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divya_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an exciting young adult epic fantasy journey. The story is beautifully written with interesting characters and exciting situations. The story is fast paced and filled with lots of magical beings. I really liked the character of the young wizard Cade who is fiercely loyal and quite brave! An exciting clean adventure story for fantasy fans! I received a free copy of the book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
retrogirlreads's review
4.0
Princess Ayla shall soon be queen, but she worried that her Fae stepmother will cause chaos. Her best friend Cade, who also happens to be a wizard apprentice, is desperate to prove himself - and show Ayla he can be more than just her best friend. Finally, there is Ward, a guard who wants to rise above his station, and who also has feelings for the princess.
Okay, so I actually really liked this book!!! I loved that each of the three protagonists were unique unto themselves. Ayla, Cade, and Ward’s stories intertwined to create a fascinating world full of magic, adventure, and chaos. The world building was solid, and I liked the banter between the characters. This is the perfect book for any young adult fantasy fan!!! I would definitely recommend it to those who like a little bit of magic in their lives.
Okay, so I actually really liked this book!!! I loved that each of the three protagonists were unique unto themselves. Ayla, Cade, and Ward’s stories intertwined to create a fascinating world full of magic, adventure, and chaos. The world building was solid, and I liked the banter between the characters. This is the perfect book for any young adult fantasy fan!!! I would definitely recommend it to those who like a little bit of magic in their lives.
elizafiedler's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thechaoshour's review against another edition
5.0
Who doesn't love a good quest book??
Cade and Ward's POV were easily favourite here. I loved that they hated each other because it make for an interesting dynamic. I appreciated a book where the two male leads weren't fighting over the princess. One was her friend and the other was only just started to become interested in her. I liked the whole "we just met we're not in love" vibe, almost making fun of the insta-love trope.
I really enjoyed the world building in AQOBAS. It felt like there was a lot more lore behind this kingdom and I'm hoping we get to see more of it in the next books. I also enjoyed trying to guess how everyone fit into the story and who the bad guy was going to be. Lots of fun!
My only complaint is that I think Ayla is more badass than she seems to be in this first book. I'm looking forward to seeing her grow into an epic queen!
Cade and Ward's POV were easily favourite here. I loved that they hated each other because it make for an interesting dynamic. I appreciated a book where the two male leads weren't fighting over the princess. One was her friend and the other was only just started to become interested in her. I liked the whole "we just met we're not in love" vibe, almost making fun of the insta-love trope.
I really enjoyed the world building in AQOBAS. It felt like there was a lot more lore behind this kingdom and I'm hoping we get to see more of it in the next books. I also enjoyed trying to guess how everyone fit into the story and who the bad guy was going to be. Lots of fun!
My only complaint is that I think Ayla is more badass than she seems to be in this first book. I'm looking forward to seeing her grow into an epic queen!
dvester's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book, I really enjoyed the adventure of it. Once the started on their journey I couldn’t stand Cade, he’s a character that after time he grew on me but I couldn’t wait for him to get beat up by anything. It was nice to see him and Ward put their differences aside and come together during the fae realm so that they wouldn’t die. I think my only problem with the story is Princess Ayla, in the beginning I thought she could be someone, it seemed like she was able to stand up for herself but as the book went on I began to dislike her for how childish she was and how easy it was to manipulate her. Saying that I hope this becomes a series because I would like to see what happens with Riona learning her magic, I want Cade to become this badass wizard, and I want Ayla to finally act like a queen.
bookish_blanche's review against another edition
4.0
An action-packed, YA fantasy story
-I would like to thank Hidden Gems Books for the eARC-
With her father murdered, Ayla is supposed to assume the throne. But she is missing a magical stone that was stolen by her stepmother, and it compromises her reign. Cade, wizard apprentice, is sent to retrieve the stone in the fae realm with a knight and a mysterious fae girl tagging along. The stranger tries to convince them that the quest they've been tasked with is a lie, and that secrets remain to be uncovered...
This book was a great YA epic fantasy story. It had good world-building that wasn't too hard to understand, cool characters who are relatable and a quest-based plot full of action and magic. I really enjoyed reading, and am eager to see what comes next. However, I did find that there were too many POVs, and the first person didn't help my brain change from character to character xD It's a personal opinion, of course, but it lost me at times and I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see who was speaking, and it sometimes kind of cut the action for me. Otherwise, the story in itself was really interesting and well-written, with plot-twists, doubts, action, magic... It was very easy to understand what was happening and the few surprise reveals were really nice as well. The romance was a bit cliché, with the sort of love triangle, but it is YA so it makes sense and didn't prevent me from enjoying the book in itself. I don't regret picking it up!
I recommend if you like epic, quest-based YA fantasy with magic and secrets.
"My honor was my most prized possession."
TW: blood, violence, gore, death
-I would like to thank Hidden Gems Books for the eARC-
With her father murdered, Ayla is supposed to assume the throne. But she is missing a magical stone that was stolen by her stepmother, and it compromises her reign. Cade, wizard apprentice, is sent to retrieve the stone in the fae realm with a knight and a mysterious fae girl tagging along. The stranger tries to convince them that the quest they've been tasked with is a lie, and that secrets remain to be uncovered...
This book was a great YA epic fantasy story. It had good world-building that wasn't too hard to understand, cool characters who are relatable and a quest-based plot full of action and magic. I really enjoyed reading, and am eager to see what comes next. However, I did find that there were too many POVs, and the first person didn't help my brain change from character to character xD It's a personal opinion, of course, but it lost me at times and I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see who was speaking, and it sometimes kind of cut the action for me. Otherwise, the story in itself was really interesting and well-written, with plot-twists, doubts, action, magic... It was very easy to understand what was happening and the few surprise reveals were really nice as well. The romance was a bit cliché, with the sort of love triangle, but it is YA so it makes sense and didn't prevent me from enjoying the book in itself. I don't regret picking it up!
I recommend if you like epic, quest-based YA fantasy with magic and secrets.
"My honor was my most prized possession."
TW: blood, violence, gore, death
thebookcoyote's review against another edition
3.0
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
First and foremost, this book was fun. I enjoyed reading it and didn't get bored. I fully recommend it to anyone looking for a fun fantasy book to read.
Now, to get a little more detailed. First, the things I liked best about this book:
1) I really enjoyed the story in general. I liked the long trek through fae territory, and the mythology of the series that was displayed in meeting with fae creatures and learning fae history.
2) I really liked the feeling that there was a much deeper mythology that the story was built on, and I hope to see more of it in the sequels.
3) I was glad that over the course of the book, the two main male characters lost their hostility towards each other and became friends of sorts. That's something you don't often see with love triangles, and I appreciated that very much.
Now, things that I think could have been improved.
1) I think there were too many points of view, especially that Cade's POV and Ward's POV were too similar and I found myself confusing them. I think it might have been better to have just one of the boys have a viewpoint.
2) Especially at the beginning of the book, I thought there was more telling than showing, and I would have liked to see it the other way around.
3) I really didn't like how weak the princess came across. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt here because of comments made towards the end, but it's something I'll definitely be watching for in sequels.
All in all though, I enjoyed this book.
First and foremost, this book was fun. I enjoyed reading it and didn't get bored. I fully recommend it to anyone looking for a fun fantasy book to read.
Now, to get a little more detailed. First, the things I liked best about this book:
1) I really enjoyed the story in general. I liked the long trek through fae territory, and the mythology of the series that was displayed in meeting with fae creatures and learning fae history.
2) I really liked the feeling that there was a much deeper mythology that the story was built on, and I hope to see more of it in the sequels.
3) I was glad that over the course of the book, the two main male characters lost their hostility towards each other and became friends of sorts. That's something you don't often see with love triangles, and I appreciated that very much.
Now, things that I think could have been improved.
1) I think there were too many points of view, especially that Cade's POV and Ward's POV were too similar and I found myself confusing them. I think it might have been better to have just one of the boys have a viewpoint.
2) Especially at the beginning of the book, I thought there was more telling than showing, and I would have liked to see it the other way around.
3) I really didn't like how weak the princess came across. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt here because of comments made towards the end, but it's something I'll definitely be watching for in sequels.
All in all though, I enjoyed this book.
danif1979_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Princess Ayla is only weeks away from her coronation. She was raised by the wizard Eoghan after her father was murdered by a fae.
Eoghan has been in charge until the time she becomes of age, to take the throne.
The fae still pose a threat, but there is a way to counter it? Ayla’s family used to possess a magical stone, that only a member of the Royal family can wield.
That stone was taken by the fae that murdered her father… So, Ward (a knight) & Cade (Eoghan’s apprentice) are sent on a quest to retrieve it.
I absolutely enjoyed this book! Adventure, suspense, magic, magical creatures, friendship… Loved the characters!
And… there’s going to be more?? This is the first book in a series of four & I’m so looking forward to the other books!
betweenhogwartsandvelaris's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
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