Thirty young women. A handsome prince. A battle to the deathWater is scarce. Deserts have taken over the land. Nuclear war has devastated humanity. Humans live in walled super cities to keep out the irradiated. The land that was formerly known as America is divided into kingdoms ruled by royal elites.Born into the lowest Echelon of the Kingdom of Phangloria, sixteen-year-old Zea Calico faces a … sixteen-year-old Zea Calico faces a life of hunger, thirst, and toil. The only way out of this drudgery is revolution, and Zea is desperate to help the cause.
When the palace calls for candidates to compete to marry Prince Kevon, Zea joins the Princess Trials to search the palace for weaknesses.
The trials should be a fairytale of sumptuous meals, ballgowns, and romance, but one misplaced word causes Zea to attract the Prince’s attention. When Zea uncovers the man beneath Prince Kevon’s public facade, she is at risk of falling in love and losing sight of her mission.
But the televised beauty pageant turns deadly, and Zea must fight for survival.
Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and The Selection, this exciting tale of courage, intrigue, and betrayal will have you turning pages.more
WOW! I loved this! Zea is a wonderful character and well developed. The story is fast-paced and interesting. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Very entertaining.
Zea is a somewhat naive 16-year-old girl who enters the Princess Trials. It is nothing like she expected it and the thing she believes to be a beauty pageant, for the most part, is anything but!
I am intrigued and looking forward to reading books 2 and 3 to find out how this urban story ends.
This book is a really cool read. I thought I was done with the YA dystopian genre a few years ago, but I think this has given it a new lease of life!
It’s incredibly well written with a plot that really draws you in and latches on. The emotions I felt reading this were just so crazy and I appreciate the author dragging the feels out, even if they were not the happy ones.
I could not wait to see where the plot headed after the end and how the series was going to end up so I read this in one sitting and then binged the next two like a crazy woman! They are that good.
Interesting theme and great start to what I think will be an amazing story. Looking forward to continuing Zea’s adventure in the rest of the series.
A great post-apocalyptic young adult read
Zea, a member of the Harvester Echelon, has been trying to help protect the girls in her town since she was 12. As the story progresses a good deed gains notice, a push for information is stalled, and just when things start looking up a mystery rises. Cordelia Castel’s The Princess Trials is a great post-apocalyptic young adult read. This book has friendship, romance, mean girls, and danger to keep the reader entertained. I look forward to seeing this series grow.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
As mentioned in the blurb, this book really is a blend of The Selection and The Hunger Games. There are moments when the similarities are really startling, however it is the reader’s opinion if they like the way those two stories are twisted together to create something new, or would let themselves be bothered by the fact. I personally enjoyed the book a lot despite any flaws I could find.
Zea is a naive young woman that enters the Princess Trials for a definitely different reason than all the other girls. Even though I was shaking head at how easily she got persuaded to go on a mission with no real warning what to prepare for, take a great risk for a guy she was pining after but doesn’t really know that well and who even did not acknowledge her before she was needed – Zea has her heart in the right place, and 3 books time to get to her senses, realize what she stepped into, and collect all her wits to survive the trials. It’s no easy feat, as the live show/ beauty contest is in fact a deadly and poisonous game of power, where the girls do not stop at anything. What I always found a bit peculiar in such stories is how come the prince is literally only person with some morals and care for others when everyone else of his social status or the noble caste – and I really mean everyone – is corrupted to the core. OK, there is one other exception here, Garrett, but that’s too little, and it makes the polarization of good and evil very obvious, decreasing the potential complexity. Doesn’t mean that can’t change in the future and reveal more decent people around 🙂 All in all it was a fast-paced, adventurous story with some very surprising twists and a promise to up the game upon entering the royal palace.
The Princess Trials is the first book in Cordeila K. Castel’s The Princess Trials series and let me just say…this book is one that you are going to find hard to put down. Full of thrills, suspense, danger and drama I devoured this book eagerly. This book gives off a strong impression of the Hunger Games plus so much more. It also reminds me of a couple of series by a couple of other authors that I absolutely adore their writings.
The Princess Trials introduces readers to a world where the world as we know it is gone. Ravaged by war and nuclear weapons, a new world has risen. Zea lives in that world as one of the lower Echelon’s – a Harvester. They barely get by with just enough water to survive and nothing more. She dreams of a better life and a different world and believes that a rebel group called the Red Runners will help usher in that change. Joining the Princess Trials wasn’t part of her plan, but when it carries the promise of having the attention of Rhys, whom she has had a crush on for years, she’s willing to take the risk to learn of any secrets the Oasis and the palace hold inorder to gain entry and bring about a revolution.
The Princess Trials is a truly captivating story and kept me page-turning and when I wasn’t able to read my mind kept wandering back to the book eager to learn what happens next. Zea is determined for all to be treated the same, but is that truly a possibility? Those who generally hold power are not inclined to share it, so it would seem to be fair to say that the same can be expected of those who wish to claim that same power for themselves. The author answers some of my questions as to what exactly happened to bring out this new world order that these characters find themselves in. I also appreciate that I get some idea as to how things have also changed and reshaped the country once known as the United States in this story. I’m eager for more background and details so I’m hoping that the next book will continue to build, develop and give me more.
The only real down side for me concerning this book is Zea’s naivity. Zea witnessed something truly horrific as a child, and was held as responsible by some for not intervening despite the fact that she was exactly that…a child. She’s had a crush on Rhys for years, but he’s never shown any interest in her…until now. It really raises eyebrows. Now, there is a brief moment of where she questions his interest, but with the quickness that she dismisses her skepticisim is truly surprising. I’m disappointed in how she is allowing him to so obviously play her. She’s being sent on a mission, and isn’t able to communicate with the rebels in turn, but he’s sending her mixed messages. He seems more focused on the mission and feeding her little teasers of hope that there is a “future” for them as lon as she completes her mission. It’s a bit too obvious and for me, she looks foolish to allow herself to believe such thinly veiled lies. Add in that she’s there for a specific purpose and you’d think that she’d at least try a little harder to blend in per say and not stand out so heavily in a negative way.
I have to say that this book really packs a punch. There is so much going on and this book is truly a page-turner. The author shows readers so much of the dangers hidden with the upper Echelons and those from another realm. Things are far from fair and I love how I am pulled so deeply in and kept wanting more. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Zea is such an engaging character, but as a “member” of the rebellion she gives those who are against her too much cannon fodder. This is a gripping book regardless and I’m eager to continue this series and find out what happens next. Let the games begin!
I really enjoyed this first book. It gave me big selection vibes and as a lover of that series, I knew I’d be hooked. This story focuses on a FMC called Kea and I loved everything about her from the inside out. The plot thickens and very get lots of suspense and drama. The writing was good and kept the reader wanting to find out what happens next. I loved the dynamic between Kea and Keven and also the other characters. Looking for a book that will have you rooting for the underdog, this is the book for you. Great start, looking forward to the next installment!
I liked Zea alot and liked seeing her go through the trials. Prince Kevon endured me to him. I also really disliked the Queen and her guards
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I must say that I have to agree with others reviews about this feeling like a cross between the Hunger Games with the different sectors/levels of society meets The Selection where each zone sends girls in an effort to become the next princess. The similarities end there though as this story takes a few surprising twists that give it its own flare as it progresses. This will keep you hooked on what happens next as it all plays out. Makes for an enjoyable read. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
I read books 1-3 within a few days. I thought the storyline was good and held my interest from start to finish. I thought the character swirl was good as well. I’m looking forward to reading book 4 and I would recommend reading the series.
Someone who knows what I like to read recommend this series to me, so I decided I’d try the first book and give it a shot. YA is not my favorite, but I do read some. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like it, but something about this really drew me in. I haven’t read the Hunger Games or the other series, so I don’t really have those to compare it to. I do admit that I think this book needed to be a little shorter as there were a little too many twists and turns and inner dialogues to bog down the story a little bit. However, I really did quite enjoy this well-written story, and I was left wanting to read the next one. What more can you ask for? Recommend.
I personally havent read these other books everyone else is comparing this series to. This is a very well written story with amazing characters and should stand in its own rights regardless of similarities…looking forward to the next book in the series. Well done!
I’m not trying to be mean or sound mean, but I honestly don’t think that this book can be compared to The Selection, Divergent, or Hunger Games. I enjoyed the premise of the book and thought it was creative or unique- I guess I just didn’t love this author’s style of writing. It was still a good book, there were just some things that I would have liked done differently and it had nothing to do with the storyline.
How Good!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to my new addiction and bindge read!!!
This is my first ever book by this Author and wow this has definately re awakened my interest in this genre of books and i am a new fan for this brilliant author.
Ok so this does have a slight Hunger Games feel but its also very different in a lot of ways and stands as its own unique addictive storey.
It was discrbed to me as Young Adult but i would say its any age for anyone that likes a decent Fantasy /Urban Fantasy book well written and beautifully told.
The book starts off at a slower pace to world build and set the scene which is so worth it as even in this early stage you are being drawn into this world and this storey.
You have Policitics, spoilt entitled noble brats … sorry young women. A Price who is very down to earth and when he wants, hides in plain sight amongst the guard. A naive revolutionist undercover and everyone wanting to kill her as she has the princes eye.
fast paced addictive storey that pick up about 1/3 of the way into the book at which point you wont be able to put it down so expect a longer lunch break or a late night as you read this
Can a lowly Harvester girl have any chance of becoming the next queen even is she doesnt want to and will the prince win her heart – i cant wait to find out
This book has many twists ans turns I couldn’t put it down. Just when you thought you knew something it threw you a curve ball. Can’t wait to read book 2
This book has been on my wishlist for quite some time already and last week I was asked if I was maybe interested in reading the first three books to prepare for the release of the fourth book. Well, I didn’t even hesitate and said yes within a second. So, these Easter days were perfect to get started with this series. The expectations were high, because a combination of the Selection and the Hunger Games can only be amazing!
It took me a few chapters though to really get into the story. Within a few chapters the normal life of our main character is explained, including the history of the world and the politics. Not all world building was done naturally. Sometimes it felt weird that our main character would describe her surroundings or animals that are totally normal for her in so much detail. However, quite soon we were introduced to the stakes and then the story truly started.
From that moment on it was one thrilling ride that just refused to slow down. We got all the politics that made especially the latter books in the Hunger Games so interesting and then we got the royal intrige and the forced romance from the Selection. For me this combination was utter perfection! I got a spoiled prince who was truly willing to learn to swoon over and I got hidden motives and plots and schemes making every character layered and potentially dangerous.
I also loved the inner conflicts our main character was dealing with. For the first time she’s confronted with the life in the capital, among the elite, and where she’s determined at first to destroy it from within, she soon discovers that all those spoiled royals and elites have a harder life and way less choice and influence than she believed. And on top of that: Someone is trying to have her, and all the other candidates the princes likes a little too much, killed. The true question is. Who?
After that ending, I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
Cordelia K Castel writes an imaginative and not-stop adventure in book of her series with the same name, The Princess Trials
A young adult dystopian romance, this author does not shy away from the intrigue and assault that occurs when fractions of society are pitted agains each other.
I was told this story is like ‘The Hunger Games, but do not believe it. It is SO MUCH Cordelia K Castel writes an imaginative and not-stop adventure in book of her series with the same name, The Princess Trials
A young adult dystopian romance, this author does not shy away from the intrigue and assault that occurs when fractions of society are pitted agains each other.
I was told this story is like ‘The Hunger Games, but do not believe it. It is SO MUCH MORE.
There is an intensity and intelligence to Castel’s writing that keeps the reader interested and wanting more!
I am starting the Princess Games, book 2 in this series, mow!
There is an intensity and intelligence to Castel’s writing that keeps the reader interested and wanting more!
I am starting the Princess Games, book 2 in this series, now!
This book was super fun and unpredictable. I loved it!
Once I started reading, this book was hard to put down. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book. If you liked the Selection series, this book is for you!