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Dark Glass #2
A Choice of Crowns
Olivia Geroux knew her king was reluctant to marry her, whatever the negotiations had arranged. But she never expected to find handsome, arrogant King Rowan obsessed with his stepsister instead. And before she can determine what course to take, she overhears her greatest ally plotting to murder the princess.
Olivia must act quickly—and live with whatever chaos results. As the assassin hunts his prey, a magic mirror appears to show Olivia the three paths that open before her . . .
~ If she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will become queen.
~ If she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also thrust away her own happiness.
~ If she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and contentment—but her whole country will suffer.
As she lives out each path, her wits and courage will be tested as she fights to protect her people, her friends, and her heart. And deciding which to follow will be far from easy . . .
Olivia must act quickly—and live with whatever chaos results. As the assassin hunts his prey, a magic mirror appears to show Olivia the three paths that open before her . . .
~ If she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will become queen.
~ If she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also thrust away her own happiness.
~ If she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and contentment—but her whole country will suffer.
As she lives out each path, her wits and courage will be tested as she fights to protect her people, her friends, and her heart. And deciding which to follow will be far from easy . . .
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
36 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
About the author
Barb Hendee
70 books1,161 followers[See barbhendee.org]
Like most writers, I've worked at many jobs in my life, including teaching pre-school until I completed my master's degree in Composition Theory. Between 1993 and 2006, I taught college English while writing fiction on the side, some independently and some with my husband and life-long partner J.C.
Over the years, we've lived in Washington State, Idaho, Colorado, and now moved just south of Portland, Oregon. I love the Northwest, and it's a great place to write.
We have a lovely and talented daughter, Jaclyn, who lives in Houston, Texas along with our wonderful and talented son-in-law, Paul.
J.C. and I sold Dhampir in 2001, which changed our lives considerably. It was published in January 2003, and we've published a book in the Noble Dead Saga every year since. In May of 2006, we were both able to quit our teaching jobs and move into full time writing.
Recently, I've begun writing romance/suspense novels, beginning with: Alone with a Soldier. I am so glad my books have found an audience because I love to write fiction more than anything else in the world... and I'm not really good at anything else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 28, 2018
A Choice of Crowns by Barb Hendee is the second book in the young adult historical fantasy Dark Glass series. In the series the main character of each book is given the chance to see what three different outcomes would be for an event that will change the course of their life.
In this installment Olivia Geroux has been sent to wed King Rowan but when she arrives at court she finds the arrogant King is not keen on the idea of marrying her. Knowing it is what is expected of her Olivia struggles with how to get the King to change his mind when she is given the opportunity to see into the future and make a choice on what path she will take.
While A Choice of Crowns is the second book of the series this one can be read as a standalone if readers choose to do so. The characters and situation have changed with the three choices being what ties the books together giving them that fantasy edge but the story mostly feels as if reading a historical novel in the time of courts and Kings.
When reading the first book myself I enjoyed the idea of changing one small detail in a certain event would lead to a different future for the main character however I thought as those choices played out it seemed to get repetitive. This made me hesitate a bit in continuing on with this second book but now that I’ve finished I do think this one made a big improvement in that area so I enjoyed it that much more. This series is shaping up to be a rather nice historical read with that twist of fantasy giving it a bit of uniqueness.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
In this installment Olivia Geroux has been sent to wed King Rowan but when she arrives at court she finds the arrogant King is not keen on the idea of marrying her. Knowing it is what is expected of her Olivia struggles with how to get the King to change his mind when she is given the opportunity to see into the future and make a choice on what path she will take.
While A Choice of Crowns is the second book of the series this one can be read as a standalone if readers choose to do so. The characters and situation have changed with the three choices being what ties the books together giving them that fantasy edge but the story mostly feels as if reading a historical novel in the time of courts and Kings.
When reading the first book myself I enjoyed the idea of changing one small detail in a certain event would lead to a different future for the main character however I thought as those choices played out it seemed to get repetitive. This made me hesitate a bit in continuing on with this second book but now that I’ve finished I do think this one made a big improvement in that area so I enjoyed it that much more. This series is shaping up to be a rather nice historical read with that twist of fantasy giving it a bit of uniqueness.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
January 1, 2018
A Choice Of Crowns is the sequel to Through A Dark Glass, which was a brilliant book in itself. Both books are stand-alone and are only linked by the way the stories have been structured by the wonderful Barb Hendee and that they are all set in the same world.
As with the previous book this is a novel about choices and consequences and this time it's the turn of nobleman's daughter Olivia Geroux to make the biggest choice of her life, a choice that will affect her future AND the future of those she loves and cared about. Negotiations have been made for her to marry the king, a king who doesn't really want to marry her and who is (creepily) infatuated with his step-sister, Princess Ashton. Olivia overhears a threat to the princesses life and comes across the magic mirror imbued with a witch from the first book giving her the chance to make a choice but what should she do?
~ If she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will become queen.
~ If she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also thrust away her own happiness.
~ If she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and contentment—but her whole country will suffer.
None of her choices turn out to be particularly good for Olivia whereas in the previous book the choices would work out slightly better for the heroine. It's a simple case of what would you do if you could live through each choice, one after another, and make an informed choice on your future and potential happiness based on such a dire decision.
