This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2019/09/26/the-orchid-throne-by-jeffe-kennedy/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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I was delighted to be offered this book as I enjoy what little I've managed to read by this author. I want to read more.  <strong>The Orchid Throne</strong> is the first in a new series,  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/254326-forgotten-empires" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Forgotten Empires</strong></em></a>. I had a bit of the first book in a series, in a new world issues at the beginning. There are many, exquisite details about the the land, the clothes, and the people. It takes a bit to assimilate the information and have it come together into the story.

Poor Euthalia. A women's life is not her own in most historical times and choices are so limited. She is certainly clever and compassionate. She works hard to protect her people and it is not easy.  Conri, had no choices forced into slavery at only 10 years old. It has made him strong, hard and angry. Still, he is remarkably reasonable and cares about his people.

Each of them has advisors, but they are in charge. Lia has many advisors but not all of them are good. In fact, I suspect some are spies or worse. I'm looking at you Tertulyn. Conri has fewer and they seem to be better and a restraint on his worst impulses for revenge. Although Sondra has her own anger to control.

There is no magic in this world according to the evil emperor, Anure, who has made life difficult for Lia and Conri, and well, everyone.  He executes all suspected of being wizards. Anure is the suspense in the background, waiting to bring everyone down but himself. Of course, he uses magic for himself.  Lia knows there is magic and tries to cultivate scholars in her kingdom who are knowledgeable, to learn more. Conri doesn't really believe but has his own wizard, so he starts to know it. I love magic and look forward to earning more about it in this world as the series continues.

The tale is nearly at the end by the time the couple meets and "battles" each other. The stakes are high and once they have decided how they will proceed, we are at the end. So while not a cliffhanger, there is much of the story for us to learn. The series continues with <strong>The Fiery Crown</strong> in 2020 and I'll definitely be reading.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is on the slower side but it was still incredibly enjoyable! I loved the connection the Calantheans had with their island and the tragic back story of the Slave King and Lady Sondra. This was a great first book to what I suspect will be an awesome series since the true battle hasn't even begun.

The Orchid Throne is the first novel in a new high fantasy trilogy by Jeffe Kennedy. While the writing is very sensual, this is definitely a fantasy with romantic elements rather than a romance – the key concern of the story is the politics of the world in which it is set. I would also note that it does not stand alone as a story – while the book ends at a point where hero and heroine have formed an alliance, everything else remains unresolved, they are on the brink of war with an enemy who is determined to annihilate them, and a number of mysteries intrinsic to the world remain unexplored.
For me, the strength of this story lay in its heroine, Lia, and her Flower Court. Lia has spent the better part of her life protecting her small country from a large, brutal empire, with beauty, diplomacy, tradition and perhaps a very subtle magic as her only weapons. Her country is not in a position to fight; instead Lia walks a delicate balance between placating the Emperor and actually submitting to him. With no weapons of strength on her side, she uses the tiniest details of dress and mannerisms to create the impressions required to keep her country safe and secure.
By contrast, our hero Conrí is all about brute force. He has seen his family slaughtered, has been himself enslaved, and has now managed to rally his fellow slaves into an army which is doing a pretty convincing job of taking the battle to the Emperor. He has no time for softness, which looks to him like weakness.
There is a fair bit of violence in this book, as well as a lot of references to rape and sexual violence (none of this sexual violence occurs on the page however). For me, it felt like the threat of sexual violence or the memory of it was very pervasive, and I found that aspect of it unpleasant to read; however, I know I'm a bit sensitive to such things, so it might bother another reader less. Proceed with caution, perhaps.
Overall, there's some beautiful writing here, and I found the politics, particularly in the Flower Court, both fascinating and compelling. But for me, there was too much left hanging here; I don't expect the first book in a trilogy to stand alone, but there was too much left unresolved for my taste. I feel that Kennedy could have told as a few more of the secrets of her world without spoiling the pace of the story. And on a purely personal level, I don't like being left with quite such a strong sense of foreboding and not being able to find out what happens next. I will probably read the other two books in the series – but not until they are both available!

