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Stolen Royals #2
A Stolen Crown
A stolen crown. An unbreakable friendship. One big mess in the making.
When Princess Cecily Degalt travels south to wed a prince she's never met, she's ushered into a strange new world alongside her best friend and bodyguard, Rory Castille. With an MIA fiancé, his handsome twin brother, and a kidnapping gone wrong, life in Myrzel isn't quite what Cecily expected.
Rory will do anything to keep Cecily from harm--but when Rory's darkest secret comes between her and Cecily, the greatest danger to the princess might be Rory herself.
Torn apart for the first time, each girl will have to think like the other as she faces not only the darkness of Fangralee Forest, but a dangerous enemy closer to home.
When Princess Cecily Degalt travels south to wed a prince she's never met, she's ushered into a strange new world alongside her best friend and bodyguard, Rory Castille. With an MIA fiancé, his handsome twin brother, and a kidnapping gone wrong, life in Myrzel isn't quite what Cecily expected.
Rory will do anything to keep Cecily from harm--but when Rory's darkest secret comes between her and Cecily, the greatest danger to the princess might be Rory herself.
Torn apart for the first time, each girl will have to think like the other as she faces not only the darkness of Fangralee Forest, but a dangerous enemy closer to home.
307 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2016
About the author
Kelsey Keating
7 books83 followersKelsey Keating is a horse of a different color. When not busy dancing to the beat of her own drum (who has the patience to march?), she's busy enjoying all the amazing things in God's creation.
Kelsey's style of writing leans to YA Fantasy and Women's Fiction.
Kelsey's style of writing leans to YA Fantasy and Women's Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 16, 2019
Enchanting and captivating.
Mystery and magic, forming a peculiar world of fantasy and adventure surrounded with amazing characters who will make you believe that a bond of friendship is as strong as love within itself.
I haven't read A Stolen Kiss, the first book of this series, yet I fell in love with how Kelsey Keating create an imaginative world of the Fangralee Forest where dark, hideous creatures live like shapeshifters, arachnae, gargantupede, ko'oxol and so much more, WITHIN a story outside of it where two kingdoms, Dellsby and Myrzel united through the marriage of Princess Cecily Degalt and the Crown Prince Rakesh Nohchil.
And the adventure begins...
When Princess Cecily travel to Myrzel to finally meet her betrothed with Rory, the only woman in the King's guard born with an incredible strength who also happens to be her personal guard and best friend, along with the other lady-in-waiting and Dellsbian guards. She has never been very pleased with her looks and insecurities sparks like a diamond who fears that her husband-to-be-king will never like her, worse never love her.
But there were too many secrets along the way and unraveling them was the best getting to know each of the characters: Rory's secret, the truth about Tom, Daegan's master and Ephraim's poor rescuing game. There was Mercusius of course, whose character made me startled a bit but predicted his true identity. But Kel? Him! The element of surprise was like an internally shocking incident to me. I didn't honestly notice him and I actually don't like his character. I never expected him to be so unforthcoming. Well, I think that's too much of a spoiler and I don't want to reveal more about it. Read it yourself.
I like the idea of fate vs love spells. Is it really love that driven Kel and Cecily together or just another unintended love spell activated for the wrong person? Well, I think the greatest magic of all was they were fated to be together after all.
I love Cecily and Rory's relationship. Their friendship means a lot to me, seeing right through me. Kelsey Keating's brave way of showcasing the true meaning of friendship in this story was very comforting. It was not entirely focused on the love for the opposite sex like most of YA reads but how two friends' bond overpower any kind of relationship because love makes of who they are and what they mean for each other.
There were other topics or issues touched like traditional (fixed) marriage, fidelity, customs, servitude and abusive relationship which made the entirety of the story being completely awestricken, done with sensitiveness for the readers to realize; but it was a right mix of fairy tale fantasy and adventure which recommended to all ages.
And ending the story with Rory and Tom made the infamous punch line of "and they live happily ever after..."
Creating a story like this and turning one into a film is very intriguing. I am a movie and tv series freak so I can't help thinking how will the characters came to life or how will they look like as described in the book (imaginations making the most out of me) if given the chance this one will set to be a movie someday.
This book has been my first fantasy read for a very long time. If does Twilight series count? I am more of a Contemporary Romance person and I am very excited to read more of this type of genre anytime soon.
***Thank you NetGalley, Swanifide Publishing, and Kelsey Keating for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
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Mystery and magic, forming a peculiar world of fantasy and adventure surrounded with amazing characters who will make you believe that a bond of friendship is as strong as love within itself.
I haven't read A Stolen Kiss, the first book of this series, yet I fell in love with how Kelsey Keating create an imaginative world of the Fangralee Forest where dark, hideous creatures live like shapeshifters, arachnae, gargantupede, ko'oxol and so much more, WITHIN a story outside of it where two kingdoms, Dellsby and Myrzel united through the marriage of Princess Cecily Degalt and the Crown Prince Rakesh Nohchil.
And the adventure begins...
When Princess Cecily travel to Myrzel to finally meet her betrothed with Rory, the only woman in the King's guard born with an incredible strength who also happens to be her personal guard and best friend, along with the other lady-in-waiting and Dellsbian guards. She has never been very pleased with her looks and insecurities sparks like a diamond who fears that her husband-to-be-king will never like her, worse never love her.
But there were too many secrets along the way and unraveling them was the best getting to know each of the characters: Rory's secret, the truth about Tom, Daegan's master and Ephraim's poor rescuing game. There was Mercusius of course, whose character made me startled a bit but predicted his true identity. But Kel? Him! The element of surprise was like an internally shocking incident to me. I didn't honestly notice him and I actually don't like his character. I never expected him to be so unforthcoming. Well, I think that's too much of a spoiler and I don't want to reveal more about it. Read it yourself.
"Love spells accelerate what would happen in its own time, given the opportunity."
I like the idea of fate vs love spells. Is it really love that driven Kel and Cecily together or just another unintended love spell activated for the wrong person? Well, I think the greatest magic of all was they were fated to be together after all.
“Believe what you want, but I’ve never lied to you, Rory. And I never will. Friends don’t lie.”
I love Cecily and Rory's relationship. Their friendship means a lot to me, seeing right through me. Kelsey Keating's brave way of showcasing the true meaning of friendship in this story was very comforting. It was not entirely focused on the love for the opposite sex like most of YA reads but how two friends' bond overpower any kind of relationship because love makes of who they are and what they mean for each other.
There were other topics or issues touched like traditional (fixed) marriage, fidelity, customs, servitude and abusive relationship which made the entirety of the story being completely awestricken, done with sensitiveness for the readers to realize; but it was a right mix of fairy tale fantasy and adventure which recommended to all ages.
And ending the story with Rory and Tom made the infamous punch line of "and they live happily ever after..."
Creating a story like this and turning one into a film is very intriguing. I am a movie and tv series freak so I can't help thinking how will the characters came to life or how will they look like as described in the book (imaginations making the most out of me) if given the chance this one will set to be a movie someday.
