This isn't my usual YA, but I did enter Goodreads First Reads competition to win it, and I did really want to read it. Oh my god, I took FOREVER to read this book but I swear it's not a reflection on the book's quality, believe me! I had a really good time when I was reading this book, I've just had THE WORST YEAR for reading. I started reading this is August 2016 after winning it on Goodreads in 2014 (BAD NEMO) and my other review books kept getting in the way, then this year happened and my life went to hell in a hand basket, but when I did have the energy to read this book I adored the chemistry between the PTSD-suffering sex assassin and the sexy, sensitive disabled ruler she's sent to murder. So let me tell you a bit about it.

Vitala is half Kjallan and half Riorcan, and her loyalties lie with Riorca, a country under the oppressive rule of the Kjallan emperor. Using her looks and skills at a chess-like game called Cataranga, Vitala infiltrates the emperor's inner circle and is about to use the only magic that can kill the magically-protected emperor when he is betrayed by an underling. Now Lucien is at her mercy, Vitala realises that it's in Riorca's best interest to get Lucien back on the throne, and through trials, politics, and acts of war with a sprinkling of romance, the two attempt to do just that.

Vitala was an interesting heroine. A lot of people complain about how she didn't kill her mark, but she was smart enough to questions her orders and not follow them blindly, finding another way to attempt peace and freedom for her people. Also, where is the conflict if you write "After years of training, she killed her target, and she was OK with that, the end"? She suffers from PTSD due to her training and starts the novel off thinking sex is just a tool to help her kill her marks. With Lucien's help, she comes to realise sex is so much more.

Lucien is a disabled man in an alpha male's role, and learning to come to terms with his  leadership in a society that celebrates physical prowess over intelligence, skill and cunning. Lucien is far more sensitive and gentle than the emperor whose throne he inherited, but still carries his authority, and as Vitala discovers this, she figures out he's not the tyrant she's been led to believe he is. Lucien has his own troubles to deal with and doesn't always treat Vitala with the patience and respect she deserves, but they tackle their conflicts in the best way they're equipped to.

I liked the writing. I didn't find it too flowery or sparse. I did have problems remembering all of the world building but I read this over the course of more than a year (which was entirely my own fault) and I think if someone read it faster they could probably do a better job of remembering ranks and countries and all that stuff. I found Vitala's PTSD very believable, and I know firsthand what PTSD is like. I also found Lucien's attitudes refreshing.

I don't know if the pacing was my problem because once I was reading it I didn't want to put it down, but equally I had little initiative to pick it back up again. I think since I knew it was always going to be there waiting for me and like most assassin romances the plot was pretty predictable, but I really did enjoy it while I was reading. Vitala and Lucien's chemistry was off the charts and I very nearly dog-eared some pages to re-read at some point (WHO DOG-EARS THEIR PAGES YOU MONSTER?).

Overall I think if you're open minded, give the book time to show you that Vitala has PTSD rather than losing patience with her struggle and coping mechanisms (I will mention that she is raped and she tries to dismiss it as a minor discomfort, this is so she can deal with the assault and concentrate on murdering her attacker, not to say that rape is actually a minor discomfort), and realise that it's an assassin romance and the romance is written right there in the blurb, you'll probably enjoy the book as much as I did.

Like spies but are looking for something a little different? Try this Paranomral and Science Fiction Romance novels with espinoge! 

My lists are never in any particular order! Enjoy!

1. Past Redemption by Savannah Russe

Scandal, secrets, seduction - it's all in the family. If you passed Daphne Urban on the streets of New York, you'd see a sleek young brunette dressed to kill. You'd never know she was a vampire. But the government knows. Their ultimatum is to spy for the United States, or be terminated. And after all these centures, Daphne is not ready to call it quits...The word is out on Susto. It's a new recreational drug that intensifies sex, it's spreading like wildfire - and it's lethal. Team Darkwing's mission is to track the drug back to its origin. Immersing themselves in New York City's nightlife, they soon discover ties between Susto's billions in revenue and the country's most powerful political dynasty. To infiltrate the family, Daphne flirts with its weakest link, handsome party boy St Julien Fitzmaurice, whom she'd love to casually sink her teech into. But even as their dalliance leads her deeper into the case, Daphne can't stop thinking about Darius, the darkly sexy human she claimed with a passionite bite. He's the bad boy she knows she should - she must - forget, because if she doesn't, she'll be risking not only the mission, but her own heart...

