Historical Fantasy Review: The Anatalian Countess

on
The Anatalian Countess, Book 2 of The Anatalian Series, is a strong continuation that craftily combines a character-building breath of fresh air, still with those episodic heart -pounding -wrenching moments, and sets up book 3 to be an intense read that I can hardly wait for.

Spoiler alerts of book 1! If you have not read it, go to book 1's review, The Anatailan Solider, instead. 

The Blurb: Margaret loses everything when Liam Fulton stumbles upon her country home, bringing soldiers in his wake who are trying to capture him. Guilt-ridden for turning her life upside down, Liam spirits her away to the town of Marbon, where he knows she'll be safe if she'll stay put. Can they escape Liam’s past, or is Margaret’s future ruined beyond repair?


Aptly named, this book is Margaret's tale to tell—although like the first novel, we still have Liam as a second main character. The book picks up right around where book 1 left off where we see Liam and Margaret's paths about to cross. Well, let me tell you, Mikkelson does not beat around the bush to get started in this book. Here I thought poor Liam would get some respite and he and Margaret would become friends over time or perhaps more. Nope. He only (thankfully) gets a bath. Mikkelson takes us on the run with Margaret in tow, and as you can imagine, Margaret is not at all happy about it. In Marbon, we visit with the old couple who extend the kindness they gave Liam to Margaret and take her in as their own. There are trials, tribulations, projects, and dreams, but for the most part, there is a lot of growth in their characters with just enough action bits to keep you turning pages.

Characterization was the strength of this novel. Liam is understandably less of the optimist he had been, resigned to his fate, and not even wanting to hear important information that could change his life or allow him to fall in love. Although it makes me a bit sad to see him this way, it is absolutely realistic, and I can’t wait to hopefully see him rise back up into happiness--although I'm guessing that is a long way off. 

Margaret, on the other hand, has grown up. Through her trials falling from court due to her father's illness, she has been humbled and is kind to most. She is also still stubborn and will not see reason. The title of this book is her hope to of one day becoming Countess in her father's stead. She is all what a countess would be--the good and the bad. Part of me wanted her to be a bit less naïve, but I think she has been set up to be humbled yet again, so Mikkelson progressed their characters right on time. I just need to be a more patient reader and remind myself this is a saga of many books--6 altogether in this series, according to the author's website.

What I liked about this one is the story takes on a slow-burn romance, something I was hoping I had caught the clues to accurately in book 1. So there is a little something for everyone in this series: historical vibe, political intrigue, action, romance, and those lighter moments that lift you from the dark and heavy. All around a perfect balance.

The Anatalian Countess, Book 2 of The Anatalian Series, is a solid continuation and set up for the series. Character growth, action, emotional turmoil—in a fantasy world much like our historical one—shows the duplicity of mankind and our brutality to others.