Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Question of Counsel
SERIES: The Republic #1
AUTHOR: Archer Kay Leah
PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press
LENGTH: 186 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 25, 2015
BLURB:
Life hasn’t been easy for Aeley since she arrested her brother, and her role as a political leader leaves her feeling isolated and lonely. Days before her brother’s trial, she meets Lira, a quiet and modest scribe who makes Aeley want more than just a professional relationship. When she attends the trial and leaves with a marriage contract, Aeley doesn’t know what to do. She must choose one of two brothers, marrying into a family she doesn’t know.
Then she discovers that Lira is part of the same family-a sister to Aeley’s suitors and the family’s disgrace. And not at all opposed to an intimate relationship. Except random acts of violence against her people test Aeley’s ability as a leader, and a web of lies and deceit threaten not only her chance at happiness, but her life…
REVIEW:
I’m not quite sure what to think about this book. This is a new author for me. For the most part, the book seemed alright as far as the plot and storyline, but it fell flat for me in a lot of spots. Maybe it seemed like there would be more action.
Aeley has become the new leader. She lost her father to death, and won against her traitorous brother in election. She doesn’t want to be a more passive leader like her father, but doesn’t know exactly how to change things. She’s still having a hard time getting over her brother attacking villages and killing people and with having to attack him to put him in jail. When a message comes to her that she needs to attend her brother’s trial, she dreads it. She knows his mouth and actions will be bad. And she’s not wrong. She also finds out her father made her a marriage contract before he died. She has no desire to be with the two brothers. In fact, her gaze has been captured by Lira, her scribe. As time passes, Aeley learns of attacks in neighboring villages and is trying to fix the problem. She’s also falling for Lira. When she herself is captured, she learns her brother’s reach goes farther than she thought and so do the betrayals his actions have brought forth. Now she must figure out how to save her people and bring the criminals to justice. And maybe see if Lira is interested in more than just a night.
I felt for Aeley. Living in your parent’s shadow, always feeling like you’re not measuring up to them. Having your own sibling betray your people. Definitely makes for not good days. And I don’t blame her for getting drunk most days either. Heck I’d want to as well. Being thrown into a marriage contract doesn’t help either, especially when the object of her desire isn’t even male. And the problems just keep adding up. It’s one blow after another and Aeley doesn’t even know if she can keep up anymore. I couldn’t do it. Being a parent of one is enough for me lol. The one thing that keeps her sane is Lira. She’s opinionated, mouthy, and perfect in Aeley’s eyes. The only thing she’s having a hard time with, is that Lira is being secretive when it comes to certain things. And then she finds out why. And enemies use that against her. She seriously can’t catch a break. But like anything in life, you have to keep getting up. Keep fighting. Keep moving forward. She has to learn some hard lessons, but when in life is anything ever easy.
Not a bad book. Like I said, the plot of the story was good. Give it a shot. Happy reading!
RATING: 
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