3.5/5
The world-building, my dear readers, was to die for. Lush, beautiful, full of enticing colors, textures and smells. At the same time I liked and disliked the main characters in equal strength. It's hard to explain why. I think Varene was selfish wanting Kuramos to put away his six wives in order to have only her, and he was way too kind and accommodating with her which for me felt unrealistic. We saw his face as a romantic and a lover, but I also wanted to see the ruthless ruler, a warrior and a politician, because a man with his power should have been all these things. Otherwise, as a fantasy romance this was a perfect escape for a few hours. ( )

I started this book on a whim and finished it because I got caught up in the story, the dilemma, and the fantasy. I don't usually read books with harems, or magic, or religiously based culture clashes, and this book includes all three plus a slightly spicy romance.Like I said, I was entranced by the story. It flowed seamlessly from one point to the next. Nothing felt forced. Secrets had solid reasons and motives were understandable. Each character was true to themselves. The resolution made sense.
I won the copy I read from the author without expectation of a review. ( )

I purchased this one when Allromance had its 50% rebate campaign recently. And I am glad I did.
I fell in love, with Varenne and Kuranos, also with the world of Alaia. Or more correctly, the country of Kad. Each detail fit my image of live in a palace. From the reverence of the servants, to the camaderie between the Sultanas
What made me grit my teeth were the fact that women were viewed as subservient. Which made it an extra interesting to watch their reaction when they discover that a woman ( gasp!) is the Royal Healer of Teganne. I admired Varenne's courage for coming, yet it is one of many signs that she is a healer to the heart. From the start of the book Varenne and Kuranos butts head regularily. Varenne being to much of a Teg to give Kuranos the deferrence he is used to. Not to mention giving in to her attraction, and becoming a member of his harem.
What I loved, were that the first part of the novel focused on the cure. And everyone around her, from the other Physicians to the courtiers are suspicious of her. Even the sultan.
One thing I appreciated, were the fact that the cure weren't something mysterious that only magic could solve. Yes, Varenne used her gifts, but to ease the suffering. She couldn't cure it with a snap of her fingers. But, she does find out a cure, using her common sense.

The events in the first part, eased the way to their HEA. In fact, I appreciated the later half more. Seeing the camaderie between the wives. The smiling children.
And scenes between Varenne and Kuranos. How she gently convince him to start living again.
The combined result of this, is that Varenne grows used to Kad, and that Kad gets used to Varenne.

I'll admit that at times I wondered if the obstacles were to great for them to give them a Happily ever after. I admire Kurannos wives for stepping forward, for making the offer. And, fittingly, it was the most ambitious of them who found a way.

So, what I didn't like.
The one thing that I had most trouble with were the fact that people in Aiaia live much longer than humans on earth. I started the first time I read that someone were 100 years old.
Then there were the supporting characters. They felt... shallow. On the other hand, this were Varenne and Kuranos story, and having the other wives taking to much place would have been wrong. That said, I look forward to reading more tales by Cate Rowan.
( )

This story takes place in a lightly magical world that is similar to our world yet different. The imagery was wonderfully descriptive without overdoing it. It transported me to another place and time. What that time was though I am not sure. It felt like a subtle alternate world fantasy in an Arabian Nights style setting. It had scimitars and sherbet (in the desert?), palm fronds and key-hole doorways, falafels and churidars, harems and hammams. These things are real in our world and so we can relate to them in some way even though they may not all be things we are familiar with, but there are also fydds (horses), jencel-birds (a talking bird character that I loved!), and kyrra (a magical essence within someone). People also seem to live very long as in hundreds of years. These are some things unique to the story that give it an alternate world feel. There were a couple of times a word would sneak into the narrative or dialogue that felt a little too modern and jarred me out of the time and story for a second…but just a second, I got over it. :)

I wasn't sure how much I would like Kuramos as the male lead character in this fantasy romance. He is the Sultan of Kad and has a harem of six wives. He appears a little arrogant when Varene first appears in his palace but you soon see underneath that hard exterior and realize he has many admirable qualities that make him a likable character. He respects his wives and cherishes his children. He is kind to the servants and wants the best for the people of Kad. He is loyal, protective, and willing to make sacrifices, but can also be fierce when necessary.

I liked Varene from the start. She is kind, smart, and brave. She stands up to those who would dismiss her worth and healing abilities because she is a woman. She knows what she wants and she soon learns she wants Kuramos. But what of his wives? She isn’t willing to share. How could she ever compromise on that?

Both Kuramos and Varene have painful secrets they are hiding in their past, which are unraveled as the story progresses.

Though I knew this story would have an HEA...a big honking HEA as it turns out...I was still curious how it would play out. How do we go from a harem of six wives to a happily ever after for Kuramos and Varene? At the beginning of the book, Dabir, Kuramos's mentor and father figure, prophesizes that "She will come...Will you bend, or will she? Perhaps neither." and sets up part of the conflict for this romance that stuck in my head for the entire book. Who will bend? Though I sort of guessed how it would be resolved, I wasn't totally right, but I was totally satisfied with the ending.

I have to say a word about Gunjan, the jencel-bird. Jencels are talking birds but not like a parrot. I just loved this character! But then I am a sucker for a talking animal character that doesn’t seem to be channeling a Disney movie.

Rowan has weaved a wonderfully engaging and romantic story set in a magical Arabian Nights style middle-eastern setting that kept me turning the page. The smooth writing style allowed me to easily fall into the story. I was rooting for Kuramos and Varene and was eager to see how it would all be resolved. The Source of Magic, which is the prequel novel, focuses on Alvarr and Jilian who are the rulers of Teganne, Varene's homeland. We get a brief glimpse of them in this book and I'm already eager to read their story and jump back into this world. ( )

This book made me sigh, again and again and again. I loved being drawn into the author's world, feeling it breathe around me, wishing I could stay as my eyes rested on the final words of the story. Closing the book felt like walking away from friends.

I will be watching for more in this series. ( )