by C.J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Pub Date: June 14, 2022
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon
The first in a YA political fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart.
Princess Charis Willowthorn is the dutiful sword of Calera. Raised to be ruthless and cunning, her only goal is to hold her war-torn kingdom together long enough to find a path toward peace with their ancient foe, Montevallo, even if the cost is her own heart.
When violence erupts in the castle itself and an unseen enemy begins sinking Calera’s ships, Charis realizes a threat much greater than Montevallo is coming for her people. So she forms a plan. By day, she is Calera’s formidable princess intent on forging an alliance with Montevallo. By night, she disguises herself as a smuggler and roams the sea with a trusted group of loyalists, hunting for their new enemies. And through it all, there’s the one boy she can’t have—who guards her life but steals her heart.
But her enemies are much closer than Charis realizes, and her heart isn’t the only thing she has left to lose.
My Review: Charis has just the right amount of sweetness to even out that viciousness.
As a princess, the idea of a ball should be fun. Instead, Charis is thinking about strategy, who to talk to, for how long, etc. Not just go, have fun, dance, eat and enjoy. Though, it seems to just be her personality. Always planning ahead and being ready to be Queen one day.
The same night, an attempt to get rid of the princess fails, but the queen takes the attack instead. Then, Charis shows emotion and lets the world sink in. An attempt for her is nothing new, they have been trying to get rid of the princess for years now. But seeing the queen hurt, what happened in her bath, but most of all what broke her was hearing what happened to her lady who was also her friend.
Just as quickly as Charis showed those emotions, that she quickly turned around and went full on taking over everything and running the show. Meetings, council, hiding what happened, war plans, its all just moving and moving.
Overall, I do love how Charis can take control and feels so prepared to be queen and just take it all on. But its her showing her compassion even as simple as letting a cat into the palace. That helps make her an even better princess fit to rule. Her love for her people when a village was destroyed and she just wanted to help so much.
I liked this story a lot more than I thought I would. Its a little different from C.J.'s other books but nonetheless, her work is always worth the read. I cant wait to read the next book.
