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Tales of Tarsurella #1
The Coronation
Prince Addison is only several weeks away from inheriting the Kingdom of Tarsurella. The entire Palace is ablaze with excitement, as the Royal Family prepares for the event of a lifetime. Despite the exciting event which is near at hand, Addison and his younger siblings (all seven of them!) must carry on with their daily activities.
Addison’s sisters, Princesses Bridget, Chasity, and Hope, have their struggles with being iconic European starlets of a modern day monarchy. The teen heiresses grace magazine covers, smile for photoshoots, and gracefully glide through important interviews–until a certain American popstar arrives on the scene. Kennetic Energy, the wildly popular band from the United States, is chosen to play at Addison’s Coronation. David Carter, the band’s handsome lead singer, fumbles through awkward moments with Princess Hope–in front of the cameras. When an embarrassing rumor sparks that Princess Hope is dating the young fellow, she is determined to get the band fired from their Royal gig.
Meanwhile, Princess Chasity is dealing with her own fragile affairs of the heart. Her new security guard, Hanson Fletcher, is completely captivating, yet entirely frustrating. She attempts to keep the entrance of her heart firmly protected, while following the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23. But can she be successful in guarding her heart, from her security guard?
Addison’s sisters, Princesses Bridget, Chasity, and Hope, have their struggles with being iconic European starlets of a modern day monarchy. The teen heiresses grace magazine covers, smile for photoshoots, and gracefully glide through important interviews–until a certain American popstar arrives on the scene. Kennetic Energy, the wildly popular band from the United States, is chosen to play at Addison’s Coronation. David Carter, the band’s handsome lead singer, fumbles through awkward moments with Princess Hope–in front of the cameras. When an embarrassing rumor sparks that Princess Hope is dating the young fellow, she is determined to get the band fired from their Royal gig.
Meanwhile, Princess Chasity is dealing with her own fragile affairs of the heart. Her new security guard, Hanson Fletcher, is completely captivating, yet entirely frustrating. She attempts to keep the entrance of her heart firmly protected, while following the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23. But can she be successful in guarding her heart, from her security guard?
460 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2017
21 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 12, 2023
Had to think about this one for a bit before reviewing it. The engagement level surprised me. It was a quick read for the size, and I kept wanting to get back to it, which is about the biggest compliment I can give a writer! The sibling relationships were adorable and well done, the royalty elements were awesome, and the tension level and plot felt very smooth. (Addison was my favorite!!!) And all the little romances were super cute as well. It's like Princess Diaries meets The Selection Series ... but Christian. (Yes. Please.)
Also, slight spoiler here: I loved the ending. It made sense for book 1 in a series and was quite refreshing.
I was actually rather surprised by how much I liked the Christian elements. How the novel was so blatantly Christian (in a good way) without ever feeling too stuffy or stilted, I'm not sure!! So that was quite nice. I think the characters felt real enough that it kept the religion element real as well.
However, from a technical writing standpoint there were several recurring errors that bugged me. I found that in the end, I was still able to enjoy the story, but I do wish it had been better edited. Some of it was mere preference like how the author handled POV (I got used to it). Others like how to punctuate dialogue were a bigger issue.
All in all, though, I think the story shines through the errors and would recommend it. Not many readers are as hung up on details like that as I am.
I would recommend this to those who don't mind some typos for ages 10+ (Especially girls!)
Also, slight spoiler here: I loved the ending. It made sense for book 1 in a series and was quite refreshing.
I was actually rather surprised by how much I liked the Christian elements. How the novel was so blatantly Christian (in a good way) without ever feeling too stuffy or stilted, I'm not sure!! So that was quite nice. I think the characters felt real enough that it kept the religion element real as well.
However, from a technical writing standpoint there were several recurring errors that bugged me. I found that in the end, I was still able to enjoy the story, but I do wish it had been better edited. Some of it was mere preference like how the author handled POV (I got used to it). Others like how to punctuate dialogue were a bigger issue.
All in all, though, I think the story shines through the errors and would recommend it. Not many readers are as hung up on details like that as I am.
I would recommend this to those who don't mind some typos for ages 10+ (Especially girls!)
November 12, 2017
I really enjoyed The Coronation. It took me a while to read, but that’s because it was on my laptop—I would have zipped through it in print. Despite its length, it reads quickly. Although it isn’t my normal kind of book, I think it has real value for teenage girls who are learning how to give their hearts completely to God and who are struggling with crushes and relationships. The three teenage princesses, Bridget, Chasity, and Hope, each have different affairs of the heart they must face, and I was pleased with how they ended up handling them. This wasn’t the only spiritual issue the characters faced, but guarding your heart is a major theme.
The Characters:
The Coronation has a big cast of characters, which is difficult for any writer to handle. Though some of them could have been better defined or developed, the fact that I hardly got any of them mixed up says a lot for how well Miss Jarmusch crafted them. They almost all felt like real people. A few supporting characters seemed superfluous, but all eight children in the royal family were important. I appreciated the character profiles at the beginning of the book! The “head hopping”—looking in at different people’s thoughts—didn’t bother me much because I like books in third person omniscient; I get to know more characters that way. (Though for a more streamlined story, many of those characters’ points of view could have been dispensed with.)
My favorite characters: Princess Hope – sweet, caring, and genuine. Vanessa Bennett – a young American woman passionate about helping the homeless. Clark – the head palace cook who’s helpful and heroic. Prince Addison – a mature young man and fantastic big brother. (However, I wished it was explained why he was taking over the kingdom at age 21 when his dad had so many good years left. It didn’t make much sense to me for someone who’s college-aged to succeed a seasoned ruler. No doubt there’s a tradition behind this.)
The Writing:
Ms. Jarmusch has a defined voice and writes with sincerity. The book has atmosphere. It reminds me of lighthearted teen rom-coms, especially those set in exotic places, only with Christian morals. She develops the world and customs of Tarsurella quite well; it truly felt like an Americanized little European country. I liked her vivid writing style. I read an advanced review copy, so I imagine that wherever I saw weak writing and editing, it was probably fixed in the published edition. Most of the teenage characters would, in their thoughts, gush over the people they were attracted to, which made me roll my eyes a few times because it sounded so close to silly romance novel fare, but actually, that’s just realistic. The most important point is they all learned how to control those thoughts.
The Plot:
For the most part, I thought the plot was quite good. Maybe it could have used some tightening, but I’m a fan of Dickens, so long, sometimes meandering plotlines and lots of characters don’t bother me. It was peacefully paced for the first two-thirds or so, then something big and disturbing happened at that point that changed everything. It ended well—not too fast or slow, with enough closure to be satisfying but enough openings to make you eager for the sequel. SPOILER ALERT:
The Quotes:
I pulled out several favorite quotes, but if I included them all, this review would be twice as long; so I’ll only select three:
“Don’t waste your time dating young paupers who don’t know how to properly cherish your heart,” she had told her. “Wait for the man that God has for you! Wait for a true Prince! He will cherish and love you for all of your days. Until then, be content to rest in your singlehood, and seek after God with all of your heart!” (p. 338) [I love the way she put this.]
“They needed more time to get to know one another. As friends. Without the pressure of a possible romance.” (p.433) [Great philosophy, in my opinion!]
“Choosing to worry about situations outside of our control quietly tells God that we do not trust Him as King and CEO of the Universe. Worry tells God that we’re agreeing with fear, rather than having faith.” (p. 177) [Yes, yes, yes! I wish I could remember this all the time.]
And there is my long review! In short, The Coronation carries a valuable message in a package that will be fun and relatable for most teen girls. If you’re not a fan of romance and you stay out of pop culture, this book might not be your cup of tea.
(I received this in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.)
The Characters:
The Coronation has a big cast of characters, which is difficult for any writer to handle. Though some of them could have been better defined or developed, the fact that I hardly got any of them mixed up says a lot for how well Miss Jarmusch crafted them. They almost all felt like real people. A few supporting characters seemed superfluous, but all eight children in the royal family were important. I appreciated the character profiles at the beginning of the book! The “head hopping”—looking in at different people’s thoughts—didn’t bother me much because I like books in third person omniscient; I get to know more characters that way. (Though for a more streamlined story, many of those characters’ points of view could have been dispensed with.)
My favorite characters: Princess Hope – sweet, caring, and genuine. Vanessa Bennett – a young American woman passionate about helping the homeless. Clark – the head palace cook who’s helpful and heroic. Prince Addison – a mature young man and fantastic big brother. (However, I wished it was explained why he was taking over the kingdom at age 21 when his dad had so many good years left. It didn’t make much sense to me for someone who’s college-aged to succeed a seasoned ruler. No doubt there’s a tradition behind this.)
The Writing:
Ms. Jarmusch has a defined voice and writes with sincerity. The book has atmosphere. It reminds me of lighthearted teen rom-coms, especially those set in exotic places, only with Christian morals. She develops the world and customs of Tarsurella quite well; it truly felt like an Americanized little European country. I liked her vivid writing style. I read an advanced review copy, so I imagine that wherever I saw weak writing and editing, it was probably fixed in the published edition. Most of the teenage characters would, in their thoughts, gush over the people they were attracted to, which made me roll my eyes a few times because it sounded so close to silly romance novel fare, but actually, that’s just realistic. The most important point is they all learned how to control those thoughts.
The Plot:
For the most part, I thought the plot was quite good. Maybe it could have used some tightening, but I’m a fan of Dickens, so long, sometimes meandering plotlines and lots of characters don’t bother me. It was peacefully paced for the first two-thirds or so, then something big and disturbing happened at that point that changed everything. It ended well—not too fast or slow, with enough closure to be satisfying but enough openings to make you eager for the sequel. SPOILER ALERT:
The Quotes:
I pulled out several favorite quotes, but if I included them all, this review would be twice as long; so I’ll only select three:
“Don’t waste your time dating young paupers who don’t know how to properly cherish your heart,” she had told her. “Wait for the man that God has for you! Wait for a true Prince! He will cherish and love you for all of your days. Until then, be content to rest in your singlehood, and seek after God with all of your heart!” (p. 338) [I love the way she put this.]
“They needed more time to get to know one another. As friends. Without the pressure of a possible romance.” (p.433) [Great philosophy, in my opinion!]
“Choosing to worry about situations outside of our control quietly tells God that we do not trust Him as King and CEO of the Universe. Worry tells God that we’re agreeing with fear, rather than having faith.” (p. 177) [Yes, yes, yes! I wish I could remember this all the time.]
And there is my long review! In short, The Coronation carries a valuable message in a package that will be fun and relatable for most teen girls. If you’re not a fan of romance and you stay out of pop culture, this book might not be your cup of tea.
(I received this in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.)
July 24, 2017
About this book:
“Prince Addison is only several weeks away from inheriting the Kingdom of Tarsurella. The entire Palace is ablaze with excitement, as the Royal Family prepares for the event of a lifetime. Despite the exciting event which is near at hand, Addison and his younger siblings (all seven of them!) must carry on with their daily activities.
Addison’s sisters, Princesses Bridget, Chasity, and Hope, have their struggles with being iconic European starlets of a modern day monarchy. The teen heiresses grace magazine covers, smile for photoshoots, and gracefully glide through important interviews–until a certain American popstar arrives on the scene. Kennetic Energy, the wildly popular band from the United States, is chosen to play at Addison’s Coronation. David Carter, the band’s handsome lead singer, fumbles through awkward moments with Princess Hope–in front of the cameras. When an embarrassing rumor sparks that Princess Hope is dating the young fellow, she is determined to get the band fired from their Royal gig.
Meanwhile, Princess Chasity is dealing with her own fragile affairs of the heart. Her new security guard, Hanson Fletcher, is completely captivating, yet entirely frustrating. She attempts to keep the entrance of her heart firmly protected, while following the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23. But can she be successful in guarding her heart, from her security guard?”
Series: Book #1 in “The Tales of Tarsurella” series.
Spiritual Content- Strong faiths are shown in this novel; Many Scriptures are mentioned, read, quoted, & talked about; Many Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Being witnessed to; Many, many talks about God, His plans, trusting Him, God-given potential/talent, & the Bible; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many, many mentions of God & trusting Him; Many mentions of talks about God; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of God’ presence & peace; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & convictions; Mentions of those, events, & places in the Bible; Mentions of witnessing & being witnessed to; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of a Bible study & a youth group; Mentions of forgiveness & a Bible study on it; Mentions of being blessed & blessings; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of Christians; A few mentions of Corrie ten Boom & Mother Teresa; A few mentions of miracles; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of Christmases; A couple mentions of an angel;
*Note: A ‘hellish’; Mentions of Allah and a terrorist wanting everyone to serve Allah; Mentions of evil people; A mention of a living hell.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘dope’, a ‘honkin’’, a ‘moron’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘suck’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘duh’s, three ‘heck’s, six ‘oh my gosh’s, and fourteen forms of ‘stupid’; Sarcasm, eye rolling, & sibling bicker; A Terrorist attack, being held at gunpoint, gunshots, bullets, being held hostage, hostages, being beaten/hit, pain, injuries, blood, & screams (up to semi-detailed); Being hit/beaten, being shot at, injuries, & pain (semi-detailed); Fighting & pain (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of terrorists, warlords, attacks, their plans, hostages, & criminals; Mentions of possible assassinations & being shot and killed, & threats of both; Mentions of being shot, pain, injuries, fighting, & hitmen (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of murders, gunshots, seeing people shot, & dead bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars, terrorists, hostages, beatings, torture, injuries, & pain; Mentions of a boy’s step-father beating his mother and nearly killing him (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being slapped; Mentions of threats & blackmail; Mentions of nightmares & possible terrorist attacks; Mentions of hatred & betrayal; Mentions of a cougar trying to attack a horse & a guard shooting it (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being thrown from a horse, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of prison & juvenile detention centers; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, smoking, & partying; Mentions of lying & lies; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of wine & drinking some with meals; A couple mentions of starving to death; A couple mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of people swearing like sailors; A mention of a guy willing to have a bullet shot though his brain for a girl; A mention of drugs; A mention of graffiti; A mention of a hunter;
*Note: Mentions of homelessness & poverty; Mentions of acne; Mentions of movies (Lord of the Rings, A Walk to Remember, National Velvet, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Sound of Music, Star Wars, The Lion King, Mulan, Up, High School Musical, Princess Diaries, Ramona and Beezus, & Curious George); Mentions of TV shows (The Brandy Bunch, The Dating Game, Say Yes To The Dress, & Phineas and Ferb); Mentions of fictional characters & Disney characters; Mentions of cereal brand names; Mentions of brands (Ferrari, Forever21, Converse, & Aeropostale); A few mentions of iTunes, iPhones, iPads, & iPods; A few mentions of going to & being at Starbucks; A couple mentions of Girl Scouts; A couple mentions of magazines (Elle & Popstar); A mention of Disney Channel Movies; A mention of MTV; A mention of V8 drinks; A mention of a horror movie; A mention of aliens.
Sexual Content- an almost kiss; Remembering and mentions of an almost kiss; Wanting to kiss; Nearness & Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (x7, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘bae’, a ‘hot’, four ‘baby’s, and four ‘hunky’s, Many, many mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, couples, dating/courting, dates, breakups, exes, heartbreak, & falling in love; Mentions of an ex-boyfriend who tried to pressure the girl into a kiss and possibly more; Mentions of temptations to kiss, wanting to kiss, kisses, & kissing; Mentions of a terrorist trying to touch a woman he wants to be his wife (doesn’t happen); Mentions of flirts & flirting; Mentions of noticing, smelling, fangirls, & swooning; Mentions of cute & handsome guys and heartthrobs; Mentions of crushes & being interested in someone; Mentions of a young girl discovering/finding a guy to be cute; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a girl faithfulness and always with different men; A few mentions of hooking up with someone & being at item; A few mentions of a promise of purity; A few mentions of blushes; A mention of girls being whistled at;
*Note: Mentions of a mother who died during childbirth; Mentions of a young boy running around in just his boxers; A couple mentions of hormones; A mention of a girl’s dress that hugs her in all the right places; A mention of butting into someone’s life.
-(Prince) Addison, age 20
-Hanson Fletcher, age 18
-(Princess) Bridget, age 19
-(Princess) Chasity, age 18
-Vanessa Bennet
P.O.V. of switches between them & many others
460 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
When I first found out this book was featuring a royal family, my interest was highly peaked. Shortly after, I found out the book was 460 long and became slightly intimidated. That’s a big book, y’all.
Starting to read this book, I did feel a bit overwhelmed with the Q&As with facts about the eight children in the royal family. Fortunately, as I continued reading the story, they all stood apart from each other—a talented feat by the author—and I was able to keep track of who’s who.
The first half I was really getting a Princess Diaries (the movies, that is) feel. Then some crazy stuff happened and it took kind of a 160. Not a complete 180-degree change, but some pretty dramatic stuff happened.
Writing wise, I was pretty impressed with the style and how everything was written. There were a few characters that went a bit over the top at times and then would mellow out; and also some head jumping, but for all the characters we see the P.O.V.s of, it was well done.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was very large in size, but I so enjoyed all the strong faiths and prayers. I am very much looking forward to the second book. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
“Prince Addison is only several weeks away from inheriting the Kingdom of Tarsurella. The entire Palace is ablaze with excitement, as the Royal Family prepares for the event of a lifetime. Despite the exciting event which is near at hand, Addison and his younger siblings (all seven of them!) must carry on with their daily activities.
Addison’s sisters, Princesses Bridget, Chasity, and Hope, have their struggles with being iconic European starlets of a modern day monarchy. The teen heiresses grace magazine covers, smile for photoshoots, and gracefully glide through important interviews–until a certain American popstar arrives on the scene. Kennetic Energy, the wildly popular band from the United States, is chosen to play at Addison’s Coronation. David Carter, the band’s handsome lead singer, fumbles through awkward moments with Princess Hope–in front of the cameras. When an embarrassing rumor sparks that Princess Hope is dating the young fellow, she is determined to get the band fired from their Royal gig.
Meanwhile, Princess Chasity is dealing with her own fragile affairs of the heart. Her new security guard, Hanson Fletcher, is completely captivating, yet entirely frustrating. She attempts to keep the entrance of her heart firmly protected, while following the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23. But can she be successful in guarding her heart, from her security guard?”
Series: Book #1 in “The Tales of Tarsurella” series.
Spiritual Content- Strong faiths are shown in this novel; Many Scriptures are mentioned, read, quoted, & talked about; Many Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Being witnessed to; Many, many talks about God, His plans, trusting Him, God-given potential/talent, & the Bible; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many, many mentions of God & trusting Him; Many mentions of talks about God; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of God’ presence & peace; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & convictions; Mentions of those, events, & places in the Bible; Mentions of witnessing & being witnessed to; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of a Bible study & a youth group; Mentions of forgiveness & a Bible study on it; Mentions of being blessed & blessings; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of Christians; A few mentions of Corrie ten Boom & Mother Teresa; A few mentions of miracles; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of Christmases; A couple mentions of an angel;
*Note: A ‘hellish’; Mentions of Allah and a terrorist wanting everyone to serve Allah; Mentions of evil people; A mention of a living hell.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘dope’, a ‘honkin’’, a ‘moron’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘suck’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘duh’s, three ‘heck’s, six ‘oh my gosh’s, and fourteen forms of ‘stupid’; Sarcasm, eye rolling, & sibling bicker; A Terrorist attack, being held at gunpoint, gunshots, bullets, being held hostage, hostages, being beaten/hit, pain, injuries, blood, & screams (up to semi-detailed); Being hit/beaten, being shot at, injuries, & pain (semi-detailed); Fighting & pain (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of terrorists, warlords, attacks, their plans, hostages, & criminals; Mentions of possible assassinations & being shot and killed, & threats of both; Mentions of being shot, pain, injuries, fighting, & hitmen (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of murders, gunshots, seeing people shot, & dead bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars, terrorists, hostages, beatings, torture, injuries, & pain; Mentions of a boy’s step-father beating his mother and nearly killing him (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being slapped; Mentions of threats & blackmail; Mentions of nightmares & possible terrorist attacks; Mentions of hatred & betrayal; Mentions of a cougar trying to attack a horse & a guard shooting it (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being thrown from a horse, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of prison & juvenile detention centers; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, smoking, & partying; Mentions of lying & lies; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of wine & drinking some with meals; A couple mentions of starving to death; A couple mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of people swearing like sailors; A mention of a guy willing to have a bullet shot though his brain for a girl; A mention of drugs; A mention of graffiti; A mention of a hunter;
*Note: Mentions of homelessness & poverty; Mentions of acne; Mentions of movies (Lord of the Rings, A Walk to Remember, National Velvet, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Sound of Music, Star Wars, The Lion King, Mulan, Up, High School Musical, Princess Diaries, Ramona and Beezus, & Curious George); Mentions of TV shows (The Brandy Bunch, The Dating Game, Say Yes To The Dress, & Phineas and Ferb); Mentions of fictional characters & Disney characters; Mentions of cereal brand names; Mentions of brands (Ferrari, Forever21, Converse, & Aeropostale); A few mentions of iTunes, iPhones, iPads, & iPods; A few mentions of going to & being at Starbucks; A couple mentions of Girl Scouts; A couple mentions of magazines (Elle & Popstar); A mention of Disney Channel Movies; A mention of MTV; A mention of V8 drinks; A mention of a horror movie; A mention of aliens.
Sexual Content- an almost kiss; Remembering and mentions of an almost kiss; Wanting to kiss; Nearness & Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing (x7, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘bae’, a ‘hot’, four ‘baby’s, and four ‘hunky’s, Many, many mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, couples, dating/courting, dates, breakups, exes, heartbreak, & falling in love; Mentions of an ex-boyfriend who tried to pressure the girl into a kiss and possibly more; Mentions of temptations to kiss, wanting to kiss, kisses, & kissing; Mentions of a terrorist trying to touch a woman he wants to be his wife (doesn’t happen); Mentions of flirts & flirting; Mentions of noticing, smelling, fangirls, & swooning; Mentions of cute & handsome guys and heartthrobs; Mentions of crushes & being interested in someone; Mentions of a young girl discovering/finding a guy to be cute; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a girl faithfulness and always with different men; A few mentions of hooking up with someone & being at item; A few mentions of a promise of purity; A few mentions of blushes; A mention of girls being whistled at;
*Note: Mentions of a mother who died during childbirth; Mentions of a young boy running around in just his boxers; A couple mentions of hormones; A mention of a girl’s dress that hugs her in all the right places; A mention of butting into someone’s life.
-(Prince) Addison, age 20
-Hanson Fletcher, age 18
-(Princess) Bridget, age 19
-(Princess) Chasity, age 18
-Vanessa Bennet
P.O.V. of switches between them & many others
460 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
When I first found out this book was featuring a royal family, my interest was highly peaked. Shortly after, I found out the book was 460 long and became slightly intimidated. That’s a big book, y’all.
Starting to read this book, I did feel a bit overwhelmed with the Q&As with facts about the eight children in the royal family. Fortunately, as I continued reading the story, they all stood apart from each other—a talented feat by the author—and I was able to keep track of who’s who.
The first half I was really getting a Princess Diaries (the movies, that is) feel. Then some crazy stuff happened and it took kind of a 160. Not a complete 180-degree change, but some pretty dramatic stuff happened.
Writing wise, I was pretty impressed with the style and how everything was written. There were a few characters that went a bit over the top at times and then would mellow out; and also some head jumping, but for all the characters we see the P.O.V.s of, it was well done.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was very large in size, but I so enjoyed all the strong faiths and prayers. I am very much looking forward to the second book. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
July 29, 2017
A delightful, faith-filled contemporary tale, gently woven with love and grace. If you enjoy stories of princesses and royalty, you won't want to miss the opportunity to travel to the land of Tarsurella!
To be honest, I did not know what to think when I first started this book. Realizing it was 460 pages rather astounded me. I can't tell you the last time -- or if I ever have -- read a book of that length. Honestly, I was expecting to find 'filler' scenes that served no purpose other than to lengthen the book, but that was not the case. Every line of the book served a purpose, even if it was only for the reader to grow in understanding of the characters.
Which brings me to my main point. The people. Holy moley, y'all, this book has a TON of characters. As I sat down to outline my thoughts for this review, I think I counted 28 named characters...and at least 13 of those had a POV at some time or another. Yeah...a lot to keep straight. But surprisingly, it wasn't that difficult, as there were no similar names and all the personalities were quite diverse.
The King was a strong, godly man, and a wonderful mentor and head of the home. His conversations with Addison surrounding the conversation were amazing. <3
Addison was a nice, young fellow. His struggles with beginning to reign and having people depending on him were sooo good and well-written, I thought.
Chasity and Hope were my favorites of the princesses. I enjoyed their stories, and related to their inner-struggles over Hanson and David. The theme of guarding your heart and trusting God were wonderful. <3
Others of the Royal family were Bridget, Asher, Jillian, Willie (<3 <3), and Millie. And Mr. Pork Chops! ("Hold onto your bacon." *dies*)
Hanson, Vanessa, and Liam were all characters that I liked and then didn't like...or didn't like and then liked. :P All for different reasons, and they're all pretty awesome.
Clark was another wonderful one, as well as Deborah. I loved their commitment and loyalty to the family. <3
Lilly and Sapphire annoyed me to no end. Particularly Lilly, as she led one guy on and dated another. Bleh.
Kennetic Energy (an American pop/rock band) was a cool addition to the cast of the book. David was my obvious favorite (there's something with that name and nice, fictional guys... <3), but Laney, Justin, and Zac were pretty cool too. ("Yeah, well I'm not going to eat your lipstick." "We can't just sit here and argue about breath mints!")
My favorite parts of the book were the closeness of the family, the sibling-love, and the themes of guarding your heart and forgiveness. The analogy of tears being turned to diamonds through trials was beautiful as well. <3
One thing I didn't really care for was Bridget's outburst of "life stinks and we can't do anything about it." We serve a risen King...how can we be miserable with that knowledge? Yeah, people are going to hurt us and things aren't always going to go the way we want them to, but we have the ultimate victory through Christ. I realize she was having a hard time right then and, although I liked how Addison handled it, I felt he could've been a bit more encouraging and uplifting (unless I just missed that part somehow :P).
The many POV swaps and 'head-hopping' bothered me at times, but overall I was able to move through it without getting distracted.
There was something that happened near the end of the book, that I didn't exactly agree with, but I can't say much for fear of spoilers. ;)
All the way around, it was a fun, amazingly-written book, filled with whimsy, humor, and family love. Four stars!
Favorite quotes:
"Don't waste your time dating young paupers who don't know how to properly cherish your heart. ... Wait for the man that God has for you! Wait for a true Prince! ... Until then, be content to rest in your single hood, and search God with all of your heart."
"Nobody had to teach you how to love. But someone taught you how to be afraid. ... You're His daughter, Bridget. He created your heart, and He is more than able to heal it."
**I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
To be honest, I did not know what to think when I first started this book. Realizing it was 460 pages rather astounded me. I can't tell you the last time -- or if I ever have -- read a book of that length. Honestly, I was expecting to find 'filler' scenes that served no purpose other than to lengthen the book, but that was not the case. Every line of the book served a purpose, even if it was only for the reader to grow in understanding of the characters.
Which brings me to my main point. The people. Holy moley, y'all, this book has a TON of characters. As I sat down to outline my thoughts for this review, I think I counted 28 named characters...and at least 13 of those had a POV at some time or another. Yeah...a lot to keep straight. But surprisingly, it wasn't that difficult, as there were no similar names and all the personalities were quite diverse.
The King was a strong, godly man, and a wonderful mentor and head of the home. His conversations with Addison surrounding the conversation were amazing. <3
Addison was a nice, young fellow. His struggles with beginning to reign and having people depending on him were sooo good and well-written, I thought.
Chasity and Hope were my favorites of the princesses. I enjoyed their stories, and related to their inner-struggles over Hanson and David. The theme of guarding your heart and trusting God were wonderful. <3
Others of the Royal family were Bridget, Asher, Jillian, Willie (<3 <3), and Millie. And Mr. Pork Chops! ("Hold onto your bacon." *dies*)
Hanson, Vanessa, and Liam were all characters that I liked and then didn't like...or didn't like and then liked. :P All for different reasons, and they're all pretty awesome.
Clark was another wonderful one, as well as Deborah. I loved their commitment and loyalty to the family. <3
Lilly and Sapphire annoyed me to no end. Particularly Lilly, as she led one guy on and dated another. Bleh.
Kennetic Energy (an American pop/rock band) was a cool addition to the cast of the book. David was my obvious favorite (there's something with that name and nice, fictional guys... <3), but Laney, Justin, and Zac were pretty cool too. ("Yeah, well I'm not going to eat your lipstick." "We can't just sit here and argue about breath mints!")
My favorite parts of the book were the closeness of the family, the sibling-love, and the themes of guarding your heart and forgiveness. The analogy of tears being turned to diamonds through trials was beautiful as well. <3
One thing I didn't really care for was Bridget's outburst of "life stinks and we can't do anything about it." We serve a risen King...how can we be miserable with that knowledge? Yeah, people are going to hurt us and things aren't always going to go the way we want them to, but we have the ultimate victory through Christ. I realize she was having a hard time right then and, although I liked how Addison handled it, I felt he could've been a bit more encouraging and uplifting (unless I just missed that part somehow :P).
The many POV swaps and 'head-hopping' bothered me at times, but overall I was able to move through it without getting distracted.
There was something that happened near the end of the book, that I didn't exactly agree with, but I can't say much for fear of spoilers. ;)
All the way around, it was a fun, amazingly-written book, filled with whimsy, humor, and family love. Four stars!
Favorite quotes:
"Don't waste your time dating young paupers who don't know how to properly cherish your heart. ... Wait for the man that God has for you! Wait for a true Prince! ... Until then, be content to rest in your single hood, and search God with all of your heart."
"Nobody had to teach you how to love. But someone taught you how to be afraid. ... You're His daughter, Bridget. He created your heart, and He is more than able to heal it."
**I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
May 19, 2022
Ah, I finally have time for this review!
This book revolves around a family of seven kids, not to mention the side characters/love interests associated with the older ones. I somehow managed to love all seven princes and princesses– I mean they were so real. Their plights were so real– and all the other characters as well. I ship each ship like mad. And can I just compliment Livy on her writing? It’s not easy when you have this many characters in a book, but she handled it perfectly! And how did she handle it? She channeled the power of my secret (now not-so-secret, ha) passion narration style: third-person omniscient. Goodness, people, you do not know how much I appreciate that. And no, the head-hopping did not make me dizzy at all.
There were a lot of threads going around in the plot of this book– but really, what can you expect from a 460-page novel. Anyway, I enjoyed every moment of it, because it was just plain fun. The characters were easy to imagine, and the writing made you feel as if you were there, with them, through everything they were going through, which was quite a lot. This story was intense. And it was so true. Each problem was handled with the right amount of care and weight. There was also plenty of humor to be found in this book, so it’s not dry. I loved the family’s relationships with God, even though more than one of them had pretty rough problems dealing with Him (or in some cases, seem entirely detached from spirituality…). I honestly can’t wait to dive into the next book. And then wait for the third book. But I have only one complaint, people. One measly little complaint.
This is a TRILOGY?!
Like, after only three books we have to say goodbye?!
I just love my life. Well anyway, that’s how all trilogies work so. I guess. We’ll have to deal with that.
So aside from the fact that I’d gladly accept more than three books to this series (but I suppose we’ll have to ignore that for now), this book earns a solid five star rating from me. It is wonderfulness in the form of a novel.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own!*
This book revolves around a family of seven kids, not to mention the side characters/love interests associated with the older ones. I somehow managed to love all seven princes and princesses– I mean they were so real. Their plights were so real– and all the other characters as well. I ship each ship like mad. And can I just compliment Livy on her writing? It’s not easy when you have this many characters in a book, but she handled it perfectly! And how did she handle it? She channeled the power of my secret (now not-so-secret, ha) passion narration style: third-person omniscient. Goodness, people, you do not know how much I appreciate that. And no, the head-hopping did not make me dizzy at all.
There were a lot of threads going around in the plot of this book– but really, what can you expect from a 460-page novel. Anyway, I enjoyed every moment of it, because it was just plain fun. The characters were easy to imagine, and the writing made you feel as if you were there, with them, through everything they were going through, which was quite a lot. This story was intense. And it was so true. Each problem was handled with the right amount of care and weight. There was also plenty of humor to be found in this book, so it’s not dry. I loved the family’s relationships with God, even though more than one of them had pretty rough problems dealing with Him (or in some cases, seem entirely detached from spirituality…). I honestly can’t wait to dive into the next book. And then wait for the third book. But I have only one complaint, people. One measly little complaint.
This is a TRILOGY?!
Like, after only three books we have to say goodbye?!
I just love my life. Well anyway, that’s how all trilogies work so. I guess. We’ll have to deal with that.
So aside from the fact that I’d gladly accept more than three books to this series (but I suppose we’ll have to ignore that for now), this book earns a solid five star rating from me. It is wonderfulness in the form of a novel.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own!*
September 27, 2018
I have been scorched.
Well done Livy! XD.
Honestly, this book is really good. It's like, some books are a plot with characters, but this book is a full fledge story carried along by the plot.
I'm at loss for words almost. Kind of. Like there were so many cool points in this story! Livy touched a lot of convicting points, and for anyone who reads this book, I'm fairly sure that they would be effected.
I'm absolutely ecstatic about The Rebellion this May 8th! Yaaaahhhh!
Intense and recommended to Christian girls 14 and up.
Thank you Livy for the e-copy I got. I really appreciate it even though I read a paper copy from my library. I'll be getting into The Rebellion like.... tomorrow? XD
Well done Livy! XD.
Honestly, this book is really good. It's like, some books are a plot with characters, but this book is a full fledge story carried along by the plot.
I'm at loss for words almost. Kind of. Like there were so many cool points in this story! Livy touched a lot of convicting points, and for anyone who reads this book, I'm fairly sure that they would be effected.
I'm absolutely ecstatic about The Rebellion this May 8th! Yaaaahhhh!
Intense and recommended to Christian girls 14 and up.
Thank you Livy for the e-copy I got. I really appreciate it even though I read a paper copy from my library. I'll be getting into The Rebellion like.... tomorrow? XD
did-not-finish
January 7, 2023My first DNF of the year.
If I was younger, I might have enjoyed this a little more.
If you...
~ Absolutely adore the Princess Diaries
~ Can't get enough of royalty
~ Enjoy reading all about teens and their romances and issues
You will probably enjoy this book.
I'm guessing the author was pretty young when she wrote this. I personally was very annoyed at all the talk of the homeless like there was an easy solution. Having worked with the homeless, I can tell you that throwing money will not fix the issue. It is a very complex issue with many, many reasons for people are on the street.
Also, I felt like everyone was really on the case of one princess who had a bad breakup. They all acted like she had been so dumb. What about a little support of her courageous stands? What about caring that her heart was broken? Why are we taking every chance to remind us she made a dumb choice in boyfriends?
As you can tell, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.
Positive:
~ Christian themes
~ Large family shown in a positive light
If I was younger, I might have enjoyed this a little more.
If you...
~ Absolutely adore the Princess Diaries
~ Can't get enough of royalty
~ Enjoy reading all about teens and their romances and issues
You will probably enjoy this book.
I'm guessing the author was pretty young when she wrote this. I personally was very annoyed at all the talk of the homeless like there was an easy solution. Having worked with the homeless, I can tell you that throwing money will not fix the issue. It is a very complex issue with many, many reasons for people are on the street.
Also, I felt like everyone was really on the case of one princess who had a bad breakup. They all acted like she had been so dumb. What about a little support of her courageous stands? What about caring that her heart was broken? Why are we taking every chance to remind us she made a dumb choice in boyfriends?
As you can tell, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.
Positive:
~ Christian themes
~ Large family shown in a positive light
August 18, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I did not originally plan to read this book, but as an 18-year-old, happening to be nudged into reading the sample, I fell in love and eagerly requested a review copy. Now, at 21, I decided to reread it, honestly not expecting to like it very much… and was blown away.
To start off, I love the setting. The idea of an old-fashioned yet modern imaginary kingdom in Europe is fascinating and unique and just right up my alley. Although in no way interested in being royalty, it is very enjoyable to step into Royalty’s shoes this way, even if it is probably unrealistic. I would not call the writing style is not weak, even if there is copyediting issues (aka typos, grammatical mistakes). It’s obviously a debut novel, but a good one, and I would very much be interested in more of Olivia Jarmusch’s writing.
The characters are quite fun, even if it’s a large cast. Addison is a total sweetheart. I feel like I'm supposed to swoon over him, but he’s so like me that I just can’t swoon and can only clap happily. He’s such a brave, good, loving man! Bridget seems so shallow, yet is so passionate, and her arc was splendid. I never confuse Chasity & Hope when actually in their heads; but their storylines are slightly similar and I confuse who’s who when reading other people’s POVs. But they’re both fun girls. Millie, Jillian, & Willie are absolutely adorable, Asher is heartbreaking, Clark & the King are awesome, I love Hanson, Lance and Zac + the other band members are amusing, and Vanessa is really nice. Oh, and David and his adorable song is super cute.
The plot was quite gripping, each time I read it. I really related to the big family parts—they were so real—and I loved all the sibling relationships & parent-child relationships. It was also super fun to see the royal family as a normal family AND as royalty. Somehow, I have a special fascination with security guards, so that was a cool aspect. B) I find myself so excited for the coronation every time—just as nervous and anticipating as Addison—and then the huge climax is just as tense and nerve-wracking. It’s most likely unrealistic but I frankly don’t care—it’s done well enough that I can suspend my disbelief easily, and that’s all I ask. And the way it tied into other threads was epic.
The romance was a very interesting part of the plot. I feel like the author was presenting several different aspects of romance for us to ponder over. There is one failed romance—a girl presents her heart to someone unworthy who crushes it and leaves her bleeding and cold. There is another who accidentally fell in love with someone she cannot have and struggles to push it away and move on. There is a third who finds herself attracted to and liking a young man, yet wisely refuses to get too attached, since neither are ready or able to carry on a romance at present. And then there is Addison, pressured to find the future Queen, yet taking the time to find a woman who he can love and respect and feel safe entrusting his Kingdom into. I loved Addison’s approach to romance so much!
There was some content in the book, and more things that I personally didn’t agree with/approve; detailed list down below. However, what struck me was the themes and messages. They were so good, so deep, so strong! The reminder to forgive; to not grow heartless because of heartbreak; to take time, slow down, and live in the present, and remain young; to love each other and take care of one’s family; to guard one’s heart until the right time comes; to trust God in every situation, and wait for His deliverance. Each of the older siblings had their own lesson to learn and each lesson really spoke to me—each was one I needed just then. I even teared up towards the end...
Overall, this book is full of humour and adorableness, a sort of coming-of-age/navigating adulthood novel crammed with both simple life and adventures, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly appreciated how it ended with some resolution to satisfy me yet left enough unanswered questions to make me long for the second book!
Content list: Mention of a dress “hugging all the right places”; some hugging, cheek-kisses, touching, & an almost kiss; a couple veiled hints at what an unscrupulous man could do to a girl who was in his power + a moment where he threatens to undress her (to make her wear a wedding dress) & starts tearing her sleeve; a mention of a young man hiding a video camera in a girl’s room & planning to get footage of “whatever he had hoped would happen” after he’d gotten her to kiss him; euphemisms; includes dancing, worldly clothing, and wordly music; also the Scriptures used are not KJV. Recommended ages: 14+
A Favourite Quote: “I’m trusting God. I can’t control what happens, but He can. I’m going to trust in His peace and believe that everything is going to work out exactly like it’s supposed to. God, I give You my worries and anxiety. Help me to have Your perspective and believe that everything is perfectly fine when I surrender it into Your hands.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Golden leaves sparkled and danced in the gentle breeze, waving sweetly to the bustling city below. The ancient maple trees had lived through many changes. Hundreds of years passed since these European saplings first sprouted from the ground. They had observed the transformation of dirt paths to cobblestone streets. Horse-drawn carriages were replaced with humming motor vehicles, and women in long lacy gowns now sported skinny-jeans and cell phones…. If the trees could talk, they would tell you the tales. The tales of a noble Kingdom with the regal name of Tarsurella.
The maples would open their wise mouths and declare the stories of centuries past. But the trees had been subjected to silence, completely dependent on the mercy of men, disposable in their hands. The trees could not control whether they would be chopped down, or defended and preserved, yet they knew that the very pulse and purpose of nature itself, was to change. For without change, new life could not spring forth. Warm fall air was mixed with a dash of coolness, reminding the Tarsurellian citizens that winter would soon be knocking at their door. But the busy brains below were much too consumed with their hectic schedules and monstrous “to-do” lists, to pause and ponder such truths. ”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘What. Is. That?’ Millie asked, drawing out each word for dramatic effect.
“‘It’s called quiche,’ Jillian stated simply.
“‘I’ve never heard of it.’ Millie wrinkled her nose, ‘I don’t think I like it.’
“‘Just try it,’ Jillian instructed.
“‘But what if I can’t bear to swallow it?’
“‘Then you’ll be polite, and eat it anyway.’
“‘But what if it’s the most disgusting food in the entire world and it makes me feel sick to my stomach?’
“‘It doesn’t matter; you’ll still be gracious and eat it.’”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
To start off, I love the setting. The idea of an old-fashioned yet modern imaginary kingdom in Europe is fascinating and unique and just right up my alley. Although in no way interested in being royalty, it is very enjoyable to step into Royalty’s shoes this way, even if it is probably unrealistic. I would not call the writing style is not weak, even if there is copyediting issues (aka typos, grammatical mistakes). It’s obviously a debut novel, but a good one, and I would very much be interested in more of Olivia Jarmusch’s writing.
