Warprize (Chronicles of the Warlands Book 1)

I really enjoyed this. It’s got a dash of angst and a great plot. I like useful, firstly, confident women. Fabulous ending.

There are some books we read because they make us think, others we read for their nail biting action, and then there are books we read simply because they entertain us. They are warm, and light, and delicious like a hot cup of coco on a cold night. Warprize is one of those books. It's not profound, or deep, but it is a delightful, action filled romp of an adventure story, with a fantastic, drool worthy romance thrown in to make us melt. It's the kind of book I see myself reading over and over again just because it makes me feel great.~ Premise ~Lara is a princess of the land of Xy, but she's not your normal royal. Early in life she took up studies as became a healer, much to the chagrin of her family. Instead of attending royal functions, she spends her time in sick tents in stained frocks, with blood up to her elbows, assisting the any who need her arts. And there are many in need, for Xy is at war. A warlord from the Firelands has been campaigning across Xy, intent on conquering it.When the armies of the Warlord arrive at her city, Lara defies the wishes of her brother the king, and provides healing for capture enemy prisoners, even making friends amongst them. It is this friendship that drives her to help hide the identity of a prisoner of high station, it also drives her to help the prisoners escape before her brother, the king, can slaughter them, and it's what ultimately causes the Warlord himself to lay claim to her as a Warprize - the price paid to broker peace arrangements between Xy and the Fireleands, which sets the stage for a glorious adventure that where princess becomes a slave, and a slave becomes a hero worthy of songs.~ My thoughts ~Here's what I think makes Warprize really shine - characters, romance, and adventure.The characters are just fantastic. Lara is strong but also vulnerable. She speaks her mind, but is wise enough to know when to listen. She's not a bad ass and doesn't need to pick up a sword once in the story, but this makes her no less of a hero. Her strength and heroism lies in her honor, the sacrifices she makes for her people, and her healing arts.Our Warlord, Kier, is just delicious. He's 100% man, an alpha male with actual character and depth. Don't you just hate those alpha males in romances that are all bluster and hotness, with no real personality or motivations for their actions? Kier is a refreshing change from those one dimensional archetypes - he has a past that's not made 100% clear to us in book 1 that strongly motivates his actions. We're tantalized with hints of what makes Kier tick, left wanting to know more. He's a character you understand, care about, and feel connected to.The romance delicious in Warprize builds slowly. Character's don't fall in love at first sight or jump into the sack at the first opportunity. Instead we are enticed by smoldering attraction, and growing romantic tension. We see things only through Lara's eyes and we're left wondering at Kier's feeling, pondering his motivations, yearning for the moment they finally connect. It's just plain delicious.Despite the epic and completely swoon worthy romance, Warprize isn't just a romance book. The adventure in the story starts from page 1 and doesn't let up. There are daring escapes, betrayals, mysteries, night attacks, and a host of other events that guarantee you'll keep turning the pages on this story long into the night.Warprize is the perfect book for a rainy day, or when you are feeling a bit blue. It's such a fun, light hearted, feel-good read. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It will definitely be a book I read again.

Warprize, everything I wanted in a barbarian romance novel, a novel in general. The story leads, not the physical relationship. There is a plotline and an interesting one. A heroine who is a bit slow on the uptake regarding her half brother, but probably because she didn't have much exposure to him and she wanted to believe the best of everyone. Despite that she isn't a doormat; she's a lady of privilege but she also worked hard against convention to become a master healer. I liked that she was soft, but forceful at the same time.Our hero is the Warlord. Handsome, fearsome, intelligent and clever. Alpha without being a jerk. I can picture his blue eyes.The world building in this story is pretty fascinating, including the meaning of warprize. So many wonderful characters that you care about. It's nice to read a book with intrigue and treachery, and yet still have a very positive storyline without all the ugly 'dark' themes that are so popular today.Very highly recommended. This can be read alone, but there are three books total I believe.

With an incompetent king on the throne, the kingdom of Xyian is in danger of falling to the Firelanders who swarm outside the city's gates. Thrust into a war that she can do nothing to prevent, Master Healer Xylara, sister to the king, does what she can to prevent the suffering of the men on both sides of the war. Heedless to her brother's demands that she stop treating the enemy, Xylara continues visiting the prisoners, doing the best she can to ease their conditions, and in doing so, brings herself to the attention of the great Warlord himself. If Xyian wishes peace, he demands tribute in the form of Xylara. Proclaimed the Warprize and hailed by the Firelanders, she's told by her spineless brother that she will be nothing but a slave, brought to the Warlord for his pleasure. With a heavy heart, she allows herself to be carried off to the enemy camp, fearful of the future. With miscommunication heavy between them and an enemy intent on destroying the tenuous peace between their two lands, Lara and the Warlord hardly have time to explore the budding desire between them, but explore it they must. For the peace and prosperity of two nations rests on the off chance that the Warlord can claim Lara's heart.This was such a fabulously interesting romantic fantasy done entirely in Lara's POV. I thought this was different and a nice change of pace from what I normally read. While there was a nice romantic element in this story, most of this book is about the cultural gaps between the Xyians and Firelanders and if they will ever be able to bridge them. The antagonist of this story was a little pathetic and it was obvious it was him, but I didn't care. I was mostly interested in the incredible worldbuilding. My absolute favorite part were the "pattern dances" that go on during the middle part of the book. They are intricately choreographed dances that were beautifully described. That part of the story just came to life for me and I enjoyed it immensely. There was alot of humorous little bits running throughout this story, least of which, everyone ignoring Lara's continued pleas that someone call her by her name, instead of constantly referring to her as the Warprize. My only drawback was that I wished this story had more romance in it, a few more one on one interactions between Keir and Lara, but there are two more books in this series so hopefully I can get more from those.Keir, known as the Warlord, was a magnificent male specimen. Your typical rough, tough and brawny warrior who lays claim to his Warprize. He constantly tried to be thoughtful and respectful and was almost too good to be true with his understanding and courteous treatment of Lara. While he doubtlessly wished he could spend his days lounging in naked splendor with his Warprize, he did have a war camp to run and a country to reorganize so that unfortunately left Lara free to roam about the camp. She might be unsure of her place within the hierarchy of the camp but she knows she's a great Healer so she quickly finds her niche.There was a great bunch of characters that Elizabeth Vaughan created and I can't wait to continue indulging in their stories. This wasn't an overly graphic war story, no descriptive battle scenes, nor was the sex overly explicit. The fantastical elements in this story aren't over the top either. There wasn't a huge need to suspend reality. A lot of times I forgot this was a fantasy and thought I was reading a medieval romance. I highly recommend this story and can't wait to read more. Enjoy!

Great female lead and story. I love stories combining a female healer with a warrior. I liked the main male character but there was very little romance. I couldn’t really “feel” their love. Also I was curious about his potential 5 children—this was introduced but never expanded on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a romantic fantasy where the romance took just the right amount of story up, the chemistry was perfect and where the plot devices were used to perfection. Lara is a healer and as such feels that her oath to render aid wherever she is able knows no boundaries. It is this that sees her being claimed as the Warprize. As time goes on we learn more and more of both Lara's culture and that of the Warlord who has claimed her. Neither culture is what it at first seems and sometimes to Lara the differences seem insurmountable. But as she grows to learn more of the attacking nation, she comes to see the good she can do and love and respect that they can give her.I should mention here that there is no subjugation, forced sex or stockholm syndrome (my pet hates of this type of book that get over sued). Keir, our hero barbarian is no brutish lout who wins over his love by being forceful and alpha male. Yes he is an alpha male but it is not this that endures him to Lara and so the love story is a beautiful and heart warming read. What a find, I am glad I took a chance with this book and will continue to read more.

It was going well, the story was interesting and had a game of thrones feel about it which is what i was looking for. The hero was a bit on the soft side for my liking though and the bedroom scene was disappointing. Literally may as well have been a fade too black scene. The middle was slow going but the pace picked up for the ending. I enjoyed the whole how can i figure out how to get what i want part and then it's over and book two is £3.99 i don't think I'll be bothering and will just keep the happy for now i got from this book!

'Warprize', 'Warsworn' and 'Warlord' are a wonderfully romantic series of fantasy books with plenty of adventure to keep the less romantic souls happy as well.Enough readers have already very efficiently summarised the plot of which the review by Helen Hancox is my favourite (watch out for spoilers in one or two of the others). I just want to say how much I enjoyed the read. Having just finished the entire series, I would say that this is the best of the three. 'Warprize' doesn't end on a complete cliff-hanger so in the unlikely case you don't like it you aren't left with having to 'duty read' the next ones. In response to a point raised by someone who did not like the book... I don't think that the book is meant to be 'realistic'. It is a fantasy romance novel and I for one really appreciate it when things happen which in real life might be a bit far-fetched. At least, when the 'right' far-fetched things happen *g*Update: I have re-read this book several times now. Just the type of feel-good story you want when the weather is foul and you need a bit of a tonic. A cup of hot chocolate in your hand, your feet up on the sofa and 'Warprize' will provide you with pure comfort reading and a truly romantic fantasy experience.My star ratings are the result of the following breakdown:How difficult was it to put the book down: extremely difficult = five starsWould I buy the hardcover of this one: yes = five starsAm I likely to read it again: ...and again and again = five stars

I was so pleasantly surprised when I started to read this I thought it would be about a whiny girl who wasn't strong willed at all ... And I got it completely wrong (thank goodness !!!).Honestly such a great book, so intricate and beautifully woven, especially down to the minor details.Loved all the characters and how they progressed together, was sat giggling along with them all the way through. What a rollercoaster of emotions and events but it was all worth it and I can't wait for the next book , I can't believe how long it took for me to find this book in my recommendations ! So excited for all the rest to come 😍

I have this book in a hard copy that has seen better says. And it's fragile now that I bought the Kindle edition I was not disappointed. In fact there were a few bits that were new or I forgot about and unloved it more for it I've bought the rest in the series too for continuing reading. Great read