Nor Iron Bars a Cage

by Caprice Hokstad

Two baby boys are lost in the hostile country of Ganluc-one the firstborn son of a prince and princess (third in line for the Royal Throne of Latoph) and the other a bastard half-breed born to an Itzi slavegirl and fathered by a licentious owner who was executed for treason. Yet Duke Vahn is determined to rescue both of these boys. Scores of knights and bounty hunters have risked their lives trying to retrieve them, yet none can even find a clue to their whereabouts. When all else fails, a bold plan is proposed to send Vahn's most trusted servant posing as a runaway slave in order to gather information. Reluctantly, Vahn sends a strange trio off to Ganluc-his brave captain, a middle-aged healer, and an Itzi slave. Little does he know what challenges await both the trio and his own house, now forced to survive without its key leaders.

348 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2007

Reviews

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Duke's Handmaid, which is a fabulously written book. I recommend starting with that one so you can really appreciate the world Caprice Hokstad has created and better understand this book.

Caprice's writing is nothing less than smooth. The world she has created is rich and unique. Her characterization skills are wonderful.

The first book (The Duke's Handmaid) focused more on the character of Kee, but Nor Iron Bars a Cage leans more toward what is going on with Kee's master (yes, the culture in this book is one that utilizes slavery) Duke Vahn. The portrayal of Vahn is a conflicting one. On one hand, he is aristocracy and yet he treats his slaves far better than most. But he's arrogant, and at times rather immature. Even though he is not in any way the villain, he needs to do some serious growing up.

What amazes me about this book is that Caprice took me from having mixed feelings about Vahn to cheering for him wholeheartedly.


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book 1

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I fully recommend this series and am anxiously awaiting the third book!

[George McVey · Rating 5 out of 5]

unlike my other reviewers so far I have not read the first book in this series. I picked up Nor Iron Bars a Cage and from the first sentence in the authors description of her world building was intrigued and hooked. Luckily for me I picked this up over the New Year Holiday so the fact that it kept me up reading all night wasn't as big a problem as it may be for others. Not having anything from the first book invested in these characters or the story did nothing to diminish it as an excellent read. I could look at Duke Vahn and his companions without the jade of their past but still could understand the story as if the first book didn't exist. The story was engaging and the action was surprisingly not formulaic at all. Just when I thought it couldn't surprise me anymore it did. Just when I thought all hope was lost a glimmer brought me to the next scene. Ms.Hokstad has created a wonderful world and a wonder cast of characters in that would. Yes it is a world with slavery and a Noble caste but done in a way that you want to cheer for hero's even thought they are slave or freeman or noble. You want to boo the villains who are not all whom you might think at first and you almost have to see the next scene just to see what they are going to do next. Do I recommend this book? Most Assuredly YES, IT IS THE MUST READ SERIES OF 2013. I be reading both the first and the third just as fast as I can get my hands on them.

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months ago, I read the first book in this series. Although extremely well-written, I just couldn't get over the positive view of slavery and the main character's immature, unchanged attitude toward it. The book had everything I like to see in a fantasy, except that one quality. So it took me months to pick up the second in the series. But I never forgot the way the first book drew me in and when I found myself in want of that sort of read, I gave in and picked up the second.

Now I've read book two, Nor Iron Bars A Cage. This book makes up for the first one in Duke Vahn's growth and change. I am very pleased with the way this book lost none of my favorite elements from the first and grew the story and characters in a worth-waiting-for way. I'm a reader. I love books. And this is one that I didn't want to put down--I read it while brushing my teeth.

Now the last 20% of the book dragged on a bit, but it tied up a lot of loose ends and got the reader ready for book 3, so it's forgivable. I won't be waiting months before reading the next one this time--I'm starting today.