Thursday, March 13, 2014

[Review]: "The Prince"

The Prince by Tiffany Reisz
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA (November 20, 2012) 
Series: Original Sinners, 3
Genre: Contemporary Erotica


Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...preferably in bed. That's always been Kingsley Edge's strategy with his associate, the notorious New York dominatrix Nora Sutherlin. But with Nora away in Kentucky, now it's Kingsley's chance to take her place at the feet of the only man he's ever wanted -- Søren, Nora's on-again, off-again lover -- until a new threat from an old enemy forces him to confront his past.

Wes Railey is still the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and she's in "his" world now. But Nora is no simpering Southern belle, and her dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with her dear Søren's relentlessly seductive pull.

Two worlds of wealth and passion call to her and whichever one Nora chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make... unless someone makes it for her....


Where to Buy*:
More Info:

Reviews of Reisz's Other Books:

Misbehaving (TBQ)



My Review:



I go into every Tiffany Reisz book knowing that I will emerge at the end completely broken, in pain, shaking from all the intense emotions bubbling up. And yet I keep coming back for more. Perhaps I've become a bit of a sadist . . .



I always have to put a warning on Reisz's books. They are not for everyone. They are gritty and dark, they cover a lot of painful events and some seriously fucked up shit – and I'm not just talking about the kink. I know that while I'll happily recommend her books to various readers, there are just as many readers that I would tell to run away, for their own sanity.



To be frank, I'm about as vanilla as Wes. And yet I've fallen for the Queen of Kink's books. While I'm not interested in many of the acts that Nora and the rest of the Underground love, I can't stop myself from picking up these books. Why? The answer is easy, and yet terribly complicated, too. Tiffany Reisz has some serious crack in her books, and I am a happy addict.



The Prince reveals many layers that I never knew existed in the story Reisz is telling. She knows how to write new twists and bury old secrets. She's a master at her craft, weaving a story that is so complicated and deadly, but so addicting and beautiful. It's so much more than mere erotica, so much more than just the story of the kinky Underground.



I've never been very good at summarizing books, so I rarely do it in my reviews. But even if I wanted to do so now, I can't. There is too much to try and explain, too much that I would give away, not just for this novel, but any in the series. I will say this; I have learned to be prepared for anything while reading these books.



I can't say that this was my favorite book in the series, but even so I loved every minute of it. Even as I flinched and tried to look away from the scenes being played out, even as I felt the heartbreak from the various characters leap off the page and into me, I enjoyed the torture Reisz put me through. A good book is one that makes you feel, that forms a connection between you and the characters. When I'm reading such a book, I can't hold still, I can't stop my heart from racing (from fear, from stress, from desire – the reason why does not matter). While reading The Prince I was a wreck.



I'm not in love with Soren, and I'm not sure I ever will be. He is simply too . . . intense, too frightening, too much for me to handle. However, I find his backstory to be incredibly powerful and even as my mouth falls open in shock at each new secret that is told, I flip the page, unable to look away. He'll never be my type, but I can't deny his addicting qualities.



In fact, while talking with Tiffany (and Elyse from SmartBitches) on Twitter the other day, this conversation happened. Yep, I think Tiffany has summed up the stages a reader goes through not only with Soren, but with her books in general! J





There's a lot of sex in the books, but I can't say that it is all sexy. However, the scenes are still well done, very emotional, and very powerful. They’re not flowery or shy, so be ye warned!



To lighten things up a bit though, I have to share some of my favorite quotes. While this series is by no means funny, Reisz does have a way with dry wit and dark humor. There are a few bright moments in every book, perhaps to attempt to counter all the dark.


I'm guilty of thinking the same as Nora!



“Women. Just can't please them sometimes. I think I'd stay married to a guy who built me a castle. Especially one that pretty.”

~Nora




Yes -- this!



“Oh la la,” Kingsley said, laughing. “A library or a palace?”

“A library should be a palace.”


~Kingsley and Soren



In short, The Prince is another masterpiece. Perhaps different from the The Angel and The Siren, but no less powerful. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Soren and Kingsley's past, and I'm very anxious to see what Reisz reveals next. I know from experience that I have to pace myself; even though this one ended on a major cliffhanger, I can't simply jump into The Mistress. It would be too soon, I'm too raw from this journey. In a few months, perhaps towards the end of this year, I'll be ready to pick it up, ready to have my heart once again torn out and cut into tiny pieces . . . and then anxious once again to start the process all over with Tiffany Reisz's next release. As crazy as that may sound, if you've tried the crack that is The Original Sinners, you already understand completely.




4 STARS! 


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I bought my own copy of this book and decided to share my honest opinion.

*Note: The quotes used belong to Tiffany Reisz; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them.

~ * ~ * ~



So -- have you been captured by Tiffany Reisz? 

Do you have a guilty pleasure read, one where even though the content may not be something YOU would do in real life, you can't help but read about it anyway?


If her books are not your thing, I completely understand; please stop by tomorrow for more reviews! 






Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

10 comments :

Sebella Blue said...

Simply outstanding review! It was thoughtful and extremely well delivered. I'm not a big fan of reviews that come off like a book report. Well done. I feel compelled to give Tiffany's books a go, even though they aren't in my wheelhouse.

The_Book_Queen said...

Ah, thanks! :) It never hurts to try something new at least once, right?
Enjoy!
TBQ

Diana Leigh said...

Nice review! I've read The Siren and Seven Day Loan (which I think is now called The Gift), and I loved them both.

Anna@herding cats&burning soup said...

LOL she's your crack. I so have some like that. I do need to give her a read. Every time yall feature one of her books I just groan because darnnit I want to read these NOW! And my review pile just won't let me. lol

Michelle (MsRomanticReads) said...

Great review :) I've read The Siren and really liked it, but I never jumped on the rest. Maybe it's about time I did.

The_Book_Queen said...

Yes -- if you liked book 1 (and it didn't scare you away!) then I say go for it!
Enjoy,
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

She is! :) I never thought I would be in love with her books, but I am. Crack, I tell you!
Oh, I know that pile can be such a bitch. One of these days just give it the finger and dive in!
Enjoy,
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

Yes -- I loved Seven Day Loan, too! :) She released a rom-com novella this past month that was good, too.
Enjoy,
TBQ

Bea @ Bea's Book Nook said...

I haven't read her but so many people love her, including my co-blogger Jax.

The_Book_Queen said...

Her books are definitely a flavor, and not everyone likes it, but I'm happily addicted! :)