Rating: 4.5⭐️
Cmdr. Gen. Rufus Triever, best friend of the Dark King Keith is enamored with renowned bard Bronwynn Lyriel, and has been from the moment he heard her singing in a tavern a year ago. Bard Bronwynn is the childhood best friend of Henrietta Doryn,the newly wedded Dark Lady of Nilheim.
However the events surrounding the kidnapping of Hetty and the subsequent assassination attempts are still having ramifications for their kingdom and this couple’s many other friends. Including Bronwynn. Who’s suspected of being a spy!
It’s up to Rufus to prove Bronwynn’s innocence, while traveling with her to her shows, a journey of unraveling their mutual secrets. A trip that becomes a slow burn romance, as well as one of investigative fantasy adventure.
We meet so many wonderful characters that are beautifully crafted, each so vividly described and rendered by colorful details that they feel so real. From a highly opinionated, emotionally challenging horse to families who have a surprising diversity and depth of character and diversity. There’s characters who are struggling with past trauma and those who finally realize their potential and need for a new stage in life.
I Ran Away to Evil might be a challenge for those readers who aren’t gamers or familiar with the genre of LitRPG Rom-Com trope.
The LitRPG Rom-Com trope which, if you’re not a gamer, means that the story and or series has a LitRPG, or Literary Role-Playing Game incorporated into its format. Its characters can go on quests, check their stats (which these do often) as far as their various levels and abilities anywhere during the narrative.
It can work well, as it does here. Although I’ve found it can also be a bit more challenging in some other novels. Really depends on the author and reader tastes.
For another fun element, there’s a “Bridgeton” type announcement that’s anonymously written that makes several serious and not so serious statements about ongoing events.
Who is writing this is a mystery to be solved in the final book! The guessing flies hard here.
I love it when I’m reading and the characters and story continues to evolve and surprise me. Happily.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Wonderful story!
Cover design by MsArtsy and Jenny Zemanek
Interior illustrations by Arturo Gómez Martínez and Leah Zink
I Ran Away to Evil: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com, books 1-3
Each with a different main couple and storyline that fits within the series arc
Buy Link:
I Ran Away to Evil 2: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com
Blurb
The Dark Lord’s royal guard and the continent’s most famous bard face assassins—and an unexpected attraction—in the second book of this romantasy series.
Cmdr. Gen. Rufus Triever is known throughout Valaria for his dogged bravery and unwavering loyalty to his master, Dark Lord Keith Monfort. What the golden retriever shapeshifter is less known for is his love of music, particularly that of renowned bard Bronwynn Lyriel. And when he’s tasked with shadowing her to discover whether or not she’s secretly an international spy and murderer, his interest goes beyond professional intrigue.
Being best friends with Henrietta Doryn—the new Dark Lady of Nilheim—has its perks, not the least of which is the boost it’s given Bronwynn’s career. Her summer schedule is now full of performances for royals from far and wide. But her newfound spotlight has also threatened to reveal things Brownie would rather keep hidden . . . secrets that could land her in a whole heap of trouble, especially with her tenacious part-canine companion.
As Brownie and Rufus journey through the Dark Enchanted Forest, they can’t ignore the forces drawing them ever closer to each other. But with deadly assassination attempts around every corner and a slew of unfortunate circumstances connecting Brownie to the crimes, their budding relationship might be cut short before they get a chance to truly test their ability to duet.
Blending heart-pounding action with swoon-worthy romance—and perfect for fans of the Legends & Lattes series—I Ran Away to Evil 2 is the continuation of a brilliant romantasy series filled with dungeons, dragons, and debutantes.
The second volume of the hit LitRPG romantasy series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Publisher
Podium Publishing
Publication date
November 12, 2024
Language
English
Print length
449 pages
Book 2 of 3
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 