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Chronicles of Ylandre #8
Duty or Desire
Some are governed by rules while others are ruled by need. When the twain do meet the balance between them can be nigh impossible to maintain.
Zykriel and Gilmael Calanthe are identical in form and features yet they are as different in nature as day and night. Outgoing Gilmael is not hesitant to use whatever means he has at his disposal to gain what he wants. Small wonder his king and cousin deemed him perfectly suited to head Ylandre's Intelligence Ministry. Heir apparent of the great northern fief of Losshen, Zykriel is self-effacing and almost indifferent to the attention paid to a high-born blueblood. He does not relish employing either power or influence to achieve his means.
Even in the handling of affairs of the heart, they differ. Romantic and possessed of a more traditionalist view of wedlock, Zykriel would sooner forgo intimacy than indulge in empty liaisons or attempt to circumvent the rules that bind his social class. In contrast, Gilmael's skepticism toward love and marriage coupled with a general disregard for society's strictures enable him to partake of casual relationships and one-night-tumbles without any qualms.
Ironically, it is tender-hearted Zykriel who faces disillusionment and loneliness when a political gambit forces him into a potentially loveless future. Whereas cynical Gilmael finds himself examining his beliefs and behavior once his attitude toward a longtime foe undergoes an unexpected sea change.
In the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, there is no certitude of conjugal bliss even for the wealthy and privileged. And for the twin scions of one of the most powerful Houses in the world of Aisen, it is less so when they do not know if they are loved for themselves. Or desired for what their name and station can bring to the matrimonial table.
Zykriel and Gilmael Calanthe are identical in form and features yet they are as different in nature as day and night. Outgoing Gilmael is not hesitant to use whatever means he has at his disposal to gain what he wants. Small wonder his king and cousin deemed him perfectly suited to head Ylandre's Intelligence Ministry. Heir apparent of the great northern fief of Losshen, Zykriel is self-effacing and almost indifferent to the attention paid to a high-born blueblood. He does not relish employing either power or influence to achieve his means.
Even in the handling of affairs of the heart, they differ. Romantic and possessed of a more traditionalist view of wedlock, Zykriel would sooner forgo intimacy than indulge in empty liaisons or attempt to circumvent the rules that bind his social class. In contrast, Gilmael's skepticism toward love and marriage coupled with a general disregard for society's strictures enable him to partake of casual relationships and one-night-tumbles without any qualms.
Ironically, it is tender-hearted Zykriel who faces disillusionment and loneliness when a political gambit forces him into a potentially loveless future. Whereas cynical Gilmael finds himself examining his beliefs and behavior once his attitude toward a longtime foe undergoes an unexpected sea change.
In the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, there is no certitude of conjugal bliss even for the wealthy and privileged. And for the twin scions of one of the most powerful Houses in the world of Aisen, it is less so when they do not know if they are loved for themselves. Or desired for what their name and station can bring to the matrimonial table.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2020
17 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 28, 2020
Something amazing has happened in 2020!
This book has brightened my year so much.
I smiled, was frustrated, laughed and my heart did that thing where it squeezes with emotion.
Well worth the wait and I'm so glad to be back in Ylandre, I thought it might be difficult to readjust to the world-building, the many names/characters, and the language, but Eresse so seamlessly swept me back in. Like meeting an old friend who you can catch up with like no time has passed at all.
It was different from what I remember of the previous books in that we get two stories in this one, at first I wasn't sure about flipping between the two perspectives but even that won me over.
I enjoyed that the children seemed more present in this book, its something that I hadn't noticed was almost absent from the previous books.
Maybe one day we'll even be lucky enough to get a story from the next generation.
Now that the new content has refreshed my interest I feel like I would read anything from any time period of this world. It's so uniquely interesting and well fleshed out.
I'd just like to thank Eresse for working so hard to bring this book to us, I believe it hasn't been an easy journey and I hope Eresse knows how much the hard work is appreciated!
This book has brightened my year so much.
I smiled, was frustrated, laughed and my heart did that thing where it squeezes with emotion.
Well worth the wait and I'm so glad to be back in Ylandre, I thought it might be difficult to readjust to the world-building, the many names/characters, and the language, but Eresse so seamlessly swept me back in. Like meeting an old friend who you can catch up with like no time has passed at all.
It was different from what I remember of the previous books in that we get two stories in this one, at first I wasn't sure about flipping between the two perspectives but even that won me over.
I enjoyed that the children seemed more present in this book, its something that I hadn't noticed was almost absent from the previous books.
Maybe one day we'll even be lucky enough to get a story from the next generation.
Now that the new content has refreshed my interest I feel like I would read anything from any time period of this world. It's so uniquely interesting and well fleshed out.
I'd just like to thank Eresse for working so hard to bring this book to us, I believe it hasn't been an easy journey and I hope Eresse knows how much the hard work is appreciated!
September 30, 2020
Rating 3.5
I am unsure how I should feel about this book. If you compare it with other mm mpreg romance books out there, then this deserves a solid 4 star review. But if you compare this book with other 7 works of the author, then this deserves nothing more than a 3 stars. Eresse usually writes books that are a perfect mix of romance, angst and family, that stays with you for months, if not years. Hence her loyal following of fans who waited for more than three years for this book to come out. I don't know what happened here. If felt like every cliche that a seasoned romance reader can envision, happened in these 400 pages. So many that, you just could not take the plot seriously. I was very much invested in the twins story. But 100 pages in and I started skipping sentences, which never happens with an Eresse book. I wish she had written a less dramatic but more plausible story and concentrated on one pair in one book, as is usually her custom, maybe the book would not have felt so forced and pointless. It felt like even the author wanted the story to just end at many places. So rushed and thoughtless, the writing felt. The last chapter was the worst. Did Eresse really write that? What happened to my wonderful author? I am heartbroken. But I have not lost faith. One mediocre book when compared to 7 masterpieces can be forgiven. I will patiently wait for the next book in the series and pray that my most favourite author finds her magical touch again.
I am unsure how I should feel about this book. If you compare it with other mm mpreg romance books out there, then this deserves a solid 4 star review. But if you compare this book with other 7 works of the author, then this deserves nothing more than a 3 stars. Eresse usually writes books that are a perfect mix of romance, angst and family, that stays with you for months, if not years. Hence her loyal following of fans who waited for more than three years for this book to come out. I don't know what happened here. If felt like every cliche that a seasoned romance reader can envision, happened in these 400 pages. So many that, you just could not take the plot seriously. I was very much invested in the twins story. But 100 pages in and I started skipping sentences, which never happens with an Eresse book. I wish she had written a less dramatic but more plausible story and concentrated on one pair in one book, as is usually her custom, maybe the book would not have felt so forced and pointless. It felt like even the author wanted the story to just end at many places. So rushed and thoughtless, the writing felt. The last chapter was the worst. Did Eresse really write that? What happened to my wonderful author? I am heartbroken. But I have not lost faith. One mediocre book when compared to 7 masterpieces can be forgiven. I will patiently wait for the next book in the series and pray that my most favourite author finds her magical touch again.
October 15, 2020
I loved all the previous books, but this one was more or less disappointing. It shows that the author suffered a writer's block as the story is very unbalanced and stilted and the characters are very contradictory in the story but also from what we know of them from previous books.
I did enjoy the story up to a point, but there were too many issues for me to really like it. I think that maybe my expectations were also too high.
A few of the things that niggled me
- The story was about both Zykriel and Gilmael, but most of the story was focussed on Z. And the story was told for large parts rather than experienced. While we see that in all of the previous stories, this one was over much so.
- All of the books in this series have the theme of betrayal and redemption. As such a of the books follow the same path. In that regard, Z and G's stories were identical in a way, except for who does that betraying.
- The characters were contradictory and changed in personality to fit the forced situations they were put in. This was especially true for Gilmael. Zykriel came across as a martyr in the first half of the story and that felt very much out of character. The way he was "forced" into the marriage? It felt sooooo out of character for him but also Rohyr. It felt almost unbelievable as Ylandre would come across as week. Also the situations with Qristan being so obtuse that he lost all credibility
- A lot has happened in the background with the other (previous) characters. While in other stories, characters from previous books were much more integrated, we didn't see them this time around. Only mentions. And as we know the whole bunch is rather close, but we hardly see them. Which made the story even more unbalanced. There were also loose ends, especially between Gilmael and Dylen.
- Editing: while not wholly bad, the editing of the story was not up to par compared to the previous book, though I understand that this is the first self-published book.
For me, I really do hope this is a one-off as I really enjoyed the books in this series, the fantasy element, dual gendered characters, intrigue, sometimes a bit of mystery, romance.
I did enjoy the story up to a point, but there were too many issues for me to really like it. I think that maybe my expectations were also too high.
A few of the things that niggled me
- The story was about both Zykriel and Gilmael, but most of the story was focussed on Z. And the story was told for large parts rather than experienced. While we see that in all of the previous stories, this one was over much so.
- All of the books in this series have the theme of betrayal and redemption. As such a of the books follow the same path. In that regard, Z and G's stories were identical in a way, except for who does that betraying.
- The characters were contradictory and changed in personality to fit the forced situations they were put in. This was especially true for Gilmael. Zykriel came across as a martyr in the first half of the story and that felt very much out of character. The way he was "forced" into the marriage? It felt sooooo out of character for him but also Rohyr. It felt almost unbelievable as Ylandre would come across as week. Also the situations with Qristan being so obtuse that he lost all credibility
- A lot has happened in the background with the other (previous) characters. While in other stories, characters from previous books were much more integrated, we didn't see them this time around. Only mentions. And as we know the whole bunch is rather close, but we hardly see them. Which made the story even more unbalanced. There were also loose ends, especially between Gilmael and Dylen.
- Editing: while not wholly bad, the editing of the story was not up to par compared to the previous book, though I understand that this is the first self-published book.
For me, I really do hope this is a one-off as I really enjoyed the books in this series, the fantasy element, dual gendered characters, intrigue, sometimes a bit of mystery, romance.
November 6, 2020
It felt amazing to return to this world the author created!
I really hope it will be possible for more stories to be published because the world building and the way the stories are told often entertain me to no end.
I'd say what prevented me from giving this another star is the fact what Gilmael did to Imri was forgiven too easily and I wasn't too impressed with his secret, I'm certain the author could have presented the same thing but without the implications the notion suggests.
One or two characters also make personal decisions that would impact more than themselves without consulting others and that doesn't seem to matter.
I really like the angst and the emotional content often seen in these books. It's very rewarding to see the characters face obstacles (even if some are too simply solved) and deal with their issues to reach an HEA.
I really hope it will be possible for more stories to be published because the world building and the way the stories are told often entertain me to no end.
I'd say what prevented me from giving this another star is the fact what Gilmael did to Imri was forgiven too easily and I wasn't too impressed with his secret, I'm certain the author could have presented the same thing but without the implications the notion suggests.
One or two characters also make personal decisions that would impact more than themselves without consulting others and that doesn't seem to matter.
I really like the angst and the emotional content often seen in these books. It's very rewarding to see the characters face obstacles (even if some are too simply solved) and deal with their issues to reach an HEA.
October 1, 2020
This coming out a day ago, made my week! Reading it, made my year! Thank god 2020 finally had something amazing to offer! Thank you for the beautiful story, Eressë. As always I loved this amazing world and the amazing men in it, the twins and their loves made a wonderful story. I can’t wait for more to come.
November 15, 2020
Сложно представить, но Gilmael оказался еще более ужасным начальником разведки, чем Ranael был армейским. Честное слово, не знаю за что я все равно люблю эту серию. Ведь перечень минусов будет длинным.
Да, и все же лучше две любовные линии в одной книге не смешивать, на пользу не идет.
Да, и все же лучше две любовные линии в одной книге не смешивать, на пользу не идет.
August 12, 2021
It's really hard to rate it, some parts I liked, some I hated. Overall this book feels very different than others in the series, which I love, all of them, except this one unfortunately. I don't think I can ever re-read it like I frequently do with others. I believe its an unfortunate incident of being a self-published book and not having a benefit of the same editor as all previous books which had been published through a publishing house.
Now firstly, Zyk. Qris started out ok, but transformed into an asshole on the wedding night and stayed that way 2/3 of the book, so I hated him and I just can't perceive how Zyk could fall in love with him. That's all I can say about that relationship.
Secondly, Gil. I enjoyed his story most of the book and if we separate his story from Zyk's I believe it would have that Ylandre world feel of previous books. That is if I can delete and forget that small confession that Gil had been in love with his twin...... That confession came out of the left field for me and had no other elaboration or consequence - so very unnecessary. Why include it? For what purpose? It killed my enjoyment of Gil's story instantly...
In the end even my enjoyment of brief glimpses of other couples is tainted by my conflicting feelings about this book.
I so much hope that I can forget I ever read this book and continue to enjoy the rest of this series as I did before. I AM still looking forward to Shino and Tenryon's story.
And, well, I can always hope that this book will be re-edited by a professional editor, better yet by the same editor as previous books, and re-released. I'll even pay for it a second time if that ever happens)
Now firstly, Zyk. Qris started out ok, but transformed into an asshole on the wedding night and stayed that way 2/3 of the book, so I hated him and I just can't perceive how Zyk could fall in love with him. That's all I can say about that relationship.
Secondly, Gil. I enjoyed his story most of the book and if we separate his story from Zyk's I believe it would have that Ylandre world feel of previous books. That is if I can delete and forget that small confession that Gil had been in love with his twin...... That confession came out of the left field for me and had no other elaboration or consequence - so very unnecessary. Why include it? For what purpose? It killed my enjoyment of Gil's story instantly...
In the end even my enjoyment of brief glimpses of other couples is tainted by my conflicting feelings about this book.
I so much hope that I can forget I ever read this book and continue to enjoy the rest of this series as I did before. I AM still looking forward to Shino and Tenryon's story.
And, well, I can always hope that this book will be re-edited by a professional editor, better yet by the same editor as previous books, and re-released. I'll even pay for it a second time if that ever happens)
December 28, 2020
Omg omg omg!!! This is an unexpected surprise. I’ve been waiting for this author to write another book for ages. And my my has it been worth the wait. And not one but two stories.
I am at 40% of the book and I love love love the story and the characters. I almost don’t want this book to ever finish I’m afraid to read it and complete it. I’m so excited the story is really building up well.
Am at 70% Imri’s behavior is not Quite gelling with how his character has been so far. Imri and Gil their story I’m not liking it as much... it’s a bit OTT. I want more of Zyk!
100% Just finished reading the book. GIL story is very immature and seem to drag on. Also without giving out any spoilers there seem to be random things (with no context) being thrown into from his past and it just doesn’t gel with the whole flow of story.
I think the first half of the book was a five star for me but because it was so long and there was so many interwoven stories it dropped to 4-4.5 stars.
I wish to read more from this author.
I am at 40% of the book and I love love love the story and the characters. I almost don’t want this book to ever finish I’m afraid to read it and complete it. I’m so excited the story is really building up well.
Am at 70% Imri’s behavior is not Quite gelling with how his character has been so far. Imri and Gil their story I’m not liking it as much... it’s a bit OTT. I want more of Zyk!
100% Just finished reading the book. GIL story is very immature and seem to drag on. Also without giving out any spoilers there seem to be random things (with no context) being thrown into from his past and it just doesn’t gel with the whole flow of story.
I think the first half of the book was a five star for me but because it was so long and there was so many interwoven stories it dropped to 4-4.5 stars.
I wish to read more from this author.
July 24, 2023
Could not even finish this book. The “romance” between Zyk and Qris got to the point of such absurdity, it was not fun to read. Qris participated in and excused an illegal war of his greedy family’s making, without protest. He did this despite knowing it was a betrayal of the spirit of the treaty, despite the death of soldiers forced into a war they shouldn’t have been part of, despite the murder and pillaging of civilians, and -most of all!!- despite that engaging in said war was VERY likely to be directly responsible for Zyk’s death! This is IN ADDITION to his outright cruelty, non-stop lying, and thoughtlessness aimed directly at Zyk for the entirety of their marriage… Yet we are supposed to believe Qris is not a bad guy, not the villain of the story but some sort of misunderstood hero? That it Zyk would think “well, he almost had me killed, but as long as he didn’t cheat on me, we can be friends”?? The mere idea that Zyk would even consider reconciliation was when I gave up. Definitely the worst book in the series yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
I didn't expect that this would be my favorite from the series, though my favorite couple is still Rohyr and Lassen from the first book.
I've read the series in close order during the last couple of weeks, and I think that the writing here has been better than the previous books. I enjoyed that the author chose to tackle the twins' stories in one rather than divide them into two books.
The author's world is both curious and realistic, in that it still tackles classism and the social consequences. Some of the rules especially when it comes to child-bearing and roles in bed are quite interesting. I would say that in my opinion, a weakness in the series is that so far, all of the so-called "commoners" turn out to be someone of higher class in the end by a plot twist. In that, it still manages to avoid talking about the long-term consequences of marrying someone below one's station.
I've read the series in close order during the last couple of weeks, and I think that the writing here has been better than the previous books. I enjoyed that the author chose to tackle the twins' stories in one rather than divide them into two books.
The author's world is both curious and realistic, in that it still tackles classism and the social consequences. Some of the rules especially when it comes to child-bearing and roles in bed are quite interesting. I would say that in my opinion, a weakness in the series is that so far, all of the so-called "commoners" turn out to be someone of higher class in the end by a plot twist. In that, it still manages to avoid talking about the long-term consequences of marrying someone below one's station.
October 11, 2020
Waited five years for this book! So happy to see this author was able to get it published after all the obstacles. It is another great book and I liked how it wove the identical twins stories throughout. A lot of drama and miscommunication but all ends well. Great to see a lot of previous characters although some were brief. Loved the ending with all the kids! I need a large family tree! Hope more books are coming in this series. Continues to be a unique series with amazing world building.
July 30, 2021
Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!! Just when you've thought the series couldn't possibly get any better than how awesome it already is, it literally does, lol.
All about trust, this one is... One can truly relate to each character to an almost tangible extent. I love everything about this one, and especially because it's a longer than the others so I could endulge myself a little longer lol! I'll end again with just one last: brilliant!
All about trust, this one is... One can truly relate to each character to an almost tangible extent. I love everything about this one, and especially because it's a longer than the others so I could endulge myself a little longer lol! I'll end again with just one last: brilliant!
November 16, 2025
Ever read a book and you feel so full after finishing it? If there’s one thing most notable about Eressë’s ylandre series, it’s that the reconciliations are always satisfying. This book made me laugh and cry at times, it’s also lovely to see the children’s interactions. This might be my top 2 book so far in the series, having two pairings in one book was so nice.
November 2, 2020
Just amazing....already primed for book 9....
October 5, 2020
I did not warm to this book originally as I felt that Zykriel took a far more passive role in every way than one would expect from an Essendri especially as the heir to a Herun. However As the story unfolded I became more comfortable.
December 30, 2020
Love this Series
I love the world that the author has built for this series. I anxiously wait for the next installment after each release. I’m a huge mpreg fan and this is one of my favorite series for that. I find myself reading this series whenever I run out of new releases in the genre. I like that each story plot is different and I must say it’s not predictable like so many others are.
To the author I would say, keep up the great work.
I love the world that the author has built for this series. I anxiously wait for the next installment after each release. I’m a huge mpreg fan and this is one of my favorite series for that. I find myself reading this series whenever I run out of new releases in the genre. I like that each story plot is different and I must say it’s not predictable like so many others are.
To the author I would say, keep up the great work.
October 9, 2020
Good Going
I enjoyed the book of the twins a lot, Zyk and Gil 'story was very interesting. It's a slow start but when it got going for it ever. We fan waited a very long time for this book. It has twist and turns, betrayals etc. The twins are as different as night and day personality wise. Can't for the next book.
I enjoyed the book of the twins a lot, Zyk and Gil 'story was very interesting. It's a slow start but when it got going for it ever. We fan waited a very long time for this book. It has twist and turns, betrayals etc. The twins are as different as night and day personality wise. Can't for the next book.
July 23, 2023
storyline: ****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ***
Absolutely worth the wait. I really enjoyed coming back to Ylandre.
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ***
Absolutely worth the wait. I really enjoyed coming back to Ylandre.
October 5, 2020
Well worth the wait! I just couldn't put it down. This series just gets better and better and I'm already pinning for the next.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews