Radiance cover art

Radiance

Wraith Kings, Volume 1

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Radiance

By: Grace Draven
Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker
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About this listen

The prince of no value

Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.

The noblewoman of no importance

Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn't just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she's known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.

Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.

©2014 Denise Shaw (P)2015 Denise Shaw Fantasy Fiction Paranormal Paranormal Romance Romance Royalty Marriage Destiny
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I was looking for an easy romance/fantasy- I definitely was not dissatisfied... and I’m going to listen to the next one!
But overall the fast romance and other relationships were unrealistic and the all was a bit corny
That being said I enjoyed it! And was exactly what I waned for the time.
The performance is fine- she has a lisp which can be distracting but she does a really good job portraying the emotions of various characters
:)

Easy, fun but not life changing

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This book was such a a great listen. Most romantasy books have an enemies to lovers type, but this one didn't, and it was such a refreshing listen. I can't wait to start book 2!
Only down side would be, the random long pauses in between sentences every now and then.

Loved it!

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Brilliantly written , Brishen and IIldiko's story is enchanting with a quirky sense of humour .
Five star *****

A masterpiece

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I loved this book and couldn't wait for the next one. It is beautifully written and narrated (lisp or not). The characters are so well portrayed that you almost feel as if you know them. To me that it a sign of a great book. The laugh out loud moments too were greatly appreciative. I will be sure to follow this author.

Great character development

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The story was enjoyable, it was a nice change from the usual romantancy trope of enemies to lovers. Instead this was a friends to lovers through arranged marriage. The character and relationship growth of the main characters was sweet.
I find this particular narrator annoying at times, there are very large pauses between sentences, paragraphs at random times that makes you think the chapter may have ended abruptly.

Great story - narrator was annoying at times

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What did you like most about Radiance?

The story is highly original, developing in a fascinating way as we learn about this world and its inhabitants. The central characters are engaging and believable, more rounded than is often the case in this genre.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ildiko is clever, funny and brave. She faces the challenges of being a stranger in a strange land with fortitude and humour. She is not a warrior, just an honest and likable woman determined to make the most of her circumstances and not to give in to cruelty or bullying. She is optimistic, open mind and willing to see each person she meets on their merits, not on any preconceptions or prejudices.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Unlike some of the US reviewers, I found the narrator's accent pleasant and enjoyed her characterisations. However her slight lisp was a little distracting, as were her odd pauses, especially every time the word 'but' was used. This sounds petty, but there is no punctuation in the written text to suggest that the author wanted these pauses and I found them jarring enough to irritate.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I became immersed in the story and deeply interested in the world the author created. I enjoyed the humour and the slow growth of the loving relationship between the two central characters.

Any additional comments?

I have read several other books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them. Draven takes fantasy concepts and weaves them into adult tales with entrancing stories. I thoroughly recommend her work. I look forward to future audio presentations, but hope she finds a different narrator next time.

Another wonderful Grace Draven story

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I really enjoyed this book and the reading of it the voice actors did a great job and the story was an interesting mix of romance, action and drama.

Great book

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I really liked this series - Radiance in particular, and will be looking out for more books narrated by Gabrielle Baker. This is a romance novel in a fantasy setting, but it is an excellent fantasy world. What I liked was the character development between the main characters. Neither finds the other at all attractive, no insta-love! They like each other’s personality and become friends before anything else.

Loved it!

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Great storyline that was only improved by the narration. So glad I downloaded the audio book despite some reader concerns of narrators lisp (which I found to be minimal). I have only recently discovered Grace Draven and am really enjoying her unique stories. Grace has found a winner in narrator Gabrielle Baker. For me, Gabrielle was perfect - her inflection and tempo was spot on.
I need to feel fully immersed in a story to download the second book in series and I purchased Eidolon immediately upon finishing Radiance.
5 stars all the way for me!

Loved everything about this!

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One of my favourite series, I love how there is no miscommunication and the couple are trying to make the best of their situation instead of being petty and cruel for the sake of it even though it wasn’t their partners choice either. Can’t wait to listen to the next one

Perfect

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