Scan barcode
ehmannky's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought it would be hard to beat my love of the Reluctant Royals series, but, wow, Cole does not disappoint in the expansion to that universe. Following up with Shanti and Sanyu was lovely, because Cole left such a tantalizing hint at their dynamic in A Prince On Paper. And we got to have all the cameos from the previous series (Also, Netflix or someone. Please adapt the expanded Royals Universe). And the whole theme of being traumatized and hurt in the past and being shaped by that trauma does not excuse shit behavior. Wonderfully handled.
There's nothing I didn't like about it. I love the trope of falling in love with the person you're married to and the dialogue that Cole uses for these characters was so good! Like, "Come sit on your throne, Wife." Excuse me, but this was one of the many lines that were it not in the middle of a 12/10 sex scene I would have had to put the book down to fully digest the power of it. This also felt like an example of a third-act breakup done extremely well, as the tensions that led to the fight between Shanti and Sanyu are clearly laid out and it didn't feel like a fight done so that the characters could come back together later.
There's nothing I didn't like about it. I love the trope of falling in love with the person you're married to and the dialogue that Cole uses for these characters was so good! Like, "Come sit on your throne, Wife." Excuse me, but this was one of the many lines that were it not in the middle of a 12/10 sex scene I would have had to put the book down to fully digest the power of it. This also felt like an example of a third-act breakup done extremely well, as the tensions that led to the fight between Shanti and Sanyu are clearly laid out and it didn't feel like a fight done so that the characters could come back together later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, and Death
Minor: Vomit
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved Shanti as a character. She seemed very cold when she made her debut in A Princess in Theory and when she showed up again in A Prince on Paper. I'm glad that she got so much more fleshed out here. She's a badass! I was also really endeared to Sanyu. He reminded me of Chidi on The Good Place: he has so much undiagnosed anxiety, but I'm glad that he gets therapy in the end. So many characters in romance novels very seriously need therapy, not just romantic love, and I'm glad Alyssa Cole understands that!
As in previous books taking place in this world, the fictional African nations have same gender loving characters and it is a complete non-issue, and even celebrated. I loved the idea of triad marriages in this book. It is so healing to read these stories in which homophobia functionally doesn't exist in Africa (at least in the two countries we've visited through these series).
I don't really understand why this is being considered a separate series than the Reluctant Royals series, since so many of the characters in that series show up here. But I'm glad we readers get to spend more time in this world!
As in previous books taking place in this world, the fictional African nations have same gender loving characters and it is a complete non-issue, and even celebrated. I loved the idea of triad marriages in this book. It is so healing to read these stories in which homophobia functionally doesn't exist in Africa (at least in the two countries we've visited through these series).
I don't really understand why this is being considered a separate series than the Reluctant Royals series, since so many of the characters in that series show up here. But I'm glad we readers get to spend more time in this world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, and Vomit
More...