The Heretic Royal (Scarred Earth Saga 3) by G.A. Aiken – Dual Review

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Description:
Gods save the queen!

Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.

Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy

Barb’s Review:
The Heretic Royal by G. A. Aiken is the 3^rd book in her The Scarred Earth Saga series. I am a big fan of G.A. Aiken (aka Shelly Laurenston), and as I have said before, I will read anything she writes; as she is one author who I look forward with high anticipation to read her books, which are fun, exciting, enjoyable and so much laughter along the way, with crazy and wonderful characters.

Ainsley is the third and good sister, with Queen Keeley and Gemma having had their story previously. Keely had become Queen of the Western Lands, with Gemma protecting her sister from the evil Beatrix (Queen of the East). Ainsley, who is excellent at shooting an arrow, steps up in this story.  Beatrix is the evil sister, who is determined to kill off all her sisters, as she continues to build her own kingdom.

Ainsley has always been the quiet sister, who likes to climb up to the trees to get away from the constant bickering between her sisters. Ainsley knows that she must join the fight against Beatrix, who must never be queen; even joining with centaurs, monks and to her surprise, Dragons

Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan is a Centaur, whom we met with his sister and brothers, in the previous book.  Gruffyn rarely talks, just likes to grunt, but finds himself being attached to Ainsley, even talking to her; as well as protecting her. I really enjoyed the slow built romance between Gruff and Ainsley, which was at times funny. 

Of course, this is G.A. Aiken, which means the entire story was suspenseful, action packed, but totally hilarious; especially with the return of the Dragons.  It was so great and hysterical to see all of them again; as these wonderful zany characters are so much fun. We did not miss any of the amazing dragons, and Annwyl from the start, played such a major role. I loved every minute of these wonderful, wild, insane and violent characters, who spent time working closely with Queen Keely, Gemma and Ainsley. 

What follows is a wild, exciting, non-stop action adventure filled with bloody battles, deaths, and our fantastic dragons. The entire book has so much humor with me constantly laughing from start to finish.  I loved that Aiken brought the Dragons back, and allowed us to revisit these insane wonderful characters, who are bloodthirsty, violent, fun and totally entertaining.

The Heretic Royal was a fun filled, exciting amazing ride, with fantastic characters that G.A. Aiken creates so well.  It blew my mind that the Dragons returned, giving us a wonderful trip down memory lane. If you enjoy Aiken/ Laurenston, you need to be reading this series.

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Sandy’s Reviews: THE HERETIC ROYAL is the third instalment in GA Aiken’s adult SCARRED EARTH SAGA fantasy series set in the author’s DRAGONKIN world. Although focusing on several characters, and intersecting plot lines, THE HERETIC ROYAL follows the building relationship between Ainsley Farmerson , and Gruffyn, centaur of the Torn Moon Clan. THE HERETIC ROYAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

SOME BACKGROUND: Beatrix Smythe was prophesized to become queen, and her sister Keeley grew to protect her older sibling but Beatrix’ assent into power was driven by madness, and in the ensuing time everyone would come to fear the all powerful queen.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ainsley and Gruffyn aka Gruff THE HERETIC ROYAL is a flight into the fantastic as the author brings together our favorite dragons, their kin, the centaurs, and an assortment of undead horses, demon wolves, war monks and mythological gods.

With the appearance of Annwyl the Bloody, aka the Mad Queen, and a large assortment of squabbling dragons (Fearghus, Briac, Gwenvael, Gwenvael’s son Unnvar Reinholdt, and Morfyd, Bram, Ghleanna and Queen Rhiannon), Ainsley Farmerson and her sister Queen Keeley Smythe, knew all was not well with the world. Annwyl’s reputation has far surpassed all imaginable rumors but when Annwyl suspects one of the human queens is enslaving children and teaching them to kill, Keeley and Ainsley must come to an arrangement that proves to the Mad Queen that someone else is responsible for the annihilation of innocents. Meanwhile Ainsley has found herself with a guardian, so to speak, in the form of centaur Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan, a centaur who is willing to sacrifice himself to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. As Beatrix’ armies advance on Queen Keeley’s territories and lands, the Dragons find themselves making an alliance with Keeley, in advance of the terror that is about to reign down.

THE HERETIC ROYAL has a large ensemble cast of fabulous and fantastic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have met in previous story lines. There is humor, snark and sarcasm as per G.A. Aiken’s style of writing. Once again, the back and forth banter between siblings in both dragon and human families is fast, furious and frenetic, as is the requisite crazy uncle, long suffering parents, and oblivious but powerful kin.  The inventive premise is detailed and fanciful with plenty of action, violence, blood shed, and fun. The characters are numerous, familiar, powerful and charismatic; the slow building romance is passionate and intense.

Copies provided by the publisher