Unfortunately, Meretta's brother Tigral is maddened, and finding Meretta and Culdan together, immediately assumes that Meretta intends to conceive to produce First Heir, thus toppling Tigral's ascension to the Warlord's throne. Tigral's attack on Meretta results in his death at Culdan's hands, and Meretta resolves that the only solution remaining is for Culdan to invoke the rule of Conquest, taking her as his own mate, thereby acquiring her father's lands. At least this way the two will be mated in truth, and it will save Culdan's execution for killing her brother, even though it was to defend her. Meretta and Culdan now must work the law to save them both, reversing the rule's ugly history of rape and property seizure in the name of patriarchal society.

Brenna Lyons demonstrates an excellent gift for world-building, and the reader finds herself immediately enticed into the story. Social and economic issues are wrapped into the plot line, along with threads of well-rounded character development and psychological disorder. Ms. Lyons has the gift of seeing beyond the current story to weave her plot against a much broader background, an enviable talent indeed. I recommend Conquest as a fine introduction to this world, and to the writings of Brenna Lyons.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Annie
April 9, 2007