Servant of the Crown by Melissa McShane (Review)

Servant of the CrownServant of the Crown
(The Crown of Tremontane #1)
by Melissa McShane
Adult Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 405 Pages
July 15th 2015 by Night Harbor Publishing



Summary

Alison Quinn, Countess of Waxwold, is content with her bookish life—until she’s summoned to be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Tremontane’s mother for six months. Even the prospect of access to the Royal Library doesn’t seem enough to make up for her sacrifice, but Alison is prepared to do her service to the Crown. What she’s not prepared for is Prince Anthony North, Queen Zara’s playboy brother, who’s accustomed to getting what he wants—including the Countess of Waxwold.

When the fallout from an unfortunate public encounter throws the two of them together, Alison has no interest in becoming the Prince’s next conquest. But as the weeks pass, Alison discovers there’s more to Anthony than she—or he—realized, and their dislike becomes friendship, and then something more—until disaster drives Alison away, swearing never to return.

Then Alison is summoned by the Queen again, this time to serve as Royal Librarian. A threat to Tremontane’s government, with her treasured Library at stake, draws Alison into the conflict…and into contact with Anthony once more. Can they work together to save the Royal Library and Tremontane? And can she open her heart to love again?

My Review

Servant of the Crown was a highly enjoyable read. It was more romance than fantasy. The setting was interesting and one I enjoyed being immersed in. I fell in love with all the main characters and properly despised the villains. The writing was excellent as was the pacing. It's definitely a series I will be following.

I felt as I read that I was being introduced to a new world that was a mix of historical England and futuristic/almost-steampunk. Old traditions were mixed with new. Royalty mixed with a governing council. Horses, candles, and more old-fashioned dress mixed with contraptions and girls wearing trousers. There was also a hint of magic, but it didn't play much of a role in this story. 

Alison, Anthony, Zara, the Dowager, Alison's dad, and Doyle were all fabulous characters. Even minor characters I felt were well formed and gave me a good picture of who they were. I really loved Alison and Anthony and how they both evolved during this story. I felt invested and hoped for a fabulous happily ever after for them. Getting there was a little rough with some heartbreaking moments, but also some hopeful ones.

I do wish the content would have been slightly cleaner, but I was also warned by the author in regards to that. The story was pretty much perfect besides that and wanting a little more magic weaved through-out.

Servant of the Crown was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It brought out my emotions, both of sorrow as the characters went through some rough patches, those of appreciation and joy during the happier moments, and some moments that literally had me swooning. If you enjoy romance or fantasy, then this one is for you! At the end of the book there was also the beginning chapter of the next book in this series revolving around Queen Zara and I'm dying to finding out what happens next!


Content: Quite a bit of innuendo, some violence, some mild swearing, some heavy making out, and one interrupted detailed scene that was referred back to in a character's thoughts.

Source: I would like to thank the author Melissa McShane for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way.


What do you think? Will you be picking this one up?

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