Title: Fantasy Lover
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: January 31st 2002
First Sentence: “Honey, you need to get laid.”
Dear Reader,
Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn’t. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior’s day.As a love-slave, I knew everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander’s sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She, alone, bothered to take me out of the bedroom and into the world. She taught me to love again. But I was not born to know love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone.
As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace—the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two thousand year old curse?
Julian of Macedon
As the first sentence lets on, this book is full of risque “situations,” so to speak. I started this book without knowing that, and honestly, I don’t know if I would have picked it up if I had. I’m not big on the Erotica genre, and I like to avoid it. I’m glad I didn’t know, though. Otherwise I would have missed out on reading a really good book.
There was a lot behind the romance and sensuality, and I was thoroughly impressed at how Kenyon was able to incorporate it into her writing without it seeming fake, as that sort of thing is prone to do. Her writing was easy to read and she threw in bits of unexpected humor that was really pleasant and refreshing through all the dark themes.
Kenyon’s characterization was well-developed. Julian was a very complex character with a horrible past, and his actions and reactions were believable. He was an immensely sweet person and even though the curse had him desiring Grace in every way, he saw past that desire and ended up being able to care for her. The compassion that Grace showed him was sweet and endearing, as well as fitting for her character. Her friend Selena was a crack up! She was constantly trying to convince Grace that sleeping with Julian was the solution to all of her problems.
This was a really good book! If you can see past the numerous sex scenes, it will most likely touch your heart!
Filed under: Paranormal Romance, Reviews Tagged: | Fantasy Lover
I’m not big on the erotica genre either, and I don’t think this book is under that category although I’ve to admit it has several sensual scenes but that does not take away the story.
I haven’t read all the books by Sherrilyn Kenyon but this is my favourite book by her so far.
I agree! I don’t think this book falls under the erotica genre at all. But there was definitely a lot of it.
I want to read the rest of the series, but they’re going to have to wait until I read the other 50 or so books waiting for me!
Ditto – this book falls under paranormal romance. And, I agree, I enjoyed the backstory and actual development of the characters… Paranormal romance books are very much like your typical romance novels with a paranormal twist i.e. werewolves, vampires, immortal highlanders, demons, angels, faeries…etc. These types of books are sensual, but ultimately romantic in a very fantastical/paranormal way. Check out my blog for other suggested reads. I’m still developing the list, but you’ll find these books are Books with a Bite.
I have read most of Kenyon’s novels and this is one of my favorites. I like her love scenes as much as the rest. The great thing about Julian of Macedon is that the reader will continue to hear about him and his family throughout the series.