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Golden Guard #2

The Prince's Rogue

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The second book in an Air Awakens prequel trilogy about the Golden Guard.

The Empire has declared war against its neighbor to the north, the country of Shaldan. Prince Baldair is summoned to lead, but the untested royal harbors secret reservations about his ability to inspire confidence in troops his senior in both age and experience. The memory of his first kills the summer prior still weigh heavy on his shoulders, and he flees to his friend Erion’s home near the Crossroads to wait for the army before marching north.

Raylynn Westind had never held a responsibility in her life. After losing her mother years ago, she wanders from town to town in search of a challenge, honoring the sacred song of the sword her mother taught her. She never backs down from a fight, not when her opponents are the deadly Knights of Jadar, mysteriously insistent upon her death. And certainly not when the opponent is the Empire’s young playboy prince.

Baldair has never met another person as gifted with the sword as he, and is insistent on seeing a golden bracer grace Raylynn’s forearm. But the woman lives a mercenary’s life, and Baldair quickly learns that her loyalty comes at a high price. When he discovers the bounty on her head, the prince must choose between his responsibilities to his father’s Empire, and the woman who has captured his heart as a soldier, and as a man.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2017

78 people are currently reading
2608 people want to read

About the author

Elise Kova

59 books17.2k followers
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ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.

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5 stars
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287 (24%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Profile Image for Silvia .
692 reviews1,688 followers
March 3, 2017
It was so short but I was in a bit of a slump and it almost took me one month to finish, but I liked it and I finally understood the dynamics between Baldair and Raylynn a bit better (at least I think???).

I'm really looking forward to the third and final book!

____
1/2/2017 Pre-review:
So this is out in just a few days and the cover just got revealed and, as you might know, this time it's our Prince Baldair on it.

description

I honestly never thought I would cry at a cover reveal. Well, I'm human and I make mistakes.

Spoilers below - open only if you've finished the whole Air Awakens series!
Profile Image for Lucie V..
1,219 reviews3,643 followers
August 6, 2024
Meh.

The thing is, we barely saw Raylynn in the Air Awakens series, so I never really cared about her… Reading a 200-page prequel about her was not something I needed or was excited about.

Also, the fact that first, Baldair was at the Crossroads with only 2 guards is hard to believe, but the fact that he then left them to follow Raylynn on whatever adventure she wanted him to is utterly ridiculous. I struggle to believe that the crown prince has only 2 guards and that they would let him leave with a stranger, even if he ordered them to.

Baldair felt like an unruly child trying to prove his worth to Raylynn, even if it put his life in danger, and Raylynn felt selfish. After weeks with him, she still strung him along, and everything had to happen on her terms. She didn't tell him anything and just let him follow her everywhere like a lost puppy, and she was reckless enough to put his life in danger many times, without seeming to feel much remorse about it. Again: selfish.


1. The Crown’s Dog ⭐⭐.5

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Profile Image for Ann (annreads).
248 reviews246 followers
April 22, 2017
“If you allow her into this 'golden company' of yours, accept that you will be the death of her." The sun continued to set over the dunes, as if attempting to flee the sudden somber shift in conversation. "But also know that she will only die when she is ready."
"On her terms," Baldair whispered.
"Indeed.”


OMG I NEED SOME ANSWERS, GIVE ME MORE
I think it's pretty safe to say I'll never get tired of reading about this world and this characters, like, I could literally read a million books about this series and I would still be left wanting more! I have a problem, I know lol
'The Prince's Rogue' was definitely my favorite novella so far and I have to say, I'm REALLY enjoying this prequel series! We've got to see so many things about Baldair and the Golden Guard, how everything came to be, and not to mention Baldair's relationship with Raylynn, which may be one of my favorite things ever! *cries and swoons and cries some more*
Now I'm really excited to see how everything comes to a close in the next one! Can't wait!❤️

4.25/5★★★★
Profile Image for Beatrice in Bookland.
545 reviews923 followers
September 8, 2017
"If I win, you owe me all your winnings from the last fight."
"And if I win, you join my personal guard."


me @me: don't read the air awakens prequels, they're going to punch you in the feels, you already know what's going to happen to the characters
also me: naaah it'll be fine

i'm not fine why do i do this to myself
Profile Image for L.R.W. Lee.
Author 31 books787 followers
February 10, 2017
Woohoot!!! This next installment in the Golden Guard prequel trilogy is even better than the first. In this one we get a glimpse of Baldair's relationship with Raylynn and what a great read it is.

