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_bethsbookcollection_ 's review for:
The Princess Knight
by Cait Jacobs
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Oh how I adored this book! The Princess x bodyguard aspect of this story was my favourite part. Getting to read as Clíodhna changes from becoming someone everyone sees as a bratty spoilt princess to respected and brave warrior had me absolutely gripped from page to page. With a forbidden romance aspect woven into the story of Clía being promised to a Prince who doesn't see her as worthy while slowly becoming closer to and lusting after his bodyguard. Honestly, the layers of this story weave together so perfectly that it will keep you reading long after the sun has gone down. I am firmly in my lady Knight era and this book was perfect with its medieval theme and celtic mythology influences.
Prince Domhnall and Princess Clía have been promised to eachother for years in a union designed to fortifying the relationship between their kingdoms. However, despite how perfect the pairing appears from the outset Prince Domhnall waits until the last moment to pull out of the engagement, ruining everything Clía had established the rest of her life upon. With a broken heart but still having plenty of fire in her belly Clía decides she is not going to give up and follows Domhnall to the military academy he's attending. She plans on showing not just him but everyone around him thay she can protect her kingdom and to once again secure the proposal her kingdom needs. She knows the academy's brutal reputation but thinking it can't surely be that hard she is about to get a rude awakening. Ronan, a warrior and captain of the Princes guard always promised himself he'd never lose his focus. He fought for his place not only at the Princes side but at the academy, meaning he has no time for a blonde bratty princess who has no business in his opinion being there even if she is particularly attractive. He doesn't want to be interested in Clía but he sees a hunger in her to prove herself that he knows only too well, which sees him beginning to train her which only causes the forbidden feelings between them to grow. However, with a real war looming on the horizon will they be able to figure out what they mean to eachother in time to save the kingdom and get their happily ever after.
I cannot fully express how amazing Clía is as a character, she finds herself on her journey to ascertain an engagement she doesn't truly want or, as she eventually realises, needs. She becomes an absolute badass, a warrior in her own right that fights for those she loves and what she believes in. Never afraid to be herself she becomes stronger, while sticking to who she is in her core, a Princess that loves the colour pink and to sow. Her snark and wit makes for some funny moments that had me chuckling out loud, she is sassy, something that I fully relate with. Ronan constantly pushes through the pain he suffers on a daily basis, believing that he deserves the punishment. As much as Clía grows, Ronan grows too, he comes to realise he doesn't need to bear the full weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a perfect balance to Clía while still meeting her banter and wit move for move, he pushes her and she pushes him so they both grow together as their feelings for one another continue to grow. Ronan is insanely loyal and trusting, however, that doesn’t lead to naivety, he adapts, becomes smarter and continues to both overcome and endure.
The story itself was a perfect balance of mystery, political intrigue and forbidden romance. A big part as I have aforementioned is the character development, especially for Clía, but there is a mystery surrounding who is vying for war within the kingdoms and to cause such destruction and death. I was plenty surprised as the story twisted and turns with actions taking place that I didn't see coming. The worldbuilidng is phenomenal and has a depth that utilises clear descriptors to provide vivid details of the areas in which the characters find themselves. Speaking of the level of detail, this also shows in the careful way the sparring, fighting and training is described, how even these repetitive actions of the characters feel important and hold meaning for the development of the characters. The found family aspect within the story solidifies the academy dynamic that the characters find themselves, but once again this is balanced with the high stakes nature of the world being on the brink of war. I could of stayed wrapped up in this world for so many more pages, I fell in love with the characters and their journey to find themselves and one another.
Prince Domhnall and Princess Clía have been promised to eachother for years in a union designed to fortifying the relationship between their kingdoms. However, despite how perfect the pairing appears from the outset Prince Domhnall waits until the last moment to pull out of the engagement, ruining everything Clía had established the rest of her life upon. With a broken heart but still having plenty of fire in her belly Clía decides she is not going to give up and follows Domhnall to the military academy he's attending. She plans on showing not just him but everyone around him thay she can protect her kingdom and to once again secure the proposal her kingdom needs. She knows the academy's brutal reputation but thinking it can't surely be that hard she is about to get a rude awakening. Ronan, a warrior and captain of the Princes guard always promised himself he'd never lose his focus. He fought for his place not only at the Princes side but at the academy, meaning he has no time for a blonde bratty princess who has no business in his opinion being there even if she is particularly attractive. He doesn't want to be interested in Clía but he sees a hunger in her to prove herself that he knows only too well, which sees him beginning to train her which only causes the forbidden feelings between them to grow. However, with a real war looming on the horizon will they be able to figure out what they mean to eachother in time to save the kingdom and get their happily ever after.
I cannot fully express how amazing Clía is as a character, she finds herself on her journey to ascertain an engagement she doesn't truly want or, as she eventually realises, needs. She becomes an absolute badass, a warrior in her own right that fights for those she loves and what she believes in. Never afraid to be herself she becomes stronger, while sticking to who she is in her core, a Princess that loves the colour pink and to sow. Her snark and wit makes for some funny moments that had me chuckling out loud, she is sassy, something that I fully relate with. Ronan constantly pushes through the pain he suffers on a daily basis, believing that he deserves the punishment. As much as Clía grows, Ronan grows too, he comes to realise he doesn't need to bear the full weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a perfect balance to Clía while still meeting her banter and wit move for move, he pushes her and she pushes him so they both grow together as their feelings for one another continue to grow. Ronan is insanely loyal and trusting, however, that doesn’t lead to naivety, he adapts, becomes smarter and continues to both overcome and endure.
The story itself was a perfect balance of mystery, political intrigue and forbidden romance. A big part as I have aforementioned is the character development, especially for Clía, but there is a mystery surrounding who is vying for war within the kingdoms and to cause such destruction and death. I was plenty surprised as the story twisted and turns with actions taking place that I didn't see coming. The worldbuilidng is phenomenal and has a depth that utilises clear descriptors to provide vivid details of the areas in which the characters find themselves. Speaking of the level of detail, this also shows in the careful way the sparring, fighting and training is described, how even these repetitive actions of the characters feel important and hold meaning for the development of the characters. The found family aspect within the story solidifies the academy dynamic that the characters find themselves, but once again this is balanced with the high stakes nature of the world being on the brink of war. I could of stayed wrapped up in this world for so many more pages, I fell in love with the characters and their journey to find themselves and one another.