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The Spymaster's redeemer
Two people on opposite sides of a civil war. Frances Dreda is an officer in the Taylian State Security Bureau who enforces obedience to the law by the deterrent of prison and the noose. He investigates the activities of the outspoken and intellectual Lady Felea Whelani who he suspects aids the rebels by codebreaking and feeding and educating their children.
They should be mortal enemies but are intrigued by each other but he mistrusts women and Felea is repulses Felea by his detachment and his severity. Can love overcome cultural differences and prejudice? Can Felea humanise this officer?
They should be mortal enemies but are intrigued by each other but he mistrusts women and Felea is repulses Felea by his detachment and his severity. Can love overcome cultural differences and prejudice? Can Felea humanise this officer?
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 24, 2020
I'd read one of the other books in this series that mentioned the events in this book and knew I had to go back and read this one. It's just as enjoyable as the other book with romance, action, and intrigue. Felea is a nice, strong female lead, especially for the time period the book is written in. It was great seeing her melt all of Dreda's walls as he fell in love with her.
August 23, 2019
A lot going on in this tale.
While this is a romance novel, it takes place in a time when women were little more than the property of men. Often marriage was used for bargains among royal/rich families rather than love. Felea isn’t the type of women to be concerned with marriage though. She wants to make the world a better place, to do what she can to further the next generation. When Dreda is put on her trail, things take an interesting turn.
There is plenty of action and romance in this story as well as intrigue. The romance in the story is very unlikely, and to me, it made it all the more entrancing of a read. This story is full of beautiful passages and descriptions. Character development was also well done.
While this is a romance novel, it takes place in a time when women were little more than the property of men. Often marriage was used for bargains among royal/rich families rather than love. Felea isn’t the type of women to be concerned with marriage though. She wants to make the world a better place, to do what she can to further the next generation. When Dreda is put on her trail, things take an interesting turn.
There is plenty of action and romance in this story as well as intrigue. The romance in the story is very unlikely, and to me, it made it all the more entrancing of a read. This story is full of beautiful passages and descriptions. Character development was also well done.
January 8, 2019
A fantastic romance reminiscent of the 18th or 19th century when women were regarded as chattel to be used for political alliances. Marriages were seldom a love match but Felea had never thought too much about love and marriage. She was highly educated and planned to help her father feed the starving rebels. Dreda, the Emperor's spymaster, is hot on Felea’s fathers traitorous father’s trail. When he meets with Felea for questioning, he finds an enigma. She seems naïve and innocent but also feisty and competent. He soon decides he will need to learn more about the young lady. His cold and calculating demeanor might be in for a drastic adjustment. But is he redeemable?
A great story with a stunning back drop. Plenty of castle intrigue along with noble lords and ladies who feel entitled just because of their bloodlines. Highly Recommended!
A great story with a stunning back drop. Plenty of castle intrigue along with noble lords and ladies who feel entitled just because of their bloodlines. Highly Recommended!
April 15, 2019
Great Read
I became drawn into this story from page one. A world ruled by an iron fisted Emperor that ordered his guards to seek out traitors and slay them. Dreda, whom the Emperor favoured, mostly led the attacks. Dreda has the reputation of being a man of steel - cross him at your peril. Felea, a beautiful young virgin whose father is helping the renegades, comes under the watchful eye of Dreda. After being questioned by Dreda, Felea tries to escape and sends a warning to her father. Dreda captures her and eventually becomes her guardian. Dreda's heart begins to soften as he realises he has fallen in love with Felea. She also has the same feelings toward him, but her stubbornness keeps getting in the way - no man is going to rule her!
This story has you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the outcome of their relationship. Loved the ending.
I became drawn into this story from page one. A world ruled by an iron fisted Emperor that ordered his guards to seek out traitors and slay them. Dreda, whom the Emperor favoured, mostly led the attacks. Dreda has the reputation of being a man of steel - cross him at your peril. Felea, a beautiful young virgin whose father is helping the renegades, comes under the watchful eye of Dreda. After being questioned by Dreda, Felea tries to escape and sends a warning to her father. Dreda captures her and eventually becomes her guardian. Dreda's heart begins to soften as he realises he has fallen in love with Felea. She also has the same feelings toward him, but her stubbornness keeps getting in the way - no man is going to rule her!
This story has you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the outcome of their relationship. Loved the ending.
October 15, 2017
Entertaining and Compulsive
Alexie Bolton’s The Spymaster’s Redeemer, the author’s first novel, kept me entertained from beginning to end. It is a sweeping historical romance with complex characters and a well developed plot.
