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The Crowning #1
The Crowning
The Crowning is the thrilling first novel in this fast-paced Young Adult Fantasy series. The series has been referred to as "beautifully written," "captivating," "relatable" and "heart-breaking," by readers world wide. This series has been recently featured in Amazon Top 100 lists for 'Epic Fantasy' and 'Values and Virtues'. heir to the magically gifted Kingdom of Alearia must be chosen. The shape-shifting Prince Alexander is favored to claim the title. The fire-wielding sisters, Princess Anastasia and Princess Alecia, feel one of them will take the crown. However, the eldest potential heir, Princess Agnes has other plans. The current ruler of Alearia, Queen Amealiana, a gifted sage and seer, has a hidden secret that will change everything. Rivalry, magic, betrayal, healing, death, hope. In the pursuit of power, only one may be crowned Heir.PRAISE FOR THE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "If you're a fan of scheming princesses, interesting and varied magic, and a healthy dose of family drama, this book may be for you! I enjoyed how Nattie differentiated the various siblings and their personalities. The villain was particularly sympathetic and I could easily understand how and why she turned to evil. I also enjoyed final contest between the sisters. These things are usually pretty obvious, but I honestly had no idea who was going to win until right at the end. Kudos to Nattie for keeping the suspense going." Bonnie Wynne, Bestselling Author⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow! So much love for this book. If you are fan of royalty, add this one to your list! I haven’t ever read anything similar to this which made me enjoy it even more! It’s fast paced, and the writing is absolutely beautiful. A definite highlight was the characters! I felt they were so easy to fall in love with and get attached." Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I finally closed that last page, I felt complete. I highly recommend this series for people who want to keep guessing what the hidden story is, and love the concept of family values. Definitely a re-read type series.” Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Kingdom of Alearia— a magical world of wonder brought to life through the trials and tribulations of its royal family. In this book you’ll find love, kindness, betrayal, death, and the ultimate sacrifice. Mason developed strong characters and relationships, allowing you to delve into the minds of each and every one. One of the most lovely things is the moral compassing showcased in this book." Chloe Hodge, Author⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book had me hooked from the first page – I loved it! Highly recommended read.” Instagram Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow! What a wonderful ending to a beautiful trilogy. The world building is great, the characters beautifully developed and the story tugs at your heartstrings at every level. There’s passion, anger, vengeance and all out war wrapped in a tale of loyalty, duty, trust and unwavering love. You can’t help but be invested in the story and laugh, cry, cheer and pray for everything to turn out all right. Read the whole series. You will love it, I assure you." Cassidy Reyne, Author⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Mason’s evocative writing instantly drew me in and I was hooked from the very first page. Her descriptive language seems so effortless and perfectly describes the characters and world. As usual, Mason destroyed me at the conclusion of this book and I am not quite sure if I can forgive her just yet. However, after the utter destruction of my heart, the epilogue was so tender it concluded this series perfectly. I suppose that speaks to the skill in her writing that one can feel so deeply for fictional characters. ” Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved it. From the very first page I was hooked. I could hardly put it down. I cried, so so much, but absolutely loved it. If you haven't read this series yet then you need to.” Goodreads Reviewer
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2019
4 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 12, 2019
See this full review along with others on my blog at: foalsfictionandfiligree.com
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much, Nattie!
Content Warning: Death, Murder, Attempted Rape.
The Crowning: Book 1 is the first installment in a three-book series. Siblings of the royal family of Alearia, bestowed with magical powers, must compete with one another to prove which will become the next heir to the throne. Alexander, Agnus, Alecia, and Anastasia have been training their entire life for this opportunity. One is the definite favorite, while another is looked over for her weaker abilities. Neglect and favoritism can only lead to one thing--jealousy. With an ability discovered, the tables are turned. People are sabotaged and secrets are uncovered. Set in a Medieval realm, Aleria awaits its next ruler.
I genuinely liked the concept of the plot. It was like a mix between the Three Dark Crown series, and the Heroes television show. I especially enjoyed learning about the different abilities, and what set them apart from the next (my personal favorite being the wind whisperer.) Fire wielders, sages, and the like, all have their place and purpose. These characters and their abilities gave this story and undeniable attractiveness.
