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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

Oct 24, 2014 Jessica rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this a lot, the whole thing was crazy and even tho I didn't read the first one I think it made this better because then the twist was that much better ...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Cherise rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, kick-arse-heroine, trauma

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow wow wow. I pecked ka as a contemp author so I am not all fired up about reading this series. Boy am glad I did. I never thought I would finish, let alone adore, a book with so many injustices done to the h (serious dealbreakers for me here!). I decided as this is ka, I will forge ahead and let her work her magic. Definitely not disappointed as not even halfway through, I got over the H being a mega arsehole like our h did.

The h I think is my fav out of all of them ka gals. She seriously didn Wow wow wow. I pecked ka as a contemp author so I am not all fired up about reading this series. Boy am glad I did. I never thought I would finish, let alone adore, a book with so many injustices done to the h (serious dealbreakers for me here!). I decided as this is ka, I will forge ahead and let her work her magic. Definitely not disappointed as not even halfway through, I got over the H being a mega arsehole like our h did.

The h I think is my fav out of all of them ka gals. She seriously didn't have it easy. Yet in the face of uncertainty and adversity, she didn't just cope, she rose up to the occasion spectacularly. One has to think given the same set of circumstances, it is seriously doubtful how many gals can deal with things she did. She by no means is a doormat, she is fierce spunky and gives her all. Yet at the same time, she also takes advices, is understanding and accepting of a different world and compassionate and big hearted. It is fun being in her head. She freaked out, got grossed out, then pulled her big girl panties up and roll with it. Just love that attitude. I also love that though our h is our usual ka girlie h with a huge fashion fetish, she can definitely do more than scream and dish out some mad bad girl moves when the situation calls for it. Last but not least, this girl is definitely a tough cookie to crack, do not get on her bad side or hurt her, or she will definitely hold a grudge. Months! Wow you go girl. I hate it when H did something heinous and h just melts her butter with a few whispers or hot looks. The man got to earn her good graces back and I think by doing that and allowing us to see how hard he works at it and showing how much he cares, the H also won me over.

The H is also quite adorable. The thing that makes him so lovable is unlike a lot of mega alphas with a harsh upbringing, he is lucky enough, we learnt, to come from loving parents, and know how precious that is. Hence right off the bat more or less, he never bothers hiding behind a tough boy facade but am all cuddly and lovey dovey in private (as much as a big alph male can be) with our h. Must say it is not well done of him to do some of the stuffs he did, but I guess I also understand what h and friends say is true. This is their culture, it is totally expected of them and also not really having spent time with women in general, they don't really know what is the not done thing with them, so as he is being over the top remorseful and sweet in showing he is sorry but he really really cares about the h anyways so will she just smile and be happy please?, I am ok, choking all these down as cultural differences. I find it hilarious our tough guy also flaps his mouth quite a bit, proudly telling all and sundry how great his lovely fauna is, and seriously not caring about people knowing he is head over heels in love with her. It is also obvious from their conversation that he is way way more into her first and uses a million and one ways to make her happy. It is also endearing how repentent he is when he messed up. He didn't exactly grovel even in serious mess ups but still his relentless and gentle campaigns do make one's heart melt. He also thinks the h is weird but is accepting of all of her because he just wants her as she is, even though he also explains after a major mess up, he ways of his world hoping she can accept some things as their norm and has it easy.

Oh I feel like winning the jackpot with this series. In a lot of pnr, we are shown one big world with the same culture even with different spiecies. Here we seem to be getting a mega bundle of different worlds. We get the first book with a middle aged to georgian vibe. This one gives us a serious stone aged tribal vibe. Though I do agree this world is way harsh and barbaric and I am so glad I am not the h in a sense, I totally enjoy taking the discovery journey here with her. The world building is suberb, there is tradition, religion, caste system, fashion and even the different (or mayhaps not too different from ages past) and unequal status between man and woman. I find it heart warming that even though they don't really think women are worth much there, once they find their one, all these chest beating toughies are all brought to heel and became devoted and besotted puppies, which I am sad to say, I doubt this is the case in our real primitive world.

There is even their own language. I actually find it a bit annoying in the beginning to have to flip back and forth to figure out what is being said and losing the dialogue flow (why can't we use brackets right after?!) Due to this major barrier in the beginning, not a lot of communicating is done as you can imagine, which actually strengthens the H's case for me, strangely enough, as he has to show he cares by actions as well as word of mouth (and it is totally sweet when h's friend tells her stuffs about H that seriously shows how much he adores her). Halfway through I also got used to the new language and unbelievably actually sometimes find the translated english not giving as much umph as that native tongue in terms of emotions (seriously how wacked is that?...)

Just like the last one, I frankly admit I am not observant enough to figure out our baddies and am glad to report I got a jolt when it was unveiling time. There are not as much danger in this though the excitement of fights and mayhem are just as thrilling to read, especially when you are cheering for the winning side.

The secondary character are again stella. I really do appreciate the fact that besides a good old romance, ka also writes about friendships and parents. The posse is fun and supporting, girls you really wish to be friends with to go through thick and thin together. "The past is past but the future is what you make of it". How we all wish to have a gf there to tell you sage advice when you feel lost and are dispairing. The guys all have their own brotherhood nods and back poundings but devotion is no less flimsy. With the parallel universe, major heartbreaker with breaking ties with parents or forming new ones with new ones. These always got to me. While I feel saddened there will be farewells, it warms my heart to know that ka's parents are usually the great kind. Ones who only have the children's happiness at heart, despite their own heartaches. Ones that encourage them to spread their wings after sheltering them as best they could and knowing it is time. Ones with big enough rooms in their hearts to love and be parents for others.

I really cannot say enough how much I adore this one. It is just so much fun to read. I only have some quibble regarding the reconciliating scene as there are still questions in my mind there and I actually expected something more there. But overall an absolutely great read and as usual after a great one, now I am afraid of starting the next one with way too much expectation and being disappointed in the end. ...more

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Dec 12, 2013 Jeanette rated it it was amazing

HOLY CRAP!! As much as I love ALL of Kristens books I really loved this book the best! The character of Dax Lahn is goddamn cool. This book still had the alpha males I love in her books but brought me back to the genre that holds my heart that I have been missing for a while fantasy. Thank you Kristen!!

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