As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Imposter

(Royal Trials – Book 1)

by Tate James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Slow Burn, Fantasy RH

Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down and Dirty

Get this book! It is amazing – and Free on KU!

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

Three trials. Three weeks. Three Royal Princes.

It should have been an easy task, for a skilled mercenary like Rybet Waise. Simply break into the royal palace, and rescue her friend from the executioner’s block. But when Rybet accidentally qualifies for the Trials, she finds herself with little choice but to see them through.

A thin veil of etiquette, elegance and glamour hides the true nature of the Trials. Behind closed doors, they are brutal and bloody, and to fail means to forfeit her life.

Thrust into the limelight and forced to compete with the Kingdom’s elite sweethearts, unlikely allies emerge and bonds are formed. But someone will stop at nothing to see her fail.

After all, she’s nothing but a dirty pond-dweller.

Rybet will do whatever it takes to survive until the Golden Ball, Princes be damned.

Thoughts

Amazing!

I put off reading this for awhile, despite seeing it constantly on recommendation lists. I even put it on my KU queue over a week ago and let it marinate while I read some urban fantasy.

Well, I tackled it tonight – and read it in one sitting!! I will confess, the plot is highly predictable with a few exceptions, but the superb writing and wit interwoven make up for any lack – and paint those obvious forays in clear perfection, transforming them into a story that sucks you in and quickly entraps you. I was hooked – and in love with every page!

One note, the blurb from Goodreads begins by stating this is a ‘Stand alone Reverse Harem’…. it is NOT. This is book 1 in a series.

Perspective

First Person, Single POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Steam Level

Slow Burn, things are brewing and simmering.

Pros:

• Exceptionally well written.
• Flows easily scene to scene.
• Balanced between action and emotion.
• Intriguing world building.
• Brutal Cliffhanger.

Cons:

• Predictable….. but HOW you get there is not.

 

Favorite Line

I had a ton of favorite lines in this book, but instead of putting them here, I am snagging the one that made me laugh out loud while writing this review. One the legal page (yes, I read everything – I try to find cover info and give credit if I can). Anyway, on the legal page, right before the prerequisite notice that this is a work of fiction, appears the following line:

“No one likes a pirate, unless he’s Jack Sparrow.”

That line alone should give you a clue as to the type of author you’ll find in Tate James.

 

Verdict

I recommend this novel with no reservations or hesitation. Get it!

Published September 24th, 2018

328 Pages

Please note that this is a Reverse Harem series that will eventually feature sexual scenes or themes more suited to an adult audience. 18+

If you enjoyed this review, please consider checking out a few of my other articles.

• Covetous by Victoria Evers – A Book Review
• Insidious by Victoria Evers – A Book Review
• Spelled by K.B. Everly – A Book Review

Your Turn

What are you reading today? Have you read this book yet? What are you thoughts? Leave me a comment – I would love to talk!!