Princess of LustAuthor: Ann Mayburn
Release Date: Nov. 7, 2012
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
For the Love of Evil #2
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance, m/f, f/f, m/m/f
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
The drums of war are beating in both Heaven and Hell and only the love of a half-demon Princess, Natalia, can stop the oncoming slaughter. Unfortunately, Princess Natalia has her hands full trying to keep her human concubine from killing her demon lovers, in addition to learning how to survive the deadly pleasures and politics of the Court of Lust.
With the abuse of opium increasing in the mortal world, High Prince Belal, ruler of the Deadly Sin Sloth, is gaining power by the day and threatens to soon rule all of Hell. In a desperate attempt to curb Belal’s powers, Natalia is sent to mortal earth to stop what has been prophesied to be a major turning point in the war. Cut off from her men in Hell, Natalia soon realizes that all is not as it seems.
What may have at first been a blessing has become a curse.
What B is talking about: |
Continuing where the last story, Daughter of Lust, ended, Natalia has assumed her place as the daughter of Asmodeus, High Prince of Hell and keeper of the sin of Lust. War has broken out, and patches of Chaos, the energies used by God to create the universe, are taking over portions of Hell as opium use continues to spread on earth. With King Satan still suffering in the seclusion of his heartache, all of Hell could fall to Belal, High Prince and keeper of the sin of Sloth, if Natalia can’t find a way to free mortals of their addictions and restore the balance.
In a reversal of the first novel in the series, Princess of Lust begins with Natalia trying to fulfill her duties in Hell as the daughter of the High Prince of Lust. And if having just found out that she’s half-demon and heir to a throne under attack wasn’t enough, she’s got three males competing for her affections, two of whom aren’t willing to share. Since she draws her own power from the lust of others, this poses a few complications. Although, the making up process was highly enjoyable to read about.
One of my favorite things in this story, as well as the first one, involves the politicking and courtly rigors that exist in Hell. Even with war on his doorstep and spies among his own people, Asmodeus, and his court, are bound by formal procedures and an intricate code of conduct that his enemies seem perfectly content to ignore when out of the public eye. It is a dance, quite literally in this story, performed openly, while crucial pieces are put into motion behind the scenes. Watching Natalia (and Gregor) fighting their instincts in order to play the game gave the story some additional, and welcome, intrigue.
Natalia has her hands full with her bonded males, all carrying a piece of her soul within them as she carries a piece of theirs. Gregor is a human concubine living in Hell, and the son of Asmodeus’ enemy. He is unsure and jealous, yet his loyalty to Natalia is unwavering. Then, there’s Raum, General of the army, and his concubine, Kirin, and finally, leader of her personal guard, Eline. Finding a balance that satisfies them all has proved impossible, and the tension between her lovers is almost more than she can take.
Princess of Lust is a wonderful addition to the Love of Evil series. Natalia has a sense of loyalty and a resolve to save her father’s people that makes her immediately likable. No flighty, spoiled brat, she is young and imperfect, yet resolute in her determination to learn. With a cliffhanger ending so unexpected and abrupt I had to check to make sure my e-reader hadn’t had a glitch, Princess of Lust left me extremely anxious to know Natalia’s fate. Ms. Mayburn has fashioned a complex and dangerous world for Natalia and her lovers to navigate, but she closes the book with the promise of a “Happily Ever After” which is good enough for me.
B’s Rating: |
Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)
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