The sudden death of the Gryphon King throws the kingdom of Mythos into uncertainty, and Crown Prince Luca rushes both his coronation and an arranged marriage to a man he’s never met. Eirian is young and idealistic, and while they both want what’s best for their people, their philosophies couldn’t be more different. While Luca believes in honoring tradition, Eirian is determined to infuse modern values into their kingdom of magical creatures. When given the choice between loyalty to his husband and his own crusade, Eirian makes a decision that might doom their marriage.
Still, Luca is committed to making their union work, and that means forgiving his brash consort. But when Eirian becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy, Luca must act fast—or forever lose the chance to explore their burgeoning love.
R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3.5 Hearts
I admit that the setting and premise of this story was something that really appealed to me. To say the least, this had some extensive and different world building incorporating the enigmatic gryphon (half eagle, half lion), and I found it quite fascinating.
This is set in the present day where mythical creatures, including but not limited to dragons, spirits, minotaurs, etc., live in overall harmony with humans, where there’s a fine line between maintaining peace and allaying fears. Because of this, the mythos population is sharply divided into traditional and modern factions, differing on how to ensure their safety and way of life - the former wanting to remain separate, the latter seeing the benefits of integrating their kind more with humanity.
Traditionalist Prince Luca unfortunately finds himself suddenly king due to an untimely accident. He’s hastily forced into marriage with the best candidate out there, but instead of a lengthy courtship, he must marry Eirian basically sight unseen to keep the kingdom’s turmoil at a minimum. To appease the masses, he and his advisors know that it would be wise to marry a modernist to keep the balance, and that’s where this story’s conflict arises - bridging the vastly different philosophies between Luca and Eirian, two mated strangers who feel the pull of their magical bond but are also trying to maintain/change a governance that they feel is right for their people’s future.
Sooo, some might not like that the discord here is based on more esoteric matters, though be reassured we do get bit of action and suspense as things progress since not everyone agrees with Luca and Eirian’s union. Intermixed throughout, there’s many an argument as they both try to exert who has the more logical reasoning in their rapidly changing times. This got a bit tedious at times since both are very stubborn in their beliefs, each not willing to compromise much at all. Having said that, I really did enjoy Luca and Erian’s attraction to each other, their burgeoning feelings despite their differences, making the possessive pull and sexy times very nice. This wasn’t perfect but it was different, and I appreciated that. I certainly wouldn't say no should Burke continue with more stories from this world.
Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sara - 4.5 Hearts
My first book from this author and my first book with a Gryphon in it could not have gone better. I loved the heck out of this book and fell hard for Luca and Eirian.
I loved a good arranged marriage story and this was done well. Now, this isn’t a forced marriage story where we are going to have our couple at odds. But it is an arranged one and both parties knew the day would come when they would be wed, they just weren’t expecting it to happen so soon.
Told from the dual POV’s of Luca and Eirian, we meet Eirian as he is on a flight to meet his soon to be husband after the King has died in a freak accident. Eirian has known about Crown Prince Luca, but has yet to meet the man himself face to face but that is all about to change.
I like that we get a bit of world building with Eirian reading an interview with People Magazine and Luca about who he would like to marry. It gives us insight to not only the political views that Luca has but it also gives us a brief history on the Gryphons as a shifter society and how they have come to be known by humans. It lets us know they are trying to live among and with humans as well. While Luca is a traditionalist his intended Consort is very much a modernist and that folks is where these two will struggle.
People: What kind of gryphon would be your perfect match?
Prince Luca: One who shares my belief that royalty serves the people, not the other way around.
From the first meeting of Luca and Eirian the chemistry is felt and I loved that both men were wanting of the other but were holding off until marriage. Thank goodness the wedding was only a day away. The wedding eve chase between them was charming and sexy with the UST going on already. The whole wedding deal with Luca becoming King AND getting married was pretty damn intense while being beautifully fantastical. What was totally sexy was what happens after they are wed and Luca can’t quite control himself. Uh huh.
The lore of the Gryphons in this had me hooked immediately: the way it’s explained how they exist and how they allowed humans to know of their existence was engaging. I really loved that a male Crown Prince marrying another male wasn’t fussed over. You see, with the male to female ratio being so uneven with Gryphons, the shifters are pansexual and homoromantic, choosing to pair with the same sex, yet they do have the opportunity once a year to procreate to secure their lineage and species. It was interesting to learn of how cold the entire race of Gryphons seems to be with their historic value system and yet they also form platonic bonds with one another that is anything but cold. Also…um… the bond that Luca and Eirian share is hot as hell and so freaking sexy with the claiming and biting and… where was I? Oh, Yeah. It was exciting to get the history but to also know this marriage between Luca and Eirian and the bond they share has the potential to shake a few tail feathers in the face of frigid tradition. You know?
So. Yeah. Gryphons are amazing with what they can shift into. I have no clue if it’s the norm with them but the different forms they can take other than the lion or the full Gryphon was so freaking cool and come on, what Luca shifts into when he spies on Eirian in the kitchen is so damn cute! But really, I dug their many different forms and even how a certain sound came from Luca at a certain time that folks hadn’t seen/heard before… *whistles* These two are so good together and will become so strong in every way and really serve their people – the mythos – and allow them to thrive.
He and Luca would learn to work together. They each had the best interests of their people in mind, Eirian had no doubt. There might be some rockiness as they worked out their differences, but they could do it. He and Luca would be partners— perhaps friends, over time. There were worse fates.The political views of Luca and Eirian really add to the story and give the characters depth. It makes sense with his age and how he has lived the last 100+ years of his life as a close friend of the late King Arran and becoming the Crown Prince that Luca would be a traditionalist. With Eirian living outside of the royal world and having the opportunity to not be held down by it makes sense that he would latch on to a modern way of living as a Gryphon amongst humans and want to build a stronger camaraderie between them. It also makes sense that the two opinions would collide but it gives opportunity for them to see the other’s point of view as their husband where they maybe wouldn’t of a member of the masses. Yeah. Everyone should matter but… this is romance where the one you lust and love makes you pause and really look at the situation. So, we’ll go with that.
Boy oh boy do I have a lot of notes to go over but I won’t drag this review out.
I loved this book. Arranged marriages are a favorite of mine and with the added opposites attract trope tossed in made for a truly enjoyable read. This is part of the Dreamspun line so the conflict is light though essential, the angst is bearable if not mildly frustrating and the sex is good folks. Good.
For me, this read as a start of series with so much that can be built on with the world and with our newly married King and his Consort. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them at all.
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