A Dictionary of Fools

The House of Light and Shadow #2

by P.J. Fox

Here is the second volume in The House of Light and Shadow, the magnificent cycle of novels that begins with The Price of Desire and tells the story of Kisten Mara Sant, the naval commander and prince who must face life in exile.

When he was given governorship of Tarsonis, the war-torn mining outpost on the edge of nowhere, Kisten was given a virtual death sentence. Tensions have been mounting since his arrival, and his new home now rests on the brink of disaster. The Brotherhood, the Tarsoni group opposed to Alliance rule, is fomenting rebellion. A rebellion that plans the death of every Alliance-born man, woman and child on the planet. An insidious infection that reaches from the lowest of the low to the highest echelons of power. Kisten himself risks losing his governorship, his life, and the life of his young wife. A girl-turned-woman, who continues to wrestle with her own demons. He must act, before it’s too late—all while hiding a secret that, if discovered, could tear him and Aria apart.

This is a tale of love, lust, degradation, and the horror that is war.

Genres: M M Romance

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2014

About the author

P.J. Fox published her first story when she was ten. Between then and the present moment, she detoured to, in no particular order, earn several degrees (including a law degree), bore everyone she knew with lectures about medieval history, get married, and start a family. She realized, ultimately, that she had to make a go of this writing thing because nothing else would ever make her happy.

Reviews

[Shasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

War and backstory. It is written the same as the story so I was confused at first to be suddenly reading a prequel when it didn't start out that way. It strongly reminded me of The Four Feathers.

At about 55% the story circles back to the present. The descriptions make you feel the circumstances and suck you into the story. The moral debates continue from the first book. It felt similar to historical England and India.

More ideas and actions I didn't care for people are who they are and should do what makes them happy--even if it means a husband having affairs(he does keep a main mistress). There are detailed bedroom scenes with her. And then the son(who has been raped repeatedly) conceived in a orgy shows up. A flashback describes the H and his sister having an incestuous encounter. He also had sexual experiences with his twin yet he rationalizes those as self-love. Beating his wife is considered discipline, and she accepts it. The H is a wreck and wrecks the h. The h is an amazingly accepting woman. Although, women were treated that way for thousands of years and didn't die out. The h accepts the control of the H because "it is sexy." She admits to being afraid of him sometimes but doesn't want him to change.

Despite brief positive moments, this made my skin crawl. It is gritty and rationalizes self-destructive debased behavior. I appreciate the author's talent, but will never read this again and wish I hadn't in the first place.

Mature content, no ending

[Desiree (Anxious Opossum) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is anyone else as bothered by Kisten as I am? It really bugs me that he'd ever raise his hand to hit his wife, after professing to love her dearly, for merely questioning him. It double bugs me he boinks tons of women. A (one) mistress might be forgivable, considering the historical precedent, but he's something of a man-whore and that just....bugs me. There's no other way for me to word it.

I don't think I like him enough to continue the series.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

hooked. whens the next book coming out?

[Pat Gyenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are fully immersed in a world both familiar and novel. Humans all seem to have the same strengths and frailties. The characters become real to you and I find myself wondering where the next page will take them.