The characters are quite fun, even if it’s a large cast. Addison is a total sweetheart. I feel like I'm supposed to swoon over him, but he’s so like me that I just can’t swoon and can only clap happily. He’s such a brave, good, loving man! Bridget seems so shallow, yet is so passionate, and her arc was splendid. I never confuse Chasity & Hope when actually in their heads; but their storylines are slightly similar and I confuse who’s who when reading other people’s POVs. But they’re both fun girls. Millie, Jillian, & Willie are absolutely adorable, Asher is heartbreaking, Clark & the King are awesome, I love Hanson, Lance and Zac + the other band members are amusing, and Vanessa is really nice. Oh, and David and his adorable song is super cute.
The plot was quite gripping, each time I read it. I really related to the big family parts—they were so real—and I loved all the sibling relationships & parent-child relationships. It was also super fun to see the royal family as a normal family AND as royalty. Somehow, I have a special fascination with security guards, so that was a cool aspect. B) I find myself so excited for the coronation every time—just as nervous and anticipating as Addison—and then the huge climax is just as tense and nerve-wracking. It’s most likely unrealistic but I frankly don’t care—it’s done well enough that I can suspend my disbelief easily, and that’s all I ask. And the way it tied into other threads was epic.
The romance was a very interesting part of the plot. I feel like the author was presenting several different aspects of romance for us to ponder over. There is one failed romance—a girl presents her heart to someone unworthy who crushes it and leaves her bleeding and cold. There is another who accidentally fell in love with someone she cannot have and struggles to push it away and move on. There is a third who finds herself attracted to and liking a young man, yet wisely refuses to get too attached, since neither are ready or able to carry on a romance at present. And then there is Addison, pressured to find the future Queen, yet taking the time to find a woman who he can love and respect and feel safe entrusting his Kingdom into. I loved Addison’s approach to romance so much!
There was some content in the book, and more things that I personally didn’t agree with/approve; detailed list down below. However, what struck me was the themes and messages. They were so good, so deep, so strong! The reminder to forgive; to not grow heartless because of heartbreak; to take time, slow down, and live in the present, and remain young; to love each other and take care of one’s family; to guard one’s heart until the right time comes; to trust God in every situation, and wait for His deliverance. Each of the older siblings had their own lesson to learn and each lesson really spoke to me—each was one I needed just then. I even teared up towards the end...
Overall, this book is full of humour and adorableness, a sort of coming-of-age/navigating adulthood novel crammed with both simple life and adventures, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly appreciated how it ended with some resolution to satisfy me yet left enough unanswered questions to make me long for the second book!
Content list: Mention of a dress “hugging all the right places”; some hugging, cheek-kisses, touching, & an almost kiss; a couple veiled hints at what an unscrupulous man could do to a girl who was in his power + a moment where he threatens to undress her (to make her wear a wedding dress) & starts tearing her sleeve; a mention of a young man hiding a video camera in a girl’s room & planning to get footage of “whatever he had hoped would happen” after he’d gotten her to kiss him; euphemisms; includes dancing, worldly clothing, and wordly music; also the Scriptures used are not KJV. Recommended ages: 14+
A Favourite Quote: “I’m trusting God. I can’t control what happens, but He can. I’m going to trust in His peace and believe that everything is going to work out exactly like it’s supposed to. God, I give You my worries and anxiety. Help me to have Your perspective and believe that everything is perfectly fine when I surrender it into Your hands.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Golden leaves sparkled and danced in the gentle breeze, waving sweetly to the bustling city below. The ancient maple trees had lived through many changes. Hundreds of years passed since these European saplings first sprouted from the ground. They had observed the transformation of dirt paths to cobblestone streets. Horse-drawn carriages were replaced with humming motor vehicles, and women in long lacy gowns now sported skinny-jeans and cell phones…. If the trees could talk, they would tell you the tales. The tales of a noble Kingdom with the regal name of Tarsurella.
The maples would open their wise mouths and declare the stories of centuries past. But the trees had been subjected to silence, completely dependent on the mercy of men, disposable in their hands. The trees could not control whether they would be chopped down, or defended and preserved, yet they knew that the very pulse and purpose of nature itself, was to change. For without change, new life could not spring forth. Warm fall air was mixed with a dash of coolness, reminding the Tarsurellian citizens that winter would soon be knocking at their door. But the busy brains below were much too consumed with their hectic schedules and monstrous “to-do” lists, to pause and ponder such truths. ”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘What. Is. That?’ Millie asked, drawing out each word for dramatic effect.
“‘It’s called quiche,’ Jillian stated simply.
“‘I’ve never heard of it.’ Millie wrinkled her nose, ‘I don’t think I like it.’
“‘Just try it,’ Jillian instructed.
“‘But what if I can’t bear to swallow it?’
“‘Then you’ll be polite, and eat it anyway.’
“‘But what if it’s the most disgusting food in the entire world and it makes me feel sick to my stomach?’
“‘It doesn’t matter; you’ll still be gracious and eat it.’”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
September 29, 2018
I. Loved. The. Coronation. It was a fabulous novel, full of amazingly-written and realistic sibling relationships, which is hard to do considering there are eight children. I related to how Addison isn’t confident in his ability to embody what his dad is. I sympathized with Asher’s POV and guilt at the end. I loved learning about the different issues some of the children were facing- Bridget trying to cope with Jacob’s betrayal (not a spoiler, I promise), and Hope’s insecurity in her looks (well, slight insecurity. But still). I was kind of confused at how many children there were at first? I thought there would only be three or four? But I very quickly understood that, yes, there are eight children. They really aren’t hard to keep track of after you get that information in. x)
There are some people I wish I could've seen more of (Smashman, Hanson's parents), but I'm guessing they'll appear in The Rebellion, which is the second book of the Tales of Tarsurella.
There were a couple of scenes where 1) two characters nearly kissed 2) a drunk man handles a girl rather roughly 3) a character assaults another character, but none of them were above barely detailed.
Overall, The Coronation is a lovely novel on princesses and princes and castles and guards and I absolutely adored it. 4.75 stars.
Recommended to 12+ for minor violence and romance.
Like my reviews? Read more on my blog.
There are some people I wish I could've seen more of (Smashman, Hanson's parents), but I'm guessing they'll appear in The Rebellion, which is the second book of the Tales of Tarsurella.
There were a couple of scenes where 1) two characters nearly kissed 2) a drunk man handles a girl rather roughly 3) a character assaults another character, but none of them were above barely detailed.
Overall, The Coronation is a lovely novel on princesses and princes and castles and guards and I absolutely adored it. 4.75 stars.
Recommended to 12+ for minor violence and romance.
Like my reviews? Read more on my blog.
October 6, 2018
This is not the kind of book I would usually read. Princesses, teenage crushes, and modern setting but with a fictional nation? Nope, nope, nope. Please no. Expecting these elements beforehand, why then did bother reading this? Two reasons:
1. I got it for free on Amazon on a "free day."
2. One of the main characters shares my name.
The first, obviously, provided the means for me to read it. But the second was the true reason The Coronation piqued my interest. Coming across my name in fiction is rare, and I just had to find out how well this Bridget lived up to her name.
And she ... wasn't as bad as I braced myself for her to be. I almost liked her, even. Sure, she's a super social and a gorgeous supermodel and therefore nothing like me, but hey. I did share a few things in common with Bridget, like her fierce loyalty to her siblings, her instinct to chase off potential lovers for said siblings (muahahaha), and her lack of interest in being in a relationship (though for different reasons). So anyway. Seeing my name plastered all over the pages was a new and interesting experience for me, and I think made this book worth my while reading. ;)
One plus for this book is how well all the characters are developed despite there being so many of them. I can't say that I particularly cared much about any of them, but they were real and therefore enjoyable to read about (even if they could be annoying). I'm strangely fond of large casts in books, so this was fun for me.
I found the romance (or shall I say, teenagers getting crushes on each other) to be rather ... painful? Not in a way that it was poorly written, but that I just don't usually enjoy that sort of a thing. It was mainly David Carter and Hope that had me cringing. I inwardly groaned every time David walked into the scene. But I've got to say that I liked how their relationship was concluded in the end, and that looking back it made me appreciate their plotline more.
I admit, however, that I did like Chasity and Hanson together just a bit. Simply because they were both some of my favorite characters.
In the end, I found myself enjoying this book more than I expected to. It's not the flavor of fiction that I would care to consume on a regular basis, but for every now and then it's okay. And hey, I found a name twin, so that makes everything better, right?
1. I got it for free on Amazon on a "free day."
2. One of the main characters shares my name.
The first, obviously, provided the means for me to read it. But the second was the true reason The Coronation piqued my interest. Coming across my name in fiction is rare, and I just had to find out how well this Bridget lived up to her name.
And she ... wasn't as bad as I braced myself for her to be. I almost liked her, even. Sure, she's a super social and a gorgeous supermodel and therefore nothing like me, but hey. I did share a few things in common with Bridget, like her fierce loyalty to her siblings, her instinct to chase off potential lovers for said siblings (muahahaha), and her lack of interest in being in a relationship (though for different reasons). So anyway. Seeing my name plastered all over the pages was a new and interesting experience for me, and I think made this book worth my while reading. ;)
One plus for this book is how well all the characters are developed despite there being so many of them. I can't say that I particularly cared much about any of them, but they were real and therefore enjoyable to read about (even if they could be annoying). I'm strangely fond of large casts in books, so this was fun for me.
I found the romance (or shall I say, teenagers getting crushes on each other) to be rather ... painful? Not in a way that it was poorly written, but that I just don't usually enjoy that sort of a thing. It was mainly David Carter and Hope that had me cringing. I inwardly groaned every time David walked into the scene. But I've got to say that I liked how their relationship was concluded in the end, and that looking back it made me appreciate their plotline more.
I admit, however, that I did like Chasity and Hanson together just a bit. Simply because they were both some of my favorite characters.
In the end, I found myself enjoying this book more than I expected to. It's not the flavor of fiction that I would care to consume on a regular basis, but for every now and then it's okay. And hey, I found a name twin, so that makes everything better, right?
July 11, 2024
I don't usually read this genre, but I was pleasantly surprised at the faith and moral content, and the different siblings definitely gave this book a nice feel for me. 😊
December 15, 2017
THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL BUNDLE OF ADORABLENESS <3 I'm a melted puddle of butter on the floor now <3<3<3
I thought it would take no time at all to fly through this but it was LOOOONG my friends - A WHOPPING 460 PAGES and it took me ... like 3 -4 days? Yeah. But really I love thick books on my shelf so someday I will get it to be there <3<3<3 I didn't ... even realize it was that big till I was halfway through and I was like "how long it this thing anyway?!"
But my likes. Alllll the characters. There were LOTS of them - probably one reason the books was so long. They all ... had issues, but most were really lovable. And a lot were a combo of annoying + adorable, like real people. My favorite was Addison because not only do I relate in a lot of ways, he was just plain sensible and totally awesome :D I ADORED everyone from Kennetic Energy and I LOVED the two younger princesses + Willie. The older three girls were mix of irritating-in-a-good-way/hilarious/real. Hanson was plain sweet and fun and HOW GENIUS IS IT TO HAVE A BODY GUARD FOR A MAIN CHARACTER. I mean, don't you ever wonder what's going on in the brain of those tall, strong, silent, serious guys who wear all black and sunglasses and don't do anything but look intimidating?!!? LANCE THO. PLEASE I NEED MORE OF LANCE HE'S THE BEST OF EVER. Anyway I think the huge cast was handled splendidly and the pov, though different, worked very well. At first though I kept mixing up the older girls cause they were so close in age? And I would have liked more Asher pov + Asher backstory. I know this might seem a bit of strange request if you know who he is but while
The detail though. Cause I can say that this book really wasn't action + adventure. Sure there was some of it in that one super intense part but mostly the book took things slow and easy and gave us a wonderfully detailed look at the Royal Family + palace life in Tarsurella. And it was so fascinating because I've never read anything like it. Sure, fantasy royalty. But modern royalty? Ha nope. There should be more :D
And the humor guys. IT WAS SO FUNNY SOMETIMES. Millie + Wille never ceased to make me grin and chuckle. And the band. Ohmyword the band. Zac was hilarious. And everyone's romantic notions (and especially how they tried to find Addison a girl) made me laugh to no end xD
This book focused very much on relationships and internal conflicts and I think those were done really well. I was great to see everyone's problems and how they grew and learned. And these were so closely connected to the themes which were very good and I fully support <3 And I agree with the whole message (or all the messages)... however. At the same time, they did come off as a little ... strong - very clear. I usually enjoy them best when they are subltle and not really spelled out on the page but when you get to see/feel it. And in here, YES I saw/felt it - but it was also very clearly spelled out. In paragraphs. And monologue. Ha. It's nothing wrong - just MY STYLE. And you know maybe after the characters' experiences it would come out strong! :D Also, it had less action than I'm used to? Sure the actual action/climatic part was really sudden, suspenseful, and intense. But I felt it just came - BANG! - and disappeared - POOF! - without too much action from the main characters. There WAS, but not very much. And it is realistic/expected for the situation and their positions. But this is just ME, you know.
One thing though. I felt it was a tad unrealistic for the real modern world that just about everyone - except the bad guys - were Christians? Or believed in God or prayed. I mean - sure I can see the Royal Family and some of their friends and staff being believers, but to have all the romantic interests who just come out of ... somewhere ... to be praying godly people is a little ... little ... unrealistic.
And this was actually ... kinda romantic? I don't usually take a huge dose of romance like this if I can help it. But. This was okay. This was adorable. This was clean. It upheld great values and taught wonderful lessons at the same time. But you know, A LOT OF FLUFF? A lot, actually. More than I usually read or expect for 460 pages xD
The best part I think was Bridget + Alaska. <3 Of course I saw Liam coming miles away and I was yelling at Livy when he arrived and wanted to throw the e-reader around (in a good sense) but who cares? It was so ... plain beautiful. And frankly I was just thinking "GOOD FOR YOU BRIDGET YOU SERIOUSLY NEEDED THIS YOU KNOW".
Other things: Van(essa) was pretty fabulous in my opinion. I wish Hanson had had more problems with his dad buuuut I sense there will be more on that later.
In the end, I'm super pleased.
And looking forward to book two.
(AND PLEASE GIVE ME MORE LANCE + ASHER POV + ADDISON AND HIS GIRL BECAUSE I SHIP THEM.)
