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Lyarris Deveras, Crown Princess of Sirlende, takes a leap of faith and accepts an offer of marriage from the ruler of the far-off kingdom of Keshiaar, although she knows it means she will never see her family or her homeland again. Betrayed by his first wife, her new husband has vowed never to love again. But with a little luck — and a bit of magical intervention — Lyarris plans to melt her new husband's stony heart in this novel inspired by the Thousand and One Nights, set in the world of the Latter Kingdoms.

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2014

17 people are currently reading
634 people want to read

About the author

Christine Pope

215 books1,093 followers
A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.

While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.

After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.

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5 stars
127 (33%)
4 stars
130 (34%)
3 stars
88 (23%)
2 stars
29 (7%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Krista.
259 reviews35 followers
October 26, 2017
I still can’t get over One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) retellings, so I decided to read this novel by Christine Pope. It is a decent read, but other than the hierach (king) being betrayed by his wife, and the other wife telling him stories, there is nothing else that is reminiscent of the classic Middle Eastern folk tale.

I don't quite understand the male protagonist's internal struggles. And the female protagonist seems too meek for a spirited, freedom-loving person.
Profile Image for Brittany.
3,520 reviews27 followers
October 24, 2015
This book was kind of frustrating for me. We first met Lyarris in Binding Spell. She comes across as a strong woman so I was disappointed that she was really meek for most of the book. She just did not fight for herself or her marriage for most of the book and that drove me crazy. She went a year before she decided to fight. I also did not like that she did not fight for the little girl. I know that she was not her husbands child but could she not have fought for her at all? That kind of made me angry. the story was just okay I just was disappointed in Lyarris character.
Profile Image for Twilightwatchers.
40 reviews17 followers
September 12, 2014
As a fan of Christine Pope, I had high expectations for One Thousand Nights, I wasn't disappointed at all. This book was written in her wonderful style of drawing you in and leaving you wanting more. The concept of the book is a homage on the classic Arabian Nights.
The characters are emotionally engaging in making you feel all their moods. The vivid descriptions of the scenery makes you feel like you're there. Just as the story was getting a little slow, a nice twist came in and kept the book at a nice rhythm.

One Thousand Nights is part of the Tales of the Latter Kingdoms series but can be read as a stand alone book.

I received this book free as a ARC reader to review.
Profile Image for Tabby.
274 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2018
This wasn't horrible but it read a little to like a typical romance novel for me. The MC seemed to get hot and shivery every time her so called husband touched her hand. I found my self board for most of the book and sped through it to get to the end. I did really like Dragon Rose, another book in this series, but I'm beginning to wonder if that is the only one I will find worth recommending.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
148 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2021
This was a different take on the concept of 1001 nights where it's not really a thousand nights before the husband actually accepts the wife. Also it's pretty different in that the tales she tells her husband barely take up more than two or three chapters of the book. It mostly focusses on Lyarris's loneliness in another culture so different from the one she was raised in.
9 reviews
November 12, 2017
A Fairytale retelling with realistic situations. Love the book and highly recommend reading it!
Profile Image for shannon  Stubbs.
1,964 reviews12 followers
August 2, 2018
I liked this one

This retelling of a fairytale was very good. I liked how other stories in this series were used as the tales to capture her husband's interest. Also it had an hea.
Profile Image for Queen Talk Talk.
1,272 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2025
Wow.

This is a most excellent reimagining of Sherazade's story. It was a bit angsty then the action really picked up.
Profile Image for Melissa.
28 reviews
January 4, 2019
In "One Thousand Nights" Lyarris and Besh marry to, bridge a gap so to speak, between their kingdoms. This story is one of betrayal and intrigue. All in all a fantastic read!!!!
Profile Image for Maria Aguilar.
159 reviews8 followers
November 16, 2016
I'm giving this a 4.5 stars because it was good but I feel that more could have been added, not to much but enough to keep me satisfied.

The story begins with Beshalim, or Besh, who is the Hierarch of Keshiaar about to witness the execution of his wife Hezia, for treason and adultery. When the deed is done Besh vow that he will never love again so that he will not feel the pain of betrayal ever again. Which then skip to Lyarris, who is the Crown Princess of Sirlenda, getting a marriage offer with the Hierarch of Keshiaar and hope to unit the kingdom and make a great ally with each other. At first Lyarris refuse for she is already engage to another and will not break it but after hearing what time of man the Hierarch of Keshiaar is by Ambassador Sel-Trelazar and see that he is a man of learning, something that they both have in common, she decided to break her engagement and accept the marriage proposal. Once there not only is she alone in that great kingdom but that the man who is her husband those not see her as his wife and will not change it for he fear that he will feel the pain once again. Will Lyarris love and patience show Besh that she is nothing like his first wife and will only be true and love only him or will Besh past hunts before its too late for the both to have a chance at all.

I love that even though its different from the One Thousand and One Night it still give you that feel about the time it takes for them to get to know one another and the story that are said are about the past book that she wrote. Although there were time when I wanted to hit Besh for being a jerk to poor Lyarris and there were time when I want to tell Lyarris to leave him so that he know what he is missing but I love the emotion rollercoaster ride that it gives every chapter of it.

There were some part that I feel that is should be better example and to give a head up this is a bit of a spoiler so you can skip into the next paragraph or keep on reading if you wish. For example, when the chancellor send away Lyarris maids from Sirlenda and also try to get in between Lyarris and Besh marriage, it should have been example the motive behind those involvemnet. Yes, in the end it example his reason for helping out the enemy but it those not example what was the reason behind it. Also I feel that Lyarris should give hints about her feeling to Besh so that he has an idea as to how she feels and what he is doing to her. I understand its to show of her pride and Besh has to be the one to find out about it and I see no problem with that, but in this case when a man is deeply wounded to point of being afraid to fall in love he is going to be blind with her intention or at least ignore what she is trying to do to him which makes us hate him for that.

Overall, I love this story and recommend this to anyone who is a fan of One Thousand and One Night. Can't wait to see the rest.
17 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2014
In One Thousand Nights, Christine Pope takes her Tales of the Latter Kingdoms series from European fairy tales into the far-off desert in a story inspired by the Thousand and One Nights. Playing the role of Scheherazade is Lyarris, the princess of Sirlende and sister of the Emperor Torric from Ashes of Roses. Lyarris was my favorite character in that book, being strong, intelligent and resourceful, so I was excited to see she'd be the heroine of this story. She deserves to have her story told, and an exciting story it is.

Beshalim is Hierarch, the ruler of Keshiaar, a vast desert empire, but when his wife's infidelity comes to light, he has no choice but to have her executed. Swearing to never love again, he nevertheless seeks a new wife, and an emperor's sister whose love for knowledge matches his seems a good fit. His hobbies and interests help make him a very well-rounded character, which is nice in the kind of story where it is easy to let characters fall into tropes.

Throughout the book, Lyarris refuses to be a predictable character. She goes through a realistic gamut of emotions, and as always with a Latter Kingdoms book, there is a little magic along the way. When Lyarris begins telling bedtime stories, one is is a fun reference to the dragon from Dragon Rose, which is again delightful to those familiar with it and may serve to entice new readers to try the book.

I always find Christine's books nearly impossible to put down, and this review copy was no different. You can buy One Thousand Nights from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most places you'd buy e-books.
*I originally wrote this review for The Geek Girl Project: http://www.thegeekgirlproject.com/201...
Profile Image for Sandra.
194 reviews16 followers
August 6, 2015
So, at home in Sirlend, Lyarris has a personality, hobbies, and interests...she shows up in Keshiaar and is just a blob that no longer says what she's thinking and doesn't want to "say or do anything that displeased [Beshalim]." I don't understand where this submissive woman came from. She totally accepts women being considered inferior, no questions asked and never tries to show anyone otherwise even though she is purportedly very intelligent. They're married for a year and he still hadn't consummated the wedding...as a ruler that is so unrealistic and just stupid to do. Besh avoids Lyarris for this year yet she trembles at his slightest touch and she tries to "harden her heart, but her body and heart are at war with her mind" over him...why? I have no idea. Lyarris is so mopey over Besh it's pathetic.With 30 pages left they have a single conversation and POOF everything is sorted out and guess what! He realizes loves her! There's a half assed assassination attempt which of course solidifies their love.

Side note: Lyarris tells Besh two short stories over two nights, I hardly think that qualifies this as a retelling of Scheherazade.
Profile Image for Amber Carpenter.
110 reviews
September 5, 2016
I like Popes work and another classic retelling of a fairy tale in this version of the Arabian nights classic a young princess enters a marriage in a far off land so diffrent from her own but when her new husband shows little interest whats a girl to do being as he enjoys academic pursuits why not try and engage his imagination with the tales shed collected from across the continent I love this book as it is a continuation of a character we met in Ashes of roses And i realy like ms. popes take on love scenes we get a hint but not a detailed accounting of every action or deed and that's fine with me great for young adults and adults alike
Profile Image for Michelle.
719 reviews13 followers
February 7, 2017
I was fairly disappointed with this one. Lysarra is very passive and thus boring for the whole story. Most of the story felt like her dissatisfaction and unhappiness about her life. She and Besh don't interact at all and then after one defiant act and conversation they are on the same page and in love. Despite the story covering a long period of time not much happens. The little action at the end was not enough to save this one for me.
Profile Image for Gail Abbott ea.
24 reviews
September 2, 2016
Love AND Duty

I loved the way this sorry captured my imagination. Although the romance was slow to mature, the story of love and duty between such different cultures and the obligation that comes with being royalty gravy this tale of the latter kingdoms more depth than the previous stories. While it is not necessary to read the previous tales to enjoy this one, I think that having read the first four books added to the pleasure.
28 reviews
January 3, 2015
Beautiful, fantastic, exotic romance

I truly enjoyed this rich chocolate treat. It is a beautiful romance laced with just the perfect amount of fantasy and exotic elements. It has earned a place on my favorites book shelf
Profile Image for Melania Ramona.
613 reviews24 followers
July 8, 2015
4.5 stars
It was a lovely story, if somewhat... uneventful. It could have used a little more action, or maybe I found the tension between the characters lacking, I don't know. But I felt something was missing.
I do like this author's books, though.
629 reviews11 followers
Want to read
January 2, 2015
It looks like this series doesn't necessarily build one after another, so I'm skipping straight to Book 6, the only one that looks interesting to me.

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Read kindle sample on phone 1/1/2015.
Profile Image for Krisha Burnett scannapieco.
65 reviews7 followers
January 22, 2015
Enchanting

Christine Pope does it again in this tale, weaving classic fairy tales and original story lines into an enthralling captivating story sure to keep you spellbound.
Profile Image for Hillary Scholz.
317 reviews
May 16, 2016
Take on the classic tale 1001 Arabian Nights. This story continues with a side character from Ashes of Roses and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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