I loved how Elise allows us to watch Baldair grow in a way different than the first book in this series. In that installment, Baldair is young and impulsive. In this one, we get to see him mature in his relationship with a woman. The story keeps speaking to how he would normally have spoken, but Raylynn helps him develop a skill of listening and watching before acting. That said, he is still a man of action and his fascination with Raylynn's sword skills provides a fitting push for events to unfold.

All in all a very good read. I can't wait for the last one.
Profile Image for Jamie (Books and Ladders).
1,429 reviews212 followers
December 8, 2023
Disclaimer: I beta read the manuscript. However, I reread the finished copy of the book to give an opinion based on the finalized version.

I will have a series review of the Golden Guard trilogy up on Books and Ladders on November 29th! It'll be a year since they released and that I read them, but they still hold such a special place in my heart. You can get an omnibus of the series on Amazon!

Wow did I love this book. I should mention this is probably going to be biased because the book is DEDICATED TO ME!! Yes, I am Jamie and yes, I am Baldair's one true love. I have nurtured and coddled him throughout the Air Awakens series and will continue to do so far into the future.

But in all honesty, I loved this book. With The Crown's Dog, we are limited in what we learn about Baldair through the eyes and actions of Jax and Erion. With The Prince's Rogue, we get Baldair's perspective as well as Raylynn's. I thought she was such a strong character and I think what I disliked about this is that we didn't get to see more of Raylynn in the Air Awakens series because she is a BAMF like no other BAMF you have ever met. This book also had little threads that pulled it together to the first in the series and the rest of the Air Awakens world if you know to look for them. I definitely recommend this one to everyone!

I will say that as much as you can read these as standalones, which is really nice, they do make more sense if you've read them in sequential order. However, you definitely don't need to have read the Air Awakens series to pick these up and enjoy them. Although I would recommend reading that series as well!
Profile Image for Müjde.
499 reviews9 followers
September 10, 2022
Altın Muhafızlar serisinin ikinci kitabını ilk kitabından daha çok sevdim.
İlk kitabı okurken biraz sıkılmıştım. İkinci kitap daha iyiydi.
Ayrıca gizemli Raylynn’i sevdim.
Prens Baldair ile kaderin devreye girerek yollarını kesiştirdiği Raylynn’in yeni bir maceraya doğru yol almasını ve geçmişteki sır perdesinin aralanmaya başlamasını okuyoruz.

-----


“Büyükanne mi?” Baldair sesli düşünmekten kendini alamadı. “Burada ailen olduğunu bana söylememiştin.”
“Söylemem mi gerekiyordu?” diye sordu Raylynn o kendine has tavrıyla. “Ben de ağaç kovuğundan çıkmadım ya. Tabii ki ailem var.”
Profile Image for Mary.
459 reviews42 followers
March 3, 2018
Oh man. It makes me so happy to see the beginning relationship of Raylynn and Baldair

In the main Air Awakens series it's known that Baldair beds Raylynn but never commits to her but they obviously have a relationship of sorts that he isn't willing to form with any of the other slew of ladies.

*Spoiler for the rest of the series*

In this book Raylynn says to Baldair she would die on her own terms and no one else's.

In the last book of the series Raylynn knowing gave up her life to protect Baldair's dead body from being desecrated at the hands of Victor.

