Review of Enthralled by Sylvia Mercedes

 

A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE LIES BEFORE HER . . . EVEN AS ECHOES OF THE PAST HAUNT HER DREAMS

Clara’s memories of the last few years are lost in a haze. The more she tries to remember, the harder it is. And perhaps that’s just as well. Perhaps it’s better for her to focus on the present . . . and the future: a beautiful future with Danny Gale as her husband and her place in good society restored, comfortable and content.

With her wedding less than twenty-four hours away, Clara seeks to reunite with her brother, eager to repair their relationship. But she finds Oscar in a manic state. He raves about other worlds, about magic and curses and people Clara knows nothing about. She fears he’s lost his mind entirely . . . but something he says sparks memory of a haunting voice which sends heat rippling through her veins and steals the breath from her lungs.

Determined to go through with the wedding, Clara dons her gown and arrives at the chapel, only for an unexpected guest to appear. Suddenly all Oscar’s lunatic claims become a terrifying reality. The realms of Eledria are not through with Clara Darlington just yet. She still has a part to play in the deadly schemes of kings and princes.

And doom is poised to fall on the City of Vespre.

The epic conclusion to this terrifying and romantic series. Clara confronts her demons once and for all . . . but will she be in time to save the Doomed City and everyone she loves?

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I have been a huge fan of this series (can't even tell you how many times I reread the first three books), and the bittersweet conclusion is here. Now, I'm obsessed with my beloved characters, the unique setting and magic system, and the way this series so deftly deals with generational trauma. But because of the more difficult issues, it can be hard at times. And this book is hardest of all.

This book is nonstop. Poor Clara never gets a chance to catch her breath, and neither did I. There is a lot to process as the stakes climb higher and the sacrifices to stave off the end of everything pile up. The epic-scale of everything cannot be undermined, but in order to help others, Clara first needs to learn how to defeat her own demons once and for all. 

The book was heartbreaking, and I will need a while to recover from all that has come to pass. But I absolutely loved not only the theme of how to face trauma in a healthy way, but also of motherhood itself. I love exploring the concept of motherhood in fantasy, and this book celebrates that so much. And, of course, this book features a certain Prince who is one of my favorite fantasy characters, so there's that too.

Note to more sensitive readers: There is one spice scene in the middle of the book that can be easily skipped. There are several instances of strong language scattered throughout. There is also horror elements and violence including a tragic number of character deaths, onscreen and off. Also, there are discussions of parental abuse and neglect, alcoholism, drug addiction and attempted infanticide. And a character is taken advantage of by another character who got him involved with drugs.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

If you love to read about tricky fae, not-your-average librarians, and learning to overcome your nightmares, this is the series for you!

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