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Warlords #3
A King's Revenge
When you lose what you loved most…
Tarik Sabarn, King of Desani, thought he’d lost everything when his Queen was murdered. In the years following her death, he gave up on love and focused on ruling his Kingdom. When he meets Lea at a United Alliance meeting, he finds what was once lost.
When you find what you’d always been searching for…
Lea never imagined a random night of passion would lead to answers she’d spent years searching for. After a night with Tarik, she learns more than she bargained for and finds love. But if she’s not careful, they’ll both lose out again.
Tarik Sabarn, King of Desani, thought he’d lost everything when his Queen was murdered. In the years following her death, he gave up on love and focused on ruling his Kingdom. When he meets Lea at a United Alliance meeting, he finds what was once lost.
When you find what you’d always been searching for…
Lea never imagined a random night of passion would lead to answers she’d spent years searching for. After a night with Tarik, she learns more than she bargained for and finds love. But if she’s not careful, they’ll both lose out again.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 26, 2020
Though it’s part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. The world building was better in this book as compared to the 1st Book. Honor Bound
Characters from the first book do make an appearance and a brief background story is given. But..... as with a series, it can be better appreciated if the previous books are read.
The plot covered a lot of elements -
A “Dead” wife - Mad with grief Husband - Celibate Hero.......... since the wife’s death - Amnesia inducing injury - Heroine hidden under a different identity.
Then we have ........
Hero in pursuit - Hero royalty - Hero protective of the heroine - Hero understanding - Multiple murder attempts on the heroine - Heroine’s public “resurrection” - Appearance of characters from other books in the series ( Very enjoyable to read) - Use of poison as a plot element - Return of Heroine’s memories - Heroine remembers location of hidden proof incriminating the person behind the murder attempts.
And....... predictably......
The Traitor is identified.
The Traitor attempts to destroy proof.
The Traitor attempts to kill the heroine.
And......
At the last minute the Hero steps in to take a hit in a self-sacrificial bid to save the heroine (sigh!)
The traitor launches into an explanation for his actions. And also volunteers some explanations for past crimes. Mercifully, the Traitor is killed before he can cause any more trouble. Hero is saved.
And they King and his Queen lived HEA.
Overall an enjoyable and entertaining read.
Characters from the first book do make an appearance and a brief background story is given. But..... as with a series, it can be better appreciated if the previous books are read.
The plot covered a lot of elements -
A “Dead” wife - Mad with grief Husband - Celibate Hero.......... since the wife’s death - Amnesia inducing injury - Heroine hidden under a different identity.
Then we have ........
Hero in pursuit - Hero royalty - Hero protective of the heroine - Hero understanding - Multiple murder attempts on the heroine - Heroine’s public “resurrection” - Appearance of characters from other books in the series ( Very enjoyable to read) - Use of poison as a plot element - Return of Heroine’s memories - Heroine remembers location of hidden proof incriminating the person behind the murder attempts.
And....... predictably......
The Traitor is identified.
The Traitor attempts to destroy proof.
The Traitor attempts to kill the heroine.
And......
At the last minute the Hero steps in to take a hit in a self-sacrificial bid to save the heroine (sigh!)
The traitor launches into an explanation for his actions. And also volunteers some explanations for past crimes. Mercifully, the Traitor is killed before he can cause any more trouble. Hero is saved.
And they King and his Queen lived HEA.
Overall an enjoyable and entertaining read.
December 20, 2016
Tarik and Lea (again).
Honestly, I skimmed the last 3rd of the book because I already knew it all by that point (well earlier actually) and it was just kinda boring.
Tarik is still grieving years later.. how many years? I have no damn idea because the story kept changing the timeline! His beloved wife was killed by an enemy years (?) before.
Enter Lia into the story, a woman who is missing 2 (or is it 3 or more?) years from her life. Her only friend is a strange being (Cord) who claims to be a friend of her father's and entrusted with looking after her well being when her parents died. How, where, when ????
When 'Lia' meets Tarik by chance on a space station, it is obvious that there is much that has been kept from them both.
It all sounds exciting, but I was pretty bored throughout. Like the author was painting by numbers and the character depth was so very very shallow. I've read many harlequins with more character depth.
