Hidden Treasure by V.B. Kildaire

Hidden Treasure by V.B. Kildaire
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: m/m, Fantasy, adventure
Page Count: 266 pages

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

According to legend, five hundred years ago the country of Connmeera sent an exceptional gift to the country of Ormslea, but the ship was overtaken and the treasure lost. Now proof of the treasure has been found in the vast, daunting country of Jarvoct, and Connmeera and Ormslea mount a joint venture to recover the treasure. Ormslea sends Jaxom Archeron, the son of a noble family, an elite soldier known for his dedication to duty. But the Queen of Connmeera chooses Lord Dorian Pelias, a poor relation who could benefit even if the mission is unsuccessful.

While the two men at first have nothing in common, as they travel, Dorian's intelligence, optimism, and kindness work their way past the wall of resolve Jaxom long ago constructed around his heart. When a Jarv prince attempts to enslave Dorian for his own purposes, Jaxom comes to his rescue, shaken by how much Dorian has come to mean to him. Recovering the treasure isn't the only challenge they will face as they search for common ground and a life in disparate countries that may not be so pleased to welcome them home.

Kris’ Review:

At 266 pages, Hidden Treasure by V. B. Kildaire is a true fantasy novel. A strange quest, an old map, and two unlikely partners in a perfectly paced adventure make this book a delight to read.

Written from a third person point of view, the paragraphs of the book alternate between the points of view of both Jaxom and Dorian, the main characters. The switch never feels awkward and the writing is consistent throughout, making the transitions seamless. The main characters are carefully crafted through their trials during their quest, and the fact that they embark on this journey with only each other as company makes for a rather intense read.

The limited amount of characters overall lends a focus to the story, and allows Ms. Kildaire to fully develop her protagonists in every way. Jaxom comes across as a serious and devoted soldier with a past. Yet, it’s difficult to quite grasp Dorian at first because he's so nice and caring, which makes us wonder what’s so special about him. But, as the plot advances, the reader, along with Jaxom, discovers the strengths of Dorian, as Ms. Kildaire make us fall in love with him along with Jaxom. And vice-versa: Jaxom is revealed as more than a soldier, and the snippets we get of both characters' pasts ground them further in reality and makes us feel for them. Both characters definitely come alive through the pages, as two strong and stubborn men who know what they want and who are a pleasure to follow along during their adventure.

The plot is tight and very carefully woven in that every single scene has a reason, whether it is to showcase a new facet of the characters or to allow them to develop further. There is nothing extraneous in either dialogue, action, or the sex scenes. Hidden Treasure strikes the perfect balance between plot development and character development, with the extra oomph for hotness.

The sex itself feels like a natural extension of the narration in that it's definitely hot and a pleasure to devour. One minor quibble is the seeming absence of anything qualifying as lube, which is slightly distressing. But since this is fantasy, I just tried to assume Jaxom and Dorian were using it but dispensed in telling the reader. In addition, while the pace of the plot was mostly sedate, the ending is more of a whirlwind because there is no definite resolution to Jaxom and Dorian's story, even though both characters come into their own, with their journey having had a real impact upon their selves and morals. It left me wanting, which is a bit frustrating.

The fantasy aspect is exceedingly well developed. Hidden Treasure is definitely as much a romance as a fantasy story, and it is written accordingly. The fantasy details are not dwelled upon in lengthy a manner, but explained just right. I was immersed and fascinated by the world Ms. Kildaire created immediately. While the opening chapters were slightly laborious, the book quickly hits its stride and doesn’t feel long at all. The differences between Jaxom and Dorian's cultures are fascinating, and many milestones in the book (including some of the ones described in the summary) involve clashing culture points. The evolution of both characters with regards to their beliefs is wonderful to witness. The treasure itself was dealt with in an impressive manner: just like the characters in that we don't quite know what to expect. When Jaxom and Dorian finally come to discover it, it’s exactly what it should be, which is completely satisfying.

There story is well-written and the layout is pleasing to the eye and relaxing to read on the screen, as usual with the publisher.

In brief, Hidden Treasure by V. B. Kildaire is a must read for anyone who is a fan of well-written fantasy quests with a dash of hot sex between two very intense characters.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Kris!



Have Your Book Reviewed

Become A Reviewer