Princess Of Dorsa by Eliza AndrewsPrincess Of Dorsa by Eliza Andrews is an epic fantasy novel about a princess and her bodyguard. Princess Natasia of house Dorsa is the next in line for the throne. Only she is destined to be the wife of some man who actually rules the kingdom and she isn’t exactly thrilled about that fate.

When we first meet her she is leaving the bed of a nobleman who she isn’t supposed to be seeing. As she makes her way home in the disguise of a bread delivery girl she is attacked by a Wise Man in an attempted murder. She manages to escape with her life and the perpetrator is caught but he dies before they can question him and find out who is trying to destabilise the throne.

There are a number of possible traitors who are unhappy with the fact that Tasia’s father, Emperor Andreth, has been keeping the barbarians at bay for years in a never-ending war in the East, draining the resources of the empire to keep the poor easterners safe. There are also murmurs of a rise of the mysterious Cult of Culo and there are several unhappy Western Lords.

In a surprise show of strength the Emperor names Tasia his heir to the throne meaning she would be ruling rather than her husband. This causes even more unhappiness, after all, women are not meant to be rulers.

Now Tasia finds herself with a new bodyguard, a nomad woman who lurks quietly wherever she goes. Joslyn is the epitome of the strong silent type and it takes Tasia a while to warm to her.

Throw in a lady in waiting who is also sleeping with Tasia, at least until she is old enough to wed, and a long and dangerous journey to the East to find out what’s really going on in the war and you have a long, complex and delightful story that is absolutely worth every moment of your time.

The Characters

The Princess Natasia of House Dorsa starts off as a little bit flaky and disinterested in learning, but over the course of the book she grows into a strong independent woman who has to make tough choices as she comes to realise that being in charge can be brutal, especially when you have to make life or death decisions.

Joslyn isn’t expressive so it takes a while for us to get to know her. But we can see from the outset that she has the kind of strength that is forged through terrible circumstances and she is loyal to a fault. Towards the end of the book I was team Joslyn all the way.

Lady Mylla is Tasia’s lady in waiting. She is a little younger than Tasia and more often than not shares the princesses bed and holds her heart. Tasia doesn’t want Mylla to leave in a few months when she is old enough to marry.

The Writing Style

Eliza Andrews is an excellent author. The book is beautifully written and the characters are clear and well drawn. I highly recommend her if you are looking for something completely unique.

The Narration

Elizabeth Saydah is the perfect narrator for fantasy. Her voice is beautiful and her narration is superb. I adore everything I have ever listened to by her and am hopeful for future pairings by this team.

The Pros

I really enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to the next one. The narrator was superb and the writing simply gorgeous. The story was unexpected and I never knew what was going to happen next.

The Cons

I was initially put off by the fact that the first time we meet Tasia she is getting out of a guy’s bed. I thought we would end up having graphic sex scenes between them or a love triangle or some such thing. None of that happened though.

For those who are not so into violence there are some graphic fighting scenes and discussions about past abuse for one of the characters. The discussions are not graphic but you can put together what happened.

This one does leave a bit of a cliffhanger introducing what’s going to happen in the next book but this is a long, complex and utterly satisfying read. It’s not one of those books that are broken up into small stories but should be sold as a single one.

Sheena's favourite novels - reviewed on TheLesbianReview.comThe Conclusion

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy with a touch of romance and a smidge of magic.

This book can seem slow at first but give it a chapter or two and you will find yourself utterly drawn into the world and characters. The story keeps moving and you never quite know what’s going to happen next.

And if you are into audiobooks then that is what you need to get. I adored it and will absolutely listen to it again and again.

Excerpt from Princess of Dorsa by Eliza Andrews

Joslyn inclined her head.  “It’s possible, my Lady.”

“I am the Princess, not a lady,” Tasia corrected. She turned, indicated Mylla, who was sitting up in the bed, holding her night robe closed. “Mylla of House Harthing, my handmaid until she comes of age and marries, she is a lady. When you meet a princess, you call her ‘Princess’ or ‘Highness’ or ‘Majesty.’  Not ‘Lady.’”

Joslyn said nothing.

Tasia locked eyes with the guard, but for a second time, the woman didn’t flinch. She stayed as frozen as a courtyard statue. Tasia found the stillness unnerving.

“Come,” Tasia said. Giving commands always helped her disguise unease. “You may as well make formal introductions with Lady Mylla, as she is with me often as not.”

Joslyn followed Tasia across the room to the unkempt bed. Too late, Tasia realized the harness end of the dildo was half-visible, sticking out from beneath the sheets. She met Mylla’s eyes, glanced quickly at the dildo. Mylla followed her gaze, subtly pushed the leather contraption completely out of sight. If Joslyn saw the exchange, she gave no indication.

The guard gave Mylla a rough, unpracticed bow, and the girl extended her hand in the same manner that Tasia had earlier. Joslyn kneeled and gave it a swift kiss.

“Lady Mylla,” said the guard. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“And I am pleased to make yours,” Mylla said.  She cocked her head to the side. “You’re well-spoken. For a nomad.”

Tasia thought she saw some kind of emotion flash through Joslyn’s dark eyes, but it passed so quickly that she would be hard-pressed to say if it had actually happened or if it had only been her imagination.

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Series: The Chronicles of Dorsa

Princess Of Dorsa

Soldier of Dorsa

Empress of Dorsa

 

Bits and Bobs

ISBN number: 9781792147654

Publisher: Indie author

Audiobook Publisher: Eliza Andrews

Narrator: Elizabeth Saydah

Eliza Andrews Online

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