In 'Radiance' by Grace Draven, the book follows the story of Ildiko, a human with pink skin and red hair, and Brishen, a Kai warrior prince with grey skin and silver hair, who are forced into an arranged marriage to solidify treaties between their races. Despite finding each other physically unattractive at first, they choose to look beyond appearances and develop a deep and abiding love for each other. The novel explores the cultural clash between the Kai and humans, as well as the challenges they face in maintaining their alliance amidst political intrigues and external threats. The writing style is described as a slow romantic build-up with a focus on character development, world-building, and a touch of humor, creating a unique and engaging fantasy romance.
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Has Romance?
The romance is a central focus, characterized by a gradual development from friendship to love.
From The Publisher:
Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.
Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn't just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she's known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.
Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart. more
Ratings (126)
Incredible (24) | |
Loved It (48) | |
Liked It (28) | |
It Was OK (17) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (316):
Read It (136) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (129) | |
Did Not Finish (5) | |
Not Interested (43) |
6 comment(s)
The first 50% of the book were so lovely. Honestly I really think I needed this.
And then, it descended into something so dark. It was hard to read the things through which these characters that I had grown to love and respect had to endure. I don’t think I am in a state of mind to read the rest of this series. But good luck to those who do.
This was a really lovely story of two very different people falling in love. I think it was slow and beautiful. There wasn't a bunch of action, it just wasn't that kind of story. But I enjoyed it like I enjoy the smell of summer rain ... comforting and lovely.
I kind of wish it was only a single book, though.
Let me explain. I like my female leads in fantasy to be badasses - sword swingers, magic users, or both. Ildiko isn't that...which means she's a bit of a damsel. There are a couple fights in this book, and she needs to be hidden, protected, and/or spirited away to safety. With what happened at the end of this book, I just ... I don't see how she contributes anything but loving support and damsel in need of rescue. And I'm not sure I will like that.
But I really liked this.
I had fun reading this book! The relationship developed between our main characters was one that I don't see very often—friends to lovers, and I found myself enjoying it more than most of the other romance tropes I see used. It made me realize that I prefer this set-up to the ever-popular enemies to lovers. There are great examples in both, but this was just more rewarding for me.
One semi-complaint I have is that I wish they'd spent more time in the just-friends stage. Brishen and Ildiko were rather affectionate with each other right off the bat, and while I did enjoy their sweet interactions, I like more of a slow-burn in my romance books.
I know that some books and novellas continue in this world, but I think I'm satisfied with just this one. I had fun, I would recommend it, but I feel no urge to see more of this world.
I loved the character build up. Love the fact that the characters love was built first on friendship.
It was an amazing incredible read and I know that I will be reading it many more times.
Romantic fantasy, love between human and non human characters, no angst or drama
Unique approach to romantic attraction
Deep bond between main characters
Not driven solely by immediate sexual attraction
uniqueness
What can you read after
Radiance?
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