Prisoner of the Crown

By Jeffe Kennedy

First in the Chronicles of Dasnaria trilogy set in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms: “One of the best books in this fantasy saga” (All About Romance).
 
In icy Dasnaria, rival realm to the Twelve Kingdoms, a woman’s role is to give pleasure, produce heirs, and question nothing. But a plot to overthrow the emperor depends on the fate of his eldest daughter. And the treachery at its heart will change more than one carefully limited life . . .
 
THE GILDED CAGE
Princess Jenna has been raised in supreme luxury—and ignorance. Within the sweet-scented, golden confines of the palace seraglio, she’s never seen the sun, or a man, or even learned her numbers. But she’s been schooled enough in the paths to a woman’s power. When her betrothal is announced, she’s ready to begin the machinations that her mother promises will take Jenna from ornament to queen.
 
But the man named as Jenna’s husband is no innocent to be cozened or prince to charm. He’s a monster in human form, and the horrors of life under his thumb are clear within moments of her wedding vows. If Jenna is to live, she must somehow break free—and for one born to a soft prison, the way to cold, hard freedom will be a dangerous path indeed . . .
 
“Jenna’s struggle to exist as a free individual is agonizingly fraught. The stakes are so high, and Jenna seems to be barely hanging on by her fingertips. I spent a lot of time reading with bated breath as scenes played out!” —Fresh Fiction

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781635730401

Jeffe Kennedy

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning, best-selling author who writes fantasy with romantic elements and fantasy romance. She is an RWA member and serves on the Board of Directors for SFWA as a Director at Large. She is a hybrid author who also self-publishes a romantic fantasy series, Sorcerous Moons. Books in her popular, long-running series, The Twelve Kingdoms and The Uncharted Realms, have won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance and RWA’s prestigious RITA® Award, while more have been finalists for those awards. She's the author of the romantic fantasy trilogy The Forgotten Empires, which includes The Orchid Throne, The Fiery Crown, and The Promised Queen. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She can be found online at her website, every Sunday at the SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and on Twitter.

Reviews for Prisoner of the Crown

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Prisoner of the Crown by Jeffe KennedyThe Chronicles of Dasnaria #1Not a huge fan of Sci-Fi but thought this book might be worth a try. I like to start series with the first book when I can so this was a good first book for me to try by an author I have never read before. I had mixed feelings about the book as half of it told about Princess Jenna’s life as a child and young woman and how she was prepared in a seraglio to later become a well-trained obedient wife. The second half of the story was what happened after she married, spoke of her seeing the outside for the first time as she traveled to her horrible husband’s castle, incorporated a younger brother’s tenacity in keeping her safe and ended with her seeking her freedom from the chains that bound her to her husband and kingdom. I liked Jenna but found her a bit clueless and do hope she wises up. I am on the fence about this book. I liked parts of it, wished there had been less in the first half and more in the second half and would like to see where the author plans to go with this series. I should also say I am not a fan of abrupt endings and this had a bit of that feel to it.Did I like this book? Yes & NoWould I read another book by this author? Perhaps, to see what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Rebel Base Books for the ARC – This is my honest review. 3-4 Stars

[stacyatufi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

PRISONER OF THE CROWN surprised me. I wasn't 100% into it when I started reading, but it didn't take long to fall into the world and characters. PRISONER OF THE CROWN is book one in the new The Chronicles of Dasnaria series, but book seven in The Twelve Kingdoms Complete Universe. I haven't read any of the books in this universe yet and I didn't feel lost one bit. There is nothing romantic in PRISONER OF THE CROWN. In fact the relationship parts are very dark and emotionally hard to read. I was horrified at many points while reading, but there was no way I could have put the book down. I NEEDED to know what would happen after all was said and done.The world was very strong. I felt like I was there seeing—and feeling— everything through Jenna's eyes. The pace in the beginning was very slow, but did pick up towards the middle of the book. The ending gave me some hope that the next book might be so dark and horrifying. Jenna changed and grew a lot in PRISONER OF THE CROWN and I look forward to seeing what she does next. EXILE OF THE SEAS is set to release September 4, 2018. * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[S M · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! Gosh...what can I say? This is one of the best books I've ever read! Looking forward to book two!