Hidden identities and adventure abound in Prince in Disguise, the second book from the Perilous Courts series by Tavia Lark. Bellamy is the sweet sheltered prince given protection by an outcast dragon rider as they try to escape their enemies. A return to a fun fantasy world with courageous characters that grow and complement each other.
From the blurb:
Rakos isn’t really a farmer. Bellamy definitely isn’t a minstrel.
Sheltered, sickly Prince Bellamy always longed for adventure—but not like this. Captured in enemy territory, Bellamy’s true identity will get him killed, or worse. When his smoking-hot fellow prisoner asks who he is, Bellamy claims to be a minstrel.
Even though he can’t carry a tune to save his life. He panicked, okay?
Rakos was the rising star of the Draskoran dragon riders until betrayal landed him in chains. He knows two things for certain: he can’t trust anyone, and he wants his dragon back. When a pretty, fragile minstrel asks who he is, Rakos claims he’s a farmer. When Bellamy begs for help reaching the border, Rakos refuses.
Until Bellamy reveals his magic is exactly what Rakos needs.
Stormy nights, pursuing soldiers, and deadly masquerades forge Rakos and Bellamy’s unlikely partnership into something more. Something exhilarating. Rakos treats Bellamy like a person, not a weak, untouchable prince, even as he protects him.
But Rakos’s enemies are circling in, and that very protection might be Bellamy’s undoing.
Prince in Disguise is a high fantasy gay romance, with secret identities, hurt/comfort, and huddling for warmth. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.
SNik's Review:
Second in series (Perilous Courts), best if read in order. Fantasy adventure. Hurt/comfort. Dual POV.
Stranded and captured in a foreign country, Prince Bellamy enlists the help of a fellow prisoner to escape and get him home. Bellamy brings out Rakos’ protective instincts, but Bellamy is pretending he is a minstrel and Rakos is pretending to be a farmer, so both men agree to a casual fling before they have to separate and/or the truth comes out.
Writing about relationships that start under false pretenses is tricky, but Tavia Lark navigates it well with both Bellamy and Rakos being in real danger if they reveal their true identities while slowly building a sweet relationship where each man complements the other.
Surrounded by action and adventure where their lives are continuously in danger, Bellamy and Rakos grow and accept each other, strengthen each other and learn to care and appreciate each other which builds a bond of trust that eclipses who they are as individuals and cements them as a couple.
Fun characters, political intrigue, steamy interactions, and of course dragons (although I wish there were more time with the dragons, explaining bonding and the need for scalestone, etc.).
I am really enjoying this series and can’t wait for the final book.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Prince in Disguise is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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