2. Eternity by Karen Sandler

In the year 2098, humanity has pushed beyond Earth into the solar system and unlocked the secrets of life with genetic engineering. But despite the lifesaving cures and physical improvements wrought by the mastery over human DNA, some consider the tinkering with genes an abomination. 

Bold and reckless shuttle pilot Krys Krysynowski has thrown her lot in with SEIS vocal opponents of genetic experimentation. But when SEIS sends her to the asteroid-based laboratory of Ian Llewellyn, her intense attraction for the lone wolf geneticist shakes her to the core. Her mission is to secretly sabotage Ian's latest project, but his dedication to his work, his singleminded drive to conquer human illness, turns Krys's entire belief system upside down. Ian touches her heart as no other man has. 

But there is something very different about Ian, something both wonderful and frightening. And when Krys finds herself falling in love with him, she realizes that it is exactly that secret that will keep them apart. Unless she is willing to risk a rite of passage with two possible outcomes eternal love... or certain death.

3. Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late. 

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster. 

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

4. Stolen Earth by Loribelle Hunt

Britt Anderson is retired. Secretive and fiercely independent, she journeys to Delroi to spend time with her two oldest friends. She doesn’t expect to be dragged back into the spy business when she gets there. But the lure is impossible to fight for a not so reformed adrenalin junkie. Danger. Conspiracy. What’s not to love? 

Unfortunately, there’s always a price and it presents itself as the darkly dangerous Barak Trace. She can’t deny the attraction, but has enough sense to steer clear of the possessive glint in his gaze. Until he somehow manages to merge his psychic abilities with hers. When he’s captured by rebel forces, she has no choice but to go after him. The question is will she be able to free himself once he’s rescued? And will she even want?

5. Spy's Honor by Amy Raby

Rhianne, mind mage and Imperial Princess of Kjall, cannot openly challenge the emperor. Instead she acts in secret to aid the victims of his worst excesses. But now the emperor plans to wed her to the cruel Augustan, the man leading Kjall’s attack against the nation of Mosar. Soon she will be torn from her supporters and shipped overseas, where she can help no one.

Mosari crown prince Janto is desperate to save his country from invasion. When one of his most trusted spies disappears while gathering intelligence at the Kjallan palace, Janto takes his place and continues searching for information that could save his people. But falling for the Imperial Princess was not part of his plan. Nor was having his true identity revealed...

Now Rhianne must make a choice—follow the path of tradition or the one of the heart, even if it means betraying her own race.

6. Touch of Steel by Kate Cross

Reeling from her brother’s death, beautiful American spy Claire Brooks has vowed revenge on the member of The Company who she believes to be responsible: Stanton Howard. But when she chases the man to London, Claire is captured by the Wardens of the Realm and placed in the custody of the Earl of Wolfred, the dashing Alistair Payne.  

Seeing the prospect of retribution slipping away, Claire convinces Alistair that she has defected and will help him take down The Company. As they travel via steam liner, Claire and Alistair must pretend to be engaged. Claire can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for her pretend husband, but when Howard is finally within her reach, she will have to decide whether her true loyalties lie with The Company or with her heart…

7. Hyde and Seek by Viola Grace

Working in the Resistance, Amly Hyde has specialised in hiding other talents from notice. Now, she has been spotted, and she is hiding in plain sight until she just can’t hide anymore. 

Rescued from a capture event, Amly is swept off her feet and through the floor, leaving Resicor in a way she had never really considered. Alive with her feet on the deck plates had never seemed like an option. She is destined for the Citadel and her companion is going to make sure she arrives safe and sound. 

Walking Shadow has known his match was on Resicor, and the moment he saw her, he was sure that she was the one. The blue hair was a giveaway, but her strong-minded fixation on survival was a bit of a turn-on. He has time to convince her they are meant to be together but patience has never been one of his virtues.

