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fiestj's review
4.0
This was a cute coming of age love story between a princess and her guard. At the age of thirteen, Diana needs a guard, where Eric comes in to do the job. They are both young and spend a lot of time together which makes them develop feelings over time.
Diana's family did not want Eric and Diana to be together and caused a lot of problems between them. However, even when things were looking bad, the two stuck together and fought for what they wanted; to be together. Eric was a loyal guard and didn't want to break his word about not being with Diana, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
It was a cute read being part of the Royals of Adriane series.
Diana's family did not want Eric and Diana to be together and caused a lot of problems between them. However, even when things were looking bad, the two stuck together and fought for what they wanted; to be together. Eric was a loyal guard and didn't want to break his word about not being with Diana, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
It was a cute read being part of the Royals of Adriane series.
literarialuminaria's review
3.0
I hardly think of it as a betrayal. It's a stupid rule. After all, you can't help but fall in love with your guard - forced proximity and all.
TWs: disordered eating, body dysmorphia,
The prequel to Audrey De Leon’s The Royals of Adriane series, “The Guard of Adriane," takes us into the world of Adriane, where Eric Sinclair, an orphan with a troubled past, becomes the bodyguard of Princess Diana amid looming threats. Sounds intriguing, right? Unfortunately, while the premise held promise, the execution wasn’t quite as thrilling as I thought it would be. The story introduces a forbidden romance between Eric and Diana, but things get a bit awkward and unrealistic. The characters’ interactions feel forced and almost lack authenticity, and there are some inconsistencies in character development and believability during certain events, leading to moments that feel contrived or unrealistic. Descriptions, at times, verge on excessive, going into unnecessary details that do not significantly contribute to the narrative progression, and the drama occasionally goes overboard. For example, some behaviors and reactions, particularly those of Diana, sometimes seem exaggerated or implausible, impacting the story’s credibility. The pacing? Kind of like a rollercoaster – slow in some parts and then racing to wrap up toward the end. And let’s talk about those intimate scenes… as much as I tried to like them, they just weren’t my cup of tea or fit the flow of the novel. Overall, “The Guard of Adriane” is a good idea with a bit of a shaky delivery, though may be a fun read for those interested in books about royalty, downstairs/upstairs-esque storylines, and forbidden romance.
Bookstagram | Lnk.bio
TWs: disordered eating, body dysmorphia,
Spoiler
death, poisoningThe prequel to Audrey De Leon’s The Royals of Adriane series, “The Guard of Adriane," takes us into the world of Adriane, where Eric Sinclair, an orphan with a troubled past, becomes the bodyguard of Princess Diana amid looming threats. Sounds intriguing, right? Unfortunately, while the premise held promise, the execution wasn’t quite as thrilling as I thought it would be. The story introduces a forbidden romance between Eric and Diana, but things get a bit awkward and unrealistic. The characters’ interactions feel forced and almost lack authenticity, and there are some inconsistencies in character development and believability during certain events, leading to moments that feel contrived or unrealistic. Descriptions, at times, verge on excessive, going into unnecessary details that do not significantly contribute to the narrative progression, and the drama occasionally goes overboard. For example, some behaviors and reactions, particularly those of Diana, sometimes seem exaggerated or implausible, impacting the story’s credibility. The pacing? Kind of like a rollercoaster – slow in some parts and then racing to wrap up toward the end. And let’s talk about those intimate scenes… as much as I tried to like them, they just weren’t my cup of tea or fit the flow of the novel. Overall, “The Guard of Adriane” is a good idea with a bit of a shaky delivery, though may be a fun read for those interested in books about royalty, downstairs/upstairs-esque storylines, and forbidden romance.
Bookstagram | Lnk.bio
anacarter's review
2.0
2 stars - dnf 45%, full Review on my blog!
The Guard of Adriane, is set on an alternate Earth, and the city of Adriane is said to probably be in Europe, as per the author's note at the beginning.
While the initial concept showed potential from the description, the execution didn't quite live up to the anticipated excitement. This reads like a children's book rather than YA, interactions between characters felt contrived, lacking authenticity with noticeable inconsistencies in character development and believability during key events. Also, the dialogue felt very childish and the pacing was awkward.