4.5 Stars

I was very excited for The Orchid Throne when I first got a copy, it even made my Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2019 list. But after so many of the books I was very excited for wound up being mediocre reads I found myself thinking that this book would be as well. I was so relieved when I wound up absolutely loving this book. The beginning was a little rocky, but once I got into the book I found myself completely absorbed. Every aspect of this book was extraordinarily well done and I found myself wishing it wouldn’t end. It had been a while since I had read a fantasy novel that I actually loved, so this one was quite a treat for me. I also was weary of this book because it’s a romance novel, but I wound up loving that aspect too.

Jeffe Kennedy’s writing really makes this book shine. The descriptions of the land and the dresses that Queen Euthalia wears are both so vivid and beautiful, bturly bringing this world to life. I can envision Calanthe in my mind so clearly. A paradise island covered in flowers with a court that is filled with beautiful women and men that focus on pleasure. The characters are also described very vividly, which is something that I feel like many books are missing lately. I loved being able to visualize the world and the characters so clearly because it brought the world to life without feeling overdone. These descriptions were truly art in writing.

I loved all of the characters. Conri and Euthalia were very different, and made for quite an interesting match. He was a bit of a brute and she was treated like a delicate flower. But they were both fierce, cared for their people and had a common enemy. Once I got to the scene where they met I had a hard time setting the book down at all. Lady Sondra was a minor character who I found myself absolutely loving. A lot of her lines had me laughing and I loved her friendship with Conri. The dialogue in this novel really added personality to all of the characters and had me continuously smirking, smiling and laughing.

The plot was really fun. I loved the political scheming of court and the strategy behind it all. I also loved all the descriptions of the fancy dresses and the court life. I’m not typically a big romance reader, but I loved the way that this romance was built up. It felt really romantic and not just a relationship built on lust. It was a relationships of wit and two interesting people who came together, who were also physically attracted to one another. The banter of Conri and the cunning wit of Euthalia made for extremely interesting conversation and I found myself hoping that they could find a way to be together against all the odds.

Overall I am really impressed. After so many disappointing reads in a row I was not expecting to love this one. I rarely find romances that I love, and this one was incredible. I found the writing so rich and entertaining that I didn’t want to set the book down. I am so pleased that this is a series and that I will get to return to these characters and this story. I am also incredibly grateful to be able to be a part of The Orchid Throne‘s release because this book deserves attention.

What I enjoyed: The Orchid Throne has an intriguing mythos. Their world's "pleasure island" is the last free territory amidst a realm taken over by a terrible tyrant. Calanthe's Queen Euthalia is clever. I enjoyed theorizing about Lia's powers and her intent throughout the novel. Conri is what you would expect based on his place in the story, which is neither good nor bad. He will complement Lia well in future novels. They both have great cunning necessary for the approaching conflict in their land.

Urban fantasy and paranormal romance are fairly synonymous for me. I have a hard time seeing where one story type turns into the other. A romance between Lia and Conri is not what drives the plot in Orchid Throne, but it does complement it. There is an appropriate amount of chemistry between the characters. I experienced no issues accepting their attraction to one another.

What I didn't like: I had some disconnect at the beginning of the novel and couldn't completely engage with the characters. I suspect part of it was the royal court at Calanthe. I am not fond of historical romance, and this had a similar feel, but that is personal preference. I found my groove at about 30% and was able to breeze right through it. Warning though, this story ends on a cliffhanger, and it sneaks up on you.

Overall this early copy of The Orchid Throne was an enjoyable read, recommended for lovers of urban fantasy/ paranormal romance. I will be keeping an eye out for the next in the series.

The first thing you see about this title is that amazing cover. I fell for it hard!! I have loved this authors work since I read The Twelve Kingdoms series from her. This book starts out a little hard as I thought that the prologue was a lot of info dumping and to tell you the truth I forgot half of the information that I read after I started the first chapter. I kind of wished this information would have been added maybe as a header for each chapter or something. Overall, it didn't stilt my enjoyment of the story but it was just a lot to take in.

Lia and Coon were the characters that you just learn about and starting rooting for. I loved them both! They were flawed and felt very real and I loved them both. All of the side characters were fabulous and I just can't wait to read more of them.

The writing in this was done well and the pacing worked for this story. The romance is a slower one which was great. To many people do insta-love in stories so it was a nice change to have it take a few. The world building was magnificent and I am so glad this is a series.

If you have loved other stories by this author this one will kick it out of the park for you!

I had such a blast reading this book. The world the author has built was awesome, the characters were engaging, the romance was immediately something I was rooting for and the political intrigue and danger kept me glued to my kindle.

Child prince turned slave, Conri has survived his enslavement and torture at the hands of the self appointed Emperor, Anure. His vow to defeat the man responsible for his family and his kingdom’s destruction, has fueled his need for revenge. I loved this character. I loved his loyalty and his courage and his strength. I even loved his ride or die mentality. He was a total bad ass.

Lia, the Queen of Calanthe – she was a bit harder to warm up too. She was a cold woman, but the more you get into the story, the more it’s revealed to you why she’s had to adopt this icey façade. She carries a lot of responsibility on her slim shoulders but she definitely has the heart and mind of a warrior.

Needless to say, I really liked this book and can’t wait to get my hands on the next part. Not only was the story packed full of adventure, danger, unexpected revelations and magic but the characters really fleshed out the story and had me emotionally invested in the outcome. I loved the underdog vibes, the fight against an ultimate evil plotline and of course, the budding romance between two vastly different but similar MCs.

If you liked fantasy reads with a strongly driven romantic plot, yes. I highly recommend it.

Decades ago a tyrant rose to power and decimated the many kingdoms either outright killing the royals and their families or enslaving them, and anointing himself His Imperial Majesty Anure, Emperor of All the Lands. The tyrant, Anure, also convinced the people that magic was fake, and the Gods they worshipped—Ejarate and Sawehl—were false.

There was one kingdom, however, that escaped annihilation. The secluded island of Calanthe, a place known for its beauty and pleasures. When Anure landed upon Calanthe, the king did not greet him with violence but with peace….and the promise of his daughter’s eventual hand in marriage.

Now, the former King of Calanthe is dead and his daughter Queen Euthalia sits on the throne always playing a dangerous game of politics in order to keep herself from actually having to honor the betrothal. The preservation of Calanthe is her only priority.

Miles away an escaped slave and former prince Conrí is rallying the dissenters and taking back the kingdoms from Anure’s control one at a time. The goal is to obliterate Anure himself, but he still holds too much power. When it’s suggested that Conrí wed Lia in an attempt to build up their forces, their clashing ideals may doom them before they can get started.

The Orchid Throne is the beginning to what I feel is going to be an excellent fantasy series. It starts out on a pretty good foot, but be warned, it is an extremely slow build. The inevitable meeting between Conrí and Lia doesn’t even happen until somewhere around the halfway mark. Instead, Jeffe Kennedy, spent a good amount of time on world-building. Especially giving readers the intricacies of the Calanthean court. Conrí’s bid for revenge is a more straightforward matter.

I liked seeing the contrast between Conrí’s and Lia’s experiences these last decades, but also the similarities. They’re like two sides of the same coin. Conrí is more abrupt and showy in his subterfuge while Lia is subtle and discreet. Both have felt the constraints placed upon them by Anure—although Conrí certainly suffered the more severe.

Lia was an interesting character to say the least. Honestly, she wasn’t a character that I immediately took to as she comes off as a bit heartless and cold. Her shortsightedness in regards to the suffering of the other kingdoms was irritating at times, but the staunch protectiveness she has for Calanthe and its people is admirable. Jeffe Kennedy was really calculating with Lia because, like the queen she is, not all is revealed about her character at the onset. If all was laid bare from the beginning maybe I could have found some sympathy or empathy for her, but as it stands there’s a pretty major component to her character which is only revealed towards the end. It really brings forth the idea of how much someone in power has to play things close to the chest.

In this regard Conrí and Lia’s slow-burn romance is more enemies-to-lovers with a dash of marriage of convenience thrown in there. Once these two were on page together their interactions were electric. I’m super interested to witness their relationship blossom.

The Orchid Throne sets the stage for the series. There are some interesting and promising developments, and the threat of Anure looming in the background has me highly anticipating that inevitable confrontation.

This is my first time reading this author but it definitely won't be the last. I loved the world building, it was so rich with depth.

The reader will experience a myriad of feels while reading The Orchid Throne - rage at the tyrant, sad for his victims, and conflicted over a queen whose feelings are often masked behind a cold facade - which to me shows excellent plot development and writing to cause me to have such different emotions during the course of the story. The characters are well developed and you feel their feelings, their triumphs and hardships, their passion... oh boy the passion.

Overall I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Round of applause for Jeffe Kennedy!
Happy Release Day to The Orchid Throne! What a way to kick off a series. (#strongstart)

First things first, big thank you to St. Martin’s (& NetGalley) for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Orchid Throne is BOOK ONE in a new series and it looks like it may be a trilogy so far. Book two comes out in 2020, and Book three the year after. So before you start reading, keep in mind that you’ll have partial closure, not full closure.

My review will NOT have spoilers, so it may be a tad vague to prevent any hard hints.

Let’s talk plot and world building real quick, as this is book one in a new series. Honestly, I always expect a little bit of slowness for a new book world. It’s something I account for and allow for when reading. So it does take a tad bit of time for Jeffe Kennedy to get things in order. (You need a good foundation to get good development.) However, once it’s in place things start to move quickly and the story really gets going!

I will say this tends to be more fantasy than romance, and the language and descriptions really show that. hahaha That is to say, fantasy authors do like to be descriptive, and Jeffe Kennedy is all in for this. She does a wonderful job of crafting the scene, and for me it helped immerse me in the world.

CHARACTERS~ Get it Euthalia!! *clap clap* I like a strong lead. Can we talk about how I adore characters that aren’t idiots? I know I’ve said it a few times here, but I will always enjoy reading main characters that think things through. Also, Conri made me smile. It’s always nice to smile when a character shows up and you just genuinely enjoy them. For me this book was mainly character driven and I loved that.
We have some good side characters in this series as well. I won’t spoil things but as you know, side characters can make or break a story for me!

Jeffe Kennedy’s writing for this book is expressive, I do think the first few chapters will be hard for a lot of audiences, but if you stick with it and give it a chance, you will love the pacing.
The world is unique and I am looking forward to book two! (#INeedAnswers) I wouldn’t say the ending was a huge cliff (IMO) but the story gives enough HINTS to make us desperately want more information and closure.

Overall, I think if you enjoy Fantasy and Romance, you’ll enjoy this book. It does have ADULT romance at that. It’s more towards the end and for me it kind of took me by surprise. LOL! So keep in mind the book is for adults, and does have sexy times!

Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Character Development: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Jeffe Kennedy was a new author to me, so in honor of that, I challenge you to also read a new author in October! (Maybe even this book if you like)

Happy Reading!!
Ash~

To be fair, The Orchid Throne is a little out of my wheelhouse. It's closer to high fantasy, and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just not the norm for me. That could be a big part of the reason I struggled to get into this one. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for the fantastical setting and people. Nevertheless, I plunged ahead, and everything finally started to click. The world-building was good, but I found the story a bit wordy, as in a lot of unnecessary descriptions and lengthy dialogue. I would've preferred more character building over detailed descriptions of everything the characters were wearing. Again, maybe that's just me. It does seem to take quite some time for things to really get moving, but they eventually do, and I was able to settle in and enjoy the story. The author is clearly talented, and I envy her ability to create such a fantastical world. I think, in this case, it was one of those it's not you, it's me things, and I would say if you like fantasy, you should give this one a shot.

this is the first book of a new series by Jeffe Kennedy. Euthalia is Queen of the Island Kingdom and everything there is peaceful and full of color and flowers. She is guided by a magic ring that was left by her father. She is betrothed to the Emperor but he is not a nice man and she will do anything she can to keep her people safe and not to marry him.
Conri is a former Prince of Oriel and he is building an army to overthrow the emperor and wants the magic ring to help him.
Conri has a bad image and when he shows up to meet with Lia he understands why she feels the way she does about him. But you can feel that there is more to him than meets the eye and he wants to help Lia take down the Emperor.
I really liked getting to know Lia and Conri separately throughout the book and then together as they try to figure out how to both win.
I received this ARC from St. Martin's and NetGalley for review.

Lia is the Queen of Calanthe, an island nation that is still nominally independent thanks to her father's idea of betrothing Lia to the tyrant emperor Anure and supplying tithes. Other nations in their world had tried to fight back, and their nobility was decimated, people killed, resources pillaged. She will do anything to keep her people free from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland now that he is turning his attention to Calanthe. Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, was a slave since childhood in the mines, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs Lia’s fabled Abiding Ring to succeed, so the two are about to meet.

We open the novel with an excerpt from a history book never published, outlining the means of the Emperor's rise to power. This outlines the background and immediate history of this world before we're plunged into the chapters told from Lia's and Conrí's points of view. Intrigue and tension is built right away and continues to ramp up as the pages progress. Lia's half of the story is all about using appearances to keep her people safe from the ravages of war, making herself seem like a shallow queen of a pleasure island. Conrí, the Slave King, was raised in brutality and has little experience with the softer things. His wizard, however, knows that the two must marry if Anure is to be defeated.

This is listed as the Forgotten Empires Book One, indicating the start of a series. There are clues along the way that both are more than they seem, especially Lia, and we see the truth of her nature at the conclusion of the novel. Clearly, there is a lot more to the story, and all of this was an elaborate setup to the rest of the series. I hope I don't have to wait long to read it!

The Orchid Throne begins the Forgotten Empires Series by Jeffe Kennedy. A gripping tale of passion and desire in the mist of greed and treachery. Impressively, one is pulled into this intricate fantasy world of political intrigue, where not just a Queen’s fate is at stake but her kingdom too.

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel and Queen Euthalia find that they may need each other’s help to thwart a greater evil. Trust is hard earned while passion and desire seem to flow more freely. Told in dual POVs there is plenty of explicit scenes. I guess I was expecting more fantasy suspense than I was these scenes.

It ends with a cliffhanger so there is more coming. Whether Conrí and Euthalia are still the major couple or two others I cannot say from the ending. I do think that these two will be the event makers since it ends with them making major political plans.

Another new to me author, I was excited to read this novel. The description sounded like something that was right up my alley and the cover intriguing. As the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I found the story too wordy and it dragged on and on...I finally just skimmed through the chapters to the end. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book.

I was in the mood for a good Romance Fantasy story so I couldn't wait to read The Orchid Throne. I am so happy I read this one when I did because I very much liked this book.
I admit it took me a bit of time to read it but it wasn't because I had a hard time with it. I just wanted to make sure I took my time and just didn't want the book to end.
This book does have a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next book.

I give this 5 out of 5.

This was a complete immersion into a fantasy world, the descriptions and world building were spot on. I enjoy stories that suck you in and make you really picture a new place.

What a surprise this one was! I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first read by the author, but I really appreciated the originality Ms. Kennedy put into the plot. A lot of fantasy storylines tend to run together with overused tropes and predictability. The Orchid Throne does rely on the forbidden magic trope you find in so many but beyond that it was a refreshingly unique story. Admittedly, you have to be patient in the first half because the pace is excruciatingly slow for a good, solid chunk. It took me much longer than it should have to push through the beginning. Euthalia and Conrí meet around the halfway point which is when the action and dialogue intensify and pull you firmly in.

