The Sea King

A charming prince and a resolute princess are brought to life by narrator Heather Wilds. Dilys is determined to win the woman he believes is destined to be his wife, but Gabriella is reluctant to give in to his passion or persuasion. Wilds carefully balances the push and pull of their evolving relationship, giving equal attention to Dilys's patient efforts and Gabriella's hesitant acceptance. Wilds's portrayal of their slowly blossoming romance is deeply satisfying, and she is also adept at bringing the rest of the sprawling fantasy world of Mystral to life. However, some listeners may be disturbed by fetishized depictions of slavery and the use of sexual assault as a plot device. The best parts are the dashing heroes, regal monarchs, steadfast retainers, and devious villains. K.M.P. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

October 2, 2017
The second novel in Wilson’s Weathermages of Mystral romantic fantasy series (after The Winter King) follows in the grand tradition of swooning heroines and overly beautiful men. Wilson takes readers to the now-united fantasy lands of Summerlea and Wintercraig. Storm, the youngest of the Seasons of Summerlea (as the former king’s daughters are known), has married Wintercraig’s king and brought her three sisters to its castle. The matriarchal Calbernans are seafaring mercenaries who practice sea-based magic, once enemies of Wintercraig but now allies; as part of the peace process, they send a delegation of eligible, unwed male Calbernans to find brides among the ladies of the land. Calbernan prince Dilys Merimydion has been given a short list of appropriate mates that includes the three unmarried princesses. Gabriella, called Summer, is known to be the sweetest and quietest of the four, but this façade hides a secret that she fears will destroy everyone she touches. She’s certainly not what the powerful, gregarious Dilys thinks he’s looking for. They fight their mutual attraction, but fate draws them inexorably together. The danger doesn’t lie in their love, however, but from hidden enemies determined to see empires fall. With prose that shades toward purple at times and an almost incessant repetition of plot points, the epic romance is entertaining but falls short of excellence. Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary.