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Consorting with the King
Prince Francis of Sachs-Stormburg has two objectives.
One: join the long line of suitors vying to become King Omar’s next gentleman consort.
Two: find out anything he can about the natural energy powering his kingdom, especially the fabled solar power which has him called ‘The Solar Sultan’ across Europe.
Francis arrives at King Omar’s palace in Istanbul, and discovers much to his horror that all suitors must compete in a tournament of skills to win the king’s favour.
King Omar, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen.
When Francis takes refuge from the competition in the palace gardens, he meets a handsome man tending to the palace cats.
Francis and the stranger strike up a friendship which quickly develops into something more. He senses his new companion is hiding something, but Francis himself has not divulged who he truly is either.
As their romance unfolds, Francis has to choose between his royal duty, or abandoning it entirely to explore this new relationship.
But, perhaps, not all is lost, when it is revealed who the stranger really is...
One: join the long line of suitors vying to become King Omar’s next gentleman consort.
Two: find out anything he can about the natural energy powering his kingdom, especially the fabled solar power which has him called ‘The Solar Sultan’ across Europe.
Francis arrives at King Omar’s palace in Istanbul, and discovers much to his horror that all suitors must compete in a tournament of skills to win the king’s favour.
King Omar, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen.
When Francis takes refuge from the competition in the palace gardens, he meets a handsome man tending to the palace cats.
Francis and the stranger strike up a friendship which quickly develops into something more. He senses his new companion is hiding something, but Francis himself has not divulged who he truly is either.
As their romance unfolds, Francis has to choose between his royal duty, or abandoning it entirely to explore this new relationship.
But, perhaps, not all is lost, when it is revealed who the stranger really is...
145 pages, ebook
Published March 11, 2026
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
C. Quince
3 books20 followersQuince (he/they) is a MENA-British author who lives in England, enjoys Sci-Fi and Fantasy, History, and Halloween.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC of this book.
This book is a fantastic amalgamation of genres; effortlessly blending fantasy, solar punk, romance, and a little Sci-Fi to create something that is exciting, dynamic, and memorable.
The setting is really good. It’s vaguely historical, with a deep dive into the culture around Istanbul, mixing fantasy and historical elements creatively and uniquely. I especially liked the description of the historical architecture of the stunning buildings, blended with the solar punk aspects of how the city is run. The tram system and the solar farm were two of my favourite locations and aspects. The description made them extremely vivid, whilst also conveying the wonder and impressiveness the characters felt. The baths and lounge locations felt like more traditional historical aspects and worked together with the imagined elements to create a location bursting with personality and vibrant culture.
I also really liked the characters. Francis was so relatable; I would also hide in my garden reading to avoid my responsibilities. His amazement and excitement at petting the cats is so real. I love his curiosity and wonder at everything he sees and his enthusiasm to experience a culture with elements unlike his own endeared him to me really early on. I loved Archie so much; his feral energy and protectiveness was so good. He really was ready to fight at any point and I love that for him. Archie excitedly informing Maddie about the lack of monogamy around the palace was so funny I laughed out loud. Archie’s dynamics with the other characters was so good. He’s such a loveable rascal type. Hasim, as we met him, was so endearing. He was working through a loss by hanging out with cats, which was so real. He was really sweet, especially indulging Francis’ curiosity.
My absolute favourite aspect was the tiny tram for cats! That was such an adorable detail to include and a cat tram going around the gardens and pond is everything I’ve ever wanted out of life tbh. It’s all I can think about now. Oh to be a little cat on a tiny tram going round and round.
The romance between Francis and Hasim was so sweet. They bonded over their mutual love of cats, wanting to be away from the crowds, and excitement at new experiences. It was so wholesome with Hasim patiently explaining how the solar punk aspects of the city worked, offering to take Francis to the solar farm, and showing him around. I absolutely loved it.
I was so impressed with how vivid the culture of Turkey felt. It almost felt alive with how much detail was packed into it, but also through the characters’ experiences. Honestly, it was incredible.
This book is a fantastic amalgamation of genres; effortlessly blending fantasy, solar punk, romance, and a little Sci-Fi to create something that is exciting, dynamic, and memorable.
The setting is really good. It’s vaguely historical, with a deep dive into the culture around Istanbul, mixing fantasy and historical elements creatively and uniquely. I especially liked the description of the historical architecture of the stunning buildings, blended with the solar punk aspects of how the city is run. The tram system and the solar farm were two of my favourite locations and aspects. The description made them extremely vivid, whilst also conveying the wonder and impressiveness the characters felt. The baths and lounge locations felt like more traditional historical aspects and worked together with the imagined elements to create a location bursting with personality and vibrant culture.
I also really liked the characters. Francis was so relatable; I would also hide in my garden reading to avoid my responsibilities. His amazement and excitement at petting the cats is so real. I love his curiosity and wonder at everything he sees and his enthusiasm to experience a culture with elements unlike his own endeared him to me really early on. I loved Archie so much; his feral energy and protectiveness was so good. He really was ready to fight at any point and I love that for him. Archie excitedly informing Maddie about the lack of monogamy around the palace was so funny I laughed out loud. Archie’s dynamics with the other characters was so good. He’s such a loveable rascal type. Hasim, as we met him, was so endearing. He was working through a loss by hanging out with cats, which was so real. He was really sweet, especially indulging Francis’ curiosity.
