This short novel enjoys both solid world building and a fairly good narrative voice - maybe there are a two cliffhangers too many for my taste but that's a small and pretty unimportant quibble. The characters are likable and their motivations and actions are clear and make sense within the narrative. I dug it and definitely recommend.

After realizing that I still had the rest of the series on my Netgalley to do list I went back and skimmed through the first book and while I still stand by the original review this one is better; it has been professionally edited and that helped. 

This picks up immediately after the ending of the first book.  After tricking into killing the wrong son Fallon and his men are held by King Aidan, Ryan and Swaine and forced to do unspeakable things to save their lives and get their families back.  Their families were taken by Prince Kemal, Heir to the Elephant Throne of the Kotterman Empire.  The empire is so vast that there's a constant demand for slaves and Aidan has been letting them attack outlying villages and taking its inhabitants. 

Prince Kemal is a more reasonable man than his father and brothers due to the influence of his wife whom he loves but he is still a product of the society he was raised in and doesn't believe Bridgit when she tells him that their families will come for them. 

It was nice to see Bridgit finally develop some spunk and stop living in constant fear, being torn from her husband and child lets her develop the strength that was always there it just became lost as she lost the children she carried.  Unfortunately, the changes in the men are harder to swallow.  I can see them changing somewhat but to move completely away from what they were before is too far a stretch. 

3.5/5 STARS:  **I received a free digital ARC in exchange for a honest, unbiased review.  I sincerely thank the author and/or publisher for providing an ARC through NetGalley,.* *