Scan barcode
thorns_and_thunder's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse
thenovelmaura's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Look, this book isn't bad so much as entirely predictable and forgettable. I love South Asian-inspired fantasy and Prince and the Pauper retellings, so this should have been right up my alley. And I probably would have loved it if I had read it in middle school but as an adult... how could these two girls switch places after 5 minutes of conversation and no one notices? Even ignoring the physical differences between the two (one has been living a life of luxury and one has been living on the streets), Rani gave Ria no instructions on how to blend in at the palace and vice versa. If I think about this for too long I'm going to lower my rating because it honestly bothered me the entire book.
As for the overall writing style, there were no stylistic differences between the Ria and Rani chapters, despite there being two authors working on this book. If it weren't for the chapter headers and the different fake swear words, I would not have known whose perspective it was.
There is a lot of negativity in this review, but I want to close by saying that there are clearly people out there who liked this book! If I had been able to stop overthinking and focus on the beautiful setting, snake magic, and sisterly reunion elements, then this probably would have been an enjoyable read. As it stands, I personally won't be picking up the sequel.
As for the overall writing style, there were no stylistic differences between the Ria and Rani chapters, despite there being two authors working on this book. If it weren't for the chapter headers and the different fake swear words, I would not have known whose perspective it was.
There is a lot of negativity in this review, but I want to close by saying that there are clearly people out there who liked this book! If I had been able to stop overthinking and focus on the beautiful setting, snake magic, and sisterly reunion elements, then this probably would have been an enjoyable read. As it stands, I personally won't be picking up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Murder
booksthatburn's review against another edition
I don't like any of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Child abuse and Fatphobia
spinesinaline's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC!
This was a fun take on the Prince and the Pauper story with added fantasy (snake magic!) and great immersion in Indian culture that feels expertly descriptive without removing us from the story.
There was some awkward and repetitive phrasing and dialogue so it wasn’t a perfect story but I felt the voices of these twins was so distinct (though I got them confused when they’re together in chapters). There were also parts of the mystery that weren’t as smooth, with the bad guy feeling very ‘villain in movie reveals entire plot’ and many points connected out of the blue by the characters as the readers didn’t have enough hints to figure it out yet.
I wasn’t thrilled to learn it’s a series as I’m a standalone reader usually but it wasn’t a significant cliffhanger and still felt like its own ending so I’m glad that this book feels wrapped up in itself while still leaving the door open for future adventures.
This was a fun take on the Prince and the Pauper story with added fantasy (snake magic!) and great immersion in Indian culture that feels expertly descriptive without removing us from the story.
There was some awkward and repetitive phrasing and dialogue so it wasn’t a perfect story but I felt the voices of these twins was so distinct (though I got them confused when they’re together in chapters). There were also parts of the mystery that weren’t as smooth, with the bad guy feeling very ‘villain in movie reveals entire plot’ and many points connected out of the blue by the characters as the readers didn’t have enough hints to figure it out yet.
I wasn’t thrilled to learn it’s a series as I’m a standalone reader usually but it wasn’t a significant cliffhanger and still felt like its own ending so I’m glad that this book feels wrapped up in itself while still leaving the door open for future adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, and Torture
Minor: War
nitya's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Prince(ss) and the Pauper retelling I always wanted!!!
I am not a twin but grew up watching everything about twin sisters (Sister Sister, Mary Kate and Ashley's entire filmography, etc) and the authors did too. So when they pitched this book as an Indian (specifically Punjabi) influenced fantasy focusing on a princess and a thief who are also twins, I was 100% sold.
At nearly 500 pages, this may seem daunting but the writing is very engaging (dual POV), there's lots of court intrigue and twists, and the tropes are my jam (found family! female friendships! girls saving themselves!!). I did like the world building but also wanted more of it! Perhaps in the sequel...
I am not a twin but grew up watching everything about twin sisters (Sister Sister, Mary Kate and Ashley's entire filmography, etc) and the authors did too. So when they pitched this book as an Indian (specifically Punjabi) influenced fantasy focusing on a princess and a thief who are also twins, I was 100% sold.
At nearly 500 pages, this may seem daunting but the writing is very engaging (dual POV), there's lots of court intrigue and twists, and the tropes are my jam (found family! female friendships! girls saving themselves!!). I did like the world building but also wanted more of it! Perhaps in the sequel...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse
charlottesomewhere's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Royal twins separated at birth finding each other and switching places. Snake magic. Mystery and intrigue. Brilliant, twisty plot. Give me more please.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, and Murder
More...