Anyways!
What I want to talk about is how this book begins. I don't understand why this started the way it did, surely this could have been different.
This starts... in a very strange and honestly it gave me the ick and made me feel uncomfortable.
We meet our fmc Princess Diana, yes exactly like Princess Diana - that's all I could think of the entire time I was reading this - also I want to add her mom is literally Queen Victoria - I'm sorry but no, it just feels weird to read and it makes me cringe.
Diana is a 12-year-old princess. She is having trouble sleeping and walks in on her parents reading comments about her in the Adriane Weekly-the newspaper; these comments were of the 12-year-old Princess Diana's ‘developing breasts’ and how people would like to fuck her. Which is a very WEIRD and uncomfortable way to start a book, and is not something I want to visualize. Mind you this was within the first 4 pages and just no thank you, I was just done with this book at this point.
But I tried to give this a chance since the author sent me an ARC; thank you so much but it wasn't for me!
It soon gets ridiculous. When the Princess and her best friend go on a small shopping trip to the mall (disguised of course), someone spots her and attempts to kidnap her. All of a sudden a mysterious stranger (Rick) saves her, and when he is brought to the castle, her parents ask him "how he can be repaid" for saving their dear daughter.
His response:
The Guard of Adriane, is set on an alternate Earth, and the city of Adriane is said to probably be in Europe, as per the author's note at the beginning.
While the initial concept showed potential from the description, the execution didn't quite live up to the anticipated excitement. This reads like a children's book rather than YA, interactions between characters felt contrived, lacking authenticity with noticeable inconsistencies in character development and believability during key events. Also, the dialogue felt very childish and the pacing was awkward.
Anyways!
What I want to talk about is how this book begins. I don't understand why this started the way it did, surely this could have been different.
This starts... in a very strange and honestly it gave me the ick and made me feel uncomfortable.
We meet our fmc Princess Diana, yes exactly like Princess Diana - that's all I could think of the entire time I was reading this - also I want to add her mom is literally Queen Victoria - I'm sorry but no, it just feels weird to read and it makes me cringe.
Diana is a 12-year-old princess. She is having trouble sleeping and walks in on her parents reading comments about her in the Adriane Weekly-the newspaper; these comments were of the 12-year-old Princess Diana's ‘developing breasts’ and how people would like to fuck her. Which is a very WEIRD and uncomfortable way to start a book, and is not something I want to visualize. Mind you this was within the first 4 pages and just no thank you, I was just done with this book at this point.
But I tried to give this a chance since the author sent me an ARC; thank you so much but it wasn't for me!
It soon gets ridiculous. When the Princess and her best friend go on a small shopping trip to the mall (disguised of course), someone spots her and attempts to kidnap her. All of a sudden a mysterious stranger (Rick) saves her, and when he is brought to the castle, her parents ask him "how he can be repaid" for saving their dear daughter.
His response:
"I want to live in the palace," Rick said. "My folks want me to move out of the house now that I'm twenty, but I don't have anywhere to go. And what better place to live than here? I could do odd jobs around the palace, to earn my keep."
AND HER PARENTS AGREED?? WHAT - but of course only with a background check.
This leads to her parents wanting to up her security, 3-4 guards are chosen to compete for the role, unsure why there had to be a weird sword fight/battle thing, especially when Diana already has her eyes set on Eric - the 16-year-old guard, and thus begins their forbidden romance.
I love a good forbidden, close-proximity romance but this just wasn't it, and I'm so sad because the description holds so much promise. 😭
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lj_perez's review
5.0
When I first read what “Guard of Adriane “ was about, I had a completely different idea. I am so glad I still decided to sign up for it! It really turned out to be a totally one of a kind story. Also with a whole new friendship. The way Audrey made sure she put so much detail into the way Eric and Dianna loved each other. They are so perfect. They had so much skills in communicating, keeping everything drama free. This story is definitely a must read!! So y’all better get on it, and get this amazing read!!— Laura xxx
stephnm26's review
4.0
I love the guard and Princess trope SO MUCH. Friend and then more and it was just such a good read from the start! I received this ARC for an honest review!
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