The central story is that of the relationship between the two protagonists – the ‘Spymaster’ of the title Frances Dreda, and Lady Felea, the daughter of an academic suspected of supporting enemies of the Emperor of Taylia, a fictional country near the Austria- Hungary border. There is also much emphasis on the politics and power play between different individuals and factions. The push and pull between the couple also highlight the differing expectations put on men and women. I found the result to be a thoroughly compulsive read as the author skilfully weaves these different threads together.
I enjoyed both the sexual tension and the heated exchanges between Dreda and Felea which begin as soon as their paths cross. Dreda is investigating her father’s potential guilt, a crime punishable by death and as his daughter Felea herself is under suspicion. Dreda takes an uncharacteristic personal interest in the case as something about the young woman intrigues him, taking it on himself to establish the extent of her guilt or innocence. As for Felea, she fears for her own fate and that of her father and wants rid of this odious man who is an unwelcome threat to her sanity and wellbeing! I will not divulge how the plot develops, suffice to say that the story is a complex one and is full of unexpected twists with plenty of action, suspense and romance.
Of particular merit is the good job the author does in developing both Dreda’s and Felea’s characters. I found Dreda to be a fascinating individual who attracts and repels at the same time. As the Emperor’s right hand man, he is cold and calculating, a misogynist who uses women for his own ends and a master manipulator. Felea blindsides him not only with her exuberance and apparent innocence but also with her intelligence. I enjoyed how she gets under his skin and challenges his preconceptions. For her part she is an accomplished individual due to the freedoms given to her by her academic father and loathes the thought of being controlled by a man. Although they are opposites in many respects, they are well matched and I enjoyed how their relationship develops given the obstacles in their way, not least their own pride and preconceptions.
It is an impressive first novel by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Please note, an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Alexie Bolton’s The Spymaster’s Redeemer, the author’s first novel, kept me entertained from beginning to end. It is a sweeping historical romance with complex characters and a well developed plot.
The central story is that of the relationship between the two protagonists – the ‘Spymaster’ of the title Frances Dreda, and Lady Felea, the daughter of an academic suspected of supporting enemies of the Emperor of Taylia, a fictional country near the Austria- Hungary border. There is also much emphasis on the politics and power play between different individuals and factions. The push and pull between the couple also highlight the differing expectations put on men and women. I found the result to be a thoroughly compulsive read as the author skilfully weaves these different threads together.
I enjoyed both the sexual tension and the heated exchanges between Dreda and Felea which begin as soon as their paths cross. Dreda is investigating her father’s potential guilt, a crime punishable by death and as his daughter Felea herself is under suspicion. Dreda takes an uncharacteristic personal interest in the case as something about the young woman intrigues him, taking it on himself to establish the extent of her guilt or innocence. As for Felea, she fears for her own fate and that of her father and wants rid of this odious man who is an unwelcome threat to her sanity and wellbeing! I will not divulge how the plot develops, suffice to say that the story is a complex one and is full of unexpected twists with plenty of action, suspense and romance.
Of particular merit is the good job the author does in developing both Dreda’s and Felea’s characters. I found Dreda to be a fascinating individual who attracts and repels at the same time. As the Emperor’s right hand man, he is cold and calculating, a misogynist who uses women for his own ends and a master manipulator. Felea blindsides him not only with her exuberance and apparent innocence but also with her intelligence. I enjoyed how she gets under his skin and challenges his preconceptions. For her part she is an accomplished individual due to the freedoms given to her by her academic father and loathes the thought of being controlled by a man. Although they are opposites in many respects, they are well matched and I enjoyed how their relationship develops given the obstacles in their way, not least their own pride and preconceptions.
It is an impressive first novel by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Please note, an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
January 20, 2019
The Spymaster’s Redeemer is an entertaining historical novel set in a fictional European state called Taylia. It is ruled by an emperor who controls every aspect of the state with the aid of his Security Bureau. Many of the peasants and lower class have been rebelling against the emperor prior to the start of the novel and gives us our hero, Frances Dreda. Dreda, a favored officer of the emperor, is responsible for sniffing out traitors, interrogating them and sentencing them to die if they are found guilty. A member of the nobility who chose to join the emperor’s forces when he was a young man, Dreda is ruthless and devoted — until he meets Lady Felea Whelani, an intellect’s daughter and suspected traitor.
The Spymaster’s Redeemer is their love story. Though they begin on the opppsoite sides of their state’s civil war, Dreda finds himself drawn to Felea and protects her more than an officer should, eventually clearing her name. As circumstances conspire to put them together before temporarilymripping them apart, the two characters grow closer and fall deeper in love.
I enjoyed the world Alexie Bolton created. As a reader, it’s easy to fall right into this noble world, with dukes and balls and all of the propriety of this time in history. You can’t help but root for Dreda and Felea and hope that, despite their differences, their love will find a way to overcome anything!
The Spymaster’s Redeemer is their love story. Though they begin on the opppsoite sides of their state’s civil war, Dreda finds himself drawn to Felea and protects her more than an officer should, eventually clearing her name. As circumstances conspire to put them together before temporarilymripping them apart, the two characters grow closer and fall deeper in love.
I enjoyed the world Alexie Bolton created. As a reader, it’s easy to fall right into this noble world, with dukes and balls and all of the propriety of this time in history. You can’t help but root for Dreda and Felea and hope that, despite their differences, their love will find a way to overcome anything!
April 16, 2020
FANTASTIC FEELGOOD READ
In these troubled times, living through lockdown with a horrific disease edging closer, the best way to lift your spirits is with a feelgood read. "The Spymaster's Redeemer" totally delivers on that. A thrilling romance set in an equally uncertain era, it offers the message that love conquers all.
Francis Dreda is handsome, rich and powerful. He's also a cold investigator and torturer, the right-hand man of a cruel emperor bent on quelling insurrection. When he meets Lady Felea, the beautiful and spirited daughter of a rebel, both have good reason to mistrust each other. However, as Dreda gets to know Felea better, his outlook begins to change.
The story offers plenty of suspense, sadness and joy, and some priceless moments when the focused and ruthless Dreda simply steals the show. His interrogation of his dancing partners at a society ball is a brilliant touch, as is his invasion of a church to despatch a love rival.
Despite minor imperfections, this is a five star read. It's heartwarming, exciting and impossible to put down.
In these troubled times, living through lockdown with a horrific disease edging closer, the best way to lift your spirits is with a feelgood read. "The Spymaster's Redeemer" totally delivers on that. A thrilling romance set in an equally uncertain era, it offers the message that love conquers all.
Francis Dreda is handsome, rich and powerful. He's also a cold investigator and torturer, the right-hand man of a cruel emperor bent on quelling insurrection. When he meets Lady Felea, the beautiful and spirited daughter of a rebel, both have good reason to mistrust each other. However, as Dreda gets to know Felea better, his outlook begins to change.
The story offers plenty of suspense, sadness and joy, and some priceless moments when the focused and ruthless Dreda simply steals the show. His interrogation of his dancing partners at a society ball is a brilliant touch, as is his invasion of a church to despatch a love rival.
Despite minor imperfections, this is a five star read. It's heartwarming, exciting and impossible to put down.
February 13, 2019
This book drove me crazy (in a good way) - the 'will they, won't they', the oh no, she's getting married, oh, no, he's rescued he, oh, no, she's in trouble again! Lol. I had to read it in one sitting because I had to know how it ends. I mean, it's a romance, so you assume they end up together, but so many obstacles. The only thing I struggled with is not really knowing where or when it's set as there are emperors and states, balls and society with very Regency-era morals, but also modern touches like painted nails and so on. I did enjoy the read though and was captivated by Felea, raised by her dad and given the priviledges of male-existence such as education and self-defence training, Dreda's character development is great but I have to say I'm looking forward to Denman finding his HEA too
March 7, 2019
This is more than your standard romance story. Although it doesn't seem to be set to any real historical events, you get the sense of the era when women were nothing more than the property of men. On top of that, civil unrest is brewing, which adds a nice setting to the story. The two main characters couldn't be more unlike each other: ruthless Frances Dreda, who's second to the Emperor, and Lady Felea Whelani, who's accused of helping the rebels. What they share is their passion and their defiance. It's a great clash of wills and desires. There are plenty of obstacles in their way to discovering their way to each other. As soon as they've overcome one and seem to be coming to terms with one another, another disaster occurs to pull them apart. Historical romance lovers will enjoy the conflict between the two.
May 11, 2021
Escape and Capture
An enjoyable love story set in a fictional European state, Taylia, where control [of all kinds] means everything and civil disruption is rife. Opposites can attract, so they say, and it is soon evident in this story with spirited, and visionary, Lady Felea Whelani and hard-bitten Officer Francis Dreda. The rub lies between the military/nobility and the peasant classes for whom the gallows can beckon, and the interactions and intrigue are well described. The somewhat abrupt changes of POV may put off some readers but if you are of nimble mind they are well worth assimilating. Something for the romantic in all of us.
