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In the King's Hands #2
Resonance
My plans of living peacefully in the king's harem are shattered when the warlord Bane discovers my hiding place.
I'm his property. He wants me back and he'll destroy anyone or anything that gets in his way - including everyone I've come to love, even King Jasper himself.
But Jasper won't let me go either. He needs me to help control his magic, and I need him and his harem, to heal my ruined soul. And our thawing hearts need each other.
Jasper is strong, but he doesn't know Bane like I do. That monster will go to any extreme to avenge the ego I bruised. The fight that is coming will rip this country apart. I can't allow that to happen, even if it means I have to leave.
Content Warning: This is a harem romance that features high steam sexual content, mild coarse language, and violence. Triggers include MM/FF, sexual assault, and slavery. Recommended for mature audiences.
I'm his property. He wants me back and he'll destroy anyone or anything that gets in his way - including everyone I've come to love, even King Jasper himself.
But Jasper won't let me go either. He needs me to help control his magic, and I need him and his harem, to heal my ruined soul. And our thawing hearts need each other.
Jasper is strong, but he doesn't know Bane like I do. That monster will go to any extreme to avenge the ego I bruised. The fight that is coming will rip this country apart. I can't allow that to happen, even if it means I have to leave.
Content Warning: This is a harem romance that features high steam sexual content, mild coarse language, and violence. Triggers include MM/FF, sexual assault, and slavery. Recommended for mature audiences.
629 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2022
137 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Sierra Knoxly
17 books139 followershttps://www.amazon.com/author/sierrak...
Sierra Knoxly lives a double life. By day she is a reserved mom of young children where adventure means a walk to the park or trip to the pool. Once night falls and the cherubs are tucked into bed, Sierra dons armour (and amor) and rides a dragon into battle. She rains chaos down on her characters like an avenging angel of old and shoots their hearts with cupid's bow.
Sierra writes fantasy polyam romances with bi-sexual characters and plenty of MM. She started out thinking she was writing reverse harem, but couldn’t resist all the tasty possibilities between an intimate group of people.
Her love of mythical beasts and magic began at a young age. She once had an imaginary unicorn friend. Her gentle nature and fiery imagination leads to all around fictional steam. She lives with a mild fear that one day she'll get a knock at the door from the authorities come to ask about her questionable browser history.
When not writing or momming, Sierra loves bringing plants home to die and reading a reverse harem novel under a warm blanket.
Sierra Knoxly lives a double life. By day she is a reserved mom of young children where adventure means a walk to the park or trip to the pool. Once night falls and the cherubs are tucked into bed, Sierra dons armour (and amor) and rides a dragon into battle. She rains chaos down on her characters like an avenging angel of old and shoots their hearts with cupid's bow.
Sierra writes fantasy polyam romances with bi-sexual characters and plenty of MM. She started out thinking she was writing reverse harem, but couldn’t resist all the tasty possibilities between an intimate group of people.
Her love of mythical beasts and magic began at a young age. She once had an imaginary unicorn friend. Her gentle nature and fiery imagination leads to all around fictional steam. She lives with a mild fear that one day she'll get a knock at the door from the authorities come to ask about her questionable browser history.
When not writing or momming, Sierra loves bringing plants home to die and reading a reverse harem novel under a warm blanket.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 4, 2024
Okay, so, I liked the storyline and premise, but with eight people (four guys and four girls) it was just way too poly and feelings free sex orgies for me.
Jasper is the king. He has too much magic and has to fuck 3-9 people every night repeatedly just to wear out his magic to sleep. He has a harem of over 20 women, and we never find out how many men. Jasper is looking for the best combination of people that can handle his magic and don't get jealous to marry and have as his permanent consorts. Sira is an ambient mage and can hold a lot of his magic and make it easier for others to hold some too when they are together. Jasper excited and happy to finally have the possibility of a set group of people with Sira's ability he chooses his consorts as Sira, Uri, Tyrone, Mallory, June, Varessa, and his longtime partner and magic mentor Elivah. Elivah is actually a half celestial that can turn into a dragon and possesses great magic as well.
I really struggled with the relationships in this. Jasper has never felt anything but care and affection for his consorts. He finds beauty and desire in their bodies, but nobody has really called to his heart except Sira. But he continues to fuck a bunch of others with and without her. Elivah starts to develop feelings for Sira too, he loves Jasper but doesn't think he can mate him like his dragon people do because Jasper's human. Jasper only ever tells Sira he loves her. Sira loves Jasper and Elivah and probably Uri. Sira never tells Uri she loves him from what I remember, but he does say it to her. Sira has deep feelings for Mallory but it's like a best friend with benefits. June, Tyrone, and Varessa are just like nice fuck buddies thrown in, though Tyrone does seemingly out of the blue tell Sira he loves her, but he also seems to focus on and be with Varessa a lot as well.
