She’s not the love interest, this isn’t a story. This is a job.
I want to thank YA Bound Book Tours for hosting and including me in this tour. It didn’t take long into the synopsis for me to want to read this book.
The Veiled Threat
Book 1 of The Veiled Duchess Series
Author: Sophia Menesini
Genre: NA Fantasy, LGBT
Publication Date: July 1, 2019
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
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Summary:
Captain Shea Lara is the current leader of The Veiled Duchess. The most feared pirate ship in all of Neried. And now, after completing her former mentor’s final score, she’s retiring. Everything seems to be coming to an end…
Until a mysterious stranger drags her back into the fold with an offer for a score she can’t refuse. All she has to do is kidnap the crowned princess of the northern Queendom, Princess Joana of Arethusa. The prize is just within reach. But sparks fly as the two women collide. And an obscured threat that could upturn Shea’s entire world storms on the horizon. She’ll face it alone unless she can allow herself the support she needs from old and new allies alike. Something’s coming and Shea is at the center of it.
Review
You can mark this as one my favorite reads of the year and this is why:
1.) Characters you can connect with.
2.) A well-thought-out and detailed world.
3.) A romance you can root for.
Okay, that’s all I got to say.
But seriously, from the opening and we see Shea and her crew in action taking down another ship, I knew I was hooked right away. Shea is a leader anyone can and will follow. Despite being an elf, and in this world to many elves are considered dogs and slaves, she earned respect from those around her.
Shea has strong bonds with her crew such as fellow elf Aster, who is essentially her adopted son, and Caen, her right-hand man but is practically like a dad to her. I started to care for these characters as well and for me, that can make or break the story.
The book switches between Shea and Joana’s points of view. There is a bit of insta-love and attraction. I hoped I would root for them and when we get to read from Joana’s view and see she’s also unconventional and has a bit of attitude like Shea, you know it’s going to be a fun ride to see how their relationship changes and evolves.
The details in the book suck you in. Everything from the history of the world to the landscape is brought to life.
There are two epilogues at the end that set up the next installment that took me off guard. Even though you already know much about the world, there’s even more to discover, and even more to learn about Shea.
Overall
This is a definite recommendation. The further I got to the end, the more I wanted to keep reading and the more I found myself saying, “Please, don’t let this character die.”
Shea and Joana feel natural, that even though Shea kidnaps Jo, they can’t help but fall for one another, and it makes it even worse for Shea who has to start to choose between her ship and crew or Joana.
The ending took a turn I wasn’t expecting. I kind of had an idea of how it would end and what would happen to lead into the second book, but then the opposite happened and instead, something bigger is coming into Shea’s life.
I’m 100% going to read the second book when it comes out and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Excerpt
“It’s too late to play the hero, captain,” The princess mocks keeping her stance solid and firm, “You’ve already said yourself, you’re the villain of this story.”
At that, Shea’s gaze snaps to her and Aster shifts uncomfortably. It feels as if the room has dropped several degrees below freezing.
“Was that how you saw me before, a hero?” Shea asks, stepping towards the bar and running her finger down one of the lengths.
Joana rolls her eyes, one eyebrow arching as she crosses her arms, “Not exactly.”
“Really? Perhaps the sweet love interest? Maybe now I can play the redeemable villain?” Shea boasts with great sarcasm.
“Better yet: the heartless monster who gets slain in the end,” Joana coldly responds, shooting daggers in Shea’s direction.
About the Author
The Storyteller with Salt Water in Her Veins
Sophia Menesini lives in Martinez, CA with her husband, and their two small Chihuahuas, Ziggy and Zeppelin. The Veiled Threat is her first novel. Sophia is an avid tea connoisseur and lover of Scotland with an unconventional memory for obscure Disney and Broadway song lyrics.
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