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Legends of Alcardia #2
Trader Prince of Aleshtain
He is faced with a hard choice. The path of freedom or the path of duty. Only one leads to his salvation.
Eras has always dreamed of escaping his gilded cage and his title of Crown Prince to become an air captain. But duty to Aleshtain and her people keeps him bound to a loveless future and a heavy crown. Unlike his revolutionary friend, he has no aspirations to do anything but his duty, and he's determined to stay out of the power struggles in the palace until he is king. But his love of justice and his yearning to be free of his father's oppression soon make that impossible.
When he takes a bold step to protect a slave girl from his father, he places himself in the thick of the struggle for power within the palace. Now, he must face the system head on and win. His life and his new slave's hang in the balance. All he ever wanted was his freedom. Now he must fight for both freedom and life. But even if he succeeds, the costs will be staggering.
Can he win their freedom from a kingdom of death before it claims their lives?
Trader Prince of Aleshtain is the thrilling second book in the Legends of Alcardia high fantasy series. If you like riveting plot, intrigue, and complex characters, then you'll love Ariel Paiement's high-stakes fantasy.
Buy Trader Prince of Aleshtain to embark on the labyrinthine adventure today.
Eras has always dreamed of escaping his gilded cage and his title of Crown Prince to become an air captain. But duty to Aleshtain and her people keeps him bound to a loveless future and a heavy crown. Unlike his revolutionary friend, he has no aspirations to do anything but his duty, and he's determined to stay out of the power struggles in the palace until he is king. But his love of justice and his yearning to be free of his father's oppression soon make that impossible.
When he takes a bold step to protect a slave girl from his father, he places himself in the thick of the struggle for power within the palace. Now, he must face the system head on and win. His life and his new slave's hang in the balance. All he ever wanted was his freedom. Now he must fight for both freedom and life. But even if he succeeds, the costs will be staggering.
Can he win their freedom from a kingdom of death before it claims their lives?
Trader Prince of Aleshtain is the thrilling second book in the Legends of Alcardia high fantasy series. If you like riveting plot, intrigue, and complex characters, then you'll love Ariel Paiement's high-stakes fantasy.
Buy Trader Prince of Aleshtain to embark on the labyrinthine adventure today.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
6 people want to read
About the author
Ariel Paiement
28 books135 followersAriel Paiement is a speculative fiction author and reader. As an author, her favorite thing to do is to blend elements of science fiction, romance, and real world history into her writing to create rich worlds with their own lore and an immersive experience for readers that is reminiscent of the vast worldbuilding of early fantasy authors like Tolkien or modern fantasy authors like Brandon Sanderson. As a reader, she enjoys lots of styles and genres, though fantasy and science fiction are her favorites.
To find her updates, books, and writing tips, visit her Amazon page at amazon.com/author/arielpaiement or her blog at arielpaiement.com, or sign up for her newsletter at https://arielpaiementauthor.eo.page/f... to receive exclusive subscriber content.
You can find Ariel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest as well as via email at arielpaiement@gmail.com. Feel free to reach out if you want to connect! Just be sure you introduce yourself so she knows your email's not spam.
She also writes under the pen name Atlas Rose, writing philosophical fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction, and Thea Lockheart writing contemporary and historical romance. You can find those works here: amazon.com/author/atlas_rose_author or read some of her work on her blogs at atlasroseauthor.com and thealockheartauthor.com.
To find her updates, books, and writing tips, visit her Amazon page at amazon.com/author/arielpaiement or her blog at arielpaiement.com, or sign up for her newsletter at https://arielpaiementauthor.eo.page/f... to receive exclusive subscriber content.
You can find Ariel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest as well as via email at arielpaiement@gmail.com. Feel free to reach out if you want to connect! Just be sure you introduce yourself so she knows your email's not spam.
She also writes under the pen name Atlas Rose, writing philosophical fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction, and Thea Lockheart writing contemporary and historical romance. You can find those works here: amazon.com/author/atlas_rose_author or read some of her work on her blogs at atlasroseauthor.com and thealockheartauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 22, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Trader Prince of Aleshtain
Thank you to Ariel Paiement for providing me with a copy for an honest review!
In the kingdom of Aleshtain, the abuse and degradation of women have become commonplace. But Crown Prince Eras remembers a time before his kingdom became so cruel. He regrets his inability to influence the royals away from their ways. When Rhubhian is put on display for sale amongst the newest captured slaves, Eras sees the look in his father’s eye. No longer able to watch another woman be broken beneath the King, he buys Rhubhian to save her. But Eras’ father has his eyes set on Rhubhian and will do whatever he can to steal her away.
Trader Prince of Aleshtain immerses the reader in a story filled with politics and complicated relationships. Rhubhian is a torn character. Having survived as a slave, she has been conditioned to accept a certain place in life despite the defiance she holds close to her heart. Meeting Eras makes her dare to hope there is another way for her to survive without losing more pieces of herself.
On the other hand, Eras struggles with himself. He hates owning a slave but knows it is the only way to keep Rhubhian away from further harm. He must navigate the politics surrounding him and fight for a way to free not only Rhubhian but himself as well. But as their lives intertwine, there may be more at stake than just their freedom.
Trader Prince of Aleshtain is an engaging book that progresses the story through dialogue instead of actions. While there are hints of magic, the focus on character development and relationships brought the story to life. The world-building was seen through emotions and opinions rather than the standard overarching explanations seen in other novels. I loved this unique style because it added a sense of depth to the characters.
This is not a book filled with twists and turns. Readers will not be engaged in many action scenes. However, the emotional tension that Ariel Paiement has created with these characters is excellent. There is a layer of realism and intricacy to her writing that drew me into the story and did not let go.
Though this may be the second book released in the Legends of Alcardia series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I look forward to the next installment in this series. I can’t wait to see what culture will be explored next!
Thank you to Ariel Paiement for providing me with a copy for an honest review!
In the kingdom of Aleshtain, the abuse and degradation of women have become commonplace. But Crown Prince Eras remembers a time before his kingdom became so cruel. He regrets his inability to influence the royals away from their ways. When Rhubhian is put on display for sale amongst the newest captured slaves, Eras sees the look in his father’s eye. No longer able to watch another woman be broken beneath the King, he buys Rhubhian to save her. But Eras’ father has his eyes set on Rhubhian and will do whatever he can to steal her away.
Trader Prince of Aleshtain immerses the reader in a story filled with politics and complicated relationships. Rhubhian is a torn character. Having survived as a slave, she has been conditioned to accept a certain place in life despite the defiance she holds close to her heart. Meeting Eras makes her dare to hope there is another way for her to survive without losing more pieces of herself.
On the other hand, Eras struggles with himself. He hates owning a slave but knows it is the only way to keep Rhubhian away from further harm. He must navigate the politics surrounding him and fight for a way to free not only Rhubhian but himself as well. But as their lives intertwine, there may be more at stake than just their freedom.
Trader Prince of Aleshtain is an engaging book that progresses the story through dialogue instead of actions. While there are hints of magic, the focus on character development and relationships brought the story to life. The world-building was seen through emotions and opinions rather than the standard overarching explanations seen in other novels. I loved this unique style because it added a sense of depth to the characters.
This is not a book filled with twists and turns. Readers will not be engaged in many action scenes. However, the emotional tension that Ariel Paiement has created with these characters is excellent. There is a layer of realism and intricacy to her writing that drew me into the story and did not let go.
Though this may be the second book released in the Legends of Alcardia series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I look forward to the next installment in this series. I can’t wait to see what culture will be explored next!
December 25, 2020
Not your typical/average fantasy novel by far. The author delves deep into complicated political relationships, hard personal choices and unlikely allies.
i found this to be a refreshing take on the genre. Eras, the Crown Prince, is as likeable as he is relateable, which makes this a very pleasant and intriguing read.
i found this to be a refreshing take on the genre. Eras, the Crown Prince, is as likeable as he is relateable, which makes this a very pleasant and intriguing read.
January 10, 2021
The romance is to die for. I loved the relationship between era and rhubhian. The fact that the author has given her characters time to develop a friendship makes this book special. Rhubhian is such a strong female character. She is inspiring.
Plot keeps the reader gripped till the end. I loved this book through and through. The romance is to die for. I loved the relationship between era and rhubhian. The fact that the author has given her characters time to develop a friendship makes this book special. Rhubhian is such a strong female character. She is inspiring.
Plot keeps the reader gripped till the end. I loved this book through and through.
Plot keeps the reader gripped till the end. I loved this book through and through. The romance is to die for. I loved the relationship between era and rhubhian. The fact that the author has given her characters time to develop a friendship makes this book special. Rhubhian is such a strong female character. She is inspiring.
Plot keeps the reader gripped till the end. I loved this book through and through.
October 18, 2022
How awful to not be able to respect one’s parent!
I’m not sure how gilded Eras’ cage is, especially with his misogynist king and adviser. Eras is at their “mercy” just as much as anybody else, Crown Prince or not. It’s not lost that the land’s religion is that of a singular male-deity shoving its way over the triple-aspect goddess of other lands. Certainly explains the subservient females and the violent men (no spoilers).
If only all boys were raised this way!
‘My mother had different ideas of what made one a man. And cruelty or rudeness toward women wasn’t it.’
The author provides a Pronunciation Guide at the end (thanks).
I will definitely keeping reading more by this author.
I’m not sure how gilded Eras’ cage is, especially with his misogynist king and adviser. Eras is at their “mercy” just as much as anybody else, Crown Prince or not. It’s not lost that the land’s religion is that of a singular male-deity shoving its way over the triple-aspect goddess of other lands. Certainly explains the subservient females and the violent men (no spoilers).
If only all boys were raised this way!
‘My mother had different ideas of what made one a man. And cruelty or rudeness toward women wasn’t it.’
The author provides a Pronunciation Guide at the end (thanks).
I will definitely keeping reading more by this author.
October 17, 2022
Allow two days (or one EXTREMELY long one) for this PG15 paranormal quest for freedom set mostly in Aleshtain on Alcardia which starts when Crown Prince Eras Thilain acquires his first (and only) slave to keep her from the clutches of his father King Rabhor and the dastardly High Priest Orabhan.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews