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A Royal Affair #2
Aleksey's Kingdom
A Royal Book Two
Doctor Nikolai Hartmann escaped the Hesse-Davian dungeons. He fled civilized Europe to come to the vast wilderness of the New World, where he carved out a home in which he could love openly and without censure—Aleksey’s Kingdom. However, there is an irritating green-eyed, dark-haired flaw in his new paradise. A king and a general, Aleksey has no intention of wasting his life away in a remote forest. When he agrees to accompany a group of soldiers to a distant outpost to discover why it has been mysteriously abandoned, Nikolai has no choice but to tag along.
While traveling through the wilderness with their new companions, it does not take Nikolai and Aleksey long to realize that far from mounting a rescue operation, they are merely unwitting pawns in a far more sinister conspiracy. But their enemies have badly miscalculated by threatening anything Nikolai loves. In this merciless place of towering trees, where water plummets beyond the human ability to comprehend, Nikolai must unleash the unfettered savagery of his true nature to save Aleksey.
Doctor Nikolai Hartmann escaped the Hesse-Davian dungeons. He fled civilized Europe to come to the vast wilderness of the New World, where he carved out a home in which he could love openly and without censure—Aleksey’s Kingdom. However, there is an irritating green-eyed, dark-haired flaw in his new paradise. A king and a general, Aleksey has no intention of wasting his life away in a remote forest. When he agrees to accompany a group of soldiers to a distant outpost to discover why it has been mysteriously abandoned, Nikolai has no choice but to tag along.
While traveling through the wilderness with their new companions, it does not take Nikolai and Aleksey long to realize that far from mounting a rescue operation, they are merely unwitting pawns in a far more sinister conspiracy. But their enemies have badly miscalculated by threatening anything Nikolai loves. In this merciless place of towering trees, where water plummets beyond the human ability to comprehend, Nikolai must unleash the unfettered savagery of his true nature to save Aleksey.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2015
12 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
John Wiltshire
29 books828 followersJohn Wiltshire is the fictional persona of the author of the More Heat Than The Sun series. After spending twenty-two years in the military perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 13, 2015
In my opinion Aleksey’s Kingdom is the best book John Wiltshire has written so far. His writing is like a drug to me, and with every new book my addiction is getting worse!
John Wiltshire’s writing is just brilliant, it was so easy to visualize the story… I was there with Aleksey and Nikolai, felt their unstoppable love for each other, felt their doubts, felt their pain when something horrible happened… OMG… John! How could you do THAT?
And I loved Aleksey's 'royal wisdom'. :)
“Do you know how gold is found in riverbeds—when you put the grit from the bottom into a pan with holes and shake it until all the dross falls out, leaving only the gold?”
“How do you know of this? You know nothing of any use ever.”
“Ah, there you are wrong, my savage one. I know many things that I agree have not been all that useful since we came here, but you must remember I am a king. I am very highly educated in all things that are not very useful. And who has more gold—you or me?”
“And that childish cock-measuring is relevant to me how?”
“Well, I think that most people’s lives are like that pan—not shaken very much and therefore left full of useless dross. But your life has been unusually… agitated, and what is left, Niko? You are the pure gold remaining, that is what.” He ruffled my hair, although he could not see it in the darkness. “Pure gold. And I am a king, so you cannot argue, for gold is one thing I do know more about than you.”
I was glued to my kindle, Aleksey and Nikolai’s adventures in the new world kept me literally on the edge of my seat. I just couldn’t put the book down and was tempted to highlight every other paragraph. I loved loved loved Nikolai's narrative voice.
In this place of towering trees and deep, cold lakes, of mountains and wild coastlines, I have no need to pretend to be what I am not. But the events of the last few weeks have shaken me, I confess. Even now, sitting at my crudely fashioned desk in our cabin, I can feel a slight tremor in my hand as I write. It will pass, as will the nightmares and the drumming in my ears, which sounds like a summons from the dead...
I waded through the water with the guys, heard the deafening noise of the water falls, I felt Aleksey and Niko’s deep despair and was so proud of them when they refused to give up. And the end… the end was a celebration of love!
This brilliantly written historical fantasy was an awesome journey to hell and back. The writing, the pacing and the plot are the best I've read in a while.
If you haven’t read any of John’s books yet… what’s stopping you?
My favorite
April 8, 2018
LOVED IT!!!! The devotion and love that they have.!.!.! Arr. beautiful !!!!
December 5, 2018
Re-read: 05.12.18
It's still not a bad read. I love seeing Aleksey and Niko grow closer in mind, but am I the only one who thinks they still have some way to go? I wish the author would've written another book for the series, where, perhaps, the men will return to Hesse-Davia and start changing how the world - or at least the kingdom - sees a gay relationship. I feel like Aleksey reclaiming his throne, he'd do a whole lot of good...
Other Characters:
→ Mary (looks about 15), was a widow from England before marrying the Reverend Wright very soon after her arrival—the other three young men are his sons: Jacob, Samuel, and Martin. The reverend—he is to be the new pastor, apparently, in the outpost. She is hardly more than a child and her now husband is 'gray of beard', and she's mother of that odd child, David (5).
→ Major Frederick Parkinson, nice and fat? That's all Aleksey would say about him.
→ Captain Jonathan ‘John’ Rochester and Lieutenant Owen McIntyre. John is the older one, as he came up through the ranks.
Captain Roderick Fallkirk, the one who is staying at Aleksey's Kingdom with the horses. He has a limp.
→ Onekwenhtara ‘Etienne’ Okwaho, friend of Niko? Lives with his tribe (Mik’mac?).
→ Boudica, Aleksey's warhorse. Freedom, Boudica and Xavier (Niko's warhorse) foal.
→ Faelan, a Tamask dog from a land far to the north of here. Looks like a wolf? Is a wolf?
First read review:
Doctor Nikolai ‘Niko’ Hartmann (38) and (His Majesty King) Christian Aleksey Frederik Mountberg (26) finally have the freedom to be themselves, to love and cherish each other after all they've been through since they met in Hesse-Davian. Of course, that's not to last; Aleksey has heard whispers about people disappearing into thin air and the place abandoned, he has decided to accompany a group of people to solve this mystery. Nikolai has no choice but to tag along. The mystery, however, proves to be just a trap. Can Nikolai and Aleksey get through this and come out stronger?
Overall, the story was interesting enough. I'm not sure if I liked this one less than the first one, but I liked Nikolai and Aleksey and I loved seeing them getting stronger and closer than ever. I adore their love and loyalty towards each other. However, I wish we had gotten more in the end. I wished we had gotten more... closure for the couple, because I felt like there's room for more story. Is it also wrong for me to want Aleksey back on the throne, to rule with Nikolai by his side? I certainly want that... More of the two of them, more of their journey and hopefully a reunion.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (A) Historical Fiction (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Nikolai Hartmann.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not.
Rating - 3 stars.
It's still not a bad read. I love seeing Aleksey and Niko grow closer in mind, but am I the only one who thinks they still have some way to go? I wish the author would've written another book for the series, where, perhaps, the men will return to Hesse-Davia and start changing how the world - or at least the kingdom - sees a gay relationship. I feel like Aleksey reclaiming his throne, he'd do a whole lot of good...
Other Characters:
→ Mary (looks about 15), was a widow from England before marrying the Reverend Wright very soon after her arrival—the other three young men are his sons: Jacob, Samuel, and Martin. The reverend—he is to be the new pastor, apparently, in the outpost. She is hardly more than a child and her now husband is 'gray of beard', and she's mother of that odd child, David (5).
→ Major Frederick Parkinson, nice and fat? That's all Aleksey would say about him.
→ Captain Jonathan ‘John’ Rochester and Lieutenant Owen McIntyre. John is the older one, as he came up through the ranks.
Captain Roderick Fallkirk, the one who is staying at Aleksey's Kingdom with the horses. He has a limp.
→ Onekwenhtara ‘Etienne’ Okwaho, friend of Niko? Lives with his tribe (Mik’mac?).
→ Boudica, Aleksey's warhorse. Freedom, Boudica and Xavier (Niko's warhorse) foal.
→ Faelan, a Tamask dog from a land far to the north of here. Looks like a wolf? Is a wolf?
I felt myself drifting to sleep, so pulled his face up to kiss him before I did and then frowned. His cheeks were wet with tears. I could taste them as I kissed him. I held him off. “What is wrong? Have I done something to upset you?” I was fairly sure I had not, for once, which was why I risked asking this.
He shook his head, but I would not let him turn from me. Eventually he said with some genuine distress, “Why is the world like this, Niko? We came here and said this was my kingdom and that my law applied here, but nothing has changed. We still have to pretend that we are not what we are to each other. I see you so upset at dinner, and I want to hold you and ask you what is wrong, as I would be able to if you were my wife. We ride side by side all day, and I want them to think what a beautiful couple we are and aren’t I lucky to have you, and other such nonsense that people think about two people who are in love. But none of that is for us, is it? We hide and lie and pretend and it is all shit!”
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*A truer, stronger bond* ⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
First read review:
Doctor Nikolai ‘Niko’ Hartmann (38) and (His Majesty King) Christian Aleksey Frederik Mountberg (26) finally have the freedom to be themselves, to love and cherish each other after all they've been through since they met in Hesse-Davian. Of course, that's not to last; Aleksey has heard whispers about people disappearing into thin air and the place abandoned, he has decided to accompany a group of people to solve this mystery. Nikolai has no choice but to tag along. The mystery, however, proves to be just a trap. Can Nikolai and Aleksey get through this and come out stronger?
“Why is the world like this, Niko? We came here and said this was my kingdom and that my law applied here, but nothing has changed. We still have to pretend that we are not what we are to each other. I see you so upset at dinner, and I want to hold you and ask you what is wrong, as I would be able to if you were my wife. We ride side by side all day, and I want them to think what a beautiful couple we are and aren’t I lucky to have you, and other such nonsense that people think about two people who are in love. But none of that is for us, is it? We hide and lie and pretend and it is all shit!”
Overall, the story was interesting enough. I'm not sure if I liked this one less than the first one, but I liked Nikolai and Aleksey and I loved seeing them getting stronger and closer than ever. I adore their love and loyalty towards each other. However, I wish we had gotten more in the end. I wished we had gotten more... closure for the couple, because I felt like there's room for more story. Is it also wrong for me to want Aleksey back on the throne, to rule with Nikolai by his side? I certainly want that... More of the two of them, more of their journey and hopefully a reunion.
What can I say about living with Aleksey that would capture one fraction of the ecstasy and fury that are my everyday lot?
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (A) Historical Fiction (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Nikolai Hartmann.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not.
Rating - 3 stars.
June 5, 2015
Four and a half buttered rolls on Prism Book Alliance®
Just to give you an idea as we start out our discussion here, I highlighted no less than half a dozen lines and exchanges just in chapter one of this book.
I shrugged and went back to my meal – if I was going to spin a story, I wanted it to be to a very eager audience, and playing Aleksey was one of my chief amusements.
That goes both ways, Niko, that goes both ways. Yup, Aleksey and Niko are one of those couples that love to tease and bicker and poke, enjoying every moment, as well as the usual outcome in each instance.
Nikolai is in my top ten of first person narrator characters. Ever. Wiltshire knows how to give us this story from one person’s point of view and yet give us nearly as much about his partner, Aleksey, at the same time. Their personalities come through so clearly. They’re crusty and imperfect, sexy and intelligent, so in tune and yet sometimes so unaware of the effects they have on each other. In other words, they’re perfect for each other and that flies off the page.
I relish experiencing the world through Niko’s eyes, and his heart, and his stomach, and everything else, while at the same time getting an eyeful, heart-ful, and stomach-ful from Aleksey right alongside. When characters come through this easily, nuance, subtle changes in mood, recognized by me and acknowledged between Niko and Aleksey, and constantly changing inflections in their voices all get to shine and celebrate that shininess.
”So, Your Highness again, now is it?”
He winced. “It slipped out once. I could hardly then deny it, could I?”
“Oh. I apologize. Yes, I can see that ‘oh, by the way, I am actually royalty’ slips off the tongue.”
He hit me. I told him that this would look very strange to anyone watching and that it was always very unwise to hit your elderly physician.
Oh Niko, you’re a sarcastic, cynical, loving, devoted man after my own heart. <<< Not sarcastic, by the way.
These two have survived death together, more than once, and so many other things to get to where they now find themselves. The stakes are high so the emotion is just as elevated. I keep wanting to just say ‘wow’ but that isn’t all that helpful in conveying just how fantastic this story and the writing are within these pages.
I know it’s a part of Nikolai’s personality and certainly fits the times, but some of the sexist things he says still irked me. The worst for me was “womanish woe”, which certainly gave me pause. Luckily, these instances are few.
Wiltshire gives me setting with emotion, with temperature and sensation and texture. Facts are facts, only becoming a story into which I can lose myself when…
His own eyes welled with tears at seeing streaks in the blood upon my cheeks.
… and…
… enjoyed him in the sunlight that filtered down from the canopy above us.
… then…
… unfettered in children – for they have not had the knocks life gives you to squash you into the shape of an adult…
Surprises, passion, quality characterization, humor unique to those characters which shows the complete fullness of their relationship, and emotional struggle and torment, Wiltshire gave me all of these things. They’re all topped off with the cherry that is the highly interactive nature of his dialogue. This is Aleksey, his own brand of cheeky sarcasm:
”Yes. Thank you. And then attempt to force me, whilst muttering and cursing about stirring a man and teasing him, and thus being bettered and forced upon the ground would be turned into my fault. I do like that bit, thank you. Do not stop I said. So you have nothing to worry about… “
The bit in bold is Aleksey reacting to Niko doing something to him while he speaks, just like we all do while talking, breaking into our own thought stream in order to react in the moment. This is not easy to pull off on the page without feeling clunky or nonsensical. Wiltshire excels.
As overused as this word is, it’s the one I would use to describe this story if forced down such a path: Beautiful. The devotion portrayed by way of Aleksey and Nikolai defines the word. Best of all, it’s unlike any portrayal I’ve come across.
There was an exchange I was going to add here that explains this perfectly, but I want you all to experience it yourselves, just as I did.
The tone, setting, and resulting circumstances are quite different in this book compared to A Royal Affair, but I would still recommend reading it first before diving into this story. You’ll miss a lot of delicious detail if you skip around all willy nilly like. ;)
And what a heart-pounding final act of this story! Not for the faint of heart. It also allows the intensity of that devotion to be displayed full force, unrestrained and celebrated.
This has earned a spot on my Top Ten list for 2015.
Just to give you an idea as we start out our discussion here, I highlighted no less than half a dozen lines and exchanges just in chapter one of this book.
I shrugged and went back to my meal – if I was going to spin a story, I wanted it to be to a very eager audience, and playing Aleksey was one of my chief amusements.
That goes both ways, Niko, that goes both ways. Yup, Aleksey and Niko are one of those couples that love to tease and bicker and poke, enjoying every moment, as well as the usual outcome in each instance.
Nikolai is in my top ten of first person narrator characters. Ever. Wiltshire knows how to give us this story from one person’s point of view and yet give us nearly as much about his partner, Aleksey, at the same time. Their personalities come through so clearly. They’re crusty and imperfect, sexy and intelligent, so in tune and yet sometimes so unaware of the effects they have on each other. In other words, they’re perfect for each other and that flies off the page.
I relish experiencing the world through Niko’s eyes, and his heart, and his stomach, and everything else, while at the same time getting an eyeful, heart-ful, and stomach-ful from Aleksey right alongside. When characters come through this easily, nuance, subtle changes in mood, recognized by me and acknowledged between Niko and Aleksey, and constantly changing inflections in their voices all get to shine and celebrate that shininess.
”So, Your Highness again, now is it?”
He winced. “It slipped out once. I could hardly then deny it, could I?”
“Oh. I apologize. Yes, I can see that ‘oh, by the way, I am actually royalty’ slips off the tongue.”
He hit me. I told him that this would look very strange to anyone watching and that it was always very unwise to hit your elderly physician.
Oh Niko, you’re a sarcastic, cynical, loving, devoted man after my own heart. <<< Not sarcastic, by the way.
These two have survived death together, more than once, and so many other things to get to where they now find themselves. The stakes are high so the emotion is just as elevated. I keep wanting to just say ‘wow’ but that isn’t all that helpful in conveying just how fantastic this story and the writing are within these pages.
I know it’s a part of Nikolai’s personality and certainly fits the times, but some of the sexist things he says still irked me. The worst for me was “womanish woe”, which certainly gave me pause. Luckily, these instances are few.
Wiltshire gives me setting with emotion, with temperature and sensation and texture. Facts are facts, only becoming a story into which I can lose myself when…
His own eyes welled with tears at seeing streaks in the blood upon my cheeks.
… and…
… enjoyed him in the sunlight that filtered down from the canopy above us.
… then…
… unfettered in children – for they have not had the knocks life gives you to squash you into the shape of an adult…
Surprises, passion, quality characterization, humor unique to those characters which shows the complete fullness of their relationship, and emotional struggle and torment, Wiltshire gave me all of these things. They’re all topped off with the cherry that is the highly interactive nature of his dialogue. This is Aleksey, his own brand of cheeky sarcasm:
”Yes. Thank you. And then attempt to force me, whilst muttering and cursing about stirring a man and teasing him, and thus being bettered and forced upon the ground would be turned into my fault. I do like that bit, thank you. Do not stop I said. So you have nothing to worry about… “
The bit in bold is Aleksey reacting to Niko doing something to him while he speaks, just like we all do while talking, breaking into our own thought stream in order to react in the moment. This is not easy to pull off on the page without feeling clunky or nonsensical. Wiltshire excels.
As overused as this word is, it’s the one I would use to describe this story if forced down such a path: Beautiful. The devotion portrayed by way of Aleksey and Nikolai defines the word. Best of all, it’s unlike any portrayal I’ve come across.
There was an exchange I was going to add here that explains this perfectly, but I want you all to experience it yourselves, just as I did.
The tone, setting, and resulting circumstances are quite different in this book compared to A Royal Affair, but I would still recommend reading it first before diving into this story. You’ll miss a lot of delicious detail if you skip around all willy nilly like. ;)
And what a heart-pounding final act of this story! Not for the faint of heart. It also allows the intensity of that devotion to be displayed full force, unrestrained and celebrated.
This has earned a spot on my Top Ten list for 2015.
April 29, 2015
*FANGIRL FLAIL!!* OMG! Nikolai and Aleksey sequel?!
I just creamed my jeans.
EDIT:
OMG! So I just finished. JFC! *bows* That was one helluva ride. And gahhhh I just love Nikolai so SO much. His grumpy ways and his devotion to Aleksey, his king. Oh Aleksey. He's fun, he's beautiful. He's a pain in the ass. Seems like he's always fucking them over with his arrogance... this time in a HUGE way, but I saw it coming from a mile away. Heaven forbid he listen to Niko. SMDH.
This was wonderful. I was on the edge of my seat, esp with that last 30% man. And he did such a good job describing the atmosphere as it would hav been so long ago. There's no romanticizing the food or living conditions. Just wonderful writing.
I just creamed my jeans.
EDIT:
OMG! So I just finished. JFC! *bows* That was one helluva ride. And gahhhh I just love Nikolai so SO much. His grumpy ways and his devotion to Aleksey, his king. Oh Aleksey. He's fun, he's beautiful. He's a pain in the ass. Seems like he's always fucking them over with his arrogance... this time in a HUGE way, but I saw it coming from a mile away. Heaven forbid he listen to Niko. SMDH.
This was wonderful. I was on the edge of my seat, esp with that last 30% man. And he did such a good job describing the atmosphere as it would hav been so long ago. There's no romanticizing the food or living conditions. Just wonderful writing.
November 28, 2015
5 stars
A Royal Affair and Aleksey's Kingdom are John Wiltshire at his absolute finest and I highly recommend both for ANYONE who loves historical romance and m/m romance.
The first book in the series -- A Royal Affair -- is one of my all-time favourite romances. It's historical fiction, adventure and romance on a grand scale. Nikolai and Aleksey's romance is everything I love -- their initial attraction, their growing friendship, the slow burn of their love, the humour and the perfectness (and confusion!) of their first kiss. Plus there is palace intrigue, there is war and there is political maneuvering (and a few loyal animals too!). It also has a VERY well-earned HEA (or so I thought!) as Nikolai and Aleksey make their way to the New World to create Aleksay's Kingdom.
Aleksay's Kingdom takes place a few years after the end of A Royal Affair when Aleksey and Nikolai are, for the most part, enjoying their new life together. Like A Royal Affair, it is told in Nikolai's POV which works so well in both books, especially because we see all of Nikolai's insecurities and understand the full-depth of his love for (and frustration with!) Aleksey. "What can I say about living with Aleksey that would capture one fraction of the ecstasy and fury that are my everyday lot?"
The book opens with lightness and humour, and, like all of JW's books, the humour runs through the whole story and balances out some of the darker parts (of which this one had a few, as it was was the journey of Aleksey and Nikolai into the "heart of darkness"). I won't get into a plot synopsis but this is a true thriller - there is violence and there is incredibly intense and nerve-wracking action. But at its heart this is the continuing story of one of the most perfect romances I've read. Nikolai and Aleksey's love and passion for each other is at times rough, at times funny but always so tender and true.
I honestly can't recommend these two books enough.
A Royal Affair and Aleksey's Kingdom are John Wiltshire at his absolute finest and I highly recommend both for ANYONE who loves historical romance and m/m romance.
The first book in the series -- A Royal Affair -- is one of my all-time favourite romances. It's historical fiction, adventure and romance on a grand scale. Nikolai and Aleksey's romance is everything I love -- their initial attraction, their growing friendship, the slow burn of their love, the humour and the perfectness (and confusion!) of their first kiss. Plus there is palace intrigue, there is war and there is political maneuvering (and a few loyal animals too!). It also has a VERY well-earned HEA (or so I thought!) as Nikolai and Aleksey make their way to the New World to create Aleksay's Kingdom.
Aleksay's Kingdom takes place a few years after the end of A Royal Affair when Aleksey and Nikolai are, for the most part, enjoying their new life together. Like A Royal Affair, it is told in Nikolai's POV which works so well in both books, especially because we see all of Nikolai's insecurities and understand the full-depth of his love for (and frustration with!) Aleksey. "What can I say about living with Aleksey that would capture one fraction of the ecstasy and fury that are my everyday lot?"
The book opens with lightness and humour, and, like all of JW's books, the humour runs through the whole story and balances out some of the darker parts (of which this one had a few, as it was was the journey of Aleksey and Nikolai into the "heart of darkness"). I won't get into a plot synopsis but this is a true thriller - there is violence and there is incredibly intense and nerve-wracking action. But at its heart this is the continuing story of one of the most perfect romances I've read. Nikolai and Aleksey's love and passion for each other is at times rough, at times funny but always so tender and true.
I honestly can't recommend these two books enough.
January 18, 2021
4.5 Stars
May 4, 2015
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!
What an awesome took, once again John Wiltshire has left me speechless and grinning from ear to ear. I absolutely loved this book! please tell me there will be more!! oh please, oh please, oh please!!!
Highly Recommended!!!
What an awesome took, once again John Wiltshire has left me speechless and grinning from ear to ear. I absolutely loved this book! please tell me there will be more!! oh please, oh please, oh please!!!
Highly Recommended!!!
April 28, 2015
Wow, what an intense read. At times reminiscent of the Bridge of Silver Wings, there is a significant horror vibe running throughout with ultra violent scenes being depicted and strong unequivocal decisions being made.
This is an uncompromising book. Being female or a child does not make you a protected species. This makes the actions of these more stark. The impact would have been lessened if all the protagonists had fallen into the Hannibal Lecter or Freddie Kruger stereotypes.
This allowed the theme to be explored, is evil nature or nurture?
Does it stem from a complete lack of empathy?
If you read anything on psychopaths, you learn that they can't help themselves, it's their nature. Yet evil people don't necessarily have evil children. And good people don't always breed good ones.
Perhaps it is the combination of the two.
A person who naturally lacks empathy and is exposed to horrific acts, becomes evil. Those that have empathy or a good heart can be hardened by horrific acts, but are not evil.
That question remained with Nikolai at the end, because he felt a spark of recognition with others who had been exposed to the same barbarity as he had. Perhaps their experiences were worse, but I think he can console himself that he falls into the latter category. Deep down he did have empathy and that saved him.
This is an uncompromising book. Being female or a child does not make you a protected species. This makes the actions of these more stark. The impact would have been lessened if all the protagonists had fallen into the Hannibal Lecter or Freddie Kruger stereotypes.
This allowed the theme to be explored, is evil nature or nurture?
Does it stem from a complete lack of empathy?
If you read anything on psychopaths, you learn that they can't help themselves, it's their nature. Yet evil people don't necessarily have evil children. And good people don't always breed good ones.
Perhaps it is the combination of the two.
A person who naturally lacks empathy and is exposed to horrific acts, becomes evil. Those that have empathy or a good heart can be hardened by horrific acts, but are not evil.
That question remained with Nikolai at the end, because he felt a spark of recognition with others who had been exposed to the same barbarity as he had. Perhaps their experiences were worse, but I think he can console himself that he falls into the latter category. Deep down he did have empathy and that saved him.
May 9, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
“Hindsight is such an insidious companion.”
A hair raising, provocative, pure adventure of a story!! Books like these are why I read!! This highly anticipated and powerful sequel to the sublime A Royal Affair embodies what reading is all about. It brilliantly combines the pure beauty life has to offer with the savage elements of life. I was laughing, scowling, sighing, ranting, cheering, cringing, crying… you name it, the emotion happened. Once again, the story is told from Nikolai’s POV. Nikolai’s narrative voice is truly one of the best I’ve ever read. His personality and outlook are so perfectly conveyed, as is his fierce love – and fear of it – for Aleksey. So much so that I truly believe he wrote this book, rather than the author. A Royal Affair must be read first in order to understand where Nikolai and Aleksey have been – physically and emotionally – and how that plays into this story.
This story picks up a few years after the tumultuous ending of A Royal Affair. Nikolai and Aleksey have made a home in the wilds of the eighteenth century New World. Nikolai fondly refers to the area they live in as Aleksey’s Kingdom. You can take the King out of his country, but apparently you can’t take the King out of the man! The men lead a quiet, yet busy and demanding life at their isolated woodland cabin, with their loyal horses and Aleksey’s aging wolf companion, Faelan, at their side. Even though the story is being told by Nikolai, or perhaps because of it, Aleksey is presented completely and vividly. There is no doubt as to what drives him, and eventually he always says what he’s thinking.
On the surface the men have a somewhat idyllic, if primitive, life. Days are spent in close contact, doing lots of exhaustive work. They enjoy wanton and extremely physical sex…often. It was easy to understand how working physically in close proximity with nothing to stop them would stir them so constantly. The sex is very hot – in a rather primal, animalistic form. Aleksey enjoys the sex, but not Nikolai’s fascination with his new favorite word (he learned the word “fuck” from sailors on the trip over from Europe). This made for some amusing moments. While obviously caring toward each other, Nikolai and Aleksey seemed to not realize, or perhaps not to acknowledge, the deeper implications of their feelings. Indeed, they each harbored an internal jealousy, lack of self- worth, and fear of losing one another. This made for many snarky, combative moments between the two, in which Nikolai is really attempting to deflect his fears, and Aleksey is left trying to sort out what is going unsaid. Often, they ended up “resolving” these conflicts with the aforementioned sex.
“We had made something of a specialty of these posthurt examinations, and both enjoyed them immensely. It did occur to me briefly that his level of enjoyment encouraged initial misunderstanding.”
Their calm, and their dancing around the reality of being truly committed to one another is about to be tested.
Aleksey has made a habit of visiting a distant colony. A fact that sparks Nikolai’s jealousy and doubts to no end. Aleksey is a King, he is young, he is inquisitive, he is popular…he will surely tire of Nikolai… One day Aleksey returns from the colony with a wild story of an outpost near the great falls to the north, whose inhabitants have gone suddenly missing. It is a great mystery, and he plans to accompany and assist a group of soldiers and a missionary travelling to investigate and re-claim the outpost. Nikolai is irritated. He doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to share Aleksey. He doesn’t want to roam farther in this land than they have so far. There are mysterious tales surrounding the falls. Of course he isn’t going to remain at the cabin if Aleksey goes, so plans are made for an expedition. Nikolai immediately has second thoughts and lots of bad vibes once he meets the strange group that is going on this journey.
The eye drawn in blood on the cover of this book is indicative of horrors found inside. There is a woman and her child in the expedition party that immediately and strongly set Nikolai’s hair on end. The child in particular. The author does a superb job of presenting a group of characters here that Nikolai knows nothing about, and we get the blow by blow of what he is questioning about them, what he knows and when he makes realizations. Nikolai’s native friend , Etienne, materializes to give warning about the falls. His appearance also irritates Aleksey, who had not previously met the handsome, mysterious man. As the unlikely party venture further into the wilderness, strange things start happening. Bizarre accusations, strange sightings, death. The body count piles up. The creepazoid factor surrounding the child goes off the chart. I loved the interesting and brave play on evil – as the evil emanated from a woman and child. I experience with vivid clarity what Nikolai conveyed about being in those woods. I was in those woods, I could feel, see, taste Nikolai’s experiences as he was relaying them. I could feel his overpowering concern for Aleksey’s safety. I could feel his skin crawl and his insides roil. There is a superb build up to the defining mystery, especially once the group reaches the falls – what happened to the inhabitants of the outpost? What is the root of the evil lurking and living at the falls? A few aspects of the plot didn’t surprise me, because well, Nikolai – much to his horror – had figured them out. The final outcome and reveal is mind boggling. The final OMG!! THAT is the root of the evil horror and this is what happens to all the creepy players……Um, let’s just say I had zero qualms about how Nikolai “handled” everything. And handle it he did, in an epic, raw, very primal fashion. In fact I believe I finally let my breath out after holding it for who knows how long. The author seems to enjoy cliffs, if not cliffhangers!
There is a carry- over theme from A Royal Affair, in that Nikolai finds himself examining the effects that religion has on the behavior of his fellow humans. Nikolai sort of comes full circle. In his life, he had been raised by those who respected the Great Spirit. Then he embraced a more scientific outlook as a doctor in Europe while witnessing and ruing atrocities performed in the name of Christianity. His blessed life with Aleksey, along with what he witnesses and deals with on the journey to and ultimately at the falls, find him embracing the power of the Great Spirit once more, and even more so… the power of love.
Yes, this is a wonderful, woven to a stunning climax mystery-horror tale. At the heart of the story though, are the hearts of Nikolai and Aleksey. A true love story. The horrors and loss they dealt with on this journey caused them to realize and embrace their truth. The men learned actually talking to one another gleans much better results than jumping to conclusions. Before they met, neither man had previously been the recipient of pure love and adoration. Neither had had the opportunity to build up and hold onto an intimate relationship. It had taken loss, fright, and awful circumstances for them to initially come together back in Hesse-Davia,. It seems movingly fitting that it took more of the same for them to realize they were truly – could truly be – together as one forever. I love these two characters immensely.
“Hush. You are missing the point. There is no tether, Aleksey, except the one in my heart. I am like Faelan, a wild creature you bind to you by the force of your presence. Even burnt, even disfigured with the pox or some other disease that might leap upon you suddenly as you ride home to me, I would still be entirely bound. If you died I would not find another. You are the end of all this for me.”
Final thoughts… It would be interesting to know more about Etienne…I will never, ever look upon a blueberry again without thinking of Faelan. ♥
I give the highest recommendation for this book and the first in the series, A Royal Affair.
Book 3….At the top of my TBR already!!
“Hindsight is such an insidious companion.”
A hair raising, provocative, pure adventure of a story!! Books like these are why I read!! This highly anticipated and powerful sequel to the sublime A Royal Affair embodies what reading is all about. It brilliantly combines the pure beauty life has to offer with the savage elements of life. I was laughing, scowling, sighing, ranting, cheering, cringing, crying… you name it, the emotion happened. Once again, the story is told from Nikolai’s POV. Nikolai’s narrative voice is truly one of the best I’ve ever read. His personality and outlook are so perfectly conveyed, as is his fierce love – and fear of it – for Aleksey. So much so that I truly believe he wrote this book, rather than the author. A Royal Affair must be read first in order to understand where Nikolai and Aleksey have been – physically and emotionally – and how that plays into this story.
This story picks up a few years after the tumultuous ending of A Royal Affair. Nikolai and Aleksey have made a home in the wilds of the eighteenth century New World. Nikolai fondly refers to the area they live in as Aleksey’s Kingdom. You can take the King out of his country, but apparently you can’t take the King out of the man! The men lead a quiet, yet busy and demanding life at their isolated woodland cabin, with their loyal horses and Aleksey’s aging wolf companion, Faelan, at their side. Even though the story is being told by Nikolai, or perhaps because of it, Aleksey is presented completely and vividly. There is no doubt as to what drives him, and eventually he always says what he’s thinking.
On the surface the men have a somewhat idyllic, if primitive, life. Days are spent in close contact, doing lots of exhaustive work. They enjoy wanton and extremely physical sex…often. It was easy to understand how working physically in close proximity with nothing to stop them would stir them so constantly. The sex is very hot – in a rather primal, animalistic form. Aleksey enjoys the sex, but not Nikolai’s fascination with his new favorite word (he learned the word “fuck” from sailors on the trip over from Europe). This made for some amusing moments. While obviously caring toward each other, Nikolai and Aleksey seemed to not realize, or perhaps not to acknowledge, the deeper implications of their feelings. Indeed, they each harbored an internal jealousy, lack of self- worth, and fear of losing one another. This made for many snarky, combative moments between the two, in which Nikolai is really attempting to deflect his fears, and Aleksey is left trying to sort out what is going unsaid. Often, they ended up “resolving” these conflicts with the aforementioned sex.
“We had made something of a specialty of these posthurt examinations, and both enjoyed them immensely. It did occur to me briefly that his level of enjoyment encouraged initial misunderstanding.”
Their calm, and their dancing around the reality of being truly committed to one another is about to be tested.
Aleksey has made a habit of visiting a distant colony. A fact that sparks Nikolai’s jealousy and doubts to no end. Aleksey is a King, he is young, he is inquisitive, he is popular…he will surely tire of Nikolai… One day Aleksey returns from the colony with a wild story of an outpost near the great falls to the north, whose inhabitants have gone suddenly missing. It is a great mystery, and he plans to accompany and assist a group of soldiers and a missionary travelling to investigate and re-claim the outpost. Nikolai is irritated. He doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to share Aleksey. He doesn’t want to roam farther in this land than they have so far. There are mysterious tales surrounding the falls. Of course he isn’t going to remain at the cabin if Aleksey goes, so plans are made for an expedition. Nikolai immediately has second thoughts and lots of bad vibes once he meets the strange group that is going on this journey.
The eye drawn in blood on the cover of this book is indicative of horrors found inside. There is a woman and her child in the expedition party that immediately and strongly set Nikolai’s hair on end. The child in particular. The author does a superb job of presenting a group of characters here that Nikolai knows nothing about, and we get the blow by blow of what he is questioning about them, what he knows and when he makes realizations. Nikolai’s native friend , Etienne, materializes to give warning about the falls. His appearance also irritates Aleksey, who had not previously met the handsome, mysterious man. As the unlikely party venture further into the wilderness, strange things start happening. Bizarre accusations, strange sightings, death. The body count piles up. The creepazoid factor surrounding the child goes off the chart. I loved the interesting and brave play on evil – as the evil emanated from a woman and child. I experience with vivid clarity what Nikolai conveyed about being in those woods. I was in those woods, I could feel, see, taste Nikolai’s experiences as he was relaying them. I could feel his overpowering concern for Aleksey’s safety. I could feel his skin crawl and his insides roil. There is a superb build up to the defining mystery, especially once the group reaches the falls – what happened to the inhabitants of the outpost? What is the root of the evil lurking and living at the falls? A few aspects of the plot didn’t surprise me, because well, Nikolai – much to his horror – had figured them out. The final outcome and reveal is mind boggling. The final OMG!! THAT is the root of the evil horror and this is what happens to all the creepy players……Um, let’s just say I had zero qualms about how Nikolai “handled” everything. And handle it he did, in an epic, raw, very primal fashion. In fact I believe I finally let my breath out after holding it for who knows how long. The author seems to enjoy cliffs, if not cliffhangers!
There is a carry- over theme from A Royal Affair, in that Nikolai finds himself examining the effects that religion has on the behavior of his fellow humans. Nikolai sort of comes full circle. In his life, he had been raised by those who respected the Great Spirit. Then he embraced a more scientific outlook as a doctor in Europe while witnessing and ruing atrocities performed in the name of Christianity. His blessed life with Aleksey, along with what he witnesses and deals with on the journey to and ultimately at the falls, find him embracing the power of the Great Spirit once more, and even more so… the power of love.
Yes, this is a wonderful, woven to a stunning climax mystery-horror tale. At the heart of the story though, are the hearts of Nikolai and Aleksey. A true love story. The horrors and loss they dealt with on this journey caused them to realize and embrace their truth. The men learned actually talking to one another gleans much better results than jumping to conclusions. Before they met, neither man had previously been the recipient of pure love and adoration. Neither had had the opportunity to build up and hold onto an intimate relationship. It had taken loss, fright, and awful circumstances for them to initially come together back in Hesse-Davia,. It seems movingly fitting that it took more of the same for them to realize they were truly – could truly be – together as one forever. I love these two characters immensely.
“Hush. You are missing the point. There is no tether, Aleksey, except the one in my heart. I am like Faelan, a wild creature you bind to you by the force of your presence. Even burnt, even disfigured with the pox or some other disease that might leap upon you suddenly as you ride home to me, I would still be entirely bound. If you died I would not find another. You are the end of all this for me.”
Final thoughts… It would be interesting to know more about Etienne…I will never, ever look upon a blueberry again without thinking of Faelan. ♥
I give the highest recommendation for this book and the first in the series, A Royal Affair.
Book 3….At the top of my TBR already!!
May 19, 2018
4.5 stars
I would’ve been perfectly happy leaving Nikolai and Aleksey as they were when A Royal Affair ended. For me their story was perfect and complete as it was (I confess I was also afraid the sequel couldn’t be as good as the first book) and I thought I didn’t need more, which shows how much I knew.
On one hand, a little bit of the magic of the first book was lost in this sequel. Knowing how Nikolai’s mind works as a narrator meant that I wasn’t emotionally on edge all the time, like it happened while I was reading the previous book.
On the other hand, I had the chance to enjoy more of Nikolai and Aleksey’s interactions and I’ve got to say, I’ve always liked their dynamic, but as an established couple their relationship development was a pleasure to witness.
I love, love, love how they interact with each other, their banter, the way they’re so different in many aspects and still work perfectly well together because they complement each other, they way they’re imperfect and not blind to the other’s flaws and still their mutual adoration comes through even when they’re in disagreement.
On a lower level, I also enjoyed the plot, which had some seriously creepy aspects (the being the creepiest of all), but the relationship between Nikolai and Aleksey was the strongest point for me.
Yet again, I’m perfectly happy to leave them where they’re at the moment, but I’ve also learned my lesson and I won’t say no to another adventure with them, if the author should choose to write it.
I would’ve been perfectly happy leaving Nikolai and Aleksey as they were when A Royal Affair ended. For me their story was perfect and complete as it was (I confess I was also afraid the sequel couldn’t be as good as the first book) and I thought I didn’t need more, which shows how much I knew.
On one hand, a little bit of the magic of the first book was lost in this sequel. Knowing how Nikolai’s mind works as a narrator meant that I wasn’t emotionally on edge all the time, like it happened while I was reading the previous book.
On the other hand, I had the chance to enjoy more of Nikolai and Aleksey’s interactions and I’ve got to say, I’ve always liked their dynamic, but as an established couple their relationship development was a pleasure to witness.
I love, love, love how they interact with each other, their banter, the way they’re so different in many aspects and still work perfectly well together because they complement each other, they way they’re imperfect and not blind to the other’s flaws and still their mutual adoration comes through even when they’re in disagreement.
On a lower level, I also enjoyed the plot, which had some seriously creepy aspects (the being the creepiest of all), but the relationship between Nikolai and Aleksey was the strongest point for me.
Yet again, I’m perfectly happy to leave them where they’re at the moment, but I’ve also learned my lesson and I won’t say no to another adventure with them, if the author should choose to write it.
May 15, 2015
Oh shit.
This was GOOD. Really. Good. Creepy good.
After I just barely made it through the first installment, I didn't have much faith I would truly enjoy its sequel, but I gave it a go because 1.) I liked Aleksey a great deal, and yeah, 2.) I was super curious about what would happen after that strange and cut short ending. =D
I'm so glad this was not much like the first installment.
No waiting, no yawning, no dragging.
Instead: Loads of dialogue, funny, sweet, creepy, bloody and weird moments.
I swear to all Gods, that child! Damn. *shivers*
Aleksey is truly funny and adorable.
Nikolai still has his odd moments ( I think ) and bad sense of humor, lol. So moody and bossy *rollseyes* too familiar. * cough *
This installment totally hit home. I hope, pray, there'll be more of those two (and all their horses and Grace).
This was GOOD. Really. Good. Creepy good.
After I just barely made it through the first installment, I didn't have much faith I would truly enjoy its sequel, but I gave it a go because 1.) I liked Aleksey a great deal, and yeah, 2.) I was super curious about what would happen after that strange and cut short ending. =D
I'm so glad this was not much like the first installment.
No waiting, no yawning, no dragging.
Instead: Loads of dialogue, funny, sweet, creepy, bloody and weird moments.
I swear to all Gods, that child! Damn. *shivers*
Aleksey is truly funny and adorable.
Nikolai still has his odd moments ( I think ) and bad sense of humor, lol. So moody and bossy *rollseyes*
This installment totally hit home. I hope, pray, there'll be more of those two (and all their horses and Grace).
September 9, 2015
First time I've tried writing a review on my Pad-thingy..... with one hand. Not sure how to start a new paragraph?
Ha! Managed it.
Brilliant! Fabulous plot! I had concerns, towards the end of the novel: How the hell-on-earth is Mr Wiltshire going to get his characters out of this mess without turning this into a scify-genre plot?
Should have known better than to concern myself with such trifling issues.
Brilliantly written, couldn't fault the plot, the characters, the story telling. Loved the horror element and maybe would have prefered more gruesome-gore than was actually written, but for those readers of a sensitive disposition, there was enough to shock.
Loved it. Great story. Great writer.
Ha! Managed it.
Brilliant! Fabulous plot! I had concerns, towards the end of the novel: How the hell-on-earth is Mr Wiltshire going to get his characters out of this mess without turning this into a scify-genre plot?
Should have known better than to concern myself with such trifling issues.
Brilliantly written, couldn't fault the plot, the characters, the story telling. Loved the horror element and maybe would have prefered more gruesome-gore than was actually written, but for those readers of a sensitive disposition, there was enough to shock.
Loved it. Great story. Great writer.
May 31, 2015
I loved book 1 of the series. I knew from looking at the rarings that the sequel couldn't be bad but still was a bit in doubts if it would reach the level of the first book. All too often I wished after reading a sequel the author would have closed the story with one book.
Not this time. JW managed to take the mc's in all their personal glory and give them a new and plausible surrounding without changing who they were, but he let them grow like it should be. The read, Nikolai's voice which paints himself and Aleksey perfectly, the plot, the writing - it made up for an intense but even in the worst moment (and everybody who've read the book might know which one I'm talking about) the book was beautiful.
Not this time. JW managed to take the mc's in all their personal glory and give them a new and plausible surrounding without changing who they were, but he let them grow like it should be. The read, Nikolai's voice which paints himself and Aleksey perfectly, the plot, the writing - it made up for an intense but even in the worst moment (and everybody who've read the book might know which one I'm talking about) the book was beautiful.
May 22, 2015
WOW!!!
wish I had more time to elaborate....but lets just say I loved it to the point that I am sad its over and I just want to re-start it at the beginning!!
Whiltshire's writing is like few others I have ever read..it's THAT special!
Character developement is amazing.
Action packed!!!
Thank you so much John for these amazing characters. Hope you continue their story!
Well done!
wish I had more time to elaborate....but lets just say I loved it to the point that I am sad its over and I just want to re-start it at the beginning!!
Whiltshire's writing is like few others I have ever read..it's THAT special!
Character developement is amazing.
Action packed!!!
Thank you so much John for these amazing characters. Hope you continue their story!
Well done!
May 27, 2015
5 stars isn't enough.
What a ride! Amazing second installment! John Wiltshire's writing is absolutely incredible. Characters and plot are flawless.
I agree with you John, Aleksey's Kingdom is your most accomplished book so far.
More than highly recommended.
What a ride! Amazing second installment! John Wiltshire's writing is absolutely incredible. Characters and plot are flawless.
I agree with you John, Aleksey's Kingdom is your most accomplished book so far.
More than highly recommended.
April 29, 2015
I don't normally find it hard to write reviews, but this one almost has me stumped. I'm not sure what to comment on first, the amazing writing or the insanely intense plot. John Wiltshire can write--he's proved that in his other series More Heat Than the Sun--but here it's as if all his genius pulls together and creates this one explosion of images and phrases that stick in the mind. I can still picture "the hollow people" in the dark forest, still hear Aleksey and Nikolai's witty, sparkling, ironic conversations, still feel the drumbeat of the waterfall, still almost taste the horror of the last few chapters. I also admit, to my shame, to a few manly tears with this one when
So, onto the plot...horror in m/m? I love it! If it wasn't for Aleksey and Nikolai being just that--two men--I reckon this novel would be out there on the best-seller lists at top publishing companies. But it's condemned to be seen as something belonging wholly to one genre because the author dares to present male love at the centre of the book. But I'd say this one was definitely a thriller/horror. I lost count of the bodies after a while and they died some gruesome deaths--although Wiltshire has a neat way of sparing the reader absolute gore. I loved the sense that we were being sucked into a dark tunnel, just like literally going deeper into the trees, we went deeper into the mystery.
I'm ashamed to say that I've already started this one again. It was so tense that I barely took time to breathe going through it the first time.
Absolutely brilliant. If you've not tried John Wiltshire yet, try this historical series. Start with A Royal Affair, because you need the background. Then pour a glass of wine and indulge...
So, onto the plot...horror in m/m? I love it! If it wasn't for Aleksey and Nikolai being just that--two men--I reckon this novel would be out there on the best-seller lists at top publishing companies. But it's condemned to be seen as something belonging wholly to one genre because the author dares to present male love at the centre of the book. But I'd say this one was definitely a thriller/horror. I lost count of the bodies after a while and they died some gruesome deaths--although Wiltshire has a neat way of sparing the reader absolute gore. I loved the sense that we were being sucked into a dark tunnel, just like literally going deeper into the trees, we went deeper into the mystery.
I'm ashamed to say that I've already started this one again. It was so tense that I barely took time to breathe going through it the first time.
Absolutely brilliant. If you've not tried John Wiltshire yet, try this historical series. Start with A Royal Affair, because you need the background. Then pour a glass of wine and indulge...
May 4, 2015
5+ stars.... This was a great read. I really really liked A Royal Affair but Aleksey's Kingdom was even better. Basking in my book hangover on this one. This is a historical setting and Nikolai and Aleksey have become one of my favorite couples:) This book was really focused on their relationship; they are so funny together; completely in love with one another and have such great chemistry. The writing is so smart. The story was scary, eerie and I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire time I was reading! The ending was awesome and I was left feeling very happy for these two. I will be re-reading this 2 book series. I am sad it is over for my sexy couple- yes this one was a bit hotter:). I highly recommend this book and series!! xoxo
June 12, 2015
So this sequel took an entirely different tack to it's predecessor. It was more of a horror/mystery than a romance. Just interspersed with random (very brief) sex scenes and a super creepy child. I still enjoyed it. Nikolai and Aleksey are really sweet and funny together. Definitely glad they survived the first book and really wouldn't mind more of their story.
May 6, 2015
I read this in one sitting, so there better be another sequel to this story.
Words cannot describe how I adore Niko and Aleksey. I love everything although there were some sad times.
Moar!!!!!!!!!!!
Words cannot describe how I adore Niko and Aleksey. I love everything although there were some sad times.
Moar!!!!!!!!!!!
May 9, 2015
This book was very different from the first but I loved it! Full of adventure and folklore. I hope the author has the next one ready for print!!
June 6, 2015
OMG - A hair raising, provocative, pure adventure of a read!! Books like these are why I read!! My full review at It's About The Book
May 3, 2015
Another book I am very excited by. I love the cover! I'd buy and read this even if it wasn't in a series/author I was following. I didn't get it at first, but then it sort of came to me! Well, peered at me! Scary and great. I'm not sure when this is coming out, but as I'm already wishing my life away for other books I guess I'll do it for this one too. I've got time to reread the first, A Royal Affair, which will be delightful because it's a slow burn and very tense. I genuinely thought
Update: Finished. Absolutely loved it. There is a lot more dialogue in this one than the first, which seems right as Aleksey is now more than just Nikolai's love interest--he's become a character fleshed out in his own right. I absolutely love the sparky interaction between them.
And the increased dialogue only serves to bind their very intense relationship. For this little exchange is very telling about their adventures in A Royal Affair:
And that's exactly what they do in this novel, only they choose a particularly bad time to do it--on a terrible journey to discover the fate of an abandoned fort. Or perhaps it's just the perfect time because as we saw in the first novel, Nikolai thrives on being tested. His true nature lurks beneath the surface, just as the horror at the core of this novel does. You don't see the horror that surrounds them and you don't see Nikolai's savagery hidden (as he ruefully admits) under the beautiful countenance.
The blurb was spot on for this novel. There is nothingNikolai won't do to keep Aleksey safe.
This is an amazing read. It's a massive step up from the first in the series, although that still remains one of my favourite historicals ever. This is just more intimate, more intense, funnier, way sadder, all in all just the perfect read.
Update: Finished. Absolutely loved it. There is a lot more dialogue in this one than the first, which seems right as Aleksey is now more than just Nikolai's love interest--he's become a character fleshed out in his own right. I absolutely love the sparky interaction between them.
He soon caught up. He was silent for a while, as was I. I then noticed Freedom was not with him, and he said, as if I had asked out loud, “I tied him to the wagon. He is very cross with me too.”
“I was not the one who angered and flounced off, if you remember.”
“If you use that word again, I will do it again.”
And the increased dialogue only serves to bind their very intense relationship. For this little exchange is very telling about their adventures in A Royal Affair:
“But you are right in a way. We were arguing, and then we… fucked. Yes, perhaps that’s exactly what did happen. So we never… fell in love, did we?”
“Love?” Of course I did not mean to make that sound like a question: this, love? Of course I did not intend the little splutter of incredulity. No, I meant more you speak of love now when it is snowing and I am hungry and we have a demon child trussed up in a cart and perhaps a dangerous lunatic stalking us?
I don’t think Aleksey got this, though.
His lips went a little pinched. “Perhaps in that case we should take a step back from… fucking… and fall in love first.”
And that's exactly what they do in this novel, only they choose a particularly bad time to do it--on a terrible journey to discover the fate of an abandoned fort. Or perhaps it's just the perfect time because as we saw in the first novel, Nikolai thrives on being tested. His true nature lurks beneath the surface, just as the horror at the core of this novel does. You don't see the horror that surrounds them and you don't see Nikolai's savagery hidden (as he ruefully admits) under the beautiful countenance.
The blurb was spot on for this novel. There is nothingNikolai won't do to keep Aleksey safe.
This is an amazing read. It's a massive step up from the first in the series, although that still remains one of my favourite historicals ever. This is just more intimate, more intense, funnier, way sadder, all in all just the perfect read.
September 7, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
All told, I thought this was an excellent follow-up to the first story, A Royal Affair. Given the setting and the time-frame (and the fact that I’m an American), I found this story more relatable even though Nikolai makes a decided shift away from being a man of science into a man of certain faith. Our main characters continue to interact with that delightful spark of snarky sarcasm laced with quiet admissions of their true emotions.
There is a wonderful set-up before the main action starts that address Aleksey’s dedication to Nikolai. Better still, there are threads picked up throughout the story that follow-up on their emotional short-comings and at least one scene where they face the lack of touchy-feely emotional closeness head-on and come out the better for it, I’d say. And that’s in spite of how often these two bump uglies—so just working on that emotional aspect of their relationship really does not inhibit their libido. I guess it’s the best of both worlds; I’m just glad we got to see them—to paraphrase Nikolai—pay attention to their hearts and not just their dicks.
The big departure for this story is how much it reads like a murder mystery thriller. At first blush, it reminded me of a sexed up (and m/m) version of something by Christopher Pike or R.L. Stein—you know, how there’s obviously something afoul going on and you’re trying to put the pieces together. It’s worth mentioning that this story is narrated exactly the same as A Royal Affair was narrated—as a written account created by Nikolai. Despite the narrator (Nikolai) obviously having the benefit of hindsight as he wrote the account, the words on the page leave you entirely with the mystery so you’re not going to figure anything out until Nikolai does on-page. (That is, unless you’re good at solving puzzles with key pieces missing or know of some true story that might be similar?)
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
All told, I thought this was an excellent follow-up to the first story, A Royal Affair. Given the setting and the time-frame (and the fact that I’m an American), I found this story more relatable even though Nikolai makes a decided shift away from being a man of science into a man of certain faith. Our main characters continue to interact with that delightful spark of snarky sarcasm laced with quiet admissions of their true emotions.
There is a wonderful set-up before the main action starts that address Aleksey’s dedication to Nikolai. Better still, there are threads picked up throughout the story that follow-up on their emotional short-comings and at least one scene where they face the lack of touchy-feely emotional closeness head-on and come out the better for it, I’d say. And that’s in spite of how often these two bump uglies—so just working on that emotional aspect of their relationship really does not inhibit their libido. I guess it’s the best of both worlds; I’m just glad we got to see them—to paraphrase Nikolai—pay attention to their hearts and not just their dicks.
The big departure for this story is how much it reads like a murder mystery thriller. At first blush, it reminded me of a sexed up (and m/m) version of something by Christopher Pike or R.L. Stein—you know, how there’s obviously something afoul going on and you’re trying to put the pieces together. It’s worth mentioning that this story is narrated exactly the same as A Royal Affair was narrated—as a written account created by Nikolai. Despite the narrator (Nikolai) obviously having the benefit of hindsight as he wrote the account, the words on the page leave you entirely with the mystery so you’re not going to figure anything out until Nikolai does on-page. (That is, unless you’re good at solving puzzles with key pieces missing or know of some true story that might be similar?)
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
March 22, 2016
Why did it take me so long to get to this sequel? All I can think is that the first one, A Royal Affair, was so good, I liked it so much and didn’t think it possible that this could be anywhere as good.
But this one’s every bit as good. This author has a way with suspense and horror that doesn’t get much better in the genre. You are lured into the story knowing there will be a trap and great peril, expertly done with a slow ramp-up in tension and drama.
In this sequel, Aleksey and Nikolai have made their way from a kingdom in Hesse-Davia in the Old World to the harsh but beautiful wilderness of the New World. They’ve set up a life on the outskirts of civilization, on a spread of forested land where they can live and love each other freely. But Aleksey, always looking for action and adventure, gets swept up in the intrigues of a nearby settlement. The gossip there is about a group of settlers at another colony that have mysteriously gone missing— as if they’d be swept away by some evil spirit. And Aleksey, always curious, has to find out what happened to them. Nikolai, against his better judgement and not wanting to leave the comforts of their forest cabin, is less willing to make the journey to the distant cursed colony.
Nikolai is, of course, no match to Aleksey’s powers of persuasion. (What I love in this story is we see how very deeply in love he is with Aleksey, and they often freely exchange their feelings for each other. Their playful banter and ribbing is full of fun and tenderness.) So off they go, into the wilds— with a small group of soldiers, trappers, and missionaries, none of whom are as they seem, of course— on a strange and sinister type of road trip.
This was a great read, well-paced, creepy, full of atmosphere, and it completely held my interest. Aleksey’s Kingdom continues an enduring romance and delivers some great action— I loved this!
May 3, 2015
As soon as I got my hands on this one, I re-read A Royal Affair, the first in the series. That one ended so satisfactorily that wondered how the author would extend the story of Aleksey and Nikolai. And in a way that exactly how Nikolai feels, I think, at the beginning of this book--a bit bemused where all the perfection went. But then we have to remember that we are only getting this story from his pov, so at the end of A Royal Affair, they were in the woods of the New World, in the cabin he'd always dreamed of, and he was a bit punch-drunk on the wonder of it all. Two years later and the gloss has worn off. How do you keep a young, glorious king happy in a cabin in the woods? So this story has a double thread very skilfully woven throughout it--Nikolai and Aleksey exploring and cementing their relationship at the same time as the literal journey exploring the apparently deserted colony by the falls. The two stories work brilliantly together because I've actually read enough of John Wiltshire's stuff (what am I saying, I devour each book when they come out) to feel fairly safe in his hands now. I could enjoy this incredibly tense, at times horrific story without once feeling that other thread--the love story--would be broken.
From beginning to end this novel captivated me. It made me cry and laugh and sit up way too late into the night needing to finish it. I was there. I could feel the pace of the river, the fear, the cold. But most of all I felt the love. This book delivers every which way.
Very highly recommended.
From beginning to end this novel captivated me. It made me cry and laugh and sit up way too late into the night needing to finish it. I was there. I could feel the pace of the river, the fear, the cold. But most of all I felt the love. This book delivers every which way.
Very highly recommended.
May 30, 2015
This was very different than A Royal Affair - more raw and gritty. Savage is also probably a good word. Even creepy at times. I loved the suspense of this. John Wiltshire is very good at creating tension and suspense that makes you want to keep turning the pages, but this book even more so. And what can I say about Nikolai and Aleskey - they are great characters and so good together. Getting into the mind of Nikolai was a treat.
May 8, 2017
This is a reminder to myself what a 5 star book is! Thank goodness as I was beginning to forget!
Oh the dynamics between these two! It's soooo good. The banter and the sweetness is perfection!
This was quite intense and a little scary... But brilliantly done!
Loved it!
Oh the dynamics between these two! It's soooo good. The banter and the sweetness is perfection!
This was quite intense and a little scary... But brilliantly done!
Loved it!
May 31, 2019
Only John Wiltshire could make Historical Novel interesting for me. I am looking forward to read more of Nicolas, Please.
January 2, 2016
This book. I'm in a fog!!❤️❤️❤️
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