Exiled Heir (The Empty Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Kai Butler

Exiled Heir is an engaging start of a new series from Kai Butler. A powerful mage in need of a consort and a werewolf in hiding that's looking for a way out. Miles might have been hired to protect Cade, but not knowing who the enemy is and being thrown into a world where Miles doesn't know any of the rules may end up getting both him and his mage prince killed.

From the blurb:

Without him, I’m a dead man, but if he knew who I was, he would kill me himself.

Miles Castillo has spent his entire life running from the crime his parents committed. He’s an alpha without a pack, and a son whose very name is poisoned. When two werewolf hunters catch him, he has to choose between a man who wants his head mounted on a wall and Cade Bartlett, the mage prince who doesn’t realize who Miles is.

The icy prince has a job for Miles, one that will keep Miles’s head on his shoulders: become Prince Cade’s consort and find out who is trying to kill him.

As Miles delves deeper into Cade’s court, he begins seeing the truth beneath Cade’s chilly exterior. The more the prince trusts him, the closer he gets to seeing under Miles’s mask as well.

What will happen when Cade realizes the secret Miles holds puts both of their lives at risk?

SNik's Review:

First in series (The Empty Throne Trilogy). Paranormal urban fantasy. Fake relationship. Close proximity. Slow burn. Single POV. 

Making a deal to save his life, Miles agrees to become a mage’s werewolf consort, but not just any mage, as Cade is the heir to the powerful House Bartlett. Cade needs a consort to be named the king of his house, as well as someone to watch his back, so paying a strong and desperate Alpha seems to be a good idea. Investigating possible enemies while navigating house and consort politics, Miles also has a lot to learn about magic. 

Exiled Heir is well written with a slow world build, introducing characters, motivations and special powers along the way. 

I really struggled with how many secrets were involved in the story, not just who the enemy might be, but secrets between Cade and Miles. 

Since we don’t get Cade’s POV his actions are hard to decipher, and although Miles begins to have protective and caring feelings, Cade is more difficult to interpret. 

I was thoroughly captivated by the story, and really look forward to seeing how everything unfolds for Cade and Miles. The book ends on a cliffhanger as the series continues.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Exiled Heir is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.