Ahoy there mateys!  This was a romantic fantasy about an "evil" queen who hires a dark magician to organize her library.  Queen Saskia is actually highly loyal to her country and friends.  The dark magician is a case of mistaken identity.  Felix is an archduke on the run from his minister who has abused him his whole life.

I am normally a huge fan of this author's work but have to admit that this one was not to my taste at all.  Surprisingly, I had problems with the characters and the world building.  Everything seemed too simplistic.  The romance was too much of insta-lust.  Even though the queens are supposed to be the focus of the story, we got a lot more of Felix being the central character.  Saskia felt immature and threw temper-tantrums.  Even the plot was just okay.

I did like the bats.  I don't have a lot more to say given how little this worked for me.  I will not be reading the rest of the series.  I am in the minority though because other fans of the author are loving this.  Arrr!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.