#BookReview: His Captive Princess by Kiru Taye | #HisCaptivePrincess #RHOSaene @KiruTaye

His Captive Princess is Book 3 of the Royal House of Saene series from Love Africa Press. Before I continue, I should mention (especially those who are new to me of my blog) that I wrote book 2 of the series, His Inherited Princess. Aside from communication to ensure consistency in common aspects of the series, we had very little input in each other's stories, so just like you, I’d been eagerly awaiting the release of this book.

BLURB

Isha Saene has perfected the act of balancing her life—a celebrated corporate negotiator spearheading an international trade deal that could catapult her country to one of the fastest growing mid-sized economies in Africa, and a loyal First Princess of Bagumi Kingdom set to seal ties with a neighbouring nation through marriage.

Until one careless moment knocks her carefully choreographed life into chaos.

Zain Bassong has always fought for the underdog—a patriot dedicated to fighting against the oppression of his people by the country's elite. He believes the pen is mightier than the sword and chooses the diplomatic route, no matter how many times he is arrested by the repressive regime.

Until devastating news triggers a chain reaction.

Isha and Zain are thrown together and their lives change. For better or worse? They will have to figure that out before it’s too late.



MY REVIEW 

The story starts about ten years in the past where Isha Saene, an impressionable college freshman disguised as a commoner, falls head over heels in love with a man ten years her senior. Fortunately for her, the feelings are mutual, and she starts a relationship with him. The fact that he’s a commoner and she has a state marriage in her future does not matter - until it does. Sadly, the fairytale doesn’t last and both are left with scars.


When they reunite ten years later, Isha is Zain’s captive, a pawn he intends to leverage to his advantage (for a good cause). However, nothing is what it seems and the both discover new things about their past that have huge implications for their future.

I enjoyed meeting Isha as a young girl, innocent and yet strong and passionate, and seeing her growth over the course of the story. Although Zain was much older at the start of the story, he also had some growing to do and lessons to learn.

Both Zain and Isha are well-rounded characters. Zain was definitely alpha, but Isha was a perfect match, and the passion between them sizzles. I enjoyed reading a romantic suspense with authentic portrayal of political and cultural issues in West Africa. Although that formed a good portion of the story, it didn’t overshadow the romance.

His Captive Princess is a great conclusion to the story of the princesses of Bagumi. I highly recommend it.

Check out my review of His Defiant Princess by Nana Prah, book one of the Royal House of Saene series.