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jenna36's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly, the book is pretty generic YA, but the DRAMA of it all was exquisite. Every chapter I was waiting to see who would betray our protagonists next. I also really appreciated how well-conceived the romantic relationships were. Each one was treated with respect, but did not fall into the YA trap of Instant True Love That Lasts Forever. The relationships ebbed and flowed like real ones, especially ones between teenagers. I really liked this book a lot more than I expected to, and I am so ready for the sequel to come out so we can find out what happens after that bombshell of an ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault and War
amccarthy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Colonisation, Death, War, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
kenziewol's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was so good!! I really enjoyed the unique world/magic system & the plot — it’s full of deception, betrayals, complicated relationships and political intrigue. I loved each of the sisters and really liked the multiple pov aspect so you followed each sisters story! I need the next book ASAP!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual harassment
elleisntabell's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
To be honest, I read Ash Princess a very long time ago, so it makes sense that my taste has changed a bit. Still good though! I must admit I'm worried about the next book, but I'm going to try and be optimistic about things. This book was definitely ~interesting~ (when it wasn't boring).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death
thelittlestmermaid's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.5
* Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! *
This was such an enjoyable book to read! Full of political intrigue, royalty, magic, arranged marriages and more fantasy goodness. The story follows the triplets Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia as they each set off to foreign countries once they come of age to be married. Their goal however, is not just getting married. Once the sisters arrive in each country they are under orders from their mother to bring down their monarchies so that she may reign over the entire continent of Vesteria.
I loved this book so much. The triplets had distinct personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Reading from each of their perspectives was so fun, and I couldn't pick a favorite out of the 3 of them no matter how hare I try.
The world that Laura Sebastian has built is unique and intriguing. I never found myself horribly confused when learning about it which was nice- world building in fantasy novels can be tricky sometimes. The magic system is also so so neat! I love the use of the stars as their source of magic & the religion that the people follow.
I cannot wait for the next book. The plot twists and the final chapter of this book have me eager to read what comes next. If you like awesome princesses that kick butt and lots of royal drama then I highly recommend this book.
The only reason I'm not rating this book 5 stars is due to the fact that I wish the princesses were slightly older- they talk about consummation of marriages too much for me to be comfy with them being 16. Also the lecherous king that Beatriz has to deal with. And it was a little too instalove-y at points and that's not my fave.
4.5 stars
This was such an enjoyable book to read! Full of political intrigue, royalty, magic, arranged marriages and more fantasy goodness. The story follows the triplets Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia as they each set off to foreign countries once they come of age to be married. Their goal however, is not just getting married. Once the sisters arrive in each country they are under orders from their mother to bring down their monarchies so that she may reign over the entire continent of Vesteria.
I loved this book so much. The triplets had distinct personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Reading from each of their perspectives was so fun, and I couldn't pick a favorite out of the 3 of them no matter how hare I try.
The world that Laura Sebastian has built is unique and intriguing. I never found myself horribly confused when learning about it which was nice- world building in fantasy novels can be tricky sometimes. The magic system is also so so neat! I love the use of the stars as their source of magic & the religion that the people follow.
I cannot wait for the next book. The plot twists and the final chapter of this book have me eager to read what comes next. If you like awesome princesses that kick butt and lots of royal drama then I highly recommend this book.
The only reason I'm not rating this book 5 stars is due to the fact that I wish the princesses were slightly older- they talk about consummation of marriages too much for me to be comfy with them being 16. Also the lecherous king that Beatriz has to deal with. And it was a little too instalove-y at points and that's not my fave.
4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, War, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Three femme fatale princesses are sent by their mother into political marriages with a lifetime of training towards starting a war. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz have all been given specific tasks to match their carefully crafted skillsets. If each completes her part of the plan, their mother will arrive in the aftermath of her neighbors' conflicts just in time to sweep over the whole continent and rule with impunity.
I was well entertained by this trilogy starter and for over 500 pages, too. The smooth storytelling shifts gears between the three sisters, keeping up a constant pressure with the tense situations entangling our protagonists. I was fully absorbed watching the girls decide if and how to fulfill their roles once off on their own, knowing the Empress is always watching and has the means to get the result she wants at any cost. No sister is safe in her new home, nobody has all the information about her role in the plan, and there are other forces and intrigues at play that none of them foresaw. And don't even get me started on the pesky intrusions of feelings and moral compasses messing with the plan.
All the sisters have potential romantic relationships (mostly instalove vibes bleh), but it's the platonic bonds they form after a lifetime of being isolated by their mother that I found most layered and compelling. The sisterhood is also complex, built on unconditional love but also differences of personality and opinion that run deep, causing fractures and divergences even as they complement one another. I am curious to see if and how these connections may grow as the series continues. The book ends on a mighty twist, not entirely shocking but still illuminating connections and undercurrents to the plots at hand. I was left with a lot of questions about where the story will go next, curious about how our characters will develop now that some truths are out in the open, others still waiting in the wings to strike.
My ultimate feeling is that this was a fun and easy to follow political fantasy. It's not a terribly deep or genre-altering tale, but I want to see where the series goes next and how the protagonists grow. Thanks to Delacorte for my copy to read and review!
I was well entertained by this trilogy starter and for over 500 pages, too. The smooth storytelling shifts gears between the three sisters, keeping up a constant pressure with the tense situations entangling our protagonists. I was fully absorbed watching the girls decide if and how to fulfill their roles once off on their own, knowing the Empress is always watching and has the means to get the result she wants at any cost. No sister is safe in her new home, nobody has all the information about her role in the plan, and there are other forces and intrigues at play that none of them foresaw. And don't even get me started on the pesky intrusions of feelings and moral compasses messing with the plan.
All the sisters have potential romantic relationships (mostly instalove vibes bleh), but it's the platonic bonds they form after a lifetime of being isolated by their mother that I found most layered and compelling. The sisterhood is also complex, built on unconditional love but also differences of personality and opinion that run deep, causing fractures and divergences even as they complement one another. I am curious to see if and how these connections may grow as the series continues. The book ends on a mighty twist, not entirely shocking but still illuminating connections and undercurrents to the plots at hand. I was left with a lot of questions about where the story will go next, curious about how our characters will develop now that some truths are out in the open, others still waiting in the wings to strike.
My ultimate feeling is that this was a fun and easy to follow political fantasy. It's not a terribly deep or genre-altering tale, but I want to see where the series goes next and how the protagonists grow. Thanks to Delacorte for my copy to read and review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, War, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Body shaming, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
p_gonza2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Why does it happen to my fav 😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Blood, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Confinement, and Alcoholism
astralbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Child death, Suicide, Self harm, and Gun violence
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