Daughter of Mystery

Novel of Alpennia, Book 1

By: Heather Rose Jones

Narrated by: Kitty Kelly

Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit Baron Saveze's fortunes—even less his bodyguard, a ruthlessly efficient swordswoman known only as Barbara. Wealth suddenly makes Margerit a highly eligible heiress and buys her the enmity of the new Baron. He had expected to inherit all, and now eyes her fortune with open envy.

Barbara proudly served as the old Baron's duelist, but she had expected his death to make her a free woman. Bitterness turns to determination when she finds herself the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron's greed.

At first Margerit protests the need for Barbara's services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away. And Barbara's duty has become something far more hazardous to her heart than the point of a sword. But greater dangers loom than one man's hatred—the Prince of Alpennia is ill. Deadly intrigue surrounds the succession and the rituals of divine power known as The Mysteries of the Saints.

Heather Rose Jones debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love.

Contains mature themes.

©2014 Heather Rose Jones (P)2022 Tantor

Why did I keep listening to this book?

Seriously, why? I was brought here on a search for “sapphic romance”, which was maybe 3.5% of the story. I honestly have no idea what kept me. The plot was very slow and difficult to follow, there’s a lot of legal jargon that’s very confusing (but not like real legal jargon…more like fantasy world legalese). Maybe 2 characters outside of the MCs stood out to me enough to remember their names and roles - the rest all blurred together, and wow there were a lot of characters. The narrator was good, but not spectacular.

But I.? Kept.? Listening.?

I have never been more neutral in my feelings about a book. I don’t regret the time I took listening to it, but I can say it had neither positive nor negative impact on my life.

I do have to put in some applause to the narrator. I knew EXACTLY who the character of (see, I’m blanking on one of the MC’s names 10 minutes after the book ended because it made that little impression on me…oh yeah) Barbara is and what she is about because her voice was, I would guess, based on Brianne of Tarth (Gwendolyn Christie) from GOT the HBO series. Well done on that!