The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland Series Book 2)

I finished this book. And I make that strange statement because I wanted to abandon the whole thing after I read the first part of the book. I persevered and found parts of the story I enjoyed. Nevertheless, I couldn't forget the horrific beginning. Circe, our heroine, is raped. She wakes up in another world and finds herself with a bunch of other women about to be hunted, captured, and taken as wives by a primitive tribe of warriors. Part of the "hunt" is that when captured, the new wives are raped where they're found by their new husbands. They are then paraded nude through the rest of the tribe and presented before the King. The King is supposed to be our hero. Lahn has let many hunts pass without finding a wife. When he sees Circe he goes after her. Oh, and by the way, when the warrior catches his wife, he hooks a chain attached to his waist to his wife's necklace thus leashing the woman like an animal. After the hunt, Circe is taken to Lahn's tent where he continues to rape her day after day. The rest of the story is like a case study of Stockholm syndrome. Circe falls for her captor. On the upside (not) he only hits her once.

I'm not really sure why KA gave us this book. Sure Lahn can be sweet to Circe but, come on, he rapes her. No getting past that. One thing I'm sure of...this one won't be on my list to reread.

The opening sequences were hard to get through, but amazingly, Ms. Ashley was able to quickly enmesh me in this primitive culture of her imagination and allow me to immerse myself into the very real, understandable, strong, loving humans within it.

The romantic leads are both bold and beautiful. The surrounding characters add interest. The evolution of the romance is highly satisfying. The sexuality is rich and enjoyable. Ahh! I like this book. I've re-read it many times and realized I never gave it a review.

KA: I love the variety of the worlds you create; thank you for writing these stories and following wherever your muse leads.

like I did. I have read ALL of KA's books now, but I put off reading the fantasy ones. I didn't thing they would be as good as her others, or that I would like this style of book. I was so wrong! Everything she writes is awesome!

This book in my opinion was better than the others. It was not all roses and rainbows and because of that, it made me want to read more just to descover how it would end. I have always been a fan of the "Alpha Male" and this book delivers that by far.

It was great from beginning to end. True to all of her work, this book is a page turner. This book captures your emotions and you're really able to identify with certain characters and/or situations. It's well worth the read.

Another great KA read. Fantasy series this time. This bk had way too many positive reviews posted as well as friend rec's to pass up. Circe wakes up in a nightmare in an extremely barbaric parallel universe. Talk about culture shock, not your typical KA read. Despite the story's cruel brutality it still remains a love story. I still can't get over how much I liked this bk despite lots of cringing. Even the language barrier didn't discourage me though I did give up trying to remember what different words and phrases meant and just went with the story. Most was translated either by a character, the author or just by action enough that it wasn't off putting. King Lhan is larger than life, violent, handsome, hot, sexy and totally alpha but as with most all of KA's heroes it was the big guys' sweetness to Circe that that totally captured me. I was so sucked in by the twist and turns and a few surprises that I was extremely anxious near the end. A few of the scenarios I guessed at earlier as something that may happen - and they did, but that didn't take away from the story. I know this review doesn't do the bk justice so all I can say is READ THIS BK. Giving it a 4 star instead of 5 simply because I didn't care for the extreme violence against women. On a more superficial level I wasn't a fan of the H/h short separation. Thankfully KA's separations are brief in terms of pages and always end with a great HEA.

i absolutely loved this book. it was very detailed, and descriptive so you could form mental images as you read along. i would definitely recommend you buy this and read it. it is definitely worth the money!

This is really just Game of Thrones fan fiction. If you want Daenerys and the Dathraki king, Drokos to have a happy ending, this is for you. I found it very extremely annoying that the heroine, Circe, spoke like a ninth grade girl. What professional 35 year old woman would use the idiomatic, childish language this woman did? And the parenthesis! How distracting. The author used so many parenthetical statements that it brought down my rating by a half a star. I mean really, at one point the author had a parenthesis inside a parenthesis. It's not algebra for God's sake. I did however, like the story line.

Anyone read or watch Game of Thrones? If so, picture waking up in a horde of Dothraki horseloards married to their leader. Sound romantic? Yeah well, now picture that this horse loard beats you, rapes you and doesn't speak a lick of English. Still interested?

I gave up on this book 40% of the way through because it was NOT romantic at all. It was sad. I felt sorry for the main character who loved being raped and beat. I also gave up because it was such a rip off of the Dothraki part of GOTs that the author should be embarrassed!! Anywho, unoriginal storyline with a WEAK lead character who enjoys being abused.

OMG-- Valearian steel blades!? Really!!?? A gift of a white horse??? REALLY!?? Why don't you just steal the entire storyline of Dany Targarian while your at it Mrs. Ashley! You should be ashamed of yourself.

I want to begin by saying that I have over 1000 books in my Kindle Library. I tell you this because if I had not had such a problem with finishing a book I had purchased, I would not have finished this book after the first few chapters. I cannot emphasize enough that this book should come with a WARNING! If you cannot tolerate reading about rape, brutality, slavery, pillage, subjugation of women and abuse, among other things, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! In my opinion, the best part of the book occurred in the last 7 chapters. I am a lover of the fantasy genre and enjoy Kristen Ashley's books. She is an excellent writer. If you can get past the fictional foreign language and the unusual names of the vast number of characters, the book is well written and creative. Therefore, I have given the book 3 stars. I have started reading the third book in the series and have found it much more appealing.

It is not a love story, it is a stockholm syndrome story. Circe mentions at one point in the novel that she feels magically drawn to him, and there must be magic involved, or how else would she actually start to care about her violent, rape-y husband. Sometimes I'd start to like the storyline, thinking "boy, if it wasn't for those rapes in the beginning, I could see why she was starting to like him," and then Lahn would go ahead and do something else awful to her. I wanted to like the story, but Lahn and his violent warriors made it difficult.
The review by "The book lady" covers thing quite well.

This story is whacked.

SPOILER I had a real problem with this book. The beginning is brutal and disgusting. I kept waiting for the alpha male warrior king to realize the error of his ways and the ways of his tribe and do something about it, but instead, the female, who is raped and physically abused by the hero, just learns to deal with it. She goes from being raped to enjoying sex with her rapist who she can't even communicate with! It is crazy the way she turns and decides very early on that she isn't even sure she wants to go home. She is crazy and constantly bows down to horrible circumstances because she has decided she is in love with this man and his world. She is also incredibly shallow. She is always remarking about the stuff that other people have and pointing at that it is nowhere near as nice as the stuff she has.

Also, the whole tribe they live in is brutal interspersed with sweet moments here and there. That does not excuse the fact the it is still brutal. She births a daughter - what mother could not be horrified that her daughter will grow up in this world and become a hunted wife? Or be horrified that her son will perpetrate that on another human?

And Lahn was a typical KA male in some ways but so vile and disgusting at times that I couldn't get passed it. His reign over Circe and her yielding to it was not the usual alpha male/strong heroine relationship I have come to know and love from KA. This whole story had me pretty much wondering WTF?

There's no way I can even begin to describe how much I LOVED this book. Re-read it now for the third time and I still cry and laugh each time.
The hero is to die for and is paired with a wonderful heroine. Ms Ahley did another wonderful job with this amazing story and I'm elated that she shared this tale with us.
Don't hesitate to buy this gem. If you haven't read it yet, you've definately been missing out.

I cannot stand a wishy washy heroine. I'm sorry but if your trust is broken, shattered and its so bad you acknowledge repeatedly that your soul is died and you will never love the hero again etc etc, that stays broke. This book made me so angry! I might have been able to handle her forgiving him if not for this one thing, heroine convinced that she was in the wrong and apologizes repeatedly for the "soul destroying hero and the actions he had to take" What? my final analysis is that She is an abusive victim who enjoys being queen.

This review may contain spoilers. The first two paragraphs (including this one) are probably spoiler free. But if that’s too much of a risk for you to read on, then I will provide you with a brief warning about this book. Rape and violence are heavy topics. This is a light, carefree read that does not confront these topics but rather glosses them over and demotes them to background scenery to exploit in order to recreate the author’s rape fantasy. Read with caution.

I’ve read a lot of bad books in my time, but this one might take the cake. I expected the rapes, the violence, and the abhorrent misogynistic culture. What I didn’t expect was our modern-day Seattleite protagonist to turn a blind eye to the horrors and only care about whether her rapist was monogamous to their relationship. Yes, you read that right. Our protagonist falls in love with her rapist (within a few short weeks, I might add). In fact, that’s really that only thing that happens in this book. Nothing else changes. Nothing. Again, an author uses rape as a gimmick as it adds nothing to the story in terms of plot or character development or motivation. And the rapist is never sorry for what he did. To him, it was a gift. Disgustingly, our protagonist thinks that’s sweet.

I’ve pretty much already gone over that nothing changes in this book. People don’t change (except our “hero” – I use that term begrudgingly – unhappily agrees to monogamy, including abstaining from rape – seriously, does this author not know that rape isn’t sex?!) and the culture definitely doesn’t change. So expect no justice or political intrigue or civil rights movements, but definitely expect a lot of shopping, lengthy descriptions of our “heroine’s” (again, I gag as I type that term) attire, her “goldenness” (ugh), and the AMAZING sex our protagonist enjoys with her rapist – eh, I mean her uber-hot savage brute of a husband. Yes, she very quickly thinks of him as her husband. This is a first person narrative, so we spend our time in the protagonist’s head. And she is one twisted lady! She is childish, selfish, uncaring, and, I think, mentally ill. To understand the depth of her depravity, I will share with you her rapist’s – I mean her husband’s – crimes and her reactions to them.

