SEPARATED BY WAR, UNITED BY FATE…

Prince Elician is a Giver. He can heal any wound and bring the dead back to life. He also can’t be killed, so is cursed to watch his country wage an endless war.

Reapers can kill with a single touch. When one attacks Prince Elician near a hotly contested battlefield, but fails, the Reaper expects a terrible punishment. Instead, Elician offers him a chance at a new life and a new name on enemy territory. Cat, as Elician calls him, hadn’t realized he could ever find something, or someone, to make life worth living — until the prince. Yet Elician is unaware that his enemy plans to turn his kindness against him until danger engulfs him in turn.

As the pieces of a deadly plot come together, featuring abduction, treachery and forbidden magic, tensions escalate at court and on the battlefield. The fires of conflict burst into new flame — but can those who wield the powers of life and death find peace?

I found The Sun Blessed Prince by Lindsey Bryd an intriguing story with fascinating magic dynamics and an intense ending. As this is Book one in a duology, that allows for a slower development of the world and the relationships. In particular, we see how both Elician and Cat are treated in their worlds, one a Giver and the other a Reaper. And from the very beginning, that contrast between the pair is what makes the narrative so engaging. 

I enjoyed that we got different perspectives in the novel, not only Elician and Cat’s viewpoint but also Elician’s sister point of view. Each allows us to see the world in a different way or allows for information we wouldn’t have been able to know otherwise. I like how the plot develops as Cat and Elician try to figure out why he was sent into enemy territory in the first place. There is a fair amount of intrigue and mystery in the book, ultimately leading both men to see if they can give peace a chance. 

If you like queer fantasy with a slow romance and interesting magic, this novel might be a compelling read for you. I know I found the story intriguing. I liked the ending but did really hope for more time between Elician and Cat so am glad it is a duology. I love the exploration of the world and magic. The story is emotional and intense but has a powerful ending. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 deaths. 

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