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A review by snfp
The Trouble with Kings by Sherwood Smith

3.0

Pro:

Cute, fun world building, an eclectic group of characters. Flion’s heroine actions not too fantastical.

Nitpicking thoughts:
-Why even even start with that premise if it’s going to be discarded that quickly? I don’t feel like the plot would have lost anything from starting at the actual beginning with the first abduction/leaving home? Then could have seen before/after of Flion’s character change?
-I was kind of hoping for a whodoneit with Kings based on the premise (and a little disappointed as a result) but I would have read and enjoyed the story just fine if it had begun without the primary amnesia plot line
-Why nothing else about her magic powers? Might have been fun
-Every one of Jason’s plans made no sense to me? And they never worked! Him already liking her at the fire incident also seems to cheapen the relationship?
-What’s with Garion? Just what? He detained and beat Flion and no one mentions this- his plans also did not make sense to me? He’s at the end and she just dances with him...? That’s the end for that plot point?
-Why did she see Jason in the water at the beginning- it tastes like “fate” and I don’t like it
-I was rooting for Jason and all, but if you really think about it, there are some pretty big problems with him and his actions that are hard to swallow. A completed redemption arc would be nice. Less insta-love on his side or the implication that Flion’s interest began so soon (seemed unnecessary for relationship buy-in). Flion did not need to apologize she did nothing wrong (although being ok with assassination seems... strange for her character)?
-A cup of seeped leaves is tea. That is tea. Just call it tea. TEA. But that is nitpicking