Barb Hendee has written Olivia's choices in an intriguing and very plausible indeed. Again the book has great pacing and makes for a exciting and tense read. The character are well written and explored and the friendship between Olivia and Ashton is a the highlight of the choices and the book in general. The King himself made me quite angry though-out the book and I found him to be a rather ugly, arrogant and generally disgusting excuse for a man, and to be quite honest his step-mother isn't much better. There are some genuinely sweet moments and some horrifically tense moments too, all of which gives the book good depth and makes it a memorable read
Would I recommend this book and the series to date? Yes, I would..... Hendee is a talented writer and I always really enjoy reading her work both alone and with J. C. Hendee. She has quickly become a go-to and auto-buy author and I seriously love her work. Bring on the final Dark Glass tale.......
As with the previous book this is a novel about choices and consequences and this time it's the turn of nobleman's daughter Olivia Geroux to make the biggest choice of her life, a choice that will affect her future AND the future of those she loves and cared about. Negotiations have been made for her to marry the king, a king who doesn't really want to marry her and who is (creepily) infatuated with his step-sister, Princess Ashton. Olivia overhears a threat to the princesses life and comes across the magic mirror imbued with a witch from the first book giving her the chance to make a choice but what should she do?
~ If she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will become queen.
~ If she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also thrust away her own happiness.
~ If she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and contentment—but her whole country will suffer.
None of her choices turn out to be particularly good for Olivia whereas in the previous book the choices would work out slightly better for the heroine. It's a simple case of what would you do if you could live through each choice, one after another, and make an informed choice on your future and potential happiness based on such a dire decision.
Barb Hendee has written Olivia's choices in an intriguing and very plausible indeed. Again the book has great pacing and makes for a exciting and tense read. The character are well written and explored and the friendship between Olivia and Ashton is a the highlight of the choices and the book in general. The King himself made me quite angry though-out the book and I found him to be a rather ugly, arrogant and generally disgusting excuse for a man, and to be quite honest his step-mother isn't much better. There are some genuinely sweet moments and some horrifically tense moments too, all of which gives the book good depth and makes it a memorable read
Would I recommend this book and the series to date? Yes, I would..... Hendee is a talented writer and I always really enjoy reading her work both alone and with J. C. Hendee. She has quickly become a go-to and auto-buy author and I seriously love her work. Bring on the final Dark Glass tale.......
October 1, 2019
I am not someone who usually reads series out of order. Even when a series is a bunch of loosely affiliated standalone stories. Instead I normally adhere rigidly to the series order set out by the author, I always figure they wrote them in that order for a reason and therefore I should stick with it. However, I completely ignored my own rules when reading the Dark Glass series and although this is book two, it is the book I have read last. Luckily, these really are a series of standalone stories where you can pick and choose which book you want to read. And I have really enjoyed every book in this series but it seems like I have saved the very best until last.
A Choice of Crowns follows the format of the other books in the series. Our heroine is led to a certain point in her life where she is faced with three choices. At that moment a magical mirror appears and she, along with the reader, gets to experience the consequences of each choice. The climax of the book is where our heroine remembers each of the three choices she has lived and then has to decide what she will do. What is great about these books is that there is never a perfect choice. Each one has its own joys and its own sorrows and it can be genuinely hard to fathom not only what choice the character will make, but what choice you would make in her place.
I have read all the books now in this series and this is my favourite, something that took me by complete surprise. Olivia, our heroine, doesn’t start this as the most likable character. She has grown up in a cold and ambitious environment, something that’s reflected very much in her thoughts and feelings. However, this just gives her character more scope for development. And with each of the choices she lives through we see different aspects of her character grow. It had me completely hooked.
If you haven’t given this series a try, I highly recommend it and I would even, contrary to what I said earlier on in this review, read out of order and start with this book. It is dark and complex, it shows that sometimes there are no good choices in life…you just have to do the best you can. And, I don’t know about anyone else, but (without giving away any spoilers) I think Olivia made a beautiful decision which demonstrated just how different she was from the girl we met at the beginning of the book.
A Choice of Crowns follows the format of the other books in the series. Our heroine is led to a certain point in her life where she is faced with three choices. At that moment a magical mirror appears and she, along with the reader, gets to experience the consequences of each choice. The climax of the book is where our heroine remembers each of the three choices she has lived and then has to decide what she will do. What is great about these books is that there is never a perfect choice. Each one has its own joys and its own sorrows and it can be genuinely hard to fathom not only what choice the character will make, but what choice you would make in her place.
I have read all the books now in this series and this is my favourite, something that took me by complete surprise. Olivia, our heroine, doesn’t start this as the most likable character. She has grown up in a cold and ambitious environment, something that’s reflected very much in her thoughts and feelings. However, this just gives her character more scope for development. And with each of the choices she lives through we see different aspects of her character grow. It had me completely hooked.
If you haven’t given this series a try, I highly recommend it and I would even, contrary to what I said earlier on in this review, read out of order and start with this book. It is dark and complex, it shows that sometimes there are no good choices in life…you just have to do the best you can. And, I don’t know about anyone else, but (without giving away any spoilers) I think Olivia made a beautiful decision which demonstrated just how different she was from the girl we met at the beginning of the book.
