The Falconer's Daughter - Book 2

This is book 2 in the story of "The Falconer's Daughter. So it starts at chapter 7. I haven't read book 1 yet. But I still was able to read this book 2 with no real problem. I would have like the books together but it wasn't something you have to have ..just nice to have. I was really glad to have this book and will look fro the first book in this series.

I received this ARC from Tule Publishing Via Netgalley in return for an honest review

How much will it take to break a girl?
Cordaella has been a pawn in everyone's game for so long that now she doesn't see the difference.
Engaged to a Duke from spain who's name spikes fear in the hearts of the staunches warriors. She tries to find an escape.
Alas, it is impossible, no matter how much her hear longs for the red- haired knight, they can never be. And so now, Cordaella is married and the Spanish court is just as deadly as the English Court.
Will Cordaella continue on the path of revenged or will her dark and scarred husband prevent the freedom she so craves?

Man, my heart hurts for Cordaella. It's not even funny how much horrible situations this girl is put into. The horrors of having a pretty face! gosh.

This is the second book and while the writing is amazing and had me in a fit of panic a few times, I will say that I felt like Cordaella lost herself a bit in this one. She wasn't as spunky as the first book. Also, after she is sent to Spain, I didn't expect her to be so complacent... so it was a bit of a shock that she was.

Also, she's obviously in love with Bran (not a spoiler, it was in the first book) and after the wedding night to her Spanish Husband she was disgusted and wanted to bathe asap to get the smell of him off her...but then afterwards, she happily goes to bed with him? Did I miss something? What happened to the disgust, how did it go away so quickly?

There is minimal interaction between husband and wife too, so I can't tell whether the Duke is a good guy or not!

Ah well, I will say that the book is becoming more New- Adult to Adult now that she's married. There are some *cough, cough* scenes.

I honestly wonder what the heck will happen next. These books tend to have an abrupt ending.

I was really pleased when I was given the opportunity to read and review this book. I haven't read part one so I was a bit unsure when it first came through if the story would be part way through and I'd struggle to pick this up. Well I needn't have worried as this can easily be read as a standalone as anything covered in the first book is touched upon in this one so you are brought up to speed. I have the third and fourth parts to read and can't wait - historical fiction is by far my favourite genre and this was a lovely read.

The Falconer's Daughter (Book Two) continues the saga of Cordaella's life through her teens. This book provides insight into the lives of the English nobility and the strictures placed on women, who were treated very much as possessions of their lords and masters. It is impossible to go into details of the storyline without giving away the plot. Suffice to say this book like the first in the set is well written with god attention to detail and enough plot twists to keep you turning the ages. The only thing I would add is that you could struggle to work out who is who or why things are the way they are without first having read book one.

Book 2 continues Cordaella's journey, as she becomes a teenager, finds love, but also finds what it means to be a woman in her time. Due to her status, she has been treated better than others, but is forced to accept an engagement she doesn't want. While reconciling herself to the future, she tries to find a different path, but ultimately is forced to find her way in a new land with a husband who is feared by all. Lyles continues her engrossing story-telling with this book, and I am on pins and needles waiting for the next installment.

This series has spurts of good bits but it is drawn out entirely too much in my opinion. It is not really bad per se but it isn't terribly good either.

I was able to enjoy this novel, even though I have not read the first in the series. It worked well as a stand alone in the series, so I was able to get into it. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more had I read the first novel, but it was still pretty good. The plot was developed decently, and the writing style flowed nicely. I liked how the characters interacted, and the love story between them. I also enjoyed the main character, Cordaella. I felt that she was a strong female character, and she was very likable, so I was definitely rooting for her happy ending. I don't know that I loved this book enough to purchase the first novel, but it was an easy, interesting read.