Reina was born to be the empress of Neir. She knows it like she knows her own name. But with her father dead and her stepmother holding tight to her title as Empress Nerine, claiming the throne seems hopeless to Reina. When she flees the palace after an assassination attempt, even basic survival seems too much to ask.
Pursued by Nerine’s forces, Reina finds herself escaping to lands she never thought to step foot in. There, she meets an array of outcasts, along with Casseus, the mysterious and complex huntsman. Though she may have found some unlikely allies, she still can’t help but see herself as a princess without a crown, surrounded by those deemed no more than outsiders, with no idea how to go about fighting for anything she wants.
But if there’s one thing she refuses to let go of, it’s the thought of returning home to her empire. Even if the only path to reclaiming her rightful place is through wilderness and battle and fire… Reina will have her throne.
I loved this book! I usually try not to judge a book by its cover, but I knew this one was going to be an amazing read as soon as I saw all of the intricate details in the cover’s design.
Reina was a character I instantly fell in love with because of how the author describes her personality. She knows what she wants in life, feels relatable, and I enjoyed watching her personal growth throughout the story.
One element I truly adored was the way the characters came together to form a close, found family bond. I especially enjoyed the amusing banter. I wasn’t only rooting for the main character, but for the supporting characters as well, which added so much warmth and excitement to the story.