My absolute favourite aspect was the tiny tram for cats! That was such an adorable detail to include and a cat tram going around the gardens and pond is everything I’ve ever wanted out of life tbh. It’s all I can think about now. Oh to be a little cat on a tiny tram going round and round.
The romance between Francis and Hasim was so sweet. They bonded over their mutual love of cats, wanting to be away from the crowds, and excitement at new experiences. It was so wholesome with Hasim patiently explaining how the solar punk aspects of the city worked, offering to take Francis to the solar farm, and showing him around. I absolutely loved it.
I was so impressed with how vivid the culture of Turkey felt. It almost felt alive with how much detail was packed into it, but also through the characters’ experiences. Honestly, it was incredible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is cute, funny, bit hillarious novella. It's an alternative reality with a some sci-fi/futuristic added to it so please put aside any ideas about the reality of Regency and embrace these guys.
I laughed, couldn't put it down (let's say work was suffering) and would have loved if the book was twice the size.
Francis and Hasim are two introverts, finding each other while trying to escape what is required from them. Both are sweet and come over as real people, enthusiastic about what matters to them and taking so much pleasure just being themselves.
They bond over the cats, I want to live in this garden and be pampered, and while Francis first thought his plan to investigate the solar invention was duty and boring, he embraced and loved it.
The German side characters are hillarious, Archie and Maddie bring so much fun to this story and I would have loved to see more of Archie's role in this story.
The story is engaging and there is so much attention to detail in it. The description of Istanbul feels like you are there with them, no idea if the author knows the place personally but it feels authentic and makes you want to visit.
I laughed, couldn't put it down (let's say work was suffering) and would have loved if the book was twice the size.
Francis and Hasim are two introverts, finding each other while trying to escape what is required from them. Both are sweet and come over as real people, enthusiastic about what matters to them and taking so much pleasure just being themselves.
They bond over the cats, I want to live in this garden and be pampered, and while Francis first thought his plan to investigate the solar invention was duty and boring, he embraced and loved it.
The German side characters are hillarious, Archie and Maddie bring so much fun to this story and I would have loved to see more of Archie's role in this story.
The story is engaging and there is so much attention to detail in it. The description of Istanbul feels like you are there with them, no idea if the author knows the place personally but it feels authentic and makes you want to visit.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Consorting with the King was SUCH a fun read. It was exactly what I needed: cozy, creative, funny, and so incredibly sweet. Plus: a cat tram. I mean come on!
This is the second novella I’ve read by C. Quince and I absolutely love how immersive the settings are; CWTK takes place in an alternate Regency era that is so well done—I was completely engrossed in the author’s vision of a “solar punk” Turkey. As a MC, Francis was adorable and sympathetic, and I really wanted him to find love. His little entourage was also very likable (Archie being my favorite of the bunch). The whole idea of a tournament to win the king’s favor as consort was also so much fun and raised the stakes a bit.
Francis’s budding romance with Hasim felt organic, and their “meet cute” was perfect: in a garden filled with cats. Their mutual love of cats, plus their introverted natures and back stories, made their falling in love believable.
Did I mention the cat tram? I wouldn’t want to leave the garden either…
If you’re looking for a quick read that will give you all the warm fuzzies, I highly recommend CWTK. 😻
This is the second novella I’ve read by C. Quince and I absolutely love how immersive the settings are; CWTK takes place in an alternate Regency era that is so well done—I was completely engrossed in the author’s vision of a “solar punk” Turkey. As a MC, Francis was adorable and sympathetic, and I really wanted him to find love. His little entourage was also very likable (Archie being my favorite of the bunch). The whole idea of a tournament to win the king’s favor as consort was also so much fun and raised the stakes a bit.
Francis’s budding romance with Hasim felt organic, and their “meet cute” was perfect: in a garden filled with cats. Their mutual love of cats, plus their introverted natures and back stories, made their falling in love believable.
Did I mention the cat tram? I wouldn’t want to leave the garden either…
If you’re looking for a quick read that will give you all the warm fuzzies, I highly recommend CWTK. 😻
Review of advance copy received from Author
Consorting with the King is a novel that blends genres. It is set in an alternate historical moment where elements of solar punk and science fiction are present.
Francis is the third son of the German royal family. He is not high in the line of succession, but his grandmother, Queen Maria, wants to see him happy. King Omar is looking for a consort, and Francis is chosen, along with other nobles, to participate in a ball, or so he has been told, where the king will choose one.
It is very well set in Istanbul, in that historical period of the alternative regency. I laughed a lot with the secondary characters and enjoyed the romance between the two main characters. A plus for me is that there are cats.
Francis is the third son of the German royal family. He is not high in the line of succession, but his grandmother, Queen Maria, wants to see him happy. King Omar is looking for a consort, and Francis is chosen, along with other nobles, to participate in a ball, or so he has been told, where the king will choose one.
It is very well set in Istanbul, in that historical period of the alternative regency. I laughed a lot with the secondary characters and enjoyed the romance between the two main characters. A plus for me is that there are cats.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐
The characters and the world they inhabit feels so vibrantly alive. Learning little details about the land and it's people just further aided the immersion.
The mixture of historical and speculative fiction added another interesting level to an already pleasant read.
Hasim and Francis are so well matched, their budding romance was pure joy.
Let's not forget the cats. They turned the sweetness up to the nth degree. Kitty care time was so wonderfully wholesome, I couldn't stop smiling.
I could happily have spent more time immersed in their world.
The characters and the world they inhabit feels so vibrantly alive. Learning little details about the land and it's people just further aided the immersion.
The mixture of historical and speculative fiction added another interesting level to an already pleasant read.
Hasim and Francis are so well matched, their budding romance was pure joy.
Let's not forget the cats. They turned the sweetness up to the nth degree. Kitty care time was so wonderfully wholesome, I couldn't stop smiling.
I could happily have spent more time immersed in their world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved every page of this novella and wished it could have gone on longer. That said, it was actually the perfect length for the story. The world building was outstanding, with bits of fantasy, sci-fi and historical elements all combined in a beautiful Turkish location. Francis and Hasim are both very much introverts, and hiding away in a cat garden fit them both exactly. The tournament and German side characters were excellent and full of humour.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am honoured to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am honoured to leave a voluntary review.
March 12, 2026
THIS BOOK FEATURES A CAT TRAIN! Need I say more?
This is such a sumptuous, enchanting story with a beautiful cover. Everything about this book oozes with colour, smells and sensation because this is an outstanding author.
Francis and Hasim are two shy guys who are destined to be together. This author is sooo good at bringing characters to life that you feel as if you are watching them fall in love right in front of you. They are cute, sweet and yet also hot, which is a killer combination if you ask me.
I'm going to book my ticket to Turkey right now!
5 peacock feathery stars!
This is such a sumptuous, enchanting story with a beautiful cover. Everything about this book oozes with colour, smells and sensation because this is an outstanding author.
Francis and Hasim are two shy guys who are destined to be together. This author is sooo good at bringing characters to life that you feel as if you are watching them fall in love right in front of you. They are cute, sweet and yet also hot, which is a killer combination if you ask me.
I'm going to book my ticket to Turkey right now!
5 peacock feathery stars!
March 13, 2026
The solarpunk aesthetic works incredibly well with the sunny, breezy milieu of Istanbul. This book is a love letter to both the place and the culture through a queer historical lens. As someone whose introduction to contemporary Turkish culture was abundant and delicious street food, seeing these motifs pop up in the book made me want to drink tea and eat tulumba for days.
If you're looking for something sweet, cozy, and with A LOT of cats (who are first-class citizens, as they should be!), give this book a try!
If you're looking for something sweet, cozy, and with A LOT of cats (who are first-class citizens, as they should be!), give this book a try!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had a really good time in Turkey watching Francis and Hasim’s courtship dance. Two introverts meeting and quietly falling in love while the world goes on without them (so to speak). I will say though that it is the secondary cast that makes Consorting with the King stand out. They are funny, loyal, and trouble rousing on occasion. It makes for a royal good time.
“Thank you, Author C. Quince, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”
“Thank you, Author C. Quince, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”
March 11, 2026
I loved Francis, Hassim and the kitties.
The world building was amazing and had me completely immersed.
The secondary cast if characters were absolutely wonderful, loyal to a fault and had me laughing throughout with their shenanigans.
The world building was amazing and had me completely immersed.
The secondary cast if characters were absolutely wonderful, loyal to a fault and had me laughing throughout with their shenanigans.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A STELLAR READ THAT I FELT SO HAPPY TO READ!
HASIM AND FRANCIS ARE SO RIGHT FOR EACHOTHER!
I just loved how interesting and fun this read was. Definitely recommend! This is an ARC review.
HASIM AND FRANCIS ARE SO RIGHT FOR EACHOTHER!
I just loved how interesting and fun this read was. Definitely recommend! This is an ARC review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an extremely fun story! My second from Quince and I'll definitely be checking out more because it's such interesting settings and great stories.
My main thing with Quince is that I always feel completely transported. The settings are so incredibly rich that I feel like I'm right there with the MC and I love that so much. And then I fall in love with the characters, and it's all over and I just get completely devoured by the story (in a good way). The romance here was so sweet and something that is just deeply relatable. I loved that rather than bonding in public, we got to see them have all these moments where they're trying to hide out from the people. I deeply relate to an MC who wants out of the limelight.
The solarpunk setting was just so interesting. I absolutely loved learning about it.
My main thing with Quince is that I always feel completely transported. The settings are so incredibly rich that I feel like I'm right there with the MC and I love that so much. And then I fall in love with the characters, and it's all over and I just get completely devoured by the story (in a good way). The romance here was so sweet and something that is just deeply relatable. I loved that rather than bonding in public, we got to see them have all these moments where they're trying to hide out from the people. I deeply relate to an MC who wants out of the limelight.
The solarpunk setting was just so interesting. I absolutely loved learning about it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews