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The Wolf of Oberhame #2
When We Were Dancing
AS QUEEN, SHE CAN NEVER MARRY THE MAN SHE LOVES. SO SHE’S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GET CREATIVE.
They called her the Gladiator Queen, the first female heir to the throne of Norihame. Leyli never wanted this. But her cousin's scheming left no other option. He'd killed her brother, trying to claim the throne for himself, and sold her off to be a gladiator, hoping to get rid of her. It didn't work. Now, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure he can't destroy the country her family fought so hard to keep safe. Even a queen’s number one job—she has to marry a noble and produce an heir.
On the sands of the arena, death was honest. Men fought for their lives and nothing else. In the palace, everything is different. The threats are veiled in fancy clothes and whispered rumors. Spies lie in wait around every corner, bribed with promises of power and wealth. Once, she thought this was normal. But no longer can she care about petty scandals, not when her citizens - her friends - are dying because of laws her family made.
To win this game, she has to keep her cousin far from succession. The best way is an heir of her own. She needs a noble husband who won't kill her in her sleep and -- hopefully -- one who will ignore the hulking shadow of her best friend turned bodyguard. She never expected Tristan to become a weapon that could be used against her. How much of her own happiness will she give up for Norihame?
The game is King of the Hill. The music for their dance is made of politics. Fate gave her a chance to change everything, but he's a fickle god. Leyli has to get this right. She may not be on the sands of the arena, but she's still fighting, and the Wolf of Oberhame will not be defeated.
They called her the Gladiator Queen, the first female heir to the throne of Norihame. Leyli never wanted this. But her cousin's scheming left no other option. He'd killed her brother, trying to claim the throne for himself, and sold her off to be a gladiator, hoping to get rid of her. It didn't work. Now, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure he can't destroy the country her family fought so hard to keep safe. Even a queen’s number one job—she has to marry a noble and produce an heir.
On the sands of the arena, death was honest. Men fought for their lives and nothing else. In the palace, everything is different. The threats are veiled in fancy clothes and whispered rumors. Spies lie in wait around every corner, bribed with promises of power and wealth. Once, she thought this was normal. But no longer can she care about petty scandals, not when her citizens - her friends - are dying because of laws her family made.
To win this game, she has to keep her cousin far from succession. The best way is an heir of her own. She needs a noble husband who won't kill her in her sleep and -- hopefully -- one who will ignore the hulking shadow of her best friend turned bodyguard. She never expected Tristan to become a weapon that could be used against her. How much of her own happiness will she give up for Norihame?
The game is King of the Hill. The music for their dance is made of politics. Fate gave her a chance to change everything, but he's a fickle god. Leyli has to get this right. She may not be on the sands of the arena, but she's still fighting, and the Wolf of Oberhame will not be defeated.
426 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
August 28, 2018
50% DNF
This series started out with so much promise.
The first book was all
and Leyli became a kick ass female gladiator
So I expected this book to continue with a lot more action and Leyli poised to exact her revenge on her Cousin. Instead what I got was this:
Leyli: I'm still a virgin, I want you Tristan to be my first, but I still need to marry someone else after
Tristan: No I can't sleep with you, because you need to marry someone else
Cue relationship angst
Leyli: But I want you Tristan, Oh... maybe he doesn't want me
Tristan: I really want Leyli, but maybe she doesn't want me because she needs to marry someone else
Cue more relationship angst, rinse and repeat
And as for plot... well
Leyli: I'm a kick ass gladiator who will one day be queen, and know my cousin sold me to die in the gladiator arena, but I can't actually tell anyone he is the baddie, because I need to exact my revenge in a "political" way (umm... ok, yeah that makes no sense, your dad is king, you are the heir, and you need to have more solid proof than the fact that you actually SAW him kidnap you?)
The cousin (because I can't be bothered to remember his name): I'm running around doing really a whole lot of nothing except making snide remarks to Leyli while still trying to maybe marry her, but I am the big bad guy in all of this???
Tristan: Yeah, I was one of the best gladiators ever, made it to the 250 win mark where a gladiator might earn his freedom, but I am reduced to the role of a schoolboy with a crush on the princess heir. I am tasked with protecting her, but yeah, I can't do anything about the useless cousin either
The King to Tristan: You need to just go ahead and have sex with my daughter, because even though I am king, I obviously have no real power to change anything around here, so you two can't be married, but you can fuck like rabbits with my blessing as long as you keep is a secret
Cue a bit more relationship angst before our kick ass gladiator H/h devolve into
Oh, and apparently, having sex for the first time makes you too sore to actually do anything afterwards so you can't train. Let's not forget in book 1you had your nose broken, your side sliced open, and just generally got your ass kicked and you would just jump right back into the gladiator arena and keep fighting, but sex... yeah I know, that's just too much!
And of course, once they have sex, Leyli goes from Gladiator to
AND... that was where I finally gave up
This series started out with so much promise.
The first book was all
and Leyli became a kick ass female gladiator
So I expected this book to continue with a lot more action and Leyli poised to exact her revenge on her Cousin. Instead what I got was this:
Leyli: I'm still a virgin, I want you Tristan to be my first, but I still need to marry someone else after
Tristan: No I can't sleep with you, because you need to marry someone else
Cue relationship angst
Leyli: But I want you Tristan, Oh... maybe he doesn't want me
Tristan: I really want Leyli, but maybe she doesn't want me because she needs to marry someone else
Cue more relationship angst, rinse and repeat
And as for plot... well
Leyli: I'm a kick ass gladiator who will one day be queen, and know my cousin sold me to die in the gladiator arena, but I can't actually tell anyone he is the baddie, because I need to exact my revenge in a "political" way (umm... ok, yeah that makes no sense, your dad is king, you are the heir, and you need to have more solid proof than the fact that you actually SAW him kidnap you?)
The cousin (because I can't be bothered to remember his name): I'm running around doing really a whole lot of nothing except making snide remarks to Leyli while still trying to maybe marry her, but I am the big bad guy in all of this???
Tristan: Yeah, I was one of the best gladiators ever, made it to the 250 win mark where a gladiator might earn his freedom, but I am reduced to the role of a schoolboy with a crush on the princess heir. I am tasked with protecting her, but yeah, I can't do anything about the useless cousin either
The King to Tristan: You need to just go ahead and have sex with my daughter, because even though I am king, I obviously have no real power to change anything around here, so you two can't be married, but you can fuck like rabbits with my blessing as long as you keep is a secret
Cue a bit more relationship angst before our kick ass gladiator H/h devolve into
Oh, and apparently, having sex for the first time makes you too sore to actually do anything afterwards so you can't train. Let's not forget in book 1you had your nose broken, your side sliced open, and just generally got your ass kicked and you would just jump right back into the gladiator arena and keep fighting, but sex... yeah I know, that's just too much!
And of course, once they have sex, Leyli goes from Gladiator to
AND... that was where I finally gave up
August 26, 2017
3 1/2
Like the first, it has that touch of convenience that made it difficult to believe. In the first book we have she a royal princess that, on waking up in an arena after her brother had been murdered in front of her and her kidnapping, succeed in surviving death in the arena (through cunning, not sheer luck), here it's the wedding resolution. Really too perfectly easy.
But this is a minor nit in a solid (and more) 3 star read.
If you are into fantasy romance give it a try.
Like the first, it has that touch of convenience that made it difficult to believe. In the first book we have she a royal princess that, on waking up in an arena after her brother had been murdered in front of her and her kidnapping, succeed in surviving death in the arena (through cunning, not sheer luck), here it's the wedding resolution. Really too perfectly easy.
But this is a minor nit in a solid (and more) 3 star read.
If you are into fantasy romance give it a try.
June 28, 2019
The only reason this book didn't end up in the dnf graveyard was cause I kept hoping and hoping and hoping that they would resolve all this angst shit and get their ducks in a row.
They didn't or they did at like 99% in when it was all far too late and the only thing left was for me to shoot the damn book!
I give up!
October 30, 2020
This really fell from grace for me.
So this book picks up pretty much straight after the first one. We're now out of the gladiator arena and instead we're at court. In a well written story, the royal court can be as deadly and dangerous as an arena... this is not that story.
1) Tristan and Ley going in circles
I good chunk of the book is spent with our leads going back and forth. "We can't cross that line!"
"Oh, but I want to!"
"Maybe he doesn't want me after all????"
"Maybe he's gay??!"
It got a little tiring, tbh.
2) Palino is a bad villain and I don't get why he isn't caught earlier
Okay, so it is mentioned in the first book that they can't arrest him because there isn't enough "evidence".
But like, isn't Ley an eye witness?? What else do they want? It's not like they have forensics or anything like that. But okay. Fine.
More witnesses? Okay, fine. Sure.
But then later...
3) The arranged marriage lacked tension
I'm not big on angst, but this story sorely needed some better obstacles and conflict. One of them is that Tristan is a commoner, which means he can't marry Ley. She'll need to find a prince consort to marry.
I was looking forward to the drama with this, and there were a few sweet moments and declarations as a result from it:
Problem is, all tension is sucked out of it for me when one of the candiates:
* Looks like Tristan (hair colour and eyes) - perfect for passing the future kids
* Good deal with a navy
* Is willing to overlook affairs
* Will claim all children as his
* Doesn't want to sleep with Ley
* Is super clever and good with laws
He's so perfect a solution that it sucks all the drama and tension out of the plot point. There is basically nothing left agonizing over for me. Oh boo hoo, Tristan and Ley won't get to be officially married. But they'll still sleep in the same bed, have kids, not have to share the other, and keep their luxury lives.
4) Few sex scenes and lack of description
They were too few, and too little. My horny gremlin self was not satisfied. But, this is very much a personal thing and I have not let it affect my rating of the story. I simply mention it for any other readers like me.
5) The birthmark
HMMMMMM. I wonder if this will be relevant in the third book.
6) Good, medieval child abuse :)
I know this is more a historical thing, but this is also a fantasy. No matter what this will only make me view the king, her father, negatively. The king that the book keeps praising as a super good father and ruler.
7) Temotio and Connall
8) Celeste, Tristan's former love
9) Pregnancy and counting
10) Incompetent rulers
Look, it's fantasy. So while I don't support a monarchy irl, I don't mind them in fantasy. But I do have my fucking limits.
Throughout the entire first book and second, the king is descriped as this super good, peaceful, and good king. Even though, he totally doesn't care about the kingdom having slaves and gladiatorial games.
But it just got worse and worse,
Rating
The book gets 2 stars and no more. There were still a few things I liked and I still have some goodwill from the first book. But by god, this thing really dropped the ball. Not sure when or if I'll return and read the third book.
So this book picks up pretty much straight after the first one. We're now out of the gladiator arena and instead we're at court. In a well written story, the royal court can be as deadly and dangerous as an arena... this is not that story.
1) Tristan and Ley going in circles
I good chunk of the book is spent with our leads going back and forth. "We can't cross that line!"
"Oh, but I want to!"
"Maybe he doesn't want me after all????"
"Maybe he's gay??!"
It got a little tiring, tbh.
2) Palino is a bad villain and I don't get why he isn't caught earlier
Okay, so it is mentioned in the first book that they can't arrest him because there isn't enough "evidence".
But like, isn't Ley an eye witness?? What else do they want? It's not like they have forensics or anything like that. But okay. Fine.
Leyli's testimony was little more than hearsay, but a few more witnesses could seal his fate.
More witnesses? Okay, fine. Sure.
But then later...
3) The arranged marriage lacked tension
I'm not big on angst, but this story sorely needed some better obstacles and conflict. One of them is that Tristan is a commoner, which means he can't marry Ley. She'll need to find a prince consort to marry.
I was looking forward to the drama with this, and there were a few sweet moments and declarations as a result from it:
"Will you still want me?" she asked, terrified of the answer. "Even when I'm married?"
He bent to her mouth. "More than life." Then he kissed her.
Problem is, all tension is sucked out of it for me when one of the candiates:
* Looks like Tristan (hair colour and eyes) - perfect for passing the future kids
* Good deal with a navy
* Is willing to overlook affairs
* Will claim all children as his
* Doesn't want to sleep with Ley
* Is super clever and good with laws
He's so perfect a solution that it sucks all the drama and tension out of the plot point. There is basically nothing left agonizing over for me. Oh boo hoo, Tristan and Ley won't get to be officially married. But they'll still sleep in the same bed, have kids, not have to share the other, and keep their luxury lives.
4) Few sex scenes and lack of description
They were too few, and too little. My horny gremlin self was not satisfied. But, this is very much a personal thing and I have not let it affect my rating of the story. I simply mention it for any other readers like me.
5) The birthmark
"All the Lyone kids have a birthmark on their arm. Well, had. Mine burned off. Just a dark smudge barely noticeable. Wonder if her kids will have it."
"Why?"
He tilted his head, looking at her pointedly. "Kinda wondering if mine will, too."
HMMMMMM. I wonder if this will be relevant in the third book.
6) Good, medieval child abuse :)
"Dad whipped me for that, you know. Told me if I treated my staff like slaves then he'd show me what it felt like."
I know this is more a historical thing, but this is also a fantasy. No matter what this will only make me view the king, her father, negatively. The king that the book keeps praising as a super good father and ruler.
7) Temotio and Connall
8) Celeste, Tristan's former love
9) Pregnancy and counting
10) Incompetent rulers
Look, it's fantasy. So while I don't support a monarchy irl, I don't mind them in fantasy. But I do have my fucking limits.
Throughout the entire first book and second, the king is descriped as this super good, peaceful, and good king. Even though, he totally doesn't care about the kingdom having slaves and gladiatorial games.
But it just got worse and worse,
Rating
The book gets 2 stars and no more. There were still a few things I liked and I still have some goodwill from the first book. But by god, this thing really dropped the ball. Not sure when or if I'll return and read the third book.
November 10, 2017
We have mostly the same likeable characters from the first book, but nothing much happens in this one until the end. Instead, we get hundreds of pages of relationship angst with a little minor intrigue, making for a tedious read.
April 27, 2021
Another fantastic addition to this series. I've noticed from a few reviews that others found this one to be a downgrade from the last, but I certainly don't share that opinion. It was solid in it's own right and to me, the first was only a tad better. This definitely was not a bad book.
In this one we meet some new, lovable characters. Astrid and Connall, I'm looking at you. We also see Leyli and Tristan's relationship shift from what it was in the last book. A lot of love, some heartache, all that lovely stuff.
Um, we had the same problem in the last book where a lot of the same things felt like they were being repeated for seemingly no reason. I wish instead of just repeating things, we got to dig deeper into said issues that were mentioned. Oh well.
This one was a solid read and I can't wait to get to the third and final book (I think) later today :p
SIDE NOTE: Jesus Christ those sex scenes lacked some serious steam. It was always "they made out then did it hehehe" C'MON WE DESERVE MORE THAN THAT!!
In this one we meet some new, lovable characters. Astrid and Connall, I'm looking at you. We also see Leyli and Tristan's relationship shift from what it was in the last book. A lot of love, some heartache, all that lovely stuff.
Um, we had the same problem in the last book where a lot of the same things felt like they were being repeated for seemingly no reason. I wish instead of just repeating things, we got to dig deeper into said issues that were mentioned. Oh well.
This one was a solid read and I can't wait to get to the third and final book (I think) later today :p
SIDE NOTE: Jesus Christ those sex scenes lacked some serious steam. It was always "they made out then did it hehehe" C'MON WE DESERVE MORE THAN THAT!!
December 18, 2020
3.5 stars
I liked it, though not as much as the first book. Most things were a little bit too convenient for my liking or even to make sense. There were some incidents that could have made great plots /plot twists, but the author just under played them and resolved them in the most obvious, underwhelming, convenient way possible. For a book of more than 600 pages, it mostly concentrated on mundane things like "she/he loves me, she/he loves me not" and my least favourite "maybe he is gay". There's an element of missed opportunity with some incidents that could have made this a great book. I sort of liked the family dynamics of the royal family and their not so hidden relations, it could make a great soap opera.
I liked it, though not as much as the first book. Most things were a little bit too convenient for my liking or even to make sense. There were some incidents that could have made great plots /plot twists, but the author just under played them and resolved them in the most obvious, underwhelming, convenient way possible. For a book of more than 600 pages, it mostly concentrated on mundane things like "she/he loves me, she/he loves me not" and my least favourite "maybe he is gay". There's an element of missed opportunity with some incidents that could have made this a great book. I sort of liked the family dynamics of the royal family and their not so hidden relations, it could make a great soap opera.
February 6, 2025
Second read Feb 6, 25 3.5 stars
DNF 55%
I had this on hold for a while to see if I'd return to it but just replaced it on my KU with something else so...I guess that means I'm done?
It was a good story. The writing is easy to read and the story isn't afraid to go into the more gritty parts of the killing on the sands as a gladiator and the fact that he was sold to women on a regular basis. But...although it's sweet that they've declared themselves to each other - I have gotten the resolution I needed and have no interest in reading further. I need a little bit of angst to keep me going. I find it a bit gross that she's going to have to bed someone else to produce heirs but it seems there's an obvious solution so that seems resolved too?
I may come back but there are so many other books calling my name....
First read Sept 2, 2021 5 stars
Loved this. I loved the toughness and survival instinct of Keyli. The slow burn and relationship with Tristan. Perfect. I love the way it’s turned out- the way all the pieces and fitting together.
That being said- what more is there to tell in book 3? I like the way it’s come together. Enough said.
DNF 55%
I had this on hold for a while to see if I'd return to it but just replaced it on my KU with something else so...I guess that means I'm done?
It was a good story. The writing is easy to read and the story isn't afraid to go into the more gritty parts of the killing on the sands as a gladiator and the fact that he was sold to women on a regular basis. But...although it's sweet that they've declared themselves to each other - I have gotten the resolution I needed and have no interest in reading further. I need a little bit of angst to keep me going. I find it a bit gross that she's going to have to bed someone else to produce heirs but it seems there's an obvious solution so that seems resolved too?
I may come back but there are so many other books calling my name....
First read Sept 2, 2021 5 stars
Loved this. I loved the toughness and survival instinct of Keyli. The slow burn and relationship with Tristan. Perfect. I love the way it’s turned out- the way all the pieces and fitting together.
That being said- what more is there to tell in book 3? I like the way it’s come together. Enough said.
November 26, 2018
Ok, so in my review of the first book, I pointed out that the book was enjoyable if you were able to overlook many ridiculous things. In this book, it is simply impossible to overlook the ridiculousness. It’s everywhere. It’s way too much. And oh my goodness, but it made me want to throw my kindle through the wall.
January 3, 2019
I like it a lot, but not quite as much as the first. Most of the plot line felt too smooth, too easy for the heroine, but the big challenge at the end was great and made up for most of the ease in the rest of the story. It was well written and very engaging. I had some moral dilemma with a little of the content, but even that was done well enough that it wasn’t offensive. A very good read.
August 20, 2018
Why did it take me so long to read this series?!
I am absolutely loving it.
Words...I have no words to tell you how much I enjoyed this.
How much I think you should read this.
Just go read it.
I am absolutely loving it.
Words...I have no words to tell you how much I enjoyed this.
How much I think you should read this.
Just go read it.
August 23, 2017
3.5 *
Ok, I admit that some situations in this book a bit tooo conveniently resolved and a tad too far-fetched to be believable , but it is still fun and entertaining read. And since things are really revving - up, the next books would be highly appreciated . Me like a lot.
Ok, I admit that some situations in this book a bit tooo conveniently resolved and a tad too far-fetched to be believable , but it is still fun and entertaining read. And since things are really revving - up, the next books would be highly appreciated . Me like a lot.
June 21, 2021
I loved this book just as much as the first one. Yeah, it didn't have all of the gory action of the first book but I liked where the story took us. I loved the romance and intrigue of the political machinations. I suspect that there will be plenty of gore in the final book. I feel badly for anyone who DNF'd this book. The best stuff happened in the last half. I love the fantasy of this story. I'm glad that I'm able to binge read this trilogy while it's my first time reading it.
August 9, 2017
And this serie keep on giving, such a great book!
Tristan and Ley are amazing! All the character that surrounds them are great also.
Don't want to spoil the story...
Tristan and Ley are amazing! All the character that surrounds them are great also.
Don't want to spoil the story...
June 24, 2016
Immediately after I finished the first story in this trilogy, I grabbed this one. I've put 2015 on for the time I started and finished each of these but I honestly don't remember if it was last year or this year that I first discovered this author. I've re-read the two books available in this trilogy multiple times and I enjoy them each time I do. The characters grow and develop and are just fun to read about. I am looking forward to (and dreading a little) the conclusion to this line of stories. Once again this is a self contained portion of a trilogy. The story has an ending to the main problems with an overlying plot arc still to be addressed.
November 13, 2017
This series became my absolute favorite by Auryn Hadley. I love her Rise of the Iliri series, but The Wolf of Oberhame is a different yet also as strong masterpiece.
This particular book is about love and family, duty and heart's desire. Simply perfect!
This particular book is about love and family, duty and heart's desire. Simply perfect!
July 28, 2018
Daddy Lion
Awwww! Babies!!! Haha! Sorry didn't mean to spoil it. But you still have to read to figure out how this family blended so seamlessly. This was a team effort. And the wedding before the wedding???? OMG! Tears.
Awwww! Babies!!! Haha! Sorry didn't mean to spoil it. But you still have to read to figure out how this family blended so seamlessly. This was a team effort. And the wedding before the wedding???? OMG! Tears.
November 18, 2018
Love love love loved this book
Her writing always just pulls me in. This book was no different. She has such strong storylines and character depth for days. This 2nd book was just as good as the first! Loved it!
Her writing always just pulls me in. This book was no different. She has such strong storylines and character depth for days. This 2nd book was just as good as the first! Loved it!
June 17, 2018
Love these characters, and this author writes great fight scenes!
December 26, 2018
Lots of politicking, lots of repetitive information and angst. Still, the story moved along. Looking forward to Book 3.
January 12, 2026
They called her the Gladiator Queen, the first female heir to the throne of Norihame. Leyli never wanted this. But her cousin's scheming left no other option. He'd killed her brother, trying to claim the throne for himself, and sold her off to be a gladiator, hoping to get rid of her. It didn't work. Now, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure he can't destroy the country her family fought so hard to keep safe. Even a queen’s number one job—she has to marry a noble and produce an heir.
On the sands of the arena, death was honest. Men fought for their lives and nothing else. In the palace, everything is different. The threats are veiled in fancy clothes and whispered rumors. Spies lie in wait around every corner, bribed with promises of power and wealth. Once, she thought this was normal. But no longer can she care about petty scandals, not when her citizens - her friends - are dying because of laws her family made.
To win this game, she has to keep her cousin far from succession. The best way is an heir of her own. She needs a noble husband who won't kill her in her sleep and -- hopefully -- one who will ignore the hulking shadow of her best friend turned bodyguard. She never expected Tristan to become a weapon that could be used against her. How much of her own happiness will she give up for Norihame?
The game is King of the Hill. The music for their dance is made of politics. Fate gave her a chance to change everything, but he's a fickle god. Leyli has to get this right. She may not be on the sands of the arena, but she's still fighting, and the Wolf of Oberhame will not be defeated.
Heather's Notes
I had forgotten how much I liked these characters. Leyli is very badass, and Tristin loves that about her. I found it a little hard to believe that they could keep there affair a secret. Also, the entire thing at the end, where they could have gotten married, but they didn't know until too late, felt like a bit of a slap in the face. It was totally unnecessary. It kind of felt like the author was sticking her tongue out, saying "See I could have let them get married, but I didn't want to". I am glad Palini (??) is finally taking care of. Also, don't understand while the women always need to get pregnant. It could have been a good story, without the pregnancy. Still, I will read the next one as well. I hope Leyli stay a fighter, even though she is pregnant.
On the sands of the arena, death was honest. Men fought for their lives and nothing else. In the palace, everything is different. The threats are veiled in fancy clothes and whispered rumors. Spies lie in wait around every corner, bribed with promises of power and wealth. Once, she thought this was normal. But no longer can she care about petty scandals, not when her citizens - her friends - are dying because of laws her family made.
To win this game, she has to keep her cousin far from succession. The best way is an heir of her own. She needs a noble husband who won't kill her in her sleep and -- hopefully -- one who will ignore the hulking shadow of her best friend turned bodyguard. She never expected Tristan to become a weapon that could be used against her. How much of her own happiness will she give up for Norihame?
The game is King of the Hill. The music for their dance is made of politics. Fate gave her a chance to change everything, but he's a fickle god. Leyli has to get this right. She may not be on the sands of the arena, but she's still fighting, and the Wolf of Oberhame will not be defeated.
Heather's Notes
I had forgotten how much I liked these characters. Leyli is very badass, and Tristin loves that about her. I found it a little hard to believe that they could keep there affair a secret. Also, the entire thing at the end, where they could have gotten married, but they didn't know until too late, felt like a bit of a slap in the face. It was totally unnecessary. It kind of felt like the author was sticking her tongue out, saying "See I could have let them get married, but I didn't want to". I am glad Palini (??) is finally taking care of. Also, don't understand while the women always need to get pregnant. It could have been a good story, without the pregnancy. Still, I will read the next one as well. I hope Leyli stay a fighter, even though she is pregnant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2022
This book is so different from the first book because we've moved from the sands into court politics. The majority of the fighting in this book is training new guards, and I found I missed all the fighting of the first books. It was sweet to see Leyli's people come together around her though. A lot happened, but much of it is nuanced and lies in the relationships of everyone around her, and in her own relationship with Tristan. The romance is sweet, and it's also great to see Leyli take on her role as the Heir more and more as she goes throughout the day. She's fiercely protective of those she considers friends and family, but now her protection is more verbal than physical.
*SPOILERS*
One thing that really bugs me though is the reasons why the king never acts on Palinor's moves throughout the book. They can't charge him with the crime of kidnapping the princess and killing the prince even though she SAW it happen because....there's no proof other than her word? She SAW him kill the prince and she SAW him as her kidnapper before she woke on the sands of the arena. In what world is that not enough? They also couldn't do anything about a group of solders from another country trying to kidnap the princess even when they said they were acting under Palinor's "authority" because....they again had no proof? They didn't even send an envoy to said country to find out why their people attacked the Princess or to demand rectification. What kind of country runs like this? And how do they have so many criminals for the arena if things like that can't be proven by witness testimony? By the testimony of the princess? By the testimony of her guards? Even at the very end when Palinor attacks with soldiers in the arena and all the Lords and Ladies are in attendance, Leyli tries to get him to confess to treason, otherwise they apparently can kill him without the King abdicating to spare them from backlash? None of this makes sense. If you have to basically have a confession before someone is actually convicted of a crime, there would be no convicted criminals if they're smart enough to keep their mouths shut. Make it make sense.
*SPOILERS*
One thing that really bugs me though is the reasons why the king never acts on Palinor's moves throughout the book. They can't charge him with the crime of kidnapping the princess and killing the prince even though she SAW it happen because....there's no proof other than her word? She SAW him kill the prince and she SAW him as her kidnapper before she woke on the sands of the arena. In what world is that not enough? They also couldn't do anything about a group of solders from another country trying to kidnap the princess even when they said they were acting under Palinor's "authority" because....they again had no proof? They didn't even send an envoy to said country to find out why their people attacked the Princess or to demand rectification. What kind of country runs like this? And how do they have so many criminals for the arena if things like that can't be proven by witness testimony? By the testimony of the princess? By the testimony of her guards? Even at the very end when Palinor attacks with soldiers in the arena and all the Lords and Ladies are in attendance, Leyli tries to get him to confess to treason, otherwise they apparently can kill him without the King abdicating to spare them from backlash? None of this makes sense. If you have to basically have a confession before someone is actually convicted of a crime, there would be no convicted criminals if they're smart enough to keep their mouths shut. Make it make sense.
May 27, 2022
Perfection.
I've said it before but I'm so jealous of people who can make magic with words strung together enough to fill up a book. I love to read those books. The stories take me away to olden times of gladiators, Kings , Queens and common people. As in the olden days, without the ordinary, common people, thereof would be no royalty or governments to fight for the masses. The gladiators and guards are not normally on the same social level but with Tristan, the Lion and Leyli, the Wolf, both former gladiators, many lines are blurred, for the better in this make belief realm. And this particular kingdom was created by Auryn Hadley, with research and edits and all that writing stuff but first came the idea for this series. This storyline is my idea of a wet dream. The princess is forced into the role as kickass, badass gladiator, paired with the epitome of gladiator ideal, big, brawny, and smart. Terribly good looking too, of course. The dancing refers to the perfect rhythm and balance the Wolf and the Lion share, at first as partners in the gladiator arenas, then as partners in an unconventional life. Against all odds, Tristan and Leyli make the magic work. That is their dance. Thank you Auryn again for a other reading adventure. The only flaw I have is some is the phrases the characters use are similar to what my grand children have uttered. Example that I have seen, "Ya think?" in book 1. In Book 2. Something like, "What happens with gladiators, stays with gladiators." and " Just saying." Really? Its all fantasy
I've said it before but I'm so jealous of people who can make magic with words strung together enough to fill up a book. I love to read those books. The stories take me away to olden times of gladiators, Kings , Queens and common people. As in the olden days, without the ordinary, common people, thereof would be no royalty or governments to fight for the masses. The gladiators and guards are not normally on the same social level but with Tristan, the Lion and Leyli, the Wolf, both former gladiators, many lines are blurred, for the better in this make belief realm. And this particular kingdom was created by Auryn Hadley, with research and edits and all that writing stuff but first came the idea for this series. This storyline is my idea of a wet dream. The princess is forced into the role as kickass, badass gladiator, paired with the epitome of gladiator ideal, big, brawny, and smart. Terribly good looking too, of course. The dancing refers to the perfect rhythm and balance the Wolf and the Lion share, at first as partners in the gladiator arenas, then as partners in an unconventional life. Against all odds, Tristan and Leyli make the magic work. That is their dance. Thank you Auryn again for a other reading adventure. The only flaw I have is some is the phrases the characters use are similar to what my grand children have uttered. Example that I have seen, "Ya think?" in book 1. In Book 2. Something like, "What happens with gladiators, stays with gladiators." and " Just saying." Really? Its all fantasy
May 28, 2022
Umm, I am not satisfied
Ok, so I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I read it in one day. This one, I finished quickly but I struggled with the story line.
Spoiler alert:
A few things that I found very unsatisfying:
Why did Leyli have to go through with the marriage to Connall? This is a fantasy series, the author could have made a way for Tristan and Leyli to be together! Easy peasy, but she didn't. Instead she made this convoluted relationship with her husband, lover, and her husbands lover!?! Why? What was the point? And didn't Tristan deserve to have the right to be her husband? I think so. I think with all that they went through and how much they loved each other they deserved to get the HEA, not this twisted mess they currently live.
Next: the supposedly secret relationship of Tristan and Leyli wasn't secret at all. It seemed like they were constantly pulling people in to their "confidence" and we all know the more people that know the secret, the less secret it is. Just seemed careless to me on their part, especially if they were so concerned about anyone knowing? Counter productive to me, but I'm just the reader.
And why did the author have to add a M/M relationship to this already messy situation? It had no point other than to play toward progressive ideals and made it less meaningful to me. It just didn't make sense to me.
I really wanted to continue this series because I loved the first book so much, but I think I'm done. I might try this author again at a later date, but I'm not sure.
Ok, so I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I read it in one day. This one, I finished quickly but I struggled with the story line.
Spoiler alert:
A few things that I found very unsatisfying:
Why did Leyli have to go through with the marriage to Connall? This is a fantasy series, the author could have made a way for Tristan and Leyli to be together! Easy peasy, but she didn't. Instead she made this convoluted relationship with her husband, lover, and her husbands lover!?! Why? What was the point? And didn't Tristan deserve to have the right to be her husband? I think so. I think with all that they went through and how much they loved each other they deserved to get the HEA, not this twisted mess they currently live.
Next: the supposedly secret relationship of Tristan and Leyli wasn't secret at all. It seemed like they were constantly pulling people in to their "confidence" and we all know the more people that know the secret, the less secret it is. Just seemed careless to me on their part, especially if they were so concerned about anyone knowing? Counter productive to me, but I'm just the reader.
And why did the author have to add a M/M relationship to this already messy situation? It had no point other than to play toward progressive ideals and made it less meaningful to me. It just didn't make sense to me.
I really wanted to continue this series because I loved the first book so much, but I think I'm done. I might try this author again at a later date, but I'm not sure.
April 2, 2022
After thoroughly enjoying the first book, I was excited to dive in to this one. Although the writing was well done, unfortunately, the continuance of the storyline was a bit ridiculous. A HUGE plot device didn't make any sense to me. A princess is kidnapped and plunged into a situation certain to lead to her death, but she miraculously lives and triumphs (book 1). When she returns to her former life as princess with her father as King, she reports she saw who kidnapped her, but doesn't have enough proof to accuse him. Wait, what? SHE SAW HIM!! Isn't that enough proof? Even when he repeatedly makes more attempts on her and her father's life, she STILL doesn't act??? She's a damn gladiator! It truly lost me. Don't get me started on the whole, I'm a virgin and I need to have sex before I get married so I must seduce the man I love to get the job done, but he refuses. *insert eye roll here* I also didn't feel like there was any meat to the side characters in this book and it all felt kind of Polyanna-ish with a happy ending for all. It ended in such a way that I'm satisfied and won't be continuing the series.
January 11, 2022
I've come to this series after enjoying the author's more recent work. It's a good example of her style, with evolutions between then and now. Thus far, it's not as openly sexual as later work, but still deliciously sensual. As much as I appreciate smut (and boy howdy, do I) I like this as it's more plot and character development.
Strong women, strong men, and people forming their own families are still keystones of the book. The world building is enough to happily fall into it, though some things seem to work far too reasily and much of the plot is easy to see coming a mile away.
"You're anything but common. You're the Lion, and Lions are kings. To me, it doesn't matter if your birth is screamed from the rooftops like mine, or celebrated quietly like yours. We're all just people, and you happen to be the best one I know."
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars, but went with 5 despite some of the obvious plot points as I'd happily reread this series. Looking forward to book 3.
Strong women, strong men, and people forming their own families are still keystones of the book. The world building is enough to happily fall into it, though some things seem to work far too reasily and much of the plot is easy to see coming a mile away.
"You're anything but common. You're the Lion, and Lions are kings. To me, it doesn't matter if your birth is screamed from the rooftops like mine, or celebrated quietly like yours. We're all just people, and you happen to be the best one I know."
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars, but went with 5 despite some of the obvious plot points as I'd happily reread this series. Looking forward to book 3.
September 4, 2019
5 it’s just so good.
I think this author is going on my read everything they write list. She just knows how to get it right, strong kick ass women, and strong unconventional relationships that just fucking work.
There are some typos and editing issues but as I’ve said before I suspect this is this authors more earlier work.
In this book Ley and Tristan are out of the games and have a whole new reality. Something neither was completely prepared for. Oh they thought they could hang but the tension ratchets up into an all time high.
The whole intricacy of how all this has to work the subtle nuances I miss. That’s one thing I with the author as the narrator would explain. Sometimes Tristan or Ley will give a look or make a face but it’s interpreted as though the recipient knows what it means but isn’t completely explained to the reader. Still though, I love this series. It’s long, detailed but it’s great.
I think this author is going on my read everything they write list. She just knows how to get it right, strong kick ass women, and strong unconventional relationships that just fucking work.
There are some typos and editing issues but as I’ve said before I suspect this is this authors more earlier work.
In this book Ley and Tristan are out of the games and have a whole new reality. Something neither was completely prepared for. Oh they thought they could hang but the tension ratchets up into an all time high.
The whole intricacy of how all this has to work the subtle nuances I miss. That’s one thing I with the author as the narrator would explain. Sometimes Tristan or Ley will give a look or make a face but it’s interpreted as though the recipient knows what it means but isn’t completely explained to the reader. Still though, I love this series. It’s long, detailed but it’s great.
April 15, 2018
Book 2, just as good as book one...... possibly better. Leyli is back in the palace, with her Lion firmly at her back, the king is gracious but it is obvious the Wolf cannot marry the Lion as he holds no title.
Her cousin Palino tries numerous times to gain the crown (the guy is seriously up himself) before he finally gets something he really wasn't expecting.
Leyli makes her decision on who her groom will be, at the same time the decision is made that she will marry Connell because his colouring is similar to that of Tristan....yep eyebrows going up and down here. But Connell has his own reasons too. But it works!!
Loved it, definitely a re-read and I will wait for Autumn for book 3 and the battle to come
Her cousin Palino tries numerous times to gain the crown (the guy is seriously up himself) before he finally gets something he really wasn't expecting.
Leyli makes her decision on who her groom will be, at the same time the decision is made that she will marry Connell because his colouring is similar to that of Tristan....yep eyebrows going up and down here. But Connell has his own reasons too. But it works!!
Loved it, definitely a re-read and I will wait for Autumn for book 3 and the battle to come
January 19, 2019
Holy Moly!!!!!!
Wow!! Yet another great read by one of my favorite authors! In this installment of The Wolf of Oberhame, Leyli reminds everyone that being a Princess doesn’t stop her from being The Wolf. Leyli, Tristen, and their trusted guards set out to find Lelyi a husband. She must find a husband and produce an heir to secure her throne and the line of succession to ensure that her evil cousin never gets his hands on the Crown. Watching this story unfold, in the amazing world that Auryn Hadley has created for us is nothing short of Amazing. There are so many twists and turns, so many surprises that you don’t see coming, it kept me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages as quickly as I could read them.
Wow!! Yet another great read by one of my favorite authors! In this installment of The Wolf of Oberhame, Leyli reminds everyone that being a Princess doesn’t stop her from being The Wolf. Leyli, Tristen, and their trusted guards set out to find Lelyi a husband. She must find a husband and produce an heir to secure her throne and the line of succession to ensure that her evil cousin never gets his hands on the Crown. Watching this story unfold, in the amazing world that Auryn Hadley has created for us is nothing short of Amazing. There are so many twists and turns, so many surprises that you don’t see coming, it kept me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages as quickly as I could read them.
July 20, 2019
Don't judge this book by it's cover!
Things definitely spice up in the next installment of The Wolf of Oberhame.
This is such an excellent read.
The character development is so unfolding as the story goes on, and we find out more about the Wolf's guard and also her possible suitors.
I seriously enjoyed the alone time between Leyli and Tristan, every scene of theirs' whether a steamy scene, action scene or one of romance is written in a way that just makes me want to be a part of this story.
There were one of two times where the writing could have been simplified but definitely nothing that took away from the absolute enjoyment of reading this book.
I can't wait to see where book 3 will take the characters.
Things definitely spice up in the next installment of The Wolf of Oberhame.
This is such an excellent read.
The character development is so unfolding as the story goes on, and we find out more about the Wolf's guard and also her possible suitors.
I seriously enjoyed the alone time between Leyli and Tristan, every scene of theirs' whether a steamy scene, action scene or one of romance is written in a way that just makes me want to be a part of this story.
There were one of two times where the writing could have been simplified but definitely nothing that took away from the absolute enjoyment of reading this book.
I can't wait to see where book 3 will take the characters.
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