September 4, 2019
I am not someone who usually reads series out of order. Even when a series is a bunch of loosely affiliated standalone stories. Instead I normally adhere rigidly to the series order set out by the author, I always figure they wrote them in that order for a reason and therefore I should stick with it. However, I completely ignored my own rules when reading the Dark Glass series and although this is book two, it is the book I have read last. Luckily, these really are a series of standalone stories where you can pick and choose which book you want to read. And I have really enjoyed every book in this series but it seems like I have saved the very best until last.A Choice of Crowns follows the format of the other books in the series. Our heroine is led to a certain point in her life where she is faced with three choices. At that moment a magical mirror appears and she, along with the reader, gets to experience the consequences of each choice. The climax of the book is where our heroine remembers each of the three choices she has lived and then has to decide what she will do. What is great about these books is that there is never a perfect choice. Each one has its own joys and its own sorrows and it can be genuinely hard to fathom not only what choice the character will make, but what choice you would make in her place.
I have read all the books now in this series and this is my favourite, something that took me by complete surprise. Olivia, our heroine, doesn’t start this as the most likable character. She has grown up in a cold and ambitious environment, something that’s reflected very much in her thoughts and feelings. However, this just gives her character more scope for development. And with each of the choices she lives through we see different aspects of her character grow. It had me completely hooked.
If you haven’t given this series a try, I highly recommend it and I would even, contrary to what I said earlier on in this review, read out of order and start with this book. It is dark and complex, it shows that sometimes there are no good choices in life…you just have to do the best you can. And, I don’t know about anyone else, but (without giving away any spoilers) I think Olivia made a beautiful decision which demonstrated just how different she was from the girl we met at the beginning of the book.
*Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
February 8, 2018
*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
A Choice of Crowns, by author Barb Hendee, is the second installment in the authors Dark Glass series. I will open my review by stating that each of these books are standalone's. You have a beginning, middle, and an ending. If you've read the first book, Through a Dark Glass, you know that a 3-way magical mirror appears at a crossroads in the central character's life. The mirror gives the central character the good and the bad of each of the consequences she will face if she chooses a certain path.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
A Choice of Crowns, by author Barb Hendee, is the second installment in the authors Dark Glass series. I will open my review by stating that each of these books are standalone's. You have a beginning, middle, and an ending. If you've read the first book, Through a Dark Glass, you know that a 3-way magical mirror appears at a crossroads in the central character's life. The mirror gives the central character the good and the bad of each of the consequences she will face if she chooses a certain path.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
January 15, 2018
I loved the first book of the dark glass series and this was an even better sequel.
Olivia is a noblewoman being forced by her father into marriage to the king. Olivia isn’t exactly unwilling, but this is not her decision and it is made clear she will be sold off in marriage to a brute if she fails in marrying the king.
King Rowan is handsome and proud and into his stepsister.
Eww.....
So while Olivia is actually making a friendship with Aston, the stepsister, Rowan is ignoring her the best he can. Olivia uncovers a plot to assassinate the princess and that’s where our story splits.
She can hesitate, call for help, or act immediately herself.
With the last book, each choice felt similar for the first chapters and by the third story it felt repetitious. Each timeline in this story felt different and unique. Also the actual choice made isn’t necessarily the best choice for Olivia and I wasn’t sure if that would have been the one I would have picked. I loved that instead of one obvious choice, each one has a good and bad consequence.
This story is part of a series but you don’t have to read one to enjoy the other.
I can’t wait for book three!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
Olivia is a noblewoman being forced by her father into marriage to the king. Olivia isn’t exactly unwilling, but this is not her decision and it is made clear she will be sold off in marriage to a brute if she fails in marrying the king.
King Rowan is handsome and proud and into his stepsister.
Eww.....
So while Olivia is actually making a friendship with Aston, the stepsister, Rowan is ignoring her the best he can. Olivia uncovers a plot to assassinate the princess and that’s where our story splits.
She can hesitate, call for help, or act immediately herself.
With the last book, each choice felt similar for the first chapters and by the third story it felt repetitious. Each timeline in this story felt different and unique. Also the actual choice made isn’t necessarily the best choice for Olivia and I wasn’t sure if that would have been the one I would have picked. I loved that instead of one obvious choice, each one has a good and bad consequence.
This story is part of a series but you don’t have to read one to enjoy the other.
I can’t wait for book three!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
August 1, 2018
Guys. Guys! GUYS!!
This book was SO GOOD. I read it in practically one sitting at work while waiting for my computer to function. (Long story, but I was never so glad my computer was not working at full speed.)
Premise: MC is at a crossroads. Magic mirror pops up and shows the MC three different paths she can take. She can only take one, she must decide after living through all of them and she won't remember the other two once she makes her decision.
This was BRILLIANTLY written. The characters all grew with each iteration, it all unfolded organically and believably and, best yet, the MC made the choice I would have made, so WOOT, me for the win, lol!
I don't want to spoil this AT ALL. I'm just going to say go; get this book and read it. I think you will really enjoy it! It has murder and some rather violent naughty bits that aren't overly described, but you know what's going on and it's not very pleasant. Not rape, but pretty darn close to it So that may be a trigger. The violence, while not overly graphic, is obvious what is happening. I would say this is best for older mature teens up through adult.
5, wow that surprised me in a good way, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books Rebel Base Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This book was SO GOOD. I read it in practically one sitting at work while waiting for my computer to function. (Long story, but I was never so glad my computer was not working at full speed.)
Premise: MC is at a crossroads. Magic mirror pops up and shows the MC three different paths she can take. She can only take one, she must decide after living through all of them and she won't remember the other two once she makes her decision.
This was BRILLIANTLY written. The characters all grew with each iteration, it all unfolded organically and believably and, best yet, the MC made the choice I would have made, so WOOT, me for the win, lol!
I don't want to spoil this AT ALL. I'm just going to say go; get this book and read it. I think you will really enjoy it! It has murder and some rather violent naughty bits that aren't overly described, but you know what's going on and it's not very pleasant. Not rape, but pretty darn close to it So that may be a trigger. The violence, while not overly graphic, is obvious what is happening. I would say this is best for older mature teens up through adult.
5, wow that surprised me in a good way, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books Rebel Base Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
December 18, 2017
I was given the chance to read this book thanks to NetGalley and when I requested this book I didn't realize that it was the second in the series.
Not that it mattered because this book could easily be read as a standalone but it just so happens that I had already read the first book and loved it.
It starts off with a young woman faced with a life altering decision and a magic mirror appears granting her to live out three different scenario's in order to make a decision.
Each scenario there are hardships proving that nothing ever worth having is achieved easily.
I actually liked the ending of this book more then the first because it was the ending I would have picked personally even though it was not a rainbows and unicorns happy ending. It was a fair ending.
I was not a fan of the main character. Olivia just seemed so selfish and hard. It is probably why I was so ok with the ending. Olivia is deffinetly not the girl you fall in love with.
Not that it mattered because this book could easily be read as a standalone but it just so happens that I had already read the first book and loved it.
It starts off with a young woman faced with a life altering decision and a magic mirror appears granting her to live out three different scenario's in order to make a decision.
Each scenario there are hardships proving that nothing ever worth having is achieved easily.
I actually liked the ending of this book more then the first because it was the ending I would have picked personally even though it was not a rainbows and unicorns happy ending. It was a fair ending.
I was not a fan of the main character. Olivia just seemed so selfish and hard. It is probably why I was so ok with the ending. Olivia is deffinetly not the girl you fall in love with.
June 17, 2018
I love this series. Once again someone has to decide between three different outcomes as shown to her by a witch trapped in a mirror. Olivia is the one to make the choice of how to respond to the plot to kill the princess. Depending on how she reacts Olivia can be Queen, she can be Chancellor, or she can be wife. Each look starts in the same place and how Olivia reacts set the stage for each look into a different future. Each has its drawbacks and I had not clue which one she would choose. I highly recommend A Choice of Crowns and Through a Dark Glass, book one in the Dark Glass series.
December 14, 2017
Oh I LIKED this ever so much.
I enjoyed the first book (Through a Dark Glass) quite a bit, though it had some problems with repetition, illogic at times and the fact none of the choices would have been BAD ones. Not overtly. There was pain, but in the end Megan's choices were all more or less safe and had sacrifices which were acceptable.
Olivia? Well. She had three choices, all alike in basic sacrifices that largely did not greatly improve the happiness of her choice. Whereas for Megan choosing one brother over another led to a different brother dying and varying degrees of comfort and satisfaction in life, Olivia's choice quite literally meant her country would flourish or be crushed by her choice of who she let die.
Despite the fact Olivia is not exactly "likeable" much of the time, I did appreciate that she wasn't as passive as Megan in any life she chose. Whether she hesitated, acted with help or acted alone - they were choices Olivia made and that she understood the consequences for. She knew what her future would bring if she let the Princess live - failure and a sentence of death essentially because of the man her father chose for her as a back up husband. How she survives that however is what is most interesting.
As to the choices themselves, my reaction varies greatly about how things turn out.
Hesitating (and thus the Princess dies) means that Olivia is given the life she set out for (marriage to the King), but she finds the perks of that station are few and far between. She learns to content herself with what she can take joy in and finds a way to be useful in protecting her country.
Getting help (thus saving the Princess, letting the King die) means that Olivia finds herself a position of envy and a place to belong at the Princess' side as they protect their country together...but she has to give up a love that she doesn't know she needs.
Saving the Princess by herself ensures that the Princess marries the King, Olivia marries her love and lives a happy life...but at the cost of her country fighting a drawn out and bloody war.
Where I think Through a Dark Glass stumbled was offering real tension for Megan. In none of the choices she could have made does she suffer unduly. Yes in each one a brother could die, and also in each one there was a period of painfulness, but she ends up happy. fulfilled. I think Hendee was trying to put forth that Megan really wanted a child. In two of the three futures she would be childless (for different reasons), so it made sense why she chose the third choice.
This was not as cut and dry. In none of the futures Olivia could choose would she be sent home. In none of them would she suffer exactly. Her choice was put your personal happiness as a sacrifice to protect your country and help its ruler. And the Olivia who started the story? The one who went to the castle to become Queen, who wanted to hate the Princess but not enough to let her die, who yearned to be something MORE...I don't know if she would have chosen as she did without the warnings the mirror gave her.
Though even in her ending choice she tried to manipulate the outcome to give her some better chance at having it all. Give the lady props she WOULD have her cake and eat it too.
I enjoyed the first book (Through a Dark Glass) quite a bit, though it had some problems with repetition, illogic at times and the fact none of the choices would have been BAD ones. Not overtly. There was pain, but in the end Megan's choices were all more or less safe and had sacrifices which were acceptable.
Olivia? Well. She had three choices, all alike in basic sacrifices that largely did not greatly improve the happiness of her choice. Whereas for Megan choosing one brother over another led to a different brother dying and varying degrees of comfort and satisfaction in life, Olivia's choice quite literally meant her country would flourish or be crushed by her choice of who she let die.
