Hey all, Dani here.
I so want to talk about a certain epic superhero movie that I saw last night…but I won’t. However, if you have seen Avengers: Endgame and wish to talk, feel free to send me a DM on Twitter. I will gladly talk about it in a private setting. No spoilers, but I do really want to go see it again.
Okay, anyway, I’m not here to gush about superheroes in film. I’m here to once again bring you another backlisted book review. I am getting closer to being caught up, or at least I think that way and then I end up reading a bunch more books. So I’ll just try and do my best with getting these posts out as quickly as I can. I don’t ever want to have a review backlist that long ever again–I think there were thirty or so titles on my list.
Summary
Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.
The king is dying, his heir has just been murdered, and rebellion brews in the east. But the kingdom of Kolonya and the outer Reaches has one last option before it descends into leaderless chaos.
Or rather, three unexpected options.
Zofi has spent her entire life trekking through the outer Reaches with her band of Travelers. She would do anything to protect the band, her family. But no one can ever find out how far she’s already gone.
Akeylah was raised in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by whispers of rebellion and abused by her father. Desperate to escape, she makes a decision that threatens the whole kingdom.
Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a lady’s maid and scheming her way out of the servants’ chambers. But one such plot could get her hung for treason if anyone ever discovers what she’s done.
When the king summons the girls, they arrive expecting arrest or even execution. Instead they learn the truth: they are his illegitimate daughters, and one must become his new heir. But someone in Kolonya knows their secrets, and that someone will stop at nothing to keep the sisters from their destiny… to rule.
Magic, mystery, and blackmail abound in this sensational and striking fantasy debut.
My Thoughts
Rating: 4 stars
I really liked this story. It was fast paced and I enjoyed all the secrecy and subterfuge. I thought I figured out the betrayal but by the end I was proved wrong, and that was fantastic. Seriously, I spent half the book pretty much scolding the characters for not figuring out what was going on, and then it turned out that I was very wrong. This is why I don’t typically try to figure things out, just in case I’m wrong. Then again, I just like to enjoy the story without over-analyzing things. It’s why I’m glad that I’m finished with all of those English classes where I had to analyze and criticize instead of purely reading for enjoyment.
But I also feel that this could have been a little more in depth and complex. We follow three different leading ladies and they each have their own lives and personalities and secrets, but I feel like more could have been done with them. Maybe that’s just me, but it felt a bit too simplistic for this wonderful concept of a plot.
Still, I definitely plan to pick up the sequel. I need answers.
Where to Buy
You can pick up your own copy of this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, Book Depository, or your local independent bookstore.
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