TJ's Reviews > Captive of the Stolen Empire

Super riveting and emotional read! It starts with an absolutely gripping and heart-rending scene as Ilya (FMC) has to watch her kingdom absolutely destroyed and the people she loves slaughtered. Then, she is taken by Lucien (MMC), the man responsible for all the destruction at the hands of his emperor.

It is a gripping tale full of rich storylines and deep emotions, as Ilya must live in and with the very people who annihilated everything and everyone she loves. As time goes one, however, she sees small chinks in the strength and armor of the emperor’s kingdom and she learns that Lucien isn’t quite the person she assumed him to be. His devotion to his liege is layered, yet perplexing. Oh, so much to unpack in one book! The relationship between Ilya and Lucien could have used more time and depth so we can actually buy into the changes and understand the motivations behind them. But, everything else is pure reading addiction!