25, 2017
Nice fantasy romance.
Court intrigue.
Boarding school/magical academy setting.
Married couple as MC.
Cute pets. I liked shenanigans with Tok.
Looking forward to the next book.
Court intrigue.
Boarding school/magical academy setting.
Married couple as MC.
Cute pets. I liked shenanigans with Tok.
Looking forward to the next book.
August 12, 2024
Compelling, intriguing, thrilling, fascinating, fast-paced and full of new knowledge.
June 5, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ Wordy moments but I’m still here, so good enough. On to the third 👍🏽
January 26, 2018
Quite the Novel Idea http://quitethenovelidea.com http://quitethenovelidea.com/liza-rev...
I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Well, it was about time! I read The Shattered Court in 2015 and I loved it and then I waited a while for the sequel. I'm happy to report that it did not dissapoint at all.
The Forbidden Heir started where the previous book ended, with Sophia and Cameron entering the Academe in Illvya. Not only did they had to flee from Anglion, but they did so in the middle of the night and they were not prepared for what's to come. The transition is hard. The magic is practiced different here, there is a school were students are free to study whatever they want, Sophia doesn't understand the language well and there are scary demons too.
Our royal couple gains asylum in the Academe were they enroll as students until they figure out who to trust and what is going on. Sophia learns quite a bit about magic, some in class, some by accident. In the meantime, Anglion sends an envoy to request that Sophie returns to her country as soon as possible.
Just like its predecessor, The Forbidden Heir has a lot of political machinations and plot twists. Also, since it takes place in a new setting which involves new world building. I really liked all of this, although I still don't understand how the magic works and exactly what's going on back in Anglion.
Sophie and Cameron haven't been married for long, but they grow a lot as a couple, they truly love each other, and they got each other's back. Sophie knows a lot about how court politics work and she's very smart and a fast learner, but she took some impulsive decisions too. Cameron is fiercely protective of his wife, but has the hope that they can somehow return to Anglion and the life they had before. They make a really great couple.
The ending was a bit abrupt and unexpected and I'm not sure where the story is going next. Now, to wait for the next book and I hope it won't be such a long wait :)This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea
December 31, 2017
I'm still into the story, but I thought this was unnecessarily wordy. Found myself skipping paragraphs of cliched and irrelevant descriptions. Reading the first and last lines got me to the end pretty fast, without missing any part of the plot.
May 25, 2020
First read 11/3/17
Real rating: 4.25 stars! I want the next book 😂
Second read 5/25/20
Had to reread so I could start the third book. My rating is now a flat 4 stars but still enjoyed this a lot.
Real rating: 4.25 stars! I want the next book 😂
Second read 5/25/20
Had to reread so I could start the third book. My rating is now a flat 4 stars but still enjoyed this a lot.
June 19, 2020
With this book the series really shifted into more like a regency novel. There were more descriptions of gowns and court wear than I was anticipating, that's for sure! I still definitely enjoyed it, though.
May 14, 2018
This read went fast. I actually had to re-read the first book to remember what happened.
This one starts right where the last one left off with Cameron and Sophia on the run from the Kingdom of Anglion. They've landed in the empire of Illvya, Anglion's supposed enemy. Only not really. While the people of Anglion seem to be obsessed with Illvya, the Illvyians are minding their business being more enlightened and technically more advanced than the Anglions and not really giving Anglion a second thought.
Until Cameron and Sophie land on their doorstep. Sine the newlyweds have no idea who attempted to assassinate them, suspecting it might go as high as the queen herself, they are a little adrift. But they are (luckily) welcomed into the Academy, a place where students study the magical arts and are givn an opportunity to learn all the things they should know but that Anglion is determined to repress.
But their reprieve is very small. A delegation of Anglions is on their heels demanding they return, they've gotten the attention of the Illvyaian emperor, and Sophie is finding that she has an affinity with a type of magic that is verboten in Anglion and if she were able to return home, it just may get her killed.
Like I said, this was a fast read. Events over-ran Sophie and Cameron at quite a pace and the book also felt like it going at the same pace. They are never anonymous in this big new city, much to their dismay. They hardly get a chance to strategize and it feels like a lot of things are happening to them. So they are in reactive mode a lot, which feels on the one hand somewhat frustrating but on the other somewhat realistic.
