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

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.

Did anyone else find Aren's judgement of Lara dumb? When he finds out she's a spy Aren acts all hurt and high and mighty when throughout the novel, he and his council are 99% certain she is a spy. Also, when Lara explains why she agreed to spy for her father, her reasons are the same as Aren's: to protect her people, and the success of either of their people comes with a cost to the others'. It doesn't matter that Lara's father lied to her; her intentions for why she was willing to betray Aren are the same he was willing to kill her *eye roll*.

I LOVED how The Bridge Kingdom finally shows a Heroine with an assassin/enemy characterization and actually follows through. She's not beguiled by a pretty face, and even when she starts to develop feelings for Aren, before discovering the truth about her father, she was unwilling to leave her people starving.

I wasn’t planning on reading the second book but then that ending!!! I’M SO PUMPED. Aren though
disappointed me. I get that it sucks he sent a letter to her father before Lara could destroy all the coded paper but it really didn’t change any of Lara’s decisions. Although it would’ve been smarter for her to inform him about the parchment.


Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama
– The Hero flaunts his mistress/ex-lover (hasn't seen her in a year) in front of the Heroine. Nothing happens, but any guy who disrespects his wife like that when he's pissed is toxic.
• Does have both the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• No separation


Possible Triggers: Yes

• Gore
• Death
• Torture
• Murder


Ending:
Cliffhanger