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A review by gingergirl014
Once a King by Erin Summerill
4.0
As evidenced by the summary; this book is more of a spin-off than a continuation of the series. The main characters are changed, but I wasn't mad about it. I loved Aodren and Lirra in the rest of the series and was excited to get to know their characters more and be able to dive into their thoughts.
And this book did not disappoint in doing that, and also digging deeper into the issues between those without powers and the Channelers. There is a dark history between the two groups and it is difficult to reunite them.
All in all, I like that the author saw that Britta's story in this series was completed and shifted her focus. It really did a good job showing that the two groups, although both facing their own challenges, are (for the most part) willing to try and come together again.
** Review with Spoilers Ahead**
My biggest annoyance with this story, and it's definitely a personal preference, is how quickly the romance developed between Aodren and Lirra. I mean, it wasn't completely out of the blue, but I wish there was a little more resistance/angst on both ends (There was some, but I wanted more!) He's the King and she's the daughter of the Archtraitor. Being the King, it's unrealistic to think he can just marry whoever he wants. In another life, she would have been a lady, a member of the court, but not in this life. And from Lirra's perspective, he was the King of a country that murdered and exiled her people. It wasn't Aodren who did these things and he is trying to make a change, but that's still a lot of history to just glance over.
In my opinion, it should have just come to a point where neither of them could control their desire anymore. They didn't think, just acted.
Also, (and this is a random point), in the last event of the festival when Aodren didn't have a Channeler to represent his kingdom, that could have been the perfect time to have Britta make an appearance in the book. It would have made more sense than Lirra, a girl who has lived her whole life in a different kingdom, represent his. Another personal preference.
Poor Leif, getting stabbed and then addicted to that drug that he didn't even realize was a drug (I can't remember the name of it.) He's the big, loveable teddy bear that no harm should come to.
And this book did not disappoint in doing that, and also digging deeper into the issues between those without powers and the Channelers. There is a dark history between the two groups and it is difficult to reunite them.
All in all, I like that the author saw that Britta's story in this series was completed and shifted her focus. It really did a good job showing that the two groups, although both facing their own challenges, are (for the most part) willing to try and come together again.
** Review with Spoilers Ahead**
My biggest annoyance with this story, and it's definitely a personal preference, is how quickly the romance developed between Aodren and Lirra. I mean, it wasn't completely out of the blue, but I wish there was a little more resistance/angst on both ends (There was some, but I wanted more!) He's the King and she's the daughter of the Archtraitor. Being the King, it's unrealistic to think he can just marry whoever he wants. In another life, she would have been a lady, a member of the court, but not in this life. And from Lirra's perspective, he was the King of a country that murdered and exiled her people. It wasn't Aodren who did these things and he is trying to make a change, but that's still a lot of history to just glance over.
In my opinion, it should have just come to a point where neither of them could control their desire anymore. They didn't think, just acted.
Also, (and this is a random point), in the last event of the festival when Aodren didn't have a Channeler to represent his kingdom, that could have been the perfect time to have Britta make an appearance in the book. It would have made more sense than Lirra, a girl who has lived her whole life in a different kingdom, represent his. Another personal preference.
Poor Leif, getting stabbed and then addicted to that drug that he didn't even realize was a drug (I can't remember the name of it.) He's the big, loveable teddy bear that no harm should come to.