Despite the fact Olivia is not exactly "likeable" much of the time, I did appreciate that she wasn't as passive as Megan in any life she chose. Whether she hesitated, acted with help or acted alone - they were choices Olivia made and that she understood the consequences for. She knew what her future would bring if she let the Princess live - failure and a sentence of death essentially because of the man her father chose for her as a back up husband. How she survives that however is what is most interesting.
As to the choices themselves, my reaction varies greatly about how things turn out.
Hesitating (and thus the Princess dies) means that Olivia is given the life she set out for (marriage to the King), but she finds the perks of that station are few and far between. She learns to content herself with what she can take joy in and finds a way to be useful in protecting her country.
Getting help (thus saving the Princess, letting the King die) means that Olivia finds herself a position of envy and a place to belong at the Princess' side as they protect their country together...but she has to give up a love that she doesn't know she needs.
Saving the Princess by herself ensures that the Princess marries the King, Olivia marries her love and lives a happy life...but at the cost of her country fighting a drawn out and bloody war.
Where I think Through a Dark Glass stumbled was offering real tension for Megan. In none of the choices she could have made does she suffer unduly. Yes in each one a brother could die, and also in each one there was a period of painfulness, but she ends up happy. fulfilled. I think Hendee was trying to put forth that Megan really wanted a child. In two of the three futures she would be childless (for different reasons), so it made sense why she chose the third choice.
This was not as cut and dry. In none of the futures Olivia could choose would she be sent home. In none of them would she suffer exactly. Her choice was put your personal happiness as a sacrifice to protect your country and help its ruler. And the Olivia who started the story? The one who went to the castle to become Queen, who wanted to hate the Princess but not enough to let her die, who yearned to be something MORE...I don't know if she would have chosen as she did without the warnings the mirror gave her.
Though even in her ending choice she tried to manipulate the outcome to give her some better chance at having it all. Give the lady props she WOULD have her cake and eat it too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2018
This is not my usual genre. Olivia is sent to marry the king, who is actually in love with his step-sister— the princess (no blood relation). Olivia hears a plot to murder the princess and doesn't know what to do. She looks into a mirror and three choices and her future as a result of each choice is revealed. The first choice makes her the queen in a loveless marriage. The second choice makes her the queen's (the princess's) chancellor but Olivia loses the man she loves. The third choice gives her the man she loves, but the princess (now queen) lives a miserable life. Olivia must choose her path, but will forget the other paths as soon as she chooses. I found the book engaging. Be warned that it is a series and you'll have to read the next book to find the answer to Olivia's dilemma. I enjoyed the book.
February 26, 2018
4.25 STARS!
Olivia Geroux is 18 years old and the youngest of 5 siblings. Her father, Hugh is domineering, cold and distant. He only expects and respects strength and obedience. He uses his children to enhance his wealth and prestige. When they fail, they are punished...
One day, she is called to her father's rooms. This was outside the norm. Once there, she is advised that to pack as she is to marry King Rowan. It has all been arranged by her father and Rowan's mother, the dowager Queen. She is told that should she fail to secure the King's hand in marriage, that she will be married off to corrupt Lord Arullian. This, she knows is a threat. Lord Arullian is in his late 50s and has been married 3 times before. Two of his wives have died under dubious circumstances and the third poisoned herself.
King Rowan is a selfish and demanding man. He has already declined 4 arranged marriages to foreign princesses and has no intention of marrying Olivia. He is in love with his step-sister, Princess Ashton.
What happens when Olivia overhears the dowager Queen's plans to assassinate Princess Ashton?
She has 3 choices:
1. Will she hesitate and thus become Queen
2. Will she choose and instant resolution and tell the King himself, losing the chance at being Queen but gain an everlasting friendship? Or,
3. Act independently, lose the chance at being Queen but gain a chance at love?
For each of these paths, there are twists and turns, ups and downs and rights and wrongs that make the decision almost impossible so the questions must be asked:
Mirror, mirror on the wall, which path will she choose after all?
Yes! This book is exactly what I was hoping for. Barb Hendee has done it again! She leaves me wanting more... It seems I am never satisfied.. A choice of Crowns is the second book in the series and in my opinion, it's the best one so far. I love how we learn each person's character through the decisions and difficulties they must go through in each separate scenario. Very original!
There is just something about this series that is so engrossing. I pick up the book, start reading and just can't put it down! Just like the first in the series, it has intrigue, murder, love, lust, hate friendship, plots, twists but it is so different.. It is superbly written and well done.
As for the decision she must make, so not what I was expecting! Definetely worth reading and rereading. Sound intriguing? Want more? The first in this series is called Through a Dark Glass. The synopsis and my review can be found here. Don't miss it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Rebel Base Books for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Olivia Geroux is 18 years old and the youngest of 5 siblings. Her father, Hugh is domineering, cold and distant. He only expects and respects strength and obedience. He uses his children to enhance his wealth and prestige. When they fail, they are punished...
One day, she is called to her father's rooms. This was outside the norm. Once there, she is advised that to pack as she is to marry King Rowan. It has all been arranged by her father and Rowan's mother, the dowager Queen. She is told that should she fail to secure the King's hand in marriage, that she will be married off to corrupt Lord Arullian. This, she knows is a threat. Lord Arullian is in his late 50s and has been married 3 times before. Two of his wives have died under dubious circumstances and the third poisoned herself.
King Rowan is a selfish and demanding man. He has already declined 4 arranged marriages to foreign princesses and has no intention of marrying Olivia. He is in love with his step-sister, Princess Ashton.
