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luizalikesbooks's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
andrea_author's review
5.0
Shanti has achieved her childhood dream of becoming a queen—but there's a catch: there's a 4-month trial period. No queen in the country's history has been invited to stay permanently.
Sanyu II is mourning the death of his father and convinced he has no chance of succeeding as absolute monarch of the kingdom he inherited. He agreed to the arranged marriage because it was his father's dying wish. Sanyu has no desire to get attached to his bride, when all the queens before her were forced to leave.
But Shanti has different ideas. She doesn't need love, but she does want to help Sanyu come into his own as monarch, and bring his country into the twenty-first century. But will she get the chance, when the patriarchal system insists on her silence?
Alyssa Cole has created a fascinating world in this fictional African kingdom. She did a brilliant job of depicting a despotic monarch who's driven by fear of failure—and the wise wife who helps him find his strength and his identity as a compassionate leader.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.
Sanyu II is mourning the death of his father and convinced he has no chance of succeeding as absolute monarch of the kingdom he inherited. He agreed to the arranged marriage because it was his father's dying wish. Sanyu has no desire to get attached to his bride, when all the queens before her were forced to leave.
But Shanti has different ideas. She doesn't need love, but she does want to help Sanyu come into his own as monarch, and bring his country into the twenty-first century. But will she get the chance, when the patriarchal system insists on her silence?
Alyssa Cole has created a fascinating world in this fictional African kingdom. She did a brilliant job of depicting a despotic monarch who's driven by fear of failure—and the wise wife who helps him find his strength and his identity as a compassionate leader.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.
mizpurplest's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
3.5
holdenehlinger's review
4.0
Read this for hours straight on a plane which is one of my favorite things ever. I feel like my interest started to wane towards the end, still really enjoyed it though. I picked up this book because I’d heard good thing about Alyssa Cole and I’ll definitely read another book by her.
-> “true intelligence always questions, even if it means questioning itself.”
-> “humans are terrible, and somehow they think they will get better just because they have a ring on their finger from another terrible human.” (
-> “true intelligence always questions, even if it means questioning itself.”
-> “humans are terrible, and somehow they think they will get better just because they have a ring on their finger from another terrible human.” (
blackfemmebaddie's review
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
This is a fun love story. I really like how Alyssa Cole does her world/country building. I trust her choices when she explores challenging emotions and her books usually also include fun twists.
daenknight's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book was a wonderful surprise, because there was so much to learn about the characters on each page. The main FMC is a delight to be with, and watching her fight hard to challenge the restrictive rules around her and work to heal the kingdom she's the queen of was, by itself, incredible. Shanti carried the marriage, the kingdom, and the whole book. There was also a lot of work she did to deconstruct the misyogny her husband had learned. Overall, this book had so much more than I first thought it would have, and is a great read I'd recommend to others.
girlwithsense's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ammbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Cute storyline. I enjoyed the change in "scenery" from the traditional old European kingdom to a young kingdom gaining its footage after imperialism. Looking forward to more in this lighhearted series that could spring discussions on more timely topics.
_tamara8464's review
3.0
I thought this story was going to be better than it was. I enjoyed it but I thought it would have a bit more drama and better romance. I di enjoy the few "nuggets" of comedy in this book. I knew the ending before I started the book but I still enjoyed the read.
Shanti has wanted to be a queen for most of her life. Her goal finally comes true when she weds the King of Njaza, Sanyu. Things aren't what she expected. The first time she meets her future husband, things don't go well. Second, since she is a woman no one really listens to her. Even though, she has several ideas on how to help with the economic growth and development of Njaza. This may also have to do with the fact that no one thinks she will stay the queen for long. The queen has a 4 month "trial period". After that point, the King can send her away since she isn't the "true Queen". Shanti is lonely and sad. She is also determine and focused and if her husband won't listen, she will go to those that will.
King Sanyu just lost his father. The only reason he married was to take the throne after his father's passing. He is grieving. His Kingdom is failing and his people are not happy. He is just going though the motions, stuck in a numbing fog. Besides that, his father's best friend thinks Sanyu is a weak King and does all the real ruling for him.
Overall, the book was just "okay".
Shanti has wanted to be a queen for most of her life. Her goal finally comes true when she weds the King of Njaza, Sanyu. Things aren't what she expected. The first time she meets her future husband, things don't go well. Second, since she is a woman no one really listens to her. Even though, she has several ideas on how to help with the economic growth and development of Njaza. This may also have to do with the fact that no one thinks she will stay the queen for long. The queen has a 4 month "trial period". After that point, the King can send her away since she isn't the "true Queen". Shanti is lonely and sad. She is also determine and focused and if her husband won't listen, she will go to those that will.
King Sanyu just lost his father. The only reason he married was to take the throne after his father's passing. He is grieving. His Kingdom is failing and his people are not happy. He is just going though the motions, stuck in a numbing fog. Besides that, his father's best friend thinks Sanyu is a weak King and does all the real ruling for him.
Overall, the book was just "okay".
slackermodenation's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0