Royal intrigue, wild magic, and slow-burn romance that’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Holly Black.Steal from a prince.Poison a princess.She could win her freedom or destroy a kingdom… Her sights have always been set well beyond a life of poverty lining the pockets of circus masters.
When Lira’s magical skills attract the attention of two men powerful enough to bring down kingdoms, Lira sees an opportunity to escape. But the freedom she seeks comes at a price…
Disguised in the ranks of the fabled Carnival of Stars, Lira travels to the palace, tasked with stealing from a prince, poisoning a princess, and putting an end to a royal engagement. But she soon realizes she’s a pawn in a much bigger game of magic and betrayal.
And when she finally meets the prince, Lira must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice in order to prevent a war. Her freedom…or her heart.
The Prince and the Poisoner is the first book in the Carnival of Fae romantic fantasy series. If you like complex magical worlds, characters faced with difficult choices, and plot twists you don’t see coming, you’ll love this action-packed series.
Welcome to the world of Terentia, where the fae have abandoned the human kingdoms to fight amongst themselves and magic simmers in the shadows…
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This book was captivating. I enjoyed the story that this author created. It was fun and exciting.
She hated her life. All she wanted was something better. For people to give her the respect she felt she was due for her skills. When she finally escapes broken and battered she finds herself in a new and different hell. She has no idea who to trust and what to do with the choices she now has. He saw her and something about her kept him enthralled or was it a ruse? He may not like the choices he has but he also has no allegiance. Can they trust each other? Absolutely not. And that’s exactly wat keeps you turning the pages. This new to me author takes us into a world filled with possibilities and wonder. She has no idea who she is but everything is telling her she’s more than she knows. This author gives us a story that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next. Yes it is a series and you will have to read the next book and maybe more to get to the ending. It’s truly going to be a rough ride if it’s anything like the start. I love the characters with just enough intrigue to keep you wondering about the outcome or twist.
Welcome to the world of Terentia, where the fae have abandoned the human kingdoms to fight amongst themselves and magic simmers in the shadows…
Read this and well I just had to see what it was all about and omg it’s is awesome! This first book has a little something for everyone I think. The circus, magic, fae, action, adventure, drama, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns, this fantasy will just grab you and drag you into its amazing world and not let you go! Go on, give it a read!
(Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.) Four words: the Carnival of Stars. The primary setting alone really captured my imagination, and I loved having an essentially self-described “haughty” and “preening” heroine who is gutsy, tough and doesn’t underestimate her skill. Lira is a circus potion maker who dreams of being a respected professional healer. She goes through a series of hardships, difficult choices and abuse and misuse from the powerful, but she never gives up or hangs her head for longer than a second. The consequences of failing her mission and losing everything give her a realistic drive and make for a wonderful, thrilling and magical read without that tidy fairy tale polish.
I was surprised and delighted with this new series. I enjoyed the excellent world building and fascinating characters we are introduced to in this first book. I found the blend of circus tricks with herbs and potions and the hint of magic very intriguing. The main character Lira is very polarizing, you either love or hate her and I finished the book still trying to decide what I felt about her. She makes some crazy choices in her attempt to get away from her old life and prove her talents in healing. She is running away when she is captured /rescued by Eireck who makes her an offer. Poison the princess and be able to join the guild for healers. She agrees with this plan only to make another bargain with the grand master of the carnival, to steal a mysterious bowl from the prince. This girl just makes one poor choice after another but I still felt bad for her when her tent and her tools were destroyed.
I’m excited to read more in future books and get to know more about this amazing world and answer some questions about the hidden talents she has to manipulate the curious items the grand Master has been collecting. Fly on the magic carpet with Lira and Kit to the north to uncover more secrets!
This is my honest review after receiving a requested ARC copy of The Prince and the Poisoner.
What can I say that can do this book the justice it deserves? Hmm, well, I most certainly didn’t adult today! I had no time as this book kept me completely engrossed, turning the pages, ignoring the outside world as I fell under the spell of the fabulous world of the carnival and Lira’s journey through intrigue and hardship, budding friendships and the making of enemies.
Helena has a way with words that make it easy to immerse yourself totally inside the fantastical world she has created and invest yourself in the characters, both rooting for some and hoping that a few others recieved their comeuppance!
I often say that I’m looking forward to the next book after the beginning of a series (And I truely am!) but this is most definitely one of those that I am seriously itching to get my hands on! It honestly is fantastic!
Helena Rookwood
I just finished reading Helena Rookwood’s new book The Prince and the Poisoner (Carnival of Fae Book 1) and I had no Idea what to expect. Well I am not disappointed, I love it. Her fantasy world building is detailed but not overly so to be boring, the character are relatable and well fleshed out and the way she weaves a story is enchanting. The main character Lira is a magical potion maker for a traveling circus, her potions heal physically and emotionally. But her life is not easy, her rudeness and brashness does not make it any easier. She scrimp and saves just to get by hoping to get herself out of poverty. It doesn’t take long into the story for Lira to get herself involved in a scheme or quest(?) to get out of poverty and hopefully into a guild for healers. But as most scheme go she is up to her neck in alligators before she know it committing to nefarious deeds to accomplish those ends. The story is such an entertaining romp and the author does a great job of not giving anything away, you are alway kept guessing to what will happen next. Oh yes there are half faes, carnival people, royalty, many kingdoms, spies, murderers, thieves, and a lot of magic, besides a crazy adventure what’s not to love? I can hardly wait for the next book.
I was given a copy of the ARC for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.