One of the other by-products of the book moving fast was that some developments happened really fast as well. Some that have a a very shortcut or vaguely Deus Ex Machina feel to it. I am used to fantasy novels where fantasy leads develop and discover new powers. And that is true of this book as well, but in Sophia's case some of it felt unearned, like the author needed to get it over with so we could get on with the plot points.
The book ends on an anticipatory note. I am really curious to see what is happening back in Anglion in the wake of Sophia and Cameron leaving. Hopefully the next book will give us some of that.
This one starts right where the last one left off with Cameron and Sophia on the run from the Kingdom of Anglion. They've landed in the empire of Illvya, Anglion's supposed enemy. Only not really. While the people of Anglion seem to be obsessed with Illvya, the Illvyians are minding their business being more enlightened and technically more advanced than the Anglions and not really giving Anglion a second thought.
Until Cameron and Sophie land on their doorstep. Sine the newlyweds have no idea who attempted to assassinate them, suspecting it might go as high as the queen herself, they are a little adrift. But they are (luckily) welcomed into the Academy, a place where students study the magical arts and are givn an opportunity to learn all the things they should know but that Anglion is determined to repress.
But their reprieve is very small. A delegation of Anglions is on their heels demanding they return, they've gotten the attention of the Illvyaian emperor, and Sophie is finding that she has an affinity with a type of magic that is verboten in Anglion and if she were able to return home, it just may get her killed.
Like I said, this was a fast read. Events over-ran Sophie and Cameron at quite a pace and the book also felt like it going at the same pace. They are never anonymous in this big new city, much to their dismay. They hardly get a chance to strategize and it feels like a lot of things are happening to them. So they are in reactive mode a lot, which feels on the one hand somewhat frustrating but on the other somewhat realistic.
One of the other by-products of the book moving fast was that some developments happened really fast as well. Some that have a a very shortcut or vaguely Deus Ex Machina feel to it. I am used to fantasy novels where fantasy leads develop and discover new powers. And that is true of this book as well, but in Sophia's case some of it felt unearned, like the author needed to get it over with so we could get on with the plot points.
The book ends on an anticipatory note. I am really curious to see what is happening back in Anglion in the wake of Sophia and Cameron leaving. Hopefully the next book will give us some of that.
November 9, 2017
This is book #2 in a series and yes you do need to start with the first book. I promise it will be well worth your time!
This series is set in a different Earth/planet in what would have been about our Victorian times. There are kings and queens who rule and there is also magic. There are four different types, or arts, that can be practiced. Sophie and her husband Cameron are from Anglion but they have fled to Illvyan after an assassination attempt. Sophie was a royal witch in line to the royal throne and unable to have her powers bound to the temple.
This book picks up with them newly arrived in Illyan at the Acadame seeking asylum and safety. They have to decide what to do now that they are safe. Do they try to return? Do they forge a new life for themselves? Can they ever be safe again?
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review by the author. I really liked this book. There is enough of the familiar that it didn't feel too alien but also enough different that it felt fresh and exciting. The characters are complex and compelling. I was hoping that Sophie and Cameron would be forced to face the difficult start to their marriage and the important question of if they wanted to continue, this book did. The book also had twists and turns that were unexpected and very intriguing. This book is smart, well written, and worth the read! I can't wait for the next book to see where they go from here!
This series is set in a different Earth/planet in what would have been about our Victorian times. There are kings and queens who rule and there is also magic. There are four different types, or arts, that can be practiced. Sophie and her husband Cameron are from Anglion but they have fled to Illvyan after an assassination attempt. Sophie was a royal witch in line to the royal throne and unable to have her powers bound to the temple.
This book picks up with them newly arrived in Illyan at the Acadame seeking asylum and safety. They have to decide what to do now that they are safe. Do they try to return? Do they forge a new life for themselves? Can they ever be safe again?
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review by the author. I really liked this book. There is enough of the familiar that it didn't feel too alien but also enough different that it felt fresh and exciting. The characters are complex and compelling. I was hoping that Sophie and Cameron would be forced to face the difficult start to their marriage and the important question of if they wanted to continue, this book did. The book also had twists and turns that were unexpected and very intriguing. This book is smart, well written, and worth the read! I can't wait for the next book to see where they go from here!
May 22, 2024
A somewhat confusing tale at times, continuing from when Sophie and Cameron make their way to Illvya after having been attacked by an assassin. As they begin expanding their magic knowledge via classes, a delegation comes from Anglion asking - more like demanding - that Sophie and Cam return with them. But there is no written guarantee of safety, and Sevan Allowood outright calls her a traitor. As they make their way home, their carriage is blown up, amd the same.mysterious sanctii who helped them during the attatck at the ballroom shows up to help again.
When it comes to an investigation, Sevan has poisoned himself but the healers stop the progression of the poison he took. They discover he has a matching bullet would to the one given to Sophie during the attaxk. A search of their rooms reveals that Sevan had weapons of water mages, a forbidden art in Anglion. And it appears there are more attacks in Anglion that have pushed Sophie to second in line for the throne, and Queen Eloisa has not married nor produced any heirs.
Whatever game is going on here, Sophie and Cameron want no parts of it. And so they agree to stay in Illvya and continue their magic studies, with Sophie studying water magic that is forbidden in Anglion.
Once again, TMI on the sex acts of the main characters. I find the interruption of the story for a description of sex of the same old tired pattern to be a rude interruption to an otherwise good story.
When it comes to an investigation, Sevan has poisoned himself but the healers stop the progression of the poison he took. They discover he has a matching bullet would to the one given to Sophie during the attaxk. A search of their rooms reveals that Sevan had weapons of water mages, a forbidden art in Anglion. And it appears there are more attacks in Anglion that have pushed Sophie to second in line for the throne, and Queen Eloisa has not married nor produced any heirs.
Whatever game is going on here, Sophie and Cameron want no parts of it. And so they agree to stay in Illvya and continue their magic studies, with Sophie studying water magic that is forbidden in Anglion.
Once again, TMI on the sex acts of the main characters. I find the interruption of the story for a description of sex of the same old tired pattern to be a rude interruption to an otherwise good story.
July 7, 2019
The story picks up where the first book left off. Cameron and Sophie fear for their lives and escape Algonia. They travel to a near-by rival city run by an emperor. The city they run to allows all four magics to be used. They seem much advanced in many ways. Sophie starts to learn more magic and finds herself in trouble on a few occasions. She and Cameron are getting in deeper with the Ilyvan politics and become a pawn between the two rival countries. In this second book, Sophie was showing exactly how strong she is by having a familiar drawn to her and a sancti( demon) I found the bird character kind of cute and endearing even if Sophie thought he was a bit annoying. Why are so many people drawn to her? Could it be Sophie is meant for great things? What is going on with the politics of her home country? Who was behind the attacks and who is trying to kill off the people in line to become queen/king? All suggest some puzzling questions. Sophie and Cameron develop some strong feelings for one another and the new characters in the city they fled to seem to be nicer and more helpful than any of the people she left behind. I really enjoyed this second book and I could see that Sophie is indeed becoming someone of great importance.
March 26, 2019
Read book 1 in this series forever ago and really liked it, finally got a hold of book 2! This book's destination is pretty much where I assumed the story was going, but I liked the journey. I enjoy spending time in this world, I really want a deep-dive into the different magics. Illvya is WAY better than Anglion and Sophie and Cam should definitely stay there forever. Sophie and Cam's relationship develops well for me. The genuinely liked each other in book 1 when they were more or less forced to get married, but it wasn't insta-love and this book has developed their relationship to the point where they have actually fallen in love and are learning what that means for them and how it affects their decisions.
But now I'm back where I was when I finished book 1, with wanting to continue the story but no release date for the next book!
But now I'm back where I was when I finished book 1, with wanting to continue the story but no release date for the next book!
March 24, 2019
Incredible series.
Court intrigue. Well defined magical world that is filled with conflict. Demons and bonds. Heroine with a brain who is not sought after by every single male around her. Hero who also has a brain and holds a true partnership ethic with his chosen partner. Not a single patronizing hint of 'indulging the feisty little lady' exists so far in the series.
These are well written books with an extremely cohesive story line and the solid world building MJ Scott is so talented at creating. Highly recommend.
Court intrigue. Well defined magical world that is filled with conflict. Demons and bonds. Heroine with a brain who is not sought after by every single male around her. Hero who also has a brain and holds a true partnership ethic with his chosen partner. Not a single patronizing hint of 'indulging the feisty little lady' exists so far in the series.
These are well written books with an extremely cohesive story line and the solid world building MJ Scott is so talented at creating. Highly recommend.
November 23, 2022
Intrigue and romance
Intrigue,romance, social values and discriminatory practice woven together brilliantly by MJ Scott.
I fell into this author's work by accident. I am glad I did. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. In have read a few of her books now.