Four stars. Not because I don't think it doesn't deserve five or four and a half - it's just me, you know. And my preferences of genre and action :D
Lance tho <3 <3 <3
I thought it would take no time at all to fly through this but it was LOOOONG my friends - A WHOPPING 460 PAGES and it took me ... like 3 -4 days? Yeah. But really I love thick books on my shelf so someday I will get it to be there <3<3<3 I didn't ... even realize it was that big till I was halfway through and I was like "how long it this thing anyway?!"
But my likes. Alllll the characters. There were LOTS of them - probably one reason the books was so long. They all ... had issues, but most were really lovable. And a lot were a combo of annoying + adorable, like real people. My favorite was Addison because not only do I relate in a lot of ways, he was just plain sensible and totally awesome :D I ADORED everyone from Kennetic Energy and I LOVED the two younger princesses + Willie. The older three girls were mix of irritating-in-a-good-way/hilarious/real. Hanson was plain sweet and fun and HOW GENIUS IS IT TO HAVE A BODY GUARD FOR A MAIN CHARACTER. I mean, don't you ever wonder what's going on in the brain of those tall, strong, silent, serious guys who wear all black and sunglasses and don't do anything but look intimidating?!!? LANCE THO. PLEASE I NEED MORE OF LANCE HE'S THE BEST OF EVER. Anyway I think the huge cast was handled splendidly and the pov, though different, worked very well. At first though I kept mixing up the older girls cause they were so close in age? And I would have liked more Asher pov + Asher backstory. I know this might seem a bit of strange request if you know who he is but while
The detail though. Cause I can say that this book really wasn't action + adventure. Sure there was some of it in that one super intense part but mostly the book took things slow and easy and gave us a wonderfully detailed look at the Royal Family + palace life in Tarsurella. And it was so fascinating because I've never read anything like it. Sure, fantasy royalty. But modern royalty? Ha nope. There should be more :D
And the humor guys. IT WAS SO FUNNY SOMETIMES. Millie + Wille never ceased to make me grin and chuckle. And the band. Ohmyword the band. Zac was hilarious. And everyone's romantic notions (and especially how they tried to find Addison a girl) made me laugh to no end xD
This book focused very much on relationships and internal conflicts and I think those were done really well. I was great to see everyone's problems and how they grew and learned. And these were so closely connected to the themes which were very good and I fully support <3 And I agree with the whole message (or all the messages)... however. At the same time, they did come off as a little ... strong - very clear. I usually enjoy them best when they are subltle and not really spelled out on the page but when you get to see/feel it. And in here, YES I saw/felt it - but it was also very clearly spelled out. In paragraphs. And monologue. Ha. It's nothing wrong - just MY STYLE. And you know maybe after the characters' experiences it would come out strong! :D Also, it had less action than I'm used to? Sure the actual action/climatic part was really sudden, suspenseful, and intense. But I felt it just came - BANG! - and disappeared - POOF! - without too much action from the main characters. There WAS, but not very much. And it is realistic/expected for the situation and their positions. But this is just ME, you know.
One thing though. I felt it was a tad unrealistic for the real modern world that just about everyone - except the bad guys - were Christians? Or believed in God or prayed. I mean - sure I can see the Royal Family and some of their friends and staff being believers, but to have all the romantic interests who just come out of ... somewhere ... to be praying godly people is a little ... little ... unrealistic.
And this was actually ... kinda romantic? I don't usually take a huge dose of romance like this if I can help it. But. This was okay. This was adorable. This was clean. It upheld great values and taught wonderful lessons at the same time. But you know, A LOT OF FLUFF? A lot, actually. More than I usually read or expect for 460 pages xD
The best part I think was Bridget + Alaska. <3 Of course I saw Liam coming miles away and I was yelling at Livy when he arrived and wanted to throw the e-reader around (in a good sense) but who cares? It was so ... plain beautiful. And frankly I was just thinking "GOOD FOR YOU BRIDGET YOU SERIOUSLY NEEDED THIS YOU KNOW".
Other things: Van(essa) was pretty fabulous in my opinion. I wish Hanson had had more problems with his dad buuuut I sense there will be more on that later.
In the end, I'm super pleased.
And looking forward to book two.
(AND PLEASE GIVE ME MORE LANCE + ASHER POV + ADDISON AND HIS GIRL BECAUSE I SHIP THEM.)
Four stars. Not because I don't think it doesn't deserve five or four and a half - it's just me, you know. And my preferences of genre and action :D
Lance tho <3 <3 <3
July 25, 2017
*Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of The Coronation in exchange for an honest review.*
Okay, this was a super sweet story about the royal family of a fictitious kingdom. It takes place in present-day, but has the feel of a fairytale. At first a struggled a bit to keep track of all the siblings, but after a few chapters I enjoyed learning about them.
Addison, the oldest, is preparing for his soon-to-come coronation as king. The older sisters are all trying to figure out boy drama, self-esteem, and wanting to see the world beyond the sheltered castle. Meanwhile, a new security guard is torn between loyalty to the royal family and committing in act of treason for his criminal father....
There's a lot of story lines but they are all balanced well and I never felt like the book was cluttered. It's a pretty long book but is also a fairly easy read.
There are some sweet themes like trusting God, loyalty, purity, and overcoming heartbreak. Some mature topics are mentioned, but are very brief and described tastefully. Christianity is a key part of the siblings' lives, which I appreciated. And they're homeschooled! That's also a plus as it's rare to find homeschooled characters in fiction.
I did have a couple complaints:
First of all, there was quite a bit of head-hopping that I found distracting--especially since there are so many different character perspectives. I would have rather just had one character's perspective per scene rather than several.
Also, I thought it was a little unrealistic that all of the older siblings were having similar relationship drama situations at the exact same time. Not to mention, it's a bit obvious who is going to end up with who, in my opinion. Not quite "insta-love", but still very clear that the two characters liked each other right off the bat.
Other than that, I thought this was a cute story left open for a sequel. Fans of fairytales and contemporary stories should enjoy this!
Okay, this was a super sweet story about the royal family of a fictitious kingdom. It takes place in present-day, but has the feel of a fairytale. At first a struggled a bit to keep track of all the siblings, but after a few chapters I enjoyed learning about them.
Addison, the oldest, is preparing for his soon-to-come coronation as king. The older sisters are all trying to figure out boy drama, self-esteem, and wanting to see the world beyond the sheltered castle. Meanwhile, a new security guard is torn between loyalty to the royal family and committing in act of treason for his criminal father....
There's a lot of story lines but they are all balanced well and I never felt like the book was cluttered. It's a pretty long book but is also a fairly easy read.
There are some sweet themes like trusting God, loyalty, purity, and overcoming heartbreak. Some mature topics are mentioned, but are very brief and described tastefully. Christianity is a key part of the siblings' lives, which I appreciated. And they're homeschooled! That's also a plus as it's rare to find homeschooled characters in fiction.
I did have a couple complaints:
First of all, there was quite a bit of head-hopping that I found distracting--especially since there are so many different character perspectives. I would have rather just had one character's perspective per scene rather than several.
Also, I thought it was a little unrealistic that all of the older siblings were having similar relationship drama situations at the exact same time. Not to mention, it's a bit obvious who is going to end up with who, in my opinion. Not quite "insta-love", but still very clear that the two characters liked each other right off the bat.
Other than that, I thought this was a cute story left open for a sequel. Fans of fairytales and contemporary stories should enjoy this!
September 29, 2017
Review to come! ;)
February 18, 2018
5 Stars
Oh my goodness! This was so sweet!
~wonderfuls~
the descriptions
When I first started this book, I was struck by all the descriptions. Some were long, some were short, but they all managed to give you an amazing idea of what Tarsurella was like.
the princesses
I loved how this story focused on a modern-day royal family. Two of the princesses especially stood out to me: Chasity and Hope. Apart from Chasity's love for horses, I could really relate to both of them. Chasity's love for reading and solitude were two things I especially understood. Bridget and Millie were harder for me to relate to, but they were still very likeable characters.
the romance
All of the romance in The Coronation was well-written and sweet. I loved from the beginning, and later on, were also really sweet. I still think are my favorites, though. I also ship and . (Man, that was a lot of spoilers!) All of the romance was absolutely wonderful.
the action
All the action in this book was not at all predictable, and I was very surprised at how and when it all unfolded. It was the sort of action I like; not dark, but still good action.
~not-so-wonderfuls~
N/A
~personal thoughts~
I'm so, so glad I got to read this, and I can't wait for the sequel!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my goodness! This was so sweet!
~wonderfuls~
the descriptions
When I first started this book, I was struck by all the descriptions. Some were long, some were short, but they all managed to give you an amazing idea of what Tarsurella was like.
the princesses
I loved how this story focused on a modern-day royal family. Two of the princesses especially stood out to me: Chasity and Hope. Apart from Chasity's love for horses, I could really relate to both of them. Chasity's love for reading and solitude were two things I especially understood. Bridget and Millie were harder for me to relate to, but they were still very likeable characters.
the romance
All of the romance in The Coronation was well-written and sweet. I loved from the beginning, and later on, were also really sweet. I still think are my favorites, though. I also ship and . (Man, that was a lot of spoilers!) All of the romance was absolutely wonderful.
the action
All the action in this book was not at all predictable, and I was very surprised at how and when it all unfolded. It was the sort of action I like; not dark, but still good action.
~not-so-wonderfuls~
N/A
~personal thoughts~
I'm so, so glad I got to read this, and I can't wait for the sequel!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2018
I have so many mixed emotions. Review coming soon.
Edit:
Wow, just wow. I literally had to lay in bed for a few minutes to return back to reality. This book, just wow. I still questioned why I didn't read this and why it took so long to read it. The family theme was amazing. I can't wait to read the sequel. So many emotions, I can't even describe how much I enjoyed this book. :D
Edit:
Wow, just wow. I literally had to lay in bed for a few minutes to return back to reality. This book, just wow. I still questioned why I didn't read this and why it took so long to read it. The family theme was amazing. I can't wait to read the sequel. So many emotions, I can't even describe how much I enjoyed this book. :D
April 26, 2018
I don't what to say. I loved this book so much!! It was amazing. It took me awhile to read it, in-between school, swimming, and other books, but I loved this book so much. I don't even know what to say exactly. I cannot put my love of this book into words. At first this book looked really intimidating with it's 460 pages but once I was getting into it, I could hardly put it down!! It was amazing!!
Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
I was not expecting all those plot twists. I honestly had no idea how Olivia was going to keep the plot moving through 460 pages, yet she pulled it off. Olivia's writing makes you feel for the characters so throughout this book I was smiling and laughing but also nearly bailing my eyes out. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
Characters: 5 out of 5 stars (Can I give it more then just 5 stars??)
I absolutely loved ALL of the characters. Well except, for the bad guys.
Addison: AH! His character was amazing!! I loved Addison. He was so sweet, caring, and just all around an amazing guy and king. He definitely is the type of guy who I could see being best friends with.
Bridgett: Okay so, I liked Bridgett but she did get on my nerves at times. By the end of the book, I loved her just as much as I did all the other characters.
Hope: Hope was probably my favorite character, other then Vanessa, David, Clark, Addison, the King, Chasity, Millie, and Willie. (Okay yes, I loved all of the characters I guess xD) Just her attitude towards everything was so positive and just heart warming.
Chasity & Jillian: I also loved these two princesses. (Okay yes, I know I have said this about everyone else, just let me be!) They were so similar yet totally different. I just really loved.
Asher: We really didn't get to see much of Asher, but I still hurt for him. (I may or may not have cried a few times over him....) I really hope we see more of him in, Rebellion.
Millie and Willie: THESE.TWO.WERE.SO.STICKEN.CUTE!!!! They just brought so much life to the book and a lot of humor. They just confirmed my love for little kids. They were so cute, epically in the end. Oh Millie......*laughs*
David and Liam: These two guys were so sweet and sincere. I really hope that we see more of them in the next book. I honestly really want to know what happens with them and two certain princesses!!
Clark or Mr. Pork Chops: He was such a caring, sweet guy. His love for Millie and the royal family was really evident throughout this entire book. I love Clark so much!!
The King: His fatherly wisdom was so heart warming and his speeches to his people made my heart burst with joy! I loved his character and just everything about him!
Okay so if you couldn't tell. I loved all of the characters. And I didn't even get to a few of them like Hanson, Deborah, Lance, and a few others. All of these characters were amazing and I honestly cannot wait to see them again in the next book.
Scripture & Prayer: 5 out of 5 stars
All of the scripture references and prayers made my heart burst with joy. I really enjoyed how throughout this ENTIRE book, we were experiencing the gospel. I also really loved how the gospel was presented. Olivia did a great job at including just enough scripture and prayer to the point where it wasn't to much but also not enough.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars (Wish I could give it more......*pouts*
If you have not already, I recommend going and picking up a copy of this amazing book. I guarantee you that you won't be disappointed!!
Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
I was not expecting all those plot twists. I honestly had no idea how Olivia was going to keep the plot moving through 460 pages, yet she pulled it off. Olivia's writing makes you feel for the characters so throughout this book I was smiling and laughing but also nearly bailing my eyes out. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
Characters: 5 out of 5 stars (Can I give it more then just 5 stars??)
I absolutely loved ALL of the characters. Well except, for the bad guys.
Addison: AH! His character was amazing!! I loved Addison. He was so sweet, caring, and just all around an amazing guy and king. He definitely is the type of guy who I could see being best friends with.
Bridgett: Okay so, I liked Bridgett but she did get on my nerves at times. By the end of the book, I loved her just as much as I did all the other characters.
Hope: Hope was probably my favorite character, other then Vanessa, David, Clark, Addison, the King, Chasity, Millie, and Willie. (Okay yes, I loved all of the characters I guess xD) Just her attitude towards everything was so positive and just heart warming.
Chasity & Jillian: I also loved these two princesses. (Okay yes, I know I have said this about everyone else, just let me be!) They were so similar yet totally different. I just really loved.
Asher: We really didn't get to see much of Asher, but I still hurt for him. (I may or may not have cried a few times over him....) I really hope we see more of him in, Rebellion.
