What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of the Six Kingdoms #1
Captured in Crystal
The Amber Orb’s magical bond is unbreakable and the only escape is death.
And Thea needs to be free of her bond. Her partner, Brand, is a Knight Blade too handsome for his own good and rumored to have murdered his previous partner. He’s the last person she wants to spend the rest of her life with, but Thea is a Knight Key of the Amber Order—even if she’s never manifested any magical abilities—and has sworn an oath of obedience.
With no time to deal with her new partnership and her attraction to Brand—surely a side-effect of the bond—they are thrust on their first travel to the mysterious Crystal City with its strange, reclusive people and determine why the High King’s ambassador has gone silent. But dangerous magic lies within the city’s shimmering walls, magic that threatens to destroy everyone… if her bond with Brand doesn’t destroy her first.
And Thea needs to be free of her bond. Her partner, Brand, is a Knight Blade too handsome for his own good and rumored to have murdered his previous partner. He’s the last person she wants to spend the rest of her life with, but Thea is a Knight Key of the Amber Order—even if she’s never manifested any magical abilities—and has sworn an oath of obedience.
With no time to deal with her new partnership and her attraction to Brand—surely a side-effect of the bond—they are thrust on their first travel to the mysterious Crystal City with its strange, reclusive people and determine why the High King’s ambassador has gone silent. But dangerous magic lies within the city’s shimmering walls, magic that threatens to destroy everyone… if her bond with Brand doesn’t destroy her first.
ebook
First published November 3, 2013
1 person is currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Card
6 books284 followersI have always been drawn to story telling. In fact, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t telling a story in my head or on paper. In grade school, we had journal writing time which I turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that I loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that I nurtured this love and started my journey as a writer.
I write fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join me on my tales of magic, adventure, and romance.
I write fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join me on my tales of magic, adventure, and romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 12, 2013
I'm very very torn about something concerning this novel, and as I write, and re-write, and re-re-write my review, I realize that I'm having trouble expressing my concern without wording it in a way that could be very inflammatory if taken out of context.
So.
I enjoyed this book.
There was one particular (and somewhat major) issue that pulled my final rating down a full star, but when it is all said and done, I enjoyed this book, and that's what ratings are all about.
Therefore, 4/5 Stars, and I will revisit and amend this review as I'm better able to gather my thoughts.
---
12-11-13
I hate to be vague in a review, but unfortunately I'm not comfortable mentioning in a public review one major thing about this book that brought my final rating down a full star.
That said, however, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the fated-to-be mated vibe, as well as the push and pull between Thea and Brand, as neither of them wanted the other as a partner in the beginning.
The Crystal City was wonderful, with some truly terrifying scenes, and I especially enjoyed the maze with all of the mind tricks that were played on both Brand and Thea.
As a HUGE fan of Melanie Card's Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer series, I was pleasantly surprised by the dynamics between the two protagonists, and I admit, I was happy that there was some naughty times, even though they were fade-to-black.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I ended up staying up far to late so that I could read it in one sitting, simply because I couldn't wait to see what was next.
So.
I enjoyed this book.
There was one particular (and somewhat major) issue that pulled my final rating down a full star, but when it is all said and done, I enjoyed this book, and that's what ratings are all about.
Therefore, 4/5 Stars, and I will revisit and amend this review as I'm better able to gather my thoughts.
---
12-11-13
I hate to be vague in a review, but unfortunately I'm not comfortable mentioning in a public review one major thing about this book that brought my final rating down a full star.
That said, however, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the fated-to-be mated vibe, as well as the push and pull between Thea and Brand, as neither of them wanted the other as a partner in the beginning.
The Crystal City was wonderful, with some truly terrifying scenes, and I especially enjoyed the maze with all of the mind tricks that were played on both Brand and Thea.
As a HUGE fan of Melanie Card's Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer series, I was pleasantly surprised by the dynamics between the two protagonists, and I admit, I was happy that there was some naughty times, even though they were fade-to-black.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I ended up staying up far to late so that I could read it in one sitting, simply because I couldn't wait to see what was next.
March 29, 2017
Thea is magically bonded to Brand and he’s the last person in the world she wants to spend the rest of her life with. He’s rumored to be a murderer and far too handsome for his own good. But to break the bond, one of them must die, and she’s not about to kill herself. Together they travel to Crystal City to find out what’s happened. Strange things occur and before long, dark magic threatens both Thea and Brand. Will they work together to bring down this dark magic and give into their growing feelings for one another or are they both doomed? I enjoyed this book but not as much as the previous Card books. It was okay.
My Rating: 3 stars
My Rating: 3 stars
December 17, 2024
Great story! Love the protagonists and the world they explored together. I also liked the different perspectives and how it switched each chapter.
(Spoilers)
When I first read about the maze in the first few chapters, I was hoping so bad we'd see the inside of it. I really like how the maze was used to help them solve the mystery and bring them together
(Spoilers)
When I first read about the maze in the first few chapters, I was hoping so bad we'd see the inside of it. I really like how the maze was used to help them solve the mystery and bring them together
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews