As he falls in love with her, the scars become a part of her, and he loves the character of her features, because that's who she is. He never thinks she's ugly, but he sees the scars through a harsher lens initially. I also liked how Xander's perception of Layna changes. This is telling and I think realistic for a man who has spent fifteen years sleeping around with random women he meets as he frequents the casinos where he parties and makes his living gambling. He doesn't understand why Layna is conflicted about the experience, even though she enjoyed it. Xander's lovemaking style while accomplished, does show a certain degree of selfishness and callousness about sex. I think this is evident when they are first intimate. And I think that it's clear that Xander has a ways to go before he breaks fifteen years of bad habits. I can't say I would be eager to marry Xander with his abuses on his body (and it's not out of judgmentalism, but because you can't just click a finger and erase the effects of such a lifestyle from his body). Yates definitely brings the reality to what seems like a storyline straight out of the fairy tales. Although Xander is clearly the worse bargain, they make it seem like Xander is being altruistic in honoring his promises and marrying Layna. Even with her training that vanity has no place in her life from the convent, that was difficult to weather. Going from a shallow, spoiled socialite with impeccable looks to a scarred woman in her near to mid-thirties who is marrying a good-looking future king would be heart-wrenching for any woman. I could completely understand her fears about going back to the public life she escaped from ten years ago. She has significant scarring and the tabloids/newspapers say some truly awful things about her. As for Layna's scarring, it's not just confined to a thin line that barely disfigures her face. It was judicious, considering the circumstances. She demands fidelity from him, and I was so glad that she required that he get STD tested. I was glad that Layna doesn't let him off the hook when she agrees to marry him. I have alcoholics in my family on both sides, and through them I have seen the effects of long-term alcohol abuse on a person. In my mind I couldn't help wonder how healthy his liver is. He was notoriously promiscuous to the degree that he doesn't even know how many women he's slept with (and doesn't even remember some of them), abused drugs, and was a hard drinker. No Xander did it all in his checkered past (recent and distant). Xander went off the rails big time and the author wasn't afraid to keep it real in describing Xander's depredations. Layna and Xander have some serious hurts in their past and their present situations. I didn't feel much levity, not that I always expect it, but it was noticeably lacking. I endeavored not to give too much away, that wasn't necessary to expressing my thoughts of the book.Īs I read this novel, it struck me that this is a very serious book. Is the heroine the beast due to her unsightly scars, or is the gorgeous prince with his decadent lifestyle really the beast?ĭisclaimer: I didn't put this review in spoiler tags, although there might be some borderline spoilerish elements. Maisey Yates takes the Beauty and the Beast story and twists it on its side with this book. As I read this novel, it struck me that this is a very serious book. I endeavored not to give too much away, that wasn't necessary to expressing my thoughts of the book. Is the heroine the beast due to her unsightly scars, or is the gorgeous prince with his decadent lifestyle really the beast? Disclaimer: I didn't put this review in spoiler tags, although there might be some borderline spoilerish elements. Now Xander must use his practiced charm to convince her to become his bride, securing his legitimate place on the throne.įind out what happens in book 1, A Royal World Apart, and book 2, At His Majesty's Request. But when Xander finds Layna Xenakos, he's horrified to see the effects of the turmoil he left behind written in the scars across her body.īut her scars have given her strength, and Layna refuses to bow to his royal command. Only one woman can restore his good namethe woman he left behind. But when Xander finds Layna Xenakos, he's horrified to see the effects of the turmoi The final book in The Call of Duty trilogyĪfter fifteen years in self-imposed exile, the haunted rebel prince Xander Drakos must walk back through the palace gates and assume the role he once abandoned. The final book in The Call of Duty trilogy A duty to the past After fifteen years in self-imposed exile, the haunted rebel prince Xander Drakos must walk back through the palace gates and assume the role he once abandoned.
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