What can I say I think they are magic in more than one sense of the word. I will rate a lot of books but few have me give a write up of how I feel. I don't like talking about the actual story that is for the reader to discover themselves.
Intrigue,romance, social values and discriminatory practice woven together brilliantly by MJ Scott.
I fell into this author's work by accident. I am glad I did. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. In have read a few of her books now.
What can I say I think they are magic in more than one sense of the word. I will rate a lot of books but few have me give a write up of how I feel. I don't like talking about the actual story that is for the reader to discover themselves.
January 14, 2025
I don't think the title fit the book very well, I understand Sophie is in the line of succession and she began doing forbidden magic so technically she's the forbidden heir but it's not really the main focus for her. She happens to be an heir and begins to practice forbidden magic and both points are overall important to the story but it is not a large focus of the details of the story being told.
I was really hoping we'd find out Sophie had some interesting connection with the sanctii. I'd say more but that'd have too many spoilers.
I was really hoping we'd find out Sophie had some interesting connection with the sanctii. I'd say more but that'd have too many spoilers.
July 13, 2025
Again, really a 3.5. Some interesting elements to Sophie and Cameron's adventures in the new court. There are times that the author spends too much time sharing the main characters thought processes. And Sophie mentions feeling rushed and manipulated - situations keep arising that force her hand and I really wonder who is pushing Sophie's development as a witch.
I would like to finish the series with the third book "The Unbound Queen" (which does rather give away the plot), but neither the online or physical library has the book. So the question is - how driven am I to finish the series?
I would like to finish the series with the third book "The Unbound Queen" (which does rather give away the plot), but neither the online or physical library has the book. So the question is - how driven am I to finish the series?
September 13, 2025
So Carlijn convinced me to read number 2, especially after confirming that it wasn’t about Sophie and Cameron having a baby!
Now that I knew what to expect in terms of style, I actually enjoyed the book and the story. We follow the couple in Ilvya, where they discover a new world of magic, and the deceptions from their home country. Not too much happening in the book though, main events are a couple of attempts to kill / kidnap Sophie to bring her back home.
Not great literature, but still enjoyable. Will finish the series.
Now that I knew what to expect in terms of style, I actually enjoyed the book and the story. We follow the couple in Ilvya, where they discover a new world of magic, and the deceptions from their home country. Not too much happening in the book though, main events are a couple of attempts to kill / kidnap Sophie to bring her back home.
Not great literature, but still enjoyable. Will finish the series.
November 16, 2017
Politics are not my forte, or interest, and there is a lot of politics here. Who cares though, because tons of other stuff happens.
Cameron and Sophie find tenuous sanctuary at the Illvyan Academe, which gives them a safe place to explore their bond and learn more than Anglian mages are ever taught.
Please, please, though, let future books explain a little more about the Familiaris sanctii, this book gave tantalizing hints, but no details.
Cameron and Sophie find tenuous sanctuary at the Illvyan Academe, which gives them a safe place to explore their bond and learn more than Anglian mages are ever taught.
Please, please, though, let future books explain a little more about the Familiaris sanctii, this book gave tantalizing hints, but no details.
November 27, 2017
I liked the first book in this series very much. I enjoyed this book as well. I liked that it picked up where the first book ended. I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and of the magic. The main characters continued to mature and grow in their affection for each other. I will continue to read the rest of the books in this series. I do not like the fact that it's currently only available in e-book edition.
March 5, 2018
Started off slow but the romance definitely heats up. Sophie and Cameron find themselves on foreign soil, hoping for asylum in an academy of magic that teaches arts deemed heretical in their home country. But, as Sophie steps into her power and their bond grows stronger, she draws unwanted attention - from home, from the Imperial Ruler of Illyria and even from the world of demons. I'm interested to see where the rest of the story goes.
September 20, 2024
Such a great read
I absolutely love this series its got everything and creatures you never new magic blood magic earth water and more the character's are so good so there hiding in another country not just another country but one that there enemies off they have been given sanctuary then there own Kingman come to bring them home the king has a ball and then there is an attack then on there way back there carriage is attacked so read on to know more
I absolutely love this series its got everything and creatures you never new magic blood magic earth water and more the character's are so good so there hiding in another country not just another country but one that there enemies off they have been given sanctuary then there own Kingman come to bring them home the king has a ball and then there is an attack then on there way back there carriage is attacked so read on to know more
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