What do you think?
Rate this book
Warrior's Prisoner
A Princess is taken prisoner by a relentless warrior King on the verge of war as four Kingdoms collide in a world of unrest.
312 pages, ebook
First published April 7, 2012
11 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 4, 2017
If I rated this book solely on the romance it would be 5+++ stars. Bothvar is the perfect hero. He does everything right. Once he sets sight on Runa that is it. He is 100% devoted to her happiness and he is 100% faithful. Thanks SB for recommending this.
I would classify this as historical fantasy. There are 4 kingdoms which are more barbaric in nature. One kingdom worships their women. They are treated as equals and get to choose their partners to bed. They're never taken by force. They are allowed many freedoms.
One kingdom treats their women like slaves. Taking them by force no matter who they are. They are taught to be subservient and if they do something to "displease" a male, they are beaten sometimes to death. This is how Runa grows up. She has seen her mother beaten for nothing more than protecting another woman from the king, her husband.
When her caravan is intercepted by the Gierrers, in an attempt at bravery, Runa offers herself, body and soul, to the head warrior in exchange for her mother and sister's safety. Bothvar takes one look at her and "opens his heart" to her. For she is his.
Of course, it takes a while for Runa to come out of her shell and accept she is a queen now and not a slave or a prisoner. Bothvar is very patient with her and shows her nothing but love. He is simply amazing. Like I said, the romance is a 5 star. There are actually two other relationships developing as well. I really would have liked to get their stories.
So this leads me to why not 5 stars. Well, I've read other reviews that talk about the writing. It was very hard to follow in the beginning. It changed from one character to another from one sentence to the next. Once I got the hang of it, it went more smoothly. There are many things though, I would have liked to have seen more fleshed out. I wanted to see the other relationships develop, not just "behind closed doors" so to speak. I also wanted to see There were a couple of other things that's just me being a damn picky reader and they annoyed me. It did not deter from the romance aspect because the love story here is beautiful and Bothvar treats Runa amazing. I swooned every time he talked to her or about her.
I will say, even though the writing wasn't that great, if she writes all her heroes this way, I will definitely be reading more.
I would classify this as historical fantasy. There are 4 kingdoms which are more barbaric in nature. One kingdom worships their women. They are treated as equals and get to choose their partners to bed. They're never taken by force. They are allowed many freedoms.
One kingdom treats their women like slaves. Taking them by force no matter who they are. They are taught to be subservient and if they do something to "displease" a male, they are beaten sometimes to death. This is how Runa grows up. She has seen her mother beaten for nothing more than protecting another woman from the king, her husband.
When her caravan is intercepted by the Gierrers, in an attempt at bravery, Runa offers herself, body and soul, to the head warrior in exchange for her mother and sister's safety. Bothvar takes one look at her and "opens his heart" to her. For she is his.
Of course, it takes a while for Runa to come out of her shell and accept she is a queen now and not a slave or a prisoner. Bothvar is very patient with her and shows her nothing but love. He is simply amazing. Like I said, the romance is a 5 star. There are actually two other relationships developing as well. I really would have liked to get their stories.
So this leads me to why not 5 stars. Well, I've read other reviews that talk about the writing. It was very hard to follow in the beginning. It changed from one character to another from one sentence to the next. Once I got the hang of it, it went more smoothly. There are many things though, I would have liked to have seen more fleshed out. I wanted to see the other relationships develop, not just "behind closed doors" so to speak. I also wanted to see There were a couple of other things that's just me being a damn picky reader and they annoyed me. It did not deter from the romance aspect because the love story here is beautiful and Bothvar treats Runa amazing. I swooned every time he talked to her or about her.
I will say, even though the writing wasn't that great, if she writes all her heroes this way, I will definitely be reading more.
June 8, 2018
Bothvar and Runa.
Re-read 6th - 8th June 2018
I originally read this about 5 or 6 years ago and I loved it. I’ve lost track of just how many times I’ve actually read it and I went on to read the rest of Lietha’s books.
I’m not sure what’s happened to me lately. The older I get the less patience I have and while Runa has always annoyed me this time it drove me nuts.
I think I need to stop re-reading Lietha’s books and keep my fond memories.
Review from 2014
This was the first Lietha Wards book I read, I loved it, I was hooked and I went on to read all her others.
This is a fantasy book based on a fantasy world divided into four kingdoms, the warrior in the title is Bothvar from Gierrer, he and his brother Grunewald lead the huge Gierrer warriors, fierce but loyal and brave unlike their neighbours from Esbiorn. Princess Runa's party is ambushed and to save her sister she pledges her loyalty to Bothvar, he accepts her oath and opens up his heart to her, she's now his. Runa is so different to the Gierrer women, she's been brought up to be subservient to men and treated little better than a dog by the men of Esboirn, she's terrified at first by all these huge warriors.
Like all Lietha's books it's not particularly well written, it's riddled with mistakes and it's a bit choppy in places but despite all this I love it, it's something I just can't explain to be honest I don't really understand it myself but I love these books, the alpha males and the innocent females they fall in love with, this said I did find Runa a bit too much.
This is one of my favourite go-to books and I've really no idea how many times I've actually read this.
Re-read 6th - 8th June 2018
I originally read this about 5 or 6 years ago and I loved it. I’ve lost track of just how many times I’ve actually read it and I went on to read the rest of Lietha’s books.
I’m not sure what’s happened to me lately. The older I get the less patience I have and while Runa has always annoyed me this time it drove me nuts.
I think I need to stop re-reading Lietha’s books and keep my fond memories.
Review from 2014
This was the first Lietha Wards book I read, I loved it, I was hooked and I went on to read all her others.
This is a fantasy book based on a fantasy world divided into four kingdoms, the warrior in the title is Bothvar from Gierrer, he and his brother Grunewald lead the huge Gierrer warriors, fierce but loyal and brave unlike their neighbours from Esbiorn. Princess Runa's party is ambushed and to save her sister she pledges her loyalty to Bothvar, he accepts her oath and opens up his heart to her, she's now his. Runa is so different to the Gierrer women, she's been brought up to be subservient to men and treated little better than a dog by the men of Esboirn, she's terrified at first by all these huge warriors.
Like all Lietha's books it's not particularly well written, it's riddled with mistakes and it's a bit choppy in places but despite all this I love it, it's something I just can't explain to be honest I don't really understand it myself but I love these books, the alpha males and the innocent females they fall in love with, this said I did find Runa a bit too much.
This is one of my favourite go-to books and I've really no idea how many times I've actually read this.
February 23, 2019
This book is what I would call sci-fi maybe fantasy but not truly sure how to identify genre.
It is focused mainly on two kingdoms but two more are mentioned. Gierrer and Esbiorn are the main kingdoms the story focuses on. The king of Eisbiorn is trying to combine his kingdom's strength with another kingdom against Gierrer by marrying off his oldest daughter Runa but her transport is intercepted by the king of Gierrer.
Bothavar, king of Gierrer, has found out this plan but also knows more about this deal then his enemy. Bothavar plans to take the Runa captive to keep this deal from being completed. Runa is a princess but has a cruel father and her culture is terrible to women so when captured she offers herself to Bothavar to protect her sister and mother. He accepts her offer and so begins to fall for Runa. Runa on the other hand is so used to mistreat is not sure what to make of the king and doesn't know about his culture. She begins to have feelings as well but is hesitant.
But even as they fall they must still deal with the threat of the Eisborn King.
I really loved this book. I have read it over and over again. I found the story interesting and I enjoyed the characters how things unfolded. It has some side romances as well as the main couple. But really enjoyed this unique story.
It is focused mainly on two kingdoms but two more are mentioned. Gierrer and Esbiorn are the main kingdoms the story focuses on. The king of Eisbiorn is trying to combine his kingdom's strength with another kingdom against Gierrer by marrying off his oldest daughter Runa but her transport is intercepted by the king of Gierrer.
Bothavar, king of Gierrer, has found out this plan but also knows more about this deal then his enemy. Bothavar plans to take the Runa captive to keep this deal from being completed. Runa is a princess but has a cruel father and her culture is terrible to women so when captured she offers herself to Bothavar to protect her sister and mother. He accepts her offer and so begins to fall for Runa. Runa on the other hand is so used to mistreat is not sure what to make of the king and doesn't know about his culture. She begins to have feelings as well but is hesitant.
But even as they fall they must still deal with the threat of the Eisborn King.
I really loved this book. I have read it over and over again. I found the story interesting and I enjoyed the characters how things unfolded. It has some side romances as well as the main couple. But really enjoyed this unique story.
August 5, 2013
The writing was REALLY choppy and the story line kinda of bounced all over the place, but I really liked it overall. The author managed to include three really sweet romance threads while still keeping the main one the most interesting and in the forefront.
I classified it as historical, but I suppose it really isn't. It takes place in a fictional world with kingdoms that do not and have never existed; but it definitely appealed to my historical taste. I will read more by this author.
I classified it as historical, but I suppose it really isn't. It takes place in a fictional world with kingdoms that do not and have never existed; but it definitely appealed to my historical taste. I will read more by this author.
April 8, 2022
I found this based off a recommendation in a book group and I'm so glad I gave it a try. My favorite theme from the historical romance era are the warrior ones. I've read a few like this one from my favorite HR authors like Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood. I would even liken this book to Golden Dynast by Kristen Ashley.
If I had a complaint, it was too short. I enjoyed this couple so much I wanted more. The mate belief by the Gierrers are unrealistic to the times, but this is one of those times that unrealistic approach was what I preferred. I love a hero who is completely devoted and this is why I wanted more.
If I had a complaint, it was too short. I enjoyed this couple so much I wanted more. The mate belief by the Gierrers are unrealistic to the times, but this is one of those times that unrealistic approach was what I preferred. I love a hero who is completely devoted and this is why I wanted more.
April 12, 2022
3.8 Stars. First by this author. I enjoyed the storyline but the flow all over the place . Not historical. Over the top Hero.
May 14, 2012
3.5 stars
On the way to her arranged marriage in a foreign land, Princess Runa's party is ambushed by native warriors, the Gierar. Runa makes an oath of body and soul to their King, Bothvar in an attempt save her mother and sister. Unbeknownst to Runa, Gierar people are bonded by the female initiating an oath to the male and if the male accepts, it is a bond unto death. Following his instincts and his appreciation to her rare fair-headed beauty, he accepts her oath and sends her mother and sister back home (even though it was always his plan to release them). Runa's people, the Esboirn treat women like dogs. They may not look at men in their eyes, they sit at their feet and are beaten frequently. Runa thinks she is now Bothvar's slave but in reality she is his Queen.
There is much more to the story but I won't go into detail. I enjoyed this book. I thought the heroine was too Mary Sue. She was unusually beautiful and everyone stared at her because of it, she's selfless and perfect and everyone loves her, blah, blah, blah. The progression of the romantic storylines between characters happened too fast to be fully believable. Bothvar, the hero, was uber possessive and jealous to the extreme. He even slaps a man silly for just looking at Runa the wrong way. Fans of those kinds of heroes will definitely love Bothvar.
Lastly, the book is also in desperate need of editing. A few times the timeline skips in convoluted ways. "Our" instead of "are", "your" instead of "you're", the beginning of many sentences were not capitalized... stuff like that. I can overlook those kind of things, especially in self-published books but I know typos can frustrate some readers a lot, so this is a warning to them. I prefer to not even mention it but I thought it was called for here since it happened so frequently. So if you're looking for a good, but not perfect fantasy romance look no further than Warrior's Prisoner.
On the way to her arranged marriage in a foreign land, Princess Runa's party is ambushed by native warriors, the Gierar. Runa makes an oath of body and soul to their King, Bothvar in an attempt save her mother and sister. Unbeknownst to Runa, Gierar people are bonded by the female initiating an oath to the male and if the male accepts, it is a bond unto death. Following his instincts and his appreciation to her rare fair-headed beauty, he accepts her oath and sends her mother and sister back home (even though it was always his plan to release them). Runa's people, the Esboirn treat women like dogs. They may not look at men in their eyes, they sit at their feet and are beaten frequently. Runa thinks she is now Bothvar's slave but in reality she is his Queen.
There is much more to the story but I won't go into detail. I enjoyed this book. I thought the heroine was too Mary Sue. She was unusually beautiful and everyone stared at her because of it, she's selfless and perfect and everyone loves her, blah, blah, blah. The progression of the romantic storylines between characters happened too fast to be fully believable. Bothvar, the hero, was uber possessive and jealous to the extreme. He even slaps a man silly for just looking at Runa the wrong way. Fans of those kinds of heroes will definitely love Bothvar.
Lastly, the book is also in desperate need of editing. A few times the timeline skips in convoluted ways. "Our" instead of "are", "your" instead of "you're", the beginning of many sentences were not capitalized... stuff like that. I can overlook those kind of things, especially in self-published books but I know typos can frustrate some readers a lot, so this is a warning to them. I prefer to not even mention it but I thought it was called for here since it happened so frequently. So if you're looking for a good, but not perfect fantasy romance look no further than Warrior's Prisoner.
April 10, 2022
Reminiscent of books like C.L. Wilson's Lord of the Fading Lands and Elizabeth Vaughan's Warprize. Two very different cultures come together for an interesting dynamic. A warrior society with men who's biology only allows then to fall in love once they've opened their heart.
The h comes from a rigid patriarchal society where women are brutally beaten for simply questioning a man, they must always keep their eyes down and sit at the feet of their male counterparts when eating.
Lots of miscommunication, but overall I enjoyed this story. In addition to the main characters falling in love there are also two other love stories woven into this book.
A Gierrer Warrior was not emotionally vulnerable in the least not until he opened his heart. However, there had to be something that triggered it.I still can't figure out what exactly triggers it. A feeling? A sultry look in the eyes when you meet the person you're meant to be with? Still, not going to complain about a society of men who, once they fall deeply in love, are unable to be with any other women.
The h comes from a rigid patriarchal society where women are brutally beaten for simply questioning a man, they must always keep their eyes down and sit at the feet of their male counterparts when eating.
Lots of miscommunication, but overall I enjoyed this story. In addition to the main characters falling in love there are also two other love stories woven into this book.
December 4, 2013
I am a total sucker for a story of kingdoms, queens, kings, warriors and battles. OR more accurately, for lusty kings, fierce warriors and armor clad bodies.
This book was tough for me to rate because I REALLY wanted to give it a higher score. Warrior's Prisoner had the potential to be a 4 or 5 star read. In the end, it deserved a 3 star due to the repetitiveness of the dialogue and the loss of focus on the two main characters. I felt the author missed opportunities to further develop the story and heighten the suspense & conflict.
THAT said, I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters. It was a sweet and fluffy love story that had me swooning over our heroes and their fierce love for the heroines. I didn't want it to end but the author wrapped it in a nice shiny bow which gave me everything I was craving. I was in the mood for a mighty Warrior King and this book hit the spot.
This book was tough for me to rate because I REALLY wanted to give it a higher score. Warrior's Prisoner had the potential to be a 4 or 5 star read. In the end, it deserved a 3 star due to the repetitiveness of the dialogue and the loss of focus on the two main characters. I felt the author missed opportunities to further develop the story and heighten the suspense & conflict.
THAT said, I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters. It was a sweet and fluffy love story that had me swooning over our heroes and their fierce love for the heroines. I didn't want it to end but the author wrapped it in a nice shiny bow which gave me everything I was craving. I was in the mood for a mighty Warrior King and this book hit the spot.
March 28, 2011
I love this author's work. Read four so far and all were good.
July 30, 2016
Bothvar and Runa. The book is more like fantasy. It's vaguely medieval taking place in a made up world that is mostly Earth-like with 4 separate yet adjoining countries vying for power. Bothvar is the king of the Gierrers and are dark haired and huge...like 7 foot tall huge. Runa is the princess of the Esbiorns who are a smaller fair haired people who treat their women like less than chattel. The moment Bothvar meets Runa when he intercepts their caravan through his lands, he is bewitched and takes her for his own. The politics and world building is skimpy at best. I did enjoy the first 60% while Runa and Bothvar get to know each other because he is so devoted and protective. But then the story gets kinda choppy with huge plot holes and and many convenient plot devices. Then it kinda looses the plot all together and there was no real point to the last 20% except to tie up loose ends. Super boring and pointless. And it really bugged me that the author had the h get a cesarean. I mean I cringe just thinking about my Nana getting two C sections in the 40s so the thought of getting 6 in medieval days is just horrifying and not necessary to the plot in any way shape or form. I mean, wtf??? Why not just make the H and his clan mates less than 7 feet tall??
Anyways, normally I like this author but not this book. It was just a mess.
Anyways, normally I like this author but not this book. It was just a mess.
