Castles in the Mist [Mass Market Paperback]

Josie Litton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 2002

She was just a child when she was washed ashore on the exotic island of Akora, shipwrecked and orphaned. Now she must make a heartbreaking choice: to reclaim her past--or to face her future with the most powerful man she has ever known.

Raised in the fortress kingdom of Akora, Brianna’s memories of life before her parents’ tragic death at sea are blurred and fleeting. Though embraced by Akora’s elite, she longs to know her true identity--and the truth about her haunting fear that she is to blame for her parents’ fate. But while the answers lure her to far-off England, a fiery passion she never knew existed may bind her to Akora forever.

Handsome and headstrong, Atreus is a powerful warrior whose clan has ruled Akora for centuries. A secret ritual has made him the chosen ruler of his people--and revealed to him a vision of the lovely Brianna as the woman he is meant to marry. Fearing she will never return from her journey, Atreus sets sail to win her. But a treacherous enemy looms, and it will soon fall to the brave couple to unite their hearts and share even their darkest secrets to save not only their burgeoning love--but their very homeland.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the last of Litton's Akora trilogy, Atreus has recovered from his injuries and is ready to seek a wife. During the secret ritual that made him Vanax, or ruler of the island kingdom, he had a vision of a young woman. Now this prophecy takes human form in Brianna, a nurse. Atreus is sure that she'll marry him, but Brianna, who arrived at Akora at age eight after the ship she and her parents were traveling on sank, feels impelled to travel to England to look for any remaining family members or at least someone who can tell her about her parents, whom she barely remembers. The Vanax becomes impatient for her return to the island and sets out after her. Brianna is vaguely attracted to Atreus, but her quest is of the utmost importance to her, and her secret affiliation with an organization on Akora renders impossible even the thought of marriage to the Vanax. Filled with danger and romance, Litton's elaborate trilogy does end happily. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

She was just a child when she was washed ashore on the exotic island of Akora, shipwrecked and orphaned. Now she must make a heartbreaking choice: to reclaim her past--or to face her future with the most powerful man she has ever known.

Raised in the fortress kingdom of Akora, Brianna?s memories of life before her parents? tragic death at sea are blurred and fleeting. Though embraced by Akora?s elite, she longs to know her true identity--and the truth about her haunting fear that she is to blame for her parents? fate. But while the answers lure her to far-off England, a fiery passion she never knew existed may bind her to Akora forever.

Handsome and headstrong, Atreus is a powerful warrior whose clan has ruled Akora for centuries. A secret ritual has made him the chosen ruler of his people--and revealed to him a vision of the lovely Brianna as the woman he is meant to marry. Fearing she will never return from her journey, Atreus sets sail to win her. But a treacherous enemy looms, and it will soon fall to the brave couple to unite their hearts and share even their darkest secrets to save not only their burgeoning love--but their very homeland.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553583913
• ISBN-13: 978-0553583915
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweeping gorgeous romance, January 10, 2003

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Castles in the Mist (Mass Market Paperback)

Josie Litton's final installment in her trilogy on the mythic Akoran monarchy weaves political intrigue, supernatural elements and gorgeous romance into a grand finale. Castles In The Mist focuses on the delicate romance between destined couple - nurse Brianna Wilcox and helming ruler Atreus in the throes of war and passion. Brianna goes back to England to learn truths on her heritage and recover the lost memory of how she ended on Akoran shores after a shipwreck that separated her and her parents. Atreus, who had visions of Brianna as his future wife during the arduous trials to becoming the ruler hides a hidden truth that may destroy their love. Brianna wonders whether he pursues her out of love or obligation.

Filled with sensual moments between two strong and intelligent protagonists, Josie Litton brings unadulterated passion and romance against a backdrop of chaos spearheaded by cunning rebel honcho Delios who is set to usurp the throne from Atreus. Family ties are threatened when Brianna's brother Polonus is misled by Delios. The danger towards the end is climatic, gripping and harrowing as Brianna is held hostage; Atreus faces his dilemma in giving his beloved Brianna the freedom to leave. Ms. Litton's emotional grip and magical narration sweeps you away to a fantasy abound with castles and adventure that gives a most satisfying end.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars strong Regency romance, November 5, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Castles in the Mist (Mass Market Paperback)

The Vanax of Akora visits England to ostensibly meet with the Prince Regent and to see his siblings, their wives and children. However, deep in his heart Atreus knows he really has come to call on Brianna, an orphan who grew up on his island kingdom. Atreus knows that one day she will be his beloved wife if he can persuade her that they belong together as he has seen in his ritual dream.

Brianna is in England trying to learn more about her salad days before an Akoran couple adopted her. She vows never to return to Akora until she learns more about her parents, who died at sea. Atreus knows much about what happened to her parents on that fateful day and wonders if their love could survive if he tells her the truth.

The final novel in the Akoran trilogy is a strong Regency romance with a twist of insight into a different island kingdom. The use of real personage like Prime Minister Liverpool adds a feel of authenticity through the diplomatic activities of the two nations. The return of the support cast from the previous two books makes the novel feel like a homecoming, but clearly belongs to the delightful duo, Atreus and Brianna. Though Akora remains too utopian (still not sure why there are rebels who want modernization), fans of Josie Litton will relish this engaging closeout entry that leaves the door open for the next generation stories.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Josie's back on track - a romantic, intricate story, November 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Castles in the Mist (Mass Market Paperback)

A nice end to this trilogy. Josie had me worried with the second book in the series Kingdom of Moonlight which I found a serious disappointment. But she's back in form with Castles in the Mist. Atreus is a stalwart, duty-bound but lovable (and sexy!) hero; Brianna is an intelligent, freethinking and independent heroine. No shrinking violet, she's more than a match for this man used to command though she does so in a calm and quiet manner.

Brianna is English by birth, but was shipwrecked on the shores of Akora then adopted and raised by a family there that she loves deeply. But she also has fragments of memory of her parents and travels to England to pursue her past (and possibly her future). She finds an endearing aunt and uncle only too willing to provide family support and entree into London Society.

Atreus is all Akoran. He was selected Vanax (leader) of Akora and takes his responsibilities seriously. During the ritual of selection, a vision of a woman appeared to him and he understands that this woman is to be his wife. He finally discovers who she is, but within days she has left for England. Impatient and a bit worried that she may not return, he follows her to England to pursue, woo and win her. She succumbs to his charms, but is skeptical of his certainty of their shared destiny, and torn by the possibilities available to her should she decide to stay in England.

Ultimately, she agrees to return with him to Akora and think about his proposal. But "what a tangled web we weave"! Does Brianna sympathize with a rebel group on Akora opposed to Atreus' rule? And what does Atreus know of the truth about the shipwreck that killed her parents? Can their fragile relationship survive the truth?

If you are new to this trilogy, it starts with the wonderful Dream Island, followed by KOM and ending with CITM. The next trilogy (coming Summer 2003) will be about the second generation of these Akoran/English unions. I look forward to reading the further adventures of these families!