Drowns in flagellation and unbelievable spy craft

Is this YA or not?
This book follows Princess Gemma, 17 years after the massacre that kicked off book 1 and Everly’s story. Gemma is now 29 years old, but the narration, writing, and behavior make it feel like she’s 19. Indeed, with the amount of shivers up her spine and tingles in her stomach, or his eyes roaming over her or something flickering across his face, or the fact that there’s not so much as a kiss, you’d think this would be firmly in YA territory. But, there’s an extreme amount of F bombs and a huge chunk of palace intrigue revolves around Gemma thinking about who is F ing who. It was jarring and out of place (and for a medieval fantasy setting, the author could just as easily used other words, like bedding or tupping or sleeping with).

So little magic or magical creatures
Gargoyles, dragons, and giant bird-steeds play a sadly small part in the story. Moreover, other than Gemma’s mind mage abilities, other magical acts are few and far between. This was 90% clunky palace drama and 10% fantasy.

So many silly, predictable, nonsensical plots (SPOILERS ahead):
I was doubtful that anyone other the Princess Leia could carry off high stakes espionage… and sure enough, one of my annoyances was the unbelievable plot about a princess, known for her glitz and glam, going undercover. At least Batman hid behind a mask. This Princess goes from towns, to mines, to enemy castles and we’re supposed to believe she spends days and weeks not being recognized? And those that do recognize her don’t call her out? And those charged with protecting her just let her constantly endanger herself?

Gemma is TSTL
Hours and hours of (1) Gemma’s self flagellation for freezing in the face of danger when she was 12,
(2) Gemma believing the worst of Leo, while anyone with half a brain could see there’s more to the story, and (3) Gemma insisting on playing spy, on her own, instead of letting the real pros at least help. This last bit was what really got to me. Gemma was the exact opposite of the smart, older, skilled warrior princess that I was hoping to find.

6 people found this helpful

Not the best

I really enjoyed the series so far. I even liked the new direction of focus for different main characters. What I couldn't get past was the implausibility of the story. [SPOILERS AHEAD]

Gemma claims to be a spy but acts like she couldn't spy her way out of a paper bag. She has bad PTSD so isn't fully functional but gets to go on dangerous spying missions?? She's the lone heir to the kingdom but somehow it's her doing the dangerous grunt work? The bad guys are 1 dimensional and comically so. The evil superweapons are some arrowheads that make wounds more ouchie? Even the love story is dysfunctional.
I did not care what happened to these characters because I was too tired cringinging from all the nonsensical things that kept happening. I am disappointed.

3 people found this helpful

Not good book

I love Jennifer estep, Have all of her books, But this one is almost like her last Series Crush the King and I hate i can't return this series.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent series

Really enjoyed this series by Jennifer Estep, looking forward to the next book that comes out in may. If you like this series you will love the series elemental assassin. It is one of my favorite series, I highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful

Good story. Not so good language.

Just the “f” word way to much for me and totally not needed. To bed. I would have bought more for this story.

1 person found this helpful

Awesome

Fabulous Story
There is so much about. Families that you just don’t see or can’t believe .., never mind finding friends in unexpected places
Xoxox

excellent!

I love Jennifer estep s books!!!I am looking forward for her next book!!!I love the plot and the story!!!

It was fine

Cheesy romance with magical gargoyles and brides, a girl “who doesn’t believe in her own magical power”, and handsome bad boy prince with a troubled past. If that’s appealing to you it’s exactly what you’ll get.

It was enjoyable

I enjoyed the book for the most part. There was a lot of weird noises the author had to “make” that were getting annoying like “clink, clink, clink” clump, clump, clump” “tap, tap, tap” etc. so many times. I’m sure there were other ways the author could have conveyed those sounds/images.

Unusual I have read other books and enjoyed them.

This is the first audio book I have experienced. I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the readers performance and how much I enjoyed the story. well done to the author and the the reader. I found myself up late at night to finish the book