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The Princess: Tales of Kelnore
A princess destined to do her duty, even when it costs her everything.
An heir determined to prove himself before he takes the throne.
A prince determined to protect his people by blood and by blade.
A soldier forever tainted by impure blood with a deadly, and powerful, secret.
The fate of an empire rests in the hands of more than just its emperor. When Kelnore is threatened by forces from outside and from within who wish to see the illustrious empire crumple, its defenders will come from both expected, and unexpected, places. Bastards and princes will find themselves face to face with magic of the likes they have never before seen, and even a princess will wade into treachery in order to protect the Imperial House. Will the empire prevail? Or will its future be one of ashes and blood?
An heir determined to prove himself before he takes the throne.
A prince determined to protect his people by blood and by blade.
A soldier forever tainted by impure blood with a deadly, and powerful, secret.
The fate of an empire rests in the hands of more than just its emperor. When Kelnore is threatened by forces from outside and from within who wish to see the illustrious empire crumple, its defenders will come from both expected, and unexpected, places. Bastards and princes will find themselves face to face with magic of the likes they have never before seen, and even a princess will wade into treachery in order to protect the Imperial House. Will the empire prevail? Or will its future be one of ashes and blood?
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Published January 17, 2025
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33 people want to read
About the author
Hannah E. Carey
22 books42 followersHannah E. Carey began telling stories as soon as she was old enough to talk and she hasn’t stopped since. As a Dysautonomia warrior, writing and her love of stories allow her to explore new places & worlds, no matter what her body throws at her. She loves all things romance and writes epic romantic fantasy with fierce heroines that is inspired by her love of mythology, along with women’s fiction that stars loveable four-legged companions and is inspired by her years of being a horse & dog mom, her background in equine rescue, and her years of working as a certified Centered Riding Instructor. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading romance novels and spending time with her husband, horses, and dog on her small hobby farm.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 12, 2025
I'd like to thank the author for sending me a free copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first installment in a new fantasy series where we follow four main characters:
Aurelia, a princess who desires more than society allows her to have.
Fabian and Dimitri, two princes determined to prove themselves, all while dealing with court politics, new enemies, and the dangers of the battlefield.
Luca, a soldier and bastard son with a heavy secret.
Kelnore is a deeply patriarchal country where women have almost no rights. They can’t read or write, they can't really work, and they have little to no say in who they’ll marry. Their primary role is to look pretty, be good wives, and have as many children as possible.
The way feminism is portrayed through Aurelia is subtle but very well done. Her constant desire for more, and her struggles with following society's rules while not quite fitting into them, make her an incredibly interesting character. She’s not actively trying to change society, but the problems she faces and how she handles them are well-written. Aurelia also suffers from chronic illness but remains a strong and determined character, refusing to let her illness define her. The way her pain is dismissed by doctors simply because she's a woman is a harsh reflection of the reality many women still face today, which I really appreciated.
We also get the POVs of the two princes, Aurelia's brothers. To be honest, I’m not sure why we need Fabian’s perspective. It’s nice to get a close look at Aurelia’s twin brother since they’re so close, and it helps with Luca’s storyline too. But Fabian’s chapters felt a bit unnecessary to me. Maybe they’ll make more sense in the next books, but I found them a bit slow in this first installment and didn’t care much for them. I think his chapters just slowed down the book, which was already a little slow. I did get bored around 50-60% of the way through, and Fabian’s chapters didn’t help with that. But that’s just my personal opinion – others might love his perspective!
It’s definitely a slow-burn with no spice, but I did enjoy the tension and pining between Aurelia and Luca. The problem is that they don’t interact much, so it’s hard to believe they’re meant to be together. When they do share scenes, though, it’s always sweet. Luca understands and accepts Aurelia in a way that no one else, not even her brother, does, which makes sense for her to be drawn to him. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced by Luca’s feelings – it seemed like he was attracted to her for superficial reasons, like her looks or because she reminded him of his mother (which is kinda weird, but I know there’s more to it than that lol). I also wish we’d gotten more backstory for both Luca and Aurelia so we could feel more connected to them and less of what felt fillers chapters, with her brothers (but again, they'll probably be important for the rest of the story so I can understand why.)
While not a main focus, I appreciated that animal cruelty was addressed in the book. I really, really hated the emperor, and this just made me despise him even more.
Overall, it was a great read. I’m really fond of Aurelia and Luca, and I hope the next book brings more romance and action. I’m also curious to see what happens with Fabian. Since we got his POV, I assume he’ll play an important role, and I hope to come to care for him more. As Aurelia’s twin brother, I honestly have no idea where his storyline will go, so I’m definitely looking forward to that.
This is the first installment in a new fantasy series where we follow four main characters:
Aurelia, a princess who desires more than society allows her to have.
Fabian and Dimitri, two princes determined to prove themselves, all while dealing with court politics, new enemies, and the dangers of the battlefield.
Luca, a soldier and bastard son with a heavy secret.
Kelnore is a deeply patriarchal country where women have almost no rights. They can’t read or write, they can't really work, and they have little to no say in who they’ll marry. Their primary role is to look pretty, be good wives, and have as many children as possible.
The way feminism is portrayed through Aurelia is subtle but very well done. Her constant desire for more, and her struggles with following society's rules while not quite fitting into them, make her an incredibly interesting character. She’s not actively trying to change society, but the problems she faces and how she handles them are well-written. Aurelia also suffers from chronic illness but remains a strong and determined character, refusing to let her illness define her. The way her pain is dismissed by doctors simply because she's a woman is a harsh reflection of the reality many women still face today, which I really appreciated.