An enjoyable love story set in a fictional European state, Taylia, where control [of all kinds] means everything and civil disruption is rife. Opposites can attract, so they say, and it is soon evident in this story with spirited, and visionary, Lady Felea Whelani and hard-bitten Officer Francis Dreda. The rub lies between the military/nobility and the peasant classes for whom the gallows can beckon, and the interactions and intrigue are well described. The somewhat abrupt changes of POV may put off some readers but if you are of nimble mind they are well worth assimilating. Something for the romantic in all of us.
October 25, 2018
An engaging and intriguing read, The Spymaster’s Redeemer had mystery, romance, drama – a little bit of everything. Although set in a fictional country, the setting was portrayed in a well-researched and believable way. I thought Francis and Felea were both well-developed characters. The romance aspect was believable, and their relationship was fraught with difficulty – no ‘insta-love’ here. Recommended for those who enjoy political thrillers and romance novels.
November 10, 2018
This story is set in a fictional world that is ruled by the iron fist of an emperor with guards that seek out supposed traitors against the state, who are then imprisoned and usually killed.
Thus it is unlikely that those on opposite sides should be attracted to each other...so what would happen then?
A well-written tale with good characters and a sense of place, make this an enjoyable read. I don't read romances often but the setting of this story made it interesting.
Entertaining.
Thus it is unlikely that those on opposite sides should be attracted to each other...so what would happen then?
A well-written tale with good characters and a sense of place, make this an enjoyable read. I don't read romances often but the setting of this story made it interesting.
Entertaining.
November 18, 2018
When opposites attract, there's fireworks.
An officer in the army trying to defend the King and country, the last thing Francis wants is to fall in love with a rebel.
Luckily for us, Felea gets under his skin and somehow he is drawn to a woman who is everything he doesn't want.
Well written with good pace, this is a drama filled with action, plots and a strong love between two well defined main characters. Well worth a read.
An officer in the army trying to defend the King and country, the last thing Francis wants is to fall in love with a rebel.
Luckily for us, Felea gets under his skin and somehow he is drawn to a woman who is everything he doesn't want.
Well written with good pace, this is a drama filled with action, plots and a strong love between two well defined main characters. Well worth a read.
June 16, 2019
This story was full of intrigue and suspense. The characters were well-developed, the pacing was just right, and the hurdles and twists of fate that kept splitting these two stubborn lovers apart made for a page-turning read. There were quite a few surprises I wasn’t expecting, and I had a hard time putting it down. I thought that the tug-of-war tension between Dreda and Felea was excellently done. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
August 2, 2019
A super read that will have you tearing your hair out at the stubborness of these two star crossed lovers. I really enjoyed how the supernatural was woven through Felea's character and how Dedra could almost see it simmering in her eyes. Great tension created by a tight writing style and lots of point of view changes. Was a bit difficult to keep up with a few of them, but the pace of this story is perfect. I read it in one sitting as I was unable to put the book down.
January 11, 2019
Historical romance with a twist
I became engaged in the love story of two strong headed people on opposite sides of a rebellion. Felea and Dreda keep finding themselves embroiled in intrigues, politics and battles that threaten to separate them forever. Will they ever overcome all the obstacles in their way? I had to keep reading to find out!
I became engaged in the love story of two strong headed people on opposite sides of a rebellion. Felea and Dreda keep finding themselves embroiled in intrigues, politics and battles that threaten to separate them forever. Will they ever overcome all the obstacles in their way? I had to keep reading to find out!
January 26, 2019
Loved it. A country torn apart by civil war. A ruthless emperor trying to bend the will of the people. Two strong characters - man and woman - start out on opposite sides of the conflict, but slowly fall for each other in a well-crafted romance with subtle nuance and intelligence. Definitely a series to seek out.
February 14, 2019
Wonderful read!
The story of Dreda and Lady Felea is beautifully good.
Dreda as the emperor's right arm trying to investigate Lady Felea and her father and the chemistry that they share is awesome.
The politics of the place and the way it is brought out is excellent.
Overall thoroughly enjoyable book!
The story of Dreda and Lady Felea is beautifully good.
Dreda as the emperor's right arm trying to investigate Lady Felea and her father and the chemistry that they share is awesome.
The politics of the place and the way it is brought out is excellent.
Overall thoroughly enjoyable book!
June 28, 2018
I loved this book. This was a brilliant and well thought out storyline with engaging characters. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between this pair develop. It kept me gripped to every page and there was non stop action throughout. Fabulous work.
July 3, 2018
Refreshing change to the genre. couldnt put it down . Will defnitly read the next book in the series
April 9, 2018
Downloaded this book for the wife. Very impressed. Good entertaining story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews