The Traitor's Mercy by Iris Foxglove

You want a story about a former courtesan and a traitor to the crown? Well, you've found it in The Traitor's Mercy!

I'm going to start off by saying I am utter shite at giving a normal review of a book. I just can't do it. I'm going to go all over the place, so if you don't think you can handle that, click the cover to your left and buy yourself your own copy to review. That said, let us continue.

I first found out about Iris Foxglove when Twitter was still Twitter and they were tweeting about a brand new story they were writing, or had written, I don't remember if it was up for preorder or if they threw it into the world without abandon. I was intrigued. I clicked the link when it was provided and was hooked the instant I started reading. This book was different, I thought. This book was exactly the nourishment my jaded self needed to feel like people were still writing books with the kind of description and emotional depth I've been starved of for so long. I knew from that moment that I was going to buy whatever else they chose to publish. And I have. Slowly. LOL I don't regret a minute of it, though.

The first story in Iris Foxglove's Starian Cycle follows Sabre de Valois (our traitor) and Laurent de Rue (our courtesan--well, former courtesan. He owns his own pleasure house at the start of the story, so no, I did not just spoil things for you. :p). Things do not start so pretty for Sabre, which I found refreshing. The writing duo that is Iris Foxglove do no shy away from making things difficult for their characters, and I love that. Can't have things being too easy or what's the point?

The story features a fantastic cast of characters that are sure to gain your attention enough that you will be wondering, hoping, praying that they get a story of their own--*cough Yves cough* (Yes, I know he's getting a story. I'm just impatient.)--while also keeping you invested in the plight of the main characters. Also, this story is plenty steamy as it is set in a fictional world of biological kink where everyone is born either dominant or submissive, which is just *chef kiss*. If you don't like that, don't read it. There are plenty of dark elements in this story, as well, so again, read at your own risk. The authors have included content advisory in the book so you'll know well ahead of time if it's something you can handle or not.

There's plenty to love about The Traitor's Mercy and all the lovely, flawed characters found within its pages. I think everyone has an Yves in their life, or has met one at some point. Rose, too. And, oh my God, Adrien! I am in love with Adrien. So if you want a dark fantasy featuring biological kink, give this series a try. And once you've finished all of The Starian Cycle, you'll be wanting to read more and more and more. Thankfully, the authors have plenty to satiate their readers with. They also have a Patreon, if you're interested in that.

All that said, go read you some Iris Foxglove goodness. You won't regret it.