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tinynightingales 's review for:

3.0

Locked away in a magic tower at the vengeful behest of a nameless goddess, Princess Candra hates isolated her life. She always envisioned herself spending the rest of her days flirting and flitting around her sister's court as the chronically ill and infinitely capricious sister to the queen. But when she is called to serve her kingdom and sacrifice herself to spend 7 lonely years locked in the tower with no one but the prince to their rival kingdom, her entire life changes in an instant. The tower is a far departure from her luxurious life. It has no food other what she is early gifted by her kingdom, no windows, no light, nor warm water. Despite technically having a companion in the tower, she and the prince remain at odds in their shared purgatory while the world beyond the tower is at war. She wonders what kingdom will be like after the seven years of isolation are through and if here will be anything left of the things and people she loved at all.

This book includes:
- a dark and moody tower filled with old books
- a mysterious and brooding rival
- meddlesome gods
- secrets and distrust
- vengeful royals, each with their own twisted agenda
- a scourge upon the land and a plague amongst its people
- royal heirs and precious bloodlines

Having been a fan of Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarian series, I was eager to read "Bound to the Shadow Prince" and dip into her version of romantasy. I was not disappointed. This book is a real page turner, full of twists, familial love, romantic love, peace, war, and even some betrayal and heartbreak. Candra is a brat, but I found her to be endlessly entertaining and even a bit relatable in her petulance (oops). The idea of two people being forced to sacrifice 7 years of their lives to live alone in a dark tower is so interesting and I loved getting to see it through the perspective of an unwilling participant. Nemeth's elusiveness also made him to be very interesting character.

I recommend this book to fans of the Awakened Fates series and lovers of Ice Planet Barbarians looking for a bit more of a fantasy twist. This book is a great addition for any TBR in need of a bit of romantasy. I am excited to see if this book will turn into a series of linked stand alones, i feel like there is still so much of this world to explore.

I received this ebook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Ruby Dixon, and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the opportunity to review this book.