by
Reimund Swiđhun has it made. With the king's blessing, he will capture Lady Mildthryth, marry her, and finally have land to call his own.
Lady Mildthryth Rúna has been fighting off would-be 'suitors' for months. She will marry on her terms or not at all. On their world, a noblewoman is expected to marry and accept her subordinate place.
Unfortunately for Reimund, Milthryth's people have other traditions. She refuses give up and be a broodmare for any of the knights and lordlings the king sends after her. And before long, she has Reimund right where she wants him.
For Reimund, the only thing more shameful than being captured by a woman is bending knee to one, but he will do what he must to keep his friends and followers safe. Even if it means spending the rest of his life Bound by His Oath.
Genres:
Tropes: Enemy to Ally, Pseudo European Society
Word Count: 26000
Languages Available: English
Tropes: Enemy to Ally, Pseudo European Society
Word Count: 26000
Languages Available: English
Greenling on Smashwords wrote:You're in for a treat with this one if you like low- or no-magic European medieval-style fantasy that gives full respect and agency to women and non-combatant characters, while confronting and subverting the tropes of period romance (starting with the "romance" part)! The story deals with some heavy issues like misogyny, conquest, power relations, and consent, but its underlying humanity and humor keeps it an easy read and I adored the developing relationship between the two main characters.
First off: this is not a book about kink, per se, or even a romance necessarily. This is a story about navigating a relationship under deeply suboptimal circumstances and going from making the best of things to being stronger together. It's an emotional story, and both main characters are lovable people despite starting at odds; the world-building is interesting and gives hints as to the SF/F nature of the world, but the writing is mostly character-focused. It's a fun (assuming no issues with the CWs) and relatively quick read. The only thing that really loses a star for me is that the book feels like it cuts off in the middle of the plot- it doesn't exactly, because it ends after the resolution of the character-centric premise, but there's definitely space for a lot more book here and I don't even know if the author plans a sequel. I'd love a much longer book in this world!
