John Wiltshire - Aleksey's Kingdom

Doctor Nikolai Hartmann escaped the Hesse-Davian dungeons. He fled civilized Europe to come to the vast wilderness of the New World, where he carved out a home in which he could love openly and without censure—Aleksey’s Kingdom. However, there is an irritating green-eyed, dark-haired flaw in his new paradise. A king and a general, Aleksey has no intention of wasting his life away in a remote forest. When he agrees to accompany a group of soldiers to a distant outpost to discover why it has been mysteriously abandoned, Nikolai has no choice but to tag along.
While traveling through the wilderness with their new companions, it does not take Nikolai and Aleksey long to realise that far from mounting a rescue operation, they are merely unwitting pawns in a far more sinister conspiracy. But their enemies have badly miscalculated by threatening anything Nikolai loves. In this merciless place of towering trees, where water plummets beyond the human ability to comprehend, Nikolai must unleash the unfettered savagery of his true nature to save Aleksey. 

Comment: After enjoying A Royal Affair by this author I decided to try this one as well, to see if it would be as engaging as the other was. I'm happy to say that it is, and also a page turner. However, I did expect a little more...

In this sequel, we learn that Nikolai and Aleksey, the couple that met and fell in love in the first book is now on American land and are living together in a place where no one is around to see how much they mean to one another. However, Aleksey is curious and he has made contact with a group in the military colony nearby. Apparently he told them he was living with his doctor and promised to go with a group to investigate the disappearance of another group, as well as helping a new family settling in there. What everyone didn't expect is for doctor Nikolai to be as young and able as he is... especially because there is something weird about the family traveling with them to the outpost.

From the narrative told by Nikolai we get to understand the plot around them is a lot creepier than we could imagine...

Once again, this is a story told in the first person, by Nikolai. We know from the start he and Aleksey have helped in a mission to discover the truth behind some people missing and Nikolai does mention many times things were dire and it's fortunate they survived. This means when the story is being told to the reader, the mission is already over and both our protagonists were in it and survived. But the tale Nikolai tells is quite creepy and filed with innuendo about weird situations which, of course, acts as a tool to captivate us to keep reading.

This is, indeed, a creepy tale. I was not expecting that because the other story has its darker moments but nothing scary. This one has some scenes which can be quite suggestive in that regard. I wouldn't call it "horror" but here and there... so basically the whole tone of the plot is like this, as if we are suppose to dread something because it will be a bad outcome. The end does reveal quite a crazy explanation - not that easy to accept but it makes sense, considering this is essentially an historical novel with all its scientific and society short comes and untruths - but for me the biggest issue was another. 

The thing is, Nikolai is certainly a reliable narrator but he has this style of saying very often things like "if only we knew what would happen" or "I should have listened to my senses" which I can understand act as a dramatic tool to grab out attention to future scenes. However, this "tool" is used too often and I started to be more annoyed than curious. The problem is that Nikolai would say that and added to the tone of mystery things would be almost achieved but... the scenes didn't happen immediately (to catch the reader unaware, I bet), so the expectation grows and it takes too long for something to be proven. I found this repetitive in tactic but not as well achieved as it could.

On the other hand, the creepy factor was well done. The plot behind all the issues is clever although I'd say that are some elements which I didn't think the author managed to explain as well, for instance what was the meaning of some clues and why couldn't someone just investigate better before but, oh well. The fact only our heroes survived the mission is too perfect but understandable, I suppose.

There is also the element of romance. It's very good to see our protagonists act in love, still have a strong bond at many levels and sometimes discuss their feelings and expectations. I would say, however, the emphasis on their physical relationship wasn't necessary, if one notes the type of plot in hand. Was it that necessary they would reaffirm their love and feelings by having sex with people nearby who wouldn't accept them and would turn on them so easily? Was it smart they were losing focus on while a situation they couldn't control was happening around them? Again, oh well.

All in all, this was quite and adventure. There are several details in this story which can be quite strong if one thinks about the narrative and in particular a certain kid... but I'm glad the plot was at least captivating even if some elements weren't as well illustrated as they could.

Nevertheless, a great read.

Grade: 7/10

John Wiltshire - A Royal Affair

Doctor Nikolai Hartmann represents himself as a learned man of science who believes wholly in the rational and scientific above all else. In reality, he is a man haunted by an unusual past and running from his own nature. While the Reformation transforms much of Europe, it has yet to touch Hesse-Davia; this is a land mired in superstition with cruel punishments for crimes such as witchcraft and sodomy.
While traveling to the dying king’s bedside to offer his medical expertise, Nikolai is set upon by a bandit. Reaching the king’s ancient stronghold, he discovers his mysterious brigand is the beautiful, arrogant Prince Aleksey. Aleksey is everything Nikolai is not: unguarded, passionate and willful. Despite their differences, Nikolai feels an irresistible desire for the young royal that keeps him in Aleksey’s thrall.
But Hesse-Davia is a dangerous world for a newly crowned king who wants to reform his country—and for the man who loves him.

Comment: Probably because I saw this title in a list about royal romances - not that the trope is my absolute favorite but I like to read them if they seem appealing - I eventually bought the book and this month started it. Despite some things I didn't find as interesting nor well done, overall it was a good read.

This story is told from doctor Nikolai Hartmann's POV. He is doctor who has unorthodox methods to help his patients and through that reputation he is invited to travel to Hesse-Davia, a country in Europe whose king is ill and in need of new help. 

Nikolai's journey is long and when he enters the country he isn't impressed with what he sees. Already in the castle he quickly realizes his patient is being poisoned but he can't isolate him enough to understand who is the culprit. At the same time, he can't seem to help feeling attracted to the king's younger son, Aleksey. However, between mixed signals, fear and strange situations, will Nikolai be safe to solve all the things he needs before returning home?

I must confess I usually don't like books narrated in the first person as much because, especially in romance, they can be quite limitative. It's never as fun to see only one perspective and the idea of trusting just one characters' feelings doesn't always show the best picture of everything we, readers, would like to see.

That is why I felt surprised that in this book, only having Nikolai's POV, the story still felt rich and complete, even the romance side. I guess it really takes a talented author to write things in a way that even when it's not something we would like, we end up enjoying/appreciating.

Therefore, being immediately surprised by the story and how much I liked knowing things from Nikolai's perspective, it was no hardship to turn the pages. The plot is interesting enough, although the notion of a country such as Hesse-Davia being the center stage got on my nerves. Not that discovering that a country could have out dated notions of society, bigotry laws and unfair living between poor and rich is that shocking, but the violence descriptions were a bit unnerving and I think some things could be as dire without such a graphic image.

The overall plot is quite an adventure. Nikolai seems himself in the middle of lots of problems and I must say that the way certain situations happened seemed a little silly or, at least, not well done. It was as if the crazier the things, the bigger - supposed - impact it would have on the reader. I guess it would have been preferable that less things were to have been included in the plot, perhaps it would feel stronger and less dispersed through so much details going on.

The romance had its moments. I certainly appreciated the tension between them, the sexy innuendos and the fact it took them time and trust to finally share with one another their feelings.

I liked Nikolai as a protagonist. His personality is strong and he is knowledgeable. He has suffered and he is mostly a good man. I say mostly because he does mention some things about his way of thinking about wars and killing the enemy that I found didn't really match he rest of his behavior.

As for Aleksey, he is younger and it shows. But he is also described as someone used to his position so he isn't childish not too naive. I liked how both complemented each other nicely.

Towards the end of the story there are some situations I found rather radical. I mean, of all the possible outcomes, the path chosen by the author felt a bit unlikely and not the best choice. I understand but if feels a bit too weird, considering the story being historical. I liked there was an HEA but other things were so...final in a way and I felt that could have been avoided.

Despite the inconsistencies between tone and scenes in some parts, I still think the book was a good one for me. I already bought the sequel and will try to read it one of these months.

Grade: 7/10