Lycan's Surrender
Jaci BurtonFantasy erotic romance
Available from Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1-84360-868-5
May 2004
| Lycan is the ruler for the people of Raynar, their king. He's a good ruler, and a good defender for his kingdom. But Raynar is coveted by the Dognelle warriors, women, and the Centuri. The Dognelle are really too small to ever defeat the Raynar, but they can cause trouble, and often do. Today, Lycan and his warriors are engaged in battle by a group of female warriors. Lycan knocks one out, and finds her still alive after battle. He takes her as his captive, not realizing he'd taken the Queen of Dognelle. Women in Raynar aren't free, but they aren't slaves either. They're under the protection of the males in the kingdom, and are made into concubines. They're taught how to keep their men pleased, but never educated beyond that just so that they never feel a need for other things.
Starr, as a Dognelle woman and queen, knows the difference between being a pampers, 'protected' female and having free choice. She has no intention of remaining in Raynar, or bringing her people into Raynar, when it would mean sacrificing her freedom, and her people's freedom, for luxury. And not even the gorgeous, virile, and challenging Lycan can change her mind. His intention to keep her as his concubine will be fought against for as long as she lives. Lycan's Surrender was very much a medieval fantasy romance, but without all the damsels in distress, though the hero would've certainly liked them around! I really loved the fact that Starr was so true to her principals about her freedom, especially after reading so many books where the heroine gave in, even just a little. She was very strong. Even though she wanted to be with Lycan, and cared for him, she knew she'd not be happy as a virtual slave. She was a great heroine. The romance and sexual tension between Lycan and Starr was sometimes amusing, and always real. The story itself was interesting, making me want to know if Lycan would eventually change his views, and what would happen with Dognelle, which was threatened by both a lack of resources and the Centuri. Overall, Lycan's Surrender incorporated all the positive attributes of a good book than can be reread.
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Reviewer: Tara Black |
