The Benighted

This was a great adventure story. For those who enjoyed, Defy and stories filled with knights and kings and queens, this novel begins a saga that will enchant the reader. Switching between the past, the dreamworld, and the present, Skylar tries to piece together her world all the while trying to locate Harlin, her protector and the knight who supposedly killed her father.

I loved the start of this series. Skylar was strong and filled with mystery while Harlin is a perfect picture of a knight. Wonderful!!

What to say about this book? First off there are numerous grammatical errors or places where the author has just used the wrong word eg chocked instead of choked or confusing bare with bear or "flourished with an overly expensive wardrobe" when I can only assume the author meant furnished. These may be deal breakers for some, I hope they get fixed because mine was an ARC.

But the story itself? Fascinating. Told in a series of flashbacks we see how Princess Skylar came to be in prison and tortured. How her brother and father were killed. How her Knight Protector, the Benighted of the title, was framed for her father's murder. And why.

I really loved the story and the way it was told. It was fresh and different, even my husband said the plot sounded interesting. If the author can fix the spelling and grammar issues it could be outstanding.

This is the first time that I’ve read anything by A.M. Dunnewin. I was very surprised with it. I thought that this book was told by a unique manner, instead of going via chronological order of the story, the story was told via some sort of dream like state of Skylar. I felt that it was a really interesting way of doing it. I really enjoyed it reading it that way. Because as a reader you really felt that you were in Skylar’s mind throughout the story. The Benighted is a book about good and evil and where the lines between the two blur. It was also a tale of romance between a princess and her knight, but their romance isn’t light and fluffy.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that it had a really strong willed female lead that was willing to sacrifice everything to get her kingdom back. With her trusted knight by her side teaching her how to survive in a world that she’s never stepped foot in prior to the death of her brother and father. It was suspenseful, gripping and had me on edge the entire time. I highly recommend this book and I personally cannot wait till the second book comes out.

4.5 Emotional gripping Unyielding stars****

This story gave me what I love! A strong, determined Woman who is willing to sacrifice all fro not only the man she loves but the people of her country. While some people feel there are better ways to resolve conflict Skylar realizes there are worse things than death. She has lived some of them.

The history between Skylar the Princess Royal and her knight is told in a series of flashbacks while Skylar is imprisoned and tortured. She refuses to give in and marry a tyrant in a different kingdom. Her flashbacks reveal the treachery that surrounded her family and caused the death of her loved ones. Eventually all that remains is the one person she trusts: Harlin, who is framed for her father's murder. The twists and turns of this book was amazing.

The betrayal at the end shocked me, I did not see that coming, and yet Skylar didn't let it ruin her. She chose to be the Royal she was and put her people first.

<b> Skylar stared at him wide-eyed, and with her jaw clenched, she replied, "There are worse things than death." </b>

The love part of the story was well written and it developed well through the story. The relationship was strong and it gave the characters strength when they could have given in to the pain surrounding them.


<b>"I did have a sweetheart, She didn't know who I was, but I've always thought about her. I became a knight in hopes that one day our paths would cross. I never thought it would actually happen."

That you'd protect her?" Skylar managed to whisper.

"No, " He said "That you'd know my name." </b>

There is graphic violence in this book and the ending while happy, is a hard ending. The deaths that occur can be heart wrenching and haunting. Through it all Skylar carries this story and her light is amazing!

The only thing that did throw me was some of the editing and the long descriptions of the clothes worn. It didn't distract me completely but it is something to keep in mind.

This is a dark and suspenseful tale of secrets, torture and good against evil. The Kingdom of Mandolyn is is in disarray. The male heir to the throne has died a mysterious death, then the King is found slaughtered is his own bed. The princess' personal guard, the benighted, Harlin is accused of the crime and imprisoned. This leaves Princess Royal of Mandolyn, Skylar to rule the kingdom with the devious adviser to the throne, Cross Lutherus, by her side. Cross Lutherus hopes to rule the kingdom his way through the Skylar; however, he has underestimated her and her guard Harlin terribly.

We meet our wonderful heroine Skylar as she is being tortured in prison for the escape of Harlin, who was accused of killing the King. Skylar is a well-developed character and one fierce princess! She is smart, brave and determined. Along with her protector, Harlin, who is mysterious and one of the fearless benighted, they are quite a team to go up against. Most of all this is a tale of right and wrong and standing up for yourself, these characters let you live that. Along with A.M. Dunnewin's beautiful and descriptive writing, you can see the kingdom, the prison and even the torture clearly. Even the romance, which I could usually do without is meaningful; especially because Harlin needs Skylar as much as Skylar needs Harlin. There is an equality and strengths, and that's amazing. There was also a heart-pounding, un-put-downable exciting ending which left me impatiently waiting for the next installment of this saga.