By Adalyn Grace
This book follows the classic YA Fantasy trope of girl with special powers is the only one who can save the world. I did like some of the unique takes on the theme. Girl (Princess) is supposed to execute people, publicly and magically to prove her prowess. Girl befriends a mermaid. Girl is (spoiler) powerless and weak at the end. But there is some predictability – girl falls for pirate, girl discovers everything she “knew” was actually wrong, and, shockingly, has two guys fighting over her heart…might be cooler if it was her actual heart…but I digress.
Again, it is pretty predictable, but that does not detract from the comfortable joy in reading it. There is some witty dialogue. We are constantly taking really dark turns. There are steamy make out scenes. Have I mentioned the badass mermaid?
Magic is very specialized and separate. Practitioners of a certain type of magic must stay on an island with other magicians with the same powers. There is one ruling family, and only they can practice the mysterious “soul” magic. A sudden (#notreallysudden) uprising is led by a vicious leader who has also mastered soul magic. Coming from nowhere (#onespecificisland), uniting all the people (#onlythejaded), spearheading a revolution that puts him in charge of everyone.
How will our daring princess defeat him when her magic has failed her? Will she choose a suitor? How will the kingdom proceed? Read it and find out!
Pros, Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- I enjoyed the dark choices – very antihero
- Super powerful, super angry, super awesome mermaid!!
- Loyalty is built instead of inherited
Cons
- Some of it may have been done before…
- Ending lacks conclusiveness and sets up sequel, coming out in February
- Spoiler – our antihero is a big, fat liar at the end