I have been a maid for the Lunar Royals for five long years. It's a pretty easy job, actually. Clean, follow other maids around, and wait for a High Divine to call upon you. Any Undivine can do this job. But I'm not any Undivine.
Secrets, lies, betrayal. That's what I expected from the Divine, and it's exactly what I got. What I didn't expect? To become exactly like them.
The Games came unexpectedly, a year earlier than tradition dictates. High Divine from all over the Divine Providence have come to play for a chance at ruling our Court with one of two handsome princes. That's how I met Silvi, how I met Dove, how I met Kyelin and Zaeden. That's how my life snowballed into what it is now. I don't even know what to call it now. Before, I belonged somewhere. I knew who I was. Now I barely know anything.
The Games ruined my life. Will you let them ruin yours, too?
M.N. Lash, despite having a bachelors degree in biology and minors in chemistry/psychology, is a stay-at-home mom from Alabama. When she isn’t reading or writing you can find her crocheting or attending to her many pets. Royally Divine is her first book. You can find her on Instagram for updates on future works @m.n._lash
Wooooawww I finally finished this book and what can I say, I was not expecting that turn! That ending really pulled me back.
This book is about a woman named Celeste who is but a servant/maid in the Divine castle just trying to make it through life one day at a time until she is assigned to be the maid of a Divine and her world gets turned upside down to discover she is a Divine herself and not just a lowly undivine. The diving are a race of people whom are born with beauty and powers and being divine means living comfortably or in wealth.
She is thrust into these games to compete again other divines for one of the princes hands in marriage, who on the side one is courting her and they fall in love ....or so he says.
Celeste world is turned upside down again when she thinks the people who are her friends are stringing her along the whole time and just using her and it turns out very bad.
Okay okay what do I feel about this book it was interesting and grabbed me from the beginning it was fast paced the world building wasn't very much in depth though it did lack that. Celeste is hnn she's naive and just wants to be loved but seems to be looking in all the wrong places and gets strung along quite literally and used the divines think of her as just a toy because she's a lower class or was. She is confused and lost and just wants to be accepted. She can be a bit whiney at times and don't love that but it's not a deal breaker I guess.
I wish there was more explored about her sister she's interesting and I hope she gets more of a story in the next book if there is to be one.
The princes are eh? Don't love em don't hate em I need to know more but that's for new readers to decide isn't it I can't say what happens because spoilers!
I very much enjoyed this book, and hope there will be another added to turn it into a series to see where Celeste and her sister end up.
This was such an interesting read that left great potential for the upcoming sequel as you reevaluate everything you thought you knew and opens up so many questions that I can’t wait to see explored further. I love a good ‘trials’ trope and this one hit the nail on the head for me. There were so many intriguing plot points and compelling relationships throughout that I simply cannot wait to see the story continued. The characters were dynamic and well-formed with engrossing backgrounds and intentions, lending alongside the well-paced world building to the unravelling idea that there is much more going on around them than Celeste has perceived.
I am especially looking forward to exploring the dynamic between the sisters as the story develops and they are faced with the reality that they both now find themselves in, with their newfound understanding of one another as they both struggle with their self-control. As the writing style is a little different to my usual reads, I initially found it difficult to fully sink myself into right away, but the story was so captivating that I found myself completely immersed within the first few chapters and I enjoyed familiarising myself with the author’s voice through the writing. I cannot wait to read more of M.N. Lash’s works as she continues to guide us through such a fascinating world and beyond. If you love books like The Hunger Games or The Selection, then this book filled with royal competitive trials is simply one you shouldn’t miss. What’s even better is that not only is this book already released, but is currently available for you to read on Kindle Unlimited, so get reading! I’ll happily rate this book a 4/5 and can’t wait to read what comes next!
This is not a typical happy fairytale. This is a compelling story filled with mystery, lies, betrayal, deceit, manipulation, and so much more. There are many dark elements explored throughout.
This book kept me constantly on my toes. I never knew who could be trusted, but in a good way, that kept me intrigued and continually wondering what was going to happen next. The author did a beautiful job of painting the characters in various lights and constantly making me question who was good and who was bad. The twists and turns were pretty unpredictable. I would get a feeling while reading that something was going to happen or I was going to learn something shocking, but I never knew exactly what it was going to be until it happened.
The author did a very good job of providing a thrilling story and touching upon dark elements. There were many heart-wrenching scenes in the book, and I feel like I went through a whirlwind of emotions while reading. There were times when I wanted to cry with the character and times when I wanted to scream through the pages at them.
Towards the end, when new information was brought to light, I had a greater understanding of what had been happening throughout the book, but there are still some unexplained aspects that leave you wanting more from the second book.
This is not the typical kind of book I read, but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
Tropes:
• Lovers to enemies • Found power • Caste system of powers • Unlikely allies • Major plot twists • Morally grey characters • Bisexual MFC • Competition to be queen • Different courts • Betrayal
Royally Divine (Book One in the Divine Providence Series) Author: M.N Lash Ratings: 4.5 ⭐ 2🌶️
Tropes: • Lovers to enemies • Found power • Unlikely allies • Major plot twists • Morally grey characters • Bisexual FMC • Competition to be queen
This is not a typical happy ever after. This is a compelling story filled with mystery, lies, betrayal, deceit, manipulation, and so much more.
Celeste is a maid working for the royals just trying to survive. Until she is assigned to be the handmaiden for a Divine, who uses her powers on Celeste to manipulate her thoughts and feelings to do her bidding, forcing Celeste to expose a part of herself she didn’t know existed.
Once Celeste displays an enormous amount of power, she is forced to partake in the games and compete for the hand of a Royal Prince. Her world is then turned upside down when she releases those she trusted betrayed her.
. .
I had a hard time getting into it but once I did I devoured it. It was fast paced and kept me on my toes. I never knew who could be trusted and that kept me intrigued. The author did an amazing job providing a thrilling story and touching upon dark elements. Towards the end, when new information was brought to light, I had a greater understanding of what had been happening throughout the book, but there are still some unexplained aspects that leave you wanting more.
I'm excited for Cruelly Divine, which will be released on February 28th.
This story follows Celeste, an Undivine girl, who works in the castle by day and takes care of her sister, Irissa, by night.
Their town is in an uproar, as The Games have arrived a year earlier than what is traditional. Numerous High Divine travel from their courts to compete in games of skill, power, and courage in order to have a chance to become a Queen or a Princess of the Lunar Court.
After an unexpected exhibition, Celeste is drawn into the world of the Divine and the Games. She immediately becomes a worthy competitor, thwarting plots and enemies from rival courts along the way. Throughout the games she also becomes more in tune with herself and her abilities, and also learns more about love.
As The Games continue, lies and deceit continue to flow through the Lunar Court, until two unexpected visitors arrive. As the final game approaches, Celeste learns that all is not as it appears.
This book was very enjoyable! The world building here is really fun and I thought it was well balanced with the plot of the story.
The ending was well done and was action packed. It also set itself up well for the sequel which I will be anxious to read when it comes out!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Throughout the whole story, I kept thinking "wow, I know things happen in fantasy books a little differently than contemporary fiction, but jeeze Celeste is falling in love with this dude so fast." When the ending came around and it was all explained, I audibly went "OHHHH". The ending completely threw me off! I did not predict it at all, and I am so glad I didn't because now I am even more excited for book 2!
My ONLY critique is that there were moments where the dialogue didn't feel "natural", like it felt super formal at some times. It's just something I noticed that took me out of the story here and there, but it didn't ruin it for me and I still really enjoyed this book and the story!
Wonderful book! I really enjoyed the storyline. It gave me Red Queen mixed with Hunger Games vibes of sorts - which I really loved!! The way the author described things was so well done that I could really picture everything. It wasn’t slow at any point and all the parts of the story fit well together!
SPOILERS:
At first I was concerned that the pace was moving too quickly, with Celeste falling in love so fast, but once it was explained immediately five stars. Such a great way of making that work out.
I enjoyed this so much and I am so so mad I have to wait for the second one!! I can’t wait. Amazing novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This fantasy romance story had me glued to its pages since the very beginning. The characters, the plot, the descriptions, the narrative and the plot twists!!! I found myself going through what Celeste was going through, and saw the court and the characters like I was present there with them. I 100% recommend reading this book, and I cannot wait until the second one comes out!
It was a little slow in the beginning for me! But as I read on, I was very invested! The plot twist was so good & everything got very interesting all of a sudden! The characters were all over the place so I’m not sure who is my favorite yet but I do like the FMC. There were a few repetitive thoughts/phrases that I think were not necessary! But overall,it was an OKAY read for sure!
Okay not the biggest fantasy girl so a bit biased but it took sometime for me to get into the world building which is why I gave it a 4 star as I said I don’t read much fantasy but in general the premise of this book is amazing and if you love Harry Potter I think you’ll like this book gave kinda similar vibes
Wow, I really enjoyed this fantasy romance. It was dark, it was twisty, and I was on my toes the whole time. Enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, I never knew who to trust. The ending had me floored, I was not expecting it at all. I will wait patiently for Divine Providence book #2!
I loved the dystopian society in this book. It has your classic class separations, Royal Divine, High Divine, Low Divine, and undivine. The FMC Celeste is an undivine maid working in the Royal divine castle. She hates the Divine and how they treat the undivine like they aren’t even people. She soon gets caught in a web of lies and secrecy, just praying she might find a way out.
It also gave me “The Selection” vibes with The Games that are happening. 20 women are chosen to compete in three games for the hand of the twin princes.
Overall I really liked the story and I am excited for the next book. This one definitely had a twist ending I wasn’t prepared for.