THE DUCHESS OF KOKORA
by Nikhil Prabala
LGBTQ+ / YA / Humorous Fantasy / Romantasy
Publisher: Grand Press
Pages: 442
Publication Date: August 8, 2024
SYNOPSIS
The Duchess of Kokora, Phera Ylir Mdana, has entered the marriage games of the neighboring kingdom of Ryene. But she’s not there to woo the dashing Prince Dominic.
Her true objective? To win back one of the other contestants, Lady Rocelle Virae—Phera’s true love and ex-fiancée.
Love proves to be a game like any other when Phera must not only mend matters with her childhood sweetheart, but conceal her true intentions in order to earn votes and stay in the competition.
And as long-brewing political tensions simmer beneath the surface, the playful veneer of the competition begins to crack. In the end, Phera, Dominic, and Rocelle find themselves united in a desperate bid to prevent a duel that threatens the integrity of the kingdom, the stability of the continent, and any hope for a happily ever after.
This novel is the first in a planned series.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From playing the DM in Dungeons and Dragons to writing fantasy novels, Nikhil Prabala loves storytelling, delighting in fantasy fiction from the epic to the cozy and everywhere in between. The Duchess of Kokora is his first published novel.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, he graduated from Stanford in 2019 and is currently based in the Bay Area. In his free time he enjoys ballroom dancing, singing, playing the guitar, tabletop games, and spending time with friends and family.
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Jennie Reads REVIEW
Let me start by saying, I’m not typically a huge fantasy fan. I pick my fantasy reads with care, and this one caught my eye for its Sapphic storyline—something I’m always on the lookout for. A little personal context: my daughter, her wife, and many of their friends frequently lament the lack of great female/female books out there, so when I stumble upon one, I dive in.
Phera, our lead character, has entered a contest not to compete for the prize of a prince’s hand. Instead, her motivation is to win back her love, Rocelle, and that twist alone had me hooked. The narrative weaves in several smaller storylines and intrigues, which kept me fully engaged. While Phera was the main draw, I couldn’t help but develop a soft spot for the Queen. She’s pulling strings left and right, and her scheming adds layers of depth and intrigue—I’d love to meet her in real life! The political tensions simmering in the background were well executed and gave the plot an extra edge. The magic and battles are believable and well done.
Then there’s Prince Dominic, who is surprisingly refreshing—he’s not your typical entitled royal, but rather a decent guy who adds charm to the mix. The dynamic between Dominic, Phera, and Rocelle brought a lightness to the heavier moments of tension, especially through their banter. There is a scene with Phera and Dominic in a closet that had me laughing out loud! And Hespin…there’s something more going on with her, and I’m eager to see if that thread gets pulled in future books.
My one issue? I had a tough time imagining the world these characters inhabit. For a book over 400 pages, I expected more detailed world-building. That said, I enjoyed it and will be picking up the next book if the series continues—and I’ll definitely be recommending it to the Mrs. & Mrs. in my family!
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