A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2789Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeline L’Engle
Series: Quintet
Next Book in the Series: A Wind in the Door
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Pages: Print 251
Rating: ★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I purchased a copy of this book from my local library in anticipation of the movie. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract”.

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Final Thoughts:

I have never heard of this book until the recent release of the movie. I read it in one morning as it was a short read. I, with the help of the programming department, planned an event at my library to provide STEM activities and free tickets to the movie. I wanted to read the book in case someone asked me questions about it during the program, no one asked me questions, but I stilled shared information about the book with the kids.

The book has a Christian influence throughout the reading. I felt that two ideals were clashing in this novel, i.e., science and religion. I could tell there was a religious influence throughout the pages due to the “non-earthly beings” referred to as guardian angels toward the end of the book. The book initially published in 1962 and the dated terminology was noticeable throughout this entire novel. The influence of science and technology was prevalent as well. The description of the time travel was fascinating and the diagrams displayed in the book were helpful in understanding the proposed time travel theory. I enjoyed the influence of science, technology, time, and family in this book. I adored the main characters, Margaret and Charlie. I loved the description of Margaret and how she continued to underestimate herself. In contrast, Charlie purposely projected himself as being illiterate to others so that they may underestimate his abilities. Each child has something special inside of them, and they just need to stick to their guns and never give up on themselves.

The mention of Margaret struggling in school not because of the curriculum but because of the lack of a challenge was significant. This is something that is still relevant in schools today. Students aren’t necessarily illiterate; they just need to solve problems the best way that works for them. The book continues to showcase the importance of family and believing in yourself as we watch the two siblings, Calvin, and their guardian angels work together to defeat “IT.” The all must learn their strengths to travel through time and space to save Margaret and Charlie’s dad.

Overall this is an exciting book. I like the lessons that were being taught in this novel and enjoyed the interaction between characters. I have never read this book and only heard of it recently. The concept that you can create a wrinkle in time to travel through dimensions indeed makes this fantasy novel stand out. The author did a great job capturing my attention, but there were also parts where I felt confused. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more. I haven’t decided if I’m going to look into obtaining the next novels in this series, but if you are interested in a fantasy book that will leave you feeling intrigued, this is your book.

Have you read ever read this book? What did you think of it?

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

ARC Review: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2562Title: Sleight 
Author:  Jennifer Sommersby 
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: Print 408
Release Date: April 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from Skyhorse Publishing Inc #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to Skyhorse Publishing Inc #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author the publishing company. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from Skyhorse Publishing Inc. 

Goodreads Synopsis:

Growing up in the Cinzio Traveling Players Company, Genevieve Flannery is accustomed to a life most teenagers could never imagine: daily workouts of extravagant acrobatics; an extended family of clowns; wild animals for pets; and her mother, Delia, whose mind has always been tortured by visions—but whose love Geni never questions. In a world of performers who astonish and amaze on a daily basis, Delia’s ghostly hallucinations never seemed all that strange . . . until the evening Geni and her mother are performing an aerial routine they’ve done hundreds of times, and Delia falls to her death.

That night, a dark curtain in Geni’s life opens. Everything has changed.

Still reeling from the tragedy, the Cinzio Traveling Players are also adjusting to the circus’s new owner: a generous, mysterious man whose connection to the circus—Geni suspects—has a dark and dangerous history. And suddenly Geni is stumbling into a new reality of her own, her life interrupted daily by the terrors only Delia used to be able to see.

As the visions around her grow stronger, Geni isn’t sure who she can trust. Even worse, she’s starting to question whether she can trust her own mind.

Favorite Quotes:

“Genevieve, the key to good is found in truth.”

“Henry places one of his now very warm hands on my cheek, the flush of memory pushing through me as the scene unfolds in the forefront of my mind- that day at the circus when we first met in the mess tent as I stood between Baby and Lucian.”

Final Thoughts:

After reading the synopsis of this book, I thought it would be great to request an advanced reader copy of this novel. I have not yet read a book that involved a circus and was very intrigued by the different components showcased in this book. I am a fan of fantasy novels and enjoy books that have some mage component in the storyline. The book starts off with a thrilling opening act involving Delia and her daughter Genevieve. This opening chapter is the part of the book that grabbed my attention from the moment Delia fell to her death while her daughter watched from afar. I almost shrieked in horror after reading this part of the book. The author did a great job capturing this moment in the opening chapter. The book continues with us watching how Gen deals with the loss of her mother and how the circus must move on. A new owner has purchased the circus and while Gen is still trying to figure out the cryptic message her mother left behind, she must also watch her every corner in this new place. She has to figure out who she can trust while diving into her mothers past and trying to connect the puzzle pieces Delia left behind for her. With Baby as her trusted companion, the help of Alicia (a friend of her mothers), and the support of family friends Genevieve will learn more about her mothers past leading to discoveries about herself. Family history is essential in this book as we watch Genevieve, dive into her family tree. She must fight to protect her mothers secrets and protect the ones she loves. Will Genevieve discover the secrets her mother kept hidden from her and will she be able to protect them? What happens when all of her mothers secrets are uncovered? Can she protect everyone she loves and fight for everything her family’s legacy? This is a lot of pressure for a seventeen year old!

Overall this book is written well with copious amounts of descriptive terminology that comes in handy. I was able to imagine the circus based merely on the words used in this novel. The author did a great job capturing my attention throughout this book. It is filled with some subtle and action-packed scenes. I would have preferred to learn more about Henry’s mother and the supporting member’s roles in Delia’s life. I wanted to know more about the other members of the circus and more about Genevieve’s desire to become a Vet. I would have liked more circus action, but the balance seemed adequate with the length of the novel. How has Gen be able to keep that big secret about the power she holds and how long can she keep it?

The story completely entranced me from the moment I opened this book to the ending. The cliffhanger at the end had me wishing for more. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a Young Adult Fantasy novel that focuses on family history, family ties, magic, romance, and circus with a hint of historical references. This book combined all of my favorite genres into one all-encompassing novel. I am more than excited to see what this author does with the second book and am curious as to how Genevieve and Henry’s journey will unfold.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

ARC Review: How to Sell Your Family to the Aliens

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2475Title: How to Sell Your Family to the Aliens
Author: Paul Noth
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary, Fantasy
Pages: Print 210
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from @KidLitExchange #partner in exchange for my honest review. Thanks again to @KidLitExchange  #partner for access to review a free copy of this book! The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange. The  copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from Bloomsburg Publishing.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ten-year-old Hap’s grandmother has experimented on his family and confined them to the basement of a mansion paid for by his father’s inventions, but his plan to sell her to aliens goes awry.

Rear Cover Synopsis:

Happy Conklin Jr. is the only 10-year-old who has to shave three times a day. Hap’s dad is a brilliant inventor of screwball products, and being a Conklin kid means sometimes being experimented on. So Hap has his beard, and his five sisters each have their own unique–and often problematic–qualities too. And although Hap’s dad has made a fortune with his wacky inventions sold via nonstop TV infomercials, all of that money has gone to Hap’s tyrannical Grandma. While she lives in an enormous mansion, the rest of the family lives in two rooms in the basement.

All Hap has ever wanted is to have a normal life, so when he sees a chance to get rid of Grandma, he takes it! He only means to swap out Grandma, but when he–oops!–sells his whole family to the aliens, he wants nothing more than to get them back. He just has to figure out . . . how?

Favorite Quotes:

“Before you assume I’m a bad person, you should know that I had originally only planned on selling Grandma to the aliens.”

This is the opening line of the book. The first line really grabbed my attention. I enjoyed reading further on in the story to understand why Hap wanted to sell his family to aliens.