What happens when Olivia overhears the dowager Queen's plans to assassinate Princess Ashton?
She has 3 choices:
1. Will she hesitate and thus become Queen
2. Will she choose and instant resolution and tell the King himself, losing the chance at being Queen but gain an everlasting friendship? Or,
3. Act independently, lose the chance at being Queen but gain a chance at love?
For each of these paths, there are twists and turns, ups and downs and rights and wrongs that make the decision almost impossible so the questions must be asked:
Mirror, mirror on the wall, which path will she choose after all?
Yes! This book is exactly what I was hoping for. Barb Hendee has done it again! She leaves me wanting more... It seems I am never satisfied.. A choice of Crowns is the second book in the series and in my opinion, it's the best one so far. I love how we learn each person's character through the decisions and difficulties they must go through in each separate scenario. Very original!
There is just something about this series that is so engrossing. I pick up the book, start reading and just can't put it down! Just like the first in the series, it has intrigue, murder, love, lust, hate friendship, plots, twists but it is so different.. It is superbly written and well done.
As for the decision she must make, so not what I was expecting! Definetely worth reading and rereading. Sound intriguing? Want more? The first in this series is called Through a Dark Glass. The synopsis and my review can be found here. Don't miss it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Rebel Base Books for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 14, 2018
You could say A Choice of Crowns is three novels in one. Olivia Geroux is betrothed to King Rowan. She knew he was reluctant to marry, but didn't realize it was because of his obsession with his stepsister, Princess Ashton. When she witnesses her greatest ally arranging for Ashton’s death, Olivia is given a remarkable opportunity - to see the results of the three paths open to her. First, the novel continues as if she hesitates before acting. Then she sees what will happen if she calls for help. Finally she sees what happens if she stops the murder herself. In each case the novel plays through to the conclusion. At the end she must choose based on the results she sees within the magic mirror. It’s an interesting approach. I expect that Barb Hendee will use the same technique in future novels in this series. The magic mirror will appear at an important crossroads in the central character’s life and will show the consequences of their actions or inactions.
I enjoyed A Choice of Crowns. Barb Hendee does an excellent job bringing Olivia’s dilemma to life, and making that choice a difficult one.
4 / 5
I received a copy of A Choice of Crowns from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
I enjoyed A Choice of Crowns. Barb Hendee does an excellent job bringing Olivia’s dilemma to life, and making that choice a difficult one.
4 / 5
I received a copy of A Choice of Crowns from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
May 8, 2018
Like the first book in the series, A Choice of Crowns is a standalone book. The general universe is similar, but the characters, and their situations are totally different. If you liked the basic idea of the first book (a magic mirror giving a young woman three choices for her future) then you'll probably like this one too.
Lady Olivia isn't entirely likeable at the beginning, but I loved seeing how she changed with each choice presented. At the core, she's a good person, and different aspects of her character become stronger (or weaker) with each choice. But in all three scenarios, she has strength, cleverness, and the ability to figure things out.
I also enjoyed how unique and interesting each choice turned out to be. I wasn't expecting some of Olivia's problems and decisions to turn out the way they did.
I was glad that the beginning of the three scenarios didn't repeat themselves too much. That was a weakness of the first book that made it drag a bit. This one felt more fast paced. My issue with this book is I didn't get to see Olivia's far future. What was the outcome of her choice? I was left hanging, even though I felt like she made the right choice.
Lady Olivia isn't entirely likeable at the beginning, but I loved seeing how she changed with each choice presented. At the core, she's a good person, and different aspects of her character become stronger (or weaker) with each choice. But in all three scenarios, she has strength, cleverness, and the ability to figure things out.
I also enjoyed how unique and interesting each choice turned out to be. I wasn't expecting some of Olivia's problems and decisions to turn out the way they did.
I was glad that the beginning of the three scenarios didn't repeat themselves too much. That was a weakness of the first book that made it drag a bit. This one felt more fast paced. My issue with this book is I didn't get to see Olivia's far future. What was the outcome of her choice? I was left hanging, even though I felt like she made the right choice.
February 26, 2019
The premise was interesting. I think my favorite part was that there wasn't an answer where everything magically became ok. Each path had its benefits and problems. Another interesting part was that the main character wasn't particularly virtuous. She was calculating and self-interested, which made the book feel closer to reality. However, it added a disjointed feeling to the narration--maybe I'm not used to that kind of character, so it felt more shocking to me. That isn't to say it was bad. I was actually really intrigued by her, and although there wasn't a traditional ending, the book has stuck with me for much longer than it would have with a regular happy ending. Although the writing wasn't always as smooth as it could have been, this book is more thoughtful than it may appear at first blush, and that makes up for clunky phrasing.
December 16, 2017
I received a copy of A Choice of Crowns by Barb Hendee from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book by Barb Hendee that I have read and as with her first novel - Through a Dark Glass - I quite enjoyed it. The summary was intriguing and well written to appeal to potential readers. Then the novel itself was fast paced with a fresh/different plot than the norm.
The protagonist, Olivia Geroux, was incredibly well-written and even though her character was always aware of its social standing and family obligations, as well as the social mores for her class level, she wasn't corrupt or cold. Olivia was ambitious in wanting to improve her social standing to gain power, independence, and influence, but her character was complex, without seeming brittle - a difficult feat by any writer, but Barb Hendee pulled it off.
I would definitely recommend A Choice of Crowns or Through a Dark Glass by Barb Hendee to any reader!
This is the second book by Barb Hendee that I have read and as with her first novel - Through a Dark Glass - I quite enjoyed it. The summary was intriguing and well written to appeal to potential readers. Then the novel itself was fast paced with a fresh/different plot than the norm.
The protagonist, Olivia Geroux, was incredibly well-written and even though her character was always aware of its social standing and family obligations, as well as the social mores for her class level, she wasn't corrupt or cold. Olivia was ambitious in wanting to improve her social standing to gain power, independence, and influence, but her character was complex, without seeming brittle - a difficult feat by any writer, but Barb Hendee pulled it off.
I would definitely recommend A Choice of Crowns or Through a Dark Glass by Barb Hendee to any reader!
January 8, 2018
read the first book in this series and absolutely loved it. I was looking so forward to this book, only to find myself disappointed. It is a standalone book so you do not need to read the first in the series. It was the same premise of a young woman given the opportunity to see how her life would turn out given 3 choices, the problem was unlike the first book we only got to see about a year into the future of each choice. That made it feel like 3 unfinished short stories.All three choices were crap, there was no way to avoid major suffering. I liked that. Olivia had a much tougher choice than her predecessor. However I wish we at least got to see how her life played out with the choice she made. Instead we were left with a cliffhanger, and since the next book features a new heroine we will most likely never get know what happened to Olivia. I wish as much time that was spent setting up Olivia’s story had been spent wrapping it up.
January 7, 2018
I really enjoyed living out the three different life paths along with the main character. It is easy to immerse yourself in the novel; I found most of Olivia's choices to make fair common sense. With most choose-your-own-adventure type novels (this is NOT a choose-your-own-adventure novel, but it has some similar elements), I find myself feeling lukewarm toward the choices offered. That is not a problem that I experienced with this novel. The three scenarios are well-balanced, and though the main character did not end up choosing the ending that I would have chosen, her reasoning made for a peaceful and satisfying wrap-up. The royal setting and familiar characters make for a pleasant escape. I would recommend this for fans of: the Choices Matter game/novel genre, and TV shows like Reign and The Crown.
January 25, 2018
Reviewed for NetGalley:
So... this was my first foray into this world and this idea. It's very interesting. I like the prologue that frames the story, and I liked reading the three different stories and how you could see the same situation from different perspectives. I felt like the short stories themselves were a little rushed, and I also felt like I wanted more after the choice was made. The short stories left me wanting more. I don't know if the next book will let me see more of the outcome from this book and the choice that was made.
After I finished this book, I went and read the previous book and it's in the same world, and the King gets a mention, but it's mainly all different characters. So, I'm not certain how connected the future books will be.
Anywho... it was interesting and fun, and I was left wanting more. That's never a bad thing, right?
So... this was my first foray into this world and this idea. It's very interesting. I like the prologue that frames the story, and I liked reading the three different stories and how you could see the same situation from different perspectives. I felt like the short stories themselves were a little rushed, and I also felt like I wanted more after the choice was made. The short stories left me wanting more. I don't know if the next book will let me see more of the outcome from this book and the choice that was made.
After I finished this book, I went and read the previous book and it's in the same world, and the King gets a mention, but it's mainly all different characters. So, I'm not certain how connected the future books will be.
Anywho... it was interesting and fun, and I was left wanting more. That's never a bad thing, right?
March 3, 2018
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This one got me. I love things where you're given a choice and that choice can change everything. For Oliva she's given that chance. Three outcomes that honestly give her three very different forms of happiness. Queen, Chancellor, or wife. What would you chose?
It was the first in the series for me but not my first from the author. I'm so grateful how this book turned out but I wanted more !!!!!! I did very much enjoy that none of the choices gave her the perfect happy life. Each had their flaws and it was surprising who she came to respect and love. Well it was and wasn't. I'll for sure be reading more when the time comes !
This one got me. I love things where you're given a choice and that choice can change everything. For Oliva she's given that chance. Three outcomes that honestly give her three very different forms of happiness. Queen, Chancellor, or wife. What would you chose?
It was the first in the series for me but not my first from the author. I'm so grateful how this book turned out but I wanted more !!!!!! I did very much enjoy that none of the choices gave her the perfect happy life. Each had their flaws and it was surprising who she came to respect and love. Well it was and wasn't. I'll for sure be reading more when the time comes !
September 4, 2018
More choices for a different character, this time we follow Olivia and her struggle to convince King Rowan to marry her. This is able to be read as a standalone in my opinion, because the characters have changed and so has the choices. The idea of the three choices and the mirror are what ties these books together.
There was a lot of improvement in this novel. Our main character makes choices, and things are not as repetitive. I like that the improvement was made, and I’m excited to see what comes in the third book.
Overall, an improved second book that could be read as a standalone if chosen. This is definitely more historical fiction with a fantasy twist.
I received this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.
There was a lot of improvement in this novel. Our main character makes choices, and things are not as repetitive. I like that the improvement was made, and I’m excited to see what comes in the third book.
Overall, an improved second book that could be read as a standalone if chosen. This is definitely more historical fiction with a fantasy twist.
I received this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2018
I'm flying through these Dark Glass series books, as I love alternate realities and these are quick and compelling reads. This one does a better job than the first in the series of giving the main character a real choice to make once she's had a glimpse of the three alternatives. There wasn't one clear answer like there had been in the first book. There were pros and cons for each option, and she had to deliberate and make a choice that would impact more people than just her.
