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A review by cdiviakauthor
A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy
5.0
4.75 / 5
*I ROUNDED UP FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS SO MINOR THAT I CAN LET IT SLIDE*
Not to make a stupid pun, but this book was a JOY to read. I'll see myself out.
The setting was one of the best parts of it for me, set in the lush and vibrant fantasy world that Joy modeled after North Africa. So many cultural references and inspirations from relevant African nations, not to mention the Queendoms instead of Kingdoms, inspired a mythos and story with no parallel.
Our main character, Eva, felt absolutely likable and we love a good underdog story. She's a fighter, survivor, and a victim all at the same time. The layers of the story were complex, filled with unforeseen alliances, betrayals, and reveals. Most of all, the story touched on the complex dynamic of sister rivalry and broken homes. It felt refreshingly modern in its content, despite the far-away setting of magic and mystics.
If I could mention a small peeve why I didn't give a 5-star, it would be that the King played such a small role in the story and that contradicted the larger build-up that he got. It had an anti-climactic edge to it.
*I ROUNDED UP FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS SO MINOR THAT I CAN LET IT SLIDE*
Not to make a stupid pun, but this book was a JOY to read. I'll see myself out.
The setting was one of the best parts of it for me, set in the lush and vibrant fantasy world that Joy modeled after North Africa. So many cultural references and inspirations from relevant African nations, not to mention the Queendoms instead of Kingdoms, inspired a mythos and story with no parallel.
Our main character, Eva, felt absolutely likable and we love a good underdog story. She's a fighter, survivor, and a victim all at the same time. The layers of the story were complex, filled with unforeseen alliances, betrayals, and reveals. Most of all, the story touched on the complex dynamic of sister rivalry and broken homes. It felt refreshingly modern in its content, despite the far-away setting of magic and mystics.
If I could mention a small peeve why I didn't give a 5-star, it would be that the King played such a small role in the story and that contradicted the larger build-up that he got. It had an anti-climactic edge to it.