Nor Iron Bars a Cage (Book 2 of the Ascendancy Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]

Caprice Hokstad (Author)

Book Description

Global Ebook Award Finalist 2011 in Fantasy

Two baby boys are lost in the hostile country of Ganluc—one the firstborn son of a prince and princess (third in line for the Royal Throne of Latoph) and the other a bastard half-breed born to an Itzi slavegirl and fathered by a licentious owner who was executed for treason.

Duke Vahn is determined to rescue both boys. Scores of knights and bounty hunters have risked their lives trying to retrieve them, yet none can even find a clue to their whereabouts.

When all else fails, a bold plan is proposed to send Vahn’s most trusted servant posing as a runaway slave in order to gather information. Reluctantly, Vahn sends a strange trio off to Ganluc—his brave captain, a middle-aged healer, and an Itzi slave. Little does he know what challenges await both the trio and his own house, now forced to survive without its key leaders.

Book 2 of The Ascendancy Trilogy

When you finish The Duke’s Handmaid, you won’t want to wait. Download Nor Iron Bars a Cage now!

Product Details

• File Size: 998 KB
• Print Length: 350 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Splashdown Books; 1st edition (November 1, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0011UBWIW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,502 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Story to be Savored November 28, 2007

By Michael A. Heald

Format:Paperback

Set in the land of Latoph, on the world of Byntar that has two suns, two races, and two classes (slave and free), the story addresses themes of justice and mercy, sacrifice and perseverance in a kingdom where birthright and bloodline determine one's status in a rigid social system. Daring to make slavery, and the characters' responses to the institution of slavery, the fulcrum of the story is a remarkable achievement by Ms. Hokstad. Creating an enjoyable story makes the achievement wonderful.

Ms. Hokstad's delightful prose draws the reader effortlessly into her scenes and through her story.

"Slices of suns' light pierced the morning fog. Captain Zinto paced the dock; his white cotton shirt and loose knee-pants billowed in the salty breeze. Deck-seasoned feet made too little sound for his mood, so he stomped to remedy the annoying silence."

The story is written to be savored, for here there be no monsters, no wizards, no clashing of swords - just the refreshing story of forbidden love, with characters who choose to lead lives of honorable passion rather than passionate expediency.

Though the book can stand on its own merits, the reader's understanding of the significance and meaning of the characters' actions would be deepened if the first book in the series, The Duke's Handmaid, is read first.

Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Caution this book will keep you reading till it's done. January 2, 2013

By George McVey

Format:Paperback

unlike my other reviewers so far I have not read the first book in this series. I picked up Nor Iron Bars a Cage and from the first sentence in the authors description of her world building was intrigued and hooked. Luckily for me I picked this up over the New Year Holiday so the fact that it kept me up reading all night wasn't as big a problem as it may be for others. Not having anything from the first book invested in these characters or the story did nothing to diminish it as an excellent read. I could look at Duke Vahn and his companions without the jade of their past but still could understand the story as if the first book didn't exist. The story was engaging and the action was surprisingly not formulaic at all. Just when I thought it couldn't surprise me anymore it did. Just when I thought all hope was lost a glimmer brought me to the next scene. Ms.Hokstad has created a wonderful world and a wonder cast of characters in that would. Yes it is a world with slavery and a Noble caste but done in a way that you want to cheer for hero's even thought they are slave or freeman or noble. You want to boo the villains who are not all whom you might think at first and you almost have to see the next scene just to see what they are going to do next. Do I recommend this book? Most Assuredly YES, IT IS THE MUST READ SERIES OF 2013. I be reading both the first and the third just as fast as I can get my hands on them.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Did me in! November 13, 2012

By P. Creeden TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A few months ago, I read the first book in this series. Although extremely well-written, I just couldn't get over the positive view of slavery and the main character's immature, unchanged attitude toward it. The book had everything I like to see in a fantasy, except that one quality. So it took me months to pick up the second in the series. But I never forgot the way the first book drew me in and when I found myself in want of that sort of read, I gave in and picked up the second.

Now I've read book two, Nor Iron Bars A Cage. This book makes up for the first one in Duke Vahn's growth and change. I am very pleased with the way this book lost none of my favorite elements from the first and grew the story and characters in a worth-waiting-for way. I'm a reader. I love books. And this is one that I didn't want to put down--I read it while brushing my teeth.

Now the last 20% of the book dragged on a bit, but it tied up a lot of loose ends and got the reader ready for book 3, so it's forgivable. I won't be waiting months before reading the next one this time--I'm starting today.

More About the Author

Caprice spends most of her time dreaming up other worlds to live vicariously in. Her first half-million words were spent on the fantasy setting of Byntar (where her Ascendancy Trilogy novels are set). She went to Baylor University in Texas and lived in a log cabin in the mountains for ten years directly from college. She now lives--with her husband, two teens, a 9-year-old, a dog, a cat, and a tankful of guppies--in a mobile home in southern California.

She regularly stares at her simulated aquarium screensaver, singing "I Wish I Were a Fish" from "The Incredible Mr. Limpet". Her ultimate aspiration is to live in the first undersea colony, Atlantica, currently being built off the coast of Florida. She has been assured they will have electricity and internet and that there will be room for her laptop, so she can continue to write. At that point, she may change her screensaver, but no promises.

Visit Caprice's website at Latoph.com.