The Alinthia series by Siobhan Davis was a whole bunch of new for me. It was my first real foray into New Adult (NA) books from Young Adult (YA) books. It was my first any-kind-of-harem novel - this series is reverse harem. So, it challenges me in a whole lot of ways that I like.

This volume in particular is one I am struggling with deciding how much I really liked it. I think the subject matter itself is so uncomfortable that it's hard for me to say, "I loved this book and all the TORTURE! YAY!" You know?

But that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It was a rough read if you have come to care about any of the characters at all. That being said, I want to applaud the author for taking on the subject matter of male rape and sexual assault as well as a male as the victim in an abusive relationship. Yes, this is a voice deeply needed in modern fiction! Consent is handled very thoroughly, making sure to point out that everyone should make sure they have it, no matter who the initiator is (male or female) and showing it as the basis of healthy relationships.

The action is UNBEATABLE. These are my favorite action scenes Siobhan Davis has ever written. She's killing it!

I'm eager to read the next installment. I want to see how a realistic version of healing plays out in so many of these characters and their relationships. "The Warrior Princess" is full of promise for dramatic character changes and is a breath of new life in the Alinthia series.