PIROUETTE by Kenley Davidson - Review
Continuing my Author of the Month feature of Kenley Davidson, let me put the spotlight on this beautiful story . . .
Princess Ilani is an outcast, shunned since her seventh birthday for possessing forbidden magic. But when her twelve sisters are trapped by a deception that threatens to tear their father’s empire apart, Ilani must come out of hiding and join forces with a devilishly charming foreigner whose motives remain shrouded by secrecy and mistrust.
Lord Kyril Seagrave is on a covert mission into the heart of the Caelani Empire, where he finds himself adrift in a realm of impenetrable mystery and dangerous magic. Armed with nothing but determination and a set of ill-matched companions, Kyril soon realizes there is far more at stake than he could have imagined, and one misstep could prove disastrous not only to Andar, but to the beautiful and indomitable princess he would give his life to protect.
Where to begin with this lovely story? Pirouette takes its time to introduce the world, the characters, and the drama, bringing in characters (good and bad) from earlier in the series (which is fun), and introducing a new cast of characters in a previously unseen part of the world. I would advise a new reader to stick with the story and simply enjoy the lovely writing and description--the payoff is coming! Kai is an unusual hero--charming and intelligent yet filled with self-doubt, particularly after spending the first part of the story horribly seasick! Ilani is sweet and tragic, longing to be loved and accepted. The two of them are adorable together. :-) I also loved the side characters and look forward to seeing them again in later books. I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatic climax that tied together numerous storylines and loose ends for a satisfying conclusion. This book, its world, and its characters are complex and beautifully constructed. Read and enjoy!
