this series is unmatched by most fantasy series. The author doesn’t shy away from death and emotion during the wars and rebellion, and the characters change with each event they come across. Things evolve quickly, keeping the action and humor alive every second I was reading. Just like in the first novel, there are four main characters that this novel follows.
First there is Cleo. After the
attack on her kingdom, she was the only member of her family left alive, a pawn
for The King of Blood to use to sway her people to believe his lies. Cleo is
forced to marry the prince Magnum, a wedding that both parties find
unfavorable. But Cleo has a secret, in her father’s dying breath he gives her a
ring that has been passed down through the generations. A ring that once
belonged to the sorceress Eva thousands of years ago. Cleo plays the part of
the frightened princess, all the while trying to find the ancient crystals that
she knows can help restore her kingdom.
Magnus isn’t any happier about the
marriage to Cleo, but staying on his father’s good side is more beneficial.
With his sister sick in bed, Magnus continues to become more and more ruthless
and evil, just like his father. Magnus has become his father’s confidant, and
knows that the road being built throughout all Mytica isn’t about unification,
but about finding magic to take over the world and become immortal. As the
novel goes on, Magnus’ devotion to his father and their cause starts to waiver,
things are not always as they appear and when Magnus’ mother is believed to be
killed by rebels, Magnus starts to believe that maybe his father isn’t telling
him the whole truth and he should start looking into things himself.
After the attack on Cleo’s palace,
Lucia has been in a coma like state for a majority of the first part of the
novel. The magic she used continues to over power her, like a dark beast inside
her wanting to destroy everything and everyone. Things are not better when she
finally awakes. Lucia continues to try and fight, but it is a battle she is
starting to lose. Even Lucia’s mother sees evil inside her daughter, and
continues to poison her making her magic unusable. But the King has plans for
his daughter, he believes her the prophesized reincarnation of the ancient
sorcerous Eva, and wants to use her power to destroy everything. Lucia doesn’t
want to succumb to the evil, but it is so tempting and the love of her father
is enough to convince her to side with his dastardly plans.
Last among the man characters is
Jonas. The first novel saw Jonas’ brother be killed, and after aligning with
the King of Blood his people were murdered and betrayed. Now Jonas is leading
the rebels against the King. But he needs a secret weapon, and just like in the
previous novel he kidnaps Cleo. Things are different this time however, she is
no longer against him, but somewhat supportive of his cause. After all, she
doesn’t want to marry Magnus nor continue to watch her people suffer and die.
Together they begin to hatch a plan, and Jonas begins to have feelings for the
princess. Feelings that the other rebels don’t approve of, and think clouds his
judgment. Now not only are the rebels fighting the King, but they are fighting
amongst themselves over the best action to take and who should lead them.
I loved this novel even more than
the first. I love the way magic is used and the myths that this novel draws on.
The characters are relatable, and I love the interactions between them. Defiantly
a 5 star novel.
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