Format read: review copy provided by author
Release Date: 29 August 2011
Number of pages: 72 pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Formats available: ebook
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Carina Press, B&N, Kobo, Powell’s
Book Blurb:
Golden-eyed Jin has spent her life preparing to be the Emperor’s consort. She knows her destiny is to serve the Emperor by indulging the dark desire that he has buried deep inside his heart—the desire to give pain.
Only she can take the pain he yearns to give, and transform it into the most unimaginable pleasure. But to enjoy all the Emperor can give her, she must survive assassination attempts from those who would keep them apart. Seducing the Emperor is risky…but it’s the only way to fulfill her destiny.
My Thoughts:
I was prepared to be thrown into a story like non
I read by Burkhart before and that is exactly what
Golden did to me. It surprised me- in a very good way. The setting and feel of this one are something special. An enthralling oriental world of intrigues and deception all wrapped around a foreign romance that enthralled me and didn’t let me go till I read the last word.
We meet the golden eyed Jin- a young woman at the court of the Emperor. Her goal is too woo the Emperor into her bed because she is sure that it is her destiny to give him the release of his darker urges. She believes only she can give him what he truly wants. Her “love” for the Emperor seems foreign and perhaps even a bit missguided at first.For me, it felt more like an obsession based on things she thought to knew about him- a bit like “pop star” worshiping. When the story progresses we see where her love comes from and how it seems to grow with every interaction between our pair. Jin is a strong woman, not only because of her preference of bearing the pain her Emperor has to give her. She has a cunning mind and a set plan to reach her goals. But she is not stubborn- she knows how to improvise. She is really smart and not as submissive as you would think her to be.
The Emperor stays a mystery through the whole book. we get little glimpse of his character here and there but he always stays the figure she create in her imagination. His motives stay hidden till the end of the story. This actually increased the mystery and allure of his character.
Surprisingly the sex scenes in Golden worked for me. Usually I prefer the emotional ones where you know what both characters want. I always thought that the emotional aspect makes the sex really sexy for me but it seems this is also true for a one sided story. For the most time I thought that the Emperor didn’t really care for Jin and still oh my the scenes between the sheets were hot. Well I should say that those are really dark and not shy of BDSM action. I loved it!
The plot itself was enthralling- the workings and intrigues of the court drew me in and I sat on the edge of seat begging for the good outcome. I loved how Burkhart penned all the different factions and their goals without leaving me confused or out of the loop. For those who know me I usually don’t care much for historicals because the court aspect and the low regard towards woman puts me off. Well it worked in this one.
All in all Golden is more than I hoped for. It was a really fast read but still delivers everything that makes a story worthwhile- a unique setting and plot, a romance that will pick your curiosity and just the right amount of sexy times to give it the needed spice. A highly recommended read- take a chance and try something new.
I give Golden 4.5 out of 5 bookies.
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About Susi
Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.
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How did she know about these dark urges then and that it was her destiny? Oh I think too much
@Blodeuedd A good friend of the Emperor schooled her for that reason. =)
Thank you so much for the review, Susi! I'm so glad you enjoyed Jin's story!