Excuse me while I snore....
Honestly, I skimmed the last 3rd of the book because I already knew it all by that point (well earlier actually) and it was just kinda boring.
Tarik is still grieving years later.. how many years? I have no damn idea because the story kept changing the timeline! His beloved wife was killed by an enemy years (?) before.
Enter Lia into the story, a woman who is missing 2 (or is it 3 or more?) years from her life. Her only friend is a strange being (Cord) who claims to be a friend of her father's and entrusted with looking after her well being when her parents died. How, where, when ????
When 'Lia' meets Tarik by chance on a space station, it is obvious that there is much that has been kept from them both.
It all sounds exciting, but I was pretty bored throughout. Like the author was painting by numbers and the character depth was so very very shallow. I've read many harlequins with more character depth.
Excuse me while I snore....
November 17, 2017
King Tarik lost the love of his life, his queen, when she was attacked in the market place and murdered. Its been 3 years and he is still grieving. He has no interest in moving on until he sees Lea. Lea brings him back to life with a single glance.
I hate dead wife books. I hate it when the leading lady must compete with the ghost of the former leading lady. Because lets be honest. When someone you love dies, you never remember their faults. You remember everything that was great about them, and if you do remember their faults, you remember them fondly. You even miss the faults because you would take those just to have them back. SO I usually HATE books with a dead wife or finance or girlfriend, whatever.
But THIS was different. It was so perfect and the best kind of dead wife book you could possibly read. I loved it. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin any of it.
I loved seeing Vaan and Mikayla in this story. It made me long to read more about them. In fact my quotes are only involving them because I don't want to give anything away in this story. It was really good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"These are my youngling. Arane, and Erana. I know not which is which since my mate chose to birth me similar youngling instead of the mighty Warlord I expected."
~Overlord Vaan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again this is Vaan and Mikayla. I just loved them so much. This was after a friendly duel between Tarik and Vaan.
Mikayla frowned at both of them. "Now with both of you bleeding, who's to say who the victor is?"
Vaan grunted, accepted a cloth from one of his men to swipe at the line of blood running down his leg and his torn leathers. "You doubt your mate?"
She kissed Vaan's cheek as he bent over to search her eyes. "Congratulations, King Tarik."
Vaan growled and lifted her up in his arms. Her squealing laughter released any concerns about a winner.
[...]
Still holding Mikayla in his arms, her hands clasped around his neck, Vaan ordered, "It is time for use to take our leave."
[...]
Their group gathered together and left the training room, Vaan never letting Mikayla down despite her protest.
"I enjoy holding you," he whispered though Tarik following close behind heard them clearly.
I hate dead wife books. I hate it when the leading lady must compete with the ghost of the former leading lady. Because lets be honest. When someone you love dies, you never remember their faults. You remember everything that was great about them, and if you do remember their faults, you remember them fondly. You even miss the faults because you would take those just to have them back. SO I usually HATE books with a dead wife or finance or girlfriend, whatever.
But THIS was different. It was so perfect and the best kind of dead wife book you could possibly read. I loved it. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin any of it.
I loved seeing Vaan and Mikayla in this story. It made me long to read more about them. In fact my quotes are only involving them because I don't want to give anything away in this story. It was really good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"These are my youngling. Arane, and Erana. I know not which is which since my mate chose to birth me similar youngling instead of the mighty Warlord I expected."
~Overlord Vaan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again this is Vaan and Mikayla. I just loved them so much. This was after a friendly duel between Tarik and Vaan.
Mikayla frowned at both of them. "Now with both of you bleeding, who's to say who the victor is?"
Vaan grunted, accepted a cloth from one of his men to swipe at the line of blood running down his leg and his torn leathers. "You doubt your mate?"
She kissed Vaan's cheek as he bent over to search her eyes. "Congratulations, King Tarik."
Vaan growled and lifted her up in his arms. Her squealing laughter released any concerns about a winner.
[...]
Still holding Mikayla in his arms, her hands clasped around his neck, Vaan ordered, "It is time for use to take our leave."
[...]
Their group gathered together and left the training room, Vaan never letting Mikayla down despite her protest.
"I enjoy holding you," he whispered though Tarik following close behind heard them clearly.
December 15, 2014
A King's Revenge was a wonderful diversion from the romance I usually read which tends toward the erotic. This book was more mainstream with an emphasis on individual character building and plot evolution than sex scenes. (Though there were a few sex scenes and they were HOT!)
We meet the hero, Tarik, and the heroine, Lea, separately and they don't actually share a scene until a couple of chapters into the book. When I started reading I thought this would bother me because I'm used to books where the main characters come together with an explosion of passion, usually within the first few pages. I found I didn't miss this formula at all in A King's Revenge.
This book is the second in Michelle Howard's Warlord series. I haven't read the first book and there were parts of A King's Revenge that probably would have meant more to me if I had but it didn't detract from the story. Though part of a series this book works well as a standalone. I've been looking for a good science fiction romance and am thrilled to have found A King's Revenge.
Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews
We meet the hero, Tarik, and the heroine, Lea, separately and they don't actually share a scene until a couple of chapters into the book. When I started reading I thought this would bother me because I'm used to books where the main characters come together with an explosion of passion, usually within the first few pages. I found I didn't miss this formula at all in A King's Revenge.
This book is the second in Michelle Howard's Warlord series. I haven't read the first book and there were parts of A King's Revenge that probably would have meant more to me if I had but it didn't detract from the story. Though part of a series this book works well as a standalone. I've been looking for a good science fiction romance and am thrilled to have found A King's Revenge.
Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews
February 22, 2015
It was clearly not enough for me to enjoy. The whole story could have been great but because of the length it felt rushed, incomplete.
December 9, 2014
I read a lot. Most books I take breaks from and play games on my kindle. This book I did the same. Yet my reasons for doing it were totally different. Not because I was distracted or the story had hit a point that was slow. NO. I found myself turning to my games to prolong the experience. I didn't want the book to end.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Loved that she brought in the characters from Honor Bound. Loved the scenes with the babies. Loved the scene where Mikayla hissed at the snobby Lady Saia and sent her fleeing.
I loved everything about this book. If I could give this book 10 stars I would.
Just a side note… you know sometimes when you are reading a book and you get thrown out of it because you have to analyze what was just written. You think how is that even possible? I am not talking about the sci-fi/magical aspects of the books. I am talking about the love scenes. That never happened in this book. Michelle’s writing just flows.
It is a toss up which book is my favorite from Michelle. This one or Honor Bound. If you liked this book and haven’t read Honor Bound: GO GET IT! It is what made me a fan of Michelle’s in the first place. Looking forward to more books in the Warlords series. Hopefully she will have Kord in it. I would love to learn more about him.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Loved that she brought in the characters from Honor Bound. Loved the scenes with the babies. Loved the scene where Mikayla hissed at the snobby Lady Saia and sent her fleeing.
I loved everything about this book. If I could give this book 10 stars I would.
Just a side note… you know sometimes when you are reading a book and you get thrown out of it because you have to analyze what was just written. You think how is that even possible? I am not talking about the sci-fi/magical aspects of the books. I am talking about the love scenes. That never happened in this book. Michelle’s writing just flows.
It is a toss up which book is my favorite from Michelle. This one or Honor Bound. If you liked this book and haven’t read Honor Bound: GO GET IT! It is what made me a fan of Michelle’s in the first place. Looking forward to more books in the Warlords series. Hopefully she will have Kord in it. I would love to learn more about him.
October 23, 2015
Loved this one very much. If you enjoy reading sci-fi romance then you will love this series. I can't wait to read the next one. Well written and enjoyable to read.
December 30, 2015
Ok I enjoyed this book it's odd because it's oldy woldy meets the futuristic very odd but cool to I did enjoy the story
March 6, 2018
I love Michelle Howard however this story was a bit predictable and was not my favorite from all of the books that she wrote. There was just something about the hero and the heroine that did not vibe with me. Don't get me wrong, the story was well written however I just did not connect with any of the characters aside from Vann, Mikayla and Lea's best friend/protector.
May 28, 2019
This is king Tarik’s book. I was surprised at the story, not sure why since you could see what the storyline was going to be like but maybe because you were still drawn in to the events and the love they have for each other.
July 17, 2019
My least favorite thus far....just didn’t care about these characters.
February 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
2nd time reading
2nd time reading
December 22, 2014
Good story - a little slow
I thought that this had a great story line. I could see who the traitor was from the beginning but that didn't take away from the book. Tarik and Lea are two people that you really want to see together.
The story moved a little slowly at times and there were some things that didn't fit, and the passion between the two didn't sizzle as much as I would have thought. Tarik let himself get dragged into the minutiae of running his kingdom (not the major stuff but minor) instead of taking care of Lea.
I thought that this had a great story line. I could see who the traitor was from the beginning but that didn't take away from the book. Tarik and Lea are two people that you really want to see together.
The story moved a little slowly at times and there were some things that didn't fit, and the passion between the two didn't sizzle as much as I would have thought. Tarik let himself get dragged into the minutiae of running his kingdom (not the major stuff but minor) instead of taking care of Lea.
April 8, 2021
Not sure if this is part of the same world as Honor Bound. I was so confused! The world building just took me by surprise when space travel was introduced so suddenly. I had to stop and reread the first two books to see if there was any indication of this new development. So I decided to read this book as if it was a spin-off from the original series and the inclusion of Miki and Vaan was just a passing thing. Then I thoroughly enjoyed this couple. Betrayal, true love, mysterious alien (Kord), and a peace treaty! What's to not love!
November 29, 2015
With this 2nd installment into the Warlord series, Michelle Howard's world and characters just keeps getting better and better. Although the genre seems a little mixed and can't choose between science fiction or fantasy, the characters are rich and full and their plights draw you into their lives and leave you wanting to know even more about them and their lives. Loved this book even better than the previous one.
August 2, 2015
Good all the way around
I really enjoyed Honor Bound and Overlords Heir but this story was wonderful through and through. You gave so much love and dedication to the characters that I couldn't stop until we knew who did it. Revisiting Vaan and Makliya was great and to see how they progressed and the babies grew was too cute
I really enjoyed Honor Bound and Overlords Heir but this story was wonderful through and through. You gave so much love and dedication to the characters that I couldn't stop until we knew who did it. Revisiting Vaan and Makliya was great and to see how they progressed and the babies grew was too cute
January 3, 2015
This was a very well written book. I truly enjoyed the world Michelle Howard created and she remained true to that world from one book to the next throughout the series. I recommend this book and will read more from this author!
February 9, 2015
Love this type of H's! He's more of the nice-guy type :)
April 24, 2015
This was okay but I really couldn't get into it. You would think "dead wife not really dead, has amnesia" would be more emotionally compelling. Also, the scifi elements were superbly lame and felt tacked on and out of place. Not my favorite in this series.
April 20, 2015
I liked it.
The story of King Tarik and his lost queen Maliya was a pleasure to read. It was a complex story of treachery, betrayal and deceit. But also of deep abiding love that overcame all the obstacles against them.
The story of King Tarik and his lost queen Maliya was a pleasure to read. It was a complex story of treachery, betrayal and deceit. But also of deep abiding love that overcame all the obstacles against them.
January 1, 2015
GREAT!!!!!
Second book as good as the first! I love this world she has created. Looking forward to many more please.
Second book as good as the first! I love this world she has created. Looking forward to many more please.
February 3, 2015
Ok. Would not read it again.
April 16, 2025
I liked this one too. I am looking forward to more in this series, and I'll have to look into other works by this author.
April 9, 2015
This was a good read.
April 26, 2016
Loved this, but i guessed who did it quite early on, though not the entire plot.
March 21, 2016
3.5 Stars
March 29, 2016
Brilliant
I loved it could not put it down a real love story. I hope that they flow into the next book as the carrictors did from the last book
I loved it could not put it down a real love story. I hope that they flow into the next book as the carrictors did from the last book
May 19, 2016
could have had so much more happening. The plot was a bit too simple and the characters did not evolve at all. Could be much more developed.
January 12, 2017
Well written I liked it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews