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Dangerous Crowns
In the ancient, illustrious province of Histria, the reign of King Hector I has reached its breaking point. Eight years after a coup, he has become a gilded despot, executing critics and spending wildly on himself. Lady Livia, an orphan turned aristocratic spy, navigates the intrigues of Hector’s decadent court. Livia’s lover, the dignified General Marcus Incipio, oversees a foreign war that seems like it will never end.
Until now.
An unexpected mystery pulls Livia into a web of secrets, and to a discovery that she could use to overthrow Hector once and for all. She and Marcus join forces to tear down Hector’s regime, and the two become co-conspirators in a game where treason is the only winning move. But as the taste of power grows seductive and their plans spiral out of control, they will fight not only for the fate of Histria, but for their relationship - and their lives.
Until now.
An unexpected mystery pulls Livia into a web of secrets, and to a discovery that she could use to overthrow Hector once and for all. She and Marcus join forces to tear down Hector’s regime, and the two become co-conspirators in a game where treason is the only winning move. But as the taste of power grows seductive and their plans spiral out of control, they will fight not only for the fate of Histria, but for their relationship - and their lives.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 27, 2019
I had no idea how much I wanted to read something exactly like this; a fun, charismatic, high-intensity romp featuring two dearly-in-love people in their mid-thirties who just want to take out one corrupted official after another. This was a FUN book in every sense of the word (spycraft! Misappropriated tax funds! Attempted poisonings! OPERA!), but it has so many little details that made it that much more satisfying. The food descriptions are out of this world, and Fedeau splices in so many little interactions between the characters that out their dynamic and by extension, the world around them (a world I really, really wouldn't mind returning to down the line!).
Fun as hell, and I can't wait to see more.
Fun as hell, and I can't wait to see more.
July 29, 2019
I have been waiting for the release of Dangerous Crowns for some time, and quite frankly it does not disappoint. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just do a broad-strokes bullet list of what was enjoyable about this book:
- World Building: Fedeau doesn't fall into the trap of over-explaining every aspect of the world building within the narration proper. It's *there* -- it's evident in the way the characters interact with their surroundings and each other, with minimal exposition unless the character would not have experienced something personally, without leaving you feeling confused. Context is everything, and Fedeau uses it like a champion to give you what you need to know without getting bogged down in unnecessarily long "twelve guys sitting in a circle talking about the plot for twelve pages" writing. Also, the appendix to flesh out on the more important aspects of the world is a fascinating insight into the parts we don't see or experience directly in the narrative.
- Characters: Livia and Marcus are compelling protagonists, but the side characters are also incredibly captivating. Again, Fedeau doesn't overdo it with the exposition, giving you just enough information about Livia and Marcus for you to understand the characters and their motivations, and hinting at the lives of people outside of them just enough to know that there are things going on outside of Livia and Marcus' sphere of knowledge. Everyone is compelling, and even the the characters whose motivations are pretty clear and explicit are written in a way where you want to know more about how they got there.
- Narrative: This is not a YA novel, by any means, but the clarity in writing makes it a very comfortable read. I hesitate to say "easy" for fear of insinuating that it's not complex or that the writing is simplistic, because it's not -- the plot itself is intricate and captivating. The way Fedeau conveys this is very accessible to readers of all levels, barring a few more obscure words that I had to look up, like "civet". Those exceptions, however, help reaffirm the sort of Antiquity-inspired setting of the world.
Is this novel perfect? No. (Sorry A.K.!) I think there are some areas where some of the narration can be improved by a little more character insight (why doesn't Livia answer her letters, for instance? We see her tuck them away and not respond, but she should theoretically have some time to do so, at least at first). Some of the indicators of time changes can be improved, also -- the pacing itself is fine, though sometimes delivered with a single line that doesn't necessarily drive home the passage of time.
But it's a wonderful premise, with a wonderful cast, and a very satisfying resolution. I am a big fan of this novel and I can't wait to see what else Fedeau cooks up in the future!
- World Building: Fedeau doesn't fall into the trap of over-explaining every aspect of the world building within the narration proper. It's *there* -- it's evident in the way the characters interact with their surroundings and each other, with minimal exposition unless the character would not have experienced something personally, without leaving you feeling confused. Context is everything, and Fedeau uses it like a champion to give you what you need to know without getting bogged down in unnecessarily long "twelve guys sitting in a circle talking about the plot for twelve pages" writing. Also, the appendix to flesh out on the more important aspects of the world is a fascinating insight into the parts we don't see or experience directly in the narrative.
- Characters: Livia and Marcus are compelling protagonists, but the side characters are also incredibly captivating. Again, Fedeau doesn't overdo it with the exposition, giving you just enough information about Livia and Marcus for you to understand the characters and their motivations, and hinting at the lives of people outside of them just enough to know that there are things going on outside of Livia and Marcus' sphere of knowledge. Everyone is compelling, and even the the characters whose motivations are pretty clear and explicit are written in a way where you want to know more about how they got there.
- Narrative: This is not a YA novel, by any means, but the clarity in writing makes it a very comfortable read. I hesitate to say "easy" for fear of insinuating that it's not complex or that the writing is simplistic, because it's not -- the plot itself is intricate and captivating. The way Fedeau conveys this is very accessible to readers of all levels, barring a few more obscure words that I had to look up, like "civet". Those exceptions, however, help reaffirm the sort of Antiquity-inspired setting of the world.
Is this novel perfect? No. (Sorry A.K.!) I think there are some areas where some of the narration can be improved by a little more character insight (why doesn't Livia answer her letters, for instance? We see her tuck them away and not respond, but she should theoretically have some time to do so, at least at first). Some of the indicators of time changes can be improved, also -- the pacing itself is fine, though sometimes delivered with a single line that doesn't necessarily drive home the passage of time.
But it's a wonderful premise, with a wonderful cast, and a very satisfying resolution. I am a big fan of this novel and I can't wait to see what else Fedeau cooks up in the future!
March 21, 2019
I loved the world this was set in it was so vibrant and a new and interesting take on a fantasy realm. The characters were fully fleshed out with goals and doubts and vices and believable emotions and reactions. I loved Livia and Marcus' romance, at the start of the book they'd been together for years and they read like it. I loved the way the exposition was handed to you, you were given a chance to wiggle into it rather than having it shoved down your throat. I loved the descriptions of the clothes, the food and the items (but especially the food). And above all I love that queer people and people of color and women were all very well represented and not discriminated against and that was just how the society was. There was still plenty of conflict in the book and none of it revolved around the oppression of a certain group and that was so good to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
Had a fun time with this one! Really loved the central characters’ relationship and found the plot and worldbuilding compelling. It hit a couple predictable beats, but not to the points that I was dissatisfied.
March 1, 2021
Really interesting worldbuilding; adored the appendices and maps, and especially adored Livia as the competent, rightly-confident heroine. Marcus was great too with his trauma, struggles, stoicism, and deadpan wit. Lots of good banter and a really established feel for them as a couple.
September 30, 2019
Overall, a really fun read! Intriguing, shocking, and satisfying. AK's writing is always a treat. The setting evolves naturally and doesn't get too bogged down in the details at the expense of character development or plot. Its historical influences make it feel fresh compared to the ever-present "historically-accurate" medieval England setting in other stories. There is enough conflict to keep you on edge, keep you invested as to whether or not the antagonist will get what he deserves. It puts you through it without gutting you entirely when things take a turn.
Livia and Marcus are likable from the beginning. Very well-rounded characters, and they work well both together and apart. I love their established romance - seems full of mutual respect, adoration, and the normal conflicts that they work through like the adults they are - it just feels very real and makes for a comfortable read. Will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from this author and/or this universe!
Livia and Marcus are likable from the beginning. Very well-rounded characters, and they work well both together and apart. I love their established romance - seems full of mutual respect, adoration, and the normal conflicts that they work through like the adults they are - it just feels very real and makes for a comfortable read. Will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from this author and/or this universe!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews