Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Feb 05, 2015 D.G. rated it really liked it

Shelves: romantasy, re-read, reviewed, favorites

Re-Read Oct 2017: 4.5 stars Still awesome! I discover new things every time I read it.
Re-Read Apr 2016: 4.5 stars Even better the second time around.

When I first read the description for Radiance, this sentence convinced me to read it: “discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.” A romance where the hero and heroine find each other totally unattractive (not to say fugly) sounded so unique! I’m tired of books where the heroine swoons after the he Re-Read Oct 2017: 4.5 stars Still awesome! I discover new things every time I read it.
Re-Read Apr 2016: 4.5 stars Even better the second time around.

When I first read the description for Radiance, this sentence convinced me to read it: “discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.” A romance where the hero and heroine find each other totally unattractive (not to say fugly) sounded so unique! I’m tired of books where the heroine swoons after the hero at first sight even if he has 9 tentacles and 7 eyes.

Radiance is the story of two people from different species who entered into an arranged marriage in order to make a political alliance between their kingdoms. They have never met before their wedding day and they know nothing about each other except for their species. Brishen is Kai, a race of gray-skinned people, with declining magic, claws and fangs who live by night, while Ildiko is human. Each finds the other completely ugly and even frightening: Kai are disturbed by human eyes and humans are frightened by the sharp Kai teeth, which “could put a pack of wolves to shame,” according to Ildiko. But since the moment they first met, Brishen and Ildiko feel a connection that allows them to honestly share their feelings about each other.

“You might have a face to turn my hair white, but your honesty is handsome.”

Thus start their marriage, which suddenly becomes a solace for them both. Even though they are pitied by their people in landing such a homely spouse, both feel lucky to have found the other. They agree to delay the consummation of their marriage and they quickly become very close friends, who trust each other implicitly. They seemed so taken with one another that I expected they would move to the lovers part of the romance a bit sooner, but I think the author wanted to gradually show how they stopped seeing the physical and fell in love with the great person underneath. Both were really good people, bright, good humored and very sensible. I aplauded their maturity at making the best of their situation – there was no whining at having to do their duty and marry whomever their King decreed – but I thought Ildiko adapted a bit too quickly. Except with a few hiccups at the beginning, she seemed to take to the Kai way of things like duck to water.

The world was interesting but the focus on the relationship was such a big part of the book that the actual conflict was vague. There wasn’t a particular villain to defeat just a nebulous “they want you to pay for getting married!” threat. There was some action interspersed with court intrigue that wasn’t as interesting. I confess I almost didn’t believe Kai’s assertions about his evil mother, because they seem so one-sided. I wished we had seen evidence of her evil deeds “with our own eyes” earlier in the book so I could really see her as the terrible threat she was supposed to be.

The end of this book was spectacular so I’m definitely reading the sequel, which seems to be a continuation of Brishen and Ildiko’s story. I’m also checking out other books by Ms. Draven – after enjoying this book so much, I’m adding her to my list of authors to watch.

Reviewed at Badass Book Reviews. ...more

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Jul 10, 2015 Netanella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-romance, 2015-august-reading-challenge

"Radiance" is a wonderful romantic fantasy novel by the author of "Master of Crows," a book which meserized me with its rich storytelling and characters. "Radiance" delivers more of the same lush storybuilding, worldbuilding, intelligent characters. The plot is a simple one, and slowly developed over time, but it is fascinating and great to read. Two characters are brought together in an arranged marriage to secure trade routes and alliances between humans and an alien race that exist together i ...more

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Aug 16, 2016 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, series, romance, reviewed, r-ab, fantasy, magic

A romantic fantasy between Brishen, prince of the Kai, and Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, and both pawns in a diplomacy game between their people.

They come from different species, both finding the other repellant, but Brishen and Ildiko find each other's tolerant character enough base for a friendly marriage. They communicate, they try to understand each other and they go through things as a team.

Through all that grows affection between them that eventually changes to love.

Sweet romance set in ...more

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Mar 23, 2015 Samantha rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2015

A good book that although irritating in some instances, proved itself in others. I would have preferred a little more world building, but the basics are in play here. I also would have liked a little more substance or even a little more friction in the relationship between the hero and heroine. They represent a practically unheard-of alliance between two different people and I would have expected at least some sort of mix-up or faux pas that could have been dealt with in a way that brought the c ...more

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Apr 27, 2025 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it liked it

Shelves: zz-rrrc-mag-aug-2023-list, fantasy, audio, reviewed, romance, adult, friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract, royalty-and-nobility, magic-or-alchemy

I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. The premise for this story has been calling to me and I finally gave in.

Grace Draven has a writing style that is easy to latch on to. I immediately felt comfortable when starting this story. The plot was interesting and intrigued me. While the plot kept my interest, I found myself confused about the world-building on more than one occasion. I enjoyed the feel of the world-building but had a hard time keeping some things straight. Also, the pa ...more

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