The Alliance of Isian

The Isian Series, Book 2

By: Serena Clarke

Narrated by: Carolyn Kashner

War is coming and all the kingdoms must choose a side. Isian decides to make an alliance with their long-time enemies in order to defeat a common enemy. So Isian sends a proposal, offering their daughter to the prince, in order to ensure an alliance. Princess Gabrielle and her new husband, Prince Alec must learn to work together and trust each other in order to triumph in the approaching war. With a mysterious beast attacking the kingdom, their lives in danger, and overcoming their vast cultural differences, will love grow despite their trials?

©2014 Serena Clarke (P)2016 Serena Clarke

Great adventure

This book had a medieval feel but with mythical creatures and added adventure. Great engaging reader

An Amazing Story!

Any additional comments?

This is an enchanting story and very difficult to put down. Gabrielle is a strong character and I could feel the emotions she was experiencing. I could feel her frustration in being forced to marry someone whose background was totally different from her own. Alec is likewise a strong character and has his definite opinions, but he is also very sensitive to Gabrielle’s feelings of inadequacy in marrying a stranger. What I loved about this story was the respect they gradually develop for each another over time and how they learn to understand one another's differences. I noticed the change in both characters, a change for the better, as Gabrielle and Alec fall in love. This is one of the best fantasies I’ve read. I'm sure I'll listen to it several times.

Alliance of Isian

Wow! This series just keeps getting better. Clarke melds fantasy with a vivid manner of storytelling that had me hooked. The intricate descriptions lend themselves to Clarke's vivid world building while the intimate voice allowed me to really get into the exciting and fast paced plot.

I love how Clarke showed the separation between those who approve of magic and those who don't. It's not just a given thing in this world. Many are against it, and for good reason. This divide added a complexity to this tale that I never expected.

I love how character driven this story was. It really allowed me a mulit-perspective view of the story. Beyond that, I truly enjoyed getting to know these new characters. They quickly and easily found a place in my heart.

All in all this was a fantastic story on it's own and an unforgettable addition to the Isian series. I'm dying to see what comes next!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent Audio Book

The Alliance of Isian is Book 2 in a series by Serena Clarke. I enjoyed the Prologue because it gave me a quick reminder of what happened in The Treasure of Islian, Book 1, which was a fantastic book. War is coming to the land and desiring an alliance, Princess Gabrielle from Isian, and Crown Prince Alex from Tandori will marry. I enjoyed that the author wrote several "stories" within the book. Gabrielle and Alex don't know or trust each other, there are several attempts on the Princess' life, a terrible creature is attacking the people.... so much action! I found this story to be so fast paced and exciting. I can't wait to listen to book 3, The Secret of Isian. The Isian series is fabulous. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

Fantastic Story!

I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review. This is a fabulous story. Both the writing and narration are impeccable. You will love this one.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

This is a very enjoyable story. Romance, some mystery, magic and mythical creatures. What else can ya ask for? The narrator did a fantastic job with the characters. This story holds your attention all the way to the end. If you're looking for a book to take you away to a far away place with filled magic and mythical creatures then this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book

Can one arranged marriage defeat flying beasts?

Any additional comments?

The Alliance of Isian by Serena Clarke is an charming story about how two people from very different cultures and backgrounds can learn to admire and eventually love the other after an arranged marriage. The story centers around Princess Gabrielle and her new husband, Prince Alec, who both agreed to the arranged marriage at the request of their parents in order to defeat a common enemy.

While at first I didn't care for Gabrielle's character because she seemed liked a stereotypical pampered princess, as did Alec's character, much of what I didn't like about her could be attributed to her cultural differences. Alec's kingdom and customs seem more similar to what we have today (or at least we did few hundreds of years ago) where hard work, determination, and vigilance is usually rewarded. Gabrielle's culture was more "magical" where the citizens can use the elements and nature to enhance one's abilities and gifts. Of course Alex mistrusts magic and forbids it, which puts a wedge between the pair just when they start to develop a mutual respect and admiration for the other. Through well written and good old fashioned storytelling, Gabrielle and Alec learn to trust each other and together they and their armies defeat the forces working against them, killing a few fantastical beasts along the way.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Carolyn Kashner, who did an admirable job with varying voices for each character. The Alliance of Isian is the second book in The Isian Series, following The Treasure of Isian, which in truth, I enjoyed slightly more than this story). In short, I highly recommend this book and entire series!

A great fantasy novel

I have just finished listening to another Audible book. The Alliance of Isian was such a great story! I loved the narration and being able to listen to it on my phone as I was doing other things.

The narrator Carolyn Kashner did a great job of bringing these characters to life.

My Review:


This book by Serena Clarke is a story of two kingdoms in what appears to me to be a medieval time setting during times of attacks from enemy kingdoms, a time of one kingdom seeking to gain power over the other.

Two royals of enemy kingdoms find themselves in an arranged marriage to bring together unity between their kingdoms. Gabrielle, the princess, who is also a very strong character in this book, is from Isian. In this kingdom magic is used for good. However, her new husband, Alec, the Tandorian, does not find this something tolerable. There are many differences in the kingdoms, both socially and in their customs and as Gabrielle and Alec work through their "Alliance" their two kingdoms must do so as well. This is not always with smooth sailing as spies and secret enemy plans try to cause this alliance to fail.

While I am not usually a fantasy reader, I did relate to the characters as they try to overcome the trials that they experience. The enemies often are in the form of magical creatures which cause destruction to their kingdoms and people. Gabrielle and Alec do not always see eye to eye and these conflicts cause some mistrust. In order for the kingdoms to unite and work together, it will first be necessary for their royalty to unite. How and will this indeed happen?

I enjoyed reading this book and reading a new "for me" genre. And I was happy that I read it because although fantasy, the characters faced real life issues and therefore made it easy for me to relate to their situations. I am sure that I will enjoy reading further books of this author's as well.

A very interesting and captivating read.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this Audible book for my honest review, which I have given. No monetary payment was received.

A sequel that's as good as the first!

I love it when the second book in a series is as engaging as the first book and this one definitely was! It took me a little bit into the book to figure out the relationship to the first book. But once I did, it was very intriguing. I loved that it was another story in the family. Serena Clarke has a way of developing the characters so you feel like you really know them. I found myself getting frustrated with them, laughing with them, and wanting to fix their situation! I always know when I've found a particularly good audio book because I found myself looking for times when I can listen to it throughout the day. The narrator also portrayed the characters excellently. I loved the accents she gave to each character. Thanks for a great book Serena Clarke!

Well Done

With a war and countries having to chose side, can an arrange marriage work. Learning to trust one another for love to have a chance, was well done. The narration added a tenderness to these two young people. Given audio for my voluntary review