Royal Vengeance by Aimee Carter (Royal Blood book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Royal Blood & Royal Scandal, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Evangeline Bright has only one shot to prove she isn’t a traitor: by finding the real mastermind behind the plot that almost killed her father, the King of England.

With the help of Kit, her steadfast boyfriend, Evan must find a way to outsmart the real threat to the throne no matter the cost, because the deadliest enemy the monarchy has faced in over a century is back with a vicious vengeance. And Evan soon uncovers the reason why.

A scandal so huge that if it ever becomes public, it will tear the monarchy apart.

To protect her loved ones, Evan must silence her enemies for good—because if the truth gets out, it won’t just shatter the monarchy. It’ll shatter Evan’s entire family.” - taken from Goodreads. 

Without giving too much away, this book picks up after the events of book two. Evan, with the help of Kit, is determined to stop whoever is behind the plot to take out the royal family. This was a very satisfying ending to this trilogy.

Visit Aimee Carter’s website.

Between These Broken Hearts by Lexi Ryan (These Hollow Vows book 4)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book, Beneath These Cursed Stars, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.” - taken from Goodreads.

A good ending to not only the duology but the overall series as well,

Visit Lexi Ryan’s website.

The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

 

“Deep within the imperial palace at Timbuktu, Amie has suffered a devastating loss. Once the daughter of a prosperous salt merchant Amie’s life was cruelly overturned in a matter of months. At sixteen, Amie now finds herself disinherited, framed for a scandalous crime, and forced to serve Princess Mariama of Mali . Her father, Emperor Sulyeman, has created a series of impossible trials for his daughter's suitors. When they fail, he publicly boils them alive, littering Mariama’s path to marriage with ninety-nine corpses.

At first, Amie’s life at court is drudgery—the chores are difficult, the servants despise her, and Princess Mariama is prone to mood swings—but the more she learns about the princess's circumstances, the closer the two girls become. Amie and her intended, Kader, plan to escape Timbuktu and make a new life far away from the shadow of death that has fallen upon the emperor’s court, but she finds herself increasingly drawn to the princess in ways she doesn’t understand.

When a mysterious discovery forces her hand, she must choose between fleeing with the boy she loves or helping the princess to end the trials forever. Amie will need to draw on all of her strength and courage to make the perilous journey through the desert to seek the aid of an exiled god in a final, desperate attempt to take charge of her own destiny.” - taken from Goodreads.

Set in medieval Mali and based on a Malian fairy tale, Amie’s world comes crashing down when she is accused of infidelity and her engagement to her sweetheart is broken. Disowned by her parents, she becomes a lady in waiting for Princess Mariama. The two become close friends and Amie comes up with a plan to save Mariama's 100th suitor from certain death. Unfortunately, her newest suitor is Amie's beloved, Kader. Determined to save them both and create a future for themselves, Amie is forced to choose between Kader and Mariama.

This book had a great premise, but the ending felt a bit rushed for me.

A Queen’s Game by Katharine McGee

 

“In the last glittering decade of European empires, courts, and kings, three young women are on a collision course with history—and with each other.

Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince . . . except that the prince she’s falling for is not the one she’s supposed to marry.

Hélène d’Orléans, daughter of the exiled King of France, doesn’t mind being a former princess; it gives her more opportunity to break the rules. Like running around with the handsome, charming, and very much off-limits heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy.

Then there’s May of Teck. After spending her entire life on the fringes of the royal world, May is determined to marry a prince—and not just any prince, but the future king.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a fun spin on royal history during the later part of the Victorian era that is inspired by somewhat true events. Three young women are determined to have a say in their own futures among European royalty. I had to keep stopping throughout the book to research the various historical figures. While that may have spoiled the ending of book two, I learned how most everyone was related to Queen Victoria and how she manipulated her grandchildren for her own gain.

Book two is TBA.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen (Dominions book 3)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, The Liar’s Crown and The Stolen Throne, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“King Eidolon has taken everything. Meren's throne, her Shadowraith, and even her kingdom. She is a queen with no one to rule, and a tattered army that's not even hers. And now the shadows who once tormented Reven live within her, enticing her to betray her friends. The Alignment is almost upon them--the culmination of centuries that have fueled a vengeful king's festering rage. They're outnumbered and underpowered. And even if they could unleash the trapped goddesses, they could destroy the kingdom and everything in it.”

The final book in this trilogy did take me a while to get into but once Reven reenters the story, the action begins to pick up. Even through the twists and turns in the fight to stop Eidolon, no one is spared in the journey to the end.

Visit Abigail Owen’s website.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

 

Spoiler alert. It's not necessary to read the first two books in the previous series,These Hollow Vows, but it will greatly enhance your reading pleasure with this one

“Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.” - taken from Goodreads.

Readers will recognize Jasalyn as Brie’s younger sister who was held captive by Mordeus in the earlier books. Bitter, when she is captured by a group determined to end Mordeus once and for all, Jas joins in as her doppelganger, Felicity, goes to the Wild Fae court to find a hidden portal. Soon both girls are caught up in their new roles where their futures offer new possibilities that they never dreamed possible. This book does end in a cliffhanger that will leave readers wondering what happens to both Jas and Felicity.

