Review by Booklist Review
Kadeesha is a fae princess who prefers riding her flying serpent and owning small businesses to other royal pursuits. Malachi is a fae prince looking for revenge who never wanted to settle down with a queen. But they are both beholden to royal duties. When Malachi crashes Kadeesha's wedding to an evil king and whisks her away to his homeland as a hostage, they form a tenuous pact that serves both of them, for now. But will it hold? And will they be able to handle their undeniable sexual chemistry? Davenport's passionate romantasy (after The Blood Gift, 2023) has epic battles, courtly scheming, and constantly shifting alliances, with plenty of magic shadows and flames to tie everything together. Justice is meted out with violently extreme prejudice. While readers will quickly determine that the protagonists are meant for each other, Kadeesha and Malachi follow a unique path. In this case, the journey is the destination. Recommended for fans of sexy romantasies by authors like Abigail Owen, Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, and Analeigh Sbrana.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A fae princess fights a patriarchal system in this sizzling romantasy from Davenport (the Blood Gift series). Kadeesha Mercier, princess of the Aether fae dominion, has been promised in marriage to Rishaud Timmu, king of the Hyperion fae and ruler of all fae dominions, since infancy. Dreading the thought of being tied forever to the cruel Rishaud, Kadeesha sneaks out on the eve of their wedding for "one final night of freedom" at a sex club. There, she enjoys an explosive encounter with a man she doesn't realize is Malachizrien "Malachi" Diamundis, king of the Apollyon fae, who's come to the wedding on a mission of revenge on behalf of his disenfranchised people. The next day, Kadeesha's infidelity comes to light just as the ceremony is about to begin. Rishaud lashes out, murdering Kadeesha's father and many other Aether royals. Malachi intercedes, fighting off Rishaud before taking Kadeesha as his somewhat willing hostage. The pair initially resent each other, but, after lots more hot sex, tender feelings grow. This unexpected alliance is not without danger, however, as Rishaud marches to Apollyon lands to reclaim what he believes is his. Davenport never takes her foot off the gas, with high-heat love scenes and gripping tension from start to finish. This is bound to be a BookTok smash. (Oct.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
On the eve of her marriage to the High King, princess Kadeesha has a one-night stand with a handsome stranger. Then, on her wedding day, her family is attacked by both the High King and the king of the Apollyon Court; the latter turns out to be Malachi, Kadeesha's lover from the night before. Kadeesha's father is killed, and she is abducted to the Apollyon Court. She partners with Malachi to lure the High King into war and hopefully his demise, while she simultaneously plots Malachi's death. Kadeesha is supposed to be part of the revenge Malachi planned for his parents' assassinations, but he realizes that she has all the qualities needed for a queen of the Apollyon Court. In the heat of passion, the two royal fae are accidentally bonded together, leaving them to forge a future together despite their warring agendas. VERDICT Davenport's (The Blood Gift) stand-alone epic romantasy has lush worldbuilding with flying serpent squadrons, gruesome violence, and steamy hate-sex. Not for readers who like a slow burn enemies-to-lovers tale, but it will more than satisfy romance fans who enjoy mayhem and carnal lovemaking in equal measure.--Eve Stano
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