Final Thoughts:

First off, I want to say that I laughed a lot throughout this entire novel. I thought it started off a bit slow for me, but it picked up fast. The author did a fantastic job capturing my attention throughout this book, and the small illustrations provided an excellent basis for the description of the characters. The author offered detailed backstory on each character in this novel except for Chip, the grandmothers assistant, the wrestler, the zookeeper, and the detective. These supporting characters did not need a backstory or explanation in the novel, so it worked well for the author to leave that extra information out. Hap Senior is a business partner for Conklin Business which sells products to “enhance” the lives of people in the area. Hap Senior is the star of many of the businesses commercials.

I enjoyed the hint of diversity in this story in Hap Junior’s family. Hap’s mom is from Romania, and all the kids are bilingual. Hap spends the entire book trying to both get rid of his family and protect them at the same time. He has to figure out who he needs to protect them from, his grandmother, the FBI, or the potential alien threat. The book focuses on the importance of family and accepting each other’s differences. Hap is a member of a unique family, and he must learn the importance of family while his siblings learn to accept themselves for who they are. Each young member of the Conklin family has undergone many experiments to “enhance” their lives, but these tests have consequences. Will Hap sell his family to the aliens? Is that actually what he wants to do? He will have to create a plan, which has three parts, and one outcome.

I am going to recommend this book added to my library collection. I thought the author did a great job highlighting the importance of family. Also no matter how annoying your family is, they are your family. I was excited to receive a copy of this book to review and enjoyed reviewing it. I recommend this book to anyone in late elementary and early middle school. It is an easy-to-read and is very captivating. If you are looking for a story that will make you laugh and think of your family, then this is the book for you!

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

Prodigy Prince by Natasha Sapienza

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
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The following image was taken from : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36277347-prodigy-prince

Title: Prodigy Prince
Author: Natasha Sapienza
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: E-Book 328 Pages
Release Date: December 17, 2017
Rating: ★★★★.5

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.  The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. 

Goodreads Synopsis:

At seventeen, all Prince Nuelle had ever known was safety and peace while living in the Supreme Palace of Zephoris.

But one night, his older brother, Tane, defies their father by traveling to a cursed land. Now Nuelle holds the signet-ring and carries more responsibility than even Tane bore. Thrust from the palace and sent to a knight-building academy, Nuelle must discover his purpose for the entire kingdom’s sake.

From his place of banishment, Prince Antikai has been exacting revenge through fear and rebellions. Nuelle has the potential to defeat him, but he needs the help of a powerful book called the Acumen and six gifted youths.

Summoned by Antikai, shape-shifting beasts and other enemies hunt Nuelle and the Acumen. If either is destroyed, the faithful citizens in Zephoris will perish, and darkness will rule forever.

Favorite Quotes

“There are worse enemies than fear.”

“If you are not willing to give your life for a friend, then you’r not a true companion.”

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought this book is well written. It started off a bit slow for me in the beginning but started to pick up the further along I read. I like the development of the main characters and enjoys the overall storyline. The plot twist was fascinating, and I assumed there would be a different outcome for the ending. The author did a fantastic job ensuring the novel grabbed the attention of the reader. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time wanting to find out the ending. However, I wanted to know more about each character and personally wanted to know more about Ave. I also found it interesting about Nu’s past and his brother; I expected Tane brother to be adopted. I also wanted to know about his mother, but I wasn’t entirely sure that the youth of this nation was born the human way. I was also a bit confused on the age of the King and how each person received their gifts. However, the story continued to progress with more action, love, fighting, loss, and characters finding themselves. Each character must learn who to trust and whether or not they are ready for the responsibility that awaits them.
I enjoyed reading about the overall message and the hint of family drama. There is also a lot of unique abilities displayed in this novel that I felt really contributed to the overall story. There are a lot of strange creatures that lurk in the shadows but the group of Sentiels must decide which one is real and which one is out to kill them!
I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading a fiction novel. It starts off a bit slow, but the story progressively gets more interesting. There are a few jokes in this story that made me laugh and want to read more.

