Blog Tour - A Fool's Errand by Maureen Fergus

Title: A Fool's Errand (The Gypsy King #2)

Author: Maureen Fergus

Publisher: Razorbill Canada

Release Date: October 8, 2013

Source: ARC from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Chapters Indigo

More action. More romance. More intrigue. Get ready to dive into the exciting follow-up to The Gypsy King!

In the final moments of The Gypsy King, a truth was revealed to Persephone and Azriel--one that could change everything forever. For her. For him. For them. For the entire kingdom.

But trapped in a windowless castle chamber with soldiers battering at the door, it seems impossible to believe that they'll even survive. Indeed, they are a heartbeat from death when Azriel boldly bargains with the Regent Mordecai: release them and they will seek out the mythical healing Pool of Genezing. Mordecai agrees but warns that if they do not return with proof that the pool exists, he'll make those dearest to them suffer--and he'll start with King Finnius.

Persephone has never needed Azriel's teasing warmth as much as she needs it now, but she is finding out there is a price to pay for having broken past promise. Together, they set off on a journey that will take them into the fattest corners of the kingdom. Danger will ever lie ahead and behind them; they will battle men and beasts alike. Will Persephone and Azriel survive these perils? And will this quest see their romance grow cold--or will it burn hotter than ever?

*****Contains spoilers for the first book*****

Ever since I started blogging, I've been finding myself reading more and more fantasy, a genre I had previously stayed away from. It was just never something I enjoyed. But it's books like Maureen Fergus' A Fool's Errand that make me want to keep giving fantasy a try because, every once in a while, I find myself getting completely engrossed in the story.

Having lived her life as a slave and servant, Persephone never expected to discover she was King Finnius' long-lost twin sister. This new revelation changes everything. Not just for Persephone, but for everyone around her. In an effort to save her brother, herself and those she has come to care about, Persephone sets off on a quest to find the mythical Pool of Genezing for the Regent Mordecai. Along the way, things changed between Persephone and Azriel, in a way Persephone can't quite explain. The one thing she is sure of is that she needs Azriel by her side, it's the only way she can make it through this.

So fantasy. Never something I was really into before I started blogging. I know I say this pretty much every time I review a fantasy book, but it's the truth. I'm always worried whenever I pick up a book knowing that it's a full blown fantasy story--worried that I'm not going to enjoy it. But with A Fool's Errand I didn't have any of my regular apprehensions, probably because it's the sequel to a book I've already read and enjoyed. A Fool's Errand picks up right where The Gypsy King left off. Right from page one, I was in the thick of the action and there wasn't something happening. Though it admittedly took me a few pages to get my bearings and remember what exactly had happened at the end of the first book, it made it really easy to get into the story. Like with The Gypsy King, there is a lot happening in A Fool's Errand. There are multiple stories to follow, questions that need answers, mysteries that need to be solved. And that all makes the story that much more interesting. The fact that there was always something happening helped to keep me engrossed in the story. That, and I wanted answers to certain questions as much as some of the characters did. Wanting to see Persephone and Azriel's relationship blossom also helped.

I have to admit that I liked Persephone more in A Fool's Errand more than I did in The Gypsy King. After everything that happened in the first book, she felt more genuine and there was less lying on her part. I loved seeing her struggle with how she felt for Azriel. I obviously knew what it would all lead to, but I still really enjoyed seeing it all come together. And I'll admit that, much like Persephone, I, too, might be a little bit in love with Azriel. There's just something about him. He always seems full of mischief while at the same time being fiercely loyal and willing to do anything to protect Persephone. And in all honesty, compared to some of the other men in the book, Azriel seems like he is a stellar human being. Mordecai on the other hand is a despicable human being. There really isn't any other way to describe him. Every time he does anything all I really want to do is cringe…when I'm not completely creeped out by him. I'm really hoping that he finally will get what's coming for him in the next book.

Maureen Fergus' A Fool's Errand was what I hoped it would be: an action-packed, engrossing story with just the right does of romance. It's books like this one that are slowly convincing me that fantasy might be something I want to be reading more of. Now I just can't wait to see what happens in the next book!