“I am sixteen years old and I will die on the morning of my seventeenth birthday. As tradition dictates, I will be sacrificed and my life’s blood will determine which one of my two brothers will be King. My blood will kill one and crown one. My name is Everleigh and I am the Kingmaker.”The legend of the Kingmaker goes back millions of years. Kingmakers are special; their magic chooses the … Kingmakers are special; their magic chooses the rightful King of the Realm and they all die on their seventeenth birthday.
Except this one.
Saved from the inevitable, Everleigh learns that she is the Kingmaker who will live, the Kingmaker who will rule, the Kingmaker who will be Queen.
But not everyone agrees with an age-old prophecy that says a girl will rule the Realm and soon Everleigh is locked in a deadly battle for the throne.
Can she escape her blood-thirsty enemies and live long enough to be crowned Queen?
The Kingmaker is a magical young adult fantasy, packed with fantastical twists, heart-stopping action and fabulously feisty females.
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This is not my normal book of choice but because I saw it on Facebook and then read the free preview on Amazon, well I was hooked. It is a great story, a little gory in places but very well told, so much that it seems like it could really happen.
Absolutely loved this book. I knew to go into it that it was more for a younger reader but I couldn’t help but get caught up it.
There was so much action, intrigue and of course sibling rivalry that ended in so bloodshed.
I truly enjoyed the storyline, the characters were great though I would have loved to learn more about the brothers in this story. But overall one of my favorite books this week.
Excited to read more and see where the story leads.
Ready for a YA fantasy novel set in a kingdom with a one-of-a-kind legend?
Everleigh is the sixteen-year-old princess, approaching her seventeenth birthday. She has two brothers and a young sister, at whose birth unfortunately their mother died. There is something unique about this upcoming birthday. In Everleigh’s kingdom, if there are more than two sons – plus a daughter – then the daughter is ritually sacrificed on her seventeenth birthday. The magic of the Kingmaker’s blood will instantly kill one, leaving the other as the rightful heir. The premise of this legend? The oldest brother may not be the best ruler, so this mysterious tradition ensures that the best possible candidate becomes King.
Of course, at least two siblings will not survive the ceremony, a fact of which Everleigh is well aware. As the day draws nearer, she wonders if there is any way around this tradition – until a wise woman steps in and tells Everleigh that she will not die, but will rule as Queen. This would be unheard of to Everleigh’s brothers, who of course both want to be the one chosen as King. Everleigh must find a way to courageously challenge her people’s traditions and forge her way as the Queen. But has someone learned about her plans – someone who wants to put a stop to them? The book will keep you guessing as to who could possibly wish harm to Everleigh and what will actually happen on the day of the Kingmaker ceremony.
In terms of style, the book is written from multiple points of view. Besides Everleigh herself, we also hear from Lanorie (her handmaiden), Halfreda (the castle wisewoman who crowns the new monarchs), and Ginata (a woman learning from Halfreda who has knowledge of medicines – and potions). I always appreciate the complexity that multiple narrators bring to a story, and it is well done here. We learn things we may not have learned from Everleigh alone, things which add depth and texture to the story – as well as more intrigue and mystery. Everleigh’s chapters are written in third person, while the others are written in first. The chance of perspective also adds to a believable shift in characters and story-telling.
I was intrigued by the premise of the books, and definitely enjoyed this first one. I will be reading the rest of the series to see how the story ends! In addition, I like finding and supporting new authors – double bonus!
If you’re a fan of YA lit with courageous young ladies and mysteries, read this book today!