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2167Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses 
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Trilogy
Next Book in the Series: A Court of Mist and Fury 
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: Print 419
Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I checked out a copy of this book from my local library. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a Young Adult Fantasy fiction novel that follows the journey of Fayre. Fayre is an outspoken, energetic, defiant female character. She has taken on the responsibility of ensuring the upkeep of her family by serving as the provider. After her father’s accident and her mother’s death, Fayre decided to take care of her family as a promise to her mother. She must hunt, kill, and trade with the people of the village to feed her father and two sisters. Unfortunately, one kill may be her last. Fayre lives in a land separated from the High Fae, which are magical beings with a variety of powers. The High Fae are known to have a disdain for humans and have slaughtered them in the past. Fayre hunts for survival, when she encounters a wolf in the woods, she has no choice but to kill it. She has no idea that the wolf she murdered is a fairie until she is taken back to the other side of the wall meant to protect them. The High Fae who takes her is wearing a mask. Fayre discovers all of the occupants of this kingdom are forced to wear masks due to a curse that was placed on the entire kingdom out of hatred. Fayre must find her place in this new territory, learn who trust, and fight for the man she loves.

Favorite Quotes:

“Tam told me that your first shot was to save the Suriel’s life. Not your own.” ” It seemed like the right thing to do.”

-I loved this interaction between Lucien and Fayre after she survived an attack that could have killed her. This quote shows a compassionate side to Fayre that I did not get to see earlier in the novel.-

“I’m sending you away because it makes me sick thinking about you in their hands.”

-These were the words Tamlin uttered to Fayre before sending her away to be safe. He made a decision to do what was best for her. I cried when I read this part.-

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I thought this was a great novel. I loved the development of each character, especially Fayre. I also enjoyed the backstory of Lucien and the history of how he became a part of Tamlin’s closest friends. I enjoyed the building of Fayre and Tamlin’s relationship. Tamlin’s strong character fit well with Fayre as they both worked to decide their importance to each other. Fayre is portrayed as a strong female character and faces many obstacles throughout this novel. The writing style of this book was particularly important to me since this book is over four hundred pages. The author did a great job capturing my attention during the entire story. I loved the plot twist, and I especially loved the last few chapters of the book where there is a significant action scene. I think throughout this entire book I hoped that Fayre would overcome her disdain for the High Fae and that she would become a key component in them breaking the curse. There were a lot of moments in this book where I was mainly on the edge of my seat, and I loved it. I enjoyed the build-up of each vital scene and the interaction between each character. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in young adult fantasy fiction. If you are giving this book to a teen, there is a bit of a tame love scene in the middle of the novel (be mindful of this). I am excited to see Fayre and Tamlin’s characters developed more in the next book in this series. I hope to learn more about a particular part of the ending that had me question why Lucien’s father would come to his aid in those challenging moments. (If you’ve read the book then you know what I am referring to.) My feelings were all over the place once I finished this novel. I was angry, and I cried for a moment. I felt a secure connection to each character and that only happened because of the fantastic writing by Sarah J. Mass.

Will I continue to read the remaining books in this series? Yes, of course!
Will I read more books by this author? Yes!

Have you read this series? If so, what were your thoughts?

Interested in me reviewing your book or have suggested reads? Email me at librarielbookreviews@gmail.com

The Book of Storms by Ruth Hatfield

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

img_2051Title: The Book of Storms
Author: Ruth Hatfield
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Pages: Print 357
Rating: ★★★★.5

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I purchased a copy of this book on my own from book outlet. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher.

This Middle-Grade fantasy fiction novel follows the life of Danny. He awakes one morning to find out that his parents are missing after a harsh storm that occurred the night prior. Danny searches outside in hopes of locating his parents and discovers the sycamore tree in his yard has been struck by lightning. As he examines the tree more closely, gazing upon the charcoal color, he finds a piece of the tree that looks different. Danny reaches to pick up the stick, and from that moment on he can hear the sounds of the earth. This startles him, and he takes the stick places it in his pocket and heads to school assuming his parents will be home when he returns. Danny returns home and realizes his parents are indeed missing. He must journey to find his parents and uncover their secrets. While searching his parent’s room for clues, he stumbles upon a journal that explains that his parents were storm chasers. With the help of the neighborhood cat, Mitzy, Danny journeys to the home of Abel Korsakof in hopes of discovering what the Book of Storms is. Danny must learn who to trust and who not to trust. He must also find his parents, the Book of Storms, and try not to be killed by Sammael. Will Danny see his parents or will he be killed?

Favorite Quotes:

“What would you do if you woke up and your mum was missing?”

Danny said this line to his cousin Tom after arriving at his Aunt’s farm.

“He waited for an uncountable time in the hop of seeing the earth re-form and rise up into the shape of the great gray dog he had loved, but there was nothing there.”

This was one of the saddest parts for me. Even though I know Sammael is the villain in this story, he still had a heart for his dog. I am assuming Sammael will seek vengeance for the death of his dog and still continue to try to control the storms.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a great story. I liked the way this book was written and felt the same feelings Danny felt. Danny was in complete shock at the beginning of the book, not realizing his parents were indeed missing. He struggled to come to terms with the fact that he had to journey alone to find them but continued to seek out help from others such as Mitzy and the creatures of the earth. I did not wholly understand the power that Sammael had or the importance of his dog, other than being a companion. I also did not understand the concept of a Lurcher and felt that could have been explained more in the book. Overall, I thought this book did a great job of capturing my attention and had me on the edge of my seat a good portion of the time. I recommend this book for anyone in middle school interested in a fantasy novel that focuses on the importance of working together. I assume the overall lesson in this book is not to give up and to seek out help when needed. It is also important to be careful who you trust because Tom made a mistake in this book towards the end and I am curious as to how his error will affect everyone else.

What would you do if you came home and your parents were missing?

The Forgotten Lands by Jennifer Strain

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was given a copy of this book from the author Jennifer Strain, in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author.

The Forgotten Lands by Jennifer Strain is a fantasy juvenile fiction novel. It follows the story of Sadie and her two cousins. The Forgotten Lands is a short story, being only seventy-five pages long but it is filled with adventure. It makes you remember those stories you grandfather used to tell you as a kid. The stories about when they were younger and how they loved to go on an adventure. This is exactly how this story begins. Sadie’s grandfather tells her the tales of this mysterious apple in the family’s orchid that will lead any child who finds it, on a wonderful adventure through the forgotten lands. I don’t want to give too much away since this is a short book. I do recommend this book to anyone who has a child and is interested in reading it. It is a quick read and is appropriate for any child learning to read chapter books as this is not too overwhelming.

If you are interested in purchasing the book or learning more about the author, use the links below.

Link to purchase the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684014522

Link to learn more about the author:  https://www.instagram.com/theforgottenlands_books/

Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

68AA5AEC-42A0-42BE-96A5-BC1123764D06.jpeg*I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.*
This book was a very interesting read. It is a fantasy fiction YA novel that provides a bit more on the romance side. The main character Becky is transported to a new place where she is deemed to rule. In the beginning she thinks she is dreaming. The challenge this novel faces to resolve is the challenge of saving her new found land from evil. What happens if the evil is destroyed? Will peace ever be restored? This is a lot of pressure for someone who has lived a life her whole life unaware of the powers she possesses.

I liked the romance and the action but I wanted to know more about the unique power that Becky possesses. I also wanted to know more about the people and their unique powers. Why is she so strong and why aren’t their others like her.

The novel is well written and I would recommend it to others who like a contemporary fantasy YA novel. I give this book  4 out of 5 stars.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

IMG_1158*Rating:5 out of 5 stars*

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Novel. The story begins with Mare, a seventeen-year-old thief, who picks pockets to feed her family. She does not have an apprentice and expects to be sent to the war on her eighteenth birthday unless she gets a job. The novel begins with a battle in the arena against the Reds and the Silvers. The Silvers have unique abilities of the high court while the Reds are left to fill servants jobs and live in unlikely conditions. Victoria Aveyard did a fantastic job with novel and explained each classes abilities extensively. As we journey through the book and learn more about Mare and the King’s court, we grow to love Mare and find out she is more than what meets the eye. Mare is given a chance to work for the Kings court as a servant, not knowing how she received the job but suspecting a connection. She is shocked when she finds out who is behind her new employment. (I am not going to spoil this for you. There are a lot of plot twists in this novel.) Mare faces many challenges as she discovers who she is and what fight is worth fighting. She must decide how many lives must be sacrificed for a more significant cause and determine if someone is an ally or an enemy. The ending is one of the best ends in a book I have read so far. It makes you question the entire novel, and it is definitely worth it.

This book is fantastic! I did not think I would love a book that focuses on class, but I do. I love the clash between the different classes and how some classes have powers while others do not. The plot twist is my favorite part. I do not want to ruin the book for anyone who has not read it, but you should read it. It has this historical fiction vibe to it, and the teens who are the main characters are portrayed well. Imagine being so rare that you present a problem and a solution. Imagine if you realized your whole life was a lie and now you are confused. If you are intrigued by this, then you should read this novel. The more I read the novel, the more I understood the title and the heavy meaning behind it. Red Queen is the first installment in the Red Queen series, and I am planning on reading the next few novels.

I did not want to provide too much information because I want you to read this book and find out more about Mare and the Kings court on your own. Just know, there is a lot of betrayal, love, loss, and defiance exhibited in this novel. If this does not entice you to read it, then nothing else will.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars. It left me on the edge of my seat wanting to choose between sleep or finishing this novel.

The Ivory Rite by Johanna Hartford

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
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The image was taken from the following site: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35987785-the-ivory-rite

**I was contacted by the author give an honest review of this book!** Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
The Ivory Rite by Johanna Hartford is a Young Adult Fantasy Fiction novel. It is a compelling novel that centers around the ceremony know as the Ivory Rite. The main character struggles with redefining a role she was forced into and in the process figuring out herself. She fights hard against the norms and traditions and challenges others who challenge her authority. She is an advocate for her rights and is diligent in ensuring her values are represented by the public accordingly. Diem focuses more on doing what is right versus doing what is required. I love the way Johanna portrayed Diem in this novel, and I liked how she focused on the strengths that women possess and the struggles women in power face. Margaret, Diem’s Aunt, focuses more on her becoming the person she needs to be instead of who she wants to be. Margaret despises Diem due to her skin color and hair color that is not of the Elite. She continually is showcasing her disdain for Diem every moment she can. -“Can’t you appear to be deserving of your crown for one night?”- These words and others resonate with Diem throughout the entire novel. She faces a long hard battle between love, family, birthright, and not losing her values in the process.

I do not want to give away too much information, but I do recommend you read this book. Johanna provides explanations for each act that occurs in this book. The connection between Diem and Adair, second in command of the guards, is a continually changing and it makes the novel even more interesting. I love the added romance in the book and the history of Diem. The explanations in this novel are well thought and concise with the story. There were a few plot twists that added to the overall suspense of certain aspects of the story. There is no better way for me to convince you to read this story or than telling you that is filled with exciting twists, turns, and moments of valor. Diem is a strong, witty, caring, and direct primary character who faces a great deal of turmoil the entire novel. She continues to prove her worth and stay active in her values which in turn makes her an excellent representation of women in power. It challenges the idea that women in high-ranking positions have to change their view to fit the aspects of society. She continues to forge her path with the guidance of only those she trusts the most. Diem faced many challenges, and this book is just the first. The story ends on an enticing cliffhanger that has me wondering when the next book will be released.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars due to the explanations, portrayal of a female lead character, and the focus of the family. Just because it is your birthright does not mean it has to be your only right.

If you would like to learn more about the author, please visit her site at johannahartford.com. A link to purchase your copy of this book is located on her site. Thank you for reading!