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Akora #2
Kingdom of Moonlight
Kassandra, the princess of Akora, leaves her exotic island home to mingle with London's Regency society, where she encounters unexpected romance with a powerful and commanding aristocrat.
510 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2002
About the author
Josie Litton
72 books379 followersJosie Litton is the author of several NY Times and USA Today bestselling romances.
Married and living in Connecticut, she is the parent of two grown children. Becoming an empty nester has left her plenty of time to write, think about writing, plan what to write next, and read. When she isn’t doing that, she’s cooking, gardening, and traveling.
Married and living in Connecticut, she is the parent of two grown children. Becoming an empty nester has left her plenty of time to write, think about writing, plan what to write next, and read. When she isn’t doing that, she’s cooking, gardening, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 8, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
In Kingdom Of Moonlight we have a story that follows soon after "Dream Island". Our heroine Kassandra has an opportunity to travel with her brother to England. Which is where we meet our hero Royce. Now Royce was once held prisoner by some rogues on the island, and now works for the King Regent. They share some chemistry and journey back to the Island, and Royce will have a chance for justice to be served. However there is a sacrifice....Kassandra. Kassandra has certain 'gifts' and she is forced to make a difficult choice which will have to be the love she has searched for and may have to give up.
In this heart wrenching romance we have a story of sacrifice and devotion and desire. Of two people that learn the true meaning of love and all the good and the bad that comes with it. I had a simply wonderful time discovering these two characters on a deeper level and seeing their journey to finding their happy ever after and its not a easy one. But a full belly satisfying romance guaranteed to take notice!!! BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN
In Kingdom Of Moonlight we have a story that follows soon after "Dream Island". Our heroine Kassandra has an opportunity to travel with her brother to England. Which is where we meet our hero Royce. Now Royce was once held prisoner by some rogues on the island, and now works for the King Regent. They share some chemistry and journey back to the Island, and Royce will have a chance for justice to be served. However there is a sacrifice....Kassandra. Kassandra has certain 'gifts' and she is forced to make a difficult choice which will have to be the love she has searched for and may have to give up.
In this heart wrenching romance we have a story of sacrifice and devotion and desire. Of two people that learn the true meaning of love and all the good and the bad that comes with it. I had a simply wonderful time discovering these two characters on a deeper level and seeing their journey to finding their happy ever after and its not a easy one. But a full belly satisfying romance guaranteed to take notice!!! BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN
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May 29, 2011
Loved book #1. This just didn't have the steam and anticipation as book 1. Didn't help that the author decided to "fade to black" during the intimate scenes for some reason. It did drag and I got bored really quickly. Skimmed the last third of the book where the villeins got their due and the misunderstanding between the H and h got resolved. Mostly predictable.
December 11, 2024
The time Royce spent as a prisoner on Akora doesn’t feel like a distant memory but it’s something he’s learned to deal with better. It helps to have a sister married to an Akora prince and Royce himself besotted with an Akora princess. He knows Kassandra is a very special woman, completely different then any English woman and he can’t seem to get her out of his head. Kassandra is in fact the toast of the town as all of London are head over heels for the foreign dignitary.
Kassandra thought London was going to be an adventure but civil unrest in the country forces her back to Akora earlier then expected, and Royce returns with her. The handsome Englishman caught her attention since she first laid eyes on him. And she could never have imagined how much his presence and strength would be an asset to her as she soon finds Akora has its own problems. An old enemy has returned and with her brother injured in an attack, it falls on Kassandra’s shoulders to lead and protect her people.
With visions of death and destruction in Kassandra’s mind, there’s no way of knowing when or if peace will return to Akora.
I agree with a lot of reviewers about this book. It was slowly paced, and a lot of the story was boring and not useful. It contained a ton of filler scenes that did nothing to benefit or progress the story. The characters were okay, I did prefer Royce to Kassandra by a slight margin but both were very vanilla and generic. I can’t honestly say any character or situation in the book really managed to stand out. I will likely forget about this book by the end of week.
Kassandra thought London was going to be an adventure but civil unrest in the country forces her back to Akora earlier then expected, and Royce returns with her. The handsome Englishman caught her attention since she first laid eyes on him. And she could never have imagined how much his presence and strength would be an asset to her as she soon finds Akora has its own problems. An old enemy has returned and with her brother injured in an attack, it falls on Kassandra’s shoulders to lead and protect her people.
With visions of death and destruction in Kassandra’s mind, there’s no way of knowing when or if peace will return to Akora.
I agree with a lot of reviewers about this book. It was slowly paced, and a lot of the story was boring and not useful. It contained a ton of filler scenes that did nothing to benefit or progress the story. The characters were okay, I did prefer Royce to Kassandra by a slight margin but both were very vanilla and generic. I can’t honestly say any character or situation in the book really managed to stand out. I will likely forget about this book by the end of week.
