Book Review: The Crown's Dog by Elise Kova

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The Crown's Dog
Golden Guard #1
Author: Elise Kova
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: November 22nd 2016
Review Source: Silver Wing Press

The Golden Guard Trilogy is a series of Air Awakens prequel novels telling the story of how Prince Baldair's Golden Guard was formed.

A coastal summer is turned upside down by a violent murder, and a quest for lost pirate treasure turns into a hunt for the killer.

Jax Wendyll is the crown's dog. As punishment for the unspeakable crimes that torment him to this day, his life has been conscripted to the Empire Solaris. However, in an Empire afflicted by peace, his duties are relegated to unquestioningly aiding the antics of the youngest prince, Baldair.

Erion Le'Dan, a nobleman's son, expects a quiet summer visit to the Imperial Palace, his only agenda to visit with his unlikely friends. But Jax's discovery the legendary pirate Adela Lagmir's old workroom inspires a hunt for her long lost treasure.

The pursuit of Adela's truth takes the three men to the Imperial summer manor, built along the old pirate mainstays. When Adela's trident is branded into a murdered servant, Prince Baldair's summer amusement of treasure-hunting becomes a hunt to find the killer. But, as mysteries compound, the ghosts of Jax's past may not be the only things haunting them.

"Baldair looked to Erion, and they both gave a nod of resolve. Their chase was only just beginning. But for the first time, the winds had shifted in their favor."

Long before the epic tale of the Wind Walker and her Fire Lord lover, Baldair and his two golden guards went on a summer holiday. Rife with adventure and debauchery, chasing the rumored "crown treasure" of the south, but fun quickly turns to murder.

With all fingers pointing to one of Baldair's Golden Guard, it can't be that simple, can it? Prince Baldair, Lord Erion and the Crown's dog Jax are on the hunt for the pirate ghost Adela, or whomever is using her name for their own nefarious ends.

I have been so excited, sitting on an arc copy, waiting eagerly for it's release to say I LOVE getting to read more of Prince Baldair, and his golden guard. Seeing more of the side characters I have grown to love from reading the Air Awakens saga, it's like coming home again!