This book has been my first fantasy read for a very long time. If does Twilight series count? I am more of a Contemporary Romance person and I am very excited to read more of this type of genre anytime soon.
***Thank you NetGalley, Swanifide Publishing, and Kelsey Keating for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
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Want to Read
December 9, 2016These covers are just the cutest, and I cannot handle it.
February 6, 2017
What a gorgeous light YA novel!
I loved so many things about it that I don’t know where to start!!!! So first things first!
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT IT:
Everything!
… Ok more in details… (without giving too much away)
It has a great story line! (It s like reading a blend of Acotar, The rebels of the sand, THG-Mockingjay and Disney S Brave) All favourites of mine
It promotes different and unconventional characters –Princess Cecily’s guard is actually a badass lady with a super strength, tiny built but with a fierce personality. She is also the Princess’ best friend and their friendship is just perfection!
It has a great variety of characters – the fierce one, the loyal one, the sassy one, the witty one, the cute one, mean one.. I can go on forever as there are just so many! – in a fantasy world of princesses, princes, arranged marriage, dark magic, sorcerers, spells and curses, perilous forests, monsters and more monsters …all stirred up in a storyline full of twists and gripping moments.
It s a fast paced read, the writing moves the story along quickly and it DOES NOT END WITH A CLIFFHANGER! (which is good for our dear hearts)
Oh and it has an unbelievably cute cover!
WHAT I NEEDED MORE OF:
The world building was really creative but I only wished it had been developed a bit more: I would have loved to read a bit more on the Foul Forest, on the Kingdom itself with maybe a bit of history on past kings and queens, or maybe on the trek back to the Castle or even just on the make up of the mosters (don t get me wrong, this is all told in the book but I feel like there could have been a bit more development there
This is actually the second book of the series (I havent read the first book, but I have read its blurp and it looks like these are two different stories and set of characters not really tied up together, and this book stands well on its own so it doesn t really matter.. but I m definitely going to get myself a copy of the first book now! Oh and there is a sequel coming too!!! This is going to be a great year!)
If you want a quick, cute and fluffy, romantic fairytale inspired fantasy novel with some badass-ing and loads of adventure going on, then A Stolen Crown is the book for you J This is a VERY NICE read.
**I received an ARC copy from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion**
February 26, 2018
This review was originally posted on my blog, Sav Scribbles.
This book was a good bit better than the first one, and PSA, you don’t have to read the first one in the series to understand this one; I feel that these are more companion books than actual books in a series.
Anyways, let’s get into the good and the bad parts of this book.
P L O T & W R I T I N G
Well. Overall, I felt like this book had a more solid plot than the previous one. (To be honest, I don’t really remember what A STOLEN KISS was about. Oops?)
I felt like the plot was a bit all-over-the-place at multiple points. We had characters in different settings and a lot would happen in a chapter, then we’d go back a day or so in time in a different perspective to catch up their plotline and it got really off-putting at times. I did enjoy the differnent aspects of the plot, though, and the few plot twists that existed I really didn’t see coming- looking back there was the tiiiiiniest bit of foreshadowing for each one and I felt kinda dumb for not catching it.
Character relationships were a bit confusing at times; this one character had her family (specifically her father) explained five times and I had to read over it twice each time to understand, because for some reason, it never stuck with me; I felt like it was only brought up when it was convenient to the plot.
I also felt that the author assumed the reader didn’t understand what was happening too few times and then whenever I was still all shook up from events, there was no processing time. I don’t know about you, but I need a scene or two to catch up after a big action scene, and those always really help me get back on track, but I didn’t have those with this novel.
Speaking of big action scenes, they weren’t really… big. I kept on leaving action scenes without a racing heart. I never felt that our characters were really unsafe and all conflicts were resolved within a page or two. There was also a kind of action scene which was absolutely unnecessary for this book and only distracted our characters and I’m pretty sure that was only for setup for the sequel.
ALSO I WILL FIGHT FOR MY CECILY/RORY SHIP. They have more chemistry than their respective love interests have with them, sorry not sorry. Why not put Gene and Tom together, too? Wait. Nevermind.
Okay, I’m dragging a lot of these aspects, but I did enjoy the plot for the most part, and even if it was a bit confusing at times, I was really satisfied with how it went. Still kinda confused on stome parts though.
Now the writing. This was probably the biggest improvement from A STOLEN KISS to A STOLEN CROWN. There were only a few quotes where I was like “what the HECK does this mean?” Example:
"Silence surrounded them like an itchy, wool sweater…"
I’m sorry, what? Does that mean it’s uncomfortable? Is it annoying and unnecessary and you want to change out of the silence? What?
Example 2:
"The speaker, bald with scarred, russet skin…"
I’m sorry… isn’t russet a reddish-brown color? Now I’m imagining this person as a russet potato which is definitely more red than brown.
I’m also so confused as to where this is taking place. It’s like our earth but there’s Fangralee Forest, so… what is the truth? They always use Christian concepts, like hell and soul, and there were a couple times they called their setting Earth, so I guess it’s just an odd fairy tale setting. Quite unsatisfying either way.
C H A R A C T E R S
Cecily. She’s honestly slightly annoying, and her lack of willpower to do basically anything, AND her dependency on everyone around her was exhausting, but ya gotta blame that on her childhood, not her. Either way, she did have some Good Character Development, so that was quite exciting. I also like her than her brother from A STOLEN KISS, oops.
Rory. I like her, but geez, can she be pushy and overbearing. I just need her to chill for more than 3 seconds at a time- was she ever NOT doing something?- and then we’re good. I appreciate how hardworking and protective she is, though.
Gene. I actually liked him. 10/10, best comebacks out of any character in this series. I also really like his hair. He was quite relatable in almost every situation and I really appreciate that.
Tom. Another great character. 10/10, kinda is a bit too much like my boy Dorian from Throne of Glass, but that’s okay. Also had good comebacks but Gene is a bit better.
Muriel. Okay, she’s not a major character, and I probably should be giving my two cents on the other main characters, but I honestly don’t care as much for them. If ya combine Gene and Muriel, you have yours truly. I loved how sassy and righteous she was. That girl gets stuff done.
All in all, I enjoyed the time I spent with A STOLEN CROWN. I wouldn’t mind seeing these characters again or going back into this (maybe different than ours?) world again. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable, simple book with a solid plot and characters.
This book was a good bit better than the first one, and PSA, you don’t have to read the first one in the series to understand this one; I feel that these are more companion books than actual books in a series.
Anyways, let’s get into the good and the bad parts of this book.
P L O T & W R I T I N G
Well. Overall, I felt like this book had a more solid plot than the previous one. (To be honest, I don’t really remember what A STOLEN KISS was about. Oops?)
I felt like the plot was a bit all-over-the-place at multiple points. We had characters in different settings and a lot would happen in a chapter, then we’d go back a day or so in time in a different perspective to catch up their plotline and it got really off-putting at times. I did enjoy the differnent aspects of the plot, though, and the few plot twists that existed I really didn’t see coming- looking back there was the tiiiiiniest bit of foreshadowing for each one and I felt kinda dumb for not catching it.
Character relationships were a bit confusing at times; this one character had her family (specifically her father) explained five times and I had to read over it twice each time to understand, because for some reason, it never stuck with me; I felt like it was only brought up when it was convenient to the plot.
I also felt that the author assumed the reader didn’t understand what was happening too few times and then whenever I was still all shook up from events, there was no processing time. I don’t know about you, but I need a scene or two to catch up after a big action scene, and those always really help me get back on track, but I didn’t have those with this novel.
Speaking of big action scenes, they weren’t really… big. I kept on leaving action scenes without a racing heart. I never felt that our characters were really unsafe and all conflicts were resolved within a page or two. There was also a kind of action scene which was absolutely unnecessary for this book and only distracted our characters and I’m pretty sure that was only for setup for the sequel.
ALSO I WILL FIGHT FOR MY CECILY/RORY SHIP. They have more chemistry than their respective love interests have with them, sorry not sorry. Why not put Gene and Tom together, too? Wait. Nevermind.
Okay, I’m dragging a lot of these aspects, but I did enjoy the plot for the most part, and even if it was a bit confusing at times, I was really satisfied with how it went. Still kinda confused on stome parts though.
Now the writing. This was probably the biggest improvement from A STOLEN KISS to A STOLEN CROWN. There were only a few quotes where I was like “what the HECK does this mean?” Example:
"Silence surrounded them like an itchy, wool sweater…"
I’m sorry, what? Does that mean it’s uncomfortable? Is it annoying and unnecessary and you want to change out of the silence? What?
Example 2:
"The speaker, bald with scarred, russet skin…"
I’m sorry… isn’t russet a reddish-brown color? Now I’m imagining this person as a russet potato which is definitely more red than brown.
I’m also so confused as to where this is taking place. It’s like our earth but there’s Fangralee Forest, so… what is the truth? They always use Christian concepts, like hell and soul, and there were a couple times they called their setting Earth, so I guess it’s just an odd fairy tale setting. Quite unsatisfying either way.
C H A R A C T E R S
Cecily. She’s honestly slightly annoying, and her lack of willpower to do basically anything, AND her dependency on everyone around her was exhausting, but ya gotta blame that on her childhood, not her. Either way, she did have some Good Character Development, so that was quite exciting. I also like her than her brother from A STOLEN KISS, oops.
Rory. I like her, but geez, can she be pushy and overbearing. I just need her to chill for more than 3 seconds at a time- was she ever NOT doing something?- and then we’re good. I appreciate how hardworking and protective she is, though.
Gene. I actually liked him. 10/10, best comebacks out of any character in this series. I also really like his hair. He was quite relatable in almost every situation and I really appreciate that.
Tom. Another great character. 10/10, kinda is a bit too much like my boy Dorian from Throne of Glass, but that’s okay. Also had good comebacks but Gene is a bit better.
Muriel. Okay, she’s not a major character, and I probably should be giving my two cents on the other main characters, but I honestly don’t care as much for them. If ya combine Gene and Muriel, you have yours truly. I loved how sassy and righteous she was. That girl gets stuff done.
All in all, I enjoyed the time I spent with A STOLEN CROWN. I wouldn’t mind seeing these characters again or going back into this (maybe different than ours?) world again. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable, simple book with a solid plot and characters.
March 15, 2017
Book received from NetGalley.
This is a young adult fantasy series, and this is the second book in the series. I have not read the first book in the series, but I didn't have an issue keeping up with what was going on in this sequel. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the book while reading the first few chapters, it seemed like it was going to be a cutesy princess story with magic, and that's not something I've ever really enjoyed. The princess is leaving her kingdom to marry the prince of a neighboring one and will become queen someday. Oh no, their carriage is held up by ruffians at the border who want to capture the princess for ransom, what will we do. I was seriously contemplating putting the book down at that point, but it got much better. I can't say much because there would be huge spoilers and trust me this is one book you want to go into knowing as little as possible about. There are quite a few tropes in here, but somehow they seem to work and are actually pretty enjoyable. It's a quick read and more along the magical realism lines than high fantasy. I thought it was cute and a good book for escapist reading.
This is a young adult fantasy series, and this is the second book in the series. I have not read the first book in the series, but I didn't have an issue keeping up with what was going on in this sequel. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the book while reading the first few chapters, it seemed like it was going to be a cutesy princess story with magic, and that's not something I've ever really enjoyed. The princess is leaving her kingdom to marry the prince of a neighboring one and will become queen someday. Oh no, their carriage is held up by ruffians at the border who want to capture the princess for ransom, what will we do. I was seriously contemplating putting the book down at that point, but it got much better. I can't say much because there would be huge spoilers and trust me this is one book you want to go into knowing as little as possible about. There are quite a few tropes in here, but somehow they seem to work and are actually pretty enjoyable. It's a quick read and more along the magical realism lines than high fantasy. I thought it was cute and a good book for escapist reading.
February 22, 2017
Whew, I made it! This book was really, really cute. It revolves around two girls, Cecily and Rory, and their friendship through many tests (men and magic and secrets included.) This read like a movie, almost like a Disney-esque movie... it is fast-paced and dialogue heavy, but in a good way. You can really hear their voices and feel what they are feeling.
So much happened in this read that your head can be left spinning, but it is darker where it needs to be a light-hearted through the majority of it. Cece and Rory are both very strong characters, though not without their flaws (which get called out over the course of the book.) At times Cecily shows her age and immaturity, as she should. And Rory for all her wisdom, cunning and confidence as Cece's bodyguard, is also prone to hurting her friend's feelings.
While the main tale seems to be that Cecily is on her way to get married, and adventure ensues along the way, the real story is between the girls. And that makes it very likable.
A Stolen Crown is the second book in the Stolen Royals series, by Kelsey Keating, in a planned trilogy. You do not need to have read the first book to be able to enjoy the second. While both books take place in the same world, they can be treated as standalones otherwise. That being said, the first book is worth a read as well. I think this is perfect for mature middle-grade readers or young adults who enjoy classic (and slightly fractured) fairy tales. It is definitely not historical fiction, the dialogue is really modern in places, which lends itself fine to the age. Basically, it's not to be taken too seriously, it is just a fun fairy tale.
Overall rating about 3.5/5.
Thank you to the Swanifide Publishing and NetGalley for this reader's copy in exchange for a review.
So much happened in this read that your head can be left spinning, but it is darker where it needs to be a light-hearted through the majority of it. Cece and Rory are both very strong characters, though not without their flaws (which get called out over the course of the book.) At times Cecily shows her age and immaturity, as she should. And Rory for all her wisdom, cunning and confidence as Cece's bodyguard, is also prone to hurting her friend's feelings.
While the main tale seems to be that Cecily is on her way to get married, and adventure ensues along the way, the real story is between the girls. And that makes it very likable.
A Stolen Crown is the second book in the Stolen Royals series, by Kelsey Keating, in a planned trilogy. You do not need to have read the first book to be able to enjoy the second. While both books take place in the same world, they can be treated as standalones otherwise. That being said, the first book is worth a read as well. I think this is perfect for mature middle-grade readers or young adults who enjoy classic (and slightly fractured) fairy tales. It is definitely not historical fiction, the dialogue is really modern in places, which lends itself fine to the age. Basically, it's not to be taken too seriously, it is just a fun fairy tale.
Overall rating about 3.5/5.
Thank you to the Swanifide Publishing and NetGalley for this reader's copy in exchange for a review.
February 27, 2017
A Fairy Tale for Today
Keep on moving if you're avoiding spoilers.
My favorite character is everyone's I think, Rory-but I also liked Cecily and Gene. Fangralee Forest is my favorite backdrop, both for character development and for the deets like the baby spider.
This story goes much deeper than the first in the series, so I liked it better. At first I had trouble keeping track of the characters, but in the end they all had their reasons for being, in interesting and well thought out ways. A very enjoyable read.
Keep on moving if you're avoiding spoilers.
My favorite character is everyone's I think, Rory-but I also liked Cecily and Gene. Fangralee Forest is my favorite backdrop, both for character development and for the deets like the baby spider.
This story goes much deeper than the first in the series, so I liked it better. At first I had trouble keeping track of the characters, but in the end they all had their reasons for being, in interesting and well thought out ways. A very enjoyable read.
January 20, 2017
I received an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5... We need halves on this site.
Look at that cover! Major cover love with this one!
This was a good book. Very interesting and original story. A little bit predictable in places. There are a few fairy tales that are mentioned in the book and that was really cool. I don't know if this will make sense but I loved how the author took things in our world that are um normal(?) and split it between two countries. For example in one country men did not cheat on their wives and in the other it was overlooked and one country is super proper(?) and the other was not at all (three words: public nude swimming). In one country magic is accepted in the other not so much. Those kinds of things.
I was very emotionally connected with this book. Of course they were all over the place. Happy, angry, sad, amused, annoyed etc. The author didn't just break my heart at one point, she shattered it. I put it back together with some bandages and kept reading but dang.
The only reason I don't think I loved this book is because of Cecily. I really liked Rory, Gene, Tom, Kel and even Muriel, who is a "mean girl", but I just could not connect with Cecily. At one point in time she says that she wishes she could go back in time and slap herself and I couldn't help but think "I've wanted to slap you for the majority of this book!" She's selfish and self-centered and I know if she wasn't this would've been a very, very boring book. I know. I was cheering on the other characters and wanted them to succeed more then I did Cecily. I might be in the minority with this but I just couldn't connect and didn't really like her most of the book. I will say she had some good moments. Some really strong moments that made me think holy cow she actually has some backbone and could really kick butt. She did start to grow on me in the last 10% of the book but by then it was just too late.
Overall this a really good fairytale. It has all of the things a good fairytale needs. Princes and princesses, spells and magic, love and hate, really great friendships. It's a good book and I plan on going back and re-reading it and maybe Cecily will grow on me. Who knows?
3.5... We need halves on this site.
Look at that cover! Major cover love with this one!
This was a good book. Very interesting and original story. A little bit predictable in places. There are a few fairy tales that are mentioned in the book and that was really cool. I don't know if this will make sense but I loved how the author took things in our world that are um normal(?) and split it between two countries. For example in one country men did not cheat on their wives and in the other it was overlooked and one country is super proper(?) and the other was not at all (three words: public nude swimming). In one country magic is accepted in the other not so much. Those kinds of things.
I was very emotionally connected with this book. Of course they were all over the place. Happy, angry, sad, amused, annoyed etc. The author didn't just break my heart at one point, she shattered it. I put it back together with some bandages and kept reading but dang.
The only reason I don't think I loved this book is because of Cecily. I really liked Rory, Gene, Tom, Kel and even Muriel, who is a "mean girl", but I just could not connect with Cecily. At one point in time she says that she wishes she could go back in time and slap herself and I couldn't help but think "I've wanted to slap you for the majority of this book!" She's selfish and self-centered and I know if she wasn't this would've been a very, very boring book. I know. I was cheering on the other characters and wanted them to succeed more then I did Cecily. I might be in the minority with this but I just couldn't connect and didn't really like her most of the book. I will say she had some good moments. Some really strong moments that made me think holy cow she actually has some backbone and could really kick butt. She did start to grow on me in the last 10% of the book but by then it was just too late.
Overall this a really good fairytale. It has all of the things a good fairytale needs. Princes and princesses, spells and magic, love and hate, really great friendships. It's a good book and I plan on going back and re-reading it and maybe Cecily will grow on me. Who knows?
February 6, 2017
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I am not going to lie, I wanted to read this book because the cover. I mean, look at it! It's reminiscent of old school Disney animation, and I feel that the bulk of this book delivered that type of story.
This was an adorable yarn that definitely had that fairy tale flair. It was cute and light, until it was a bloodbath! Alas, some tears were shed at about 90%, and Keating broke my heart, but she put it back together shortly thereafter with some really sappy sweet stuff that made me smile.
If I had to pinpoint the essence of this story it would be: friendship. One of the strongest plot points is the friendship between Rory and Cecily. It was a rather beautiful friendship between two strong women, where they reinforced and supported each other.
I have to say, the female characters in this book was quite wonderful. Some were super feminine, some were prim and proper, but all were strong when they needed to be.
I will mention, that I suspected the plot twist. However, I still smiled BIG when my suspicions were confirmed.
Overall: Very cute story of love and friendship which gave me a case of the smiles.
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I am not going to lie, I wanted to read this book because the cover. I mean, look at it! It's reminiscent of old school Disney animation, and I feel that the bulk of this book delivered that type of story.
This was an adorable yarn that definitely had that fairy tale flair. It was cute and light, until it was a bloodbath! Alas, some tears were shed at about 90%, and Keating broke my heart, but she put it back together shortly thereafter with some really sappy sweet stuff that made me smile.
If I had to pinpoint the essence of this story it would be: friendship. One of the strongest plot points is the friendship between Rory and Cecily. It was a rather beautiful friendship between two strong women, where they reinforced and supported each other.
I have to say, the female characters in this book was quite wonderful. Some were super feminine, some were prim and proper, but all were strong when they needed to be.
I will mention, that I suspected the plot twist. However, I still smiled BIG when my suspicions were confirmed.
Overall: Very cute story of love and friendship which gave me a case of the smiles.
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February 10, 2017
Loved so much about this book. Unconventional heroes. Unexpected romance. Enduring friendship. I could pick a favorite character. It's a fast, sweet fantasy story that I'm excited to have in my collection.
January 29, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I’ve had this book for quite a while and didn’t have much interest in reading it because I wasn’t impressed by the first book in the series. I’ve since learned not to request a sequel book for review unless I’ve already read (and enjoyed) the previous book(s). That said, I did like this book more than the first, at least.