8. Howl at the Moon by Christine Warren

oah Baker never wanted to betray The Others. But if his military commanders want him to covertly investigate a Lupine scientist―whose extraordinary research on sensory perception in werewolves could be used to develop werewolf-sharp senses in human soldiers―Noah must oblige. Even if it means deceiving the woman he desires the most.

Samantha Carstairs is the personal assistant to the Alpha of the Silverback Clan, and as best friend to the Lupine community's most brilliant scientist, she is privy to its most dangerous secret. Noah knows that Sam will never leak the scientific research…so he must find another way to get it, while keeping Sam close. But someone else is after Sam's secret. Who is the other spy infiltrating The Others? If their genetic secrets get into the wrong hands, all hell could break loose. Now Noah's true loyalty is put to the test as he fights to protect The Others―and his beloved Sam―and find the imposter…before it's too late.

9. Gossamer Wing by Delphine Dryden

After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.
 
Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.
 
But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.

10. Seth by Eve Langlais

His mission: Blend in with the humans. Save the cyborgs. And seduce the only woman he ever loved, without getting killed.

Cybernetic spy models are different from other humans turned machine. For one thing, they never completely lost touch with their humanity, or their memories. But retaining their identity doesn't mean the military didn't mess with their lives. Seth lost the woman he loved because of their web of lies. When the chance arises to make things right, he relies on his superior intellect--and irresistible charm--to prove his innocence, and make Anastasia his again.

Anastasia might possess upgraded parts and programming, but the scientists never could cure her of her biggest weakness, jealousy. The volatile emotion made her walk away from love once. Can she overcome it and recognize the truth? Or will she continue to let the military manipulate her emotional strings?

Got more? Gimme! 

Vote for the best of the best on my Goodreads lists: Paranormal Spy Romance 

For those of you still believing in Prince Charming, here are some that come in the form of Demons, Angles, Werewolves and other beings that you hope go bump in the night! 

Crown: Princes in Paranormal Romance Novels (Click to Vote on the Goodreads list!)

My lists are never in any particular order. 

1. Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears by Isabelle Saint-Michael

Lillian Chambers was just an ordinary high school teacher, until she fell through a Fairy Circle. When she came to on the other side, she was surprised to find herself in the company of an Elven prince she thought only existed in her dreams. Now she’s slaying monsters and rescuing Prince Tallyn, instead of playing the part of the damsel in distress.

Tallyn had been the protector of his kingdom for over one hundred years. He knows that the world is filled with danger around every corner, but these days he’s finding himself babysitting the annoyingly fearless Lady Lillian.

2. The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk

Caspian Mort can feel the history in anything he touches, a gift he inherited from his father, the Crown Prince of Annwyn. Devastated over his ex-wife's infidelity, Caspian has withdrawn from human contact except when working as an antiques dealer.

While assessing the contents of the historic Callaway House he encounters the beautiful Lydia Callaway and senses that her home is haunted by a banished fairy. But what does the dangerous exile want? Unbeknownst to Lydia, she's the owner of the last remaining portal to Annwyn—a mirror hidden somewhere in the house. To keep Lydia safe, Caspian will have to divulge the secrets of his heritage, and risk losing his heart again.

3. The Jaguar Prince by Karen Kelley

Zoo worker Callie Jordan knows something primal when she sees it: take, for instance, the naked man sitting at the foot of her bed. He's the same (naked) guy she saw after hours at the zoo. But now he's in her apartment, and just happens to have turned into a black-as-night jaguar. The average person would be in a blind panic;Callie certainly intends to be--once she finishes processing what this incredibly hot lunatic is telling her. . .

It seems Callie's visitor, the one who prefers skins to shirts, is Prince Rogar--from a place far, far away. Oh, and Callie is from the same place, has the same nifty shapeshifting powers, and is destined to be Rogar's lifemate! It figures the first hot guy ever to show a bit of interest turns out to be certifiable. Then again, Callie's seen Rogar's powers (plus some other choice things) firsthand--and testing her new roomie's powers of persuasion would be the ultimate walk on the wild side. . .

4. Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole

A Dangerous Beauty... Lucia the Huntress: as mysterious as she is exquisite, she harbors secrets that threaten to destroy her - and those she loves.

An Uncontrollable Need... Garreth MacRieve, Prince of the Lykae: the brutal Highland warrior who burns to finally claim this maddeningly sensual creature as his own.

That Lead to a Pleasure so Wicked... From the shadows, Garreth has long watched over Lucia. Now, the only way to keep the proud huntress safe from harm is to convince her to accept him as her guardian. To do this, Garreth will ruthlessly exploit Lucia's greatest weakness - her wanton desire for him.

5. The Star Prince by Susan Grant

Earth guy Ian Hamilton studying for a finance degree when his mother marries the king of the galaxy. But when his stepfather unexpectedly chooses him as his successor, the new crown prince, Ian is thrust into a world he never envisioned, complicated by a court-load of scheming royals who don't think he belongs there, either. And if that’s not enough, an independent-minded princess-in-peril lands in his arms, on the run from the very laws he’s pledged to uphold. Outmanned and outgunned, he’s a fish out of water. Only allowing himself to be overwhelmed is not an option. It seems that the entire kingdom is hurtling toward war, and he’s the only one who can stop it.

6. Barbarian Prince by Michelle M. Pillow

Going undercover at a mass wedding as a bartered bride, Morrigan Blake has every intention of getting off the barbaric planet just as soon as it's over. Or, more correctly, just as soon as she captures footage of the mysterious princes rumored to be in attendance. After a euphoric night, Morrigan discovers her spaceship left without her, and Ualan of Draig is claiming she's his wife. It's not exactly the story this reporter had in mind. And to make matters worse, the all-too-seductive alpha refuses to take no for an answer.

Being cursed by the gods was never so frustrating...

Prince Ualan is prepared to follow dragonshifter tradition and marry the woman revealed to him during the Breeding Festival. When the stubborn, yet achingly sexy, Morrigan refuses to accept their shared fate and his supreme authority over her, it is all he can do to keep from acting like the barbarian she accuses him of being.

About the series: The dragon shifting Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go. Too bad nobody explained this to their brides.

7. Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

Carpathians are an immortal race of beings with animal instincts. Every Carpathian male is drawn to his life mate: a Carpathian or human female able to provide the light to his darkness. Without her, the beast within slowly consumes the man until turning vampire is the only option.' Raven Whitney is a psychic who has used her gift to help the police track down a serial killer. Now she is determined to escape the glare of recent publicity for the peace and quiet of the Carpathian Mountains. Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky is the leader of his people but, as his ancient Carpathian race grows ever closer to extinction, he is close to giving in to the heavy weight of loneliness and despair. From the moment their minds touch, Raven and Mikhail form a connection. But there are those who incorrectly view all Carpathians as vampires, and are determined to give their extinction a helping hand.

8. Tempted by a Rogue Prince by Felicity Heaton

An elf prince on the verge of losing himself to the darkness, Vail is maddened by the forty-two centuries he was under the control of a witch and forced to war with his brother. Now, he roams Hell seeking an escape from his terrible past and the heads of all who bear magic. When demons of the Fifth Realm capture him, he sees a chance to end his existence, but when he wakes in a cell to a beautiful female, he finds not death but his only shot at salvation—his true fated mate.

Captured by the enemy of the Third Realm when the war ended, Rosalind has spent months in the cells of the Fifth Realm with her magic bound, forced to heal the new king’s demon warriors, and haunted by the lives she has taken. When she’s brought to heal an unconscious man, she discovers her only hope of escape has come in the form of her worst nightmare and the first part of a prediction that might spell her doom—a devastatingly handsome and dangerous dark elf prince.

Unwilling to fall under the control of anyone ever again, Vail must escape before the Fifth King can use him as a pawn in a deadly game of revenge, but he cannot leave without Rosalind, the woman who looks at him with dark desire in her stunning eyes and awakens a fierce hunger in his heart. A witch who drives him mad with need even as the darkness within whispers she will enslave him too.