😭😭😭😭

I'm glad to see their interactions developed here. It's incredibly charming and dare I say, I adore more than Vhalla and Aldrik.
Profile Image for Maud.
771 reviews191 followers
August 21, 2017
I liked the story but my one problem with it is that Raylynn is nothing like she seems in the books. True, we don't get to know her that well in the Air Awakens series but still she feels like a completely different character in this one. I liked learning her backstory but I would have appreciate it if she a) was more like the Raylynn we get to know in the Air Awakens series and b) if it tied in more with the story of Air Awakens and some of the scenes we get with Raylynn. Right now it feels very disconnected from the Air Awakens series even though some elements (Knights of Jadar) take a prominent role in both.
Profile Image for Nicole Burton.
84 reviews12 followers
October 9, 2019
I have always loved Baldiar and Raylynn since Air Awkens but this just made me love them so much more! And makes the events of the series afterwards so much more heartbreaking.
Profile Image for Ria.
71 reviews19 followers
April 8, 2024
THE ENDING PLEASS I AM SO SAD AND DISTRAUGHT
Profile Image for Stephanie.
259 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2018
I think I've come to the conclusion that books that I read can be al heavy fighting fantasy like by they should atleast have a little bit of romance between some characters for me to fully give a five star rating lol and this is what this book was action packed with a purpose but had an adorable romance to it that I hope I see again soon!
Longer more detailed review later
Profile Image for Jessica.
781 reviews116 followers
September 7, 2017
I absolutely loved having Baldair back and learning more about Raylynn. I wish there was more about them but alas this short novel will have to do.

5 stars Elise Kova is one of my favourite authors and this was no different when it came to amazing writing.
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,357 reviews98 followers
March 9, 2019
This. Was. Everything!! I so wanted and needed more of these memorable characters from the Air Awakens series. I truly wanted to see just how the dynamic worked for the relationship between Baldair and Raylynn. I was beyond thrilled to know that this prequel was awaiting me after I finished the main series. I absolutely needed more Baldair. And to see more of Erion and Jax was very welcomed as well. I loved reading their ribbing and camaraderie... seeing them all care for each other before the war was amazing. I cannot get enough of Ms. Kova's glorious words!
Profile Image for Bailey.
17 reviews4 followers
September 5, 2021
This was a nice prequel novella to read about one of the characters we meet in the Air Awakens series but don't know too much about. It was awesome to see the characters before the events in Air Awakens and loved seeing Baldair again :)
Profile Image for Tilly.
1,723 reviews242 followers
May 1, 2022
4.5 Stars

I loved getting to know the backstory behind how Raylynn came to be in the Golden guard! She is such a brilliant character and I adored this novella. Elise Kova is such an incredible author and her world building and the detail within it astounds me!
Profile Image for Kimmm.
716 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2024
It was fine. I liked the characters. Especially Baldair, I have a soft spot for him. Raylynn was also interesting to follow, even if I had liked to get to know her a bit more. I did find the plot pretty slow moving and missed the friend group like the first one.

Overall, an okay book, this did really make me wanna reread the "Air Awakens" series though.
Rating: 3,0 stars.
Profile Image for şengül.
95 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2025
ben bu evreni seviyorum, elise kova ana seriyi henüz güncel yazarken okumaya baslamıstım ve her bir kitabi kac kez okuduğumu bilmiyorum bile.. bu yüzden kesinlikle bu kitaba bu puanı verirken cömert davrandim cünkü ortalama olarak bile pek sevmedim. kılıc kılıc diyip durdular elde var sıfır egmun aldi anladiğim kadarıyla ama no yani ana seride hala kayıp deniyordu. yine hicbir bilgi cıkmadı kılıctan. jadar sövalyeleriyle ilgili daha cok sey öğreniriz diye düsünmüstüm o da olmadi ekstra hicbir sey katmadi evrene bu kitap. baldaire bayılıyorum ama salak mıydı bu kitap?? kader, gercek ask cart curt değil dümdüz takıntılıydi sakin ol champ 17sinde veledsin daha. rayi de ana seride sevmistim ama burda onu da sevmedim. benim kuralım benim kuralım girl sen de sakin ol dünya senin etrafinda dönmüyor. basmakalip bir karakter olması beni üzdü. neyse ben cinsiyet fark etmeksizin asırı pasif ve asırı baskin iliski dinamiğini pek sevmiyorum iki taraf da birbiriyle sürekli kapıssın istiyorum neyse yine de ne yazsa okurum seviyorum iste napim fmkcjcms (elli yıl olmus kitap cıkali benim gec kalmıslık masallah..
Profile Image for Ashlee Jo.
499 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2020
3.5 Reading from these characters gives me the feels!!!!
Profile Image for Marthe.
372 reviews36 followers
August 22, 2021
Moved a bit to fast but definitely enjoyed it more than the first book.
2.5 stars
Profile Image for Sun Rae.
769 reviews
May 28, 2023
I’m falling in love with the golden guard. I didn’t realize this was the prequel to the air awakens series so now I’m super excited to crack into that.
Profile Image for andi [updating reviews].
449 reviews20 followers
July 7, 2025
3.5⭐️

