My mom should have killed me the day I was born.
Being a twin complicates the Evian line of succession, but Chancery Alamecha is fine letting Judica inherit the throne. After all, she’s the stronger sister—the merciless fighter, the ruthless politician, and the groomed heir. But something unexpected happens when Chancery tries on her mother’s staridium ring, forcing her into a role that she … role that she never wanted: the prophesied queen who will prevent the destruction of Earth.
Now I have to kill my sister.
Judica, enraged by this turn of events, vows to do anything to reclaim her rightful place as empress. Including challenging Chancery to a battle to the death. While Chancery is away training, she gets a taste of the human world, where she can do whatever she wants without genetic obligations. Now torn between a life she was born into and one that makes her happy, she must confront her treacherous sister—or cause the end of the world.
What are the critics saying?
“A fast moving, engaging tale in what promises to be an epic fantasy romance series,” Kirkus Reviews.
“Baker’s writing is swift but potent, and scenes of action and romance both prove exciting,” Publisher’s Weekly.
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I don’t know where to begin. This book is amazing! I always root for the underdog and Chancery had my heart right from the beginning! I love the world created in this book and can’t wait to read the next book!! I received and advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I absolutely loved this book! The author did an amazing job portraying sisters with two very different personality types. As descendants of Eve, they are born with additional strength, can heal themselves from almost everything and are part of a society where things are resolved by fighting.
This book is written from the perspective of Chancery, who is the kind friend that you trust and love to be around. Someone who truly wants to improve life for others and has no desire to get in the ring and battle. Her sister Judica is a brutal fighter and is next in line for the throne. She is someone who will take anyone down that stands in her way. In a twisted series of events, Chancery becomes that person and becomes torn between her desire to help others and her lack of desire to fight her sister in order to take the throne.
I’ve read all of Bridget Baker’s books and I’m excited about hearing Judica’s side in the next story. Somehow, I know my opinion of her will change.
Chancery is a daughter of the Empress of the Evians, a superhuman group that runs the world, unbeknownst to most humans. But she never expected to rule. The youngest daughter always inherits the throne, and Chancery’s twin is younger by a few minutes. Chancery doesn’t mind, though. She’d rather be in the background than the cutthroat society of Evian elite, and even dreams of moving to New York to blend in with humans. But her world changes when she tries on her mother’s ring, passed down from ruler to ruler through the generations, and it responds to her. Now Chancery must decide whether to embrace her destiny, possibly at the cost of her life, or to continue her safer life in the shadows.
Things I loved about this book:
-The world-building was so well done. Without extensive explanations, the reader comes to understand a society of superhuman people with enormous physical and mental ability. They can heal themselves, live nearly a thousand years, and learn any subject with a small amount of study. Their society is a unique take on human tradition: rather than the oldest son inheriting the throne, it’s the youngest daughter. Due to the long lives of Evians, sometimes a daughter will be heir to the throne, training and expecting to rule, for over a hundred years before the Empress has yet another daughter and the first is displaced.
-The characters were not cliché. Chancery is the more reserved, quiet sister, but shows strength even before she is faced with the prospect of ruling. Judica (seen through Chancery’s eyes) is cruel and remorseless, but we see glimpses of her pain and brokenness early on and eventually much more, making the reader empathize with the “villain.” Teenage Chancery has a close relationship with her mother, rather than the usual angst, while Judica longs for the same affection but hides it with contemptuous words.
-The humor was just enough to lighten the mood without distracting from the tone. Chancery and her friend Lark attempt to blend into a human high school but don’t know what to wear and end up dressing like the teachers instead of the students. The Evian bottled water business is owned by the Evians, who gave it the name as a joke, knowing the humans who buy it won’t understand the significance.
-The ending left some questions unresolved (since it’s the first book in a series) but does not end on a cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to finishing the series, but am satisfied with the amount of closure in this volume.
All in all, I’m impressed with this book and author. I cheered and mourned and can’t wait to see what happens next. How will Chancery’s relationships with Edam (Evian who supports her and hopes she will change Evian’s societal inequalities) and Noah (human who shows Chancery incredible courage, loyalty, and kindness) turn out? How will things develop with the sister who betrayed Chancery, as well as with the twin who has been her rival all her life? Can the mystery surrounding Chancery’s mother be solved? And how will Chancery use her power when/if she rules? I’ll find out as soon as I can!
This story is captivating and intriguing. It will keep you guessing.
Like so many groups that have lost their way, the descendants of Eve, the Evians, no longer have know their Creator. The women who rule this society rule without mercy, even killing their own children when the child doesn’t fit with their social norms. Chancery, as an older twin, by custom, should have been killed by her mother.
As the spare, she learns to what it means to be considered a lesser individual and she is shielded from the brutal education the heir receives.
As a daughter of mercy, Chancery must figure out her place in the world.