A review by kims_books
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

adventurous funny reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

“Since the moment I set eyes on you…there has been no one but you. Even if I’m a goddamned fool for it, there will never be anyone but you.”
 
Overall: 3.75/5
Spice: 0.5/5
 
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Arranged Marriage
One Bed
“Who Did This to You”
Espionage
 
TRIGGER WARNING: Violence, Sexual Content
 
SUMMARY:
To save her sisters, Lara takes on the job of marrying the King of the nearby enemy state - Ithicana. However, Lara does not go without plans. Lara Velient is a princess of Maridrina, but she is not the meek Maridrinian bride everyone expects her to be. King Silas of Maridrina has trained each of his daughters to be ruthless assassins. 
 
Maridrina’s citizens are starving due to the trade restrictions, tariffs, and taxes that Ithicana (the Bridge Kingdom) has imposed. Because Ithicana controls the Bridge through the dangerous Tempest Seas, it controls all trade between nations and can rake in wealth without having to contribute any goods to the world economy. Lara’s goal is to bring Ithicana to its knees while she plays its Queen. If she is successful, it would finally mean freedom and prosperity for her real people.
 
However, when Lara arrives to fulfill her mission, she finds herself questioning if everything she was taught about this ruthless kingdom was really true. Even if they are, she needs to decide if good people can do bad things for the right reasons.

THOUGHTS:
I start by saying, I love me a good romantasy novel. The Bridge Kingdom explores classic fantasy romance tropes in a new way. I thought that this book was well paced and consistently had me laughing out loud. I was absolutely hooked after the first couple pages as it jumps straight into the action. The world politics are fantastic as the problems are easy to understand but exceptionally difficult to solve. There is no needless convolution, which I very much appreciated. I am very excited to read the sequel.

 
Pros:
Strong, Consistent Heroine
Beautiful World Building
Understandable Politics
 
Cons:
I’m not attached to Aron (Love Interest)
Aron & Lara’s relationship didn’t feel organic to me
 
Recommended for:
•          Romantasy Lovers
•          People looking for some beautiful and easy to understand world building
•          People who dislike “wishy-washy” or “flip-floppy” characters
 
 
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