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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Emperor's Brides, Book One: Untouchable, August 14, 2008
This review is from: Untouchable (Emperor's Bride, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
In Jones' Fyne Witches trilogy a pair of twin sons are born to Emperor Sebestyen of Columbyana. Now adults, Emperor Jahn and his moments-younger twin, Prince Alixandyr begin an adventure to find a bride for the Emperor. There is to be a contest, six women of worth from varying lands are to be brought to the palace to be offered the chance to be Empress. Messengers are sent to the far places at the height of the Spring Festival to return with the ladies in time for the Summer Festival where Jahn will choose his bride.
Princess Edlyn of Tryfyn's father is noted to not want his daughter traveling with just anyone so Alix is sent to retrieve her. While at the King of Tryfyn's court the new Queen demands that Alix bring a gift back to the Emperor along with the princess. Painted blue and scantily clad, Sanura is a woman of the Agnese. Gifted with the ability to see into the hearts of those around her she must never be touched by anyone save the man who owns her. One small touch and the blue which covers her skin will mark anyone who dares touch her for death. When Alix hesitates to take the pleasure slave the Queen makes it known she will kill Sanura instead so he takes her with them on their journey.
Through her gift Sanura can see that Alix is a good man, but there is a darkness within him she doesn't understand. His attraction to Sanura goes denied for much of their long journey until his dark side breaks free. When one of their traveling party is murdered and Alix and Sanura are blamed it is his dark side that saves them. But will the darkness ever go away? Can Alix desire and love Sanura without risking his very soul? Can Sanura save Alix from himself?
Fans of Jones' writing will love this first in a new trilogy. It has all the great elements she's come to be known for- epic storytelling, sensuality, strong character development and while she focuses on Sanura and Alix, she still takes time to tell more of the overall story of the trilogy. Tying into her Fyne Witches trilogy and the Children of the Sun trilogy you can enjoy the continued world building. But if you haven't read them, this story can stand alone well enough that you can easily go back and enjoy them later if you like.
My only complaint with this book was how abruptly it ended but due to this being about the Emperor finding a bride too many details of what the future holds for Alix and Sanura would have required giving away the rest of the story. We will just have to wait for 22 Nights (the second book in this trilogy) to find out. I personally can't wait!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Untouchable, August 24, 2008
This review is from: Untouchable (Emperor's Bride, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Prince Alix is the younger twin by mere minutes and as such is not the Emperor. His twin, Jahn, currently holds that immense title and Alix does not covet his position at all - well, most of the time he doesn't. Only when Alix's darker side makes an appearance does he covet his brother's position but Alix is usually able to keep the darkness at bay. No matter what, Alix is supportive of Jahn and because of this he has been given the task of traveling to another kingdom and escorting a bridal candidate back to the palace.
Having arrived at his destination, Alix does not envy his brother at all. The princess he is to escort to Jahn is a complete shrew and Alix knows that the trip home will seem endless. The night before their departure, Alix is struck speechless at the woman who is given to his brother as a gift. Not only is she beautiful and regal but she is painted the color blue.
Sanura is an Agnese woman and she knows it is her duty to serve the man to whom she has been given. As a safeguard, she daily applies powder to keep her skin blue and has two bodyguards with the order to execute anyone that touches her other than the man that owns her. Sanura has never despised her duty but she finds that with the more time she spends in Alix's company the more she desires him. However, she is Untouchable.
Untouchable by Linda Winstead Jones is a sweeping saga of dark desires, hidden agendas, and yearning emotions. Alix struggled with desiring Sanura. He knew his duty and his duty did not include taking a woman meant for his twin. Sanura fought her feelings just as much because she knows all about duty; it has been ingrained in her since she was born. Add in acts of murder and blatant lies and Untouchable becomes a magnificent read. I look forward to the next installment, Unforgettable.
Talia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fabulous romantic investigative fantasy, August 7, 2008
This review is from: Untouchable (Emperor's Bride, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Colymbyana Emperor Jahn sends his twin brother Alix to escort two of the six potential brides he is considering making his empress to the palace. One of the chosen is sex slave Sanura. She has several extraordinary skills as she can see into the heart of a person, bring pleasure to die for to her master and has a blue dye that covers her skin that if conveyed to someone means horrific death to the receiver.
Alix is attracted to Sanura, which does not surprise her as every male is. However, she is shocked that she reciprocates as she feels for her escort who suffers from a multiple personality syndrome. Alix is a kind soul, but his alter-ego is brutal. When he is accused of murder, he accepts the charge because he knows if his other self can get out of control and kill; so he is uncertain whether he did the deed or not. Sanura thinks otherwise and plans to prove the duality man she loves would never kill in cold blood even his harsher side.
With nods towards Rogue of the X-Men and Two-Face of Batman, UNTOUCHABLE is a fabulous romantic investigative fantasy starring two interesting protagonists. The title character is heroic and lonely until now; Alix is the more fascinating individual as he suffers from a duality that is 180 degrees apart. Their love seems forbidden especially since she is a potential bride of his brother the ruler; making her even further UNTOUCHABLE. Linda Winstead Jones provides the sub-genre with a winning combo of mystery and romance inside a fantasy realm.
Harriet Klausner
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