The main character wasn't entirely likable, as she was a survivor more than a romantic, but it made sense with her circumstances. It made the choices she needed to weigh more of a tough decision. So that was well done, even if she did come off as rather detached and cold.
The main character wasn't entirely likable, as she was a survivor more than a romantic, but it made sense with her circumstances. It made the choices she needed to weigh more of a tough decision. So that was well done, even if she did come off as rather detached and cold.
December 27, 2017
I won this book as a free giveaway through Goodreads.
I really enjoyed the story. The world is believable if in many ways bleak. Olivia, the main character, is faced with taking one of three actions after hearing of an assassination plot. Each action will result in very different futures. Through a magic mirror she is able to see these futures and choose which one to follow. Each choice results in both good and bad for Olivia and others. There is no fairy tale ending, only a choice of what she can live with for herself and those in her world. And while I found the choice obvious, you can see why it is not an easy one to make.
I really enjoyed the story. The world is believable if in many ways bleak. Olivia, the main character, is faced with taking one of three actions after hearing of an assassination plot. Each action will result in very different futures. Through a magic mirror she is able to see these futures and choose which one to follow. Each choice results in both good and bad for Olivia and others. There is no fairy tale ending, only a choice of what she can live with for herself and those in her world. And while I found the choice obvious, you can see why it is not an easy one to make.
February 27, 2018
This was terrifically entertaining, and I had no idea that it was part of a series. At a certain point in Olivia's life, a mirror appears in front of her and her life, or potential life, is shown to her. The outcome of each path affects the entire kingdom, not just herself. At the "end" of each path, the story rewinds and Olivia is shown another path. After she is shown all three possibilities, she is told she must choose. None is a perfect choice, and each will involve some sort of sacrifice.
I loved this story. It was different, and the character development was strong. I really can't think of any negatives. Highly recommended.
*ARC via netgalley*
I loved this story. It was different, and the character development was strong. I really can't think of any negatives. Highly recommended.
*ARC via netgalley*
December 21, 2017
My App Requires A Title For Some Reason
(I received this book in a giveaway, but am still leaving an honest review.)
I was a bit skeptical at first; the format was strange, and the characters seemed unlikable in the first few chapters. But it was an interesting enough story to keep reading, and I'm glad I did. Through all the different versions, and seeing more of each character, I grew to truly like them and be invested in their story. And the choice she made in the end...well, all I'll day is that it would be the one I would be made, too.
(I received this book in a giveaway, but am still leaving an honest review.)
I was a bit skeptical at first; the format was strange, and the characters seemed unlikable in the first few chapters. But it was an interesting enough story to keep reading, and I'm glad I did. Through all the different versions, and seeing more of each character, I grew to truly like them and be invested in their story. And the choice she made in the end...well, all I'll day is that it would be the one I would be made, too.
February 11, 2018
A charming fantasy book with interesting characters and a fascinating plot.
I really enjoyed the book and was hooked since the beginning.
The basic idea of three possible futures is really interesting and gives the plot an unique flavour.
Even this is the second book in a series I had no problem in understanding the plot. Unfortunately we do not know if the next book will feature Olivia and if it will be able to see any further development in her story.
Recommended for fantasy lover.
Many thanks to Kensigton Books and Netgalley
I really enjoyed the book and was hooked since the beginning.
The basic idea of three possible futures is really interesting and gives the plot an unique flavour.
Even this is the second book in a series I had no problem in understanding the plot. Unfortunately we do not know if the next book will feature Olivia and if it will be able to see any further development in her story.
Recommended for fantasy lover.
Many thanks to Kensigton Books and Netgalley
April 12, 2019
This book could also be titled “No Good Choices,” for that is what Olivia ends up with. Of the three scenarios she’s presented with, she just has to pick the least bad one. This kingdom is so effed up - the king wants to marry his sister (not by blood, but what he does is still creepy), the council is nuts, and Olivia and Princess Ashton are just caught in the middle.
This was intriguing - much more so than the last one - though the lack of a happy ending kept me from giving it a full five stars. But improvement is improvement, so I can’t find too much fault there.
This was intriguing - much more so than the last one - though the lack of a happy ending kept me from giving it a full five stars. But improvement is improvement, so I can’t find too much fault there.
October 16, 2020
I loved this series and wish there were more. It is interesting to read the three different perspectives offered and see what is chosen and why. The person in the mirror helps the young woman decide her fate by giving her three different scenarios as possible answers to the problem at hand. By the end of that, she knows which path to choose. She doesn't remember the path once chosen. She also doesn't remember the other options during one of the visions she is experiencing. This way nothing creates a conflict within the vision or with her life after picking the path she wanted.
January 15, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. It was so riveting, I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the writing style, the larger-than-life characters, the intrigue and mystery woven by this author. The only complaint I have about this were the grammatical errors within. It sometimes distracted from the story itself and could easily have been avoided with the help of a good editor. Looking forward to the next installment coming later this year!
January 17, 2018
I had no idea this was the second in a series! NetGalley should've told me. That being said, I still enjoyed this novel and I want o go back and read the first one now. It's well written and while Olivia isn't my favorite character in the world. I enjoy that she felt like a fully flushed out character. I loved seeing the different paths she could take. I wasn't surprised that she chose the one she did though. It seemed pretty obvious to me.
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