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The Warriors of Love & Magic #2
The Captive Prince
Save the land, or follow his heart?
Time has run out for Lord Domlen. The Fortress of Rain has been cursed by the enemy Boa Visk, his people trapped as phantoms within its walls, and the rain ever falling across his lands. If he does not break the curse soon, the trapped spirits will become revenir, ghosts that feed upon the life force of the living. He needs a miracle. And he gets one. He learns of a ritual that can break the curse and free his people. But nothing comes without a price, and the price is one Lord Domlen cannot bring himself to pay: the ritual demands blood—royal blood. Desperate, he abducts Prince Falken of Teirlan to be his blood sacrifice on the night of the red moon and forces all gentle emotion far, far away. He must save his people, even at the cost of an innocent life. But as the time of the ritual draws near, how will he find the strength to kill an innocent man? Especially one who reignites all the emotions he believed he'd buried so deeply away?
Prince Falken, sorcerer from Teirlan, needs his magic to escape the Fortress of Rain, but the shackles on his wrists have cut him off from his power. When he discovers the servants around him are actually spirits, he understands the stronghold is bound by dark forces—a curse that somehow revolves around his grim, noble captor. There is dark magic here, but how can he help the strong, enigmatic Domlen while he's trapped, his powers bound? There is greater magic than that of the curse, and Falken has resources beyond Domlen's ken. But when the ritual goes horribly wrong, how will Falken make his enemy trust him? And how will he save the man he's coming to love?
Time has run out for Lord Domlen. The Fortress of Rain has been cursed by the enemy Boa Visk, his people trapped as phantoms within its walls, and the rain ever falling across his lands. If he does not break the curse soon, the trapped spirits will become revenir, ghosts that feed upon the life force of the living. He needs a miracle. And he gets one. He learns of a ritual that can break the curse and free his people. But nothing comes without a price, and the price is one Lord Domlen cannot bring himself to pay: the ritual demands blood—royal blood. Desperate, he abducts Prince Falken of Teirlan to be his blood sacrifice on the night of the red moon and forces all gentle emotion far, far away. He must save his people, even at the cost of an innocent life. But as the time of the ritual draws near, how will he find the strength to kill an innocent man? Especially one who reignites all the emotions he believed he'd buried so deeply away?
Prince Falken, sorcerer from Teirlan, needs his magic to escape the Fortress of Rain, but the shackles on his wrists have cut him off from his power. When he discovers the servants around him are actually spirits, he understands the stronghold is bound by dark forces—a curse that somehow revolves around his grim, noble captor. There is dark magic here, but how can he help the strong, enigmatic Domlen while he's trapped, his powers bound? There is greater magic than that of the curse, and Falken has resources beyond Domlen's ken. But when the ritual goes horribly wrong, how will Falken make his enemy trust him? And how will he save the man he's coming to love?
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2016
About the author
A.C. Fox
11 books28 followersAC Fox writes m/m romance that shows us the beauty of real passion and real men, in all their glory. Alpha or beta, old or young, out or still struggling, AC’s characters prove that love–between long-time lovers or strangers on the train–truly will conquer all.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2019
This was a pretty solid fantasy story.
Prince Falken, a sorcerer of royal blood, is kidnapped in the woods by a stranger who carries him off to a far away fortress where it always rains and where the sun never shines.
There, Falken is kept prisoner until the blood moon, when the stranger intends to sacrifice him to lift an evil curse.
Only, with the ‘evil’ Lord Domlen being a lonely gay man and Prince Falken being a handsome hottie in chains, it might happen that the blood sacrifice doesn’t really happen. And so the curse of the rainy fortress continues…
This story had a lot that I love in fantasy. From magic, ghosts and life force sucking phantoms à la Harry Potter to a heart-warming happy end, this was quite a wild ride.
The love story was very sweet towards the end, but I do wonder if I’d ever find it in me to say I love you to a guy who tried to slit my throat a couple pages earlier. Somehow I’m not too convinced I’d be able to overlook this…
Still, as a fantasy m/m story, this was a solid 4 stars!
Prince Falken, a sorcerer of royal blood, is kidnapped in the woods by a stranger who carries him off to a far away fortress where it always rains and where the sun never shines.
There, Falken is kept prisoner until the blood moon, when the stranger intends to sacrifice him to lift an evil curse.
Only, with the ‘evil’ Lord Domlen being a lonely gay man and Prince Falken being a handsome hottie in chains, it might happen that the blood sacrifice doesn’t really happen. And so the curse of the rainy fortress continues…
This story had a lot that I love in fantasy. From magic, ghosts and life force sucking phantoms à la Harry Potter to a heart-warming happy end, this was quite a wild ride.
The love story was very sweet towards the end, but I do wonder if I’d ever find it in me to say I love you to a guy who tried to slit my throat a couple pages earlier. Somehow I’m not too convinced I’d be able to overlook this…
Still, as a fantasy m/m story, this was a solid 4 stars!
November 24, 2016
4,5 stars.
Maybe I shouldn't have read it right after The General's Hostage because, even though this book is a very good one, the first one somewhat overshadows it. Still, it was greatly enjoyable. Again, there is A.C. Fox's extremely energetic pacing. One place, basically only two characters - it could easily stagnate. But it wasn't boring for a moment; even predictable things about the plot were interesting to read as to how exactly it happens. And again the combustible chemistry between the characters.
Domlen and Falken are so different and they start in such a wrong way that I was prepared to be unconvinced: what love can be there, maybe just some kind of Stockholm syndrome. But surprisingly, there was love, and when it happened, I fully believed in it. Also, it was very sweet - romantic in the best way.
I think I'm quickly turning into A.C. Fox's fan.
Maybe I shouldn't have read it right after The General's Hostage because, even though this book is a very good one, the first one somewhat overshadows it. Still, it was greatly enjoyable. Again, there is A.C. Fox's extremely energetic pacing. One place, basically only two characters - it could easily stagnate. But it wasn't boring for a moment; even predictable things about the plot were interesting to read as to how exactly it happens. And again the combustible chemistry between the characters.
Domlen and Falken are so different and they start in such a wrong way that I was prepared to be unconvinced: what love can be there, maybe just some kind of Stockholm syndrome. But surprisingly, there was love, and when it happened, I fully believed in it. Also, it was very sweet - romantic in the best way.
I think I'm quickly turning into A.C. Fox's fan.
November 27, 2016
What just happened? That was SHOCKING. The feelz, they were intense. That epilogue. Good god, I cried (deep, resonating joy, tinged with sorrow, as is life).
It's rare for me to cry.
What a sleeper hit! I never expected this m/m novella to be anything more than a silly little erotic hostage story. My god, was it ever different than I expected. This was brilliant. A ghost story. A quest to break a curse; a mysterious, lonely history. A love story, built carefully, believably. Powerfully. A story that starts with an established curse, a living tragedy, and works it's way from grey somber determination and hopelessness to the bright beauty of hope and comfort. And joy.
This story. My goodness. Deep impact. I just want to hold it.
It's rare for me to cry.
What a sleeper hit! I never expected this m/m novella to be anything more than a silly little erotic hostage story. My god, was it ever different than I expected. This was brilliant. A ghost story. A quest to break a curse; a mysterious, lonely history. A love story, built carefully, believably. Powerfully. A story that starts with an established curse, a living tragedy, and works it's way from grey somber determination and hopelessness to the bright beauty of hope and comfort. And joy.
This story. My goodness. Deep impact. I just want to hold it.
December 18, 2021
**grm**
This 2nd book wasn't a bad sequel, but there wasn't much world building and we didn't learn any new infos about the Boa Visk and that was a real pity. The story was a bit darker with a side of saddness. The MCs were interesting and also if there wasn't an epic romance, since it all started with a kidnapping, them ending as a couple was still quite believable. The epilogue didn't explain much about their future. In the book there were minor grammar errors.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
This 2nd book wasn't a bad sequel, but there wasn't much world building and we didn't learn any new infos about the Boa Visk and that was a real pity. The story was a bit darker with a side of saddness. The MCs were interesting and also if there wasn't an epic romance, since it all started with a kidnapping, them ending as a couple was still quite believable. The epilogue didn't explain much about their future. In the book there were minor grammar errors.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
June 29, 2020
Rating =
2 Stars overall, 3 Stars when compared only to brain candy.
Blurb = (Scale 1-5)
3
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-5)
4
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-5)
1
Development of: = (Scale 1-5)
*World = 4
*Plot = 3
*Characters = 2.5
What stood out =
Nothing
Mood Type / Appeal to those looking for =
A story on a relentless dreary curse and 2 people that eventually find HFN/HEA.
Warnings =
No real warnings, but this is not a light fluffy book; even parts of the ending are tinged with a happy sadness. Feels somewhat like Insta-love, but not badly.
Series Notes = 2nd
*Reading on? Not sure. I'm going to have to read reviews and decide, but I'm leaning towards no.
*Reading back to back? I did read 1 & 2 back to back, but they really are stand alones set in the same world.
*Can be easily read without the previous? Yes
Rating Notes =
I'm sure part of it was the setting which was developed well. But the whole story is so dark and depressing. It only lets up the last couple of pages. Then we are not given a real peek in where these 2 will go, what they will do, or what their future holds. So the elation from the HEA felt stunted. The flow was interrupted often for me due to typos; that required me stopping and make sense of what I was reading. There was a lot of repeating of thoughts and information. (This was also true of the first). So much about them we are told and not shown, that for me I connected only superficially.
There was one major editing issue that really bothered me. The type where something is briefly mentioned in passing by the Lord. But then later, we are told he is not even aware of this thing. It is the set up for a big reveal later on which is necessary for the plot. The reason it stuck with me is, I remember thinking his inaction on this particular information seemed out of character; at least without any further explanation. It made more sense that he didn't know. I just wish that earlier statement has been caught and removed. It was just one more time I was thrown out of the reading.
I liked the m/c's but never felt connected to them especially as a couple.
This one was a struggle on multiple levels for me. Not bad, but it definitely did not live up to its potential. With nothing to balance out the pervasive gloomy feel, mostly obvious plot lines, and /or poor editing; for me it was dragged down to a below average read.
**************
Below are my explanations or thoughts on reviewing!
***************
1.Obviously no one review can take into account all the various personal pet peeves of readers. But, I do try to take into account the common ones often bemoaned by other reviewers
2. Brain candy has its uses and at times it is my preference; so it does not carry a negative connotation for me - unless I'm expecting the next great novel. (What falls under brain candy? The book is meant for pure entertainment to pass time. It may be formulaic, from an author published quickly like monthly, things escalate fast, and are often solved easily etc.. Publishing industries version of pop music. Beach type reads etc... ).
3. Blurb rating purpose:
Like many readers, I do not like to think I'm reading one kind of story; just to end up with another type. But...I also don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "_________", and I choose to read one. I shouldn't give it 2 stars based JUST on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.
4. Other Factors that effect my perspective when revising:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. I read at least 100+ books a year - with an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, you should be better at picking out books the more you read, , I feel is a accurate average. I have over 700 reviews within the m/m genre here on Goodreads.
2 Stars overall, 3 Stars when compared only to brain candy.
Blurb = (Scale 1-5)
3
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-5)
4
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-5)
1
Development of: = (Scale 1-5)
*World = 4
*Plot = 3
*Characters = 2.5
What stood out =
Nothing
Mood Type / Appeal to those looking for =
A story on a relentless dreary curse and 2 people that eventually find HFN/HEA.
Warnings =
No real warnings, but this is not a light fluffy book; even parts of the ending are tinged with a happy sadness. Feels somewhat like Insta-love, but not badly.
Series Notes = 2nd
*Reading on? Not sure. I'm going to have to read reviews and decide, but I'm leaning towards no.
*Reading back to back? I did read 1 & 2 back to back, but they really are stand alones set in the same world.
*Can be easily read without the previous? Yes
Rating Notes =
I'm sure part of it was the setting which was developed well. But the whole story is so dark and depressing. It only lets up the last couple of pages. Then we are not given a real peek in where these 2 will go, what they will do, or what their future holds. So the elation from the HEA felt stunted. The flow was interrupted often for me due to typos; that required me stopping and make sense of what I was reading. There was a lot of repeating of thoughts and information. (This was also true of the first). So much about them we are told and not shown, that for me I connected only superficially.
There was one major editing issue that really bothered me. The type where something is briefly mentioned in passing by the Lord. But then later, we are told he is not even aware of this thing. It is the set up for a big reveal later on which is necessary for the plot. The reason it stuck with me is, I remember thinking his inaction on this particular information seemed out of character; at least without any further explanation. It made more sense that he didn't know. I just wish that earlier statement has been caught and removed. It was just one more time I was thrown out of the reading.
I liked the m/c's but never felt connected to them especially as a couple.
This one was a struggle on multiple levels for me. Not bad, but it definitely did not live up to its potential. With nothing to balance out the pervasive gloomy feel, mostly obvious plot lines, and /or poor editing; for me it was dragged down to a below average read.
**************
Below are my explanations or thoughts on reviewing!
***************
1.Obviously no one review can take into account all the various personal pet peeves of readers. But, I do try to take into account the common ones often bemoaned by other reviewers
2. Brain candy has its uses and at times it is my preference; so it does not carry a negative connotation for me - unless I'm expecting the next great novel. (What falls under brain candy? The book is meant for pure entertainment to pass time. It may be formulaic, from an author published quickly like monthly, things escalate fast, and are often solved easily etc.. Publishing industries version of pop music. Beach type reads etc... ).
3. Blurb rating purpose:
Like many readers, I do not like to think I'm reading one kind of story; just to end up with another type. But...I also don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "_________", and I choose to read one. I shouldn't give it 2 stars based JUST on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.
4. Other Factors that effect my perspective when revising:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. I read at least 100+ books a year - with an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, you should be better at picking out books the more you read, , I feel is a accurate average. I have over 700 reviews within the m/m genre here on Goodreads.
March 27, 2017
Slightly better than the previous book by the same author, set in the same universe (The General's Hostage). It began rather nice, with humor and the characters being real live persons, not some two-dimensional images. Then it started again - same thoughts, same motivations repeated all over again, no sex for a long time - and totally unbelievable under those circumstances, they are men, for God's sake, not schoolchildren to pull apart and apologize after a kiss!
Again, sex is bring - he takes this piece of clothing, kiss him there, then there, then he positions himself thus... like an assembling diagram for furniture, honestly.
No more A. C. Fox for me.
Again, sex is bring - he takes this piece of clothing, kiss him there, then there, then he positions himself thus... like an assembling diagram for furniture, honestly.
No more A. C. Fox for me.
November 21, 2016
So good! I really liked this story, it was a completely separate story from the first book, so I didn't have to reread the first one in order to get background info and it was a great story... although the first is still my fav.
July 23, 2018
Very cute
Second book in the series, but also a stand alone. Cute story with some angst, an interesting premise that wasn’t cookie cutter, and with a feel good HEA at the end.
Better, more fleshed out, and more believable romance than the first in the series. Another enjoyable light read with a pretty good story line.
Second book in the series, but also a stand alone. Cute story with some angst, an interesting premise that wasn’t cookie cutter, and with a feel good HEA at the end.
Better, more fleshed out, and more believable romance than the first in the series. Another enjoyable light read with a pretty good story line.
August 1, 2019
Wish I could have liked this more but I didn't. A medieval tale of magic and spells where a knight charged with protecting a fort needs the blood of a royal to cast off a spell on his people and fort. He kidnaps a prince from another kingdom with the intention of sacrificing him. Predictably, they fall in love with each other and some other course needs to be found to rid them of the spell.
I didn't feel much connection to either of the MC's nor their romance so this story was just okay for me.
I didn't feel much connection to either of the MC's nor their romance so this story was just okay for me.
December 16, 2018
I liked it.
It would have been five stars if the story was better developed and more realistic and slow.
It needed more time to feel right. It was too fast!
I enjoyed it a lot anyway.!
It would have been five stars if the story was better developed and more realistic and slow.
It needed more time to feel right. It was too fast!
I enjoyed it a lot anyway.!
March 5, 2023
See my web site for a complete review of “The Captive Prince.”
mm-ok-r
December 3, 2025Rokp (0.99)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews