The Prince of Secrets

Stariel, Book 2

By: AJ Lancaster

Narrated by: Finty Williams

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Well-bred women should not be seen kissing their butlers. Even when the butler in question is secretly a fae prince.

Wyn knows falling for Hetta Valstar is a bad idea. She's not only human but the new magically bonded ruler of Stariel Estate. If their relationship gets out, it'll cause a scandal that could ruin their attempts to sort out the estate's crumbling finances. Of course, it doesn't help that Stariel has decided it doesn't like him. 

But much more than just jealous, sentient estates and Hetta's good name are at stake. Wyn’s past is coming back to bite him. Ten years ago, he broke an oath and shattered the power of his home court, and the fae have been hunting him ever since. Now they’ve found his hiding place, and they won’t rest until he’s dead or the debt is repaid - and they don’t play nicely.

©2019 AJ Lancaster (P)2020 Podium Audio

Not as fun as the first one...but still good!

For some reason, I had a harder time getting into this book. Maybe because it started off from Wyn's point of view and I really wanted to keep hearing the story from her angle. If anyone else is apprehensive about this same thing, rest assured that the author uses both perspectives and does a VERY good job of spanning it out. Some authors like to get to the crux of a situation and BOOM! CHARACTER CHANGE! This author doesn't aim to infuriate you like that lol.

The story is evenly paced. Character developments make sense and follow through the entire storyline. Its a fun ride with some romance, humor, action, "suspense," and world building appropriately sprinkled throughout.

The story gets and remains interesting. I truly enjoyed it. I love the narrator. I feel she does an amazing job. Good pace, good inflections, good enunciation, etc. Very well done!

Fantastic

One of the best books I have listen to in awhile. Clean and not what I expected. loved everything about this book. Definitely worth your time and money or credit.

Even Better than Book 1

The first book peaks your interest in this world and the second continues to build your anticipation! What will happen next? I am looking forward to listening to Book 3. The narration is excellent. Just the sitter changes in her voice make it easy to identify which character is speaking.

Engaging story, great narrator

Great narrator and the story kept me engaged from beginning to end. Highly recommend this audiobook!

An easy, enjoyable fantasy listen!

While I never fell head over heels for the first book, I liked it enough to continue. To my delight, this book was better. I found it incredibly entertaining and the build-up for book three is intriguing. It is worth the listen!

Excellent!

Loved it! Wonderful narrator! Strong heroine from book 1, hero not a sap. Thank God.

Loving this story

I have been enjoying this story a great deal. The personalities are all well-defined, and the story has pulled me in. I particularly like the different twist given to this world- so different than the norms of the “fae genre” but still incorporating the most intriguing parts and with satisfying detail.
So far I’ve found few series as interesting as “The Cruel Prince” but this one has something I like more. Yes the heroine is human and shows herself smart, capable and strong, but the fae hero ALSO gets to display his own strengths and capabilities. Most books tend to have one, usually the heroine these days, outshine the other. I like that so far, both contribute to solving problems, and all the main characters have their own moments as well.

Can’t wait to keep going

This series made me go out and buy a pack of three credits so I could keep reading! I didn’t want to wait a minute. I’m so glad I found this series- it’s fun and engaging and fresh as well. The characters are delightful and I want more!

most interesting story and lovely romance

Interesting characters with solid reasons behind flaws and strengths. I enjoy them all and watching them grow.

Very enjoyable

I've very much enjoyed this and the first book. I'm finding the story, characters and world evolving and immersive.

Excellent warm feeling fae story

Not as dark as a lot of fae stuff. The mixture of Downton meets fae fantasy is excellent comforting escapism.

everything a great story should be

I love this book it's easy to listen to not so overly complicated a plot that you have to really catch every word to understand what's going on.
yet intriguing enough to keep you wanting to listen to the hole book
love the narrator she give every character depth and personality.
on to the next in the series.

Very enjoyable yet again

I'm pleased to say, the story continues in just as strong a vein as the first book.
Finty Williams is once again excellent and a joy to listen to. I've noticed that she does not narrate the last book in the series and am already not looking forward to the change over.

almost as good as the first

I love the narration, the imagination, and the story. I got hooked immediately on the first in the series which was blindingly good for a free included audiobook. This one was so nearly as good and I would highly recommend as worth a listen

Far too boring to finish the book

1st book was so good that I bought the 2nd, and couldn't even get halfway to the end... It took ages listening to the doubts the characters have, repeated too many times, instead of developing the story. Disappointing.

A Throughly Enjoyable Tale

SPOILER ALERT !

I really enjoyed listening to Finty Williams narration of The Prince of Secrets and the previous book Stariel. The story is based on the Valstar family and their connection to the family land. Wyn is a fae in hiding and has been living as a servant for around ten years in the family home, I don't think the date is mentioned but i believe it would be around the early 1900's. Magic and mayhem ensue when the current Lord dies,Hetta comes home and a romance is between Hetta and Wyn is rekindled. The fae have been searching for Wyn and was found only by chance. They struggle to get fae off the land and away from both Wyn and Hetta.
Finty Williams has the perfect voice for this series. She brought the characters to life wonderfully.

The Second Book doesn’t let you down.

Glorious, funny and what you need for a bit of escape. Enjoy the mad world of Lord V and her Fae … frenemies

Another wonderful story

I love this series. The narration is excellent, and it’s so easy to get lost in this wonderful world.

I’m loving this series

This is a beautifully descriptive story, made more so by exquisite narration. I’m really loving it and looking forward to Book 3.

The Prince of Secrets

Initially this story was very much like the first, the author using the same phrases several times in the first four/ five chapters and the themes mirroring the first story. However,listeners , please do continue to listen as the story gathers a good momentum. I think sometimes when writing a second book writers get so engaged with the first it is hard to break away from some sentiments from the first, a first novel gives one power.
After my initial grumble, the story grew on me and I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to the third, a story can grow with each re-imagining how exciting for both author and listeners/readers.