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ashlle1's review against another edition
4.0
Review for the whole series: an interesting take on a royal disguise, hidden heir, Hunger Games plot. NOTE: The whole series is available on KU for free as "[b:The Royal Trials: Complete Series|53634857|The Royal Trials Complete Series (The Royal Trials, #1-3)|Tate James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590791420l/53634857._SY75_.jpg|83957551]".
Book 1 is (as typical) better than the rest of the series, as Rybet/Callaluna enters the Royal Trials under the pretense of being a noble instead of an orphan. There's lots of enjoyable worldbuilding and mystery along the way, particularly related to magic and the control of the throne. Book 1 has some of my favorite tropes, including "mistaken identity". ;)
I found myself least satisfied with the relationships. Minor spoiler for the relationships in the whole series:.
Book 1 is (as typical) better than the rest of the series, as Rybet/Callaluna enters the Royal Trials under the pretense of being a noble instead of an orphan. There's lots of enjoyable worldbuilding and mystery along the way, particularly related to magic and the control of the throne. Book 1 has some of my favorite tropes, including "mistaken identity". ;)
I found myself least satisfied with the relationships. Minor spoiler for the relationships in the whole series:
Spoiler
while this book is billed as RH, it's more of "FMC in three open relationships". The fact that the three MMCs were brothers was never addressed to my satisfaction (only barely mentioned in the box-set-only epilogue). Mehgypsydawn's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!
I put off reading this for awhile, despite the constant recommendations and suggestion list. I even put it on my KU queue a week ago and let it marinate while I read some urban fantasy. Well, I tackled it tonight - and read it in one sitting!! I will confess, the plot is highly predictable with a few exceptions, but the superb writing and wit interwoven make up for any lack - and paint those obvious forays in clear perfection, transforming them into a story that sucks you in and quickly entraps you. I was hooked - and in love with every page!
Pros:
- Exceptionally well written.
- Flows easily scene to scene.
- Balanced between action and emotion.
- Intriguing world building.
- Brutal Cliffhanger.
Cons:
- Predictable..... but HOW you get there is not.
I put off reading this for awhile, despite the constant recommendations and suggestion list. I even put it on my KU queue a week ago and let it marinate while I read some urban fantasy. Well, I tackled it tonight - and read it in one sitting!! I will confess, the plot is highly predictable with a few exceptions, but the superb writing and wit interwoven make up for any lack - and paint those obvious forays in clear perfection, transforming them into a story that sucks you in and quickly entraps you. I was hooked - and in love with every page!
Pros:
- Exceptionally well written.
- Flows easily scene to scene.
- Balanced between action and emotion.
- Intriguing world building.
- Brutal Cliffhanger.
Cons:
- Predictable..... but HOW you get there is not.
rayonx's review against another edition
3.0
This book in one sentence: While trying to rescue a fellow street rat, Rybet accidentally finds herself competing in the royal trials to become one of the three crown prince's bride; she has no desire to win the trials, but losing could be deadly.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My recommendation:Every aspect of this plot is incredibly predictable... and yet I found this highly enjoyable? There is magic, romance, murder and intrigue. Just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.
Tropes: All of them. Every trope ever.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My recommendation:Every aspect of this plot is incredibly predictable... and yet I found this highly enjoyable? There is magic, romance, murder and intrigue. Just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.
Tropes: All of them. Every trope ever.
lunalibro's review against another edition
2.0
Actual Rating: 1.5/5
Listened to the audiobook.
Yeeeeeaah this one wasn’t for me at all. The secrets and twists were very obvious and predictable. The language used in this book was very strange and I was confused with the world building. There is modern clothing and appliances apparently *shrugs.* I was pretty interested in the whole Trials scenario but that’s about it. The romance wasn’t all that riveting to me though I will still pick a favorite which is “Zan.” Overall just didn’t vibe with the book so much.
Listened to the audiobook.
Yeeeeeaah this one wasn’t for me at all. The secrets and twists were very obvious and predictable. The language used in this book was very strange and I was confused with the world building. There is modern clothing and appliances apparently *shrugs.* I was pretty interested in the whole Trials scenario but that’s about it. The romance wasn’t all that riveting to me though I will still pick a favorite which is “Zan.” Overall just didn’t vibe with the book so much.
kingawoj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
rebekkaar's review against another edition
5.0
I rearly leave book reviews, but I really enjoyed this one. It gave me a strong Throne of glass vibe(by sarah j maas) and as much as I loved that story... And i did, i will wait for book 3 to release before I continue with this book triology? Series? .. I hate cliffhangers and feel much of the "suprises" was really obvious.
lunalullaby's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I don’t even know what to say about this one. I wouldn’t recommend it but at the same time I read the whole thing in one sitting and will probably finish the trilogy. It was ridiculously predictable and there’s absolutely no way the main character could have survived her life for 18 years being as dense as she apparently is with how supremely obvious the “twists” were. I feel mixed because the book was so bad but for some reason I still liked how mindless and easy of a read it was.
heather_reads_romance's review against another edition
5.0
Imposter
Oh my wow! That ending was certainly something! I’m kinda surprised that calla didn’t figure out who her friends were sooner. It seemed pretty obvious to me and I think I might have the story figured out (at least somewhat) but I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
Oh my wow! That ending was certainly something! I’m kinda surprised that calla didn’t figure out who her friends were sooner. It seemed pretty obvious to me and I think I might have the story figured out (at least somewhat) but I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
rachelguy72's review against another edition
3.0
Wasn't quite what I expected from Tate James having listened to the Hades series first.
Interested to move to the second book.
Interested to move to the second book.