Millie and Willie: THESE.TWO.WERE.SO.STICKEN.CUTE!!!! They just brought so much life to the book and a lot of humor. They just confirmed my love for little kids. They were so cute, epically in the end. Oh Millie......*laughs*
David and Liam: These two guys were so sweet and sincere. I really hope that we see more of them in the next book. I honestly really want to know what happens with them and two certain princesses!!
Clark or Mr. Pork Chops: He was such a caring, sweet guy. His love for Millie and the royal family was really evident throughout this entire book. I love Clark so much!!
The King: His fatherly wisdom was so heart warming and his speeches to his people made my heart burst with joy! I loved his character and just everything about him!
Okay so if you couldn't tell. I loved all of the characters. And I didn't even get to a few of them like Hanson, Deborah, Lance, and a few others. All of these characters were amazing and I honestly cannot wait to see them again in the next book.
Scripture & Prayer: 5 out of 5 stars
All of the scripture references and prayers made my heart burst with joy. I really enjoyed how throughout this ENTIRE book, we were experiencing the gospel. I also really loved how the gospel was presented. Olivia did a great job at including just enough scripture and prayer to the point where it wasn't to much but also not enough.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars (Wish I could give it more......*pouts*
If you have not already, I recommend going and picking up a copy of this amazing book. I guarantee you that you won't be disappointed!!
June 25, 2018
This book is for anyone who loves adorable romance, Royalty, and clean books. I wasn't sure about the book for the first 50 pages or so, but then it grabbed my heart.
The Writing
To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the writing style. I didn't really like the omniscient POV. I also found a few typos.
The Characters
I really did like the characters, especially Millie. Millie is a colorful little girl who loves all things involving cake and creativity. She's adorable and I definitely want her as my little sister. I also really like Hope and Addison. Sometimes I felt like the character arcs were a bit unnatural and quick at times, but overall, the characters were decent, even though there were a LOT of them. (Sometimes I had a difficult time keeping them all straight in my head.)
The Plot
The plot was a little predictable and cliche, but I still loved it. I have a soft spot for cheesy Royal stories so...obviously I liked it. It felt so cozy. I did feel like there were a LOT of subplots to the main plot, but it gave the story an interesting feel. Because there wasn't one main character, there were so many different plot points to explore.
The Message
There are a LOT of messages in this book, and a lot of good things the author has to say. Nearly all of the characters are Christians, though at different stages in their walks with Christ. It was really refreshing to read a book like that, even though at times it was a little preachy. It was so nice to see a Christian family portrayed on the page. No they aren't a perfect family--actually they are quite broken--but it was awesome to see strong Christian leadership at the head of the family.
Content Warning: None! This book is completely clean.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book! Younger readers and anyone with a soft spot for Hallmark movies/Royal stories/sweet romance with love it. It's such a refreshing book.
**Disclaimer** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Writing
To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the writing style. I didn't really like the omniscient POV. I also found a few typos.
The Characters
I really did like the characters, especially Millie. Millie is a colorful little girl who loves all things involving cake and creativity. She's adorable and I definitely want her as my little sister. I also really like Hope and Addison. Sometimes I felt like the character arcs were a bit unnatural and quick at times, but overall, the characters were decent, even though there were a LOT of them. (Sometimes I had a difficult time keeping them all straight in my head.)
The Plot
The plot was a little predictable and cliche, but I still loved it. I have a soft spot for cheesy Royal stories so...obviously I liked it. It felt so cozy. I did feel like there were a LOT of subplots to the main plot, but it gave the story an interesting feel. Because there wasn't one main character, there were so many different plot points to explore.
The Message
There are a LOT of messages in this book, and a lot of good things the author has to say. Nearly all of the characters are Christians, though at different stages in their walks with Christ. It was really refreshing to read a book like that, even though at times it was a little preachy. It was so nice to see a Christian family portrayed on the page. No they aren't a perfect family--actually they are quite broken--but it was awesome to see strong Christian leadership at the head of the family.
Content Warning: None! This book is completely clean.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book! Younger readers and anyone with a soft spot for Hallmark movies/Royal stories/sweet romance with love it. It's such a refreshing book.
**Disclaimer** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 20, 2018As always, feel free to email or PM me if you want to know my thoughts on this book.
November 12, 2022
Oh, my heart this book!!!
I am dead serious when I say I found a new favorite author 😭😭 (happy tears 😉)
More detailed review to come after I recover from book hangover
I am dead serious when I say I found a new favorite author 😭😭 (happy tears 😉)
More detailed review to come after I recover from book hangover
July 8, 2017
What do you want in a good novel? Not just in a particular genre, but the basic foundations… Do you want flawed and developed characters? A super fast-paced action plot? Or maybe you prefer a poetic writing style?
For me personally, I have only a couple that I want to see for my next favorite story.
I NEED to have solid, interesting, and relatable characters. I don’t want them to be perfect. I want to see their flaws, and what makes them human. I want to read through their development process. :-)
I LOVE seeing deep and personal breakthroughs in a plotline. I don’t mean dramatic and unrealistic. I mean raw and real! I love experiencing a character’s realization about God’s love for them, how much they need grace, etc.
Lastly, it’s an absolute must for the content to be appropriate. I want to be filling my mind with things that are pleasing to the Lord and won’t have a negative influence on my emotions!
Philippians 4:8- “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.”
Sad thing is, there’s not an overabundance of authors who create their stories like that! It’s hard to find unique and clean books that will grow me; so you can imagine my reader delight when Livy Jarmusch starting writing fiction!!! First came the Regal Hearts series of “episode-like” stories. Read my review here.
BUT NOW SHE CAME OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK!!!!
This is my favorite so far……
THE CORONATION!
I am so pleasantly surprised by this book! Livy sent me a final(ish) draft and I quickly fell in love with everything about it. Combine royalty, comedy, Christianity and suspense all in one plot-and you’ve got something edge-of-your-seat amazing!!!!
My favorite characters so far (even though they change with every few chapters or so….oops.) is probably Princess Chasity and Vanessa!!! And also maybe Prince Addison….And the King….Anyway… ^_^
So, what are you reading this summer break? You should totally check out The Coronation by Livy Jarmusch, coming out in paperback on July 6th! :D
For me personally, I have only a couple that I want to see for my next favorite story.
I NEED to have solid, interesting, and relatable characters. I don’t want them to be perfect. I want to see their flaws, and what makes them human. I want to read through their development process. :-)
I LOVE seeing deep and personal breakthroughs in a plotline. I don’t mean dramatic and unrealistic. I mean raw and real! I love experiencing a character’s realization about God’s love for them, how much they need grace, etc.
Lastly, it’s an absolute must for the content to be appropriate. I want to be filling my mind with things that are pleasing to the Lord and won’t have a negative influence on my emotions!
Philippians 4:8- “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.”
Sad thing is, there’s not an overabundance of authors who create their stories like that! It’s hard to find unique and clean books that will grow me; so you can imagine my reader delight when Livy Jarmusch starting writing fiction!!! First came the Regal Hearts series of “episode-like” stories. Read my review here.
BUT NOW SHE CAME OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK!!!!
This is my favorite so far……
THE CORONATION!
I am so pleasantly surprised by this book! Livy sent me a final(ish) draft and I quickly fell in love with everything about it. Combine royalty, comedy, Christianity and suspense all in one plot-and you’ve got something edge-of-your-seat amazing!!!!
My favorite characters so far (even though they change with every few chapters or so….oops.) is probably Princess Chasity and Vanessa!!! And also maybe Prince Addison….And the King….Anyway… ^_^
So, what are you reading this summer break? You should totally check out The Coronation by Livy Jarmusch, coming out in paperback on July 6th! :D
June 28, 2017
Kind of a 3.5 review.
Be prepared to be swept into a different life of modern princes and princesses as the Royal Family faces individual struggles, kingdom attacks, and questions of marriage.
I didn't fully know what to expect when I picked up The Coronation. It was an adventure for me every step of the way. I didn't live a normal "modern American teen" life with all of the pop stars, teen magazines, and movie raves of the day, so that was all different for me (just a note: though Tarsurella is supposed to be a European country, it felt very Americanized).
The Christian aspect of this: there were good messages about guarding your heart (though they were all geared toward guarding your heart romantically, not necessarily guarding against worldly influences--I personally don't believe that a Christian should rave over rock bands, glamour, and what is popular in this world, as we are called to be set apart from this world) and messages on forgiveness and trusting God. It did kind of seem like there was a "time to preach" and the messages didn't fully impact the characters' lifestyles. So I'm not saying I condemn the messages portrayed...I think it's the whole leaning-toward-wordly lifestyle that threw me off.
The romance...there were a lot of feelings and midway through it felt like, "Let's figure out who Addison, Bridget, Chasity, and Hope all end up with" but things didn't end as usual for romance in books. I really liked how some of them were handled. There weren't any kisses (one almost-kiss) and there were just a few mentions of "not going too far." I feel it was well done for a teen audience.
Overall, this book was interesting and held my attention and somewhat kept me guessing. The author shows a lot of promise, and I look forward to seeing how Olivia hones her writing skills in future works!
*I received a copy of this book from the author and happily provided my honest review*
Be prepared to be swept into a different life of modern princes and princesses as the Royal Family faces individual struggles, kingdom attacks, and questions of marriage.
I didn't fully know what to expect when I picked up The Coronation. It was an adventure for me every step of the way. I didn't live a normal "modern American teen" life with all of the pop stars, teen magazines, and movie raves of the day, so that was all different for me (just a note: though Tarsurella is supposed to be a European country, it felt very Americanized).
The Christian aspect of this: there were good messages about guarding your heart (though they were all geared toward guarding your heart romantically, not necessarily guarding against worldly influences--I personally don't believe that a Christian should rave over rock bands, glamour, and what is popular in this world, as we are called to be set apart from this world) and messages on forgiveness and trusting God. It did kind of seem like there was a "time to preach" and the messages didn't fully impact the characters' lifestyles. So I'm not saying I condemn the messages portrayed...I think it's the whole leaning-toward-wordly lifestyle that threw me off.
The romance...there were a lot of feelings and midway through it felt like, "Let's figure out who Addison, Bridget, Chasity, and Hope all end up with" but things didn't end as usual for romance in books. I really liked how some of them were handled. There weren't any kisses (one almost-kiss) and there were just a few mentions of "not going too far." I feel it was well done for a teen audience.
Overall, this book was interesting and held my attention and somewhat kept me guessing. The author shows a lot of promise, and I look forward to seeing how Olivia hones her writing skills in future works!
*I received a copy of this book from the author and happily provided my honest review*
September 28, 2019
Love this!! I'll definitely be continuing with the series! 😁 5 stars and recommended for 12+.
April 23, 2019
I went into this book expecting a 100% fluffy ride, beginning to end. Something along the lines of The Princess Diaries (movie, not book. I actually haven't read the book yet. :p). The first half was basically exactly that, with strong Christian themes woven in. However, at the halfway point, things got real. Like real. To say the least I was not expecting this AT ALL. The synopsis for the book doesn't hint at it, and in spite of being on the author's email list and following her YouTube account, neither she, nor her fans spoiled it at any point. (Impressive!) This heavy bit lasted about 100-ish pages and afterwards the story struck a tone that was a nice balance between the beginning bit and the dramatic bit, and I think I liked this last third of the story best of all.
I enjoyed the story as a whole and am impressed with the author's ability to shift the tone as she did. I have to be honest, though, I almost feel like the change in tone might have been a tad *too* dramatic? Like, I like drama, but to go from fluff to a in a matter of paragraphs, was just a tad emotional-whiplash-inducing. It's great that the author was able to create a surprising twist like that, and to a certain extent it *was* foreshadowed within the story (I actually thought the rebellion referenced in the title of the second book was what was being foreshadowed in this book, not the thing that actually happened.) but at the same time, as I said above, the book synopsis indicates nothing like this happening.
The following paragraph is entirely in spoiler code because it's about the twist and I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone who would prefer to go in blind. However, those who may be sensitive/have anxiety around may want to keep reading so you have some forewarning.
That said, even if that part of the story hadn't happened, their were some technical things that still would have kept me from giving this a full five stars, and that mainly had to do with the way character perspectives were handled. The book was written in third-person omniscient and was mostly successful in its execution, but there were other times where it became head-hopping and the shifts in POV got a tad jarring. Not a huge gripe. In fact, this problem seemed to lessen after the second half of the book. Perhaps because the story was moving more quickly so it got more focused? But it was something that could have been improved, and who knows, the author may have improved on it since this book was published two years ago, so I'm not making a huge deal out of it. Just mentioning it because it was something that impacted my reading experience at least a little.
On the story side, I was annoyed with the king's parenting skills. Turns out the entire
I also think there may have been a tiny plot hole in relation to Hope and Asher? Maybe I misread it, or maybe Hope was in enough pain she missed it (or passed out?), but I thought the bad guy But later on, Hope was just as surprised as everyone else when the security team revealed to the family that that's what happened? *shrug*
I don't like ending reviews on a negative note, though, so time to focus on the things I really enjoyed. One of the big things was literally every scene with Addison. He's so sweet and such a decent, upstanding young man. Not perfect, of course, since he suffers from a lot of self-doubt, but overall, I loved him as a character and really look forward to seeing what happens to him and a certain somebody in the future.
I liked most of Addison's siblings, too and thought the author did a great job giving them each distinctive personalities and character arcs in spite of there being so many of them. Millie was very cute, and I appreciated that she added more to the story than *just* cuteness. (That scene where she calls Vanessa, though. Oh my goodness. XD XD XD) Some of the themes surrounding Bridget and what she was going through were touching to me on a personal level. Although I had that one gripe about Hope earlier, I overall liked her as a character and appreciated her strength of faith and character, and I especially liked how she handled things with David. (I am sad for David, though. :( ) Chasity's story was interesting, and Jillian's, too. Poor Asher... (Wow, it's hard to cover what I liked about this many characters without making my review longer than it already is!)
Hanson the security guard was great, too. His part in this story was another one I wasn't expecting, but I thought it added depth and hopefully is helping to set up things to come in the next book(s).
In conclusion, while this book was not perfect, it was very enjoyable and made me both laugh and cry. I am interested in reading the other Taursarella books, and hope to enjoy them, too. I give this book a very positive 3.5 stars.
Content Advisory:
Due to an instance of terrorism and a hostage situation, I recommend this book only for ages 13 and up.
Sexual: The reader learns that one of the princess's previous boyfriend made her think she was in love only to try to push her farther physically than she wanted to go. After she broke up with him because of his pushiness, her security found the guy had planted a camera in her bedroom, apparently hoping to sell any footage he got had she given in to him.
Several characters have a potentially romantic love interest/develop crushes on a member of the opposite sex. Chaste physical attraction is referenced a number of times. (Mainly just thinking/expressing that a girl is beautiful or a buy is handsome/cute, and experiencing heart flutters, tingles, etc.) One potential couple *almost* kisses. A boy and a girl both think briefly that they want to kiss, but they ultimately don't try. A young man expresses that he wants to pursue a young woman with the intention of possibly marrying her in the future. A girl thinks a guy is "hunky".
Violence: In the very first chapter, a young man is attacked in an alley and pushed around/punched by some henchmen. Pain briefly described.
An evil man threatens to kill someone's mother and friends if the individual doesn't do what he wants.
A mountain lion tries to pounce on some girls, but gets shot dead before it can. Zero description.
An apparently drunk man grabs corners one of the princesses in an empty hallway, grabs her wrist and handles her roughly as he rants about rebellion against the crown. He leers and says she's "awfully pretty" just before he is tackled to the ground by a security guard an placed under arrest.
I want to emphasize, that even though I did experience some anxiety while reading the section of the story referenced in the spoiler section simply because hearing about that type of situation is stressful to me, I also felt that the author handled it in a very tasteful and sensitive manner. She never once describes the violence in a graphic or drawn-out manner. I don't recall a single mention of blood. We know what happened, we know how the characters are reacting to what happens, but we are not forced to feel as if we're living it/witnessing it ourselves. While I do wish the book's synopsis had given at least a tiny bit of forewarning, I also feel the author handled it in the best manner possible, and I cannot express how much I appreciate that.
Spiritual: Strong Christian themes are woven throughout the book. Characters pray, talk about God, quote the Bible, etc.
It is stated briefly that the terrorists are Muslim extremists (led by a Middle Eastern war lord) and in one instance, one of them becomes angry when someone a young woman does not respect Allah, and hits her for it.
I enjoyed the story as a whole and am impressed with the author's ability to shift the tone as she did. I have to be honest, though, I almost feel like the change in tone might have been a tad *too* dramatic? Like, I like drama, but to go from fluff to a in a matter of paragraphs, was just a tad emotional-whiplash-inducing. It's great that the author was able to create a surprising twist like that, and to a certain extent it *was* foreshadowed within the story (I actually thought the rebellion referenced in the title of the second book was what was being foreshadowed in this book, not the thing that actually happened.) but at the same time, as I said above, the book synopsis indicates nothing like this happening.
The following paragraph is entirely in spoiler code because it's about the twist and I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone who would prefer to go in blind. However, those who may be sensitive/have anxiety around may want to keep reading so you have some forewarning.
That said, even if that part of the story hadn't happened, their were some technical things that still would have kept me from giving this a full five stars, and that mainly had to do with the way character perspectives were handled. The book was written in third-person omniscient and was mostly successful in its execution, but there were other times where it became head-hopping and the shifts in POV got a tad jarring. Not a huge gripe. In fact, this problem seemed to lessen after the second half of the book. Perhaps because the story was moving more quickly so it got more focused? But it was something that could have been improved, and who knows, the author may have improved on it since this book was published two years ago, so I'm not making a huge deal out of it. Just mentioning it because it was something that impacted my reading experience at least a little.
On the story side, I was annoyed with the king's parenting skills. Turns out the entire
I also think there may have been a tiny plot hole in relation to Hope and Asher? Maybe I misread it, or maybe Hope was in enough pain she missed it (or passed out?), but I thought the bad guy But later on, Hope was just as surprised as everyone else when the security team revealed to the family that that's what happened? *shrug*
I don't like ending reviews on a negative note, though, so time to focus on the things I really enjoyed. One of the big things was literally every scene with Addison. He's so sweet and such a decent, upstanding young man. Not perfect, of course, since he suffers from a lot of self-doubt, but overall, I loved him as a character and really look forward to seeing what happens to him and a certain somebody in the future.
I liked most of Addison's siblings, too and thought the author did a great job giving them each distinctive personalities and character arcs in spite of there being so many of them. Millie was very cute, and I appreciated that she added more to the story than *just* cuteness. (That scene where she calls Vanessa, though. Oh my goodness. XD XD XD) Some of the themes surrounding Bridget and what she was going through were touching to me on a personal level. Although I had that one gripe about Hope earlier, I overall liked her as a character and appreciated her strength of faith and character, and I especially liked how she handled things with David. (I am sad for David, though. :( ) Chasity's story was interesting, and Jillian's, too. Poor Asher... (Wow, it's hard to cover what I liked about this many characters without making my review longer than it already is!)
Hanson the security guard was great, too. His part in this story was another one I wasn't expecting, but I thought it added depth and hopefully is helping to set up things to come in the next book(s).
In conclusion, while this book was not perfect, it was very enjoyable and made me both laugh and cry. I am interested in reading the other Taursarella books, and hope to enjoy them, too. I give this book a very positive 3.5 stars.
Content Advisory:
Due to an instance of terrorism and a hostage situation, I recommend this book only for ages 13 and up.
Sexual: The reader learns that one of the princess's previous boyfriend made her think she was in love only to try to push her farther physically than she wanted to go. After she broke up with him because of his pushiness, her security found the guy had planted a camera in her bedroom, apparently hoping to sell any footage he got had she given in to him.
Several characters have a potentially romantic love interest/develop crushes on a member of the opposite sex. Chaste physical attraction is referenced a number of times. (Mainly just thinking/expressing that a girl is beautiful or a buy is handsome/cute, and experiencing heart flutters, tingles, etc.) One potential couple *almost* kisses. A boy and a girl both think briefly that they want to kiss, but they ultimately don't try. A young man expresses that he wants to pursue a young woman with the intention of possibly marrying her in the future. A girl thinks a guy is "hunky".
Violence: In the very first chapter, a young man is attacked in an alley and pushed around/punched by some henchmen. Pain briefly described.
An evil man threatens to kill someone's mother and friends if the individual doesn't do what he wants.
A mountain lion tries to pounce on some girls, but gets shot dead before it can. Zero description.
An apparently drunk man grabs corners one of the princesses in an empty hallway, grabs her wrist and handles her roughly as he rants about rebellion against the crown. He leers and says she's "awfully pretty" just before he is tackled to the ground by a security guard an placed under arrest.
I want to emphasize, that even though I did experience some anxiety while reading the section of the story referenced in the spoiler section simply because hearing about that type of situation is stressful to me, I also felt that the author handled it in a very tasteful and sensitive manner. She never once describes the violence in a graphic or drawn-out manner. I don't recall a single mention of blood. We know what happened, we know how the characters are reacting to what happens, but we are not forced to feel as if we're living it/witnessing it ourselves. While I do wish the book's synopsis had given at least a tiny bit of forewarning, I also feel the author handled it in the best manner possible, and I cannot express how much I appreciate that.
Spiritual: Strong Christian themes are woven throughout the book. Characters pray, talk about God, quote the Bible, etc.
It is stated briefly that the terrorists are Muslim extremists (led by a Middle Eastern war lord) and in one instance, one of them becomes angry when someone a young woman does not respect Allah, and hits her for it.
September 18, 2017
My Rating: 5 Stars!
My Review
Setting:
Set in the modern-day fictional land of Tarsurella this setting reminded me of the fictional countries in the Royal Weddings series!
Characters:
I wish I had time in this review to go into detail as to why I love everyone in the Palace! (With a few notable exceptions :P ) All the royals were so cute with each other, and even the staff was awesome! Even though some may be bratty sometimes, or selfish and foolish, they always looked to
God.
Plot:
I loved this plot! While some points I figured out ahead of time, there were many times I was surprised! I thought the Christian themes of forgiveness, trusting God, waiting on His timing, and guarding your heart, were woven in beautifully!
Content:
Some violence
Oh my goodness! Can the next book come out soon, please? I loved this story so much! One thing that did bother me, however, was that the characters spoke and acted American. The Royal family in particular, seemed more American than European. This is understandable, as the author is American, and it did get better as the book progressed. I still highly recommend this book!
My Review
Setting:
Set in the modern-day fictional land of Tarsurella this setting reminded me of the fictional countries in the Royal Weddings series!
Characters:
I wish I had time in this review to go into detail as to why I love everyone in the Palace! (With a few notable exceptions :P ) All the royals were so cute with each other, and even the staff was awesome! Even though some may be bratty sometimes, or selfish and foolish, they always looked to
God.
Plot:
I loved this plot! While some points I figured out ahead of time, there were many times I was surprised! I thought the Christian themes of forgiveness, trusting God, waiting on His timing, and guarding your heart, were woven in beautifully!
Content:
Some violence
Oh my goodness! Can the next book come out soon, please? I loved this story so much! One thing that did bother me, however, was that the characters spoke and acted American. The Royal family in particular, seemed more American than European. This is understandable, as the author is American, and it did get better as the book progressed. I still highly recommend this book!
November 12, 2023
This book is extremely deceptive.
Wait, I don’t mean that in a bad way! It’s deceptive in the best way possible, actually—looking really cute and “fluffy” on the outside but holding a hidden depth and danger within its pages.
The blurb doesn’t lie either as there are several potential relationships set up that go in various directions throughout the story (some of which I haven’t the faintest idea where the author will take them!) and there is a coronation though the terrorist attack and potential low key mafia who literally beat up a character in the first chapter definitely put some twists in things.
Did I mention this book is deceptive?
The twists and turns are sometimes unreal and danger mixes perfectly with fluffy cheese and drama (really, it totally does, as ludicrous as that sounds) and in the middle of it all is real, strong faith and an honest showing of true, flawed Christians all of which is shown without beating you over the head with it or raking your ears with endless preaching, all of which was as fun and exciting to read the second time as it was the first.
There is a large cast of characters which as a fantasy reader, where 50 plus characters who are all relevant to the plot is the norm, I didn’t even bat an eye at though those who read more contemporary may find keeping everyone straight challenging though the author does a fantastic job with giving everyone a distinctive voice and personality. Hansen is my favorite and if the hopeful ship of him and Chasity doesn’t happen I’m gonna riot. 😂
This book is super fun yet deep and real and full of God’s truths and love and I can’t wait to FINALLY continue and potentially finish this series!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a terrorist attack and hostage situation
Language: heck; hellish; oh my gosh; gah; geesh; what the heck; hell (to describe a situation); cruddy
Violence: a character is punched, beaten, and pinned to a wall (not detailed); a man chokes another; a cougar pounces towards a horse and rider and is shot (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed); a drunk man grabs a girl’s wrist and pushes into her space; a man is tackled to the ground; guns are shot; a terrorist attack and hostage situation; a boy is punched in the head; a man slaps a girl’s face; characters are beaten (not detailed); people are shot and killed in a hostage situation (not shown, only mentioned to be happening); a boy is shot (not detailed); in the past a boy smashed a car window with a baseball bat and wanted to kill his abusive stepfather
Sexual: in the past a girl’s boyfriend tried to force a kiss on her (not shown or detailed); girls are called hot; a remark on how a guy and girl are thought to have “hooked up”; a man pins a girl to a bed (nothing happens); guys are called hunky
Other: an abusive, manipulative father; a character is kidnapped/goes missing; PTSD; in a message a boy writes that he wants to shoot his brother
Wait, I don’t mean that in a bad way! It’s deceptive in the best way possible, actually—looking really cute and “fluffy” on the outside but holding a hidden depth and danger within its pages.
The blurb doesn’t lie either as there are several potential relationships set up that go in various directions throughout the story (some of which I haven’t the faintest idea where the author will take them!) and there is a coronation though the terrorist attack and potential low key mafia who literally beat up a character in the first chapter definitely put some twists in things.
Did I mention this book is deceptive?
The twists and turns are sometimes unreal and danger mixes perfectly with fluffy cheese and drama (really, it totally does, as ludicrous as that sounds) and in the middle of it all is real, strong faith and an honest showing of true, flawed Christians all of which is shown without beating you over the head with it or raking your ears with endless preaching, all of which was as fun and exciting to read the second time as it was the first.
There is a large cast of characters which as a fantasy reader, where 50 plus characters who are all relevant to the plot is the norm, I didn’t even bat an eye at though those who read more contemporary may find keeping everyone straight challenging though the author does a fantastic job with giving everyone a distinctive voice and personality. Hansen is my favorite and if the hopeful ship of him and Chasity doesn’t happen I’m gonna riot. 😂
This book is super fun yet deep and real and full of God’s truths and love and I can’t wait to FINALLY continue and potentially finish this series!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a terrorist attack and hostage situation
Language: heck; hellish; oh my gosh; gah; geesh; what the heck; hell (to describe a situation); cruddy
Violence: a character is punched, beaten, and pinned to a wall (not detailed); a man chokes another; a cougar pounces towards a horse and rider and is shot (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed); a drunk man grabs a girl’s wrist and pushes into her space; a man is tackled to the ground; guns are shot; a terrorist attack and hostage situation; a boy is punched in the head; a man slaps a girl’s face; characters are beaten (not detailed); people are shot and killed in a hostage situation (not shown, only mentioned to be happening); a boy is shot (not detailed); in the past a boy smashed a car window with a baseball bat and wanted to kill his abusive stepfather
Sexual: in the past a girl’s boyfriend tried to force a kiss on her (not shown or detailed); girls are called hot; a remark on how a guy and girl are thought to have “hooked up”; a man pins a girl to a bed (nothing happens); guys are called hunky
Other: an abusive, manipulative father; a character is kidnapped/goes missing; PTSD; in a message a boy writes that he wants to shoot his brother
April 2, 2019
To start with, this book had a lot of good messages and a lot of likable characters. I really enjoyed the big-family aspect and the sibling relationships, and I thought the author did a great job of differentiating the different characters and their personalities.
The style wasn't quite my favorite, as all the different perspective shifts bordered a bit on head-hopping, and there was so much going on for so many characters that it felt like we were barely skimming the surface of any one person's story. And with so many issues to work through and lessons to learn, it was sometimes hard to see why certain things needed to happen the way they did.
Addison and Hope were probably my favorites of the older siblings, although I loved the younger ones, too. Bridget was a bit hard for me to relate to, but I did appreciate her growth in the end.
The intensity/suspense was an interesting twist and nicely foreshadowed near the beginning, which I really liked, but I wasn't a huge fan of some aspects of the ending.
Overall, interesting characters, good messages, an exciting story, but some elements I wasn't a huge fan of. I will probably still read the sequel, especially since I hope some of the lingering questions will be addressed. :)
Content--talk about love, crushes, attraction and relationships; mentions of almost-kisses; mention of a boy attempting to force a kiss on a girl and planting a camera in her bedroom;
The style wasn't quite my favorite, as all the different perspective shifts bordered a bit on head-hopping, and there was so much going on for so many characters that it felt like we were barely skimming the surface of any one person's story. And with so many issues to work through and lessons to learn, it was sometimes hard to see why certain things needed to happen the way they did.
Addison and Hope were probably my favorites of the older siblings, although I loved the younger ones, too. Bridget was a bit hard for me to relate to, but I did appreciate her growth in the end.
The intensity/suspense was an interesting twist and nicely foreshadowed near the beginning, which I really liked, but I wasn't a huge fan of some aspects of the ending.
Overall, interesting characters, good messages, an exciting story, but some elements I wasn't a huge fan of. I will probably still read the sequel, especially since I hope some of the lingering questions will be addressed. :)
Content--talk about love, crushes, attraction and relationships; mentions of almost-kisses; mention of a boy attempting to force a kiss on a girl and planting a camera in her bedroom;
October 19, 2019
I finally read the first book in this series. I've wanted to for quite a while, but never have.
CONS OF THE CORONATION
There were some errors in the formatting and grammar of the digital edition that I was reading. They're not the worst thing ever, but were mildly annoying.
I really felt like the second half of the book - after held a lot of the author getting up on a soap box. I understand the need for that after but it really started to feel preachy.
The romance. There was only one that I really liked at first, and then by the end there was only one I liked - a different one:
I wish the names hadn't been so similar to each other. I had a bit of trouble at first with Addison and Asher.
The problems with Asher during the first half of the book before felt very forced and random.
Wasn't that impressed with the beginning of the book.
The lives of the royals do seem a bit extreme, especially when it went on about all their rooms.
I didn't like Chastity. I felt sorry for her, of course, but the way that she felt way too fast and forced.
PROS OF THE CORONATION
I think this book holds some good themes in it.
The family interaction was great.
I liked
There was good character growth in the story.
Can we just mention the new cover for this book? It's STUNNING. I'm obsessed with the water-colours.
OVERALL
I know I listed a lot more cons than pros, but this story really kept me in and I kept reading, which to me speaks volumes. Despite it feeling a bit like the type of story my younger self had made up through wishful thinking (the palace life was pretty spot on with what I used to imagine) I did enjoy it. I liked the first half better, I think.
Some content was mentioned in the book, but was dealt with pretty well. I think that I'm going to read the next book.
CONS OF THE CORONATION
There were some errors in the formatting and grammar of the digital edition that I was reading. They're not the worst thing ever, but were mildly annoying.
I really felt like the second half of the book - after held a lot of the author getting up on a soap box. I understand the need for that after but it really started to feel preachy.
The romance. There was only one that I really liked at first, and then by the end there was only one I liked - a different one:
I wish the names hadn't been so similar to each other. I had a bit of trouble at first with Addison and Asher.
The problems with Asher during the first half of the book before felt very forced and random.
Wasn't that impressed with the beginning of the book.
The lives of the royals do seem a bit extreme, especially when it went on about all their rooms.
I didn't like Chastity. I felt sorry for her, of course, but the way that she felt way too fast and forced.
PROS OF THE CORONATION
I think this book holds some good themes in it.
The family interaction was great.
I liked
There was good character growth in the story.
Can we just mention the new cover for this book? It's STUNNING. I'm obsessed with the water-colours.
OVERALL
I know I listed a lot more cons than pros, but this story really kept me in and I kept reading, which to me speaks volumes. Despite it feeling a bit like the type of story my younger self had made up through wishful thinking (the palace life was pretty spot on with what I used to imagine) I did enjoy it. I liked the first half better, I think.
Some content was mentioned in the book, but was dealt with pretty well. I think that I'm going to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 17, 2023Review and rating to come!
August 24, 2017
Special thanks to the author, Livy, for giving me a free copy in exchange for a honest review. And just a disclaimer, but the author did not pay me for the review and all the thoughts here are my own honest opinion.
This book was good. It wasn't quite what I was expecting. But I did really enjoyed it.
The Writing:
The writing was beautiful. It was a very fluffy and clean read.
One of the major problems I had of the story was the head hopping. One minute we would be in one character's POV then the very next paragraph we would be in the next. This book also has a large cast of characters, with most of them having a POV. This made it difficult to keep track of them. Furthermore I found it embarrassing when I was reading a definite male perspective that all the sudden was changed to a definite female perspective when I still think I am reading from the male perspective's point of view. The head hopping also had me rereading paragraphs all the time to make sure I knew which character POV I was in.
Head hopping put aside, let's talk about what I really did love about the writing.
The descriptions. I mean you read this book and you know Livy did some research about castles and the life in a castle (or she has a great imagination, though I think she definitely has and done a little bit of both). I felt like I was there, walking the palace halls with the characters, or in the Queen's garden. Or the library (Beauty and the Beast vibes anyone?). The place is just so pretty. And who wouldn't want to live there? (Especially the library, because let's face it, I am too much like my favorite character Chasity. =))
And reading about the country of Tarurella you think that it might be a real place.... Wait.... Is it a real place?.... Checking.... Be right back.... Okay, so it is a fictional place. But the way it is written, it feels like I could go and get a plane ticket and go there today. (And that is a good thing, I love books that can make a invented place feels so real.)
Livy can also write with a sense of humor. I can remember laughing out loud at some of the guards (or one guard in particular. (Yes I am talking about Lance)) his antics and over protectiveness and taking his job very seriously. There was other things that made me laugh as well, in a good way. But that guard..... :,D He made my day.
The Characters:
There is a largeeeeeeeeee cast of characters in this book. You also get to read in most of their POV's in third person. This as I said before made it a little confusing. The author though did include short character interviews of just the Royals in the beginning of the book which did make it easier to remember who was who.
I love how the royal siblings treated each other as a family (well, some of them anyway) and how they gave each other moral support when they needed it. I also loved how they tried to understand one another instead of being bitter.
One of the biggest issues I have with the characters though, is that some of them I didn't think responded how they should have in real life with some of the events they faced.
Plot:
The plot is simple. It is about Prince Addison's Coronation so he can be crowned king.
The book though is very slow pace, but fun to read as well (did that just make sense?). First off, because of the large cast of characters we spend time with each one of the them (except like Asher and Willie). We are also given tons a back story of the Royals. Actually some of it might even be considered as "information dumps", as most of it was just told to us, instead of showing us in little sequences.
The book at first is more like a day-to-day life with the Royals of Tarsurella. I mean yes, they are preparing for the Coronation. But it also reads like a diary, in a way.
Most of the time characters in this book seem to have the perfect and very sheltered life. Any of the Royals could literally just ring a bell and get anything they wanted, and some of the fun events that happens goes overboard with the activities, entertainment, and even food. Maybe some royals live this way, though at times I just thought it was a little obsessive.
It wasn't until like page 220 when something really bad happened. Now there were some threats and other things that were going on earlier in the book. But no one ever acted on the threats, and it didn't affected enough of the main characters to really have you on the edge of your seat throughout the book.
But when I did get to around page 220 I was surprised by the unexpected plot twist that I was flipping through the pages to find out what was happening and how and if the characters were going to be okay. (This is by the way, is a very positive thing. I love plot twists and I love how when I got to this point I was desperately wanting to know what going to happen next.)
The Biblical Points in the Book:
This book is definitely Christian and there are a lot of points made in this book. The ones that stood out to me the most was:
1. Knowing what God wants you to do in your life.
2. Waiting and knowing who God wants you to spend the rest of your life with (romance wise).
3. Forgiving others for the things they did to us (and we are not just talking about little things here).
Content In Book:
As I said before this book is a very fluffy and clean read. However, here are some things that might be considered as content.
1. Mentions of someone trying to force a kiss.
2. A little bit of violence, (none of it was very detailed).
3. Mentions of a man threatening to undress a girl (nothing happens).
Will I Continue With The Other Books In The Series:
One of the things I didn't know when I picked up this book, is that this is part of a series called "The Tales of Tarsurella" with this book being book one. Book two which will be called "The Rebellion" is not yet published at the time of this review. But there was snippet of book two at the end of this book.
So will I read book two? I am thinking that I might pick it up after it is released. Even though I had some problems with this book (to tell you the truth, I always have at least one problem with every book I read, even my five star rated one's), I was overall please with the story. Plus there was some loose ends that hasn't been tied at the end of the story that I am very curious to find how everything is going to work out.
Who I Would Recommend The Book To:
People who like contemporary. People who like fluffy reads. People who likes books about royals. People who likes books with a snippet of romance. And people who want to read a clean young adult Christian book (this book is for you).
This book was good. It wasn't quite what I was expecting. But I did really enjoyed it.
The Writing:
The writing was beautiful. It was a very fluffy and clean read.
One of the major problems I had of the story was the head hopping. One minute we would be in one character's POV then the very next paragraph we would be in the next. This book also has a large cast of characters, with most of them having a POV. This made it difficult to keep track of them. Furthermore I found it embarrassing when I was reading a definite male perspective that all the sudden was changed to a definite female perspective when I still think I am reading from the male perspective's point of view. The head hopping also had me rereading paragraphs all the time to make sure I knew which character POV I was in.
Head hopping put aside, let's talk about what I really did love about the writing.
The descriptions. I mean you read this book and you know Livy did some research about castles and the life in a castle (or she has a great imagination, though I think she definitely has and done a little bit of both). I felt like I was there, walking the palace halls with the characters, or in the Queen's garden. Or the library (Beauty and the Beast vibes anyone?). The place is just so pretty. And who wouldn't want to live there? (Especially the library, because let's face it, I am too much like my favorite character Chasity. =))
And reading about the country of Tarurella you think that it might be a real place.... Wait.... Is it a real place?.... Checking.... Be right back.... Okay, so it is a fictional place. But the way it is written, it feels like I could go and get a plane ticket and go there today. (And that is a good thing, I love books that can make a invented place feels so real.)
Livy can also write with a sense of humor. I can remember laughing out loud at some of the guards (or one guard in particular. (Yes I am talking about Lance)) his antics and over protectiveness and taking his job very seriously. There was other things that made me laugh as well, in a good way. But that guard..... :,D He made my day.
The Characters:
There is a largeeeeeeeeee cast of characters in this book. You also get to read in most of their POV's in third person. This as I said before made it a little confusing. The author though did include short character interviews of just the Royals in the beginning of the book which did make it easier to remember who was who.
I love how the royal siblings treated each other as a family (well, some of them anyway) and how they gave each other moral support when they needed it. I also loved how they tried to understand one another instead of being bitter.
One of the biggest issues I have with the characters though, is that some of them I didn't think responded how they should have in real life with some of the events they faced.
Plot:
The plot is simple. It is about Prince Addison's Coronation so he can be crowned king.
The book though is very slow pace, but fun to read as well (did that just make sense?). First off, because of the large cast of characters we spend time with each one of the them (except like Asher and Willie). We are also given tons a back story of the Royals. Actually some of it might even be considered as "information dumps", as most of it was just told to us, instead of showing us in little sequences.
The book at first is more like a day-to-day life with the Royals of Tarsurella. I mean yes, they are preparing for the Coronation. But it also reads like a diary, in a way.
Most of the time characters in this book seem to have the perfect and very sheltered life. Any of the Royals could literally just ring a bell and get anything they wanted, and some of the fun events that happens goes overboard with the activities, entertainment, and even food. Maybe some royals live this way, though at times I just thought it was a little obsessive.
It wasn't until like page 220 when something really bad happened. Now there were some threats and other things that were going on earlier in the book. But no one ever acted on the threats, and it didn't affected enough of the main characters to really have you on the edge of your seat throughout the book.
But when I did get to around page 220 I was surprised by the unexpected plot twist that I was flipping through the pages to find out what was happening and how and if the characters were going to be okay. (This is by the way, is a very positive thing. I love plot twists and I love how when I got to this point I was desperately wanting to know what going to happen next.)
The Biblical Points in the Book:
This book is definitely Christian and there are a lot of points made in this book. The ones that stood out to me the most was:
1. Knowing what God wants you to do in your life.
2. Waiting and knowing who God wants you to spend the rest of your life with (romance wise).
3. Forgiving others for the things they did to us (and we are not just talking about little things here).
Content In Book:
As I said before this book is a very fluffy and clean read. However, here are some things that might be considered as content.
1. Mentions of someone trying to force a kiss.
2. A little bit of violence, (none of it was very detailed).
3. Mentions of a man threatening to undress a girl (nothing happens).
Will I Continue With The Other Books In The Series:
One of the things I didn't know when I picked up this book, is that this is part of a series called "The Tales of Tarsurella" with this book being book one. Book two which will be called "The Rebellion" is not yet published at the time of this review. But there was snippet of book two at the end of this book.
So will I read book two? I am thinking that I might pick it up after it is released. Even though I had some problems with this book (to tell you the truth, I always have at least one problem with every book I read, even my five star rated one's), I was overall please with the story. Plus there was some loose ends that hasn't been tied at the end of the story that I am very curious to find how everything is going to work out.
Who I Would Recommend The Book To:
People who like contemporary. People who like fluffy reads. People who likes books about royals. People who likes books with a snippet of romance. And people who want to read a clean young adult Christian book (this book is for you).
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