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The Heir and the Spare

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The Heir and the Spare

By: Kate Stradling
Narrated by: Susan Duerden
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About this listen

An evil princess, a ruthless persecutor, a wretched match.

Tormented at home and bullied during her studies abroad, second-born Iona of Wessett hides in the quiet corners of her father's castle. Her art and music provide refuge, but her cruel sister Lisenn ever lurks like a monster stalking its prey.

Such has been her life for 20 years.

However, a promise of reprieve and retribution arrives when the neighboring kingdom of Capria proposes an alliance between their new crown prince and Wessett's heir to the throne. The treaty will rid Iona of the toxic Lisenn, and the potential groom is none other than her erstwhile bully, Jaoven of Deraval. The marriage could not be more poetic: Each deserves the misery the other might inflict.

Except that Jaoven, humbled by the war that elevated his rank, appears to have reformed, and the fate of both kingdoms now hinges on the disastrous union he's about to make.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Kate Stradling (P)2021 Tantor Fantasy Fiction Romance Royalty Magic
All stars
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Great narration and well written. It was dark at times but definitely not outrageously so. Clean romance in case anyone came looking for a bit of steam.

Dark themes but enjoyable

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This story has well earned its high ratings. The blurb made me think it might be a bit too serious and depressing for an enjoyable read. While there were definitely serious themes in here, it was so hard to put down I purchased the audio so I continue listening while in the car. I could swap easily back and forth between book and audio so didn’t have to wait as long for the end! Great story, satisfying conclusion.

Better than the blurb!

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Well developed characters, compelling plot with a good pace and fantastic narration. Look forward to next book by the same author.

Great storyline

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I thought the narration was excellent. The story was well written and didn’t rely on endless sex scenes to keep you interested. I will be listening to this again. The characters were well thought out. The plot was never dull.

Really good

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There are elements I wish the author spent more time on, most notably the redemption of the crown prince. The reader needs to like this character in the end, but I don’t think there was enough in the story to forgive past behavior so completely. I found the narrator mechanical in her performance with bizarre elongation of one word in each sentence. I enjoyed the book despite these things and look forward to reading more by this author.

A fun novel a smidge underdeveloped

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The fortitude of a victim who refuses to allow her misfortune to change her character. Youths ignorant misbehaviour and the learned guilt and embarrassment from the memory that past behaviour.
Experience is life!

Everyone is dispensable

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Much better than I had expected. The further into the book, the better it gets. Hold onto your seat for the final 45 minutes! Wow!!

What a Ride!

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once you get past the over articulation the story is great and fun to listen to. Really hard to step away from

Great story! easy listen!

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