Reviews

The Head, the Heart, and the Heir by Alice Hanov

maysshelf's review against another edition

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5.0

This is by far my favorite book of the year, and it’s becoming my favorite fantasy book.
I was lucky enough to be part of the author ARC group and I was hooked since the novella, believe me when I tell you “I spend almost three months texting Alice to know when will this book be available cause I needed more of the Darten and Warren royals to be” and OMG I wasn’t ready (kevin heart voice) for this.

So what is this book about:

The head, the heart and the heir follows Alex (Elizabeth) who is the lost princes of the kingdom of Warren (who happened to also be a sorcerer cause of her mother inheritance) through the moment in which she is found, through the moment in which she is “lost” again.

We also follow Aaron, who is the spare from the kingdom of Datten, and his journey to proof to his father that he deserves to be the next king, stepping outside of the shadow of his death brother.

We also get to know a bunch of more interesting characters who help entangled Aaron and Alex lives, and we get to know a ton of the blood line for sorceress.

Don’t know how much to explain without spoilers, cause this is a book you need to discover by yourself. And experience it first hand.

To my this is the next Harry Potter of fantasy!

truthaurdare's review

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-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? Yes

4.0

sacrowauthor's review against another edition

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5.0

Review: The Head the Heart and the Heir
By Alice Hanov

I’m very picky about my epic fantasy reads and this read met all of my boxes. Strong characters, grounded worldbuilding, and intrigue. I love political intrigue and family secrets and this novel gives me just what I want.
Don’t pass this novel up, grab it today. You won’t regret it.

One Princess Secreted Away. Two Kingdoms in Peril. Three Will Rise.

Princess Elizabeth wants nothing more than to be reunited with her father, her kingdom, and her people. Instead, she's spent the last twelve years in the forest, hiding from her grandfather, who killed her mother while she looked on.
Then the only heir to the Kingdom of Warren is discovered by her childhood playmate and crush, now the Crown Prince of the allied Kingdom of Datten, and everything changes. Her grandfather has died, which means it's safe for her to return to her kingdom in advance of her seventeenth birthday...when sorcerers like her manifest their powers.
But the girl who now calls herself Alex is nothing like the lost princess the kingdom remembers. She's headstrong, fearless-and already wields powers beyond everyone's wildest imaginations. She can predict the future, control the weather, make plants magically grow, and manipulate fire, abilities which cause unusual things to happen when her emotions are heightened.
As she struggles to gain control of her powers, Alex causes chaos in the castle where she's never quite the princess they want her to be. When she uncovers the secret behind her lineage and the murder of her mother, Alex's powers threaten to destroy everyone around her, including her father, who hid the truth from her for so long.
Alex doesn't want to be feared or controlled. She's not the type to stand by and let someone else decide her fate-but is she strong enough to turn her back on the only family and friends she has left?

cheezyreads's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

this is a tiktok made me buy it book and I must say I adore Alex, she is my kind of lady! She is a kickass female leading lady! I loved it! (Some of Alex's lines made me burst out laughing) Hanov's world building is *chefs kiss* and I just love this series so far. There is so much character growth and development within the first book alone, the interpersonal relationships are well written and believable.  Alex's boys will do anything for her, even put up with one another despite rocky relationships. 

 (Plus Canadian indie author, YES PLEASE!)

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the_bookishmum's review against another edition

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I’ll come back to it 

facebehindabook's review against another edition

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5.0

~Thank you Alice for the beautifully written ARC~
I couldn't put this book down.
A boy who is actually a girl, who is actually a princess, who is actually a sorceress, and who is actually a TITAN.
From the begining this book had me in a chokehold the story telling was magnificent. Welcome to a world of kings, princes, magic, and a stubborn princess. I love that each emotion has a different way of manifesting itself. I loved how the characters interact like your normal teenage friends. Most of all I loved the re-telling of themes from other stories and the flawless way different legends and myths work so well together.
I can't wait for the second book to this series.

kiwi_chick's review against another edition

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5.0

I only just realised I forgot to write a review on this sorry.
I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This book makes you fall in love with all the characters, it is from two pov which is different from what I normally read but I really enjoyed it knowing what each other was thinking this made them both feel real.
The world building was spot on you would never of guessed that this was her first book.
I can’t wait for book 2 to be released.

dusti85's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

4.0

This story is so great. It's unique in it's magic system but also feels a bit familiar, like a fairy tale from childhood.
Alex is amazing - is there anything she can't do? (aside from dance?) 
Aaron is everything I want in a spoiled brat prince who figures out how to grow up and become the man he's supposed to. 
The friends and found family surrounding these characters are wonderful, leaving you feeling like you are part of a fun little crew. 

This slow burn was full of magic, mayhem and maidens. There are a LOT of characters, so I did flip a few times to double check who was who, but it was great story building and I cannot wait to get to the next book. Diving into Broken Sons as soon as possible!

saga_kalenthriel's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

4.25

This was a thrilling read, a lovely mix of fantasy, magic, royalty, knights and mystery. I adore the characters and the dynamics between them. And despite being in serious situations where danger lurks in the shadows, they bring a light-heartedness that brings a smile to my lips. Even if at times I felt things got a bit too stuck in their heads and emotions and just wanted to scream at them to just talk to each other!
The writing flows smoothly, and despite my hectic life leaving almost no room for reading, I found myself unable to stay away, stealing little moments whenever I could to escape into the world of Torian. It is a wonderful daydreaming destination. And as the owner of a physical copy as well as ebook, that cover is just too pretty to not have on display!

shelves_by_sim's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Princess Elizabeth witnesses her mother's death at the age of four - at the hands of her paternal grandfather too - before being whisked away and hidden for twelve years. Hoping to return one day, all she can do is live in her forest camp with her best friend and her protector until she can be finally reunited with her father in the kingdom of Warren. 

Her childhood friend, Crown Prince Aaron of Datten - a neighboring kingdom and an ally of her father's kingdom - finally tracks her down, bearing news of her grandfather's death. Elizabeth is free to go home. Only, she is a long way from being the princess she was. Preferring to go by the name Alex, she is headstrong and fearless.

But Alex's mother was a powerful sorcerer and, therefore, Alex is one too. Her powers are much stronger than she is able to control. They threaten  to destroy everyone around her, leaving her with only one choice, leave with her mother's most powerful brother and protect everyone she cares for.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story was so interesting, I didn't want to pick up another book until I had finished it. The world created was thought out. I loved Alex, her compassion, her kindness, her refusal to conform was just refreshing. I loved how she had so many good people around her. Aaron was an absolute sweetheart and I really hope he gets her back. This book was so capitaviting and I'm immediately jumping into the sequel 😁