CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, NEW ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
AUTHOR: KATHRYN ANN KINGSLEY
GENRES: NEW ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: HACHETTE UK – SECOND SKY
SERIES: THE IRON CRYSTAL
PUBLISHING DATE: AUGUST 18TH, 2023
FORMAT: audiobook
NARRATOR: MADELINE PELL
Source: netgalley
listening time: 9 HOURS, 44 MINUTES
GOODREADS summary
Transported to the magical realm of Avalon, Gwen finds herself in the hands of its dark and beautiful ruler— Mordred, the Prince in Iron.
The prince holds total power in Avalon, trapping his rivals in an enchanted crystal prison. But he shows a strange gentleness to Gwen.
Seeing no other way to escape, Gwen strikes a deal with Mordred’s enemy. If she can break the crystal, she will be free to go home.
Gwen joins Mordred’s court with a plan to steal his heart and destroy his prize.
Desire sparks between them at once. But Mordred is a dangerous host. As they draw closer, his passion and anger burn brighter.
Gwen would be foolish to trust him.
And even more foolish to betray his trust…
My Thoughts:
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This captivating Arthurian fantasy begins with Gwen, the female lead, reflecting on her unfaithful boyfriend. Despite being accepted into many colleges, her lack of financial aid and debilitating anxiety prevent her from attending.
Feeling lonely, Gwen allows a surly farm cat to enter her home, not knowing the consequences that await her.
Enter Merlin, the mangy black cat with a surly attitude, whom, for some reason, Gwen loves. Merlin knocks over a candle, causing a fire in the house, and opens a portal to another world. Gwen has no choice but to jump into the portal or meet a fiery demise.
To Gwen’s surprise, she finds herself in the land of Avalon, where Merlin reveals his ability to communicate. Although Gwen expected Merlin to be a cantankerous gremlin, she didn’t expect him to make demands of her.
He rudely insists that she get close to Avalon’s Prince in Irons, Mordred, in order to steal his crystal and release the trapped magic.
The bickering between Gwen and Merlin was very entertaining, triggering multiple LOL moments from me.
"Don't you dare start crying." The cat sighed. "That's all I need."
"Why not? What've I got to lose?"
"Salt. Water." He glanced over his shoulder at her. “Dignity."
"What dignity?" She gestured down at herself.
"Good point."
In addition, Gwen discovers that Merlin has transferred his powers to her, causing her to burst into flames when she feels panicked. When she finally meets the prince, Gwen is engulfed in flames. Mordred finds it hard to ignore his immediate attraction to her.
Mordred, the Prince of Irons, is a tormented individual who believes he is acting in the best interest of his people by sealing away magic. His constant struggle with his mistrust of Gwen, yet his inability to imprison her, forms an engaging focal point of this novel.
Mordred’s perspective chapters are particularly captivating. We get a glimpse into his lonely, paranoid existence.
"He reached out, trailing his claws through her hair. When he brought a strand of it forward, it was a though it were also made entirely of fire. It flowed like usual, but fire licked up from it lie she was a bonfire."
On the other hand, Gwen’s cheerful personality seems a tad overdone in this grumpy vs. sunshine trope. Despite the prince repeatedly mentioning his contemplation of imprisoning her, she remains cheery and optimistic throughout. Additionally, her speech tends to be overly juvenile, which can be off-putting.
The romantic connection between Gwen and the prince lacks depth and resonance. The prince comes across as grizzled and Gwen as an immature, helpless teenager. Furthermore, his physical and verbal abuse towards her does not contribute to their chemistry. I give 🌶🌶 for spice. There were a few sex scenes sprinkled throughout the story, yet the chemistry was definitely a slow burn despite the insta-lust attraction.
However, Gwen’s internal conflict is a highlight of the story. Despite hearing negative rumors about Mordred’s tyrannical behavior, Gwen begins to witness a different side of him. She is faced with the dilemma of betraying the man she is falling for or liberating a kingdom ruled with an iron fist. As Mordred’s layers are peeled back, his tyrant-like actions start to make sense, complicating Gwen’s decision.
The well-executed ending leaves readers on an intriguing cliffhanger, eager for what comes next.
Overall, “To Charm A Dark Prince” is mostly enjoyable. However, the character of Gwen, especially her dialogue, could benefit from some refinement, as it feels overly juvenile for a novel targeted towards new adults.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing me with the opportunity to review this audiobook.
If you have read this title and want to share your thoughts, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading!