Secrets of the King's Daughter

by Renae Weight Mackley

It was a relationship designed to unite not two young people in love, but two powerful kingdoms. And for Princess Karlinah, eldest daughter of King Lamoni, her marriage to the haughty heir to the throne of Jersusalem has led to a life of fear and abuse. There seems to be no escape—until her husband is murdered and Karlinah is unexpectedly free to return to her father’s kingdom. She can begin again—but no one can ever know of the part she played in the prince’s demise . . . Karlinah’s relief is short-lived, for upon her return to the land of Ishmael, she is once again swept into her father’s plans for a politically powerful marriage. Then the arrival of a young missionary in her father’s court changes everything: her family is converted to a new religion, and Karlinah is free to choose her path. Yet she is not so easily convinced by the words of Ammon—especially when repentance means confessing her crime. But as her faith grows and a young stone artisan captures her heart, Karlinah realizes that she must face the consequences of her past in order to move forward with her future.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical, Lds

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Renae Weight Mackley is a mother to six, grandmother to more. She puts a touch of faith into her novels, because we can all use a little inspiration. Living on the west coast garnered bodysurfing experience. Living on the east coast gleaned familiarity with certain American Civil War historical sites. Mackley currently resides in Northern Utah. She’s a bicycle rider; a former substitute teacher; creator of music, fiber arts, good food, and the written word.

Reviews

[Katie Hamstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out showing Karlinah traded off as a political marriage, but it's a far from happy one. Her husband is dead, and we can tell she has something to do with it, but we don't know what, just that she's relieved to be free of him.
Upon returning home to her family, her father is about to marry her off again so her sister can have a love-match marriage. To me, her sister was a real selfish brat throughout the book and I didn't like her at all. At this point we also meet the villain, who is truly villainous throughout.
When Ammon arrives, everything changes for not only her father the king, but her and the entire kingdom. There are good things; she is released from being forced to marry someone she despises (said villain) and there are things she struggles with, like her actions that resulted in her abusive husband's death.
Many of the side characters are so obnoxious it hurt my brain. They had this narrow mindedness typical of Utah Mormons rather than converts from vastly different cultures. No one saw Karlinah struggling, not even her parents, who were supposed to know her so well. They just judged her for not converting with everyone else.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the story. Her hesitance and fear was understandable, and I empathized with her. I do wish there was more to the romance because I did like her love interest and I wish I could have seen more of him.
It helps that the story of Ammon is one of my favorite BOM tales. I've loved it since I was a kid watching the Living Scriptures cartoons! Seeing another fictional perspective on the events made me happy.

This is a clean read, easy reading, with a steady pace.

[CHW · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story that carries the full range of emotions in a woman's heart. This book is well researched within the context of Book of Mormon history and gospel teachings. It is worth recommending to teens hoping to read something refreshingly clean and yet there was sufficient suspense to hold my interest as an adult. I finished the book in less than a week.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting perspective\point of view on a familiar Book of Mormon story. I appreciate the faith journey described and that it demonstrates that faith doesn't come quickly for everyone.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the tie to the Book of Mormon

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun take on the story of Ammon from the Book of Mormon. Told from the POV of king Lamoni’s eldest daughter, this covers the conversion of the lamanite people.

[Bonnie Mcintyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction about King Lamoni's daughter in the B of M.

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book or adaptation of a Book of Mormon account :)

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had just a bit of a hard time getting into the story line of this book. It starts out with the death of Karlinah's husband. You know that she has a secret about what has happened to him, but it takes quite a while in the book to actually learn what happened to him.

Karlinah doesn't want to stay with the family of her dead husband, but asks instead to be sent home to her family in the land of Ishmael. This is when the book starts to show it's Book of Mormon influence. It's in the home of her father in the land of Ishmael where Ammon, one of the sons of King Mosiah, comes to be a servant and eventually an amazing missionary to the Lamanites.

I really liked the way that the author showed things through Karlinah's eyes, as well as the eyes of her father, mother and Ammon as well. Karlinah is the main character, but this book shifts through several characters to really give a complete picture of all that is happening throughout the book.

I liked the way there is conflict shown between Karlinah's views and the views of Ammon and all of the people who converted because of him. Her family believes him easily, but Karlinah needs her own desire to gain a witness and she needs her own witness to believe and follow him.

I thought that this book was a bit slow in the beginning, but by the end, I was enjoying the story and didn't want to put it down until I was able to finish. I thought that the characters were well-written and interesting. The plot is well-written and the ending is exciting. Make sure to get your own copy!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel DeVaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a clean, historical fiction book based on scripture stories found from “The Book of Mormon” which is additional scripture along with the bible that “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” use in their church.

The story starts off with Karlinah’s husband being murdered in his own bedchamber. After given a choice by the king (her father in law), Karlinah returns home to her family and her father King Lamoni in Ishmael. Unfortunately she escaped one bad arranged marriage for potentially another, when her father immediately arranges another husband for her.

A Nephite man named Ammon comes to work for her father and after a brave display of protecting the Kings sheep-Ammon starts to preach about God and heaven and life purpose. Karlinah doesn’t believe and questions Ammon’s motives and whether she can truly be forgiven for her sins.

I loved going back and forth between chapters with reading Karilinah’s experiences and thoughts, and then Ammon’s experiences. The story was very well written and kept me totally engaged from beginning to end! It made me very thankful for my modern time period and not having to be in an arranged marriage and being able to make my own choices.

I can’t wait to read book 2 and 3 of this series (its in the works according to the author’s blog)! This was a truly inspiring, engaging scripture story about love, life and forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karlinah' first marriage left her with heavy secret to carry as she returns home after her husband's death. A secret she dares not share with anyone. But things at home don't offer as much relief as she had hoped when her father betroths her to a man she distrusts so that her younger sister can wed. The arrival of a young Nephite complicate everything. But Ammon turns out to be different than she expected and the upheaval he brings offers hope that she may be able to choose her own path. But she's reluctant to accept the gospel since it means confessing her secret, a secret she fears could cost her own life. Mackley has written a compelling story that revolves around events recounted in The Book of Mormon. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Karlinah and imagining what it might have been like to be there when the incredible events surrounding Ammon's mission to the Laminates took place. The incredible workings of the Lord have been beautifully depicted in this story which does have romantic elements in it but which come second to the changes that Karlinah and her family undergo when they listen to Ammon's message. A truly engaging work of fiction that takes the scriptural story and adds details about what it may have been like to be there. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

[Jennifer Mackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not like historical fiction, but I really liked this book. It caught my interest from the first sentence and kept it through the last page. The author revealed just enough as she unfolded the characters to keep the tension and make the reading compelling. The scriptural and moral messages were not overdone or forced, but were naturally illuminated through the interaction of the characters. It brought a well-known Book of Mormon story to life and gave it more depth because it was told from several points of view. I will share it with my children and my siblings because the lessons are applicable to all ages. Well-done Renae!

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. There was romance, adventure, and I love reading about the different customs of the times. This story is of Karlinah, King Lamoni's daughter. She has been set free from an abusive relationship when her husband is murdered. She goes back home with her family and her dad starts trying to marry her off again. Ammon, a Nephite comes to their city and after saving the King's flocks, starts preaching and converting. Karlinah doesn't know if she should listen to his preaching, because she would have to repent and come clean of her secret about her part in her husbands death.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story that takes me back to another time and place. I love historical fiction, especially when it is scripture based. This story helped me to see what it might have been like to be in Lamoni's family at the time of his conversion. I love how the steps of repentance were emphasized. There was plenty of action and adventure in Karlinah's story. I look forward to reading more form this author!

[Kirsten Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It was a wonderful historical fiction! How can you not love Karlinah and Cumroth? I have read a few other books that tie into the Book of Mormon, and it helps me picture that time period in a different way. As an added bonus, while I am reading through my scriptures I relate to them more and pay attention better when I recognize stories. This book will be another that helps me do that:)

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! The author puts in many details about characters and surroundings so it makes it easy to visualize everything as it is taking place. I also love to see how each character evolves and changes throughout the book as well. Great storyline, romance, and also a little action mixed in!!

[Melissa Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! I loved the ins and outs, the twists and turns, and because I refuse to use spoilers in my reviews, I won't go over everything that happens, but this is not a romance as much as it's an adventure with a great deal of excitement, battles, and heartache. I would highly recommend this story to be an addition to your favorite Book of Mormon tales.

[kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Review to come! ^_^

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story line. First part of book is choppy as it switches focus on the story through different character's eyes. The flow of the story was slow for the beginning two-thirds of the book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different perspective of Ammon and the Lamanites.

[Karen Dimick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mix of faith, fun and romance in this take off of a Book for Mormon story. I enjoyed the characters and it was a good, clean story.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of King Lamoni's daughter. It also includes Ammon defending the King's flocks.

[Meegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Mackley, but this novel has convinced me to read more! The story itself was interesting and the research she had to have done on the culture was also impressive. The only thing that did cause some annoyance was the villain...but I won't say any more!

The plot was great, characters great, and the presentation of the Gospel principals was also great! I definitely recommend this novel.