The Pirate Prince (Ascension Trilogy Book 1)

DNF @ 14%This book basically exemplifies what I don't like about 90s bodice-rippers. It tries to keep to the breathless excitement and racy content of the originals, but by trying to make the hero a "nice guy," all of his actions start to feel... I don't know, hypocritical? He's supposed to kill the heroine for honor, but all he can do is obsess over her untouched state and how hot she is. Creeps McDeeps.The writing isn't bad, but I just don't really have patience for books like this anymore and I'm trying to clean out my Kindle, so I'm probably not going to be finishing this one, sadly.1.5 out of 5 stars

‘It has been fifteen years since Prince Lazar di Fiore last set foot on Ascencion.”FINAL DECISION: This book was uneven to me. There were parts that were compelling and beautiful and parts that just dragged and made me want to skip ahead. I ended up liking it more than not but I doubt I would read it again.THE STORY: Lazar di Fiori returns to avenge what was stolen from him. As a youth, his royal family was murdered and he barely escaped with his life. He intends on seeking revenge by killing the only daughter of his sworn enemy. Allegra Monteverdi inadvertently ends up in Lazar’s hands, and her sweetness and purity makes it impossible for Lazar to kill her. Instead, Allegra offers to be his captive in exchange for her family’s lives. Despite himself, Lazar agrees and finds himself challenged by a woman who demands that he be better than he could have imagined.OPINION: This book should have been tailor made for me. I love those dark, tormented heroes and Lazar definitely falls into that category. I could never fall completely into the story. I found it uneven and I didn’t become completely captivated by the story or the characters. Parts of the book were absorbing but so much was tedious and I felt like skipping ahead. I didn’t find the totality of Lazar’s journey as compelling as I might have expected. The story had the possibility to being a compelling and rollicking adventure, but while parts were great, there were too many parts that pulled me out of the grand adventure for me to think of the book as anything other than good but not great.WORTH MENTIONING: Spoilers: The book contains references to slavery and rape.CONNECTED BOOKS: THE PIRATE PRINCE is the first book in the Ascencion Trilogy.STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

I bought this book back when I didn't do reviews and recently decided to read it again because I didn't remember it. I like the way Ms Foley writes. This book was wonderful until about 80%. Basically the h is the daughter of the current governor of Ascension and the H is the missing son and heir to the late King. The h is being attacked by her fiance when the H swoops in to save her in the guise of a pirate. The H has been planning his revenge against the current governor and family for years because of what he suffered when his father was assassinated and the rest of his family killed. The H's intention is to murder the h in front of her father before killing the father. The h gets under the H's skin and in the end she sacrifices herself so that her father's life is saved. The H takes her away on his pirate ship because he has not intention of taking over Ascension. The h desperately wants him to take his rightful position and same the island from the poor situation it is in.+++Spoilers+++As I said I was really enjoying the book until 80% when the H becomes TSTL. He decides he won't marry the h because of a 'curse' on him, which causes everyone he loves to die. He made the h his mistress fairly early on but he declared his love for her at the same time. He decides to cut the h loose after everything they go through together. He calls her a wh*re and tells her he's tired of her. He treats her absolutely terribly and this was so close to the end that he couldn't be redeemed in my eyes. Worse still is that the whole island knows her as his wh*re and mistress - she was completely humiliated. She receives no recognition for the huge part she plays in him returning to take up as King or for her part in the plans for the island. Did I mention that she was pregnant too? He goes ahead with his plans to marry another woman up until the day before the wedding. I just couldn't see everyone coming around to respect her. Think Charles and Camilla here. A very disappointing end to what was shaping up to be a 5 star book.

Ms Foley's tales are good, but I've enjoyed better from Gaelen Foley. I've the other two to read, so hopefully this is a nice introduction to the others.

This was my first read of a Gaelen Foley book - I only purchased this book as a recommendation on Facebook from Julian Quinn. From the first chapter until the last I was taken on a great rollercoaster ride of emotions. What a brilliant story - you felt like you knew both Allegra and Lazar so well by the end of the book and just felt all their emotions. I highly recommend this book as well as 'Princess' which is the second book in the trilogy (loved Darius). I will start on The third book 'Prince Charming' as soon as I get some sleep as I read both books in the last day and a half (and I had to go to work!).

This book & series is a total addictive page turner. From the beginning I found I was completely invested with the lead characters. Each character had their own painful past to overcome to ensure their future happiness.

Amazing book......love it 😍😍😍

love it