The Forsaken (Brotherhood of the Sword 1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon aka Kinley MacGregor-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 12, 2026

She wants a home of her own.
He’s vowed never to share his with anyone else.
Neither expected this battle.

All her life, Emily has had one dream—to leave her father’s home and live on her own terms. Her father has other plans. But when he crosses one of the most powerful men in England, King Henry II decides the best way to keep peace is to hand Emily over as a political hostage to Draven, Earl of Ravenswood.

This may be Emily’s only chance to find a life for herself outside of her father’s domain.

Draven has known no kindness. Bred to be a warrior, he has lived his life on the battlefield as a dedicated servant to the crown. He has sworn to Henry he will place no hand on Emily.

If only the lady would give him peace.

Instead, she pursues him relentlessly. And with every clash, Draven finds his resolve crumbling against a woman who refuses to see him as the monster he believes himself to be.

The Forsaken is a medieval romance for readers who love warriors who resist and women who refuse to let them.

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REVIEW: THE FORSAKEN is the first instalment in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s (Kinley MacGregor) adult, medieval, romance series. This is Draven de Montague, Earl of Ravenswood, and Emily’s story line.

NOTE: THE FORSAKEN is the re-release of the same title story originally written by Sherrilyn as Kinley MacGregor.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Draven and Emily) THE FORSAKEN follows in the wake of accusations and a potential war between Draven de Montague, and Lord Hugh. King Henry has been asked to intervene, and for his involvement, Lord Hugh must hand over his youngest daughter Emily to Draven de Montague, for a period of one year. Draven de Montague doesn’t do relationships, and struggles with his attraction to the woman he has been commanded to leave alone but Emily is determined to prove Draven is worthy of his own happily ever after, a worthiness Draven battles to comprehend but Lord Hugh believes Draven is continuing his attack against Hugh’s people and estate, and in this, someone else is taking aim at our story line hero.

The world building follows several intersecting pathways as Draven battles between head and heart. A family wedding will bring Draven and Emily back to her father’s estate, where the troubles will escalate leaving Draven struggling for his life.

The relationship between Draven and Emily is tempestuous at best. Emily is a political hostage,assigned to Draven at King Henry’s command. Emily’s father has accused Draven of an horrific crime, a crime Draven struggles to prove his innocence. From the outset Emily finds herself attraction to her jailer, a man who refuses to accept their is a future with our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Draven’s brother Simon, as well as Emily’s sisters Joanne and Judith, their father Hugh, as well as Joanne’s fiance Niles, Baron of Montclef.

THE FORSAKEN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are energetic, determined, and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy