These are the last two of the trilogy published by Signet, but Amy Raby's got a fourth (Healer's Touch) self-published, as well as a novella in e-pub, and another entire mystery series set in the Indus valley in early pre-history.
Anyway, back to the point.
First book in the series (Assassin's Gambit) I read a while ago, and enjoyed it. It helps that it's a light-hearted fantasy romp, with less romance and more wacky hi-jinks.
These two were added to the collection at the same time, so I was able to read them together, which was nice. The other wasn't so far back in the mists of memory that I needed to read it again, but I do suggest that you read all three close together, as the characters do pop back and forth through each other's stories (and this continues in the fourth book, based on the excerpt on the author's website).
Spy's Honor (Hearts and Thrones, book 2)
Amy Raby
ISBN: 9780451417831
Read November 8, 2014
Prince's Fire (Hearts and Thrones, book 3)
Amy Raby
ISBN: 9780451417848
Read November 9, 2014
Spy's Honor is the first, chronologically-speaking, and cover's Rhianne's involvement with the Mosari heir to the throne, in disguise as a slave in her Kjallan imperial gardens. Despite my preference for reading books in chronological order, I have to say that I feel that this series works much like The Chronicles of Narnia, in that the mid-series adventures of Emperor Lucien and Vitala works much better as the entry point, allowing the reader to then go back and see how "history" unfurled to link his cousin with a neighboring (and somewhat hostile) country.
Prince's Fire then jumps into the future, after Lucien has been ruling peacefully for years. Despite the glorious history (insert sarcasm) of arranged marriages in his immediate family, Lucien has decided to offer his youngest sister, the Imperial Princess Celeste, in marriage to another neighboring prince (less sarcasm here; the first one apparently worked quite well with Rhianne) as the sweet enticement to a trade agreement. Hearkening back to the first book, Riorca and assassins feature prominently, as does a lovely island nation that bears a striking resemblance to Hawai'i. The match is fraught with misunderstandings and prejudices on both sides (naturally) but the duo fall in love (equally naturally) in time to prevent another royal coup and save the island from a natural disaster.
Are these amazing works of plotting and characterization? Nope. But they're fun, they are quick reads, the plot zips along with just enough speed that you almost don't notice the plot-rails underneath, and the world-building, although derivative, is actually interesting and cohesive. The magic style (infinite magic powered through personal connections to a spirit realm) isn't my favorite (I much prefer limited and costly magic) but it's coherent and understandable, and actually reflected in the social/political landscape of the books, which is more than I can say for a lot of more "serious" literary fantasy.
Enjoyable and lighthearted - perfect for a fall afternoon.
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