We also get the POVs of the two princes, Aurelia's brothers. To be honest, I’m not sure why we need Fabian’s perspective. It’s nice to get a close look at Aurelia’s twin brother since they’re so close, and it helps with Luca’s storyline too. But Fabian’s chapters felt a bit unnecessary to me. Maybe they’ll make more sense in the next books, but I found them a bit slow in this first installment and didn’t care much for them. I think his chapters just slowed down the book, which was already a little slow. I did get bored around 50-60% of the way through, and Fabian’s chapters didn’t help with that. But that’s just my personal opinion – others might love his perspective!
It’s definitely a slow-burn with no spice, but I did enjoy the tension and pining between Aurelia and Luca. The problem is that they don’t interact much, so it’s hard to believe they’re meant to be together. When they do share scenes, though, it’s always sweet. Luca understands and accepts Aurelia in a way that no one else, not even her brother, does, which makes sense for her to be drawn to him. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced by Luca’s feelings – it seemed like he was attracted to her for superficial reasons, like her looks or because she reminded him of his mother (which is kinda weird, but I know there’s more to it than that lol). I also wish we’d gotten more backstory for both Luca and Aurelia so we could feel more connected to them and less of what felt fillers chapters, with her brothers (but again, they'll probably be important for the rest of the story so I can understand why.)
While not a main focus, I appreciated that animal cruelty was addressed in the book. I really, really hated the emperor, and this just made me despise him even more.
Overall, it was a great read. I’m really fond of Aurelia and Luca, and I hope the next book brings more romance and action. I’m also curious to see what happens with Fabian. Since we got his POV, I assume he’ll play an important role, and I hope to come to care for him more. As Aurelia’s twin brother, I honestly have no idea where his storyline will go, so I’m definitely looking forward to that.
February 1, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The world of Kelnore is rich with court politics, danger, and a perfect touch of romance. Princess Aurelia is a strong, determined heroine, and I loved watching her navigate the complexities of trust and power. The story offers a great mix of tension, drama, and heartfelt moments. If you're into fantasy with smart, capable protagonists and a hint of slow-burn romance, this is definitely worth a read!
January 17, 2025
THE PRINCESS is the first book in The Tales of Kelnore and from the very beginning, it is clear in so many ways that this is NOT Pern Coen!!!
Told from multiple perspectives, we focus on Aurelia, Luca, Dimitri, and Fabian. Each of them has a story to tell and secrets to keep, it's just some are clearer than others at this moment. There are so many wars going on in this book, whether it's against raiders, magic, themselves, or even husbands. Every part was brilliantly written and left me not wanting it to end.
Poor Aurelia! How dare she ask questions or have an opinion, let alone eat a full portion. Yeesh, I really dislike Kelnore and their way of thinking. #SorryNotSorry. Fabian is the heir to the empire, knowing his duty is to do what his father tells him, including who he will marry. Dimitri is Aurelia's twin brother who is a little more lenient with her but doesn't fully understand her. Luca is a Captain under Dimitri's command. Dimitri has taken him under his wing, even though Luca has a secret that could get him executed if found out.
I love this world that Ms Carey has written. I will be honest and say I prefer the values of Pern Coen, but that just makes this story so much more interesting. To be able to compare one land with another while being completely engrossed in the personal lives of the characters is wonderful. I could waffle on longer as there are many things I haven't touched upon, but instead, I will simply say this is an outstanding book that I was completely hooked on and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 12, 2025
Told from multiple perspectives, we focus on Aurelia, Luca, Dimitri, and Fabian. Each of them has a story to tell and secrets to keep, it's just some are clearer than others at this moment. There are so many wars going on in this book, whether it's against raiders, magic, themselves, or even husbands. Every part was brilliantly written and left me not wanting it to end.
Poor Aurelia! How dare she ask questions or have an opinion, let alone eat a full portion. Yeesh, I really dislike Kelnore and their way of thinking. #SorryNotSorry. Fabian is the heir to the empire, knowing his duty is to do what his father tells him, including who he will marry. Dimitri is Aurelia's twin brother who is a little more lenient with her but doesn't fully understand her. Luca is a Captain under Dimitri's command. Dimitri has taken him under his wing, even though Luca has a secret that could get him executed if found out.
I love this world that Ms Carey has written. I will be honest and say I prefer the values of Pern Coen, but that just makes this story so much more interesting. To be able to compare one land with another while being completely engrossed in the personal lives of the characters is wonderful. I could waffle on longer as there are many things I haven't touched upon, but instead, I will simply say this is an outstanding book that I was completely hooked on and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 12, 2025
February 1, 2025
Absolutely enjoyed this book. The world building is amazing and there were times in this book where I found myself not believing what was happening. There were so many characters that drew me in. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to them. I want Lucanus and Aurelia to be together. I am interested in seeing if Lucanus’ secret will be uncovered. While Valeria didn’t play a big role in this book, I’m curious if there is going to be another book where her story is told and we see how her “secret” plays out.
I read the free E- ARC and I’m leaving my honest opinion regarding this book
I read the free E- ARC and I’m leaving my honest opinion regarding this book
February 28, 2025
This is a great series starter. We meet the characters, learn their strengths and weaknesses, and get to know and care about them. We also get introduced to the world where all the action will take place. This book has great characters that live in a very interesting world. There is plenty of action, which is well described, a budding, but restricted romance, and plenty of court conflict. This is a very good story and a great start of a new series.
January 23, 2025
OH WOW this was a fantastic story. I really enjoyed this book. It was an exciting and interesting page turner and the suspense was a thriller. I was on the verge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. By reading this story of this fairy tale we can look at lives of Aurelia, Luca, Dimitri, and Fabian. There were secrets and lies surrounding the mystery of their journey. With the chaos of drama of emotions for this princess and her friends. Will the truth comes out in this moment.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
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February 5, 2025This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews