The second Faedrah Austiere walked into his life off the canvas, everything in Rhys McEleod’s world stopped making sense. Not only does her story sound like a Grimm’s fairy tale, evidently he’s been cast as the villain. If that isn’t enough, the mirror inside that old, beat up armoire at her uncle’s condo is supposedly a doorway to another world. Ever since the pathway opened, something inside him has seemed…off. If what his muse says is true, they are headed for an epic showdown, but he isn’t about to let her go. Nothing is more important than Faedrah’s protection, even if her parents refuse to accept him.
Though certain their fates are bound by more than the golden key Princess Faedrah wears around her neck, it is paramount Rhys’ true identity be kept secret. Should news of his bloodline ever reach her kingdom, their entire quest to save her people could be lost. Their only hope to prove his loyalty is to steal the map to the dark lord’s Crystal Crypt. Yet her a plan endangers her beloved more than the accusations he faces in her kingdom and, to escape evil’s grasp, she and Rhys must take a leap of faith beyond her wildest imagination.
The Review:
Note: This is Book 2 in The Golden Key Legacy, so if you haven't read Book 1, A Furious Muse, yet, do NOT read on (spoilers abound). You can read my review of A Furious Muse here.
Last time I reviewed one of AJ Nuest's books I promised a more concise review of Book 2, so let's see if I can satisfactorily fangirl this time without getting into thesis length territory.
You might remember that the last book ended, somewhat unsurprisingly, with the most horrible cliffhanger to ever hang off a cliff. It killed me. So I was relieved to find that The Sacrifice launches in right where A Furious Muse left us. Rhys has discovered that his father knows Faedrah, that they have some dark history (though he has no idea quite the extent just yet), and he's pretty damned angry. Meanwhile, Faedrah has faced her greatest foe and, much to her horror, run from the room terrified - pretty freaking sensible if you ask me.
From here, what unfolds is a story of revelations and raised stakes.
Not only does Faedrah realize that she loves Rhys, but Rhys realizes that, holy hell, his muse is actually a princess from another realm. And then, the veil reopens. It's a pretty big day for the both of them. As a reader, I was basically freaking out.
The sexual tension between these two continues to be off the charts, but Rhys also gives into his desires and we get some sexy times to end all sexy times. Oh my golly gosh. *fans self furiously*
I just love these two characters. I know I've mentioned it before, but I freaking adore Faedrah and Rhys. While Faedrah is this lost little princess who is also a kick ass fighter, Rhys is my idea of alpha perfection. He totally respects Faedrah, while also being so uber protective and possessive that he's willing to disrespect a king and queen to stand up for her. Yeah... He melts me.
In this installment Rhys meets Faedrah's parents, through the armoire, which is such a fantastic scene. Talk about meeting the parents. I love that we get to see the Caedmon and Rowena of the first series, but from a completely different perspective. It's clear that they are still the same characters, but from Rhys' point of view they take on totally new roles. So good.
Once much is revealed in this installment (though not quite all), Rhys and Faedrah put a plan in action - they will save Faedrah's realm by stealing a vital map from his father, the evil Gaelleod! But nothing could be so easy. Obviously, this one ends in a worse cliff hanger than the first. You didn't doubt it would, did you? Faedrah and Rhys are now in even more trouble than at the beginning of this installment, and we have to wait until January 29 to find out what happens next. Argh.
The Sacrifice (The Golden Key Legacy, Book 2) by AJ Nuest is a fantasy romance, released by Harper Impulse on December 18, 2014.
Find this book at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Goodreads | The Publisher
More from AJ Nuest on Love Reading Romance:
Rowena's Key (The Golden Key Chronicles, Book 1) by A J Nuest - Book Review
Rowena's Key (The Golden Key Chronicles, Book 1) by A J Nuest - Book Preview
A Rowena by Any Other Name by AJ Nuest - Guest Post
Candra's Freedom (The Golden Key Chronicles, Book 2) by AJ Nuest - Book Review
Caedmon's Curse (The Golden Key Chronicles, Book 3) by AJ Nuest - Book Review
Braedric's Bane by AJ Nuest - Book Review
A Furious Muse (The Golden Key Legacy, Book 1) by AJ Nuest - Book Review
A Furious Muse (The Golden Key Legacy, Book 1) by AJ Nuest - Book Preview