Visit Lexi Ryan’s website.

Reign by Katharine McGee (American Royals book 4)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first three books in the series, American Royals, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first three books.

“A queen's life hangs in the balance, and her siblings’ decisions—about what to do, and most of all, who to love—could change the course of history. Romance. Duty. Power...only one can triumph in this stunning conclusion to the New York Times bestselling American Royals series.

America's royal family is in shambles. Queen Beatrice is in a coma and Princess Samantha has gone missing—from the look of things, she ran away with her boyfriend, Lord Marshall Davis. Which means that Prince Jefferson is currently on the throne. For some in America, it's exactly what they wanted: a King ruling the country. And for Daphne Deighton, who has tricked Jefferson into dating her again, it's the ultimate dream come true. 

Surely this is all just temporary. Won’t Beatrice wake up and reclaim her rightful place? Samantha can't really be gone…can she? And Prince Jefferson will never truly be over his childhood crush, Nina Gonzalez. Right?

For the Washington family, the stakes are higher than ever. Love might save the throne….if secrets don’t destroy everything first.” - taken from Goodreads.

Oh, how I am going to miss this series. Without giving anything away, I will say that Reign wrapped up the story for all four of our main characters that will satisfy fans.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

The Liar’s Crown & The Stolen Throne by Abigail Owen (Dominions books 1 & 2)

 

“Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.” - taken from Goodreads.

The Dominions trilogy tells the story of Meren who has been raised in secret and trained to be the body double of her twin sister Tabra, the queen of Aryd. Kidnapped while posing as her sister, Meren keeps her true identity a secret while trying to get back to Tabra before it is too late. As she grows closer to her mysterious kidnapper, she discovers that not all as it seems.

I adored this book and immediately picked up the second installment. With another cliffhanger ending, fans will be eagerly awaiting the ending.

The trilogy concludes with The Shadows Rule All, due out on April 2, 2024.

Visit Abigail Owen’s website.

Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean (Tokyo Ever After book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Tokyo Ever After, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi’s life is a Tokyo dream come true.

Only...

Her parents’ engagement hits a brick wall. The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother’s lack of pedigree. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.

But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?” - taken from Goodreads.

Picking up the story from the first book, Izumi is struggling to fit into the role that is expected of her. When parents decide to get married, the news is not well received and the Royal Council denies their request. Determined for her parents to finally have their happily ever after, Izumi decides to become the perfect Japanese princess. Unfortunately, the road to perfection isn’t easy, especially when Aiko calls things off between the two of them. Heartbroken, Izumi finds the courage to play the royal game and even discovers that she has more allies on her side than she thought. Can Izumi become the perfect princess society expects her to become without losing herself?

Visit Emiko Jean’s website.

A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lim (Book of Tea Book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Magic Steeped in Poison, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.

Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi—a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making—has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.

But the golden serpent still haunts Ning's nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world…” taken from Goodreads.

The conclusion of this story finds Ning and k on separate journeys after Ning discovered k's true identity. Trying to uncover who's behind the poisoned tea and the rise in power of Kang's father, our two heroes join forces half way through to formulate a plan to restore Zhen to the throne. The story does drag in parts but the ending doesn't tie up everything in a neat bow. 

Rivals by Katharine McGee (American Royals book 3)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, American Royals, and Majesty, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Beatrice is queen, and for the American royal family, everything is about to change.

Relationships will be tested.

Princess Samantha is in love with Lord Marshall Davis—but the more serious they get, the more complicated things become. Is Sam destined to repeat her string of broken relationships…and this time will the broken heart be her own?

Strangers will become friends.

Beatrice is representing America at the greatest convocation of kings and queens in the world. When she meets a glamorous foreign princess, she gets drawn into the inner circle…but at what cost?

And rivals will become allies.

Nina and Daphne have spent years competing for Prince Jefferson. Now they have something in common: they both want to take down manipulative Lady Gabriella Madison. Can these enemies join forces, or will old rivalries stand in the way?” - taken from Goodreads.

This book turned out to be so much more than I would have ever dreamed of. Queen Beatrice is trying to find her footing as the first queen of America. Princess Samantha is trying to figure out what her role in the Washington family will be once she is no longer Bea's heir. Prince Jefferson, third in line to the throne, is once again the object of every girl's wish to be a princess. I wasn't sure where the author was going to take this story line but she left readers desperately wishing that book four isn't a year away. 

Book four is due to be published in 2023.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber (Twin Crowns book 1)

“Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents’ murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn’t quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn’t have a habit of causing trouble…

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.

Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?” - taken from Goodreads.

This was an incredible story of twin sisters separated at birth after the murder of their parents. Rose is raised as the princess she was born to be while Wren was raised by her witch grandmother in order to take back the crown and avenge the death of her parents. When Rose is kidnapped and Wren takes her place, the true depth of deception in the kingdom unravels.

Will the sisters join forces to take back the throne or do they battle one another for the kingdom? 

Visit Catherine Doyle’s website.

Visit Katherine Webber’s website.

 

Nightrender by Jodi Meadows (Salvation Cycle book 1)

 

“In the middle of nothingness is the continent of Salvation.

Reality bends easily here. Villages disappear. Forests burn forever. Pockets of inconsistent time are everywhere, their boundaries strung with yellow ribbon. And the three kingdoms of Salvation have been at war for a thousand years.

But the greatest threat is the Malice, an incursion from the demon plane slowly tearing its way through the world's weakest seams. Seams that--once split--will lead to the total unraveling of night and day, light and dark, life and death.

Not that the human world takes much interest. Of more concern is the upcoming marriage of Rune Highcrown, Prince of Caberwill, and Johanne Fortuin, Princess of Embria--the serpent bride, a girl of famous cunning--which offers a possible end to the ancient conflict. But Rune has noticed the growing darkness, and he is determined to summon mankind's only defense: Nightrender, the hammer of the gods, an immortal warrior more weapon than girl.

There is only one problem. The last time she was summoned, she slaughtered every royal in Salvation, and no one knows why. Will she save humanity from the Malice... or plunge it deeper into the fires of eternal war?” - taken from Goodreads

A great start to a new fantasy trilogy that ends in a cliffhanger. Definitely a unique plot that contains a love/hate/user triangle that allows the reader to get insight into all three of the main characters. A highly recommended suggestion from a student who loves fantasy.

Book two in the Salvation Cycle, Dawnbreaker, is expected in 2023.

Visit Jodi Meadows’ website.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by July I. Lin (Book of Tea book 1)

 

“I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."

For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.

When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.

But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.” - taken from Goodreads

I loved how this fantasy read had a unique twist, magic through the power of tea. Full of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden romance, Ning soon discovers that life in the palace and the competition is cutthroat. Without giving away too many details, readers will be left clamoring for the conclusion after that cliffhanger ending.

This duology will conclude with A Venom So Dark and Sweet on August 23, 2022.

Visit Judy I. Lin’s website.

A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Epic Reads if you need a recap of the first book. 

“Karina lost everything after a violent coup left her without her kingdom or her throne. Now the most wanted person in Sonande, her only hope of reclaiming what is rightfully hers lies in a divine power hidden in the long-lost city of her ancestors.

Meanwhile, the resurrection of Karina’s sister has spiraled the world into chaos, with disaster after disaster threatening the hard-won peace Malik has found as Farid’s apprentice. When they discover that Karina herself is the key to restoring balance, Malik must use his magic to lure her back to their side. But how do you regain the trust of someone you once tried to kill?

As the fabric holding Sonande together begins to tear, Malik and Karina once again find themselves torn between their duties and their desires. And when the fate of everything hangs on a single, horrifying choice, they each must decide what they value most—a power that could transform the world, or a love that could transform their lives.” - taken from Goodreads.

Boy was this book a whopper. Lots of secrets and connections are made as to the characters and their backstories are well-developed. This was a bit of a slow read all the bulk of the action comes at the end. Both Malik and Karina find their paths. In the end, things weren't quite what I expected but satisfying nonetheless.

Visit Roseanne A. Brown’s website.

Wings of Shadow by Nicki Pau Preto (Crown of Feathers book 3)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Crown of Feathers, and Heart of Flames, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first book.

“I had a sister, once…

Veronyka is no longer an orphaned stable boy or a nameless Phoenix Rider apprentice: she is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire…and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart.

We shone brightly, burned fiercely.

Now that the secret is out, everyone at the Eyrie treats Veronyka differently, and with Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan—and Sev with him as a spy—Veronyka feels very much alone. Except for her beloved phoenix, Xephyra, of course, and her new friend, Kade, who has his own reasons for wanting to save Tristan.

Was it always going to come down to this? Sister against sister? Darkness against light?

Veronyka is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tristan back, even if that means revealing her identity to the world and inheriting a throne she’s not sure she wants. But when she discovers that Avalkyra has bonded with a strix—a legendary creature of darkness that feeds off the life force of others—Veronyka realizes she has more to deal with than an encroaching war with the empire. Val is willing to destroy everything to get her revenge on a world that rejected her, and if Veronyka wants to bring peace to the empire and Pyra alike, she must face down her sister once and for all.

The world began with Ashfire queens…perhaps they will also be its destruction.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was a thrilling and dramatic end to this stupendous epic fantasy trilogy. In this battle between “sisters”, only one Ashfire can come out on top to rule. Not everything is wrapped up neatly in a bow, but the ending is extremely satisfying. One of my all-time favorite fantasy series. I cannot wait to see what this author’s next book will be.

Visit Nicki Pau Preto’s website.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Tokyo Ever After book 1)

 

“Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity… and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book definitely lived up to all of the hype surrounding it. Izumi Tanaka and her mother live in Northern California. A high school senior, her mother doesn't talk about who her birth father is. One night at home with her friend Noora, they discover an inscription in a book by her mother's bed that is signed and dated the same year she was born. Noora decides that she is going to find out who this mystery man is. What Noora uncovers is that Izumi is the spitting image of the Crown Prince of Japan. When Izumi reaches out to her father, little does she know the firestorm her newfound identity causes.

 Definitely one of my top reads of 2021. 

Visit Emiko Jean’s website.