In terms of writing, this feels like a middle grade book. I don’t know why exactly—perhaps because I feel like middle grade books are, overall, written more simply than books geared towards older readers. There’s a lot of “tell” instead of “show,” and I admit I just don’t find myself drawn into the story much. Of course, that’s not the case for all middle grade books, but I think it’s a trap this one falls into. However, the characters are not middle grade—they’re young/new adults of marriageable age, two of which are betrothed. And so the characters and story conflict with the writing style, in my opinion.
On to the characters. Cecily and Rory, the two main characters, are best friends—Cecily is a princess, and Rory (who is unusually strong despite her small size) is one of her guards. To be honest, I found Cecily to be selfish, somewhat vain, naive, and self centered. I rarely liked her. However, I did like Rory, who was loyal, determined, and fiercely protective. Supporting characters were hit and miss, with some being rather one dimensional and others being given more development. Muriel and Gene were some of my favorites, though I did also like Tom.
The twists in the plot were rather predictable, and some characters’ motivations remained a bit murky at the end. But, of course, another book follows this one. I am enough satisfied with the ending, though, that this is where my journey with the series ends.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe a little swearing.
I’ve had this book for quite a while and didn’t have much interest in reading it because I wasn’t impressed by the first book in the series. I’ve since learned not to request a sequel book for review unless I’ve already read (and enjoyed) the previous book(s). That said, I did like this book more than the first, at least.
In terms of writing, this feels like a middle grade book. I don’t know why exactly—perhaps because I feel like middle grade books are, overall, written more simply than books geared towards older readers. There’s a lot of “tell” instead of “show,” and I admit I just don’t find myself drawn into the story much. Of course, that’s not the case for all middle grade books, but I think it’s a trap this one falls into. However, the characters are not middle grade—they’re young/new adults of marriageable age, two of which are betrothed. And so the characters and story conflict with the writing style, in my opinion.
On to the characters. Cecily and Rory, the two main characters, are best friends—Cecily is a princess, and Rory (who is unusually strong despite her small size) is one of her guards. To be honest, I found Cecily to be selfish, somewhat vain, naive, and self centered. I rarely liked her. However, I did like Rory, who was loyal, determined, and fiercely protective. Supporting characters were hit and miss, with some being rather one dimensional and others being given more development. Muriel and Gene were some of my favorites, though I did also like Tom.
The twists in the plot were rather predictable, and some characters’ motivations remained a bit murky at the end. But, of course, another book follows this one. I am enough satisfied with the ending, though, that this is where my journey with the series ends.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe a little swearing.
February 11, 2017
(I received this book for free via the publisher from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
2.5 stars
This is the second book in a series, and I will admit that I haven’t read the first book. However, from what I’ve read around these books, this book seems to follow a separate, if related, cast of characters from the first (A Stolen Kiss), so it read easily as it’s own story.
We meet Princess Cecily Degalt as she is preparing to travel to her new home, where she is to wed a prince that she has never met and become queen of a country she has never visited. Along with her best friend Rory, who is also in new territory as she is expected to act as a lady in waiting rather than the body guard that she is trained to be, we set off with a host of different characters pretty much straight away as they journey to Myrzel, where miscommunications and intrigues begin to occur from the offset. Cecily’s fiancée is missing, his twin brother is maybe too attractive, and Rory has a secret to hide.
From the very start this book is very dialogue heavy, whether it is Rory and Cecily chatting away or every character in a scene seeming to weigh in on a situation at the same time, and it made it really hard to keep track of who thought what, or even who had just spoken. Similarly with fight scenes, although I often find those difficult anyway, sometimes I had no idea how a fight had resolved itself because I really couldn’t tell what had happened or who was involved. The author had a lot to get into this book, from world-building that included the introduction of a whole new court and customs, along with other locations and the cast of people and creatures that went with them. Sadly, for me, it just ended up feeling as though everyone’s motivation was trying to fight to the forefront and it left me with no real sense of ‘knowing’ any one character particularly well. Yes, we found out more information about Cecily and Rory as the plot thickened, but they existed within a whirl of many other characters who’s stories never quite stuck.
That being said, I appreciated Cecily a great deal. She could be self-centred, and is forced to acknowledge this later in the book (multiple times, it takes her a while to grasp), but there are parts of her character that we need much more of in YA. As a princess who’s future depends on the opinion of an unknown man she is concerned about whether he will like her, both in terms of her body and personality, and her fears are made a much more effective part of the story as it is acknowledge, somewhat harshly, by other characters that she isn’t a skinny girl. At one point whilst Cecily is worrying about her size, Rory offers insight from the opposite end of the spectrum as she is incredibly petite with small breasts and doesn’t think much of her chances at meeting someone because of this, and I just really enjoyed how real their talk about body image were from both sides of the conversation. Cecily also has some real struggles with her hair in the climate of Myrzel, and I appreciated that it wasn’t the typical princess getting her hair a bit messy and making a mountain out of it, but a full-on humidity related battle.
This book had some great stuff, a fun plot with some kick-ass ladies, growing friendships, and all sorts of excellent tidbits about being there for your friends like they’d be there for you. I think at the end of the day this book just wasn’t quite my cup of tea and the things that I enjoyed got lost in a lot of confusion about why we needed to know when people switched between two languages and who it was that was doing the talking. I was also perplexed by the chapter titles. They were often pun-based and felt like they were trying to talk the book down into a more middle-grade story, which would then suddenly hit you with conversations about rape and death that caused them to sit quite uneasily in the book.
Overall, this book was a fun romp and I did stick around to find out what happened - I especially wanted to see if my theory about a certain character’s identity was correct - but I never quite got as attached to any of the characters as I would have like.
2.5 stars
This is the second book in a series, and I will admit that I haven’t read the first book. However, from what I’ve read around these books, this book seems to follow a separate, if related, cast of characters from the first (A Stolen Kiss), so it read easily as it’s own story.
We meet Princess Cecily Degalt as she is preparing to travel to her new home, where she is to wed a prince that she has never met and become queen of a country she has never visited. Along with her best friend Rory, who is also in new territory as she is expected to act as a lady in waiting rather than the body guard that she is trained to be, we set off with a host of different characters pretty much straight away as they journey to Myrzel, where miscommunications and intrigues begin to occur from the offset. Cecily’s fiancée is missing, his twin brother is maybe too attractive, and Rory has a secret to hide.
From the very start this book is very dialogue heavy, whether it is Rory and Cecily chatting away or every character in a scene seeming to weigh in on a situation at the same time, and it made it really hard to keep track of who thought what, or even who had just spoken. Similarly with fight scenes, although I often find those difficult anyway, sometimes I had no idea how a fight had resolved itself because I really couldn’t tell what had happened or who was involved. The author had a lot to get into this book, from world-building that included the introduction of a whole new court and customs, along with other locations and the cast of people and creatures that went with them. Sadly, for me, it just ended up feeling as though everyone’s motivation was trying to fight to the forefront and it left me with no real sense of ‘knowing’ any one character particularly well. Yes, we found out more information about Cecily and Rory as the plot thickened, but they existed within a whirl of many other characters who’s stories never quite stuck.
That being said, I appreciated Cecily a great deal. She could be self-centred, and is forced to acknowledge this later in the book (multiple times, it takes her a while to grasp), but there are parts of her character that we need much more of in YA. As a princess who’s future depends on the opinion of an unknown man she is concerned about whether he will like her, both in terms of her body and personality, and her fears are made a much more effective part of the story as it is acknowledge, somewhat harshly, by other characters that she isn’t a skinny girl. At one point whilst Cecily is worrying about her size, Rory offers insight from the opposite end of the spectrum as she is incredibly petite with small breasts and doesn’t think much of her chances at meeting someone because of this, and I just really enjoyed how real their talk about body image were from both sides of the conversation. Cecily also has some real struggles with her hair in the climate of Myrzel, and I appreciated that it wasn’t the typical princess getting her hair a bit messy and making a mountain out of it, but a full-on humidity related battle.
This book had some great stuff, a fun plot with some kick-ass ladies, growing friendships, and all sorts of excellent tidbits about being there for your friends like they’d be there for you. I think at the end of the day this book just wasn’t quite my cup of tea and the things that I enjoyed got lost in a lot of confusion about why we needed to know when people switched between two languages and who it was that was doing the talking. I was also perplexed by the chapter titles. They were often pun-based and felt like they were trying to talk the book down into a more middle-grade story, which would then suddenly hit you with conversations about rape and death that caused them to sit quite uneasily in the book.
Overall, this book was a fun romp and I did stick around to find out what happened - I especially wanted to see if my theory about a certain character’s identity was correct - but I never quite got as attached to any of the characters as I would have like.
June 16, 2017
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I read the first book in the series, A Stolen Kiss , last year and I really enjoyed it, so when I saw that the second book was about to be released I was sure I had to get my hands on it. You don't need to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one, although you'll definitely appreciate filling in some of the blanks in characters' lives through the ones you meet here. A Stolen Crown is definitely a mature book that is perfectly capable of standing on its own two legs. Packed with adorable characters, witty humor and a captivating story, this was one read I could not put down.
I have to say, I love this author's style! Kelsey Keating somehow manages to weave together several different storylines without ever getting you confused as to who's who and what exactly is going on in that world. Now, I am most definitely not the intended target audience, but I still giggled through most of the book thanks to her fabulous humor. I read this book almost entirely during a long trip, and it managed to put a smile on my face despite the disastrous delays in public transport. If that's not enough recommendation for you, then I really don't know what more to say...
[IMAGE]
Okay, okay, I'll give you some more...
True to the spirit of the first book, the characters were adorable! Their flaws, their fears, their strengths are all incredibly realistic, so much that you could almost forget that we're talking about an imaginary princess and her friends. This book keeps making fun of itself and its genre, referencing fairy tales and cliched romances in a very smart way. I also enjoyed how the author introduced some delicate themes inside the story: Princess Cecily is very self-conscious of her body image, and keeps thinking she will be judged on the fact that she is not "skinny enough". Seeing how important this issue is to girls and boys everywhere, I am glad to see it inserted in a fairy tale-esque story, where the princess is not an unattainable ideal of ethereal beauty, but a real girl with a love for food. Also, there is some serious girl power going on in this book, so bonus points for that!
[IMAGE]
The setting was also on point. We're given just enough information to understand what life in Dellsby and Myrzel is like, without having to wade through pages and pages of endless descriptions. Of course, if you like lengthy descriptions, that's perfectly fine! It's just that I personally sometimes get bored with them and end up not really taking in what I'm being told... Here, on the other hand, I could almost see these places in my mind, and that just makes me happy.
Overall, I liked this book just as much as the first one: it maintains its light mood while at the same time touching upon very delicate themes, such as friendship, love and grief. Great characters combined with a good plot make for a very enjoyable read indeed. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for a new book in the series!
For this and more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I read the first book in the series, A Stolen Kiss , last year and I really enjoyed it, so when I saw that the second book was about to be released I was sure I had to get my hands on it. You don't need to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one, although you'll definitely appreciate filling in some of the blanks in characters' lives through the ones you meet here. A Stolen Crown is definitely a mature book that is perfectly capable of standing on its own two legs. Packed with adorable characters, witty humor and a captivating story, this was one read I could not put down.
I have to say, I love this author's style! Kelsey Keating somehow manages to weave together several different storylines without ever getting you confused as to who's who and what exactly is going on in that world. Now, I am most definitely not the intended target audience, but I still giggled through most of the book thanks to her fabulous humor. I read this book almost entirely during a long trip, and it managed to put a smile on my face despite the disastrous delays in public transport. If that's not enough recommendation for you, then I really don't know what more to say...
[IMAGE]
Okay, okay, I'll give you some more...
True to the spirit of the first book, the characters were adorable! Their flaws, their fears, their strengths are all incredibly realistic, so much that you could almost forget that we're talking about an imaginary princess and her friends. This book keeps making fun of itself and its genre, referencing fairy tales and cliched romances in a very smart way. I also enjoyed how the author introduced some delicate themes inside the story: Princess Cecily is very self-conscious of her body image, and keeps thinking she will be judged on the fact that she is not "skinny enough". Seeing how important this issue is to girls and boys everywhere, I am glad to see it inserted in a fairy tale-esque story, where the princess is not an unattainable ideal of ethereal beauty, but a real girl with a love for food. Also, there is some serious girl power going on in this book, so bonus points for that!
[IMAGE]
The setting was also on point. We're given just enough information to understand what life in Dellsby and Myrzel is like, without having to wade through pages and pages of endless descriptions. Of course, if you like lengthy descriptions, that's perfectly fine! It's just that I personally sometimes get bored with them and end up not really taking in what I'm being told... Here, on the other hand, I could almost see these places in my mind, and that just makes me happy.
Overall, I liked this book just as much as the first one: it maintains its light mood while at the same time touching upon very delicate themes, such as friendship, love and grief. Great characters combined with a good plot make for a very enjoyable read indeed. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for a new book in the series!
For this and more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
February 4, 2017
I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As you can tell by the synopsis, A Stolen Crown sounds very similar to a lot of other YA fantasy books. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it might be the reason why I didn't enjoy this book as much I hoped to. Since I've read so many books like this one, I guess I was just hoping for something new to be brought to the table. Unfortunately, that metaphorical table is the same as it has always been.
I love the whole storyline about clashing kingdoms, convenient marriages, forbidden love, kickass girls (and strong female friendships), but I feel like this book fell short in all of these departments. It did incorporate all the elements I love but everything felt so ordinary and uninvolved. I felt no connection to any of the characters. Seriously. Not even an ounce of hate for the annoying characters. I just found it hard to care about anyone in this book, and that really dampened the reading process for me. Perhaps it's time I take a break from this genre.
The story is perfectly fine but it is not my cup of tea. If you like the things I mentioned above, I am sure you will enjoy it more than I did. I hope you do!
Find me (and my reviews) elsewhere:
My Blog ● Instagram ● Twitter
As you can tell by the synopsis, A Stolen Crown sounds very similar to a lot of other YA fantasy books. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it might be the reason why I didn't enjoy this book as much I hoped to. Since I've read so many books like this one, I guess I was just hoping for something new to be brought to the table. Unfortunately, that metaphorical table is the same as it has always been.
I love the whole storyline about clashing kingdoms, convenient marriages, forbidden love, kickass girls (and strong female friendships), but I feel like this book fell short in all of these departments. It did incorporate all the elements I love but everything felt so ordinary and uninvolved. I felt no connection to any of the characters. Seriously. Not even an ounce of hate for the annoying characters. I just found it hard to care about anyone in this book, and that really dampened the reading process for me. Perhaps it's time I take a break from this genre.
The story is perfectly fine but it is not my cup of tea. If you like the things I mentioned above, I am sure you will enjoy it more than I did. I hope you do!
Find me (and my reviews) elsewhere:
My Blog ● Instagram ● Twitter
December 22, 2018
Such a enchanted story, kept me from the real world for days lol
I can't believe it's over... Thank goodness for a sequel. The young princess Cecily is sent out finally to meet her betrothed. Luckily she has a her best friend, and body guard, Rory, with her. The young princess is already distraught about being a good ruler, her weight, and if the guy she is betrothed to will be happy with her. The journey takes a tragic turn when the group is attacked by the very people they are sent out to meet. Friendships are made, strengths and weaknesses are discovered when the group find themselves in a enchanted dark forest. With the prince MIA, a war threatening to break out and them lost in the forest, Cecily discovers that her duties must come before her desires, even if that might mean no happy ending for her. She manages to over come her selfish ways, her worries about her self worth and her fears of her prearranged marriage through her journey. This is a must read. If you love enchanted Forest, lore coming to life, adventure, romance, best friends and a good laugh, this book is for you! There is just something about this story that everyone can relate to and feel themselves in the characters shoes. Down to earth and a real good read... This sequel to the royal trilogy series is a must have. You can read any of them in the order you want! So grab some hot cocoa or a glass of wine, a blanket and your favorite chair because you're in for a treat with this purchase!
I can't believe it's over... Thank goodness for a sequel. The young princess Cecily is sent out finally to meet her betrothed. Luckily she has a her best friend, and body guard, Rory, with her. The young princess is already distraught about being a good ruler, her weight, and if the guy she is betrothed to will be happy with her. The journey takes a tragic turn when the group is attacked by the very people they are sent out to meet. Friendships are made, strengths and weaknesses are discovered when the group find themselves in a enchanted dark forest. With the prince MIA, a war threatening to break out and them lost in the forest, Cecily discovers that her duties must come before her desires, even if that might mean no happy ending for her. She manages to over come her selfish ways, her worries about her self worth and her fears of her prearranged marriage through her journey. This is a must read. If you love enchanted Forest, lore coming to life, adventure, romance, best friends and a good laugh, this book is for you! There is just something about this story that everyone can relate to and feel themselves in the characters shoes. Down to earth and a real good read... This sequel to the royal trilogy series is a must have. You can read any of them in the order you want! So grab some hot cocoa or a glass of wine, a blanket and your favorite chair because you're in for a treat with this purchase!
September 30, 2017
Princess Cecily is sent to Myrzel as Prince Rakesh betrothed. She is Prince Humphrey’s sister. Rory is Princess Cecily’s best friend and personal bodyguard. She’s a girl gifted with strength. Prince Ephraim is Prince Rakesh twin brother who always fall in love who is also Tom’s brother, a sorcerer. Daegan is one of the servers at Myrzel, who is also Rory’s master.
As you’ve read how those people above connected to each other, you’ll already have an idea how twisted this story might be. A Stolen Crown is a unique concept. For me, this book is refreshing and entertaining. Princess Cecily’s insecurity about herself represents how women are unsatisfied with their body. I like how her companions give opinions about her body size when Princess Cecily became so anxious about it. I am speechless at Rory’s bravery and persistence, and her helplessness when she was controlled. Actually, I like how A Stolen Crown’s character presents their selves because there are strong and weak points.
Read full review at: https://wandererinneverland.wordpress...
As you’ve read how those people above connected to each other, you’ll already have an idea how twisted this story might be. A Stolen Crown is a unique concept. For me, this book is refreshing and entertaining. Princess Cecily’s insecurity about herself represents how women are unsatisfied with their body. I like how her companions give opinions about her body size when Princess Cecily became so anxious about it. I am speechless at Rory’s bravery and persistence, and her helplessness when she was controlled. Actually, I like how A Stolen Crown’s character presents their selves because there are strong and weak points.
Read full review at: https://wandererinneverland.wordpress...
Want to Read
May 17, 2024This isn't a review, just a note on why I'm DNF-ing the book for the time being. Something about this story wasn't clicking with my brain. I think the main reason is that, when the book started, the two main characters were interacting in a way that made them read like a couple of silly 12 year old girls, and yet one of them is old enough to marry and the other one is the only woman on the guard, so obviously, they're older than that. But their age is never clarified, and I thought they continued sounding a bit immature as the story went on, so the conflicting mental image was really messing with me. Still, I don't want to criticize too much because I think the issue is more my reading mood right now than the book itself, so that's why I'm setting it aside for now. I will try it again at another time when I'm in a better headspace for it.
March 19, 2017
I never read the first book, but I saw reviews that said I didn't need to, which turned out to be true. Yes, there was some confusion at times, which probably wouldn't have happened had I read the first book, but overall, most concepts and basic stories were explained enough that I was able to follow along without a problem.
The characters were for the most part nicely developed, except for some instances where I felt they meshed together where their characters should've diverged - just to be cute. Nothing to put me off, but it was an eyeroll moment.
Overall, I enjoyed the clichéd storyline and romance. It was fun to read, even with the darker parts.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were for the most part nicely developed, except for some instances where I felt they meshed together where their characters should've diverged - just to be cute. Nothing to put me off, but it was an eyeroll moment.
Overall, I enjoyed the clichéd storyline and romance. It was fun to read, even with the darker parts.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2017
This is truly one of the best series I have ever read. I love Derrick and the gang, I love the creativity of the author and the way she created the Fangralee Forest along with the many creatures residing in it. When I first read A Stolen Kiss I thought it was going to focus more on the romance part because of . . . well, the title. But the author really proved me wrong and the series really turned out to be the best I've ever read. The only thing I regret about it is that I didn't read it sooner.
August 29, 2017
This was a fun, fast read, though I have to admit it didn't catch me as much as the first. However, I'm still looking forward to reading the next!
Some aspects I loved:
- The Kel/Rakesh relationship was really interesting and a fun surprise
- The main relationship the book surrounded was a really close friendship which was definitely refreshing as most books nowadays focus around romantic relationships
I would definitely recommend this book! :)
Some aspects I loved:
- The Kel/Rakesh relationship was really interesting and a fun surprise
- The main relationship the book surrounded was a really close friendship which was definitely refreshing as most books nowadays focus around romantic relationships
I would definitely recommend this book! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
This book is amazing, I've read it three times now! I seriously cant recommend it enough, the characters are exciting but relatable and the plot sucks you in so that you simply cant put it down! Kelsey is a very talented author, one of my favorites and I really hope you will read her Stolen Royals series, it is simply fantastic. Did I also mention how much I love the covers?
-Abby (Leigh Tinmar)
-Abby (Leigh Tinmar)
May 20, 2017
I loved this young adult, fast-paced, friendship bound tale! I had really enjoyed the first, and was excited for the sequel. Ms. Keating has a way with such few words, to quickly get you to fall in love with her characters! This is a great book, that I will share with my students. Fun for all ages....
August 7, 2025
look at me completely ditching this book for the first two-three months and finish the rest in two days
this book had more action than the first and was, i would say, more interesting. however why did most of the interesting twists and plot points happen within like the last 50-smth pages 😀😭
[3.6/5]
this book had more action than the first and was, i would say, more interesting. however why did most of the interesting twists and plot points happen within like the last 50-smth pages 😀😭
[3.6/5]
August 9, 2017
Traditional Fantasy/Fairy tale elements plus complex drama and thought promoting subtexts--Kelsey Keating pulls it all together in one fast-moving, enchanted journey. Read our full review at http://wp.me/p5s62b-VC
July 26, 2022
As you can tell by how quickly I read this: I LOVED IT. The first book in the series was good but this book definitely gave what was missing from the first book. Second time I’ve read this book and the plot twist still gets me.
April 19, 2018
Delightful and well connected plot. It was a nice satisfying read, filled with adventure, romance, and friendship.
I received an ARC from netgalley.
I received an ARC from netgalley.
June 17, 2019
This was a lot of fun to read. I was looking for something light and easy to read, and this book delivered that and then sum. Highly enjoyable.
March 5, 2020
I am enjoying this series. It is very predictable, but with enough action, twists and romance, makes for a pleasurable read. I enjoy most of the characters and like watching them evolve.
March 5, 2020
I am enjoying this series. It is very predictable, but with enough action, twists and romance, makes for a pleasurable read. I enjoy most of the characters and like watching them evolve.
January 17, 2017
*I received an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*.
Originally published on katieandcat.com:
I don’t even know where to start this review because there was so much I loved about A Stolen Crown by Kelsey Keating. It felt as if Keating was given a list of things I love in stories and sat down to craft a book for me.
One of the biggest features of the book was the friendship between Cecily and Rory. Not only did I love that a female friendship was the most important relationship of the book, but it was so refreshing to see two female friends who sometimes argue or fight, but never stop trusting each other completely and valuing each other. We also got some nice side friendships with some of the other ladies in waiting that Cecily has brought with her, and despite more limited “screen time” these other women still felt like complete characters with small arcs of their own.
Cecily’s attitude toward her arranged marriage was so refreshing for a fantasy story. Instead of portraying Cecily as a rebellious princess who hates the idea of marrying a man she has never met, Keating gives us a character who is realistically nervous but recognizes her duty to her country and to the people of her new country. Cecily voices her concerns to her friends, but never plays the victim.
Also, Cecily is a princess of color with big hair and big curves. She worries about her appearance, comparing herself to the thin women around her, but her friends consistently reassure her that she is beautiful the way she is. When Cecily starts eating less to try to lose weight, she is immediately reminded that her size is fine and that she needs to eat in order to stay strong and healthy. It was wonderful to see such a positive attitude about body size represented in the book.
The world building was unique, and the slow reveal of Rory’s secrets pulled me through the book. There were elements of humor, but the book didn’t shy away from touching one a few darker topics – abusive relationships, death, and attempted assault. I won’t go into too much detail, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I loved the way Keating handled the attempted assault. Instead of shrugging it off as I’ve seen many fantasy novels do, in this world assault is an unforgivable crime worse than murder because murder could potentially have a good reason (self-defense, etc), but sexual assault never has a good reason.
A Stolen Crown is a little mature for my middle grade students (unless the student was a mature reader), but I would absolutely recommend it to high school and older readers. I already plan to recommend it to my friends who like fantasy.
The book is billed as the second in a series, however if I hadn’t noticed that in the description I never would have known. The book is either more of a companion novel or Keating did a fantastic job making this book stand alone. My next read is going to be the first book in the Stolen Royals series, and when A Stolen Crown is published I intend to buy a hard copy for myself. I’m very excited to have found a new author to love!
Originally published on katieandcat.com:
I don’t even know where to start this review because there was so much I loved about A Stolen Crown by Kelsey Keating. It felt as if Keating was given a list of things I love in stories and sat down to craft a book for me.
One of the biggest features of the book was the friendship between Cecily and Rory. Not only did I love that a female friendship was the most important relationship of the book, but it was so refreshing to see two female friends who sometimes argue or fight, but never stop trusting each other completely and valuing each other. We also got some nice side friendships with some of the other ladies in waiting that Cecily has brought with her, and despite more limited “screen time” these other women still felt like complete characters with small arcs of their own.
Cecily’s attitude toward her arranged marriage was so refreshing for a fantasy story. Instead of portraying Cecily as a rebellious princess who hates the idea of marrying a man she has never met, Keating gives us a character who is realistically nervous but recognizes her duty to her country and to the people of her new country. Cecily voices her concerns to her friends, but never plays the victim.
Also, Cecily is a princess of color with big hair and big curves. She worries about her appearance, comparing herself to the thin women around her, but her friends consistently reassure her that she is beautiful the way she is. When Cecily starts eating less to try to lose weight, she is immediately reminded that her size is fine and that she needs to eat in order to stay strong and healthy. It was wonderful to see such a positive attitude about body size represented in the book.
The world building was unique, and the slow reveal of Rory’s secrets pulled me through the book. There were elements of humor, but the book didn’t shy away from touching one a few darker topics – abusive relationships, death, and attempted assault. I won’t go into too much detail, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I loved the way Keating handled the attempted assault. Instead of shrugging it off as I’ve seen many fantasy novels do, in this world assault is an unforgivable crime worse than murder because murder could potentially have a good reason (self-defense, etc), but sexual assault never has a good reason.
A Stolen Crown is a little mature for my middle grade students (unless the student was a mature reader), but I would absolutely recommend it to high school and older readers. I already plan to recommend it to my friends who like fantasy.
The book is billed as the second in a series, however if I hadn’t noticed that in the description I never would have known. The book is either more of a companion novel or Keating did a fantastic job making this book stand alone. My next read is going to be the first book in the Stolen Royals series, and when A Stolen Crown is published I intend to buy a hard copy for myself. I’m very excited to have found a new author to love!
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