The Life & Times of a Book Addict: The Prince (The Florentine #0.5) by Sylvain Reynard

Publication: January 20, 2015

Publisher: Penguin Group / InterMix

Source: Publisher & Brought/Own

The unveiling of a set of priceless illustrations of Dante’s Divine Comedy at the Uffizi Gallery exposes the unsuspecting Professor Gabriel Emerson and his beloved wife, Julianne, to a mysterious and dangerous enemy.

Unbeknownst to the Professor, the illustrations he secretly acquired years ago were stolen a century earlier from the ruler of Florence’s underworld. Now one of the most dangerous beings in Italy is determined to reclaim his prized artwork and exact revenge on the Emersons, but not before he uncovers something disturbing about Julianne …

Set in the city of Florence, “The Prince” is a prequel novella to “The Raven,” which is the first book in the new Florentine Series Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard.

“The Prince” can be read as a standalone but readers of The Gabriel Series may be curious about the connection between The Professor’s world and the dark, secret underworld of “The Prince.”

The Prince was a very interesting and quick read. It takes place in Florence, where the Prince (Who turns out to be the Ruler for all supernatural beings) is angry that Gabriel Emerson has stolen or illegally obtained his artwork. Artifacts that were stolen from the Prince centuries ago. Because of this, the Prince believes that justice must be served and Gabriel has to be killed, but things don’t go according to his plan thankfully. His attention is diverted momentarily when there is an attack on Florence.

It was great to see Gabriel and Julia make a little appearance again. I think they will always be one of my all-time favorite couples. But make no mistake; this series is not really about them. I liked learning more about the Prince and his motives. He seems to be a very intriguing and complex character.

Sylvain Reynard has introduced us to a brand new world that is supernatural, suspenseful, mysterious, romantic, and dark. I cannot wait to see how this series develops. This novella definitely wet my appetite for Sylvain Reynard’s upcoming book, The Raven. The Raven is slated to be released on February 3, 2015.

Excerpt from THE PRINCE by Sylvain Reynard

In the distance, the Prince could hear voices and muffled sounds.

He approached silently, almost floating across the floor.

Desperate groans and the rustling of fabric filled his ears, along with the twin sounds of rapidly beating hearts. He could smell their scents, the aromas heightened due to their sexual arousal.

He growled in reaction.

The corridor was shrouded in darkness but the Prince could see that the professor had his wife up against a window between two statues, her legs wrapped around his waist.

Her voice was breathy as she spoke, but the Prince tuned out her words, moving closer so he could catch a glimpse of her lovely face.

At the sight of it, flushed with passion, his old heart quickened and he felt the stirrings of arousal.

It was not his custom to observe rather than participate. But on this occasion, he decided to make an exception. Careful to remain in the darkness, he moved to the wall opposite the couple.

The woman squirmed in her lover’s arms, her high heels catching on his tuxedo jacket. Her fingers flew to his neck, undoing his bow tie and tossing it carelessly to the floor.

She unbuttoned his shirt, and her mouth moved to his chest, as murmurs of pleasure escaped his lips.

The Prince felt more than desire as he watched the woman’s eager movements. He caught a glimpse of her exquisite mouth and the toss of her long hair that would no doubt feel like silk between his fingers.

She lifted her head to smile at the man who held her close and he could see love in her eyes.