An enthralling debut perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone set in an ancient North African-inspired fantasy world where two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown. Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of blood and marrow–a dark and terrible magick that hasn’t been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner … fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina’s long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne–because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.
When Eva is attacked by an assassin just weeks before the battle with her sister, she discovers there is more to the attempt on her life than meets the eye–and it isn’t just her sister who wants to see her dead. As tensions escalate, Eva is forced to turn to a fey instructor of mythic proportions and a mysterious and handsome khimaer prince for help in growing her magick into something to fear. Because despite the love she still has for her sister, Eva will have to choose: Isa’s death or her own.
A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush, ancient North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.
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This book comes at you from nowhere! I started it and felt a little bored, but THEN. We meet Baccha and Aketo. And they make this whole merry band the perfect group. While Eva’s character was at times a little disjointed to me, I loved the whole book!
I’m very excited about this book. It has elements Leigh Bardugo and Tomi Adeyemi, and while it hits all the expectations for epic fantasy, it feels fresh and new. . . because our main character is tortured but doesn’t easily show it. It’s nice to read a woman who isn’t cowed by her tormenters but finds a way to fight, even when she has to do it through tears.
A River of Royal Blood introduces the princess Eva, born with the magick of blood and marrow, a dark form of magick last practiced centuries ago by a cruel queen. Eva approaches her 17th birthday on which she must battle her older sister Isa to the death for ascendency to the throne of the Queendom of Myre. Eva is attacked by a mysterious assassin, and turns to a fey mage who can instruct her how to control and practice her magic. There are four peoples in this book: humans, the Fey, the Khimaer and the Bloodkin, which make for a fascinating society and mythology. I liked the character of Eva, who is not interested in playing politics and empathizes with those around her. Tensions and action escalate and there is a big twist near the end. World building is well crafted. It looks like there is going to be a sequel, which is welcome news to readers of this book.
I. Loved. This! It wasn’t the action packed fantasy adventure that I was looking forward to, it was so much more than that! From the get-go I was absolutely hooked! Eva is such a badass heroine, I loved her. I loved her story so far, and I genuinely can’t wait for the next book. Why is the next book so far away??
This isn’t anything like Children of Blood and Bone. Nothing like it, both books are absolutely fantastic in their own ways.
Wins
-the Magick system. Absolutely unique! Magic of blood and marrow, with an escape land that was phenomenal, despite the few details we got about it. I was so intrigued, and the magic continued to get better and better with every character introduced!
-the characters. Eva is amazing. One of my favorite main characters of all time, if I’m being completely honest. She was very real, her emotions were on display, and she was broken, which is so rare for ya books.
-the descriptions. From the characters, to their attributes in breeds, to the different times of magick wielders themselves, to the clothes they wear. All descriptions were phenomenal
-the plot. It’s not unique. However, the way it actually plays out and the twist and turns are what make it absolutely unique and addicting. I didn’t see pretty much everything coming. 10/10!
Opportunities
-introducing many male characters really quick. This confused me since I was multitasking, so definitely a me problem, but yeah. 3 male characters introduced as possible love interests within 60 pages is a tiny bit excessive
-the world itself. I want to know more! We got the barest details, and we didn’t get a map, and I’m super intrigued by that. Hopefully we get more clarity on that next book.
-the ending felt a little rushed. Definitely could’ve been a longer book, I’m probably just complaining cause I wanted more.
This was absolutely incredible! I can’t wait for book 2. I will probably reread this again, because I loved it so much. What a great debut. Good start, can’t wait for the next book! Super excited to own a copy I can reread whenever. Top 10 favorite books easily!