Can Rosalind escape her fate as they embark on a journey fraught with danger and resist the temptation of her rogue elf prince? And can Vail overcome the memories that madden him in order to seize his chance for salvation and the heart of his fated female forever?

9. Rebel Prince by Justine Davis

Prince Lyon would rather strip naked in the square than allow Shaina Silverbrake bragging rights for rescuing him from anything, much less would be prince-nappers on Arellia. But what he wants and what destiny has planned for him are about to collide when a dark plot is uncovered by Rina. Lyon’s last adventure before royal duty claims him for life becomes a race for a powerful artifact, and the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.

10. Prince's Fire by Amy Raby

As the sister of the Kjallan emperor, Celeste cannot choose where to bestow her heart....

The imperial princess has been offered in marriage to the Prince of Inya as part of an alliance needed to ensure Kjall’s military prowess. And despite having been hurt in the past by men using her to gain power, Celeste finds herself falling for the passionate fire mage.

Prince Rayn has no intention of allying his country with the militaristic Kjallans. But his political enemies at home may be the greater threat. The princess’s beauty and intelligence catch him off guard, throwing an unexpected and dangerous hurdle in the way of his plans.

As a deadly political plot threatens Rayn’s life, the attraction between Celeste and Rayn ignites into a sizzling affair. But to save her people and herself, Celeste will have to discover if Rayn’s intentions are true or risk having her love burn her yet again....

Did I miss your favorite Paranormal Prince? Let me know!

The Fire Seer was a great and original read for me. I really enjoyed the lore that was weaved throughout the story and the building of this world. The changing POV between Taya and Mandir really made this story a whole lot better, seeing through each characters eyes helped to make them feel more alive. I also enjoyed the chapters devoted to the past, which helped to explain the circumstances between Taya and Mandir.

Taya was an interesting heroine, she obviously had a lot of struggles to get over on a daily basis, but didn't falter. It was nice to see a woman in this category that can remain strong, but at the same time can accept help gracefully. I think that's a difficult result to achieve, but the author definitely did it. Mandir is more complex than Taya in a lot of ways, which makes him a bit more endearing to me. Mandir definitely grows in this story, because he's trying to break a cycle. He was an abused lil boy, who turned into a nasty teenager, whom eventually becomes a kinder man. I really appreciated this dynamic, and the fact both characters struggled with where they came from and what they're lacking. It really is what made the story.

The story itself was wonderfully written with a lot of mystery that kept you wanting to know more. I found the mystery to be a bit more complex than what you'd normally find in a fantasy book. I thought that was delightful, normally I can guess "who done it", but with this one I had to wait, which really helped with the anticipation.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I'd definitely recommend this to other readers of fantasy, and even history and mystery lovers, cause I think it's that good.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While parts of this book were wonderful, I wasn't really feeling the romance between Rayn and Celeste. I'm not one for arranged marriages though so I'm sure that I'm biased.

Celeste is a shy princess who loves mathematics. She was abused at a young age when forced into a marriage way too young. She suffered from mental and physical abuse. In Assassin's Gambit she was saved by her sister-in-law. Now many years later under the more caring upbringing of her brother she is happy.

Rayn is a foreign prince who has many misgivings towards the Kjallans. Celeste's father had been a horrible monarch so Rayn struggled to trust them. Rayn and Celeste end up taking a ship to visit one of Kjall's provinces and end up in an assassination attempt. As the two go through this adventure of determining who the assassins were, Rayn is able to get to know Celeste a little better.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that parts didn't flow well for me. Rayn seemed to be fine with everything at one moment and then out of nowhere he freaked out at Celeste because of her family and country. I really was baffled as to what set him off. It just didn't seem like a natural way to act.

I loved the scenery a lot with this book. At one point they even get to experience Inya which has volcanoes that the Fire Mages have to control to protect the people. I loved learning about this new mage type. So far with every book in this series, Raby introduces us to another mage type. I really like her magic system.

Honestly, if arranged marriages turned into love matches is your thing, you would probably really enjoy this book. It just wasn't for me. I am excited though for the series to continue.