R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 11/14/2011 + 1438 more book reviews

This fantasy at first put me off because of the training details that Phedre receives in order to provide sexual experiences to those who request her favors. However, her life changes when she is becomes a member of the household of Anafiel Delaunay where she must earn her marque, a special artistic tattoo on her back that signifies that she has served her clients well. Phaedre grows to love and respect Delaunay and his other protege, Alcuin, with whom she becomes good friends. However, her closest friend is Hycinthe, who grew up on the streets, and who loves her for who she is as a person rather than the favors she is trained to provide. As the story unfolds one finds begins to identify with Phaedre whose life changes with the political intrigue with which Delaunay is involved. When Delaunay, Alcuin, and the household servants are murdered, Phaedre and her bodyguard, Joscelin, a member of a priest-like group trained in defensive tactics to protect those he serves are kidnapped and sold as slaves to a barbarian tribe that plans to invade the country. Life becomes more and more complex for Phaedre and Joscelin, who in their absence are convicted of the murders. Phaedre finds herself serving the young queen once her father dies and becomes a spy and her representative to help find her fiance and bring him to her for marriage.

The tale is action-packed and fast moving and fascinating. Will Phaedre fall in love with Hycinthe who through his success on the streets becomes known as the Prince of Travelers or will her heart belong to Joscelin who finds himself breaking every vow he made to keep Phaedre safe? Or, is love really in the cards for one such as Phaedre? Will the young queen survive the political chaos that follows her father's death to marry her fiance? One keeps turning the pages to discover the answers to these questions and others. I really enjoyed the book, in spite of its length.

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