March 18, 2026
There's a whole crop of contemporary romances where one of the couple is from an obscure and idyllic small European kingdom, and historical romances sometime have distant royalty involved, but this historical romance involves an idyllic European kingdom so far removed from reality that the story drifts into fantasy. The isolated island Kingdom of Akora* seems to be a surviving remnant of Atlantis, with all the technology of the classical Greeks and Romans, and an egalitarian government those societies could barely conceive of. Adding to the fantastic are the psychic powers of the heroine.
Of course, there is trouble is paradise, which drives the plot, and along the way the unlikely couple of an English gentleman and an Akoran princess happen to meet and fall in love.
The pace is more leisurely than many historicals, and the symbolism is considerably steamier (another reason why I'd consider this more fantasy than romance).
I read this without reading book 1, but now I need to go back and read that, because all the characters were introduced then, and events in that book set up many of the scenes in this one. And, just as romances show us what is possible in relationships, fantastic kingdoms show us what is possible in government, and I'd like to read more about Akora.
*The Azores also come to mind, given similar spelling and geography.
Of course, there is trouble is paradise, which drives the plot, and along the way the unlikely couple of an English gentleman and an Akoran princess happen to meet and fall in love.
The pace is more leisurely than many historicals, and the symbolism is considerably steamier (another reason why I'd consider this more fantasy than romance).
I read this without reading book 1, but now I need to go back and read that, because all the characters were introduced then, and events in that book set up many of the scenes in this one. And, just as romances show us what is possible in relationships, fantastic kingdoms show us what is possible in government, and I'd like to read more about Akora.
*The Azores also come to mind, given similar spelling and geography.
August 28, 2019
This second volume is about Alex's sister Kassandra - renamed because of her ability to see into the future. Kassandra has finally persuaded Atreus, her older brother and ruler to allow her to go to England to visit Alex and Joanna. Joanna's brother Royce of Hawkforte sees her on her first morning in England and is instantly captivated, as is she. When trouble brews in England, Joanna, Royce and Kassandra return to Akora. Soon after their arrival, Atreus is severely wounded (head injury) and Kassandra assumes power until he can recover. She has also foreseen her death by Deilos (the man who imprisoned Royce in the 1st book) to stop an invasion of Akora by England. As everyone tries to solve the crime, find Deilos, and help Atreus, Kass and Royce fall in love and become lovers. Kassandra still doesn't tell him of her vision. Angry, he just barely saves her and then captures Deilos and cuts off his hand. Atreus finally recovers, Royce returns to England mad at Kassandra. But she follows after losing her gift and they work it out. Interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2023
I love Josie Litton’s imagination and writing. Her characters are great, her plots interesting and exciting, romance grows naturally, just the right amount of detail, and a dollop of fantasy. In this case, it’s Kassandra’s gift/curse, and of course the island kingdom of Akora. Kassandra is strong, intelligent, and sensible. Royce’s warrior aspect is highlighted often, as are his diplomatic and strategic skills. Their romance is believable, as are their issues. Love scenes are beautifully written and of medium heat. Solid 5 stars. This book could stand alone, but it involves characters from the previous book and fills in more details on Akora. I’d to read Dream Island before this one.
July 23, 2018
Another good installment in the Akora series. I liked that this book wasn’t just a romance but also had elements of suspense and intrigue. Josie Litton’s books are always entertaining. My favorite quote was when Joanna was telling Kassandra that she does in fact love Royce.
“You love Alex.”
“Of course I do, and you love Royce.”
“...I have never said so.”
“ I rarely mention the fact that the sun comes up every morning. My failure to do so has absolutely no effect on the event itself.”
“You love Alex.”
“Of course I do, and you love Royce.”
“...I have never said so.”
“ I rarely mention the fact that the sun comes up every morning. My failure to do so has absolutely no effect on the event itself.”
November 7, 2020
Maybe its me but this book just didn't capture my attention the way the first in the series did, nor the Dream of Me series, which I loved. It felt overlong, a little slow, and a bit of a tough slog. Again, maybe its me, I've been reading some lighter stuff of late. At just over half way through, I had to let it go.
February 13, 2024
Book 2 in the trilogy. Atreus survives an assassination attempt and Deilos, who was thought to be dead is captured. Kassandra and Royce end up together, and Royce convinces the nobleman who had conspired with Deilos to get England to invade Akora that it would be a very bad idea. Now starting on book 3, Castles in the Mist
July 4, 2014
the way the book started out was already annoying. hands reaching out and touching eachother. him smelling lemons. its just ridiculous and impossible.
not to mention the instant attraction.
i think the author was trying to make us see how alex and Joanna were living happily ever after, and them expecting a child. but im still not buying their connection or deep love. i don't think they have a deep love. the relationships in these series are seriously lacking. and just unexciting.
'he allowed as to how he would.' example of weird writing in here.
“the spider" is probably the weirdest nickname I've ever heard for someone, particularly from that time period. and it was confusing the first time I heard it, which was in the 1st book I think.
Byron wearing the clothes he did, with a limp& being shy made him sound kind of strange and not how I would picture him at all. I didn't like this portrayal of what it supposed to be a great poet at all. it's like this author didn't like him and decided to attack him in her book.
I thought it was rude how kassandra basically started out not liking Byron and how she wouldn't allow him a private meeting.
‘slight lisp affected by some among the ton.’
joanna seeing her daughter. every1 sees things!
his mother?! she’s alive!
In the 1st book he says Kassandra is a weird name, and now he tells her its lovely.
'the note brought to her scant hours before told her so.' I know that the author probably kept that from us readers so it would be a big surprise to us, but I don't like when authors keep stuff from us readers.
I didn't like how the author never fully explained how kassandra's death would benefit akora. I mean, what about her dying would save her people?
I hate how Royce showed up suddenly. its annoying. I wanted Kassandra to handle things and him to find out about it later. also, its just annoying when the men show up in the nick of time, always! ugh!!
the books are too similar. &even though Royce is English, he sounds too much like alex. how/why would an Englishman be like a warrior? I get Royce is strong and smart and capable, but he would not have the same instincts/skills as a warrior. also, both guys have this bloodlust moment.
the thing I noticed from the beginning is that her &Royce have no real connection. the instant attraction was annoying and honestly i felt that their attraction wasn't believable. besides them saying the other was handsome/beautiful etc.i just didn't pick up on how/why they were attracted to each other.
if I thought the author skipped over the love scenes in the first book, then the ones in here were nonexistent. i mean really, what is that about?!
‘royce’s stamina was vast, delios’s almost but not quite it’s equal.’ hes never fought with a sword before, only during practice a few days before?! and he’s better than a seasoned warrior?! who are you trying to kid??
im glad this book mostly left out comments about royce’s past, like him hooking up with other women, etc. Its so commonplace for authors to do that, that it’s rely refreshing when they don’t.
Kassandra could have hugged/said something to the healer when she told her that her brother had woken up.
‘put the break on impulse.’ how modern is that!
she tells her mom she loves her &her mom says back-“I rejoice in your life. you fill e with gladness.” which isn’t really the same thing. &also just a weird thing for a mother to say to a daughter.
sometimes characters just say really weird things or say something in a weird way-like “let gentle sleep knit you your care.”
in the beginning one of the healers sounded really suspicious. I think it was elena. I swear I was waiting for her to betray them! then the falling down the stairs thing was made out to be like someone had pushed her down the stairs.
i knew one of the healers liked Atreus! ugh, im not liking where that's gunna go.
“look, really, you’ve only just begun to recover.” that sounds so incredibly modern and so out of place for someone to say back then.
Royce cussing can be annoying. I think authors do that when they’re trying to write like a man and make him sound manly. you don’t have to.
also the prince cussing doesn’t make him sound very prince-ly.
the first book &this one are like opposites. in the first one, Joanna leaves on a ship and looks for alex. in here, Royce leaves and looks for Kassandra. &she doesn’t show.
I had forgotten who grey was in the ending. they could have said something sooner.
I thought she really wanted her power and would miss it, so when she says she dared to hope it was gone I was pretty surprised. she should want her power!
I wish they would have spent more time at hawkforte.
I rolled my eyes at the epilogue. I am heartily sick of people being able to see and hear things from the future. he saw her during his trial. oh boy. come on! &her and her past. ugh. not interested in that. its all wrong!
not to mention the instant attraction.
i think the author was trying to make us see how alex and Joanna were living happily ever after, and them expecting a child. but im still not buying their connection or deep love. i don't think they have a deep love. the relationships in these series are seriously lacking. and just unexciting.
'he allowed as to how he would.' example of weird writing in here.
“the spider" is probably the weirdest nickname I've ever heard for someone, particularly from that time period. and it was confusing the first time I heard it, which was in the 1st book I think.
Byron wearing the clothes he did, with a limp& being shy made him sound kind of strange and not how I would picture him at all. I didn't like this portrayal of what it supposed to be a great poet at all. it's like this author didn't like him and decided to attack him in her book.
I thought it was rude how kassandra basically started out not liking Byron and how she wouldn't allow him a private meeting.
‘slight lisp affected by some among the ton.’
joanna seeing her daughter. every1 sees things!
his mother?! she’s alive!
In the 1st book he says Kassandra is a weird name, and now he tells her its lovely.
'the note brought to her scant hours before told her so.' I know that the author probably kept that from us readers so it would be a big surprise to us, but I don't like when authors keep stuff from us readers.
I didn't like how the author never fully explained how kassandra's death would benefit akora. I mean, what about her dying would save her people?
I hate how Royce showed up suddenly. its annoying. I wanted Kassandra to handle things and him to find out about it later. also, its just annoying when the men show up in the nick of time, always! ugh!!
the books are too similar. &even though Royce is English, he sounds too much like alex. how/why would an Englishman be like a warrior? I get Royce is strong and smart and capable, but he would not have the same instincts/skills as a warrior. also, both guys have this bloodlust moment.
the thing I noticed from the beginning is that her &Royce have no real connection. the instant attraction was annoying and honestly i felt that their attraction wasn't believable. besides them saying the other was handsome/beautiful etc.i just didn't pick up on how/why they were attracted to each other.
if I thought the author skipped over the love scenes in the first book, then the ones in here were nonexistent. i mean really, what is that about?!
‘royce’s stamina was vast, delios’s almost but not quite it’s equal.’ hes never fought with a sword before, only during practice a few days before?! and he’s better than a seasoned warrior?! who are you trying to kid??
im glad this book mostly left out comments about royce’s past, like him hooking up with other women, etc. Its so commonplace for authors to do that, that it’s rely refreshing when they don’t.
Kassandra could have hugged/said something to the healer when she told her that her brother had woken up.
‘put the break on impulse.’ how modern is that!
she tells her mom she loves her &her mom says back-“I rejoice in your life. you fill e with gladness.” which isn’t really the same thing. &also just a weird thing for a mother to say to a daughter.
sometimes characters just say really weird things or say something in a weird way-like “let gentle sleep knit you your care.”
in the beginning one of the healers sounded really suspicious. I think it was elena. I swear I was waiting for her to betray them! then the falling down the stairs thing was made out to be like someone had pushed her down the stairs.
i knew one of the healers liked Atreus! ugh, im not liking where that's gunna go.
“look, really, you’ve only just begun to recover.” that sounds so incredibly modern and so out of place for someone to say back then.
Royce cussing can be annoying. I think authors do that when they’re trying to write like a man and make him sound manly. you don’t have to.
also the prince cussing doesn’t make him sound very prince-ly.
the first book &this one are like opposites. in the first one, Joanna leaves on a ship and looks for alex. in here, Royce leaves and looks for Kassandra. &she doesn’t show.
I had forgotten who grey was in the ending. they could have said something sooner.
I thought she really wanted her power and would miss it, so when she says she dared to hope it was gone I was pretty surprised. she should want her power!
I wish they would have spent more time at hawkforte.
I rolled my eyes at the epilogue. I am heartily sick of people being able to see and hear things from the future. he saw her during his trial. oh boy. come on! &her and her past. ugh. not interested in that. its all wrong!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2010
I was charmed by this story of love and intrigue in the fantasy kingdom of Akora. Princess Kassandra travels to England to visit her brother, Alex. Here she meets dashing Lord Royce Hawkforte, once a prisoner on her island nation and now a confidante of the Prince Regent. He follows her back home to assess the political situation and to face his nemesis, the formidable rebel leader, Deilos. Deilos poses a threat to the crown and to all Kassandra holds dear. There is only one way to stop him, and it may mean her life. She’ll do anything for her people, even sacrificing her one chance at love. Imaginative and engaging, this story will sweep you away to another world and leave you eager for the sequel.
August 2, 2015
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I wish I had read the first one, because there are so many references to it in this continuation. And another one follows this, so I will have to look it up. I am trying to picture England at the time America rebelled, and do not recognize much except the king and his ways. Akora is a place put in here that seems like it belongs in Greece or Italy or around the Mediterranean area. It doesn't fit well for me, although the story is quite interesting, and all the characters are true to life. The lack of explanation/forgiveness when Kassandra and Royce got back together was like an ending had to be made quickly. But I did enjoy it.
January 29, 2009
I'm going to stick with this book because I like some of the things in it. The fantasy world the Princess came from and her ability to some times see a glimpse of the future. The romance side of it is so far simple, like a teenage romance book would be.--Not that great, for me anyways. Nice title though.
June 3, 2012
Being a very occasional romance reader, it's pretty special that I've moved on to read the second book in the Akora series. Romance there is, as well as the search for a traitor that threatens the well-being of the beautiful and ancient world of Akora. Book 3 is on the bedside table .. my next read.
February 3, 2015
This is the second book in her 3 part series and again I really liked it and again I didn't realize there was a third book (silly me) and now I have to wait for the third book to get here. I hate that. I really like her style of writing and the little twists and turns of the story line.
Read
October 4, 2009Kassansra, the young princess of Akora, has traveled to England. In England will she find her love.
Want to Read
June 17, 2010Medieval Trilogy:
1. Dream Island
2. Kingdom of Moonlight
3. Castles in the Mist
1. Dream Island
2. Kingdom of Moonlight
3. Castles in the Mist
April 24, 2013
liked it better than the first one..
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews