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adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely adored The Bridge Kingdom. What a brilliantly descriptive world! Ithicana is a kingdom unlike any I've ever read.
Jensen's beautiful prose takes center stage. It's easy to read, yet descriptive, evocative, and emotional. Five-star reads need to tug at my emotional heartstrings, and she absolutely succeeded (please note, this is an adult book with mature themes).
Lara is a delight. She is fierce, bold, and brave, despite having to hide her warrior nature from her new husband and his kingdom. Maridrina is the epitome of patriarchal society, never believing that women are capable of being anything more than a pretty trophy. The Maridrinian harem is a revolting concept, yet aptly describes a world in which one man-the king-holds all the power while the women and children are powerless.
Aren is a wonderful king. He is genuine and down to earth, never elevating himself above others. He serves because he loves them, that much is clear. He's the kind of leader that any kingdom or nation would be lucky to have.
Their romance is sparky, dropping hints here and there before coming together in an explicit scene in chapter 33. Jensen's writing sold me on them, though. I loved Lara and Aren.
The plot is mildly predictable, but it is written with such elegance and emotion that I found myself swept along, turning pages almost faster than I could keep up. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly anticipating reading The Traitor Queen.
Jensen's beautiful prose takes center stage. It's easy to read, yet descriptive, evocative, and emotional. Five-star reads need to tug at my emotional heartstrings, and she absolutely succeeded (please note, this is an adult book with mature themes).
Lara is a delight. She is fierce, bold, and brave, despite having to hide her warrior nature from her new husband and his kingdom. Maridrina is the epitome of patriarchal society, never believing that women are capable of being anything more than a pretty trophy. The Maridrinian harem is a revolting concept, yet aptly describes a world in which one man-the king-holds all the power while the women and children are powerless.
Aren is a wonderful king. He is genuine and down to earth, never elevating himself above others. He serves because he loves them, that much is clear. He's the kind of leader that any kingdom or nation would be lucky to have.
Their romance is sparky, dropping hints here and there before coming together in an explicit scene in chapter 33. Jensen's writing sold me on them, though. I loved Lara and Aren.
The plot is mildly predictable, but it is written with such elegance and emotion that I found myself swept along, turning pages almost faster than I could keep up. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly anticipating reading The Traitor Queen.
Content warnings:
Spice: Open door content late in chapter 7 and the last half of chapter 33. Some suggestive descriptions are scattered throughout.
Violence: graphic descriptions of suicide, war, death, injury, and murder.
Profanity: mild, rare use of f*ck (2-3 uses) and sh*t.
Violence: graphic descriptions of suicide, war, death, injury, and murder.
Profanity: mild, rare use of f*ck (2-3 uses) and sh*t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Vomit
Minor: Cursing
Explicit sexual content ch. 7 and 33.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had a lot of fun with this. The writing style was easy to digest but also felt intentional and well-written. This is definitely an adult book but was written in more of a YA style- approachable fantasy for sure. I loved how there was politics and plot but the driving force of the story was the romance. It was cool to see Lara’s character growth throughout this book. I would have liked a little more growth from Aren’s character, especially in his feelings for Lara, but I still liked what the author gave us. The conflict at the end was obviously alluded to so I was just anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop because I saw it coming. There was quite the cliffhanger so I am excited to get to the next book! The slow burn!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, War
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Bridge Kingdom seriously has it all—action, romance, and plenty of betrayal. Lara, the main character, is such a badass, and I loved seeing how far she'd go for her sisters and her people. Her relationship with Aren was a total slow burn, and I was so here for it. The ending had me on the edge of my seat—I can’t wait to jump into the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this book is a promising start to the series, and though it wasn't perfect, it had interesting world building and set the stage for our main characters. I liked Lara and Aren, but I felt that their relationship was more surface level; I hope that it gets deeper in the future books. I thought Lara was a mix of badass and frustration the whole being a spy thingade her unlikable in that regard, initially . Aren was my favorite- honorable king trying to do the best for his people, and trying to build alliances with his enemies the little spice we ended up getting was nice, definitely swooned for Aren! . The plot was also a bit predictable. However, I think that all of this is setting up for a lot more to happen in the subsequent books (I hope)! I overall enjoyed the writing style and I hope that with more books, we'll get more depth with Lara and Aren, and perhaps a more complex plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Vomit, War
Minor: Sexual content
fast-paced
The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom Book 1)
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
“God, you’re beautiful,” he growled. “Insufferable and venom-tongued and the most incredible woman I’ve set eyes on.”“
------------------------------------------------
Tropes:
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forced Proximity
✨Slow Burn
✨Politics and World Building
✨One Bed
This book hooked me! I was so enthralled and captivated by this story. I think it may be my newest obsession. Everything about this book had me from page one.
The plot was non-stop and fast paced. It had the perfect amount of mystery and suspense that kept you wondering how it was going to end. I also really enjoyed the world buidling and character development! It was all just soo good. I will say I did hit one predictable moment towards the end of the book, but it truly didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of the book.
I am absolutely in love with these characters. They were 🤌. Lara was exhibiting total Aelin Galathynius vibes. She was so strong, independent, and clever. In fact, I feel like I haven't loved a fantasy fmc as much as this since Aelin. And her character growth... just wow! Our mmc, Aren, was... just swoon! He was the epitomy of a man down bad. I loved how much he loved Lara, and I was here for it. A total pretector, even though she really didn't need one. Uh, I am pretty sure these two will be living rent-free in my head for the foreseeable future!
I really enjoyed the audiobook, which is currently free on Audible! If you choose to just do audio, do yourself a favor and look up the map for this series. It will come in handy 😉.
--------------------
“She’s beautiful. And kind.” “Yes.” His gaze was intense. “But she’s not you.”
⚠️Warning⚠️
language, very low spice, death, war, violence
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
“God, you’re beautiful,” he growled. “Insufferable and venom-tongued and the most incredible woman I’ve set eyes on.”“
------------------------------------------------
Tropes:
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forced Proximity
✨Slow Burn
✨Politics and World Building
✨One Bed
This book hooked me! I was so enthralled and captivated by this story. I think it may be my newest obsession. Everything about this book had me from page one.
The plot was non-stop and fast paced. It had the perfect amount of mystery and suspense that kept you wondering how it was going to end. I also really enjoyed the world buidling and character development! It was all just soo good. I will say I did hit one predictable moment towards the end of the book, but it truly didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of the book.
I am absolutely in love with these characters. They were 🤌. Lara was exhibiting total Aelin Galathynius vibes. She was so strong, independent, and clever. In fact, I feel like I haven't loved a fantasy fmc as much as this since Aelin. And her character growth... just wow! Our mmc, Aren, was... just swoon! He was the epitomy of a man down bad. I loved how much he loved Lara, and I was here for it. A total pretector, even though she really didn't need one. Uh, I am pretty sure these two will be living rent-free in my head for the foreseeable future!
I really enjoyed the audiobook, which is currently free on Audible! If you choose to just do audio, do yourself a favor and look up the map for this series. It will come in handy 😉.
--------------------
“She’s beautiful. And kind.” “Yes.” His gaze was intense. “But she’s not you.”
⚠️Warning⚠️
language, very low spice, death, war, violence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
🌶️.5
This was a great into to a series and it literally started with a bang that set the tone for the rest of the book and hopefully the series. I hated how sweet, loving and honorable the king was knowing what would eventually happen. I loved the worldbuilding especially the whole idea of the bridge and how the king hides himself in his stinky helmet. I loved Lara's character from the very beginning appearing cool, heartless and calculated but she actually cared too much and that is always bound to end in some juicy plot down the road. Just an all around comfy and enjoyable listen and can't wait to listen to book two and see if my predictions come true.
🗡️Enemies to lovers
🏹Arranged marriage
🗡️Seductress spy FMC
🏹Honorable king MMF
🗡️Warring kingdoms
🏹Sword and board fantasy
🗡️Dual POV
This was a great into to a series and it literally started with a bang that set the tone for the rest of the book and hopefully the series. I hated how sweet, loving and honorable the king was knowing what would eventually happen. I loved the worldbuilding especially the whole idea of the bridge and how the king hides himself in his stinky helmet. I loved Lara's character from the very beginning appearing cool, heartless and calculated but she actually cared too much and that is always bound to end in some juicy plot down the road. Just an all around comfy and enjoyable listen and can't wait to listen to book two and see if my predictions come true.
🗡️Enemies to lovers
🏹Arranged marriage
🗡️Seductress spy FMC
🏹Honorable king MMF
🗡️Warring kingdoms
🏹Sword and board fantasy
🗡️Dual POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Bridge Kingdom follows Lara, a princess trained from birth to extract the secrets of foreign kingdoms as she is sent on a mission to bring about the downfall of the Bridge Kingdom through marrying and ultimately betraying its new King, but he and his kingdom may not be all she expected. While its definitely full of tropes (enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience) this still manages to have fresh twists, and delivers with good fight scenes, drama, beautiful islands and steam. The main problem is the pacing is very fast, and can feel a little jumpy, but despite this it was thoroughly enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Gore, Torture
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The pacing of this book was strange. Sometimes fast (on the verge of too fast) and other times painfully slow. I also had a difficult time imagining this world so the traveling between places and how they are connected made understanding what was going on difficult.
The main FMC annoyed me greatly with her naivete and how gullible she is. I called everything that happened in this book within the first 2 chapters. The passage of time gets glossed over as well and it's hard to know when things are happening due in part to large gaps and jumps in time. Ultimately, 3.5 stars as the writing itself was good. And the audiobook was done very well, the audiobook definitely helped with giving this a higher rating.
The main FMC annoyed me greatly with her naivete and how gullible she is. I called everything that happened in this book within the first 2 chapters. The passage of time gets glossed over as well and it's hard to know when things are happening due in part to large gaps and jumps in time. Ultimately, 3.5 stars as the writing itself was good. And the audiobook was done very well, the audiobook definitely helped with giving this a higher rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've read a lot of fantasy books with similar plots and although the beginning of this book was intriguing I started to lose interest by the middle. Lara was too oblivious about her father and Aren was too trusting. The jungle setting was unique but I had a hard time understanding the bridge system. A map would have been helpful. There were also some time jumps near the end which made it feel rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, War
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent