The King of Anavrea

Theodoric Saga #2

by Rachel Rossano

A reluctant king, a blind queen, and a marriage that sparked a rebellion...

Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea, constantly battles with his council over who will run the country. When the council insists on a treaty with Sardmara, he agrees. However, the treaty quickly becomes an arranged marriage. Ireic offers up himself for the sake of Anavrea. But after he signs, no princess appears.

Lirth Parnan, only daughter of the King of Sardmara, survives alone in a cold, damp tower room. Baron Tor kidnapped her in an attempt to control her father. No one came to claim her. She suspects her father considers her flawed beyond use in his political games. After five years of waiting, her hope of rescue wanes with her health.

After Ireic fights his way into Lirth’s tower, he realizes the depths of her father’s deception. Instead of being an answer to his problems, Lirth creates new ones. The council will not accept her as queen, but Ireic has sworn an oath that he will marry her. His choice could cost him his throne, perhaps his life.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Medieval

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.

She loves to read, discuss, and listen to comments on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not doing a full review of this series at the time but I'll say these are just as good as all of Rachel Rossano's books I've read in the past!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read from an author whose books sweep me away every time! I loved the unique aspect of a leading character being blind, and experiencing the challenges and victories of the story through their perspective.

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book even better than the first one! I was already a fan of Ireic in The Crown of Anavrea, and it was fun to get to know him better. He was so generous and loving and protective--just an all-around wonderful guy!

Lirth was really good, too, and I admired her strength and peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances. She definitely made a good queen, even with her limitations, and I liked the way we got to see how she handled them--things like recognizing someone by the way they walked or knowing someone had knelt down by the rustle of their clothes.

I especially enjoyed seeing Trahern again (okay, now I'm really not sure what name to think of him by), especially in his relationship with Ireic and his immediate acceptance of Lirth. And Aarint! So good! He and Lirth were so sweet together. There were a lot of other good secondary characters, although there were so many of them with such small roles that it got a bit confusing at times. I have a feeling I'm going to have to pick up the third book, just to find out what happens to Liam. :)

There were a few inconsistencies that distracted me a little--things like suddenly switching from Kurios to God for a single scene--and several sentences that had obviously been rewritten but not entirely corrected. One thing I didn't understand was why Ireic decided on an arranged marriage when he was so adamant that he wanted to marry for love in the previous book. It didn't seem like enough had changed in the meantime to make him change his mind. Also, there was a key scene when Lirth was rescued from her kidnapper where Lirth was the only viewpoint character present and so couldn't narrate everything that was happening, but no one ever explained what had happened after the fact, so I'm still not sure how everything was resolved. Not good for an important climax.

Definitely enjoyed the story overall, and loved the sweet characters. 3.5 stars

Content--mentions of a married couple sleeping together (no intimacy); touches, hugs, kisses, and passionate feelings between a married couple; hints at the topic of intimacy between a married couple, limited to remarks on having children; veiled reference to a woman being raped and later married; violence and death; kidnapping, threats, and beatings; insults and false accusations, including witchcraft; mentions of slurs and cursing (not written)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

King of Anavrea is a sweet romance that I enjoyed. The story is lovely and filled with deep characters and faith. Lirth is filled with faith in Kurios, the god of this story world, despite all the pain she has had to endure through losing her sight and being kidnapped. Ireic’s faith, on the other hand, grows through the story as a result of his inability to do everything and the impact Lirth’s faith had on him. I appreciated that I could see the growth of the characters in this way and others.

King of Anavrea is better-written than book one, Crown of Anavrea, which shows growth in the writer. One thing I noticed is that there are no non-essential scenes, another mark of better writing. There “scenes” that are skipped which could have been included, but Rachel Rossano fills in the gaps beautifully nevertheless. Also, Rahcel Rossano uses foreshadowing well; she mentions a family manor before using it in the story instead of mentioning it as soon as the characters needed it.

The one problem I had with King of Anavrea is that the plotline and characters are very similar to the other books I have read by Rachel Rossanno, especially Crown of Anavrea. In both books in the Theodoric Saga, the characters slowly fall in love after an arranged marriage, there are political contentions, and several other similarities I cannot include lest I give away the entire plot. Don’t get me wrong, the books are not exactly the same, only similar. The plot and characters are sweet and I love them, I just want to see Rachel Rossano switching things up a little bit more.
Overall, I liked King of Anavrea and hope you will too.

I have received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Tifferz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a memorable story about King who doesn't want to be king, a arranged marriage, a blind Queen, a huge rebellion and someone who wants to kill the King and Queen and a sweet romance and friendship. Then this is the book for you. Will the killer be successful? You must read The King of Anavrea to see. I will say that I was mesmerized with Ireic and Lirth quickly. They had to learn to trust each other and rely on one another in a unique set of circumstances. They really put the others needs first. They also tried to lighten eachothers burdens. I though it so sweet when Ireic counted out steps for Lirth. The supporting case was great and I especially like the healer, he stood out to me. I enjoyed the mystery in trying to figure out who is trying to kill them and if he was working alone or with someone. I found happiness in the ending that all was made right. This story ties in with book one wonderfully but, it can stand alone just fine. So, I would suggest you pick it up. I am eagerly awaiting book three Ms. Rossano so pretty please write it swiftly!

Just FYI- Will find No swearing or sex in this sweet romance.

[Shanna Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful Storytelling!

Another wonderful read from an incredibly talented author! If you enjoy reading about castles and knights and heroic characters, you definitely want to check out Rossano’s books. She skillfully weaves faith and fantasy together in such a compelling way - you just can't stop reading!

I literally couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what happened next! I won’t give away any spoilers, but the thing I loved the most about this book was the way Ireic treated Lirth. Although she wasn’t what he expected in bride, he stood by his oath and treated her with such kindness, respect, and dignity.

Lirth is a very admirable character, not letting her blindness hold her back from her duties or desires.

Rossano bears a gift for drawing the reader into her story and the lives of her characters. Another tale well told!

[Englishrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed being plunged back into this fantastically medieval world full of adventure, politics, and intrigue. The characters continued to fill in a rich world with people you grew to care about. Though there seemed to be more focus on the plotline and moving the overall story of the series along, rather than deep character development, it was a fun read. The romance was a little stilted and odd for me, but sweet nonetheless. It was a very interesting read that was enjoyable. The overall Christian-esque religious overtones were strong but not preachy. A good new chapter in a fun series.

www.cleanromancereviews.com

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this story! The captivating plot and masterfully developed characters made for a great late-night journey. I very much liked how this story tied in with the first of the series (The Crown of Anavrea) but was also a very strong stand alone book.

Another great work by Rachell Rossano! Go get yourself a copy!

*I recieved a copy of this gook in exhcnage for a review. All thoughts expressed here are purely my own.*

[Beth Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so AWESOME🤩🤩🤩🤩. It was all about a corrupt government trying to overthrow a good king, persevering in danger, love, leaning on each other, and seeking God. Author Rachel Rossano has done it again with another book to ❤️LOVE. I ❤️LOVE how at the begining Ireic believed Lirth needed him when in reality they needed each other. He needed her faith and she needed his strength to keep going. I❤️LOVED these characters and not just the main ones. All of them each had something to bring meaning into the book. Lirth's brother helped Ireic realize what Lirth has been trying to get him to understand and Liam he was such an interesting character also. I ❤️LOVE how Ireic's personality went so well with Lirth's.They were a great example of the kings and queens of old. Ruling and working together to make their kingdom great.
Also Ireic is such a sweetheart in how he handles Lirth's issues at the begining and throughout the book.The last thing I will mention and I ❤️LOVE in this book is that it is also about accepting people for the inside not outward appearance. I Highly recommend this book.

[N. MacCameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really admire how Rossano combines political intrigue with character based fiction. It's like she gives us a view of royalty and government from the hearts of the players. The set up might be classic - king and counsel fight equals civil war - but the subtle personality traits and reactions make the story original and engaging.
The King of Anavrea makes a political match. He throws his heart out with the dishwater and hopes for the best. He has now idea how dangerous this decision is for his own life. And because he is king his life is wrapped up in the whole nation's wellbeing.
These are living, quirky people with strong likes and dislikes. Book One centred on two other characters. I like how the series expands to give us the view of a seemingly secondary character, along with a new one. I can't wait to read book three and see who gets the 'royal' treatment this time!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

While set in a fictional place, this has the feel of historical fiction. The characters are enjoyable. It is something new for me to read about a blind princess/queen. I can t wait to start book three. Note that book 3 hasn't been properly entered into the Goodreads database and does not come up (currently) when you click on the series link. However, if you scroll through the author' books, you will see it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rachel Rosanno's books. There are usually a lot of editing problems to overcome, but the stories are so easy to climb into and get lost. The main characters in this story are both very vulnerable characters, but in the end show incredible strength against what seem to insurmountable odds.

[Lisa Briskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://hubpages.com/literature/A-Boo...

[English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review to come.

[Ruth Torty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage of convenience, threats of war, shadows of death and in midst of it all is Lirth; a woman who looks unto GOD steadfastly. This book is so real and beautiful. It's a must read.

[Kimberly A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of Rachel Rossano’s books, which I picked up because of how much I enjoyed Wren and Duty. I also picked it up because it’s another medieval-esque fantasy romance dealing with an arranged marriage.

Plot – Grade A

I really enjoyed the intrigue in this book. While the romance is important, there is a significant amount of political intrigue occurring due to Ieric and Lirth’s arranged marriage. I thought the twists were well-handled and the dual plot lines melded together well. I was able to follow the plots when they diverged and came back together and the ending tied things up nicely while also opening the door for the next book in the series. This is the second book in the series but the stories stand well on their own with the callbacks to the previous book being woven in without bogging down the pacing or feeling that everything is being retold.

Content – Grade A

There is no language in this book. The crassest it becomes is when the “pure bloodline” fanatics accuse Lirth of being baseborn and call her a wench and sorceress. They also refer to her as being deformed due to her blindness. There is violence and one of the bad guys asks a woman if she enjoys being roughed up but nothing is gratuitous and usually takes place off-screen.

The romance is very sweet in this book. Even though the arranged marriage angle could easily cross the line depending on how it’s written, that is not a factor here. There are kisses and Ieric refers to sharing his bed with his wife but that’s it. Although one time Lirth is walked in on by a male messenger when she is not properly dressed, she’s in her undergarments (stays and shift), and the situation is understandably awkward for her. While Lirth is blind and must rely on touch to see Ieric, the descriptions never come close to being overly sensual. It is all very sweet.

The spiritual content in this book is far more front and center then it was in The Crown of Anavrea due to one character being on a journey to choosing to believe in the Kurios. While the spiritual content and its Christian influence is far more prominent, it didn’t feel like the author was preaching or bashing you over the head with the Gospel. Significantly, a character who is a follower of Kurious and His Son makes the conscious decision to hold back after the searcher doesn’t give the most enthusiastic response. The similarities between Christianity and the religious beliefs present in the book are also addressed in an author’s note by the author. I thought Rossano did an excellent job of presenting the Gospel message in the context of her fantasy world and without making it feel forced or like the searcher was just a caricature who had to come to believe in the Kurios for the sake of allegory. I also appreciated the way she didn’t just present the Gospel message but tackled the hard question of “Why would a God who knows all and controls all make or, rather, allow His followers to suffer?”

Technical – Grade A-

The book was very well-written. The challenge of writing a blind character as a POV character was pulled off quite well. It’s not often that I see a blind character providing the POV, unless an omniscient narrator is in control. I can count the books with blind narrators I’ve read on one hand. But there aren’t any gaffs where sight is used when it shouldn’t be; instead, Lirth relies on touch, smell, and hearing to paint the picture of her surroundings and the people she encounters. What impressed me is that I never felt a disconnect with her.

However, while this book is free of typical typos, there were quite a few missing words, dropped letters occurred once or twice, and sometimes part of a phrase was missing. There was also a place where it was obvious an edit occurred but part of the previous version was left behind. It’s possible that it was simply the kindle version I downloaded where these errors occurred, though. There was also one place where Ieric referred to being crowned for a year but everywhere else it’s been three years. That was a little confusing due to the scene.

Final Grade – A or 5 Stars

Overall, I enjoyed The King of Anavrea and I eagerly await the next time we return to The Theodoric Saga. I loved the unconventional heroine and how her relationship develops with the hero in the midst of political intrigue and the difficulties of being a less than perfect royal. I also enjoyed the spiritual aspect of this story and how realistically it was woven into the plot without being a hand wave or in the reader’s face. There were more technical errors this time than what I usually see with Rossano’s work but not to the point of truly detracting from the story, although some editors might twitch in certain places. I would recommend this book for fans of clean, sweet romance in a Christian medieval-esque fantasy and those who enjoy fantasy with political intrigue and a strong Christian message. Recommended for reader ages 15 and up.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on another world, where kingdoms have tenuous relationships with each other, this is the second story in the series.

Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite. I enjoyed the story and the strong characters. I did not enjoy the come to Jesus moments. I wish the mystery of who the bad guy was and who he was working for would have been more clearly resolved.

[Nenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was not as interesting as author's other works.

And a tad bit too much proselytizing :|. Made me want to go find this book I had read a long time back... (found it: Saving Grace by Julie Garwood)