I just didn't like how Jasper would be thinking and feeling these deep things for Sira, especially while they were being intimate but would start fingering Varessa and get a blow job from June while having Uri and Tyrone fondle and kiss Sira in his lap. Jasper also never slept as good as with Sira and always would end up spooning her after all the fuck-festivities would die down. He also got Sira to be with the girls to please him. FF is fine, it's just not my thing. It really mostly boiled down to Sira, Jasper, Elivah and kinda Uri as the "main/core" group with the rest just there because they get along together well and are hot.
This is just my opinion/preference, but I only really like menage or RHs if the focus is all on the MFC and she is the center point of the group. I get annoyed even when there is too much MM and I feel like the MFC is getting left out a little. So here where everybody is just fucking everybody and Sira's finger banging a girl, while jacking a dick, and she's sucking a pussy all at the same time was just too much poly for me. Somehow Jasper is always so turned on by all of his beautiful "treasures" that every interaction no matter with whoever ends in sex, and which most likely would turn into an all-night orgy. It was just icky while he's supposedly falling in love with Sira and vice versa.
So, if you love meaningless sex and MM, FF, and MFM orgies then this is your book. It's just not mine.
Jasper is the king. He has too much magic and has to fuck 3-9 people every night repeatedly just to wear out his magic to sleep. He has a harem of over 20 women, and we never find out how many men. Jasper is looking for the best combination of people that can handle his magic and don't get jealous to marry and have as his permanent consorts. Sira is an ambient mage and can hold a lot of his magic and make it easier for others to hold some too when they are together. Jasper excited and happy to finally have the possibility of a set group of people with Sira's ability he chooses his consorts as Sira, Uri, Tyrone, Mallory, June, Varessa, and his longtime partner and magic mentor Elivah. Elivah is actually a half celestial that can turn into a dragon and possesses great magic as well.
I really struggled with the relationships in this. Jasper has never felt anything but care and affection for his consorts. He finds beauty and desire in their bodies, but nobody has really called to his heart except Sira. But he continues to fuck a bunch of others with and without her. Elivah starts to develop feelings for Sira too, he loves Jasper but doesn't think he can mate him like his dragon people do because Jasper's human. Jasper only ever tells Sira he loves her. Sira loves Jasper and Elivah and probably Uri. Sira never tells Uri she loves him from what I remember, but he does say it to her. Sira has deep feelings for Mallory but it's like a best friend with benefits. June, Tyrone, and Varessa are just like nice fuck buddies thrown in, though Tyrone does seemingly out of the blue tell Sira he loves her, but he also seems to focus on and be with Varessa a lot as well.
I just didn't like how Jasper would be thinking and feeling these deep things for Sira, especially while they were being intimate but would start fingering Varessa and get a blow job from June while having Uri and Tyrone fondle and kiss Sira in his lap. Jasper also never slept as good as with Sira and always would end up spooning her after all the fuck-festivities would die down. He also got Sira to be with the girls to please him. FF is fine, it's just not my thing. It really mostly boiled down to Sira, Jasper, Elivah and kinda Uri as the "main/core" group with the rest just there because they get along together well and are hot.
This is just my opinion/preference, but I only really like menage or RHs if the focus is all on the MFC and she is the center point of the group. I get annoyed even when there is too much MM and I feel like the MFC is getting left out a little. So here where everybody is just fucking everybody and Sira's finger banging a girl, while jacking a dick, and she's sucking a pussy all at the same time was just too much poly for me. Somehow Jasper is always so turned on by all of his beautiful "treasures" that every interaction no matter with whoever ends in sex, and which most likely would turn into an all-night orgy. It was just icky while he's supposedly falling in love with Sira and vice versa.
So, if you love meaningless sex and MM, FF, and MFM orgies then this is your book. It's just not mine.
July 15, 2023
Much darker than the first.
This sequel is full of exploring the FMC’s trauma and pain, so check content warnings if you have any particular sensitivities, especially towards sexual assault.
It’s also much longer than the first book (640 pages) and a very high spice level, since we need to explore the lives and romances of a lot of main characters. Each of these characters are pretty lovable, and you see more of the other concubines’ perspectives.
One of the tricky things of “why choose” novels with a lot of people in the polycule is there’s a LOT more romance dialogue to be had, which can sometimes feel repetitive. (Like it’s a bunch of people independently saying, “oh I think I like this girl for x, y, and z reasons,” which can get tedious.)
But on the other hand you get some gorgeous polyamorous love out of it, and enough external conflict in the kingdom to push the story forward.
Spice: 6/5
Angst: both 2/5 and 4/5 because it’s a lot of traumatic content, but lower story angst.
This sequel is full of exploring the FMC’s trauma and pain, so check content warnings if you have any particular sensitivities, especially towards sexual assault.
