The Ippos King

Soooo.... any news on a release date?<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1498486192ra/23130920.gif" width="531" height="398" alt="Related image" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">

<strong>I hate you grace draven!! This is too romantic for my heart to take!</strong><br /><br />I will admit that after waiting so long for this book I did not expect it to like it this much. But This couple just made my heart flutter so many times I can't even express how much I love them!!! And the next book will probably be just as good and i am going to have to wait 3 years for it. I am kidding About hating you Mrs Draven. Thanks for a satisfying book

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1600356908i/30119185.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="114" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1600356908i/30119186.gif" alt="" width="300" height="38" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>“We live for those we love,” she told him in bast-Kai. “We die for those we love. This is a privilege, Serovek, not a sacrifice.”</b><br><br>Embarking on this story was like having all my birthdays and Christmas rolled into one I was that excited to get started. This takes place in the aftermath of book 2 with a land clawing itself back from the devastation of a ruined and decimated kingdom, also, a people that has been leached of its very magic and its ability to capture the departed Kai’s mortem lights. A Land that has been brought to its knees by the previous Kai queen's ambitions. The events of this experience and battle against the malignant Galla has had a profound effect on all involved and the repercussions are still being felt by all especially the former wraith kings themselves. The mental and physical toll for both Brishen and Serovek is immense and both are having recurring nightmares.<br><br>We focus on two previous players fellow Wraith King and human friend and neighbour Serovek and Brishen’s second-in-command and cousin Anhuset. Serovek has taken great delight in his teasing of the prickly Kai female no matter how she tries to dissuade him otherwise and she constantly showcases her annoyance with his constant antics. Serovek can’t help but be fascinated and drawn to Anhuset he admires her resilience and strength of character and he makes no secret of the fact he is hugely intrigued by her.<br><br>So Serovek gets word from Megiddo’s brother regarding transporting the monk's mortal shell to the monastery in the Lobak Valley. Anhuset asks to accompany the Beladine Lord as a representative of the Kai and their close proximity along with their mutual respect and reliance further strengthens their existing bond. As you would expect from this author this is heavily plot led full of intrigue action with plenty of twists along the way. From the ruins of the Kai capital to the human Beladine court itself this was jam-packed throughout.<br><br>The Romance here is actually very slow burn but there was no lack of chemistry because of this.<br>Despite a gradual build-up, the connection resonates off the page with its sheer intensity and I believed wholeheartedly In the growing bond and affection developing. This is most certainly a story of friendship and trust before all else. I loved the evolving relationship emerging between Serovek and Anhuset. It showcased their strengths but also their vulnerability just so brilliantly and Anhuset is prepared to denounce everything to stand by the side of the man she has come to greatly admire and then love despite his human status. <br><br><b>“He resisted the temptation to close his eyes when she laid her hand gently against his cheek. “If the gods abandon us, I will be proud to die fighting at the side of Serovek Pangion, Margrave of High Salure and battle mate to Brishen Khaskem.”</b><br><br>A man that in return accepts her in her entirety for exactly who she is.<br><br><b>“I’m not sure I’d know what to do with a hair ribbon,” Anhuset finally said, addressing the stars above them.” “Probably strangle someone with it.” She choked on the wine she’d just sipped, and Serovek thumped her on the back until she quieted. Then she laughed, and he was lost.</b><br><br>This was also fantastically written the language used was lyrical but was also blunt when it needed to be not mincing its words and the descriptions were a carefully balanced blend of the two. I enjoyed this immensely and if you like historical-based fantasy that is predominately plot-driven and the romance almost a secondary concern this is the one for you. This world is just so fascinating and the world-building here is absolutely flawless. and I was captivated and drawn in from the second I picked this up losing myself in the unfolding story.<br><br>So you need to read this in order as it does follow a story arc throughout the series and you will struggle to follow along if you haven’t read books 1 &amp; 2. but this third book does concentrate on a different but still connected couple. So yeah I Highly recommend this series this author always delivers for me and is a definite auto-buy. it was also definitely worth the wait I loved it a massive thumbs up.<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1598991966i/30047768.gif" alt="Untitled design" width="686" height="88" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm<br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/">https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/</a><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://www.beckiebookworm.com">www.beckiebookworm.com</a>

Spent half the day gobbling this one up... SWOOOOOONNNNNNN!!!<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1599605624ra/30080025.gif" width="353" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Whoever said this isn't a romance, I beg to differ! Based on that comment I dreaded what I'd find coming in, but it IS a romance! It's ABSOLUTELY a romance! (just with not a lot of sex. Literally 1 pivotal scene and a cursory quickie described in 2 sentences toward the end. But it was enough. I could have used more, but it was not too little that I felt deprived)<br><br>Anywho... I created a new shelf with this one - favorite heroine. I'll have to mark the other books in which I loved the h with this new shelf too, but this is the book that created the shelf!<br><br>Anhuset is BADASS! Her character doesn't ever become "lesser" because of falling in love with a man. She becomes even stronger. LOVE HER SO MUCH!!<br><br>This couple is THE couple for me even when I read the other 2 books in this series by this author. I didn't really recall much about them except that they were good books and there was a human woman and a "alien" man involved - the Kai with sharp teeth and claws and serpent eyes and gray skin. That's all I recalled. I also recalled that the guy got his eye gouged out in book 2 that kinda pissed me off. I mean--WHY! I hate it when this type of "realism" comes into my romances.<br><br>But the most memorable about those 2 books was not the MCs. For me, it was this couple right here. I loved them from the moment they came onto the page. Serovek always had a BIG presence, and with a name like the Baletine Stallion (or somesuch) he had to have a BIG PRESENCE.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1605915588ra/30405985.gif" width="380" height="400" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I'm happy to note that he's not a manwhore. Just a normal, charismatic man with appetites. Nothing overboard. Hate manwhores. But the author doesn't skirt around the fact that he has lovers but doesn't focus on it either, which I thoroughly appreciated.<br><br>The female MC --the Kai warrioress and second in command of the King, LOVE HER TO PIECES!!<br><br>And the 2 of them on the page--?<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1605915588ra/30405986.gif" width="480" height="206" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I loved the development of their attraction (her fighting hers, him being very patient and just so MATURE). This book is 80% about their developing relationship, and I LOVE THAT!!<br><br>One of my fave books this year!<br><br>That being said, I didn't read every word like I do some other faves. But this is definitely a book I'd read again at some point in the distant future (not too attractive cover notwithstanding)

<b>UPDATE (09/18/20)</b><br><br><img alt="Whats The Status Whats The Update GIF - WhatsTheStatus Status WhatsTheUpdate - Discover &amp; Share GIFs" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1600414922ra/30121978.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>For those who are interested, the author posted on her blog (on 09/09/20) that the release date for <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/43627091.The_Ippos_King__Wraith_Kings___3_" title="The Ippos King (Wraith Kings, #3) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">The Ippos King</a> was changed from September 15, 2020 to October 6, 2020.<br><br>For further details from Grace Draven, see the link below:<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/20328673-the-ippos-king-release-date-changed">https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...</a><br><br>***<br><br><img alt="spoken-word shows – TOpoet" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1588550882ra/29408647.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>For those who've been waiting and/or interested, here is the latest update (April 3, 2020) from GD:<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/04/03/an-update-on-the-ippos-king/">https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020...</a><br><br><img alt="Really Gave It To Me GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1588550882ra/29408648.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>**SERIALIZED CHAPTERS NO LONGER AVAILABLE**</b><br><br>And here are the links to the serialized chapters (unedited and subject to change) being currently offered:<br><br><a href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/04/03/the-ippos-king-rough-draft-serialization-part-the-first/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <s>THE IPPOS KING – Rough draft serialization – part the first (April 3, 2020)</s> </a><br><br><a href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/04/10/the-ippos-king-rough-draft-serialization-part-the-second/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <s>THE IPPOS KING – Rough draft serialization – part the second (April 10, 2020)</s> </a><br><br><a href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/04/17/the-ippos-king-rough-draft-serialization-part-the-third/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <s>THE IPPOS KING – Rough draft serialization – part the third (April 17, 2020)</s> </a><br><br><img alt="Every NFL team's season, summed up in one GIF" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1588550882ra/29408649.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><a href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/04/24/the-ippos-king-rough-draft-serialization-part-the-fourth/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <s>THE IPPOS KING – Rough draft serialization – part the fourth (April 24, 2020)</s> </a><br><br><a href="https://www.blog.gracedraven.com/2020/05/01/the-ippos-king-rough-draft-serialization-part-the-fifth/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <s>THE IPPOS KING – Rough draft serialization – part the fifth (May 1, 2020)</s> </a><br><br><img alt="The Ippos King eBook by Grace Draven - 9781393065531 | Rakuten Kobo" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1588550882i/29408650.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>The book is now available for pre-order and set to come out on September 15, 2020:<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ippos-King-Wraith-Kings-Book-ebook/dp/B086RVJBV5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=the+ippos+king&amp;qid=1588550440&amp;sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.com/Ippos-King-Wra...</a><br><br><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="7d1a4c51-c163-4723-8e8b-413f68475dd3" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="7d1a4c51-c163-4723-8e8b-413f68475dd3"><br><br>***<br><br>Just thought I'd take a moment to share...<br><br><b>FB Update from Grace Draven (05/23/18):</b><br><br><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="1c322b7b-d771-4f28-b17e-76a295338120" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="1c322b7b-d771-4f28-b17e-76a295338120"><br><br><i>So, an update on The Ippos King.<br><br>I've resisted putting out a specific publishing date beyond 2018 for this book for multiple reasons. Here are a few:<br><br>1) Goodreads librarians like to keep things up to date there, so if they see a date being touted, that's what goes on there, and that's what GR followers see and treat as a concrete date, even if it's an estimated one.<br><br>2) I've not been far enough into my word count to even hazard a good guesstimate. I'm still not there, but I know what date I won't be able to meet. More on that.<br><br>3) My original goal of releasing this book in 2017 went by the wayside due to significant events in my personal life in 2016 and 2017. Shit happens. We don't expect it, we don't plan for it, and it throws the best laid plans right out the window. We're halfway into 2018. I'm sure something will pop up that will make a specific release date dicey. Crossing fingers I'm wrong.<br><br><u>Anyhoo, I had really hoped to get The Ippos King written, edited, revised and packaged for a publication date prior to July 25th. That will NOT be happening. Why so specific a date when I'd avoided them previously? Contractual obligations and non-compete clauses in my contract with Penguin.</u><br><br>Basically, I can't publish a novel-length work in my preferred genre two months before and three months after the Penguin title (PHOENIX UNBOUND) goes live. Its release date is September 25th, so that publishing moratorium on my other work goes in effect July 25th and lasts until December 25th.<br><br><u>I could rush The Ippos King, slap together the remaining 2/3rds of the book in 3 weeks, dump it in a rightfully pissed off Evil Editor Mel's lap and ask for a 4-day turnaround on edits. I won't. I'd rather take my time, write a better book, give my editor the time she needs to make it an even better book via edits and revisions and release it at the very end of the year.<br><br>So, while I'm still not going to give a specific date as of now, I can tell you the release won't, under any circumstances (breach of contract isn't a term I ever want to read in an email or hear in a phone call), be until after December 25th, even if I finish it in say...August. However, I will be working very hard to see that it does go live before end of 2018.</u><br><br>I almost never do pre-orders, but I might do it for this one. I'll keep y'all updated.<br><br>I've had some readers say they're tired of waiting for me to roll this book out, that they're done with me and won't read anything else of mine. Sorry to hear that. I hope you'll change your mind in the future. Fortunately though, there are some amazing books out there to snag and fill your library. And I'm always happy to recommend the authors I love.<br><br>For those of you who stick with me while I work on this book and series, I thank you for your patience and appreciate your understanding.<br><br>I've a couple of other smaller projects lined up that will go out between now and end of year. Novella lengths, in which one is the re-release of an older story and another will be done in late fall. And of course, PHOENIX UNBOUND in September.<br><br>Thanks!</i><br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/grace.draven/posts/10213737949215780">https://www.facebook.com/grace.draven...</a><br><br></label><br><br>If you don't feel like reading the full update (though I think it would be worth your while if you're a fan of this author and/or series), here is some key info for those of you who may be champing at the bit:<br><br><b>So, while I'm still not going to give a specific date as of now, I can tell you the release won't, under any circumstances (breach of contract isn't a term I ever want to read in an email or hear in a phone call), be until after December 25th, even if I finish it in say...August. However, I will be working very hard to see that it does go live before end of 2018.</b><br><br>I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled to know this book <i>might</i> come out at the end of December (fingers crossed) or arrive at some point in 2019. If I enjoy this one anywhere near as much as I did both <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/24473763.Radiance__Wraith_Kings___1_" title="Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">Radiance</a> and <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/25056040.Eidolon__Wraith_Kings___2_" title="Eidolon (Wraith Kings, #2) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">Eidolon</a> (and chances are good that I will with Serovek and Anhuset at the helm), it will have been definitely worth the wait! <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1520030931ra/25151853.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br></label></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

3.5 - 4 stars<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/grace.draven/posts/10207349803116120" rel="nofollow noopener">Teaser</a> for <i>The Ippos King</i> on Grace Draven's Facebook Page.<br /><br /><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="1318de01-345f-422e-80ef-efa2455b975e" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="1318de01-345f-422e-80ef-efa2455b975e"><br />Grace Draven<br />April 27 at 10:12am · <br />Teaser from THE IPPOS KING - Wraith Kings Book #3:<br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Serovek leaned down to rest his forearms on the balcony’s stone balustrade. A carpet of spruce treetops lay below him, so dark a green they looked almost black in the oncoming twilight. A few stood out from their brethren, their crowns dusted in a thin veil of snow that caught the last sparkle of light from the setting sun. The wind, gentler now as it glided through the mountain’s col and up its flank, whispered in his ears—mysterious words breathed by zephyrs, promising treasures beyond price and pleasures beyond imagining.<br />His companion stood beside him, oblivious to any seductive serenade. Her cloak swirled around her tall form, hinting at the lean, muscular body concealed by draping cloth. She raised a slender hand, her claws catching on the edge of her hood to fold it back and let it drop to her shoulders. Her head turned a fraction, just enough for Serovek to catch a glimpse of her yellow eyes edged in long, white lashes.<br />“Tell me again, sha-Anhuset,” he said in his most casual voice. “Why it is I must beg your forgiveness when it was you who stabbed me?”<br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />THE IPPOS KING <br />by Grace Draven <br />Copyright 2016 by Grace Draven <br />All rights reserved</label><br /><br />There will be 6 books in the series! <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://gracedraven.com/recent-faq/">http://gracedraven.com/recent-faq/</a> [Read 7th paragraph]<br /><br /><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="19d9752f-c2f5-4000-a6fa-39533db5501e" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="19d9752f-c2f5-4000-a6fa-39533db5501e">"EIDOLON is the second book in the Wraith Kings series and the direct sequel to RADIANCE. There will be 6 books total in the Wraith Kings series. WK Book #3 is titled THE IPPOS KING and will go out in 2017. While Brishen and Ildiko will make appearances in the books in the series, they’ll be relegated to secondaries after EIDOLON. Book #3 focuses on Serovek and Anhuset."<br />- <br /></label>

<blockquote><b>Clearly, something went awry in the intervening years since Eidolon</b> because this was unexpectedly sophomoric.<br /><br />The strength of <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/24473763.Radiance__Wraith_Kings___1_" title="Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">Radiance</a> and <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/25056040.Eidolon__Wraith_Kings___2_" title="Eidolon (Wraith Kings, #2) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">Eidolon</a> was in the crescendoing chemistry between Brishen and Ildiko <i>but also </i> the escalation of conflicts. Whereas, <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/43627091.The_Ippos_King__Wraith_Kings___3_" title="The Ippos King (Wraith Kings, #3) by Grace Draven" rel="noopener">The Ippos King</a>, IMO, relied more on conflicts to spur a romance that was cringey and uninspired. <br />Sha-Anhuset was not a heroine I could support even if she had the beauty of 10 fair maidens or the strength of 20 stallions. Everything about her was awkward and an agony to read. Likewise, Serovek, the hero, who became an inept bumbling fool for no other reason than "love". </blockquote>

I love Grace Draven's Books especially the Wraith Kings Series. I was excited to read this on Grace Draven Facebook page:<br />Ippos King-WK #3-Serovek and Anuset<br />The Nomas King-WK #4-Gaeres and Emerence<br />The Parias King-WK# 5-Andras and Zigana<br />The Anastas King -WK #6-Megiddo and Acseh<br /><br />Keep on Writing Grace Draven!!!

November 2020: I've waited... What is it 2? 3? years for this book. At one point I doubted we were never going to get it. And even if we did, how could it live up to expectations? <br><br>The short answer: It did. <br><br>The long answer: I don't have one yet. I need some time to let my thoughts settle. So, full review to come... maybe? <br><br><br><br>October 2020: It's... It's here? OMG it's here! Well Grace, you just slid that one in there didn't ya?<br><br><br><br>September 2019: Oh my Gods this cover!!! Anushet looks so bad-ass! I love it!<br><br><br><br>Expected publication DECEMBER 2019???!! <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1505304119ra/23912419.gif" width="400" height="265" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Why Grace? Just... Why?

I'm sorry to say but this installment wasn't quite worth the wait.<br /><br />As happens more often than I like, the build-up for a particular romantic pairing was better than the reality. The culmination of finally getting these two together? It just fell completely flat. I felt very little real chemistry for the majority of the romance. <br /><br />The tie-in to the big confict of book two is interesting, and I'm curious to see more of that play out in book four, but the actual telling of this story could've probably been summed up in a novella. <br /><br />Draven has written some really great stories and I'm not convinced this series should be scratched off that list yet. I'm keen for book four -- whenever that's to come.<br /><br />2.5 stars<br /><br />Full review to come (wasn't going to blog this one but I ended up ranting/writing more than I thought, so, might as well!).