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Imposter #2
The Imposter King
Their love made them close. Their secret kept them closer.
Dare and Prince Malory are happily married and in love, but the secret of Dare’s true identity as a mere servant threatens their romantic bliss.
Messages to the king of Brookfall go unanswered, and rumors of war unsettle both kingdoms. Until one day heralds arrive with bags of gold to ransom Dare and demand his return to Brookfall.
King Millard, Prince Malory’s father, orders Dare to make the journey to see his father. But Dare is not the true heir, and if they meet, the secret he and Mal have been guarding will be revealed. Also, impersonating a royal means a death penalty offense. Worse, it could mean all-out war between their countries.
Panic. Despair. Lovers torn asunder. Personal sacrifice. More dark secrets revealed. An ending that will leave you breathless.
Dare and Prince Malory are happily married and in love, but the secret of Dare’s true identity as a mere servant threatens their romantic bliss.
Messages to the king of Brookfall go unanswered, and rumors of war unsettle both kingdoms. Until one day heralds arrive with bags of gold to ransom Dare and demand his return to Brookfall.
King Millard, Prince Malory’s father, orders Dare to make the journey to see his father. But Dare is not the true heir, and if they meet, the secret he and Mal have been guarding will be revealed. Also, impersonating a royal means a death penalty offense. Worse, it could mean all-out war between their countries.
Panic. Despair. Lovers torn asunder. Personal sacrifice. More dark secrets revealed. An ending that will leave you breathless.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2018
31 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Rathbone
154 books348 followersWendy Rathbone has had dozens of stories published in anthologies such as: Hot Blood, Writers of the Future (second place,) Bending the Landscape, Mutation Nation, A Darke Phantastique, and more. The book "Dreams of Decadence Presents: Wendy Rathbone and Tippi Blevins" contains a large collection of her vampire stories and poems. Over 500 of her poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines. She won first place in the Anamnesis Press poetry chapbook contest with her book "Scrying the River Styx." Her poems have been nominated for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling award at least a dozen times.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 16, 2019
literally saw that twist coming from 5 million light years away but it was still a fun read
September 14, 2019
In this second book in the Imposter duology (at least, it seems to be a duology at this point), things get off to a hot start before the damper of the King of Brookfall demanding a meeting to see his “son” falls on the honeymooning couple of Prince Malory and the (imposter) Prince Darius/Dare. Thus begins the first real tension between Malory and Dare, as each tries to figure out how they can ideally get out of this, or fake it so well the King of Brookfall will never realize he’s being duped. Because if he figures it out, everything they have done to this point to avoid war between their two countries will have been in vain.
Gearing up to this stressful meeting is only the first step – as can be expected, the plan that Dare and Mal manage to concoct half on the fly and half pre-meditated gets a horrible wrench thrown into it by the name of Lord Brandon and his machinations. But there is more to Lord Brandon and his scheme than is first apparent, and it will lead to numerous changes with ramifications for both realms.
Seeing as how I had not been entirely sold on the all-consuming love between Malory and Dare from even the end of The Imposter Prince, spending the first quarter of the book pretty much going from one sex scene location to another (those poor servants, having to clean all the myriad pillows in the gardens and the towels in the royal baths daily) was more of a drag to me than anything else. Add to that how Dare starts “reading” Mal much as Claire reads Jamie in Outlander, and you have one annoyed Stephanie. Dare and Mal may have had an intense time together, from their long hours spent playing chess and other games together during their “courting” stage and then their frequent love-making after their marriage, but it did not feel like enough in the short time which had elapsed to allow for Dare to read so much about Mal in just the flash of his eyes or the angle of his head in the light. What did seem more believable was when they were almost at odds against each other as they tried to figure out how to get through this meeting with the King of Brookfall, and Dare’s actions after the meetings’ events to protect Mal by any means necessary.
And what means did Dare have to go to for the next 75% of the book! He had to use every ounce of his acting skills and shred of intelligence in order to survive Lord Brandon’s volatile temperament and scheming. Dare is accustomed to dealing with the sick whims of the real Prince Darius and will have to use everything he learned from dealing with him in his dealings with Lord Brandon, even when it starts echoing the treatment he received as “Footstool”.
In Lord Brandon we see another type of sick man – not the penitent sadist Stix of Shastan, nor the abusive paranoid Prince Darius of Brookfall, nor even the absolutist paranoia of the King of Brookfall – but the violence-scarred and violence-prone vengeful Lord Brandon, of whom so much was expected to the detriment of all else. Ms. Rathbone makes it very clear in all these characters, among others, that their maladies are a product of their upbringings, their innate temperaments, and the exacerbating events of their lives at the time of this story. She does not excuse them, but rather offers the “how” and “why” they became the people they were. When placed opposite Dare, with his positive outlook on life despite all the hardship he has lived through and continues to experience, we see the extent of how a person’s choices and personal influences also affect who they become and how they act. And in him, we also see his ability to understand how these people were so broken, and have compassion for them despite everything.
The depth & variety given to the personalities and experiences of the supporting cast makes for a rich, reflective read – it encourages the reader to understand them not only through Dare’s eyes, but also to consider the factors that make someone who they are, mentally well or not, even when that person is more than just disagreeable. The romance is swift and burning, though because of its swiftness I was not as convinced of it as I maybe could have been, and so I was not very invested in it. The weakest part of this story, though it was strengthened a bit (finally) in this book, was the whole aspect of the threat of war between these two countries. The only solid sense of reason we get is the King of Brookfall’s ambition and desire to have more more more, though that “more” he wants out of the land of Shastan is woefully absent. All in all, the stage of this story is made of last-minute barely-painted cardboard structures, upon which rich fabrics float and skilled actors strut their stuff.
Quotable quotes:
It seemed strange madnesses ran the genetic lines of this family. Or maybe the family line had a penchant for entirely skipping the process of acquiring a soul. – page 92/198
Comments during reading:
“I just want to be with you. I’d give it all up in a heartbeat.” [Malory to Dare] – page 36/198 – I’m not sure you’d know how to survive outside palace life. You spend every free moment making love…
…even Stix, the dungeon-master of Shastan… -- page 125/198 – No need to keep repeating Stix’s role at this point, it’s already been mentioned at least 2 or 3 times in this book alone.
…that he was properly bathed and dressed… -- page 150/198 – Except that he had his bath the night before since they wouldn’t have much time in the morning, and in a porcelain tub no less.
His [Dare’s] hair grown long in the past months, fell forward, clean and shining but loose, curtaining the sides of his face. – page 154/198 – It was just recently mentioned how his hair had grown longer in the past few months only a few pages ago.
“For now I must trust your words, as this is as hard on me as it is on you.” – page 183/198 – Dare is sure holding up and doing waaaay better than I would have expected in this role, in his condition (poppy/valerian mix, stress of revelations and the trial itself, etc.).
Typos:
Gearing up to this stressful meeting is only the first step – as can be expected, the plan that Dare and Mal manage to concoct half on the fly and half pre-meditated gets a horrible wrench thrown into it by the name of Lord Brandon and his machinations. But there is more to Lord Brandon and his scheme than is first apparent, and it will lead to numerous changes with ramifications for both realms.
Seeing as how I had not been entirely sold on the all-consuming love between Malory and Dare from even the end of The Imposter Prince, spending the first quarter of the book pretty much going from one sex scene location to another (those poor servants, having to clean all the myriad pillows in the gardens and the towels in the royal baths daily) was more of a drag to me than anything else. Add to that how Dare starts “reading” Mal much as Claire reads Jamie in Outlander, and you have one annoyed Stephanie. Dare and Mal may have had an intense time together, from their long hours spent playing chess and other games together during their “courting” stage and then their frequent love-making after their marriage, but it did not feel like enough in the short time which had elapsed to allow for Dare to read so much about Mal in just the flash of his eyes or the angle of his head in the light. What did seem more believable was when they were almost at odds against each other as they tried to figure out how to get through this meeting with the King of Brookfall, and Dare’s actions after the meetings’ events to protect Mal by any means necessary.
And what means did Dare have to go to for the next 75% of the book! He had to use every ounce of his acting skills and shred of intelligence in order to survive Lord Brandon’s volatile temperament and scheming. Dare is accustomed to dealing with the sick whims of the real Prince Darius and will have to use everything he learned from dealing with him in his dealings with Lord Brandon, even when it starts echoing the treatment he received as “Footstool”.
In Lord Brandon we see another type of sick man – not the penitent sadist Stix of Shastan, nor the abusive paranoid Prince Darius of Brookfall, nor even the absolutist paranoia of the King of Brookfall – but the violence-scarred and violence-prone vengeful Lord Brandon, of whom so much was expected to the detriment of all else. Ms. Rathbone makes it very clear in all these characters, among others, that their maladies are a product of their upbringings, their innate temperaments, and the exacerbating events of their lives at the time of this story. She does not excuse them, but rather offers the “how” and “why” they became the people they were. When placed opposite Dare, with his positive outlook on life despite all the hardship he has lived through and continues to experience, we see the extent of how a person’s choices and personal influences also affect who they become and how they act. And in him, we also see his ability to understand how these people were so broken, and have compassion for them despite everything.
The depth & variety given to the personalities and experiences of the supporting cast makes for a rich, reflective read – it encourages the reader to understand them not only through Dare’s eyes, but also to consider the factors that make someone who they are, mentally well or not, even when that person is more than just disagreeable. The romance is swift and burning, though because of its swiftness I was not as convinced of it as I maybe could have been, and so I was not very invested in it. The weakest part of this story, though it was strengthened a bit (finally) in this book, was the whole aspect of the threat of war between these two countries. The only solid sense of reason we get is the King of Brookfall’s ambition and desire to have more more more, though that “more” he wants out of the land of Shastan is woefully absent. All in all, the stage of this story is made of last-minute barely-painted cardboard structures, upon which rich fabrics float and skilled actors strut their stuff.
Quotable quotes:
It seemed strange madnesses ran the genetic lines of this family. Or maybe the family line had a penchant for entirely skipping the process of acquiring a soul. – page 92/198
Comments during reading:
“I just want to be with you. I’d give it all up in a heartbeat.” [Malory to Dare] – page 36/198 – I’m not sure you’d know how to survive outside palace life. You spend every free moment making love…
…even Stix, the dungeon-master of Shastan… -- page 125/198 – No need to keep repeating Stix’s role at this point, it’s already been mentioned at least 2 or 3 times in this book alone.
…that he was properly bathed and dressed… -- page 150/198 – Except that he had his bath the night before since they wouldn’t have much time in the morning, and in a porcelain tub no less.
His [Dare’s] hair grown long in the past months, fell forward, clean and shining but loose, curtaining the sides of his face. – page 154/198 – It was just recently mentioned how his hair had grown longer in the past few months only a few pages ago.
“For now I must trust your words, as this is as hard on me as it is on you.” – page 183/198 – Dare is sure holding up and doing waaaay better than I would have expected in this role, in his condition (poppy/valerian mix, stress of revelations and the trial itself, etc.).
Typos:
May 25, 2020
Blurb = (Scale 1-10)
9
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-10)
8
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-10)
3
What stood out =
Nothing really
Warnings =
Oh my, anyone even slightly sensitive to Purple Prose will probably want to stay away from this one.
Series Notes =
If there was another, I'm not sure I would read it. I did read these two back to back which can drastically change review viewpoints.
Rating Notes =
Update:
+++ I was feeling really guilty about my lack of citing evidence (This was partially due to laziness and partially due to discerning if it would be "spoilerish" or not) when I decided to read what other reviewers had to say. I was relieved to come by a reviewer (with a spoiler alert) that cited a ton of stuff - that would also back my claims. If interested in more, please read the review by Stephanie from 09/14/19. She must have spent an amazing amount of time with her review. All the evidence she cited starts at "Quotable Quotes" (after her summary and review) and continues from there. +++
This was surprisingly a disappointing read for me. The first book was good. It kept me engaged, and none of its issues took me out of the reading. I was looking forward to this next book. But things, that were minor issues in the first, seemed to have mushroomed in this one.
I had noticed the flowery language / Purple Prose in the first, but it did not seem so "over the top" as to be an issue - except to those most sensitive to it. In fact, I do not remember if I even brought it up in its review. I, myself, am typically not sensitive to it. This book pushed my boundaries. I find myself thrown out of the story multiple times with the necessity to roll my eyes. This was compounded by 2 other issues. The repetitiveness in addition to excessive descriptors during a lot of the scenes. More than once, I found myself trying to figure out the purpose as my attention would wane. The sheer number of times we are told about Dare's positive outlook despite everything, this love he feels, what he's endured/deserves etc... Made me somewhat wonder if this author was writing for people with dementia *tongue firmly planted in cheek*.
Maybe it was due to the lack of engagement, but the proofing seemed to be a much worse issue too. I was continously disrupted by wrong words, misspelled words, and misplaced words. I thought the 1st book was a solid 3.5, that could easily go either way when rating for GdRd (depending on preferences and on what one focused). I had no such difficulty in rating this book.
It was not horrible but not good either. I literally felt the same story could have been told in 25+%fewer pages to much greater effect.
Look, this author definitely has talent. Do I regret reading this? No. It did have a clear resolution with a definite HEA. So, to those like me, with a large reading budget that enjoyed the first - give it a whirl. BUT for those that struggle to find the time and/or $ to read (meaning those that need to make really careful choices) - I would say, "you might want to look elsewhere".
Blurb rating purpose:
( I don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "?whatever?", I shouldn't give it 2 stars, JUST based on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.)
Review Factors:
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 - at an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much, much, higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, the more you read, the better you should be at picking out books you like, I feel is an accurate average.
9
My Genre Scale = (Scale 1-10)
8
Odds if not your genre = (Scale 1-10)
3
What stood out =
Nothing really
Warnings =
Oh my, anyone even slightly sensitive to Purple Prose will probably want to stay away from this one.
Series Notes =
If there was another, I'm not sure I would read it. I did read these two back to back which can drastically change review viewpoints.
Rating Notes =
Update:
+++ I was feeling really guilty about my lack of citing evidence (This was partially due to laziness and partially due to discerning if it would be "spoilerish" or not) when I decided to read what other reviewers had to say. I was relieved to come by a reviewer (with a spoiler alert) that cited a ton of stuff - that would also back my claims. If interested in more, please read the review by Stephanie from 09/14/19. She must have spent an amazing amount of time with her review. All the evidence she cited starts at "Quotable Quotes" (after her summary and review) and continues from there. +++
This was surprisingly a disappointing read for me. The first book was good. It kept me engaged, and none of its issues took me out of the reading. I was looking forward to this next book. But things, that were minor issues in the first, seemed to have mushroomed in this one.
I had noticed the flowery language / Purple Prose in the first, but it did not seem so "over the top" as to be an issue - except to those most sensitive to it. In fact, I do not remember if I even brought it up in its review. I, myself, am typically not sensitive to it. This book pushed my boundaries. I find myself thrown out of the story multiple times with the necessity to roll my eyes. This was compounded by 2 other issues. The repetitiveness in addition to excessive descriptors during a lot of the scenes. More than once, I found myself trying to figure out the purpose as my attention would wane. The sheer number of times we are told about Dare's positive outlook despite everything, this love he feels, what he's endured/deserves etc... Made me somewhat wonder if this author was writing for people with dementia *tongue firmly planted in cheek*.
Maybe it was due to the lack of engagement, but the proofing seemed to be a much worse issue too. I was continously disrupted by wrong words, misspelled words, and misplaced words. I thought the 1st book was a solid 3.5, that could easily go either way when rating for GdRd (depending on preferences and on what one focused). I had no such difficulty in rating this book.
It was not horrible but not good either. I literally felt the same story could have been told in 25+%fewer pages to much greater effect.
Look, this author definitely has talent. Do I regret reading this? No. It did have a clear resolution with a definite HEA. So, to those like me, with a large reading budget that enjoyed the first - give it a whirl. BUT for those that struggle to find the time and/or $ to read (meaning those that need to make really careful choices) - I would say, "you might want to look elsewhere".
Blurb rating purpose:
( I don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "?whatever?", I shouldn't give it 2 stars, JUST based on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.)
Review Factors:
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 - at an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much, much, higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2020) was a 3.72 average for 1390 books. Which considering, the more you read, the better you should be at picking out books you like, I feel is an accurate average.
April 20, 2019
Good
This was a great conclusion to the series. It was filled with lies, deceit, murder, madness, cruelty, loyalty and love. The author did a great job of maintaining the suspense of the story. There was a point of two I was slightly unsure of what the outcome would be. But I was not disappointed. Great read!
This was a great conclusion to the series. It was filled with lies, deceit, murder, madness, cruelty, loyalty and love. The author did a great job of maintaining the suspense of the story. There was a point of two I was slightly unsure of what the outcome would be. But I was not disappointed. Great read!
February 17, 2020
Too much sex, not enough story
October 13, 2022
Massive caveats
Likes:
-The romantic leads are kind to one another and respect one another
- The romantic leads support marriage and the law seems to support marital sex but not extramarital sex no matter the gender of the partners (not that everyone aspires to the STD free ideal, or has the willingness to put the well-being of others ahead of their own pleasure, but it’s nice to see a romance novel actually support marital intimacy).
- Excellent description of the connection of intuition and divinely granted insight into spiritual warfare
-HEA
Comments:
- The plot for the second book is based on exactly what you think it’s based on, at 20% of the way through the first book. Trust yourself.
- Related ick (literally). Never addressed in the second book. The stuff of nightmares. Blech.
- Stik was a spiritually blind bully who used lots of mystical terms and woo woo philosophy to state,in summary, “I’m better than you because I process pain differently and rationalize my sadism by gaslighting people I’m in charge of by using abuse and crazy making behavior to brainwash them until they agree that everything I do is okay because torture and brainwashing helps people figure out how to love and give back to their communities.”
Processing pain differently might make you unique, but it doesn’t make you better than other people. Stik abused the innocent and excuses it because everyone sins, but fails to realize he isn’t the Almighty, who has the right to judge, and chose to die for the guilty rather than allow their mistakes to torture them until they’re physically and spiritually dead. Christ died to save us from the torture and death inherent in our human mistakes because God loves us and is clearly aware that the suffering we go through in a fallen world doesn’t teach us to love. We love God because God first loved us. So, obviously, loving people teaches them how to love. We’re supposed to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22: 35-40), which means making sure others have the resources to be self-reliant and setting safe boundaries to avoid allowing others to abuse us. Respecting people enough to give them responsibility for their own choices, for good or bad, is part of what it means to understand that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control (Gal 5:22-23). If they are abusive, they are choosing not to be in a relationship with others, who should model love by enforcing safe boundaries to avoid enabling abuse (which will eventually destroy the relationship anyway) and also for self-protection. No matter how many reasons Stik gives for why he’s allowed to be abusive and minimize the pain of others, his torture and gaslighting will never teach people to love. So, Stik is an arrogant, insane, abuser who got way too much page time in book one and I skipped every paragraph involving him in book two in protest of giving attention to an abusive creep.
Minus one star for Stik’s overweening presence in book two
Likes:
-The romantic leads are kind to one another and respect one another
- The romantic leads support marriage and the law seems to support marital sex but not extramarital sex no matter the gender of the partners (not that everyone aspires to the STD free ideal, or has the willingness to put the well-being of others ahead of their own pleasure, but it’s nice to see a romance novel actually support marital intimacy).
- Excellent description of the connection of intuition and divinely granted insight into spiritual warfare
-HEA
Comments:
- The plot for the second book is based on exactly what you think it’s based on, at 20% of the way through the first book. Trust yourself.
- Related ick (literally). Never addressed in the second book. The stuff of nightmares. Blech.
- Stik was a spiritually blind bully who used lots of mystical terms and woo woo philosophy to state,in summary, “I’m better than you because I process pain differently and rationalize my sadism by gaslighting people I’m in charge of by using abuse and crazy making behavior to brainwash them until they agree that everything I do is okay because torture and brainwashing helps people figure out how to love and give back to their communities.”
Processing pain differently might make you unique, but it doesn’t make you better than other people. Stik abused the innocent and excuses it because everyone sins, but fails to realize he isn’t the Almighty, who has the right to judge, and chose to die for the guilty rather than allow their mistakes to torture them until they’re physically and spiritually dead. Christ died to save us from the torture and death inherent in our human mistakes because God loves us and is clearly aware that the suffering we go through in a fallen world doesn’t teach us to love. We love God because God first loved us. So, obviously, loving people teaches them how to love. We’re supposed to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22: 35-40), which means making sure others have the resources to be self-reliant and setting safe boundaries to avoid allowing others to abuse us. Respecting people enough to give them responsibility for their own choices, for good or bad, is part of what it means to understand that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control (Gal 5:22-23). If they are abusive, they are choosing not to be in a relationship with others, who should model love by enforcing safe boundaries to avoid enabling abuse (which will eventually destroy the relationship anyway) and also for self-protection. No matter how many reasons Stik gives for why he’s allowed to be abusive and minimize the pain of others, his torture and gaslighting will never teach people to love. So, Stik is an arrogant, insane, abuser who got way too much page time in book one and I skipped every paragraph involving him in book two in protest of giving attention to an abusive creep.
Minus one star for Stik’s overweening presence in book two
October 29, 2018
Title: The Imposter Prince
Author: Wendy Rathbone
Publisher: Eye Scry
Genre: M/M Fantasy Romance
Series: The Imposter
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
Rating: 4
Author’s Blurb/Tagline:
Dare does not mind serving the spoiled and cruel Prince Darius. Growing up with him, Dare does everything for Darius including homework, bed play demands, and even doubling for him as the prince grows too paranoid to face even the smallest of crowds. But everything changes in a single moment when Dare, while posing as Darius, is abducted by the enemy. A captive in a new and hostile land, Dare meets another prince who seems just as indulged and rotten as Darius—until Dare gets to know him, until they fall in love. Against his will, Dare must continue to play the role of Prince Darius for real, or risk everything: his love, his land, and his very life. His only chance for survival is to keep a secret from the one he loves, a secret that is also killing him.
Review:
Told entirely from the point of view of Darius—like the first book in the series, The Imposter Prince—The Imposter King continues the story of ‘Prince’ Darius and Prince Mallory.
Married now, the pair have found true happiness with one another.
Unfortunately the tension between Brookfall and Shastan escalates, with the King of Brookfall demanding to see his son. Not realizing the truth, King Millard of Shastan makes arrangements for ‘Prince’ Darius to see his ‘father’ the King.
From there things go downhill for both young men as they try desperately to both conceal the truth and create some kind of foolproof plan to fool King Darius.
From that point on the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of angst as the pair are hurled into a web of treachery where the stakes are their very lives.
For fans of angst-driven fantasy, I recommend this book series as a good example of the genre. Fortunately, unlike most fantasy settings, this one has no magic swords, dragons, mages flinging spells, or naïve farm boys turned heroes. And that’s something I found to be a refreshing change.
