The Orchid Throne

Written by Jeffe Kennedy

Narrated by Elizabeth Brook

In the Forgotten Empires magic is forbidden, dreams are destiny, and love is the greatest power of all . . .

A PRISONER OF FATE

As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Lia will do anything to keep her people free-and her secrets safe-from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father's, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it's up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor's bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world-a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own . . .

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Conri, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Lia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes-nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Sep 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977319388

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 The Orchid Throne

[thegenreminx · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When diving into The Orchid Throne expect a story that will slowly unfurl bringing you into a world that is caught in a power struggle. His Imperial Majesty Anure, Emperor of All the Lands has for years held a stranglehold on every land except for the island of Calanthe. Years ago, the King of Calanthe brokered a deal with the Emperor, when he had cast his eye towards conquering the small island kingdom, a deal that came with agreeing to marry his virginal daughter to the Emperor as well as other compensations. A decision that had left many allies feeling betrayed as well as many hard feelings with subjects of other kingdoms.Since that time, the daughter turned queen, Euthalia, has played a long game con trying to give her kingdom and herself time to figure a way out of the mess her father had gotten them into. A dangerous game indeed that only she and her closest are even aware is taking place. When an uprising occurs, led by Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, that has its heart set on overthrowing the Emperor, Euthalia must decide if she is going to continue to play things safe or if now is the time to take her stand and show the world where her allegiances truly lie.The Orchid Throne is the very definition of a slow build but it was a fascinating journey that was well worth the time. This story alternates between Queen Euthalia and Conrí’s points of view and much time is spent getting to know and understand not only the characters themselves but their motivations and present circumstances as well. Although the story felt that it was slowly moving, I did appreciate the time invested in building this world and the explanations behind the political maneuverings that were taking place.The explanations and information that might have seemed inconsequential at the start of this story added much understanding by the end of this story. When Euthalia and Conrí finally came face to face, things moved rather quickly and that could be viewed as off-putting to some readers but I was excited that they were finally able to make choices that were more in-line with their actual desires. From there, the ending of The Orchid Throne was intriguing and I am excited to know more about this world as well as where things are going to go for the characters!This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

[Kayla Irvin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found this on a whim and thought I give it a try. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it quite a bit. The only issue I had was with the pacing of the story. It just felt like it dragged on too much. I will continue with the sequel at some point though.

[Kelsey Patrick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy the story line, I just wished the narrator had used more inflection in her voice to differentiate the characters. I was lost in the beginning, until I figured out it was 2 different characters .

[ayoshina-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From page one the "The Orchid Throne" started off slow and within time it started to pick up momentum allowing the author to create a memorable read. The style of writing the author used was able to convey Lia and Conri's feelings and thoughts beautifully throughout the story and the fantasy driven barely there romance which I didn't quite understand how it fill in with the overall plot won me over yet I would like to notate that once the romance was consummation, the ending fell short. Though at completion I was left with more questions than answers, I was left impressed and looking forward to the continuation of this series.

[whiskeyinthejar-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm not totally convinced that this wasn't written just to describe Queen Euthalia's outfits and make-up. A baddie, a wizard, an enslaved prince, and a virgin queen.Never see the baddie but know he conquered all the lands twenty years ago.Enslaved prince building his rebellion and grudgingly following his wizard's prophecy.Some worldbuilding but mostly definitely first in a trilogy skimping to stretch out.Virgin queen and enslaved prince have their thing.Basically, meets and greets story that felt YA but characters late twenties and some sex added in to jazz it up for adults.

[heylu-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Honestly, what attracted me to picking this up was the stunning cover. The description had me worried The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy would be either hit or miss. This would either be an amazing YA fantasy full of intrigue, which is hard to fine well done, or it would fall by the wayside like so many others. Well, this was a fall by the wayside for sure.Normally, I try to read at least 25% before deciding to give up on a book. This time, I read a full 55% before realizing it was not going to get better and was not worth trying to force myself through this. The main problem was the characters, well, one in particular. The actual Queen of Calanthe was so incredibly insufferable from the very first page where I needed to stop and reach out to friends about how ridiculous she was written.Though I was only twenty-six, they made me feel old. If a witch offered me a magic potion to remove the last ten years and restore my youth […] I’d down it without question.The Orchid Throne – Chapter 1I should have realized right from that paragraph that this would not be something I would enjoy, but I pushed through. Then, we’re introduced to the second narrator, Conrí. This was exciting. He was likable, sympathetic. It helped keep me going with the book but by halfway through, even he could not salvage this. Instead of him tempering Queen Euthalia, he joined her at her level and the two together were absolutely ridiculous. Euthalia remaining as obtuse and regal but Conrí suddenly an infatuated puppy longing for a touch after only meeting her once and under not so favorable circumstances.The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy fails to captivate due to an insufferable protagonist. That said, if you make it through the first chapter and really like Euthalia, you might like this book! If you dislike her and think it will get better, learn from my mistake and give up sooner than later.

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Orchid Throne by Jeffe KennedyForgotten Empires #1At first I was bored...but...after awhile I became interested and by the end I was eager to read book two in this trilogy. Why was I bored? I found the introduction long and windy without seeming to tell me anything. A bit like the opening words to a Star Wars movie perhaps but without knowing the plot or players I was lost. I began reading and did not connect with either Lia, Queen of Calanthe or Conri, former crown prince of Oriel. Conri spent most of his time bashing people a bit like a Berzerker and Lia seemed a painted doll living in a gorgeous garden that was there to please her and those living on the island paradise. So...I skimmed and read and then finally I hit the part where Con and Lia meet. She was still cold and calculating and he was a bit of a loose cannon. And I waited and read and wondered. I wondered how the two would eventually be bound together and why and what kind of relationship they could possibly have. And...I think we find that out in book two. Why do I want to read book two if it took so long to actually get to know and care about the characters? I am not sure. I believe it is because the story grew on me and I want to see how the couple will move forward. I want to find out what will happen to Ambrose the wizard and Sondra the warrior. I want to find out if Con and Lia will find common ground other than providing an heir and taking down the tyrant Anure. And I want to find out that there is more to Con than the oafish warrior he seems at first and if there is warmth in the cold painted doll that Lia seems to be. Did I enjoy this book? EventuallyWould I read more in this series? YesThank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4 Stars

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was drawn to this book by the lovely book cover and than the premise of this book. You could say that this was one of the books that I was really looking forward to reading. The world that Ms. Kennedy built for this story is wonderful. It is a big reason that I did stick with this book as long as I did. When it comes to the characters; that is another story. I was not feeling them as much. The characters kind of came off as juvenile. Another factor about this book that didn't do it for me was the very slow pacing. I don't mind descriptions about characters and the world to start out the story but there is a difference between the right amount and too much. In this case; I felt it was the latter. While, this book was not for me, other readers did enjoy it