May 13, 2013
it is rare to read such a good book and one which is given for free even more rare
I loved the story, it was so well written. It had so much to say in only one book. other authors would have lengthened it to several books, when I finished this book I felt really accomplished, like I learned so many things so much history
I applaud the author for this gem and I will be reading more from her
I loved the story, it was so well written. It had so much to say in only one book. other authors would have lengthened it to several books, when I finished this book I felt really accomplished, like I learned so many things so much history
I applaud the author for this gem and I will be reading more from her
May 8, 2018
S
The book improved as it went on, and I almost gave it another star. The beginning was so rote though, that I almost set it aside. The characters were great and I really liked the world. It was just that some of the building in the beginning was so pat that I feared the book would be a complete bust. I did enjoy the last half. Though it was nothing that hasn't been done, I was invested in the characters and enjoyed reading the conclusion. I did think the author did well with the main female. Out can be difficult creating a likeable female who is so submissive, and I thought the psychology of her suppression was well done.
The book improved as it went on, and I almost gave it another star. The beginning was so rote though, that I almost set it aside. The characters were great and I really liked the world. It was just that some of the building in the beginning was so pat that I feared the book would be a complete bust. I did enjoy the last half. Though it was nothing that hasn't been done, I was invested in the characters and enjoyed reading the conclusion. I did think the author did well with the main female. Out can be difficult creating a likeable female who is so submissive, and I thought the psychology of her suppression was well done.
July 6, 2018
This book did not work for me. Two different patriarchal systems judging each other while thinking themselves superior, ranking people's attractive based on how light-skinned and blond they are, a hero and heroine who are terrible at communicating - just, no.
February 2, 2018
Totally reread this :)
November 15, 2018
3.75 stars. It was well on its way to a much better rating and then it tried to do too much and in the end I started to almost skim. But super enjoyable.
September 1, 2024
amazing
This is a great Fantasy book. The characters are well developed and realistic. Well written and kept my interest. Worth the read!
This is a great Fantasy book. The characters are well developed and realistic. Well written and kept my interest. Worth the read!
October 17, 2013
This book starts with an interesting storyline however looses element in middle & just keeps on dragging towards the end. Our princess (though her tribe doesn't treat her like one) gives an oath for her sister's safety. Only she doesn't know the one whom she gave her oath is a warrior King. Their budding romance is interesting to read (more bcoz our Princess just can't accept herself worthy of being a Queen). There are other stories that are running in parallel with out lead characters but none of them hold charm. I just feel that the author wanted some desperate company for our lead characters hence she added these sub-plots. All in all its a good read with an exciting start :D
March 31, 2015
3.5 stars
I knew it!! All 3 Esbiorn royal siblings would have been married to the 3 Gierrer royal siblings.
I just wished that the story between Erland and Lenore was expanded; these two had a more interesting dynamics compared to Bothvar and Runa. Im quite surprised with Asta's audacity towards Grunewald. Since it was not told why Asta felt the need to give her oath, I feel its lust at first sight.
I knew it!! All 3 Esbiorn royal siblings would have been married to the 3 Gierrer royal siblings.
I just wished that the story between Erland and Lenore was expanded; these two had a more interesting dynamics compared to Bothvar and Runa. Im quite surprised with Asta's audacity towards Grunewald. Since it was not told why Asta felt the need to give her oath, I feel its lust at first sight.
January 11, 2016
2.5 stars
Author did this weird thing where anytime anything eventful or juicy happened (e.g. the action part of a kidnapping and the lead up), was skipped past it completely. At first I thought there was something wrong with the version I downloaded (from amazon). But nope that's just the story.
So we had lots of detail for useless crap like the soldiers going on about how beautiful characters were, but zero of anything real. What a waste of an intriguing premise.
Author did this weird thing where anytime anything eventful or juicy happened (e.g. the action part of a kidnapping and the lead up), was skipped past it completely. At first I thought there was something wrong with the version I downloaded (from amazon). But nope that's just the story.
So we had lots of detail for useless crap like the soldiers going on about how beautiful characters were, but zero of anything real. What a waste of an intriguing premise.
January 15, 2014
I have read all Leitha Wards books, I enjoyed this all. I wished there was more to read. I searched and haven't seen any written an a long time.
October 22, 2014
I really like it but was not enough for me. I needed more...
July 3, 2015
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews