****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****

Story Review:

Sacrati was an interesting blend of social commentary on gender roles, homophobia, and what love means. It did it in such a way that I didn’t feel preached at but it made me think. The different societies viewed women, men, and sex in such different lights, with neither being perfect. Added in are adventure, battles, and two very dissimilar men coming together.

Theos is a shining example of what it means to be a Torian male. Finnvid holds on to Elkat notions of family and sex – that two men do not belong together ever. It seems like these two will never get together. And it does take awhile, but it was great seeing them make it.

The world building is amazing. Both societies are fleshed out and the culture so rich between them. The descriptions of the trek through the mountains were great and I felt like I was there with them every step.

This book is long, however. That isn’t bad thing but I felt like it could have been tightened up in a few places. We have onscreen sex scenes of Theos and other men, which served a purpose, but I felt were too many. That being said, they were hot!

Despite the length, I was captivated and couldn’t put the story down (so to speak, I was listening to the audio). While there is no magic, I definitely recommend this to fantasy lovers.


Narration Review:

While I had difficulty at the start getting used to the voices, once I got into the rhythm of the book I found the narrator to be quite effective. His isn’t a voice I would seek out, but it fit the story.

Wow! Just a really unusual but well-written book. More of 4.5 stars than 4.9 stars for me. Once again, the, the charter driven writing that Kate does is awesome!!!

This had quite a promising beginning (hence the third star). But really, once you read a certain series *coughs* you can't go back. Everything else just falls short.

Even though Sacrati has unique ideas and nice angsty misunderstandings (and, later, fluff) marking Finnvid and Theos' relationship, it does not make up for the other elements of the novel. By the time I was a third through this, I could feel myself growing bored. It is but a pale imitation of the honor codes and contrasting power systems and political deceit of Captive Prince, but far less anticlimactic, and a whole lot more confusing. While the premise was simple, it dragged on for 400 pages.

Good? Bad? I honestly can't tell. I only know that this doesn't compare. But, oh well. A read is a read. 'Tis time to move on.

The world and character building in this book were good. The romance was a slow build, but at the same time, felt rushed when it finally happened. The sex scenes were disappointingly tame between the main characters. Overall, I enjoyed this story and will look for more work by this author.

I rather enjoyed this book. I did think that the way Theos treated Finnvid was COMPLETELY unbelievable for a man raised with normalised slavery. But once I deliberately forced myself to suspend that particular disbelief, I could roll with most the punches and enjoy myself.

I thought Theos was adorable—not dim, exactly, but not a man who thinks deeply either. I wasn't as enamoured with Finnvid. I thought him a bit inconsistent. But as a counterbalance to Theos, he worked.

Unfortunately, the whole idea of what is 'natural' or 'unnatural' was over-emphasised and heavy handed. Yes, I understood the message, but didn't need it reiterated quite so often. Similarly, I think the men lost the ability to verbalise anything but "I love you" in the last ten or so pages. It got redundant.

Speaking of endings (and this may be spoilerish), forcing the two men to desire monogamy felt like an artificial machination to provide the proper type of HEA to a Western audience. It didn't at all fit the culture as established by the author. What's more, thinking past the last page, it would undoubtably cause future discord and I have trouble believing Finnvid would even request it of Theos (considering the social importance of sex between male Torians). I thought it was a cop out.

So, I had a few complaints, but for the most part, the writing was readable, there was some humour, I like the characters, it was an interesting world (at least the Torian culture was, Elkat was just a hollow reproduction of the recognisable), I don't remember any editing issues and I enjoyed the time I spent with the book. It was just plain cute. I really can't ask for much more than that.

Finnvid mission is to prevent a Torian invasion to his homeland Elkat. Theos is a Torian, Sacrati warrior who is happy where he is in life invading lands, sharing his comrade’s beds and being available to his city’s women who want to bear his children. When Finnvid is captured by the Torian warriors Finnvid and Theos must work together to stop a war between the two nations.

Loved this story because it had most of my tropes, but there were some plot holes in the beginning that were hard to get past. I would recommend to anyone who likes light fantasy/Romance with a touch of political discord.