It’s also much longer than the first book (640 pages) and a very high spice level, since we need to explore the lives and romances of a lot of main characters. Each of these characters are pretty lovable, and you see more of the other concubines’ perspectives.
One of the tricky things of “why choose” novels with a lot of people in the polycule is there’s a LOT more romance dialogue to be had, which can sometimes feel repetitive. (Like it’s a bunch of people independently saying, “oh I think I like this girl for x, y, and z reasons,” which can get tedious.)
But on the other hand you get some gorgeous polyamorous love out of it, and enough external conflict in the kingdom to push the story forward.
Spice: 6/5
Angst: both 2/5 and 4/5 because it’s a lot of traumatic content, but lower story angst.
April 24, 2022
Resonance is the final book in "The King's Hands" duet, for me the first duet or series that truly felt like a poly romance. In this second book the author pays a lot of attention to give all these characters their time to shine, without ever losing grip on the storyline and the build-up throughout the book. As a reader, you have to be okay with FF and MM within the harem, but that's precisely what differentiates this duet from all other reverse harem books and series out there. I really enjoyed this duet, and I'm curious to see what this author will give us next.
June 12, 2023
When I say this duet had me in a chokehold...
It takes a special story to keep my attention in the fantasy genre. For whatever reason my logical brain has trouble embracing many stories that aren't grounded in contemporary settings. I know, it's annoying as all get out, and my realist brain betrays me. Anyway, it's also leaning on the rare side for me to read any book and still yearn for a million more pages, which is absolutely the case here. Usually, I'm fine with how the author ends things (as long as it's HEA), maybe wishing for a bonus scene here or there, but for this duet, I could probably read about these characters until my time is up and beg for more from the afterlife. That is how much I fell in love with each of them.
Sira is definitely the core of the polyamorous group. The King was in control for book one, but buckle up, because in this follow-up, Sira comes into her own. Whereas the relationship focused mainly on the King and Sira with the others closely involved, this book amps up the relationship development, and each one has a strong and lasting connection with Sira and each other. The way they come together like a true family had me soaring with happiness.
Elivah came to life, grumpy vibes and all, as he got closer to Sira, and in doing so, this bound him closer to his king, the man he'd already entangled himself deeply with, even though he was loathe to admit the depth of his feelings. As you read, you'll understand better why he felt unable to give himself completely to anybody, and you'll melt at the way Sira and Jasper finally break down his walls.
I read both of these books on KU, but I will be buying them immediately, probably digital AND paperback. Because this story will be one that takes up space in my head forever, and these characters are ones I want to revisit frequently to remind myself that love can exist beyond the limits that our modern society places on them. I wish their words continued on page forever.
It takes a special story to keep my attention in the fantasy genre. For whatever reason my logical brain has trouble embracing many stories that aren't grounded in contemporary settings. I know, it's annoying as all get out, and my realist brain betrays me. Anyway, it's also leaning on the rare side for me to read any book and still yearn for a million more pages, which is absolutely the case here. Usually, I'm fine with how the author ends things (as long as it's HEA), maybe wishing for a bonus scene here or there, but for this duet, I could probably read about these characters until my time is up and beg for more from the afterlife. That is how much I fell in love with each of them.
Sira is definitely the core of the polyamorous group. The King was in control for book one, but buckle up, because in this follow-up, Sira comes into her own. Whereas the relationship focused mainly on the King and Sira with the others closely involved, this book amps up the relationship development, and each one has a strong and lasting connection with Sira and each other. The way they come together like a true family had me soaring with happiness.
Elivah came to life, grumpy vibes and all, as he got closer to Sira, and in doing so, this bound him closer to his king, the man he'd already entangled himself deeply with, even though he was loathe to admit the depth of his feelings. As you read, you'll understand better why he felt unable to give himself completely to anybody, and you'll melt at the way Sira and Jasper finally break down his walls.
I read both of these books on KU, but I will be buying them immediately, probably digital AND paperback. Because this story will be one that takes up space in my head forever, and these characters are ones I want to revisit frequently to remind myself that love can exist beyond the limits that our modern society places on them. I wish their words continued on page forever.
December 13, 2023
The power
The power and love between this harem is something I cannot explain. I devoured both books in 3 days and I couldn't get enough. The love and connection they all share is beyond word.
The power and love between this harem is something I cannot explain. I devoured both books in 3 days and I couldn't get enough. The love and connection they all share is beyond word.
July 18, 2023
While I liked this book, idk if it was edited or it just needs more editing but there were a lot of inconsistencies and plot lines that weren't wrapped up. Poor Tyrone never gets to be with Sira, or has her tell him she loves him.. also if you're going to write an RH, allll the members of the RH should be fleshed out characters with equal scene time, if the author can't handle that then she could have easily cut some characters from the rh.. like Vee honestly felt like an afterthought, as well as Ty in a way, they were mostly in the background of most scenes..
The only character I truly felt a connection with was Elivah. He was the star of this book, aside from him using sex to heal trauma?
One huuuuuuge gripe I had was WHERE THE FUCK WAS MALLORY FOR 80% OF THE BOOK?
Not even joking I'm pretty sure she was only MENTIONED, not in any scenes, twice!!! Even after that there's not much interaction between her and the MC's.. what a shame.
The only character I truly felt a connection with was Elivah. He was the star of this book, aside from him using sex to heal trauma?
One huuuuuuge gripe I had was WHERE THE FUCK WAS MALLORY FOR 80% OF THE BOOK?
Not even joking I'm pretty sure she was only MENTIONED, not in any scenes, twice!!! Even after that there's not much interaction between her and the MC's.. what a shame.
May 29, 2023
DNF 45%
Automatic 3 stars because I DNF'd this book. Lots of typos (missing words, punctuation, incorrect words). Also really unfortunate choice in descriptions: "arousal incense" for bodily fluids, "sexiness" for parts of anatomy -- no! Just no!
But mostly I'm tired of the long winded plot. When the heck does Bane show up? Will this chick locate her spine and grow some self esteem any time soon? What is the deal with Li already?
I don't care anymore. I feel bad, because I liked the first book. Unfortunately, book 2 hasn't advanced the plot enough for me to stay interested; it's just more of the same. Maybe I'll try again later. 🤷♀️
Automatic 3 stars because I DNF'd this book. Lots of typos (missing words, punctuation, incorrect words). Also really unfortunate choice in descriptions: "arousal incense" for bodily fluids, "sexiness" for parts of anatomy -- no! Just no!
But mostly I'm tired of the long winded plot. When the heck does Bane show up? Will this chick locate her spine and grow some self esteem any time soon? What is the deal with Li already?
I don't care anymore. I feel bad, because I liked the first book. Unfortunately, book 2 hasn't advanced the plot enough for me to stay interested; it's just more of the same. Maybe I'll try again later. 🤷♀️
February 7, 2024
One of the best reads of the year
This duet had me hooked from the start, book one was amazing and book two did not disapoint
This is going in my top 10 reads of the year. The world was amazing the main characters loveable and the tension undeniable
A fantasy poly rh romance that will satisfy just about anyone
This duet had me hooked from the start, book one was amazing and book two did not disapoint
This is going in my top 10 reads of the year. The world was amazing the main characters loveable and the tension undeniable
A fantasy poly rh romance that will satisfy just about anyone
April 29, 2022
amazing
These books were soooo good. At first I was a bit hesitant because the main fmc wasn’t rlly the centre of the group, but as I read on, the author had written it so well that it still felt like a RH! 10/10
These books were soooo good. At first I was a bit hesitant because the main fmc wasn’t rlly the centre of the group, but as I read on, the author had written it so well that it still felt like a RH! 10/10
May 8, 2023
Sierra, if you read this I think you might want to look into a more critical beta reader group.
I have A LOT to say about this book. I guess I'll start by saying I SEE the potential. This idea is really interesting and different. It's was just REALLY MESSY. There's way too many plot lines, most of which aren't even that crucial to the plot as a whole. I won't say what exactly, for spoilers sake, but the money problems and the character that came with it could have been removed completely and the story could have easily remained intact.
In the previous book, you only get Sira and Jasper POVs. This book you get everyone's POV at least once. While I like that this helped it finally feel like a more traditional RH, the voices were all exactly the same. Nothing changed between POVs so you can easily forget who's chapter it is. While I liked that we finally got more out of the other characters in this harem, this was not the way to do it.
The Elivah plot line could have been so much better. Fixing trauma through bad BDSM and sex is just gross. It felt so out of place in this story, almost like this was just some self-satisfying piece of the story. I think I might have been more inclined if the sex aspect was taken out.
Speaking of sex... There's too much sex. Like, truly too much. Any progress made in the plot is stunted by an ill timed sex scene. And it's not even that sexy. This isn't a book you'd might want to read with one hand if you catch my drift. So, it got exhausting because it wasn't titillating - just a bore to trudge through.
The writing is really inconsistent. Based on what world-building was done (which seemed haphazard at best at times), I imagined some type of medieval world - no tech, no modern plumbing, etc... So, why does a character know the word oxytocin? Why is a character saying wifey? It really took me out of the story.
In the very first couple pages, Sira runs away. Then is immediately caught and returned. It was so shortlived that it seemed so pointless to write. But there was a bad guy. Which is why it was written. It was so shoehorned in. It felt like a means to progress the plot and not something that makes sense to the story. There is a lot more of stuff like this that happen in the book. Things that just happen for the sake of having the story make sense and progress. There could have been so many better ways of conveying what was needed while not seeming so out of place.
So, while I like the idea I think this just needed a re-write. At 500 pages it's long and just messy. Perhaps this could have been split into another book? Or just removing certain aspects all together.
I have A LOT to say about this book. I guess I'll start by saying I SEE the potential. This idea is really interesting and different. It's was just REALLY MESSY. There's way too many plot lines, most of which aren't even that crucial to the plot as a whole. I won't say what exactly, for spoilers sake, but the money problems and the character that came with it could have been removed completely and the story could have easily remained intact.
In the previous book, you only get Sira and Jasper POVs. This book you get everyone's POV at least once. While I like that this helped it finally feel like a more traditional RH, the voices were all exactly the same. Nothing changed between POVs so you can easily forget who's chapter it is. While I liked that we finally got more out of the other characters in this harem, this was not the way to do it.
The Elivah plot line could have been so much better. Fixing trauma through bad BDSM and sex is just gross. It felt so out of place in this story, almost like this was just some self-satisfying piece of the story. I think I might have been more inclined if the sex aspect was taken out.
Speaking of sex... There's too much sex. Like, truly too much. Any progress made in the plot is stunted by an ill timed sex scene. And it's not even that sexy. This isn't a book you'd might want to read with one hand if you catch my drift. So, it got exhausting because it wasn't titillating - just a bore to trudge through.
The writing is really inconsistent. Based on what world-building was done (which seemed haphazard at best at times), I imagined some type of medieval world - no tech, no modern plumbing, etc... So, why does a character know the word oxytocin? Why is a character saying wifey? It really took me out of the story.
In the very first couple pages, Sira runs away. Then is immediately caught and returned. It was so shortlived that it seemed so pointless to write. But there was a bad guy. Which is why it was written. It was so shoehorned in. It felt like a means to progress the plot and not something that makes sense to the story. There is a lot more of stuff like this that happen in the book. Things that just happen for the sake of having the story make sense and progress. There could have been so many better ways of conveying what was needed while not seeming so out of place.
So, while I like the idea I think this just needed a re-write. At 500 pages it's long and just messy. Perhaps this could have been split into another book? Or just removing certain aspects all together.
March 8, 2023
Unfortunately, this is DNF for me. The sex scenes and interactions between the characters went from spicy interesting to something boring and repetitive to me.
Jasper has been reduced to the role of a horny all-time boy who only has Sir's "cave" on his mind. The other heroes don't matter much, they exist only to get rid of his endless stamina. The only interesting character that has the potential to develop into a well-meaning character is Li, but unfortunately I don't care enough about him to grapple with the rest.
Reading all the time how Jasper struggles with magic and its power and how the "only" solution to get rid of her burden is to have sex with many people at once (because she has amazing stamina hehe) is starting to get monotonous, especially since any other scenes we get are either Sira crying, her bathing, maybe learning to read and write is mentioned, but other than that not much happens.
I'm disappointed, I liked the first part enough to want to read part two. 20% was enough for me to feel bored and disgusted. I certainly didn't understand why Sira had tried to kill herself, let alone why she had run away when they had caught her the day after they realized she was gone anyway. Pathetic
Jasper has been reduced to the role of a horny all-time boy who only has Sir's "cave" on his mind. The other heroes don't matter much, they exist only to get rid of his endless stamina. The only interesting character that has the potential to develop into a well-meaning character is Li, but unfortunately I don't care enough about him to grapple with the rest.
Reading all the time how Jasper struggles with magic and its power and how the "only" solution to get rid of her burden is to have sex with many people at once (because she has amazing stamina hehe) is starting to get monotonous, especially since any other scenes we get are either Sira crying, her bathing, maybe learning to read and write is mentioned, but other than that not much happens.
I'm disappointed, I liked the first part enough to want to read part two. 20% was enough for me to feel bored and disgusted. I certainly didn't understand why Sira had tried to kill herself, let alone why she had run away when they had caught her the day after they realized she was gone anyway. Pathetic
June 6, 2023
I'm not going to harp on the sexual situations in this book, because the author lays things out pretty clearly in the content warning, including trigger warnings. Before you buy this book, read the blurb and read the content warning. That being said, this isn't my typical read, but I'm SO glad I found these books! There was just something about the characters and the story that touched something in me. I have never ever dreamt about characters in a book before, but these people crept into my subconscious and I dreamt about them. Maybe it was the true acceptance and love they showed for each other. Whatever it was, they followed me into sleep. There were some seriously dark elements in these books, but I knew going in that I wasn't about to read rainbows and unicorns. All of these elements were instrumental in character development and the story itself and were thoughtfully, beautifully orchestrated to give us the happily ever after we craved for these people. I truly enjoyed the journey Ms. Knoxly and for whatever it is worth, you've gained a fan! Now I'm stuck in that in-between state where I can't seem to find anything new to read, because my bar has risen and nothing seems to want to satisfy me...I think I'll check out her other books now...
December 18, 2024
This book was a bit of a letdown for me as I loved the first one.
Points that brought it down for me:
- I think it relied too much on miscommunication for some plot points
- Sira (FMC) and Jasper (MMC) had already declared their love and their relationship got a bit boring. At times the book shows that Jasper had not built an interest in Sira beyond her body and what she can do for his magic, and there's no real steps taken by the characters to rectify that.
- Elivah was interesting at times, but repetitive at others
- I wasn't that invested in the other harem members (though I enjoyed Uri the most out of them). There was also insta-love from them towards Sira, which felt a bit boring.
- There was far too much sex, and as a consequence, the book was far too long. I ended up skipping most of the spicy scenes
- The bad guy was easily defeated
- The world building was odd at times. Elivah is a half-celestial? half-dragon? There's no real context, myth building around these supposedly powerful beings
A bit harder to finish the sequel, but I did genuinely like the plot and set up
Points that brought it down for me:
- I think it relied too much on miscommunication for some plot points
- Sira (FMC) and Jasper (MMC) had already declared their love and their relationship got a bit boring. At times the book shows that Jasper had not built an interest in Sira beyond her body and what she can do for his magic, and there's no real steps taken by the characters to rectify that.
- Elivah was interesting at times, but repetitive at others
- I wasn't that invested in the other harem members (though I enjoyed Uri the most out of them). There was also insta-love from them towards Sira, which felt a bit boring.
- There was far too much sex, and as a consequence, the book was far too long. I ended up skipping most of the spicy scenes
- The bad guy was easily defeated
- The world building was odd at times. Elivah is a half-celestial? half-dragon? There's no real context, myth building around these supposedly powerful beings
A bit harder to finish the sequel, but I did genuinely like the plot and set up
April 26, 2024
I really wanted to like this one, but it fell flat for me in a lot of ways. At three times as long as the first book, you'd expect more plot. That wasn't the case; it somehow felt like less plot and more filler.
There's a lot of "don't you worry little lady" condescension from the male lead(s). If Sira used her words, or was listened to when she did, the whole story would have been way shorter.
Then there's the florid purple prose used for sex. It confuses rather than enhances the scenes. One character refers to her "sexiness" as a euphemism for her genitals. At other times sweaty bodies are referred to as "steaming" which... No.
Then there's the whole thing with "you need to process your trauma" which ... Yeah she did, but absolutely NOT the way it was handled. That was trash, and safewords weren't respected. I'd spoiler that but frankly it should be a content tag.
I powered through it because I wanted to know what was going on and when Bane would strike, because obviously he was going to.
The first book was good, this one really fell short of the promise from the first.
There's a lot of "don't you worry little lady" condescension from the male lead(s). If Sira used her words, or was listened to when she did, the whole story would have been way shorter.
Then there's the florid purple prose used for sex. It confuses rather than enhances the scenes. One character refers to her "sexiness" as a euphemism for her genitals. At other times sweaty bodies are referred to as "steaming" which... No.
Then there's the whole thing with "you need to process your trauma" which ... Yeah she did, but absolutely NOT the way it was handled. That was trash, and safewords weren't respected. I'd spoiler that but frankly it should be a content tag.
I powered through it because I wanted to know what was going on and when Bane would strike, because obviously he was going to.
The first book was good, this one really fell short of the promise from the first.
December 7, 2023
This was ok, I felt like the writing kind of declined compared to the first one. The euphemisms were terrible, using “Esperanza” when the setting is clearly supposed to evoke the Middle East? The modern language and slang? Also the epilogue was a little disappointing to me. The thing that made me most mad was 1. The way they dealt with her trauma, I did not like that at all they were so rude, especially Jasper, no consideration for her and 2. Him and Li didn’t even have to grovel when they almost died and got lots of other people killed too simply because they didn’t believe and dismissed her fears and warnings when she freaking told them. Like they needed to have done some major penance so I was super mad with how that was handled.
August 30, 2024
meh for me. 🫤
Look- I made it. This book started to lag for me, with so many sex scenes I skipped a couple. It’s almost like in the first 2/3rds the sex was a character unto itself, maybe the main character. Then the last 3rd all of the actual character growth/conflict/plot drama happened. I was quite confuzzled when emotional conflict from new characters and big lore drops happened in the 75%-90% range- it left me wondering if this was really just a big cliffhanger for a planned 3rd book that wasn’t out yet. But what actually happened is that the big conflict felt rushed, an even more rushed HEA(sex scene) that focused on three of the seven in the polypod, and an epilogue to tie a bow on it.
Look- I made it. This book started to lag for me, with so many sex scenes I skipped a couple. It’s almost like in the first 2/3rds the sex was a character unto itself, maybe the main character. Then the last 3rd all of the actual character growth/conflict/plot drama happened. I was quite confuzzled when emotional conflict from new characters and big lore drops happened in the 75%-90% range- it left me wondering if this was really just a big cliffhanger for a planned 3rd book that wasn’t out yet. But what actually happened is that the big conflict felt rushed, an even more rushed HEA(sex scene) that focused on three of the seven in the polypod, and an epilogue to tie a bow on it.
October 13, 2024
Absolutely stunning work!!
I cannot begin to express how much I enjoyed this duology as a survivor of abuse I really enjoyed seeing Sira come into her own. As survivors we constantly look for safety and the fact that she was able to find that and happiness really makes her story that much more intriguing. I liked the fact that this also bridged between. The Tears series with Li being from Exerin-mi. Thank you for your beautiful work and for not making the female lead in it a wilting flower I believe the comment about her being a rose is absolutely true that although she is damaged, she is not broken and she has her thorns to protect her.
I cannot begin to express how much I enjoyed this duology as a survivor of abuse I really enjoyed seeing Sira come into her own. As survivors we constantly look for safety and the fact that she was able to find that and happiness really makes her story that much more intriguing. I liked the fact that this also bridged between. The Tears series with Li being from Exerin-mi. Thank you for your beautiful work and for not making the female lead in it a wilting flower I believe the comment about her being a rose is absolutely true that although she is damaged, she is not broken and she has her thorns to protect her.
November 6, 2023
P0ly royal harem
“That’s the funny thing about love. You don’t have to like everything about the people you love. You just gotta hold them close.”
Again, check the trigger warnings listed. This second book dives deeper into some of the disturbing details of our characters pasts. The p0ly hotness continues to be scorching! Sira is the heart of this polyamorous harem and finally rises to our expectations of this slave turned queen. Jasper, Sira, Elivah, Uriah, Tyrone, Mallory and Varessa find their HEA. And Bane finds the ending he deserves.
“That’s the funny thing about love. You don’t have to like everything about the people you love. You just gotta hold them close.”
Again, check the trigger warnings listed. This second book dives deeper into some of the disturbing details of our characters pasts. The p0ly hotness continues to be scorching! Sira is the heart of this polyamorous harem and finally rises to our expectations of this slave turned queen. Jasper, Sira, Elivah, Uriah, Tyrone, Mallory and Varessa find their HEA. And Bane finds the ending he deserves.
December 21, 2023
This is almost twice as long as the first book so a lot happens. Again, could use some better world building but we see more of the characters besides Sira and Jasper. There is so much sex. SO much. The polycule becomes more tightknit in this as we see the characters fall in love with each other. Elivah is best boy. I will say that BDSM while reliving horrible memories to heal from trauma is uh weird but whatever. I suspended my disbelief enough to accept it as "therapy" but only because dragon magic.
September 9, 2024
2 STARS ✨
rating criteria below.
★★★★★ ──┄ absolutely phenomenal, a flawless piece of literature that i will continuously recommend as if it is my only personality trait.
★★★★☆ ──┄ amazing, i thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am more than likely to hype up the book because i found myself immersed in the world.
★★★☆☆ ──┄ good, but did not completely enthral and entice me like a four star read does.
★★☆☆☆ ──┄ merit can be given, but the book personally wasn’t for me.
★☆☆☆☆ ──┄ read until the end but really wasn’t for me and i couldn’t in good faith recommend it.
rating criteria below.
★★★★★ ──┄ absolutely phenomenal, a flawless piece of literature that i will continuously recommend as if it is my only personality trait.
★★★★☆ ──┄ amazing, i thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am more than likely to hype up the book because i found myself immersed in the world.
★★★☆☆ ──┄ good, but did not completely enthral and entice me like a four star read does.
★★☆☆☆ ──┄ merit can be given, but the book personally wasn’t for me.
★☆☆☆☆ ──┄ read until the end but really wasn’t for me and i couldn’t in good faith recommend it.
December 16, 2024
everything i could have hoped for in an ending
loved this book and duology so much. i loved getting to know all the other consorts more and seeing the relationships grow. i will say, at the halfway point, i was over the sex scenes every chapter. i wanted more STORY and to figure out how the plot was going to play out, but the sex was always coming when i wanted the story to keep going.
but overall, i really enjoyed this series. i love seeing more why choose and poly relationships represented with FF in it!!
loved this book and duology so much. i loved getting to know all the other consorts more and seeing the relationships grow. i will say, at the halfway point, i was over the sex scenes every chapter. i wanted more STORY and to figure out how the plot was going to play out, but the sex was always coming when i wanted the story to keep going.
but overall, i really enjoyed this series. i love seeing more why choose and poly relationships represented with FF in it!!
July 16, 2022
A lovely ending!
This book was MUCH longer than the first, and at times seemed to be just a smidge slow on moving the story forward. HOWEVER. We also got to know all of our consorts much better this time around with chapters from all their POVs, so I can’t say it’s necessarily a bad thing. There’s A LOT of steam, very sweet and spicy. I loved seeing Sira finally come into her own and get her happily ever after. All around a lovely duet that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This book was MUCH longer than the first, and at times seemed to be just a smidge slow on moving the story forward. HOWEVER. We also got to know all of our consorts much better this time around with chapters from all their POVs, so I can’t say it’s necessarily a bad thing. There’s A LOT of steam, very sweet and spicy. I loved seeing Sira finally come into her own and get her happily ever after. All around a lovely duet that I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 15, 2023
Loved it!!!
I was in between 3 or 4 books and losing interest fast then I remembered I took a screen shot of the first book in this series after a purchase a while ago..so I look it up, read the description, hit the button "buy now'" and feel in so deep with Sira and her journey! Awesome book! Just read it and fall in love or many loves😉 My "one wish" would be to get a 3rd book from this series
I was in between 3 or 4 books and losing interest fast then I remembered I took a screen shot of the first book in this series after a purchase a while ago..so I look it up, read the description, hit the button "buy now'" and feel in so deep with Sira and her journey! Awesome book! Just read it and fall in love or many loves😉 My "one wish" would be to get a 3rd book from this series
April 2, 2023
This one is capital S Sloppy, and boy howdy is it long (insert phallic joke here)! Honestly, I could do entirely without the Elivar plot line and all the enemies to lovers toxicity—pretty sure you should not try to bone trauma out of someone, but what do I know? Overall, I’d say skip this installment and just read the first one. You already know how this will end.
Content warning: rape, violence against women, purity killing
Content warning: rape, violence against women, purity killing
June 22, 2023
Wow!!!
I really loved this duet! It's the perfect amount of angst and the spice level is off the charts without losing the story. It's hard to get books with the good ff and mm dynamic but it was perfect. Harem books with both male and female books are hard to come by and even harder is the favoritism that shows in most of the books I've read but the series shows equal love throughout the harem. Loved it!!!
I really loved this duet! It's the perfect amount of angst and the spice level is off the charts without losing the story. It's hard to get books with the good ff and mm dynamic but it was perfect. Harem books with both male and female books are hard to come by and even harder is the favoritism that shows in most of the books I've read but the series shows equal love throughout the harem. Loved it!!!
October 8, 2023
loved Sira and her Lovers
Sira is a slave on the run, her last hope is to run to a neighboring country and beg for entry in to the church. When they don’t give her entry a man passing by advises her to not give up and try to enter in to the kings harem. The king is looking for the right group of people to help carry his heavy burden and make them his consorts. The story is great and I wish we could have had more back story on Li but other than that it was really good!
Sira is a slave on the run, her last hope is to run to a neighboring country and beg for entry in to the church. When they don’t give her entry a man passing by advises her to not give up and try to enter in to the kings harem. The king is looking for the right group of people to help carry his heavy burden and make them his consorts. The story is great and I wish we could have had more back story on Li but other than that it was really good!
January 5, 2024
Loved this series
I absolutely loved this series. It was amazing to see how the characters developed through the books and I loved seeing the relationships grow.
I just wish the series did not end here.
I was afraid the series would have too much smut but it was a great balance with the plot and the author kept me on the edge of my seat.
I cannot wait to read more books from this author!
I absolutely loved this series. It was amazing to see how the characters developed through the books and I loved seeing the relationships grow.
I just wish the series did not end here.
I was afraid the series would have too much smut but it was a great balance with the plot and the author kept me on the edge of my seat.
I cannot wait to read more books from this author!
April 4, 2024
Well shit. This was an epic adventure full of love, sex, battling for your family, and the struggle of healing from past trauma. Sierra Knoxly I know you gave us 600 pages but can't we pretty please get a bonus epilogue? I'm enamored by this polygamous family and don't want to let them go quite yet. I rarely re-read book but I feel like this duet will be making a re-appearence in my life. This is the 3rd book I've read by the author and she's definitely going on my list of favorites.
April 5, 2024
epic
I honestly wasn’t sure how I’d like the in the kings hand series. I was worried it was too many voices in one story but boy was I wrong. Each person had a beautiful voice and you wanted each of them to get their happy ending. Sira’s story and what she lived through was heart breaking but I loved how her family loved her and put her back together. Can’t wait to read more from author
I honestly wasn’t sure how I’d like the in the kings hand series. I was worried it was too many voices in one story but boy was I wrong. Each person had a beautiful voice and you wanted each of them to get their happy ending. Sira’s story and what she lived through was heart breaking but I loved how her family loved her and put her back together. Can’t wait to read more from author
April 15, 2024
A great ending to the duology! We learn more about each character and get to enjoy more interactions of the group as a whole. Mysteries are unravelled as we gain more insights, yet aspect still remain unsolved and are simply accepted as the state of magic. Although the main arc of our FMC facing her demon comes to pass towards the end and is wrapped up quickly, the resolution as well as the following events are a satisfactory end.
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