Review: Heart of Winter (Drake Chronicles #1) by Lauren Gilley
“It so happened that Oliver’s father was a profligate, a playboy, and an exceptional warrior. He was also not at all married to Oliver’s mother, a washerwoman, who died when Oliver was only six.”
Oliver Meacham, bastard nephew of the Duke of Drakewell, and a massive disappointment to his father, has just lost all his male relatives to the war with the invading Sels from the West. Without an heir, the duchy of Drakewell stands to fall into enemy hands, unless one of Oliver’s cousins can marry a lord with an army strong enough to defend it – which is how he finds himself escorting his cousin Tessa to the Great Northern Wastes; to the kingdom of Aeretoll, with a hope that Tessa might wed the fearsome warrior king who rules there, Erik Frodeson, in order to protect her people.
But the stern, forbidding Erik refuses to marry. He offers his nephew’s hand to Tessa instead. And to Oliver he offers insult, challenge – and the sorts of loaded glances that leave Oliver as flustered as he is furious.
Tessa doesn’t relish the prospect of marrying for a political alliance, but she’s ready to fulfill her duty to her family and people – even more so when she realizes that she won’t have to wed the churlish Erik, but his charming nephew, instead. Only…the king has two nephews. And Tessa has a choice to make.
The Drake Chronicles is a slow-burn fantasy series, full of court intrigue, adventure, drama, dragons, and passionate romance. Heavily influenced by Viking history and mythology, the series follows the intertwining stories of multiple couples as they fall in love, and fight to save their families, and their kingdoms.
Review:
How nice to see your recommendation for a new-to-me author! It sounds like a series I’d enjoy. I just purchased the first book to try out. :) Thanks!
I liked this one a lot and plan to read further. The only reason I haven’t is because the synopsis of the next book makes it seem like there won’t be as much focus on Erik/Oliver. It’s probably a good book regardless, I’m just reluctant to let go of my faves.
@MaryK: I believe there is enough focus on Erik/Oliver in the second book ( from the friend whose tastes are aligned very closely to mine and to whom I recommended first book), however she mentioned to me that the third book certainly does not have much focus on them ( instead on several other couples ) and the books become more violent as the war approaches and many new characters allegedly appear. I am REALLY reluctant to do so, but I may wait till series are completed before continuing to read.@JPeK: hope it works for you. She is new to me author as well, even though she appears to be a very prolific author. Her writing style really appeals to me.
This sounds really lovely, Sirius. And I’ve never heard of this author before. I’m excited to check it out!
Was anyone besides me a little surprised when it was revealed that Oliver is thirty? He read a bit younger than that to me. (I was surprised in the opposite way when it turned out that Mildmay the Fox in Melusine was only twenty-two. I thought he had to be at least thirty.)
@Etv13: Hmm, I am not sure. Maybe a little, he did not read to me as too young to jerk me out of the story if that makes sense.@Angie: Hope it works for you.