Author: Wendy Rathbone
Publisher: Eye Scry
Genre: M/M Fantasy Romance
Series: The Imposter
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
Rating: 4
Author’s Blurb/Tagline:
Dare does not mind serving the spoiled and cruel Prince Darius. Growing up with him, Dare does everything for Darius including homework, bed play demands, and even doubling for him as the prince grows too paranoid to face even the smallest of crowds. But everything changes in a single moment when Dare, while posing as Darius, is abducted by the enemy. A captive in a new and hostile land, Dare meets another prince who seems just as indulged and rotten as Darius—until Dare gets to know him, until they fall in love. Against his will, Dare must continue to play the role of Prince Darius for real, or risk everything: his love, his land, and his very life. His only chance for survival is to keep a secret from the one he loves, a secret that is also killing him.
Review:
Told entirely from the point of view of Darius—like the first book in the series, The Imposter Prince—The Imposter King continues the story of ‘Prince’ Darius and Prince Mallory.
Married now, the pair have found true happiness with one another.
Unfortunately the tension between Brookfall and Shastan escalates, with the King of Brookfall demanding to see his son. Not realizing the truth, King Millard of Shastan makes arrangements for ‘Prince’ Darius to see his ‘father’ the King.
From there things go downhill for both young men as they try desperately to both conceal the truth and create some kind of foolproof plan to fool King Darius.
From that point on the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of angst as the pair are hurled into a web of treachery where the stakes are their very lives.
For fans of angst-driven fantasy, I recommend this book series as a good example of the genre. Fortunately, unlike most fantasy settings, this one has no magic swords, dragons, mages flinging spells, or naïve farm boys turned heroes. And that’s something I found to be a refreshing change.
October 6, 2018
Dare and Mal's adventures continue in the second installment of The Imposter series. While the first book - The Imposter Prince, could be read as a standalone if you are only interested in the romantic side of the story, The Imposter King shows us that this is one of those series where you have to dedicate yourself to reading all of the books within order as they don't each cover a single adventure that's done and over with by the end of the book.
In typical Wendy Rathbone fashion, we get some wonderful descriptions. I usually don't approve of so many adjectives being used, but somehow this author makes it work to the point where I envy her writing style.
The main characters are even more devoted to each other and it's a pleasure to read the way they love and support one another. Their interactions - some chaste, some passionate - are one of the things that pull me to the story.
However, there's also the danger. As Dare isn't who he pretends to be, there's a sense of foreboding throughout the book and it's not certain where exactly he'll end up when the final words are written.
We are also introduced to some new characters, twisted and with power, to offer another set of predicaments to the princes. All in all, this book won't leave you at ease until you have finished it.
If you enjoyed The Imposter Prince, then you'll definitely enjoy The Imposter King as well. If you haven't picked up the books yet, but like stories about court, successions and sweet moments between hot guys, I suggest you start the series. However, I must warn you, there are scenes of violence, imprisonment and death in both installments.
In typical Wendy Rathbone fashion, we get some wonderful descriptions. I usually don't approve of so many adjectives being used, but somehow this author makes it work to the point where I envy her writing style.
The main characters are even more devoted to each other and it's a pleasure to read the way they love and support one another. Their interactions - some chaste, some passionate - are one of the things that pull me to the story.
However, there's also the danger. As Dare isn't who he pretends to be, there's a sense of foreboding throughout the book and it's not certain where exactly he'll end up when the final words are written.
We are also introduced to some new characters, twisted and with power, to offer another set of predicaments to the princes. All in all, this book won't leave you at ease until you have finished it.
If you enjoyed The Imposter Prince, then you'll definitely enjoy The Imposter King as well. If you haven't picked up the books yet, but like stories about court, successions and sweet moments between hot guys, I suggest you start the series. However, I must warn you, there are scenes of violence, imprisonment and death in both installments.
February 5, 2019
Again some minor grammar hiccups throughout book with either an extra word or wrong word or spelling used.
Continues from book 1. Mal and Dare are in their honeymoon phase and they're going at it like bunnies. Which is quite the change from tone from book 1. But that's torn short when matters regarding the peace of the realm interfere. Dare and Mal are forced delicate situations that could spell out their deaths and/or destroy everything they've fought for .
There were less moments of Dare and Mal's courtship/romance/moments of just hanging out and I missed that. That being said it wasn't a disappointing read there were still interesting situations and surprises to read about and is the conclusion of the series or at very least the answers sequel/conclusion of Dare and Mao's dilemma. I think the only issue I had was how smoothly the events went. It elicited feelings of almost disappointment that there wasn't more drama and it was just that simple.
I have to say the situation with the king didn't go as I thought it would. Lord Brandon was a total fxxcker. I loved that Dare and Mal kept it together and used their brains instead of falling into despair and was smart while in danger. I'll miss them. I don't think i quite trusted Andrus and it's hard not to be skeptical since his behavior didn't quite endear him. I felt his complacency and treatment of Dare was too easily excused away.
Continues from book 1. Mal and Dare are in their honeymoon phase and they're going at it like bunnies. Which is quite the change from tone from book 1. But that's torn short when matters regarding the peace of the realm interfere. Dare and Mal are forced delicate situations that could spell out their deaths and/or destroy everything they've fought for .
There were less moments of Dare and Mal's courtship/romance/moments of just hanging out and I missed that. That being said it wasn't a disappointing read there were still interesting situations and surprises to read about and is the conclusion of the series or at very least the answers sequel/conclusion of Dare and Mao's dilemma. I think the only issue I had was how smoothly the events went. It elicited feelings of almost disappointment that there wasn't more drama and it was just that simple.
I have to say the situation with the king didn't go as I thought it would. Lord Brandon was a total fxxcker. I loved that Dare and Mal kept it together and used their brains instead of falling into despair and was smart while in danger. I'll miss them. I don't think i quite trusted Andrus and it's hard not to be skeptical since his behavior didn't quite endear him. I felt his complacency and treatment of Dare was too easily excused away.
January 20, 2020
Dare and Malory
This is book two in the series and follows "The Imposter Prince" which you will need to read first to understand this book better. This review may contain spoilers for book one so proceed with caution.
At the end of book one Prince Malory from Shastan and "Prince" Darius from Brookfall had overcome many obstacles and were wed. They were living in a state of limbo not knowing if Dare's secret (that he is not Prince Darius) would be revealed and their life together would be over. "The Imposter King" picks up where book one left off showing our two heroes happily in love but with the shadow of their lies always looming. Prince Darius' father the King of Brookfall finally responds to Shastan's request to meet and talk peace between their countries with the marriage of the two princes. This seems like good news to everyone but Dare and Mal but again they are the only people to know the truth and if Prince Darius' father sees Dare he will know the truth of his identity and their ruse will be over. How will Dare and Mal keep their secret and not start an all out war with Brookfall once everyone meets face to face at last?
I was glad to see Dare and Mal again and to know what happened in their story. Ms Rathbone does a good job of writing interesting characters that you grow to care for and want to see happy.
This is book two in the series and follows "The Imposter Prince" which you will need to read first to understand this book better. This review may contain spoilers for book one so proceed with caution.
At the end of book one Prince Malory from Shastan and "Prince" Darius from Brookfall had overcome many obstacles and were wed. They were living in a state of limbo not knowing if Dare's secret (that he is not Prince Darius) would be revealed and their life together would be over. "The Imposter King" picks up where book one left off showing our two heroes happily in love but with the shadow of their lies always looming. Prince Darius' father the King of Brookfall finally responds to Shastan's request to meet and talk peace between their countries with the marriage of the two princes. This seems like good news to everyone but Dare and Mal but again they are the only people to know the truth and if Prince Darius' father sees Dare he will know the truth of his identity and their ruse will be over. How will Dare and Mal keep their secret and not start an all out war with Brookfall once everyone meets face to face at last?
I was glad to see Dare and Mal again and to know what happened in their story. Ms Rathbone does a good job of writing interesting characters that you grow to care for and want to see happy.
June 14, 2023
I liked the first book and was intrigued by the premise of this one. How would an imposter continue to play the role of prince once he retuned home? Could it be done without provoking war? Unfortunately, the story we got was a tedious mess. I felt as if the author had no real plan and was simply stringing as along. Problems I noticed in the first book were exacerbated in this one. The protagonist has a no agency. Instead, he is simply strung along as a prisoner throughout the story. There is a no character arc for the protagonist. The problems in the story are not resolved by the protagonist gaining new abilities or evolving in any meaningful way. Instead things just happen to him until they are resolved in one of the most egregious use of deus ex machina I’ve ever seen.
Where all the truth is revealed by the appearance of a character we’ve never seen nor have they ever be alluded to. Even the author acknowledges that the resolution needed because the epilogue is subtitled: “wherein minor loose strands are neatly tied up”. Needless to say this attempt was rushed and unsatisfying.
Character motivations are not well defined and the main antagonist is an uninteresting caricature of a villain.
Overall this was a disappointing read.
Where all the truth is revealed by the appearance of a character we’ve never seen nor have they ever be alluded to. Even the author acknowledges that the resolution needed because the epilogue is subtitled: “wherein minor loose strands are neatly tied up”. Needless to say this attempt was rushed and unsatisfying.
Character motivations are not well defined and the main antagonist is an uninteresting caricature of a villain.
Overall this was a disappointing read.
October 3, 2018
This is the second and last anticipated installment of the Imposter series.
Dare and Malory are very much in love and enjoy their married status to the fullest but the shadow of his lie still lies over Dares head, never totally forgotten and soon it treatens to destroy the happiness they now live.
I already liked the first book " Imposter Prince " very much but this book i liked even more. Where the first book in my mind still had a few small inconsistencies this book was totally flawless.
The story was awesome and well put together and actually surprised me at times which doesnt happen so often anymore. The writing was very pleasant with a warm feeling, especially the szenes with dare and mal together, and it had a very nice flow.
I loved the ending,as its planned as the last installment theres absolut no cliffhanger, but i really hope the author will decide to write a 3rd book because i really wish to read more about this sweet couple and find out how their story could continue.
Dare and Malory are very much in love and enjoy their married status to the fullest but the shadow of his lie still lies over Dares head, never totally forgotten and soon it treatens to destroy the happiness they now live.
I already liked the first book " Imposter Prince " very much but this book i liked even more. Where the first book in my mind still had a few small inconsistencies this book was totally flawless.
The story was awesome and well put together and actually surprised me at times which doesnt happen so often anymore. The writing was very pleasant with a warm feeling, especially the szenes with dare and mal together, and it had a very nice flow.
I loved the ending,as its planned as the last installment theres absolut no cliffhanger, but i really hope the author will decide to write a 3rd book because i really wish to read more about this sweet couple and find out how their story could continue.
May 24, 2019
A worthy and well done sequel
This is the second book in a series, and it does a wonderful job of providing memory jogs of things that happened in the first book, and reminding the reader who specific characters are. Some details are nicely woven in to the story to provide foreshadowing for later events/revelations, and characters are not only three dimensional, but as we get to know them they not only act in character, but provide us with, “I should have seen that coming” moments because they are “so in character”.
This is very much Dare’s story, but there were a few times I craved Mal’s perspective.
One of my favorite lines was about leadership near the end... it felt very true to our world.
I read this in Kindle Unlimited, and felt it was an enjoyable done in one quick read, that is probably even more enjoyable for those of us who read the Imposter Prince first... but this stood well on its own.
This is the second book in a series, and it does a wonderful job of providing memory jogs of things that happened in the first book, and reminding the reader who specific characters are. Some details are nicely woven in to the story to provide foreshadowing for later events/revelations, and characters are not only three dimensional, but as we get to know them they not only act in character, but provide us with, “I should have seen that coming” moments because they are “so in character”.
This is very much Dare’s story, but there were a few times I craved Mal’s perspective.
One of my favorite lines was about leadership near the end... it felt very true to our world.
I read this in Kindle Unlimited, and felt it was an enjoyable done in one quick read, that is probably even more enjoyable for those of us who read the Imposter Prince first... but this stood well on its own.
January 2, 2019
Fantastic follow up!
That ending... wow, I did NOT see that coming. This book is full of lies, and treason, and secrets, and deception. But it is also full of undying love, loyalty, revelations, and beauty.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this series, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys swoon worthy princes, and rooting for the good guy to win.
That ending... wow, I did NOT see that coming. This book is full of lies, and treason, and secrets, and deception. But it is also full of undying love, loyalty, revelations, and beauty.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this series, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys swoon worthy princes, and rooting for the good guy to win.
October 2, 2018
Another great add to the series. Prince Malory and Dare's story continues and boy oh boy you won't be disappointed. Passion, intense moments and secrets fill this twisted story and will leave you wanting more. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
October 4, 2018
Continuation (conclusion?) of the series, a medieval royal mm romance. Most of the book is bleak and fraught with tension and filled with cruelty, all leading to a HEA. There's a lot more explicit sex than in the first book.
October 10, 2018
The Imposter King, Imposter 2 by Wendy Rathbone. Like the first book I got into the characters right away and they stayed with me in my dreams at night. Loved the storyline. I couldn’t get enough. I had to reread the last few chapters again. Both books are definitely a must read!
October 15, 2018
i love Mal and Dare, this story keeps getting better! omg i can't recommend this series by Wendy Rathbone enough. it is a really enjoyable read, and the story line if pretty unique. a few twists and surprises. loved it!
November 30, 2018
This was soooo good! Malory and Dare both went through so much to get their well deserved HEA together. I absolutely loved the ending!
February 8, 2019
super cute, awesome end to the story. liked it very much
August 9, 2019
The ending was very predictable but it was alright. A good book to pass time.
March 7, 2022
The Imposter King
By Wendy Rathbone
Both The Imposter Prince & The Imposter King were amazingly well written. I felt the characters love, hope, pain and sorrow throughout and yes, I cried as well.
By Wendy Rathbone
Both The Imposter Prince & The Imposter King were amazingly well written. I felt the characters love, hope, pain and sorrow throughout and yes, I cried as well.
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