The island kingdom of Calanthe is ruled by the cunning Queen Euthalia. Deliberately cultivating a naive and frivolous persona, she secretly outsmarts those who underestimate her. Her home is famed for their licentious Flower court, but even more so for being the sole kingdom under Emperor Anure's vicious rule to remain standing. It's the last sliver of pleasure and excess when the rest of the world has suffered destruction and horror. This privilege was won with a deal with the devil of sorts when her father promised her hand in marriage to Anure in exchange for Calanthe's preservation. You would expect royals to marry for duty or advantage, but this bargain that was struck had a sour smell to it when you think about the fate of so many other previously flourishing kingdoms and their inhabitants.

No one was exempt from Anure's wrath, no matter their station in life. Royals like Conrí, former Prince of Oriel were sent to the mines at Vurgmun where they were enslaved until their bodies gave out on them. Con's fear of death eventually whittled away, and in its place was a bloodthirsty need for revenge. He doesn't see himself as a "King of Slaves" or a leader to look up to despite the many victories with his band of rebels. He simply fights because the alternative would be surrendering to the shackles once again, and his freedom is not something he's willing to lose ever again. Even if he never gets the chance to bring Anure to justice, at least he could say he fought until his dying breath for it.

I really liked Con right from the start. He's been through literal hell and back and though he's undoubtedly brutish and unpolished, he's honest and affectionate with those in his inner circle. Sondra and the wizard Ambrose constantly busted his balls which was thoroughly entertaining. Ambrose especially was my favorite! I could just picture the twinkle in his eye as he joyously flustered or confused everyone around him. Ambrose joined forces with Con to bring a fated prophesy into being. The addition of his magic is a welcome advantage, as well as his guidance in locating the Orchid ring that they seek. Euthalia and her magic family heirloom may be their only chance to defeat the emperor for good.

I enjoyed the romance between Lia and Con. Though it felt a little rushed from enemies to affectionate couple, it didn't necessarily feel unrealistic. Lia was backed into a corner and was forced to make a difficult decision with him, but once she did, she was in 100%. She was determined to give him support, honesty, and loyalty. Even when they were enemies, she gave him respect and acknowledged his humanity which bumped my opinion of her up quite a bit. The first book in a fantasy series tends to be a little slower, so I think the next installment in the Forgotten Empire could prove to be a much more consistent pace. If you like fantasy with revenge, court intrigue, bloody battle scenes, and a dash of romance, this one will be for you. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series takes us next!

This is my first book from this author, and I think that if you are a fantasy romance fan, Jeffe Kennedy is a great choice to check out! 

This fantasy combines political intrigue and clashing kingdoms with a slow-burn romance to top it off! 

The world-building took a chunk of the book for me to really become invested, and there were moments when I felt antsy for something more to happen. But when it did, I was hooked! 

I am excited to see where these characters take us in the sequel. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars due to the slower beginning BUT it doesn't disappoint in the second half!!

This is a romance but with very rich fantasy and so much more.

An emperor has taken over all kingdoms and enslaved them. Mercilessly. Only one kingdom still remains relatively free, and that because they went for peace and passive relations from the first moment the emperor landed on their shores. The cost, among other things, was the hand of Calanthe in marriage. When her father dies, she is now queen of her country and has no intention of giving the emperor any more control of her island than he already has. But she walks a very difficult line. Conri is known as the King of the Slaves and leads a rebellion against the emperor and needs the ring Calanthe wears to win. When they meet, more than sparks fly.

Fantasy fans will enjoy this world. It is rich, layered and full of battles and intrigue. At the same time, it is a romance. Right away, it's clear that the hero and heroine are destined for each other. While sparks fly and romantic tension builds, there is so much more going on. The Emperor is ruthless, and Conri and Calanthe have much to protect as they try their best to defeat the powerful man. It's layered, and it's deep.

This is a heavier read, and while there is quite a bit of action, some parts drag a little. The first chapters have quite a bit to introduce...this is a rich world...but that pushes the pacing a bit back. It is, however, interesting and does set a wonderful stage for everything to come. The rest flows mostly very well, and the writing weaves smoothly. Some of the dialogue drags out a little long, again trading a quicker pace for more depth. As an action fan, it wasn't quite what I'd hoped, but the story still is very well done and draws in. It will be interesting to see where the rest of the series leads.