Captive of the Stolen Empire

Van Dyke (The Alice Curse) wraps an enemies-to-lovers romance inside a dramatic fantasy of politics and rebellion. When Emperor Ryszard’s tyrannical campaign of taking over neighboring kingdoms extends to the city-state of Sorrena, his illusionist first in command, Lucien, collects Sorrena’s heir, Ilya, to join the emperor’s “honored guests,” once-powerful captives of other lands he’s conquered. Determined to help the rebels who are rumored to be plotting against Ryszard, Ilya plans to seduce Lucien to gain access to information in his private chambers. As the duo become genuinely close, however, Ilya uncovers a secret about Lucien’s past that has him reevaluating his role in Ryszard’s reign of terror. Van Dyke crafts characters with both intelligence and heart and creates a fascinating, if underutilized, religious magic system. Though the political machinations lack subtlety, the ever-changing alliances keep the pages flying by, and the tension between Lucien’s obligations to the crown and his love for Ilya resonates emotionally. Fans of thoughtful romantasy will find this a worthwhile diversion. (Nov.)