Title: Silken Heart (Tales of Amaranth: Book Eight)
Author: Thom Lane
Publisher: Loose Id
Length: 114 Pages
Category: Fantasy
At a Glance: Another book from the world of Amaranth? Yes please! Great new characters and an appearance from two old favorites.
Reviewed By: Jennifer
Blurb: Ander wakes in a strange bed, in absolute darkness. He has a wound in his shoulder, a slave boy at his side, and no memory at all of how he came here. His ship has sailed, stranding him in the great imperial city of Amaranth.
During a slow recovery, he learns that he was hurt saving the life of the Emperor’s ward, Leona–but his own life is now under threat. And so is his heart, as the hot sweet slave boy Brat wriggles his way ever deeper under his skin. But Ander has no job, no home, no clear future–and passion alone can never be enough. Leona has ideas, though; and in the end the Emperor himself will take a hand…
Review: Having read all eight books in the Amaranth series so far, I can honestly say that I absolutely love this world. Thom Lane has crafted a brilliant world where magic is real and danger lurks around every corner.
Even though this book is shorter than some of the others, I still loved it. Following new character Ander as he wakes up in a strange place, with no memory of what happened to him, a plot to assassinate the ward of the Emperor is uncovered, and Ander was the unwitting hero. As the supercargo in a ship that has long since sailed, he realizes he has been stranded in a city that is not his home, and he is taken in by Leona’s foster mother as thanks for saving her life. While they work to heal him, Ander becomes smitten with the slave boy Brat, who has been assigned to care for him while he recovers.
Of course, things will not go easy for Ander. He has foiled an assassination plot, and the would-be assassin wants him silenced and Leona dead. It will take some magic to stop it from happening again.
And that magic comes in the form of Master Mage Lucan.
I was so happy to see Master Luke and Tam back! They were the characters that set this series off, and make appearances throughout some of the books. Though Tam is mostly silent in this story, Brat takes center stage. And he’s been aptly named! I adored him and his brazenness with Ander. Even though Ander knew he shouldn’t let Brat get away with his actions, he did. And when Brat reveals what he really wants, my heart broke for him.
I can’t give more away without ruining the story. I will say, however, that this series does not need to be read in order. Master Luke and Tam might have their own story, but readers do no need to know their background to enjoy this tale.
The BDSM is nonexistent in this book, unlike some others, though slavery is a factor. Unlike the other books, however, the slaves in this book are not punished on page, though it’s hinted that Brat has received his fair share of punishments in the past for his bold behavior.
I truly loved this book and I really hope there are more books from the Amaranth series in the works. Honestly, it could go on forever and I would be thrilled!
You can buy Silken Heart here:
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