Ultra Meital Reviews: The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles

Okay.. this was quite complicated. I'll try my best to explain, or I'll leave it to you to find your way in this tale. This novel is a sort of retelling of a novel called "The Prisoner of Zenda" written by Anthony Hope. I haven't read the novel and I don't think there is any reason now to try it out but I did enjoy this one even if I got a mild head ache with the amount of scheming from ALL sides.

Our MC and sole POV is Jasper Detchard. The man Michael Elphberg, the Duke of Strelsau have appointed as his head Henchman in his life quest of taking the throne of Ruritania from his brother the rightful heir. While Rudolf V Elphberg isn't exactly the best man for the job, Michael isn't exactly a saint.. He is a ruthless man who cares for nothing but achieving his goals whilst keeping the appearances of someone who doesn't exactly like his brother but accepts his rule.

Jasper isn't interested in Michael or Ruritania, he is interested in helping a close friend - Toni - who has saved his life in the past. Jasper might not be a romantic at heart, but he knows how to be loyal to the few people he keeps close. Toni, or rather, Antoinette de Mauban is Michael's mistress and while she fell in love with him at the beginning of their relationship now that she actually knows him she would soon see him dead.. Yet she does need to extract information he's been hiding from her before he can pass from this world.. Jasper doesn't really know how he can help, but no matter what his allegiance to her FAR exceeds his to Michael.

Add to the mix Rupert Von Henzau who joins Michael's henchmen. He is a scoundrel who likes himself best and right after that having fun and adventure wherever he goes with little thought about the costs to him or others. Michael being a highly suspicious guy as well as a very jealous and controlling commands Jasper not to have any sort of affair with Rupert (knowing Jasper's preferences and the fact Rupert has none). In the beginning Jasper does stay away from him but as they spend more time together with the other henchmen (or without them) he finds he likes the guy and after a while he simply doesn't care anymore and decides to act on their mutual interest and attraction.

Jasper fears he can't trust Rupert, but as the plans to dethrone Rudolf V Elphberg gets more and more complicated (with a doppelganger crowned in his name, with the real Rudolf in Michael's hands) and Toni finds new allegiance as well, he finds himself taking the leap of faith. Jasper and Rupert are FUN together, and while Toni's situation was quite grim she is still a very interesting and conniving woman. These three together could probably take over the world if they chose to..

The story is full of plots and schemes that keep changing with every page. Michael doesn't want to make ANY move that could point ANYONE in his direction but it also means he needs to be vigilant in looking for ways to outsmart the system. It's not easy to say the least.. There is another character / player that has a lot of stakes in the game - Flavia - who is destined to marry the king - whichever of the brothers it may be and she isn't very impressed with neither.

While there is romance between Rupert and Jasper this is not exactly a romance novel, it's more of an adventure that contains romantic elements and it's VERY eventful. If this sounds like something exciting and interesting I really recommend it. If you're mostly into a low action highly romantic novel this will surely not be for you, though I did like the note this novel has finished. For me at least, I feel like these two got what they were looking for.