I really enjoyed reading about Raylynn! It’s too bad we didn’t experience much of her in the main series; she likely would’ve been one of my favorite side characters.
Profile Image for Katelyn Anderson.
Author 7 books41 followers
March 11, 2017
I'm really enjoying this prequel series! Seeing how the Golden Guard came to be is really cool :) Baldair being so vulnerable and love struck is adorable! The story was short but there was never a dull moment. Looking forward to the last book when we meet Craig and Daniel!
Profile Image for agus ✨ - booksandstationery.
194 reviews29 followers
December 25, 2020
I loved this so much! Seeing Baldair and Raylynn again was wonderful and we get to kinda understand a bit better the dynamics between them. Now I want to re-read the whole series.
Profile Image for Luna.
278 reviews35 followers
February 15, 2021
She gulped away her irrational fears. She was better than that which scared her. She was stronger.

Al fin leí este libro!! Es la segunda parte de la trilogía de la Golden Guard, el grupo de guerreros élite que protege al príncipe Baldair. Este libro cuenta la historia de cómo se conocieron Raylynn y Baldair, y cómo fue que ella terminó aceptando pertenecer a la Guardia.

“I will still be everything. But on my terms, and along the lines of my fate—not yours.”

Si bien disfruté muchísimo volver al mundo de Air Awakens, el libro no me fascinó al igual que dicha saga. Raylynn no me terminó de caer del todo bien, no me gustó mucho la forma en que trató a Baldair en la mayoría del libro, aunque entiendo sus motivos. Pero igualmente disfruté de saber cómo empezó su historia juntos, y exactamente cuál es la naturaleza de su relación!! También me encantó conocer más sobre el pasado de Fiera, la madre de Aldrik. Su personaje es súper misterioso y, al parecer, importante.

En fin, una buena lectura para adentrarse todavía más en el mundo de Air Awakens!

Walking her path sounded right. And while there were parallels between her and her mother, she would help Fiera’s son live a long life from the vantage of his brother’s guard, until the very end of it all.
Profile Image for Laysa.
349 reviews8 followers
December 1, 2018
Ugh.
I couldn't like this. And I tried, hard.

Baldair is still struggling to start acting like a man. He still acts unbelievably reckless, sometimes it feels like he's a kid that you're trying to bring reason to, but he just openly rejects your reasonings to do whatever he feels like it without thinking it over. For God's sake he's a prince with a lot of responsibilities and he stills decides to . I mean, what? Dude, if you die, your body may never be recovered in the sands of the desert, you'll be letting a whole nation down and you still think that's ok? *eye roll*

Then we have Raylynn. Personally I don't like the name, but that's not a reason to not like a character, obviously. When she appeared all I could think was: I'm so gonna like her. This badass woman with maddening sword skills, who takes no crap and has a sharp tongue. But it turns out she's too self centred for me to like her. At first it was ok to deal with her: "on my own terms" stuff. But then EVERY SINGLE THING has to be on her own terms. And I'm sorry, but the world does not revolve against you.

The romance: it's not a romance. Which is very much ok for me. The thing is, it is weird. Baldair is around 17 and she's maybe 24-25. At first I thought it was nice to have the woman older then the man for a change, but when I wasn't sure if Baldair was 18 or not, I just got slightly creeped out. Anyway, I couldn't really understand their relationship. It's a: I-gonna-do-what-the-F-I-want-and-you're-gonna-be-okay-with-it-cause-you're-weirdly-obsessed-with-me-for-no-apparent-reason-whatsoever.

Plus, it got really boring at some point. I mean, the first half is about Raylynn dragging Baldair around while she

Oh, right. And there's the issue where she Not really someone I would want guarding my life. Just no.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews

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