Sword of the Guardian (Legends of Ithyria)

by Merry Shannon

Paperback, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

FIC-SF Shan

Publication

Bold Strokes Books (2006), Edition: 1st Printing, 272 pages

Description

A shocking assassination creates an unconventional bond between a princess and her guardian in a kingdom filled with political intrigue, danger and unexpected romance. Princess Shasta Soltranis enjoys a pampered life of court dances, elaborate finery, and the occasional secret fencing match with her twin brother, Daric. But in the midst of a birthday celebration, her world shatters when a mysterious assassin takes her brother's life. Shasta, the only remaining heir to the throne, narrowly escapes the assassin's blade thanks to the intervention of a traveling acrobat named Talon. With the threat of another attempt on Shasta's life imminent, her father declares that the young hero will be come the Princess's bodyguard. But what Shasta doesn't know is that her new guardian has a very well-kept secret: he is actually a she. Talon and Shasta soon grow closer than anyone, especially her father, could have predicted. Will the truth of her guardian's secret change their relationship forever? Book 1 of The Legends of Ithyria Series… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Isana

This book is so much in a bad way mostly. First of all the writing is unfortunately kind of boring. From the beginning I was a bit sceptical then by the middle I was kind of skim reading and then by the end I wanted to give up. I really hoped it would improve over the book but it doesn't. The

character development seemed a bit tacked on after making us deal with the ridiculously annoying Shasta for more than half the book. Her turning point is only shown through a flashback which was really strange to me. Then unfortunately the sex scene was really boring. I didn't even feel any passion. It was kinda just flowery words in place of actual feelings. And then the ending. I think the author gave up and suddenly decided this was a fairy tale so they were gonna just explain what happened at the end in a very bland way instead for showing us the aftermath properly.

The plot is a bit ridiculous, but I was willing to put up with it if it was fun but it wasn't. We have some victim blaming for sexual assault which was the height of grossness. Then we have the ridiculousness of the King who decides to randomly hire an acrobat as a bodyguard??? Because obviously that makes total sense. And then there's basically the entire rest of the book which is also ridiculous but I just highlighted the main thing where the book shouldn't have even happened in the first place.

Yeah. This book had so much potential but really failed to deliver.

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