1. Rape – “Since you rock in the sack and I’m your gift, I forgive you for raping me. I understand that your warriors rape women when you guys are out marauding and I’m okay with that because that’s your people’s way and all. But it’s not okay for you. You will stop raping innocent women and girls or I will leave you. I will not tolerate my husband being unfaithful to me!” There is so much wrong with that that I don’t even know where to begin. But one thing needs to be made clear – Rape is NOT sex.
2. Murder – *crickets
3. Assault – *crickets
4. Domestic Assault – [Our hero hits our heroine.] “You’ve lost me. I’m done with you.” She responds correctly to this one. But we all know she’ll forgive him! And she does in record time too!!
5. Terrorism – *crickets
6. Marauding/Piracy – *crickets
7. Slavery/Human trafficking – “Well, I don’t like it, but it’s your way. I’ll just buy my girls pretty things to make them feel less slave-like.”
8. Sex Slaves – “I know this is how you warriors do things and I don’t care if your boys keep doing it, but you will stop fooling around with those sex slaves! I demand monogamy!”

All she cares about is his monogamy and our hero is not happy to give it to her. In fact, he chides her for trying to change him and she feels really bad about that. Too bad she doesn’t have a fraction of that pity for the innocents he and his warriors would gladly rape and terrorize so that their people can live luxurious lives without actually having to be industrious.

In the end, she does nothing to better the lives of the women around her. She accepts that her new “people” are thieves and terrorists. She accepts that women are annually kidnapped and forced to participate in the Wife Hunt where they will be raped and bound to their victimizers as their wives for life. She accepts that men are permitted to abuse and rape their wives and that if these women defend themselves against their attackers they will be executed. Even though she says she doesn’t like it, she easily accepts slavery, even instances where the [female, of course!] slave’s sole purpose is the sexual gratification of any warrior that desires it at any time he desires it. The fictional society created in this book is sick. Even worse, the hero and heroine are sick. If this was a contemporary romance, our “hero” would be the leader if ISIS. And worst of all, there is no justice for the frequent crimes against humanity in this book and yet we are delivered a “happily ever after” ending. Disgusting. This story could have worked if it spanned over a longer period of time and meaningful changes occurred with the characters and/or the society in which they lived. This story could have worked if there was no HEA. But clearly none of those things happened. I’m so sorry I read this book, even sorrier that I paid for it.

In the end, we don’t get to see the fruition of the foretold Golden Dynasty that will usher in an era of unparalleled prosperity for these wicked people. But I sincerely hope that the Golden Dynasty does come to pass, and quickly. And I hope it comes in the form of a bloody coup d’état. Circe, there is a special place in Hell waiting for you. And for your big guy, too.

I'm quitting the book after 12% in. I just do not like it. I have just finished the first book in the series which I actually liked. Yes, like this book, there was too much time spent on endless details but the love story and adventures made up for it. This story is just barbaric and dark. I can't get over her "husband" raping her for days and the language barrier is annoying.

I read the previous book in the series and I really enjoyed it and then I read this and this book glorify his repeated rape and somehow makes it romantic and sweet till they fall in love. I can't stand any book where the positive feelings are forced through violence.

If you are expecting this book to be like the first, turn away now. This book is about a women who is forced into a new world, RAPED half a dozen times and suddenly falls in love with said man that RAPED her. Do not buy this book if you are hoping for anything like the first. I wish I had been warned about all the rape scenes in this book because they are truly horrific. They are horrific not only for the rape, but she seems to have stockholm syndrome for her rapist. What I read in this book is seriously affecting me and I wish there had been a warning about the rape scenes. This is not one for the faint of heart or anyone who is hoping for any kind of romance.

This read as if Kristen Stewart wrote it. I don't understand the great reviews, it is awful. It sounds like the author ripped off Game of Thrones, wrote a fanfiction, and decided to publish it. The cussing, incomplete thoughts, and "umm" "like" "s***" just really made me stop reading it. I thought I bought a Viking book obviously I was wrong.

I LOVE all of Kristen Ashley's contemporaries, but I could not get into this fantasy novel. The other language was annoying, although I see from other reviews that many people liked it. Just doesn't measure up to most of her books.

This book bothered me greatly. I did actually finish the book and then instantly deleted it from my Kindle.

Spoilers:
It starts off with the "hero" raping the "heroine". How is that ever right? I did NOT like that after being raped repeatedly by her husband, all of a sudden she is now enjoying sex with him. It happens out of the blue. That is impossible. As a female, I was horrified. Once a person is raped, that is not forgettable. It is beyond implausible that a) you get over just like that and then enjoy having sex with your rapist and b) he NEVER said sorry. That would mean he wasn't.

Also, when he was "worried" about her welfare, he back-handed her. Umm, what? You were supposedly worried about your wife being in danger and potentially being killed so you hurt her? How does that make sense? Oh yeah, he never said sorry about that either.

Rape is a very serious issue and in this book, it was not taken seriously. I don't get it. Rape is wrong and vile. The "hero" and I use that term sarcastically, is not redeemable. While his culture is savage, he was worse. I read a book by Shay Savage called Transcendence where the hero was a caveman. That book is beautiful. That caveman never raped or struck the heroine, ever. How is it that a caveman is more civilized that the "hero" of this book?

Also, another problem I had with this author is her females are weak. Even when they are right, the bow down and cater to the male. They always convince themselves that they have done the guy wrong even when they haven't. This woman is supposedly to be a modern woman. I don't know about you but just because a guy is hot, does not give him the right to harm you, in any way.

I will never read this book again and will never recommend it.

I can't believe all the good reviews for this book. It was like taking lessons of a foreign language. I read about ten percent a nd skimmed the rest and even tried reading near the end just to see what happens but still can't tell how it ended. Bad bad bad.o

I loved, loved, loved this book. Let me first say this... I do not cry. I don't cry at movies, hallmark commercials, books (normally), and not even the horribly depressing ASPCA commercials get me. Am I moved and sad? Yes. Do I cry? No. This book nearly brought me to tears, a monumental feat on its own, but aside from that, I loved the story.

It's not my norm. It's not dark; it's not gritty or gruesome, though there are some fight scenes that are pretty hard core when the swords come out (real swords, you dirty girls!). It was a HEA with actual rainbows. There was no puppy, but it had a baby tiger instead, so it might as well have been.

There was love, there was fear, there was angst, there were trials and tribulations.

There were lines that made me put my hand to heart and bite my lower lip, "And then, with one swing of his mighty arm, falling right our of love and landing with a crash so brutal, it shattered me."

And there were lines that made me say, F--- yeah! "you will die choking on your own balls and you'll do it while staring in my eyes."

And there were lines that made me think of my own life, an even rarer feat as I read to escape, "So what has been has been and what will be was what I would make of it."

In summary, I won't tell you the plot. The blurb will do that. I loved it, and that's the end of. My four stars instead of five, despite my long rant, is simply because there are a lot of instances where the Korwahk language is used. There is a Korwahk to English dictionary in the back, but I found this wildly distracting to have to keep flipping to it just to understand what was being said. I finally wisened up and took pictures of the translations to keep on my phone and have it at the ready. I highly suggest you do the same if you read it.

The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland Series Book 2)
The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland, #2) by Kristen Ashley
Adult Erotic Fantasy/Paranormal Romance Suspense
5.5 *TSR
1st I am going to address the problem of having one of the main characters speaking a different language than the other main character and how Ms. Ashley dealt with it.
Throughout the most part of the story whenever the Korwahkian language is used she annotated it with the translation at the end of the section or chapter. Towards the end of the story the Korwahkian words are translated after they are spoken. Lastly, she gives us a Korwahk/English dictionary at the end of the story. I admit that it can be annoying to not know what one main character is saying until the end of a section, however, for me it allowed me to get more into the situation Circe found herself. She did not speak Korwahkian. Therefore, when it was spoken to her she had to rely on reading the person's actions to understand what they were trying to communicate to her. And for her, it was very frustrating. Not only could she not understand them, they could not understand her. It made the story more emotional for the reader since you were right there with her experiencing that same frustration. Added to her frustration, she was from an entirely different world. Transported somehow from a modern world of cars, air conditioners, and women's rights, to a world that was savage and primitive beyond her worst nightmares. And she is stuck there. Definitely a horrifying situation.
And I LOVED EVERY WORD!
I found it extremely well written. The suspense is off the charts. The romance is definitely erotic.
The emotional roller coaster has so many ups and downs you get dizzy with it. The things that happen to Circe are sometimes shocking, sometimes horrifying and sometimes beyond beautiful and wonderous.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. It has blown my expectations away.
July 17, 2017 – Finished Reading
July 13, 2017 – Started Reading
*True Star Rating

*I gave this book an A+ for the Narration and A for the story at AudioGals*

Narrated by Tillie Hooper
 
The Golden Dynasty is unlike any other book of Kristen Ashley’s that I have ever listened to (or any book by any other author!). Wow, simply wow! Kristen Ashley has created her own unique fantasyland (no pun intended given that is the name of the series), bringing us back to a medieval type world with a magical twist. Even Ms. Ashley’s signature writing style is different. Gone are the typical Kristen-Ashley-speak phrases that she is so well known for, though the long descriptive passages that Ms. Ashley is also well known for are there and help explain this new and uncharted world. In fact, this style is so different that Ms. Ashley has gone so far as to even create her very own language for the primitive nation of Korwahk, where the Seattle born heroine from the present day inexplicably awakes with no hint as to why she is there or where she has awoken. Moreover, not only is the story first rate, but the narration by Tillie Hooper is also top-notch making this a perfect paranormal romance title to experience in audio format!
 
As this is book 2 in a PNR series, I think it is essential to note that unlike many other PNR series, each book in the Fantasyland series works as a standalone. Therefore, if you haven’t yet listened to book 1 (Wildest Dreams), don’t fret as you can still go straight to The Golden Dynasty. Of course, now I want to listen to Wildest Dreams as well as the other 3 books that are currently available in audiobook format from this series.

Circe Quinn wakes up in the middle of chaos. Scantily dressed amidst a horde of women, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of an unbelievable ritual: a wife hunt (literally) for the Korwahk warriors. Fair unlike nearly all the other women in the hunt, many of whom appear to be natives of this primitive culture, her looks are sure not to go unnoticed. And though the locals are looking at the warriors in awe, many viewing this ritual as their salvation, Circe sees it as anything but. So when the Dax (King of Korwahk people) takes notice of her and decides to claim her as his wife and make her his queen (in a rather brutal ritual where the warriors stake their claim physically on the woman they choose as a bride, by force if necessary), Circe fights like a warrior which instead of repelling him only solidifies his belief that Circe is the true Golden Queen. This is something that only happens once among many centuries but when a Dax finds a Golden Queen it means that royal family becomes a dynasty rather than their typical system where a king only serves as such until a more powerful Korwahk comes along and challenges him to a fight to death to determine who will serve next.
 
As you can imagine, this paternalistic, macho society frightens but mostly just repulses the present day raised Circe. At the same time, even though she can barely communicate with the Dax, her husband, until a translator is found, she also finds herself strangely but very viscerally attracted to him. Once he begins to change his ways even if only subtly in response to her influence–not previously having known any other way but the brutal world he lives in where might is right–Circe begins to feel true feelings for him. Nonetheless, she has real issues with how this world treats women, a number of which she befriends (even though they are supposed to be her “slaves”) and she struggles with feelings that both push and pull her between the world she comes from and the one she was thrust upon. If she could find a way back home, would she leave? Moreover, can she influence this world to become more enlightened and civilized, including her husband who is used to being the supreme being and having his will adhered to by all without question?
 
See the full review at AudioGals.

Well after reading Wildest Dreams last week and after having friends repeatedly scream at me I finally bought this book. There are numerous reviews of this story so mine will be for me quite short. It is a fantasy, it is a romance. The term dubious consent does not apply as initially there is absolutely no consent but the couple quickly reach an understanding of sorts. Circe and Lahn do not speak the same language and yet find it somehow possible to open up their minds and bodies to reach an understanding. Yes primarily it's Circe who seems to sacrifice but the King of the Horde is cunning and no slouch when it comes to learning everything about those around him and yes that includes Circe.
A clash of cultures, a story about accepting and indeed embracing differences. It's an intense story that at times is hard to read due to the level of violence which in today's climate seems very primitive. Lots of scenes of a sexual nature but this couple communicate physically before they learn to open up their hearts and minds. Yes there's a happy ending and yes the author does give the heroine her trademark posse of female friends. If it's an alpha male you seek then yes this Jason Mamoa type (complete with G.O.T. beard!) will tick all your boxes. As its Circe's story I could easily picture Lahn but Circe was simply a blonde of average height to me. I mentioned lots of sex in this story but surprisingly not as sexy as Wildest Dreams but possibly that's because I did enjoy the somewhat dirty talking Drakker in that book. This couple may have language barriers to overcome but Lahn truly has a sweet side which surfaces around his queen. Its harsh, it's savage and violent at times and yet the bond that forms between the couple pulls the reader in. Definitely one of my favourite books by this author

I’m sure that there will be people who will not like this book (because of certain issues).
I, personally, adored this book! After finishing it, I decided that it’s one of my favorite books of Kristen Ashley!!

Although I’m a big Kristen Ashley fan, I must confess that this series (Fantasyland) didn’t appeal to me. But after reading many of her books I decided to give this series a try and because I was a little intrigued by the second book (The golden dynasty) I decide to read this book first. I didn’t know what to expect but I just fell in love with this fantasy story. And after reading ‘The golden dynasty’, I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!! Like I said before, I haven’t read the first book in this series yet but that wasn’t a problem for reading this book.

Circe Quinn is a normal, single woman, who has a good life in Seattle with great friends. She has a great relationship with her father (she even works for him). Then one day, she goes to sleep in Seattle only to wake up somewhere else. First she’s convince that she’s having a dream (that’s quickly becoming a nightmare) but no matter how much she tries, she doesn’t wake up. This new place is very strange, luckily for her she finds someone who is kind to her and who can even speak her language. Something that Circe is very glad about but that quickly changes when Narinda (her new friend) explains why they (the women) are there. They’re in the land of the Korwakh. The Korwakh are primitive people, who have primitive and strange traditions. One of them is that the warriors (The horde of the nation of Korwakh) choose their brides through a hunting game. And the warriors sometimes go very far to claim a bride. Something that Circe experiences herself when the Dax (king) of the Horde decides that she must become his queen but he isn’t the only one who thinks that!!

After a nightmarish hunt, Circe is captured by Dax Lahn, who believes that Circe is the one for him and not only that but together they will start The Golden Dynasty (a Korwahk legend). The problem is that Circe doesn’t know this, because she doesn’t speak his language (and Dax Lahn doesn’t speak hers), nor does Circe understand anything of what is happening in this new world. The only thing that she does know is that she wants to go home. Every night she goes to sleep hoping and praying that she will wake up in her own bed but every day she wakes up in the cham of the Dax.

Luckily for her, her slaves (yes! She has slaves) find someone who speaks her language and the woman (Diandra) was once many years ago herself a ‘new’ bride to a warrior. Diandra becomes a great support for Circe in understanding her husband, his people (that are now her people too) and their culture and traditions. Slowly Circe is finding her way in this new world. She’s learning the language of the Korwakh, she’s making new friends and she’s even developing a relationship with her savage husband. And as time passes Circe believes that she has somehow landed in a parallel univers. She doesn’t know the reasons why she is there but she does know that she’s slowly but certainly falling in love with her Lahn and his country. Although life can be very hard there, Circe accepts challenge after challenge, growing more in her role as wife and queen. But just as she thinks she has it all figured out, something happens what makes her lose all her confident. Now Dax Lahn will have to prove to her that they’re meant to be together. That, no parallel universe will keep them apart!

I liked the fact that the Korwakh had they own language. I enjoyed it very much. But I was very glad that the writer explained the words after each chapter, so I knew what they were saying (always interesting).
And although the world of the Korwakh was very primitive, I found it a very interesting one. I enjoyed this book very much and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Knocked on my can in the first chapter and it happened a few more times- what can I say, I'm a lightweight. But really, it was my awe at how the author took a huge risk by putting a seering, controversial scene right in the beginning and trusted that her readers would take a gamble and stay with it to see the incredible, gritty harsh fantasy world journey she has placed her heroine on as amazing and a situation in which the heroine can show strength, passion and understanding. The journey is rough and hard, but the heroine stumbles and finds her way with me cheering her heartily on as she goes. And that hero, whew boy, he is just straight up powerful- passionate fire, sex and danger.

This is book two in the Fantasyland series. It is a story that begins parallel to the first one, but it would do just fine as a standalone since the hints to its sister story are minuscule and only a reader of the first book would know what they meant.

Circe wakes up in some sort of pen with other women and surrounded by rough, lusty men waiting for the festivities to begin. Another imprisoned woman who actually speaks her language shares that this is the annual Korwahk wife hunt. The Suh Tunak (Horde of warriors) are gifted a woman for their service in this way. Circe figures out fast that this isn't just a nightmare that she will wake up from back in her bed in Seattle, but she has somehow entered another world- a brutal, terrifying one. She has caught the eye of the Dak (King of the Horde and Korwahk) and he is a fiercesome man who makes everyone tremble.

Terrified, Circe runs for her life. Warriors rush to capture her as she is the only golden haired woman. But as hard as she runs and fights, the Dak catches her and she is violated by her new 'husband'. Her early days are horrific and it is heartwrenching being with a brutal savage who has different ways and another language, but then she encounters a woman from another nation who speaks her language.

Circe learns the ways of the Korwahk and her new husband. She ponders her situation and wonders about ever going home even as she slowly adapts and falls for her new situation and Lahn, her husband. He is brutal and savage, but he also has another side that she only is privileged to see. He is who and what he is and she eventually isn't sure that their differences can ever be overcome and that is besides the attacks from within and beyond, betrayal, and misunderstandings bring them to the brink.

This author has the amazing ability to irritate and antagonize me and keep me riveted and breathless all in the same book. It's happened more than once and I can see that this strange fixation I have is a fulsome compliment to the author. I find myself amazed more often than I am the other and that is what brings me back for more.

The world of these stories is no more remarkable than the usual fantasy settings, but they are still fun and entertaining- magic, talking creatures, fantasy creatures, and the compelling characters and plots. There is attention to details that shows a colorful diversity. The first story was set in a country that reminded me of Norse and northern European culture while this one took the story to the south lands for desert tribal culture. There is another language made up by the author and the diversity of difference even amongst the fantasy world races that I loved.

The pacing was not smooth. It was filled with exciting and intense scenes that moved swiftly or slowed to hold the reader's breath, but there were also the dragging scenes of everyday life. Both were necessary as they helped advance the heroine's life and integration into the world of the Horde.

Now, the elephant in the room. A rape occurs in the beginning of the story and there are other scenes that are abusive and violent. It is particularly an assault on the senses because it is so very early in the story before a reader makes deeper connections. Thus, I don't think this book will be for everyone. I respect that a marauder-slave culture will be a situation that pushes too hard for some. The author writes about a savage race of people and she doesn't pull punches and try to romanticize it. I will say that everything has a purpose and in that culture the rape and violence is not morally wrong to them so it all feels organic in this story. Circe, the character who comes from our world, is appalled and takes on the arduous task of change from within.

As to my love-hate thing about the author's writing, I'm referring to writing style and her heroines. The books are wordy and overly angsty. I find the heroines to be the source of this. Circe is no exception. These heroines are girly girls (not meant as a bad thing just not my thing) so they get giddy over clothes and make-up, shopping, and girl gatherings. Circe gets stuck in her head and has over-blown emotions and temperament which makes her rush in without thought, react without thought, and you get the idea. The constant buzz of chatter in her head and in her dialogue is tiring. But, that said, this same heroine that drives me up the wall is also one I can respect her flaws and appreciate her strong indomitable nature that won't back down to injustice or cruelty. Circe sees wrongs and seeks to change them. And when she screws up, she owns it. Okay, she needs a few thumps from her friends to get her head out of the emotional loop it's in.

The love affair in this one was the strongest part of the story and left me oh so very satisfied. Lahn is an alpha among alphas. He has grown up hard and fast in this warrior nation. He is strong and a natural leader and protector, but it takes Circe to teach him about gentleness and loving kindness. Which it was beautiful when he learned after each difficult struggle. He is rough on Circe and breaks her heart, but he figures it out and moves heaven and earth to make it up to her. Circe also learns to slowly appreciate, respect and accept completely the man before her. He revolts her at first and then she really starts to see him and his more noble traits which had her swooning and me, too. Together they are combustible. Two strong-willed people who come together and forge a dynasty.

I didn't mention before, but this was an audio encounter for me. Again, I was enthralled by the talent voice of Tillie Hooper. She is so in tune to tone, emotions, characters, and the pacing of the story. Her male voices can get raspy, but overall, she nails it. This a long story and large diverse casts of characters with a range of emotions and pacing, but she handled it like a champ.

So, in summary, I am more enchanted than ever with the Fantasyland series. Only this author can wow me with a book even if the heroine isn't to my taste. Fantastic world, plot, and characters. I definitely want to continue with the series and recommend this book to those who like a gritty, brutal world where a spirited heroine can tame her savage warrior.

My thanks to Audible.com for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I fell for this series with book #1, Wildest Dreams and continued to fall deeper into the world Kristen has created as well as the characters. Currently, you could read "The Golden Dynasty" without having read "Wildest Dream", as they do read as a standalone. HOWEVER, there is something to be said about reading it as a series. You have a better understanding of what's going on with regards to the "time traveling" and though we didn't meet Circe and Dax in book one, they were mentioned in passing but there was enough info in that short moment that it sparks the curiosity. I believe all the characters will be entwined some how, so while you may read them on their own, I think you'll fall for the entire series.

When I first learned that there would be a "language barrier" I immediately thought how this was going to be pulled off in a book (with written pages) vs. how we see it on shows or movies. I think there will always be times when we go "blaheehehs" when we're reading something and we have no clue how to pronounce or if its in a different language. Think "Klingon" (Star Trek) or the "Dothraki" from Game of Thrones.... hearing it on your tv is significantly different than reading it. On the page, I was concerned there would be a lag or duplication of conversations due to "interpreters". I LOVED the audio book because the narrator ROCKED not only the language but how the transition between characters and the languages took place!

The story had a great pace. The relationship was a bit of a slow burn and not at the same time. It totally worked. The secondary characters added volumes to the story and you ended up wanting to learn more about them. The blurb gives you an idea of what Circe is in stored for yet there is so much more than meets the eye. Kristen, the author, does a phenomenal job with showing you the world Circe is thrown into and that "different" from what you know or are accustom to, doesn't mean it's "bad". This story includes that underlining lesson of being "open minded" to a different way of being/living and that what you may deem as "savage" or "primitive" may be "normal" and "advance" or "that's the way it is" to someone else.

OH, it must be said.... IF you liked/loved the story line/relationship of Daenerys (Khaleesi) and Drogo from Game of Thrones, you like/love this book. There are some similar elements.

Narrator Review:
Tillie continues to rock! She provides the listener with a great performance that enhances the experience. She provides different tones and voices to each character and the narration. Tillie makes you believe she is fluent in the language of the Horde.

Over all, I highly recommend this book and the series! Its a great example of world building and character development.

5 golden stars!

I've been trying to write a proper review for this book since I could form a proper sentence after I finished it. And yet no matter what I say I don't think it will do the book justice. First things first. I'm not a Kristen Ashley fan. In fact, I find her books to be very bad and borderline unbearable. No matter how many times I've started one of her books, I couldn't bring myself to finish it.

That being said. This book. I LOVED IT. I simply loved it, I love every word and every sentence. I love it.

Her Fantasyland series may be the one think I'll ever be able to read from her, but OMG I love it. The first book was amazing, and even though I did not have any expectations at all (I'm really not a fan) it was amazing! But this one. ADORED IT.

Maybe KA is a really big fan of Game of Throes (I won't blame her for that, I'll hug her for it) but reading The Golden Dynasty I couldn't help but picture these two lovely characters. The descriptions were painting them in my mind and even though the similarities might have been over the top, I loved it for it.

Standing at one side and up toward the edge of the dais looking down was a giant of a man. A beast of a man. Taller than any of the extremely tall warriors on the sides of the parade, broader, more muscled, more savage. He was looking down the dais not at the parade but at a man in robes who was gesturing up to him.

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home in Seattle and wakes up in Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk. A parallel universe and a wholly different world from hers. She couldn't have picked a worse time since she happen to wake up as The Wife Hunt in the parallel universe started.

The Wife Hunt was a ritual practices by the Korwahk people in order for their warriors to find wives. The Wife Hunt is just as horrifying as it sounds. Woman, gathered from all around their world are forced to run for their freedom as the Korwahk warriors chase them through the forest, even killing fellow warriors if they claim their preferred choice before them.

See, totally horrifying and pretty amazing.

Dax Lahn is the King of Suh Tunak and Circe's new mate.

He is a savage, he is brutal and at times his behavior might seem extreme but he is after all from a parallel universe that not only condones this kind of behavior but looks up to it as well. King, remember?

Circe and Lahn have very little in common. In fact they don't even speak the same language as she needs a translator almost half way through the story to communicate with her new husband.

The brilliance of this book is in the details. KA has done a remarkable job when it comes to shaping a total new world for her characters. She even has made-up new words and sentences - and that, is brilliant!

And Lahn is a savage, he is trying to balance his rough side as the warrior king and his sweet side as Circe's husband. His love for her is fierce and possessive and beyond words.

I Love Love Love Kristen Ashley's books. She is my one-click author who never disappoints me.

The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland, #2) is my favourite book in this series and in all my books, ever. I've read and reread it all the time.
Meet Circe Quinn on her adventures in a strange world and on her journey to find the love of her life!
And there is this swoon-worthy barbarian Dax Khan and his horde.

Kristen Ashley created a special world, even a new language and characters I adore.
This book and the series is very well written, I love the characters and I love how they interact.
I can feel the characters emotions in the words.
I HIGHLY recommend this book and wish I could give more than 5 Stars !
Thank you Kristen Ashley, from the bottom of my heart.

This was the first book in this series that I read. Yes, I read this before Book 1. Originally, I liked it, but then I started watching and reading Game of Thrones. And I hate to say it, but, unless I'm just really unaware of different cultures throughout history (which is very possible), it seems like someone copied someone here. And based on the publication dates, you can see who wrote the original and who copied. There are just too many similarities between the books for it to be a coincidence, in my humble opinion.

But, that aside, the premise of an alternate dimension is interesting. And, I originally found this book to be quite good. And I tried to award stars based on how I felt after finishing this book. However, it's been a while since I read it, this was one of my first KA books, and now that I've so many, many more, the book is just too predictable.

For those thinking of reading this, there is some rape and forced seduction in this book. The book is also set in a society where women are essentially chattel and the men are a rough, warrior type. However, it is, at heart, a romance novel. The hero does rape the heroine (multiple times), but the author does not go into great detail and the heroine eventually turns the hero around. A little.

The characters, the frequent use of an imaginary language, the quick acceptance of primitive inconveniences, the violence against women, and the frivolous nature of Circe were problems for me. And yet this book was a page turner. I was pulled into the story. It reminds me a little of when my college roommates would watch soap operas. You knew the acting was bad, the story was ridiculous and some of the characters reprehensible, but once you walked into the room, you couldn't walk away. Reading this book is like that. How would Circe ever get home? Did she want to? Would Lahn become the good husband hinted at in small ways? When would Circe overstep her role and let her compassionate nature interfere with clan norms? And when was she going to finally get kissed? This book was filled with cringe-worthy moments, but I HAD TO KNOW!

Let me tell you waiting to read this…BAD decision, this book is awesome and I can’t believe I put it off for so long.

Within minutes of starting it, I was pulled in so far that I couldn’t put it down. I was on my way to Vegas when I started, and then found myself reading it anytime I could. Instead of watching the crazy people at the pool in Vegas, I am reading. <---Total book Nerd

I was reading and obsessing over Lahn and Circe…here’s why -

Circe wakes up in the middle of The Hunt. The Hunt is where women are claimed…yes claimed…by a warrior. Circe is claimed, but not by any warrior no - Dax Lahn (The King).

Dax isn’t an easy man...he is a warrior and doesn’t make excuses for who he is.

“He is a savage. Tales of his exploits have spread wide. Very cruel. Heartless.”

However, Lahn has a soft side when it comes to his queen.

"Out there, King Lahn is a fierce warrior but in here, my lahn...kah Lahn is sweet."

Throughout the story we see how Circe adapts to her new world, and how Lahn falls in love with his Golden Queen.

My thoughts…

Lahn is the ultimate alpha, but he is so damn sweet. He is protective, loving, and a sexy, sexy beast!

“A better wife, a better queen. Not even in a dream could I create better than you.”

Circe is strong and independent, and doesn’t do the running, playing games, or starting trouble…SHOCKING, but I loved her too.

This story has everything, and I recommend for everyone! Please do not put this off like I did, you will love it!!

Circe Quinn went to sleep in her own home and woke up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire. She soon finds out she isn't having a wild dream instead she is living a horrible nightmare where she is being chased through the woods and captured. She is now unwillingly the Korwahk Queen. Dax Lahn is the King of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and they together will start The Golden Dynasty of legend. Although Circe and Dax Lahn are separated by language and culture not to mention Circe is from another world and has no idea how to get back.

This has to be my favorite of the series. Circe and Lahn are my favorite couple, all their challenges they had to get through and the strength it took to get through them. To warn readers there is a lot of brutality in this book from rape, execution, and betrayal. Dax Lahn has trained from a young age to be the strongest fiercest warrior and his never told no. They fight back and forth, argue and make up. This book just has it all and KA's writing is amaze-balls as usual. I have read and re-read this book already and can't give it enough props...the laughter, tears, and all the rest of the emotions this book makes you feel.

Oh my. What can I say. One of the most memorable romance I have read that I gonna shelve it as to be re-read in future. This is the first time I read about H/h that have such a vast language and cultural barrier.

The story is about Circe (honestly, I don't even know how to pronounce her name) who woke up at this barbarian place away from her home in Seattle. She was shocked to find out she was one of the candidates for the Bride Hunt. When we say hunt is really hunting (literally), they release the bride and the warriors will hunt them down on their horses. So Circe got targeted by the King Lahn and he 'claimed' her right away.

The story pretty much progress with how Circe adapt to the her new life in this savage land whereby woman was not treated with respect, warriors own slaves and people got cut up in pieces. I find Circe is a very optimistic and courageous woman who is also so forgiving. She come to term with her situation quite early in the story. She didn't spend half the length of the book being freak out or hating her husband.

King Lahn....oh what can I say? He is such a dear. Although when he is in public, he often in his King mode, which is totally menacing and ignore Circe, but back in their rooms, he is such a sweet thing. What I like most in the story was during the first half of the book, Lahn will murmured sweet words to Circe in his own language, but half the time both Circe and me don't know a thing of what he is trying to say. But I'm sure is something really sweet. And the way he talk, often sounds brute and impossible in modern day, but I love it more when he talk like that. Oh my.

Circe really enjoyed herself being the queen so much she often manage to kick some asses. She make many great friends, Diarndia (her personal translator), Sabine, Narinda and Feetak, all of them are great supporting characters. She tried to save a girl from a horrible marriage, she save a boy from choking to death, she gives hope for her people. But sometimes she can be quite selfish, whereby at one point Lahn pointed out that she demanded so many changes from him, but he never once demanded her to change herself.

Kristen Ashley is absolutely phenomenal, I can't imagine she created her own language for only a standalone book. Half way through I started to learn the language myself. But because I'm holding a Kindle, sometimes is hard for me to glance back the previous pages to catch up on some words, which already been explained.

Some who gave negative review for this book, might be due to the violence and treatment toward the woman. But if you can look past that and understand that this is the way of their lives in this savage place, you will be able to enjoy this incredible love story about two person from two different world, how they overcome their language and cultural barrier.

It’s no secret I am a huge KA fan. Love her books. Some are good, most are great, and a few are exceptional. This is an exceptional read! Such an amazing story! Loved every single thing about it!

Circe is just a girl from Seattle who woke up one morning surrounded by Korwahk warriors and many other women who are getting ready to be ‘hunted’. It is the way of the Korwahk, how they choose their brides. And Circe gets chosen by none other than the King of Suh Tunak, Dax Lahn. Dax Lahn is not just a alpha male, he is the alpha male. He’s a warrior, a savage, a king. Circe is freaked. She can’t understand Lahn (they speak a different language) and she doesn't’ know how she got there or how she is going to get home. With the help of a translator who later becomes a friend, Dax Lahn and Circe start to communicate. Lahn is crazy about Circe. He loves how fierce she is. She is his true Golden Queen.

It takes this couple some time to finally click, but once they do, it’s a true and beautiful love. They are both devoted to each other. Even though their cultures are completely different, they both attempt to make concessions to make one another happy. The love they share is deep.

As I said before, Lahn is THE alpha male. He is PERFECT! Being an extreme alpha, we know he’s going to be rough, stubborn, protective and possessive, but when he brought out the sweet side, I loved him even more!

Circe was a fantastic heroine! She was also strong and tough, but so funny, feisty and quirky. She was soft, but she also had what it took to be a Queen. I loved how possessive she got over Lahn.
A story about two people from two totally different worlds. A beautiful love story that was just epically good. There is some drama, angst, a lot of action and romance! These Fantasyland books have me looking forward to the day my other world twin decides to switch places with me ;) hehe! Anyway, this is one of my absolute favorite KA reads! A MUST READ!!!

While reading this book I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I went to the bathroom and to bed with it, I had it with me while eating and I even took my kindle with me to the supermarket. It was such an addicting story.

This is so totally Khal Drogo / Daenerys Fanfiction ... oh my... but it is good. This is one of those books (like almost all KA books that I read so far) where you laugh and cry and wonder all the time how KA manages to make an arrogant barbarian-king still likable and drool worthy.

I normally don't do super-alphas, at least not the kind that KA creates. I don't like most of KA's heroines that much either. They are always too forgiving in the end and make it too easy for their males to abuse them emotionally and physically. They never really fight back. They are only hurt, hurt, hurt. So hurt in fact, that I suffer with them, that my heart breaks right alongside theirs and I wish with all my heart that they once tell their males to F*** off.

If it were not for the emotional roller-coaster read and the secondary characters, that are three dimensional and totally adorable, I would not give this a 5-Star rating. KA understands to write and draw a convincing, almost-magical world, where everything is possible. And there is really always one moment when KA has me bawling my eyes out. (The gin in Three Wishes had me constantly tearing up bad) ...

A full five stars from me! I was enchanted from the first chapter, the story completely drew me in. The writing was perfect, I could envision the land, the tents, the warriors and the characters perfectly. I loved the sense of humour of both Lahn and Circe, I love that the are both proud and compassionate and I love the way they learn together. Such a perfectly matched couple. The story has intrigue, suspense, loyalty, love, friendship, betrayal, cruelty, heartache and a lot of sex. Suh Tunak is a savage land and as such there are some disturbing scenes, not a book for the faint hearted. That said I couldn't put this book down, it is my favourite Kirsten Ashley read by far. I loved it.

KA has done it again! With the push from a friend who has been begging me to read KAs Fantasyland series... I finally did when she sent it to me AND I was so excited to tell her she was right! This series is amazing! This one showed how much KA is the QUEEN of alphas and true romance by turning my displeasure of Lahn to full on LOVE of him and Circe! The language barrier was hard at first but didn't stop me from devouring their BEAUTIFUL love story of true strength and pure devotion!

I'm going to keep this very short and simple and just say, if you don't like bodice rippers (rape, forced seductions, abuse) you are going to hate this book. Me personally, I love the bodice rippers! While this isn't my favorite book of all time if you enjoy a certain warrior clan in a certain HBO series you will probably enjoy this book! As a purely pleasure reading experience and not over-thinking (or over-reading) I enjoyed this novel. I would buy it again. There are some downsides to this novel that you may have trouble over-looking. There is a LOT of repetition and a lot of choppy sentences.

"And. Like. OHMYGOD, no. Really? He did? He didn't? Really!"

Unfortunately there were a lot of "sentences" like the above. I also think the editor should get punched in the face for the way the translations were handled. I have never read a book that dealt so badly with translations! The author would write a sentences in the warrior's native tongue and then 10 pages later you had the translations. For up to five sentences. It drove me batty going back and forth between the pages. (It's one thing to do that with a science or debate novel, it's quite another to do it for pleasure reading). If I hadn't REALLY enjoyed the story itself I would have stopped reading and deleted the book - that's how much the jumping around annoyed me. (Most of the time it was right in the middle of a dramatic scene and it took me out of the 'zone' I was in while reading - it was jarring to not understand and have to flip through my virtual pages, "oh that's what he said," go back, read the heroine's response, have him respond and have to flip through pages again...UGH).

WOW! Incredible story. This one is worth the time and effort. It is not light and fluffy. It is not rainbows and butterflies. It has some very dark elements; rape, murder, execution, betrayal. It felt as if I were seeing the inside of life in an ancient warrior race. Think Viking, Mongol, Spartan or Mayan. You would see brutality. I wouldn't want the author to rewrite this to eliminate that. This is their world, their culture. So if those things are too much for you don't read this one. But, if you are willing to set aside our cultural bias as to what is right and wrong, just look and see if you aren't blown away by an amazing book.
Lahn is King to a very brutal nation. He has been trained for it from birth. He is not Prince Charming! He is a warrior King. He is never told "no", he is never denied what he wants, he is brutal and coarse, until he finds his spit fire queen.
Cercie is a modern day woman from Seattle, with NO idea where she's woken up or how she got there. She is chosen and claimed by the King in a most hideous manner. There is no escape, there is no going home. She must come to terms with her life as it is now. She grasps onto the knowledge that the past is what was and the future is what you make of it.
I loved seeing the changes in both the H/h. She softens him. He sees her as worth fighting for. They are both stubborn, passionate and determined to be good rulers of their people. Once they open themselves up to love the other, it is deep and strong. Their love is tested and they fail. Cercie is wounded deeply but Lahn will not give up on wooing back his Tigress. And again it is tested and again they fail. Cercie is so hurt, so damaged and so stubborn in her refusal to allow him back into her heart that it makes his soul bleed. Neither are "right" both are flawed, both make huge mistakes; but, both love one another with an uncommon depth. The ending is wonderfully done and satisfying.
Bravo Ms. Ashley! I'm looking forward to more of your writing talents.
Highly recommended Series and Author
Adult read

Dammit! It seems that all my reviews for Kristen Ashley books are beginning to sound alike and I don't actually know how to go about reviewing another great book of hers without sounding repetitive since... well... she's an amazing author and the English dictionary holds little words which I can use to perfectly explain my feelings regarding her books.

What I will repeat and I don't care that I say it almost weekly is, that's she's done it again!

So I'm not going to waste my time shooting out words of praise when all I simply need to say is "Golden Dynasty may very, very well be the best KA book I've EVER read!"

It's all about Circe, (who's name I don't know how to pronounce, but I don't really care one bit) who goes to sleep in her Seattle home and enters what she at first believes is a dream... only to soon discover after relentless pinching, that it is in fact not a dream and she's in some strange cage, surrounded by fierce, hungry looking men and well... she's frightened.

This is not the worst of it. I mean of course waking up in a seriously rough place is terrifying as all hell... but what she doesn't realize at that moment is that... well... it's about to get a whole lot worse.

Now... this book does actually cross that fine line when it comes to touchy subjects (of pretty much every kind) and I admit, that it's not for everyone. It's brutal, bloody and KA held nothing back when she decided on which challenges Circe would face in this book. I'm glad I'm not a skirmish kind of person, because if you are... well don't even look at this book. If you are touchy and cry during a television commercial, well then... move along to something else.... if you are highly sensitive towards acts of violence against woman... freaking run away woman! Because people... if any of this sounds like something you don't want to experience in a book, I'm going to tell you not to read it. Because if you do... you are only going to be negative towards this book and even though I don't condone any subject matters in this book, it cannot be said that this book is not brilliant. Because it damn well is amazing!

It deserves nothing short of 5 out of 5 stars and anyone who says differently can only be doing so, because of what takes place in this book and the effect it may have on them, maybe from experience or just being a very sensitive person. I have pretty much been cocooned growing up and even now... I live a wonderfully safe, comfortable and protected life, tightly secured in the hands of my very own adoring alpha fiance... But I admit that many of what takes place in this book, touches me deeply, as it should for all woman, but maybe I can overlook it easily since I have not directly been effected by these circumstances... I don't know... but that's possibly why I could get over the event's that take place throughout this book.

I admit that there are parts that really made my eye's grow huge... but like I always say, give credit where credit is due, because no matter what actually took place, the way this book is written and the emotions it brings out in you (whether you have first-hand experience or not) is done so brilliantly, that it's impossible not to praise KA for her ability to deliver even the most brutal and savage of tales.

On a brighter note, the language barrier between Circe and Lahn is amazing. It was a little annoying at first... I had the print out the Korwahk / English Dictionary added at the back to actually understand the first half, but after a while, you pick up the words and even better, as Circe begins to understand the language, it's mostly translated for you automatically. But really the fact that the foreign words in this book are so deep, makes everything so much better... every word holds a deep meaning with no toying around like our vast English dictionary does. Karwahk's have few words and every one is said with no hidden meanings... It's truly done passionately and its down-right freaking amazing!

I lived myself so deeply into the book, that I couldn't put it down. I kept saying... just a little more, then I'll go to bed... but that never happened and I pretty much stayed up all night to finish it.

"He wasn't done. "A better wife, a better queen. Not even in a dream could I create better than you."

The relationship between Circe and Lahn is one of absolute magic and I'm so obsessed with the two of them. Like I said before, Golden Dynasty may very well be the best KA book I've ever read and I know that after you finish one, you always think... ah this one's brilliant... it's my favorite... until you pick up the next and repeat the same sentiment... but that changes in this book. It really is by far the most heart touching, romantic, magical and all-consuming book I've read of Kristen Ashley's and it has nothing to do with the fact that it has a hot warrior dude and a fun, friendly female lead with an amazing personality. Take both of those away and it will still be the best of the lot!

Read More Reviews On My Blog - Coffee, Books & Lipgloss

Reviewed by SUZANNE & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Okay...wow...just wow.

*takes deep breath*

I need a moment to process this book. It had me on an emotional roller coaster! One minute I was happy and awwing my way through the book, the next I wanted to find a large piece of wood and practice my golf swing on a certain sexy King's head! Crazy.

The Golden Dynasty is the second book in the Fantasyland series and although set in the first world as the first book, it can be read as a standalone without any difficulties. Circe wakes up in a pen filled with other women, something she definitely did NOT expect to happen when she went to bed in Seattle last night. But as the day continues her it are gets worse and worse, she realises she is not in her world anymore but has some how ended up in this savage world, a world where she is now part of the Wife Hunt, a hunt where warriors will chase her down in the woods and once they have her, rape her and claim her for his wife. However, Circe has caught the eye of the king, Lahn, the biggest and strongest of the warriors and escape seems unlikely.

Is anyone here a Game of Thrones fan? I am, and this book reminded me of all the Khal Drogo and Daenerys parts. Circe has come to what seems to her a savage tribe of warriors and has been claimed as wife by their king, they don't speak the same language and their cultures vastly differ. Circe does not have it easy, and sometimes this book isn't easy to read, and Lahn isn't an easy character to like.

There is rape in this book. It doesn't go in to detail, it is a fade to black scene, it isn't even a "forced seduction" although that does make a few brief appearances as well, there is out and out rape in this book perpetrated by the hero. In fact the hero does a few despicable things and the fact that by the end of the book I really liked him either makes KA a great story teller or me a little bit crazy, I am going for the former. Because Lahn did have his moments, moments where he was the perfect man, said and meant all the right things, but with a culture that is so different in brutal and violent ways he did things that sometimes I found hard to tolerate. Circe has got to be one of the few heroines that despite how it all turned out in the end, that I never thought to myself, "I wish I was her".

But, that makes I sound like I didn't like this book, which is so very very wrong, this is one of my favourite books I have read this year. I liked that it wasn't your straight love story and it made me feel a little uncomfortable, I will remember and be thinking about this book now, even though I have read the last page.

Savage, beautiful, brutal, heart warming all these adjectives describe this book, and it is definitely one of my favourite Kristen Ashley reads.

I want to start by saying that I have read many of this author's books and I have enjoyed several of them. I will however in my humble opinion suggest that Mrs. Ashley should consider interviewing today's woman. We are definitely more mature. In light of recent events I would appreciate it if she would reconsider rewriting the beginning of this novel. I'm sure many women would feel the same and it would set a good example for any impressionable young woman who might read this book.

OMG!! 6 Stars For Sure!!

I absolutely LOVE this book!! On the favorites shelf. Better than the 1st in my opinion.

Circe is a regular girl who lives in Seattle. One day she wakes up in a human pin. She is surrounded by other woman and it is explained to her that she is to participate in the "Woman Hunt". The gates will open and she has to run because the men of the tribe will hunt them, claim them (if you know what I mean) with our without their permission, and that is how they are married.

Lahn is the king of this tribe. He is a savage. He as never participated in taking a wife and is not interested in doing so...until he sees Circe. With her blonde hair and pale skin...she is different than any woman he has ever seen.

Now this is a parallel dimension...Circe is not in Kansas anymore (Seattle, but the saying is not as cool). They are speaking a different language...their ways are not her ways. So when the gates open, she runs, when Lahn catches her...she fights...but does not win.

She is miserable...she doesn't understand what is happening. She meets a woman who speaks English and they become instant friends. Circe begins to learn about the culture, the language, and she begins to feel for her SUPER HOT, Warrior, husband...who behind closed doors is sweet and gentle with her.

She ends up falling in love...and he with her!

There are so many trials, a lot to do with that she is a modern girl and he is a savage. Cheating on his wife is natural and Circe won't allow it...So that is something that gets nipped.

There is drama between thinking she is the Circe of the fantasy world when she is not that woman. Remember everyone has a twin in the parallel universe...and Circe of Seattle is tied up in the world of Circe of the Fantasyland.

This book is sooo good!! I know it is just a story so even though I am not okay with rape and spousal abuse...I understand why they are elements of this story and why they are trials that had to be overcome.

Circe Quinn was at home in Seattle, then before she knew what was happening she was in a corral wearing a hardly there piece of material, surrounded by a lot of other women dressed the same, terrified out of her skin she noted that there was guards who looked really fierce watching them. Fortunately she found another woman named Narrinda who spoke English who knew exactly what was going on this was the bride hunt, when the women are released from the corral the warriors would give chase and when they caught the woman of their choice she became his wife. If more than one warrior wanted the same woman then they would fight one another the winner claiming the spoils. Circe could not take in how brutal and savage this place seemed to be, where the hell was she. It did not escape her notice either that she was the only blond amongst the women, this as it turned out was unfortunate as she had attracted the attention of the king of these people Dax Lahn the King of the Suh Tunak.
Book two is in my opinion the best of the series so far, it was really engrossing to read how Circe had to very quickly learn to adjust in this primitive and brutal world, and to the warrior king who had claimed her as his wife, and made her his queen.
This is such a well written book the details of this strange world are so well done it is easy to visualise the surroundings and the people, the characters are so well drawn and detailed. I could not put this down and was sorry that it had to end.

I loved everything about this book!!! My god Circe has to be the best female character Kristen Ashley has ever written, no joke she is that good!!! I don't want give anything away, but this is a intense and emotional ride from start to finish. I took me a little while to get use to this new world, but once you are in you are hooked!!! There are times it gets so intense you wanna give up, but please the payoff is so great!!!

Re-read 29th March - 30th March 2018

This is one of my favourite Kristen Ashley reads and I’ve no idea how many times I’ve actually read this.

Reading it now has the added bonus of me picturing Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) as Dax Lahn.

I have to say there’s a lot of similarities between this and GOT, more than I would have expected. I’d not picked up on this before because I hadn’t read that book but now I have and I was surprised.

Previous Review

I’ve not researched this but I’m assuming it was written with GOT in mind, a tribute maybe?
I've just read this again for the, to be honest I can't remember how many times I've read this book it's one of my favourite Kristen books. I love everything about this, great story wonderful characters amazing book.

I really could not get through the first few chapters of this book. Usually a big KA fan but this was so horrible that i had to go looking for reviews and spoilers while hoping that the story wasn't going where i feared it was. Based on what I've found, these hopes were in vain. Reviews I’ve read state that this book is reckless with the subject of rape. In addition to everything other reviewers pointed out regarding rape and consent, this book is extremely abhorrent from a racial standpoint as well.

The Fantasyland series is the final Kristen Ashley series that i hadn't read, so I began a few weeks ago. I enjoyed Wildest Dreams well enough and moved on to the next book in the series. Golden Dynasty is the only book of hers I’ve read where the majority of the characters are Black and Brown. In the very first chapters she ensures (by mentioning it multiple times) that we know that this culture of people have dark skin. I found it offensive that the ONE TIME most of her characters are people of color, she chose to make them barbarians. The Korwahk are uncivilized, dark skinned people who casually murder and commit violence against each other. They are described as "savages" and "brutes" who find it perfectly acceptable to objectify, rape, and enslave their women. They also abduct foreign women and treat them to the same objectification. The book begins with a "wife hunt" where men compete to chase down, capture and penetrate a mixture of willing native and frightened abducted women.

Kristen Ashley also clarifies that the heroin, Circe, is a foreigner, blonde, pale and "stands out" from everyone else. Obviously, out of her and all of the dark skinned women he could have chosen, she is the one the King "honors" and claims by hunting her down and raping her. Through this action she becomes the Queen, her nude body is decked out in gold and she is presented to her people.
During this first meeting between her and her people, Circe is the lone person who objects when a crowd of Korwhak's witness a man sexually assault a woman. A few pages later, she is rightly outraged when she discovers that the dark skinned women who helped dress her in gold are actually her slaves.

The Black and Brown people are savages and barbarians while the one White, blonde person is civilized and compassionate. This contrast is severely problematic. Between the misogyny and the racism in the first three and a half chapters I read, I could not go on. From other reviews, I know that Circe absolves her rapist and ends up loving him even though he abuses her. I have not found a review that addresses or details what will happen as far as the racial issues presented the first chapters are concerned. However this set up was so terrible that I don’t see any way this can be rectified.

This story seems predictable. I can only assume that Circe will end up finding some redeeming qualities in the Korwahk people. True to other White American literature, she will become some sort of great White savior to these dark skinned savages who she eventually comes to care deeply about. Surely, Circe, as the protagonist, will convince the King to abandon their barbarian traditions and perhaps teach the Korwhak’s civilized behavior.

Previously, I’ve noticed that Kristen Ashley struggles with writing nonwhite characters (Ty Walker being the one exception), but they appear so few and far between that I was able to overlook this problem. It’s impossible to ignore the glaring mess that is Golden Dynasty. To put it plainly, I was disappointed. I recommend any of her other novels, but give this one a pass. (UPDATE: I haven't actually read or reread any of Kristen Ashley's books since stumbling across this racist disaster. There are too many options & authors available for me to support anyone who would create this trash.)

If anyone who has read Golden Dynasty in its entirety wants to claim that I’ve prematurely and unfairly judged this book, please feel free to correct my predictions of how this story will play out.

All I can say is I LOVED this book. I have a love/hate relationship with KA books. I love the drama and romance of her books, but sometimes I just feel like her characters aren't fleshed out and the dialogue is super repetitive... she could use a good editor. And I'm not saying some of that wasn't present in this. However, I just absolutely loved Lahn and Circe together. The way their relationship developed and changed was just magical to read. I couldn't get enough, I didn't want the book to end. If this book is anything to go on, I'll definitely be reading the rest of this series.

This book is a bit of a conundrum for me. From the first chapter, I found the writing quite jarring. I was constantly wanting to edit out all the 'this is because' and 'therefore'. I felt like a lot of the time, the author was using more words than were strictly necessary. So it took me a little while to get past that. But then, I got sucked in by the story and the characters, and all the 'this is because's' were easier to ignore. And I couldn't put it down.
So three stars to average it out.

This is my all time favorite Kristen Ashley book. That's not to say that there are not hard to face moments or moments that I wanted to toss the book across the room. But in the end Lahn completely won me over. I wont go over the points that bothered me as I know many others here have mentioned it. If you can get past the hard parts there is an amazing alpha male, fantasy, parallel world traveling romantic story.

This book was so good I read it all the way through and then re-read it again! It was not my usual type of book, as it mixes modern day events with fantasy. It tells the tale of a modern girl, Circe, who is unexpectantly stuck into a fantasy world, where a very strong male, Lahn, literally hunts her down and makes her his. It has many plot twists and turns. If you love Kristen Ashley and/or a great romance, read this one! And, the price is very good! Visit my blog for more recommendations:
[...]

Best fantasy novel I have read! Even though you may get the Deaneries/Drogo (GOT) vibe from it, there is still so much originality and uniqueness! I read this book first, before the actual 1st book in the series and was fine, but I highly recommend reading the other books in order.

Quite possibly the best book of the series! I loved Lahn, I loved Circe, I loved the plot! Though I can see how some people might hate this one. However, it is one of the best of KA's works. Seriously good!

I really love this series. And this is another great book, it's one of my favorites! At first it is really hard to take because of the way of the people are but eventually it turns out to be awesome! However for some they may not be able to get past it just a warning go in with an open mind, and you will be rewarded! The romance and action is so cool and experiencing the other world, their culture and how they live and their clothes is exciting!

I love Kristen Ashley books but this one was by far one of her best. It was well written and brought the reader into another world. I loved the heroine and hero, both were strong people but compromised for each other.

This was very creative and exciting. I will say though the cloud of how it started could not leave my head. I know she tried to reason away the violence and brutalization of the woman but my mind kept thinking "stockholm syndrome".I loved her strength and the language was creative. This type of depravity should not be romanticized.

[...]
[...]

DAX!!! OMG how I hated you on one page and then fell in love with you on the next!
Dax was a tough one to get through to - to his heart. Interesting character, total alpha...rough, tough, gentle, kind, stubborn....beautiful.
the only difficulty was the translations - wish they were right below text instead of foot noted.

Circe goes to sleep in modern-day Seattle and awakens in the midst of what she first perceives as a nightmare, but turns out to be cold reality -- or better said, an alternate, more primitive reality to which she has been magically transported. Even more scarily, Circe finds herself a captive, kept in a pen with other women, under the guard of brawny warriors. These men are of the Horde -- the warrior caste of the mighty Korwahk people --, and the women are there for the Bride Hunt, which, as Circe learns, means that the women will be displayed to the participating warriors who will each choose his preferred bride, then chase her down and, if necessary, fight for her with other competing warriors. The winner will then claim his woman by having sex with her, and bring her back to camp as his bride.
Some women in the pen have entered the Bride Hunt willingly, as being a warrior wife is a great honor in the Korwahk culture, but others, like Circe, are there unwillingly, and are understandably appalled at the barbaric ritual. Still, Circe is forced like all others before the warriors and, with her unique golden beauty (she is blonde, and the Korwahk are all dark-haired), draws the eye of the most dangerous barbarian warrior of them all -- their Dax (King) Lahn. And then the Bride Hunt commences and Circe starts running.

The author Kristen Ashley pulls no punches with her narrative. The Horde warriors are daunting and brutal, but they are, in fact, products of their culture: an archaic one which cherishes fierceness and courage.
Circe is a strong woman, one who refuses to be a victim for long, as it is her belief that "What has been has been but what will be is what you make of it." Thus, while secretly plotting to find a way to return home, she starts adapting to her new life, interacting with her husband, Dax Lahn, and her new people, learning about the Korwahk culture and their language. Her husband, though fearsome, is handsome and honorable and strong, and Circe slowly comes to care for him.
The hero, Dax Lahn, is truly awe-inspiring. He is the absolute leader of his people, their king by right of might -- and he is, without doubt, the most formidable and powerful warrior of the Horde. I was impressed that the author had the courage to stay true to Lahn's warrior persona, even when she had to portray his fury unleashed, his ruthlessness in battle, his merciless revenge upon his enemies. I was even more impressed when the author succeeded in redeeming him after his initial acts of violence against Circe and in making it believable that Circe would fall in love with him.

Overall, this was a great read for me. I had my doubts, at first, being that this is a self-published book, and I feared it would have a lot of grammatical mistakes and typos. Fortunately, that wasn't the case. Still, the book could have used some better editing: the writing itself wasn't always the smoothest, there were some confusing scene transitions, and the heroine's modern slang got to be a bit too much. Even so, I loved the creativity involved in establishing the Korwahk world and culture, and I loved the development of the romantic relationship between the main characters. Thus, four stars.

Read from August 16 to 17, 2012

Beautiful Nightmare. I think this book left a mark on my spirit. I've never hated a Hero ...so much...then completely fell in love with him by the end. Rainbow after the storm...

...so far, anyway. Just fabulous. A wonderful, thrill-filled plot. An alternate universe where bold warriors rule--the hero, warrior ruler Dax Lahn, being the boldest and best of them all. And an indomitable girl from Seattle. Sizzling chemistry, tender love, rich conflict. Perfect.

This author is freaking awesome. Each and every one of her books totally ROCK!!! Highly recommend anything written by this author. All of her books are sexy, fun, and totally enjoyable. Each series is well worth the read!!!

I really got into this story.. I don't know how KA does it, from writing Fiction romance to Fantasy romance. I liked this one better than the first one and really loved Circe and Lahn... And emotional Rollercoaster of a story!

This is my favorite book by KA of all time. I love the setting and how the characters are developed. Especially Dax Lahn. He really ends up changing by the end of the book. He is totally awesome. I loved it!!

Sickening, warnings should be put up. Idk how some say this is how it use to be with us. Get over it I read. Not everyone was a rapist and abuser in our history. Some treated their woman as a treasure to be protected, some an air headed object to be taking care etc. we get where I'm going.
Some loved this. It's not for me.

I LOVE Kristen Ashley's books, but I put off reading this series because I love her other books so much I wasn't sure I would like her fantasy series and I thought the cover looked boring......Man, was I wrong! I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series and to see what happens next.

LOVED it - totally not my usual genre but I totally love KA so gave it a go. Read it - you will love it even if you are not into the Fantasy/Time travel genre.... did I just stay totally twice in one sentence - shows how much my mind was blown by this book.

FAVOITE KA BOOK EVER!

Wow. I am blown away by how great this book was. This love story and storyline is by FAR my favorite of all KA.

It reminded me so much of Daenary's & Drogo from Game of Throns (with the happily ever after).

I am going to go re-read it now.. I can't get enough!

I loved this book, no less than what I expected from KA. Kept true to her sweet, hot Mega-Alpha male heroes, and Lahn was above and beyond, probably due to the savage aspect. Circe was a good lead, she was a little foolish, but I loved her spirit and the whole Tigress thing. There was a good amount of laughter considering the possible dark tone of the book. I also loved the beginning when she started to get to know Lahn, it was really sweet, he was sweet, with the seduction and not understanding and repeating her phrases, I especially loved the "I don't understand you baby", really sweet(Ps I'm going to be saying that a lot :D). I always love the beginnings of romances, watching, waiting for, seeing and feeling the characters fall in love is amazing. It was especially nice here, with how it started, the fact that it changed for the better, and how, with his attentiveness, his words... I loved the piggyback scene, again sweet, romantic... I think you get the gist :D I LOVED scene with the "Nahna" and "Kahna"s you just melt, nothing else for it, or to say totally swoon and every good description you can think of, romantic, sweet, possessive, love. And need I mention the river bank scene, again nothing else to say, their first admission of love, it was everything it should be, I wanted, needed and expected. Totally made up for what I felt was a lacking first kiss cause she gave in so easily and was half asleep, not as romantic as a fight, or in the midst of passion and having her CONSCIOUS. I wanted her to choose it but oh well. But his first kiss to her was really sweet, another favorite part. The magic was cool too. Oh and the Fauna thing, immediate, constant and apparently rare among all other warriors, so Sweet! (I even counted: 9 "My Faunas" and 13 "My Doe" from, Lahn to Circe) This is why we fall in love with these, hard jerk mega-alpha males, and savage in this case(but also always hot too).

Some complained there was too much setting and clothes descriptions, but for me I loved, wanted and needed it. It all helped with the imagining and also fantasizing the kickass outfits I REALLY want to try ;)

Now I can understand the issues this book touched being sensitive topics for some people and therefore not a good choice to read. However, these parts were generally either in the beginning, glossed over and/or only lasted a few pages. I also realize this was a hated phrase but it "was their culture!". We had the exact same one 700+ years ago. We still have it in many areas today, so despite our change in many cultures, we can't be completely high and mighty that we've never done this. Yes, it has changed and I do not condone any of the things touched on either, but this was also part of the point of the book and its characters. It was a modern day woman falling in love with a savage nation and equally savage man, and you know that upon starting to read it. We can't expect Circe to enter the country and be able to change much of anything, not just because she said so and didn't like it. I find it amazing she changed it in Lahn or at least made him listen and abide by her wishes, good for her, she stood up for herself and her beliefs when she could, when it really mattered, and mattered to her, and when she could change things. The rest, you either need to accept, or bury your head in the sand, skip or gloss over. Get to the heart of the story.

I am also proud of her for holding her grudge, however the last time almost annoyed she gave in or annoyed when I knew she would and the incident was happening because, she was so broken and I was upset and breaking with her. However it was Crazy and for a barbarian, yeah, no, he's not gonna get it. But he realized he loved her anyway right away so that is redeeming. So I do totally and fully agree with the outcome, and the fact that he won, but I wanted more at the end. I find this often with with KA books and probably part of the reason I've been devouring them feverishly. They always leave me satisfied but not, wanting more, more of the all is calm, love forever, everything is perfect romance and love once all the issues have been resolved. I want to revel in it, but can't so I reread and/or buy the next to start over with the watching, waiting for, seeing and feeling the characters fall in love... Waiting for the scenes I want. The declarations of love, the revelations and determination, before all hell breaks loose and is then resolved, sometimes promptly, sometimes not, and then the book ends. A vicious cycle and it's good KA shows no sign of stopping and pumps them out so fast, it's needed. Smart ploy for publishers, but still, and just shows how much I love these books.

Also, addressing the repetitive issues, I just got over, ignored, or just plain didn't notice them. Specifically for this book, there are only so many things and phrases they could say with a language barrier.

I read this book because of one phrase. On a review for her new book Knight, which I've also read and reviewed, similarly I might add, a reader commented it was missing the absolute and apparent love characteristic of KA's books, and I agree, but how she said it stuck with me and burned in my brain for a week before I broke down and bought this book. She said -----

"I just didn't feel the WHY Knight loved Anya or how her love impacted his life. In KA language... "Sweet Dreams"... remember when Tate realized that "this was enough" for Lauren... or when he was walking the house after she'd been kidnapped and KA showed us how Laurie was everywhere, in every corner and crevice of Tate's house and his heart? Or how Joe told Vi.. "I'm full to bursting." Or when Circe gets swept back to her time and Lahn's heart practically falls out of his chest?"

Now unfortunately for me, that scene wasn't described in such detail, or with those words that would and almost did make me swoon, but the idea is there, the love is evident and you can definitely read between the lines. What can I say, with it being described afterwards and the Dax not being much of a sharer or chatterer, well I'm not exactly suprised.

I loved this book, savage and all, it was sweet, romantic and just like KA. It's a perfect addition to my shelf for her, now up to 10! Wow, (I love her books, can't get enough. If you are really sensitive, be warned, watchful, I don't recommend it unknowingly, but definitely recommend it. However, if you are just hesitant, worried about details or graphics, BUY THE BOOK! it is worth it, I found the issues able to be handled and pushed aside pretty easily, just focus on your swooning and I was good. It was never THAT detailed, not much worse than some of her other scenes, or many others in many other books popular and widely read with drugs, kidnapping, torture, more and worse rape, at least this rape was clean for most and hell PG 13 movies are more graphic, also horror and thrillers, action movies, books, there is a lot we put up with, deal with and accept because it's FICTION. The same goes here, and it's KA she's not known for all butterflies, flowers and simple petty issues being the main drama. They almost all have at least one sick crazy in it and violence and explosions of the literal and figurative variety. Even the leads are hard-edged and some downright scary. So, I actually found this book to be sweeter, in words and actions than any of her others so far, whatever made Lahn Lahn in their Cham. They had a lot of scenes there where he was allowed to be sweet instead of always being a Macho Biker or something similar, I guess he let her in right away, was sweet and in love right away, and that was amazingly different. So, read the book, if you liked her others, I'm sure, and hope, you'll love this one.

And Ps. I'm sorry this is one heinously, long review but I hope it helps and inspires.

Bit derivative of Outlander...but this lass really has no skills to speak of them men have no redeeming values--and she's a total Mary Sue, really. Falling for her rapist is bad enough, but then she "helps" another victim learn to love her rapist as well? It might be a fun sex romp into an imaginary culture but for that. Culturally acceptable in that world or not, it's hard to view brutal rape and domestic violence as entertainment in this one.

*SPOILERS*
I started reading it last night and now 60% of the way through I'm quitting. I shudder to think of the women in abusive situations who will read this and internalize it. I normally love her books but this one has me wondering what moron thought it was okay to publish it based on it's content. The heroine is raped REPEATEDLY and just gets over it. She's hit so hard across her face that people wince when they see her and she can't even bear the slightest touch even near the wound but she just gets over it. She's made to sit out in the blazing sun for 9 hours and gets sun poisoning .....and yet she just gets over it. I'm not finished but I'm sure the hits keep coming. I never thought I'd say this but this is one Kristen Ashley book you're better off avoiding.

I love the book. This one is a keeper. If you like Warprize, you might like this. I love how Kristen create this whole new world. There are culture difference between the two characters but they make it work.

The concept of the story is very interesting, but the writing, not so much. I believe what the author needs is an editor to help her process her train of thoughts better, for they jumped everywhere at once and were at times rather hard to follow. The author does not take her time to describe things, the setting, the characters etc, but rather moves too quickly between scenes. And the heroine, throwing the F word and her random one-liner thoughts in the middle of tense situations breaks the flow of the story. I only felt the need to write this review because the previous two reviewers gave the novel 5 stars and i do not think it is worthy of 5 stars at all.

*Spoilers throughout*

Circe is not having a good day when she suddenly wakes up, no longer in her nice comfy bed in Seattle, but in a strange land where no almost one speaks her language and before she really even processes what is going on she is hunted down and raped by the man who just became her husband.

It's been a long time I have been so conflicted about writing a review for a book because the book is for the most part quite entertaining, but there are so many flaws that I can't in good conscious recommend it. At first I was really intrigued about this new world and these warriors Circe meets, espeically her husband, Lahn, and also about what exactly the golden dynasty is and what importance it has. But the problem is that the writing is so stilted, with pages and pages going to describe Circe's outfits, hair, jewelry, and sex life in detail that much of the "meat of the story" is glossed over. Her husband hits her, rapes her 7 times, if I remember correctly, and imprisons her and I won't even get into his questionable fidelity (although he is faithful after she makes a point of it before that he may or maybe not have gone to the communal slave-whores), but these things are described with about as much detail as you would tell a stranger about a trip to the gynecologist. It is all glossed over and all we ever see of his is this perfect man. The story has so many dark and serious issues and none of them are seriously talked about or addressed, except with the other wives giving Circe hints about how to keep her husband from raping other women by wearing him down sexually and to understand that he only hit you because he was really angry. But because the story was handled in such a breezy way all the violence seemed too graphic and out of place and no only that but I didn't care that these bad things happened to the heroine because none of her pain and suffering was described, but all her emotional pain and suffering is glorified in detail. The whole tone of the book was off because of the content. This content is just plan too dark to make a light book and the author was not willing to add much more than a handful of pages that weren't as light as cotton candy.

Not only that, but what really got me was the plot. There basically is no plot what so ever. Episodic things happen, but with no rising acting, no climax and no conclusion, well other than the inevitable happily ever after for the couple. Despite this books substantial length there is no plot at all outside of the relationship between Circe and Lahn and the various episodic things that happen to them. The idea of the golden dynasty in the end came to nothing. Nothing changed in the world, nothing changed in the characters, there were still slaves at the end, but because Circe calls them "her girls" and buys them clothes suddenly they are happy to be slaves. "The posse," Circe's group of women friends are still basically little better than play things with nothing even close to human rights, being a man is not allow to interfere with another man's private business even if he is watching him cut his wife's throat. But because most of the women are happy and their husbands stopped raping them nightly and now make love to them there are no more problems in the world.

What really boggles the mind is the character of Lahn who is supposed to be very smart, sweet, considerate and a good husband but he refused to stop RAPING other women when he goes out raiding because that is his way. How can you be even remotely civilized yet think rape is ok? Yet, Circe gets Lahn to stop after promising to never ask anything of him again, yet all his other men still go out raping, pillaging and murdering but in her mind everything is ok.

The reason I am complaining so much is that because nothing changed, because the only thing that really honestly happened in the book is that these two feel in love and he managed to begrudgingly vow to sleep with no one else. Even though they are heralding in this golden dynasty nothing is different, and the book just seemed to drag as the same problems came up over and over again, those being that she is over emotional and does irrational things without thinking and he only thinks of the sacrifices he is making towards her, that being fidelity, and him thinking she gives up nothing, while she gave up her entire life in her world to stay with him.

By the end I was annoyed at the lack of progress but many parts are quite entertaining. The writing is not terrible, but I would suggest anyone thinking of getting this book to read the sample because the who book is written in the first person and with all kinds of odd asides and random things thrown in but once I got used to the writing style it was ok, but Shakespeare it's not.

2 1/2 stars.