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Poland during the 17th century is a place and time period that I know little about. In fact, I didn’t know what the winged hussars were until I read this book. It is a period in time that I have never come across in fiction before, and so I was very excited to learn more about the history this book contained.
Jacek Dąbrowski is a winged hussar, a part of a cavalry unit, who finds himself both promoted and in conflict at the same time. Becoming a lieutenant gives him more opportunities, a better title, and he is one step closer to getting the lands that he so desires. Unfortunately, the captain, Mateusz, has it out for Jacek, and works against him, rather than with him.
Oliwia’s only goal is to protect her younger brother, Filip. When Jacek, enemy to Oliwia and Filip, saves them, something within Jacek changes. Slowly, over the course of the novel, as Oliwia grows into a woman and Jacek’s military career progresses, they begin to have feelings for each other, although neither of them seem to realise it at first. And, when they do, there appears to be too much happening for them to have a happily ever after.
This book is a mix of action packed scenes and a slow building romance between two characters who are easy to fall in love with. This book screams historical accuracy, and as you read, it is incredibly clear that a lot of work and research has gone into writing this book. The writing will pull you in, and you absolutely will not be able to put this book down. You do not need to be an expert on the era to keep up with what is going on, and with such well crafted characters, you almost live, rather than read, the story.
There is a cliffhanger at the end of this novel, the kind that makes you sit back, staring at the last page in disbelief that it has been left, and that you cannot keep reading. It is the kind of book that makes you absolutely desperate to read book 2.
He must choose between his lifelong ambition and his heart.
Exploiting Muscovy’s Time of Troubles, Poland has invaded the chaotic country. Twenty-two-year-old Jacek Dąbrowski is an honorable, ferocious warrior in a company of winged hussars—an unrivaled, lethal cavalry. When his lieutenant dies in battle, Jacek is promoted to replace him, against the wishes of his superior, Mateusz, who now has more reason to eliminate him.
Jacek dedicates his life to gaining the king’s recognition and manor lands of his own. Consequently, he closely guards his heart, avoiding lasting romantic entanglements. Unscathed on the battlefield, undefeated in tournaments, and adored by women eager to share his bed, Jacek has never lost at anything he sets out to conquer. So when he charges toward his goals, he believes nothing stands in his way.
Upon his return from battle, Jacek deviates from his ordinarily unemotional mindset and rescues enemy siblings, fifteen-year-old Oliwia and her younger brother, Filip, from their devastated Muscovite village. His act of mercy sets into motion unstoppable consequences that ripple through his well-ordered life for years to come—and causes him to irretrievably lose his heart.
Oliwia has her own single-minded drive: to protect her young brother. Her determination and self-sacrifice lead her to adopt a new country, a new religion, and a new way of life. But it’s not the first time the resilient beauty has had to remake herself, for she is not what she appears to be.
As Jacek battles the Muscovites and Tatars threatening Poland’s borders for months at a time, Oliwia is groomed for a purpose concealed from her. All the while, Mateusz’s treachery and a mysterious enemy looming on the horizon threaten to destroy everything Jacek holds dear.
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Griffin Brady
