Review: Warprize

Title Warprize
By Elizabeth Vaughan
For Fun
Source I own it
Recommended by Ang of Eastern Sunset Reads

First Sentence I pulled the shard out just as his wound began spurting blood.

Synopsis
Xylara is the daughter of a king but she is also a healer. With the her country at war and the opposing army at their doors, Xylara must make a choice. The Warlord has offered peace if he can claim her as a warprize.

General thoughts
This book was labeled under romantic fantasy so I was a little hesitant going into it. I used to read romance all the time as a teenager but nothing too racy, so I didn't know what to expect from this one. However, my fears were needless. Their was nothing too risque in this adventurous story. There was nothing "fantasy" either. There were hints of magic talked about but none happening. In fact, the whole story read more like a political, historical fiction with traces of romance than anything else. That's not to say I didn't like it, I did, I was just taken by surprise by the difference of the actual book and my expectations. However, I smiled and laughed at the characters and the romance. I was on the edge of my seat with the action and fascinated with the (old fashioned) healing descriptions. Only the political talk and detailed differences between Xylara's people and the Warlord's people had me slightly bored. I also went into this one thinking it was a stand alone book. It's not, there are four other books in the series so far. That actually makes me happy. I was a little disappointed in the way it all ended. I'm glad to to know there's more to come. I just hope it's not quite so political. ;) Bottom line: I liked it, it's been awhile since I've read a book like this, but I want more.

Characters
It's hard to talk about ALL the characters in a book like this, there were tons, so I'll just name a few. I loved: Xylara's spunk, Keir's soft side, Simus' gruff humor, Markus's overprotective nature, Anne and Othur's parent like love, Heath's loyalty, Atira's womanly advice, (giggle) and...Joden...Ah, Joden, screw the Warlord I would have run away with you!    

Would I recommend it?
Despite the lack of fantasy, (and I believe we'll see more as the series continues) I would recommend this to fantasy lovers who love a good war story and need some romance to go along with it.