From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland, #2)

Kristen Ashley

Start date: April 26, 2022

Finish date: April 30, 2022

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Dec 09, 2012 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-s-a-p, reviews, best-revenge-seeking-alphas-i-love

I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book. I just knew that I enjoyed the previous book in the series and a friend asked me to buddy read it with you.

But once I started this, I was shocked to find I needed a dictionary to understand half of it. I’m so thankful a friend told me to take a screen shot of it before reading so I could refer back to it as I read. It was extremely helpful. Granted, it caused the book to be slow going as I was looking up stuff but I don’t think the book woul I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book. I just knew that I enjoyed the previous book in the series and a friend asked me to buddy read it with you.

But once I started this, I was shocked to find I needed a dictionary to understand half of it. I’m so thankful a friend told me to take a screen shot of it before reading so I could refer back to it as I read. It was extremely helpful. Granted, it caused the book to be slow going as I was looking up stuff but I don’t think the book would have been as enjoyable if I didn’t know what was being said. And because I was able to understand the book, I ended up loving it.

Like its predecessor, this book worked for me. It had a historical feel that just worked with KA’s particular brand of alpha hero. I didn’t mind Dax Lahn’s barbarian alpha ways. Yes, he was a jerk at times. And some of his actions were horrible. But also realized that it was his way of life. They didn’t sit well with Circe and she made that known and Lahn changed for her. He wanted to make her happy.

And I have to give Kristen Ashley a lot of credit for creating a whole language. Other authors would have just created words or used a foreign language and translated it from English, but KA went out of her way and actually conjugated her verbs. I’m just in awe of it. Lol, even though I felt like I was back in my Spanish class half the time.

My biggest complaint was actually the dictionary. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I had it. But putting it in the back of the book (when it’s an ebook) was a horrible decision. It’s so difficult to flip back and forth that if I hadn’t created screen shots (and printed them out) I would have been lost and I would have missed some great things that had me saying “awwwwwwwwe!” and that would have really sucked.

Another complaint I had, while it applies to this book, it actually applies to all KA books overall…I really hate that when a guy does something stupid or says something stupid or just does something wrong, the heroine ends up apologizing to the hero for not forgiving him enough. And I tend to think they give in to soon. The guys never have to work for it hard enough. And I hate it when women are doormats to the guys when the guy was in the wrong.

Oh, and just as a final thought…I’m convinced that this is the year of tears for me. Golden Dynasty was my 3rd book this year and it’s the 3rd book to make me cry. There were a few scenes in the book, but the ending is what did me in. I really hate that Circe had to give up her dad. And the end, when the dad was talking to his wife, I just couldn’t help by tear up because of all that he wasn’t going to get to be a part of. I really wish that he could have been with his daughter in the parallel world.
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Apr 11, 2013 Ivy Deluca rated it liked it

Shelves: ka-books

This is the most difficult Kristen Ashley book to read IMO and the most difficult to rate.

There is no warning about the rape/forced seduction that begins the relationship between Lahn and Circe, and I wasn't prepared for the scene. Even though it wasn't graphic it was still something that it difficult to deal with in a romance. The setting was so primitive, so drastically different from my own, and that could condone and expect such treatment towards women.

It was a struggle to accept it, and it ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites

Loved this second story in Kristen Ashley's Fantasyland series!

I saw a comparison to Dani's story in Game of Thrones and I would definitely agree. Circe is transported to the parallel universe and ends up in a cage with other women who are about to be part of a very barbaric wife hunt. She doesn't understand the language spoken but manages to find another woman who looks as scared as she feels who speaks English so she's at least given an idea of what to expect once the wife hunt begins. The hu ...more

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Jul 16, 2015 Joyce rated it it was amazing

I think this is the best book of this genre I have ever read. Seriously I'm not sure there is a genre KA hasn't mastered. Can't wait to finish the series! ...more

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May 04, 2013 Irenejosie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, i-love-my-heroes, love-during-war, i-love-my-heroines, love-the-i-love-you-s, married-by-force, love-the-love, heroines-with-babies, best-besties, fighter-heroes

I. Freaking. Loved. Golden Dynasty!

This book was plain awesome! I really liked it despite the negative issues that were tackled here like rape, brutality, etc. It was primitive and yes, they haven't heard of women's lib yet.

Lahn was pretty awesome. He's barbaric and very raw. And he was also super sweet. The way he was with Circe when she got sick and how he said that he couldn't have dreamt of a better wife and that they would have daughters too so he can find them kings who wish to hand them k ...more

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Mar 06, 2014 Anna **Lost in Ventureland ☁ ღ˘‿˘ற☁ ** rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, own

I like this book much better than, Wildest Dreams, Circes is an improvement (very much so) she is strong willed and her Lahn was a perfect fit for her once he came around & stopped bring so alpha and man handling everything ^-^

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