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A'yen's Legacy #2
The King's Mistress
Freedom has a cost. Can A’yen pay it without losing his soul?
Liberation of the enslaved Lokmane begins with the king. A’yen and Fae agree to visit the Hidden, a group of escaped Lokmane, to protect his identity while the Shadows make their move with emancipation acts. But he's not prepared for the prejudice rampant in the Hidden, or their lack of patience for him. And his new linked bodyguard is unstable to the point A'yen fears for the young man's sanity.
Upon returning to Titan, A'yen is kidnapped and taken to the largest breeding farm in the galaxy. This time he'll be himself even if it kills him. His resolve to unite his people grows as he wonders if he'll live long enough to do it.
With A'yen kidnapped, Fae returns to the Lokmane homeworld seeking the final pieces of what happened two thousand years ago when they were conquered and enslaved. Getting as far away from her father as possible is the only way to keep her from disappearing too.
Separated by light years, A'yen and Fae have to stand alone and fight for their right to live in freedom. No matter the cost.
Liberation of the enslaved Lokmane begins with the king. A’yen and Fae agree to visit the Hidden, a group of escaped Lokmane, to protect his identity while the Shadows make their move with emancipation acts. But he's not prepared for the prejudice rampant in the Hidden, or their lack of patience for him. And his new linked bodyguard is unstable to the point A'yen fears for the young man's sanity.
Upon returning to Titan, A'yen is kidnapped and taken to the largest breeding farm in the galaxy. This time he'll be himself even if it kills him. His resolve to unite his people grows as he wonders if he'll live long enough to do it.
With A'yen kidnapped, Fae returns to the Lokmane homeworld seeking the final pieces of what happened two thousand years ago when they were conquered and enslaved. Getting as far away from her father as possible is the only way to keep her from disappearing too.
Separated by light years, A'yen and Fae have to stand alone and fight for their right to live in freedom. No matter the cost.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2015
4 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Leigh Smith
13 books68 followersRachel Leigh Smith was swept off her feet at the age of six by Magnum, P.I., then again at nine by Frank Hardy. She remembers her favorite romance novels by the hero’s name, so of course she writes romance for the hero lover. She lives in central Louisiana with her family, a half-crazed calico, a ginger tabby lion, and a menagerie of book boyfriends.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 27, 2016
This book is an excellent read. The universe Smith has created is one I can easily immerse myself in, and remain stuck in there for days after I've finished reading one of these books.
The second book in the A'yen's Legacy series, The King's Mistress is a continuation of the storyline begun in My Name Is A'yen. We follow A'yen and Fae as they figure out what's required of them as the next king and queen of the Lokmane, but some new characters are introduced, particularly Da'Ro, mentioned in My Name is A'yen as someone Na'var knows. While the story focuses predominantly on how A'yen can relate to his people, both the enslaved and the free, it also deals very elegantly with the topics of trust and identity.
There are many surprises along the way in this story, and nobody gets away easily. As always, Smith is unafraid to demonstrate the inhumanity of man - at times graphically - but juxtaposes this with an exploration of what it means to be a person, an individual, free. And a very important lesson underpins it all; don't judge, because you don't know what a person has been through and who they really are.
The second book in the A'yen's Legacy series, The King's Mistress is a continuation of the storyline begun in My Name Is A'yen. We follow A'yen and Fae as they figure out what's required of them as the next king and queen of the Lokmane, but some new characters are introduced, particularly Da'Ro, mentioned in My Name is A'yen as someone Na'var knows. While the story focuses predominantly on how A'yen can relate to his people, both the enslaved and the free, it also deals very elegantly with the topics of trust and identity.
There are many surprises along the way in this story, and nobody gets away easily. As always, Smith is unafraid to demonstrate the inhumanity of man - at times graphically - but juxtaposes this with an exploration of what it means to be a person, an individual, free. And a very important lesson underpins it all; don't judge, because you don't know what a person has been through and who they really are.
December 31, 2014
What an awesomely unique story! Previously, I was a die-hard contemporary ‘romance & suspense ONLY' reader, at least before this past summer :o After finding & reading this new author’s first book, I was hooked by her amazing gift with words & an imagination so fascinating, that I now love reading a new genre, though I’m not sure what this style is classified as, but it has spell-binding, futuristic, sci-fi, paranormal fiction with romance & suspense! ... I loved the first book, “My Name is A’yen” & gave it a 5 star must read review, too! ...
Now, I have to say that this book #2, “The King’s Mistress” is even more captivating with a different faster pace & unique storyline, but still includes most of the same intriguing & well defined characters from the first book! Twists & turns you won’t see coming will keep you guessing with scenes that are so well thought out, it's like you’re being pulled into this different time and place!... I even found myself thinking about what I had read even after I had to put my kindle down! ...
I recommend this awesome series to any fiction lover as it has so many different elements pulled together that could make a best-seller and even a movie one day! ... I strongly suggest reading them in order & to make sure you have plenty of time, coz once you start reading, you won’t want to put either one down : )
Yes, I was given this to read in exchange for an honest review, but I truly enjoyed both books and can’t wait for more from the incredibly talented Rachel Leigh Smith!
Now, I have to say that this book #2, “The King’s Mistress” is even more captivating with a different faster pace & unique storyline, but still includes most of the same intriguing & well defined characters from the first book! Twists & turns you won’t see coming will keep you guessing with scenes that are so well thought out, it's like you’re being pulled into this different time and place!... I even found myself thinking about what I had read even after I had to put my kindle down! ...
I recommend this awesome series to any fiction lover as it has so many different elements pulled together that could make a best-seller and even a movie one day! ... I strongly suggest reading them in order & to make sure you have plenty of time, coz once you start reading, you won’t want to put either one down : )
Yes, I was given this to read in exchange for an honest review, but I truly enjoyed both books and can’t wait for more from the incredibly talented Rachel Leigh Smith!
January 22, 2016
What I liked:
As always, Smith plays on the emotions of the reader with her tortured heroes, and the theme of slavery and what it means to be a slave, to have no rights of your own including what you do with your own body. The political situations and implications of this universe as a whole and what the abolishment of slavery would take and its consequences are fully explored and deftly explained without being an info dump. You see it clearly through the eyes of all those affected, on both sides of the battle. There are multiple story threads woven throughout, some tied off in this book but others still to be settled. The world building and its gritty realism are perfectly done.
What I didn't like:
Considering the title, Fae came across as very much background in this story, a fill in between the events with Ro and A'yen. The pace was slower, with less action, and less angst, and even the big reveal in this one was kind of half-hearted and not really played out well. There was also way too much hugging, touching and cupping of faces in the first third of the book, to the point I got irritated. I understand touch plays an important part in the Lokmane society, but it felt overkill.
In conclusion:
This did not live up to its title in my opinion, and wasn't up to the same standard as the first book (in terms of action and emotion, though not a fault in the writing itself). While I can see the necessity for the book to have progressed in the way it did - moving the massive political machine forward to the required level for book three and the crawl towards freedom - it was rather like the political intrigue and underhand dealings of the Trade Federation in the Star Wars prequels: slow and not much action or angst other than that provided by the introduction of Ro. Considering the title, I expected Fae to be much more the focus of this story. However, it is still an enjoyable read (if a little frustrating), and I was still eager to read the next because so much in this book promises more explosive happenings later on. For those who prefer paranormal elements in their scifi romance rather than heavy on the SF, with thorough and in-depth world building, and for the hero-centric.
As always, Smith plays on the emotions of the reader with her tortured heroes, and the theme of slavery and what it means to be a slave, to have no rights of your own including what you do with your own body. The political situations and implications of this universe as a whole and what the abolishment of slavery would take and its consequences are fully explored and deftly explained without being an info dump. You see it clearly through the eyes of all those affected, on both sides of the battle. There are multiple story threads woven throughout, some tied off in this book but others still to be settled. The world building and its gritty realism are perfectly done.
What I didn't like:
Considering the title, Fae came across as very much background in this story, a fill in between the events with Ro and A'yen. The pace was slower, with less action, and less angst, and even the big reveal in this one was kind of half-hearted and not really played out well. There was also way too much hugging, touching and cupping of faces in the first third of the book, to the point I got irritated. I understand touch plays an important part in the Lokmane society, but it felt overkill.
In conclusion:
This did not live up to its title in my opinion, and wasn't up to the same standard as the first book (in terms of action and emotion, though not a fault in the writing itself). While I can see the necessity for the book to have progressed in the way it did - moving the massive political machine forward to the required level for book three and the crawl towards freedom - it was rather like the political intrigue and underhand dealings of the Trade Federation in the Star Wars prequels: slow and not much action or angst other than that provided by the introduction of Ro. Considering the title, I expected Fae to be much more the focus of this story. However, it is still an enjoyable read (if a little frustrating), and I was still eager to read the next because so much in this book promises more explosive happenings later on. For those who prefer paranormal elements in their scifi romance rather than heavy on the SF, with thorough and in-depth world building, and for the hero-centric.
January 13, 2015
This is the 2nd A'yen Legacy book and you really must read 'My Name is A'yen/Book 1 before reading this.
A'yen now knows he is destined to be the next King, he has to deal with the turmoil of knowing what is expected of him, and Fae has to deal with knowing she will oneday be queen. A'yen will now fight with everything he has for the life of freedom of all the Loks-Me people, to right the wrongs and let everyone including himself and Fae have the freedom they deserve. A'yen and Fae need to travel to 'Hidden' to try to convince the people of their findings and gain their backing, however their distrust and lack of loyalty shocks them. Shortly after their trip to Hidden, A'yen and Ro are kidnapped by Fae's father and held in one of his slave farms, Fae is then sent back to the Lockmane planet so her father can't find her. Can they survive and will A'yen be able to free his people ?
Whilst I found these books a little complicated in places and sometimes difficult to follow who is who, I really really enjoyed this book I thought it was even better and more captivating than the first book. I found this one very hard to put down, I felt the strong emotions of the characters, A'yen and Fae's love for each other was beautiful, I was totally drawn into this unusual and intriguing story.
A'yen now knows he is destined to be the next King, he has to deal with the turmoil of knowing what is expected of him, and Fae has to deal with knowing she will oneday be queen. A'yen will now fight with everything he has for the life of freedom of all the Loks-Me people, to right the wrongs and let everyone including himself and Fae have the freedom they deserve. A'yen and Fae need to travel to 'Hidden' to try to convince the people of their findings and gain their backing, however their distrust and lack of loyalty shocks them. Shortly after their trip to Hidden, A'yen and Ro are kidnapped by Fae's father and held in one of his slave farms, Fae is then sent back to the Lockmane planet so her father can't find her. Can they survive and will A'yen be able to free his people ?
Whilst I found these books a little complicated in places and sometimes difficult to follow who is who, I really really enjoyed this book I thought it was even better and more captivating than the first book. I found this one very hard to put down, I felt the strong emotions of the characters, A'yen and Fae's love for each other was beautiful, I was totally drawn into this unusual and intriguing story.
December 25, 2015
Rachel Leigh Smith’s “The King’s Mistress” is the second book in her A’yen’s Legacy series. It’s an interesting science fiction romance novel. Sort of “Stargate” meets “In Distress” by Caethes Faron (which is a M/M read that’s very well done). The series is daring – I like that she took the chance to have the leading man have a history with another man. The main characters, Fae and A’yen are both complex and multifaceted. Definitely a book for smart readers to really dig into. This is definitely not a standalone book, you need to read #1 first in order to understand the intricate details of this mythology and to get to know the full ensemble of characters. My only small issue is that I wish we had gotten more detailed descriptions of the intimate scenes – seems like we get the start of the scene or a recap of what happened, but never a nice, full-on sexy scene.
June 14, 2015
A'yen and Fae's story continues. A'yen is on course to be crowned king of the Lok'me, and on the planet that his new wife discovered was their actual home planet. But an old enemy wants his revenge, and he'll do whatever it takes to keep A'yen from the crown. Fae is learning the hard way of what is expected of her as the future queen, and her life has done nothing to prepare her for it.
As A'yen's enemies close in, he learns he has friends in low places. But what will these revelations cost him?
Rachel Leigh Smith presents a powerful story, revealing the human condition, set in the future. A'yen and Fae's relationship is rocky, yet tender and loving. As A'yen suffers through the horrors of the breeding farm, it's Fae who keeps him grounded, even when temptation is thrust in his path.
A strong follow-up, and the prefect set-up for books 3-To Save a Life.
As A'yen's enemies close in, he learns he has friends in low places. But what will these revelations cost him?
Rachel Leigh Smith presents a powerful story, revealing the human condition, set in the future. A'yen and Fae's relationship is rocky, yet tender and loving. As A'yen suffers through the horrors of the breeding farm, it's Fae who keeps him grounded, even when temptation is thrust in his path.
A strong follow-up, and the prefect set-up for books 3-To Save a Life.
March 4, 2018
The book drew me in immediately, making the journey with the characters feel like a trip with good friends. I am eagerly awaiting the next title in the series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews