Reluctant Concubine by Dana Marton
Series: Hardstorm Saga #1
on March 1, 2015
Pages: 297
Format: eBook
ISBN: 1940627109
ASIN: B00U6PJ14K
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To escape punishment, Tera, a maiden healer sold to barbarians must hide the truth: she has not yet come into her healing powers. Born into a much gentler world, she struggles to survive in a land of savage warlords and their cruel concubines. When ancient prophecies begin to come to pass, can the healer-slave save the realm and awaken the High Lord’s heart?

 

 

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Review by Karen

Reluctant Concubine by Dana Marton is an ambitious epic fantasy read that gets tangled in it’s own world building after a very strong start.  The world building is intricate but not very nuanced, which makes the book drag at times. The book deals with Tera, a healer, who is sold into slavery by her father. She is a healer who has not come into her powers. A fact those who bought her do not know.   She comes from a peaceful society and is thrust into a world of cruelty.  Tera is a powerful character and I really was entranced by her struggles in the first part of the book.  Then the High Lord of Kadar, Batumar enters the picture, and with it the book gets tangled in it’s own world building and lore.

I am a detail oriented person, but at times I was frustrated that the author sacrificed characters building, specifically  in Batumar case for the world and the lore of the intricate world she built.  I felt no passion between Batumar and Tera, not deep rooted connection to bind them together, and for her to risk so much for him.  I needed a small moment, whereas a reader I would have connected with them.  It never came for me.  I always felt disjointed when they were together, but Tera does connect with so many other characters.

In closing I wish the book strong start would have continued and the author would have stuck to the character driven story, instead of getting me the reader tangled in the scrolls of prophecy.