The writing itself was a bit too formal and didn’t flow as much as I would like. Instead of being shown aspects of the plot, the reader is more or less told how they are. While I appreciated the author trying to tell the story from so many different character’s perspective, it was difficult to get to know the characters themselves utilizing this technique. Furthermore, the use of names all starting with the letter “A” may be confusing for some readers. I personally, didn’t find it very difficult to follow, but it could pose an issue for others.
Another aspect about the story that I wished would have been fleshed out more was the world building. While there is some information divulged, I felt that a lot was simply left out. While the story of the characters flourished, the setting remained flat and ambiguous. Anytime there are knights present, well, anywhere, I want as much detail as possible for the setting and era!
All-in-all, this was a decent read. I would have liked more suspense and overall chance to get to know the characters more intimately. The ending was a bit obvious as well, but also necessary. I’m curious to see where this story will lead, and how the characters will settle into their budding roles.
Vulgarity: Little to none.
Sexual content: There is one scene where a character (I won’t name names for spoiler sake) encounters some men in the woods, and one tries to take advantage of her.
Violence: Minimal, without gore.
My Rating: ★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much, Nattie!
”Magic is the happiness that we create when we give ourselves permission to follow our dreams.”
Content Warning: Death, Murder, Attempted Rape.
The Crowning: Book 1 is the first installment in a three-book series. Siblings of the royal family of Alearia, bestowed with magical powers, must compete with one another to prove which will become the next heir to the throne. Alexander, Agnus, Alecia, and Anastasia have been training their entire life for this opportunity. One is the definite favorite, while another is looked over for her weaker abilities. Neglect and favoritism can only lead to one thing--jealousy. With an ability discovered, the tables are turned. People are sabotaged and secrets are uncovered. Set in a Medieval realm, Aleria awaits its next ruler.
I genuinely liked the concept of the plot. It was like a mix between the Three Dark Crown series, and the Heroes television show. I especially enjoyed learning about the different abilities, and what set them apart from the next (my personal favorite being the wind whisperer.) Fire wielders, sages, and the like, all have their place and purpose. These characters and their abilities gave this story and undeniable attractiveness.
The writing itself was a bit too formal and didn’t flow as much as I would like. Instead of being shown aspects of the plot, the reader is more or less told how they are. While I appreciated the author trying to tell the story from so many different character’s perspective, it was difficult to get to know the characters themselves utilizing this technique. Furthermore, the use of names all starting with the letter “A” may be confusing for some readers. I personally, didn’t find it very difficult to follow, but it could pose an issue for others.
Another aspect about the story that I wished would have been fleshed out more was the world building. While there is some information divulged, I felt that a lot was simply left out. While the story of the characters flourished, the setting remained flat and ambiguous. Anytime there are knights present, well, anywhere, I want as much detail as possible for the setting and era!
All-in-all, this was a decent read. I would have liked more suspense and overall chance to get to know the characters more intimately. The ending was a bit obvious as well, but also necessary. I’m curious to see where this story will lead, and how the characters will settle into their budding roles.
Vulgarity: Little to none.
Sexual content: There is one scene where a character (I won’t name names for spoiler sake) encounters some men in the woods, and one tries to take advantage of her.
Violence: Minimal, without gore.
My Rating: ★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
September 4, 2019
Originally posted on The Nerd Daily | Review by Suya Chry
Why should you read The Crowning?
Magic? Check.
Sibling rivalry? Check.
Fight for the throne? Check.
Anonymous evil growing in the castle? Check.
‘Magic is the happiness that we create when we give ourselves permission to follow our dreams’.
In this magical debut by the indie author Nattie Kate Mason, the enchanting kingdom of Alearia awaits its next ruler. The royal prince and princesses, weak prophetic Agnes, the shape-shifting Alexander, and the fire wielders, Alecia and Anastasia train hard to participate in the heir crowning ceremony, which is to take place on Princess Anastasia’s sixteenth birthday. The potential heirs will display their giftings and leadership skills and the winner would be crowned heir to Alearia.
When the prince Alexander is anonymously murdered, an unease spreads, followed by the magical disease that take away citizens’ giftings. But the three sisters still train hard and well for the upcoming competition. But the question remains: who will be the future Queen of Alearia?
Far away, untainted by the growing atrocities in the castle, Queen Amealina’s secret child and Anastasia’s twin, Annalyse grows up with her mentor and the Queen’s best friend, Lilliana, providing help in healing the people of Lavender Grove. Annie, in my opinion was the best character, with morals and values, putting others before herself, of the utmost helping nature.
‘For this is who I am, an orphan, healers apprentice, sage and a granddaughter in spirit, to my inspiring mentor, and I will own my identity.’
The Crowning successfully displays a complex relationship amongst the siblings and the royal family. It was enjoyable to see Anastasia and Alecia loving each other, still knowing that they would compete for the crown. As for Agnes, she’s the assumed weak sibling and she is bullied by her family. The storyline shows how that affected her and how it led her to darkness. Growing up with weak powers and almost never thought by anyone that she would ever become queen, she made up her mind to do just that. Even the King and Queen would sometimes neglect her, and this abuse affects her in the bad way and she uses her powers the wrong way.
‘I will become Queen, and nothing will get in my way.’
The Queen Mother’s love and grief for her children was another interesting thing in the novel. The prologue shows the story some 15 years ago before the actual plotline, when Queen Amealina is gifted with the twin princesses, Anastasia and Annalyse, only for her happiness to be broken down due to her prophetic vision, warning her that a twelve-year-old Annalyse would be betrayed and killed in the castle. This had her give her beloved child to Lilliana, who took her away from the castle, raising her as a healer among common people. ‘Both a gift and a curse,’ Amealina called her prophetic gifting.
Although the writing style seems a bit too formal, thus leading to some dull moments, the plotline is well done and the ending is a shock. There is too much respect and prose in the book, which made me feel like I was reading a history book, rather than experiencing a completely new world. In addition, set in the period that felt medieval and not of this time, certain words and phrases did not seem to fit in correctly. There is also a lack of romance, and I, being the hopeless romantic, felt that romance could have played more of a role to make the story more interesting. I would have loved to see Annie or Anastasia being in love with someone else and not just their family and kingdom. Sometimes the story feels obvious with the righteous and kingdom-serving royals, fighting only one villain.
However, if you enjoy royal families and their problems, a competition for the throne, princes and princesses squabbling, royal parents immense love for their children, multiple point of views, and olden days without technology, I would definitely recommend this book to you. It is a great work done, the ending was a blast and I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel.
Why should you read The Crowning?
Magic? Check.
Sibling rivalry? Check.
Fight for the throne? Check.
Anonymous evil growing in the castle? Check.
‘Magic is the happiness that we create when we give ourselves permission to follow our dreams’.
In this magical debut by the indie author Nattie Kate Mason, the enchanting kingdom of Alearia awaits its next ruler. The royal prince and princesses, weak prophetic Agnes, the shape-shifting Alexander, and the fire wielders, Alecia and Anastasia train hard to participate in the heir crowning ceremony, which is to take place on Princess Anastasia’s sixteenth birthday. The potential heirs will display their giftings and leadership skills and the winner would be crowned heir to Alearia.
When the prince Alexander is anonymously murdered, an unease spreads, followed by the magical disease that take away citizens’ giftings. But the three sisters still train hard and well for the upcoming competition. But the question remains: who will be the future Queen of Alearia?
Far away, untainted by the growing atrocities in the castle, Queen Amealina’s secret child and Anastasia’s twin, Annalyse grows up with her mentor and the Queen’s best friend, Lilliana, providing help in healing the people of Lavender Grove. Annie, in my opinion was the best character, with morals and values, putting others before herself, of the utmost helping nature.
‘For this is who I am, an orphan, healers apprentice, sage and a granddaughter in spirit, to my inspiring mentor, and I will own my identity.’
The Crowning successfully displays a complex relationship amongst the siblings and the royal family. It was enjoyable to see Anastasia and Alecia loving each other, still knowing that they would compete for the crown. As for Agnes, she’s the assumed weak sibling and she is bullied by her family. The storyline shows how that affected her and how it led her to darkness. Growing up with weak powers and almost never thought by anyone that she would ever become queen, she made up her mind to do just that. Even the King and Queen would sometimes neglect her, and this abuse affects her in the bad way and she uses her powers the wrong way.
‘I will become Queen, and nothing will get in my way.’
The Queen Mother’s love and grief for her children was another interesting thing in the novel. The prologue shows the story some 15 years ago before the actual plotline, when Queen Amealina is gifted with the twin princesses, Anastasia and Annalyse, only for her happiness to be broken down due to her prophetic vision, warning her that a twelve-year-old Annalyse would be betrayed and killed in the castle. This had her give her beloved child to Lilliana, who took her away from the castle, raising her as a healer among common people. ‘Both a gift and a curse,’ Amealina called her prophetic gifting.
Although the writing style seems a bit too formal, thus leading to some dull moments, the plotline is well done and the ending is a shock. There is too much respect and prose in the book, which made me feel like I was reading a history book, rather than experiencing a completely new world. In addition, set in the period that felt medieval and not of this time, certain words and phrases did not seem to fit in correctly. There is also a lack of romance, and I, being the hopeless romantic, felt that romance could have played more of a role to make the story more interesting. I would have loved to see Annie or Anastasia being in love with someone else and not just their family and kingdom. Sometimes the story feels obvious with the righteous and kingdom-serving royals, fighting only one villain.
However, if you enjoy royal families and their problems, a competition for the throne, princes and princesses squabbling, royal parents immense love for their children, multiple point of views, and olden days without technology, I would definitely recommend this book to you. It is a great work done, the ending was a blast and I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel.
February 25, 2019
I was so excited when I got this book before the release date. The chance to support and read a Perth author had me squealing. Being from Perth myself, a huge reader and someone who dabbles in writing, I felt like I needed to support Nat. And boy am I glad I did.
I’ll be the first to say this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But it was definitely mine. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I loved the idea behind the Kingdom of Alearia and that the next heir wasn’t the oldest, but the strongest/worthiest.
My favourite thing about this story is the siblings and their love/rivalry. I can relate to this so much, having a sister of my own! I love her to bits but we do get very competitive, even in our 20’s!
While I was reading this I couldn’t help thinking that this was a story I’d love to read to my kids one day when I have them! The lessons/views I felt coming from it are so important to me. And I’m sure being a mother herself, she probably had this in mind.
Thank you Nat for a story I enjoyed thoroughly. I hope everyone else loves it as much as I did.
I’ll be the first to say this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But it was definitely mine. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I loved the idea behind the Kingdom of Alearia and that the next heir wasn’t the oldest, but the strongest/worthiest.
My favourite thing about this story is the siblings and their love/rivalry. I can relate to this so much, having a sister of my own! I love her to bits but we do get very competitive, even in our 20’s!
While I was reading this I couldn’t help thinking that this was a story I’d love to read to my kids one day when I have them! The lessons/views I felt coming from it are so important to me. And I’m sure being a mother herself, she probably had this in mind.
Thank you Nat for a story I enjoyed thoroughly. I hope everyone else loves it as much as I did.
February 12, 2019
I was sent the ebook ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this one, it is a debut novel by an Australian author. I loved the premise of the story and I didnt feel like I was reading a similar story to anything I have read previously.
I liked the idea of it not necessarily being the eldest Princess who is the heir to the throne and it has an interesting take on deciding who it will be.
I loved the characters in the book, especially Annie and the Queen. I liked the relationships between the characters and that it explored that not all families get along. It was also good to see the author exploring the struggles that the characters faced and how they overcame them.
I also really enjoyed the different giftings that the characters have, my favourite being the fire weilders. I am looking forward to seeing how the giftings develop in the next book.
It does have a number of points of view which I know some people are not a fan of but I for one liked it and felt that it told the story well. I would love to see some more world building in future books as there was not alot of it in this first book.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, I am interested to see where the story goes and what happens to the characters.
I really enjoyed reading this one, it is a debut novel by an Australian author. I loved the premise of the story and I didnt feel like I was reading a similar story to anything I have read previously.
I liked the idea of it not necessarily being the eldest Princess who is the heir to the throne and it has an interesting take on deciding who it will be.
I loved the characters in the book, especially Annie and the Queen. I liked the relationships between the characters and that it explored that not all families get along. It was also good to see the author exploring the struggles that the characters faced and how they overcame them.
I also really enjoyed the different giftings that the characters have, my favourite being the fire weilders. I am looking forward to seeing how the giftings develop in the next book.
It does have a number of points of view which I know some people are not a fan of but I for one liked it and felt that it told the story well. I would love to see some more world building in future books as there was not alot of it in this first book.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, I am interested to see where the story goes and what happens to the characters.
February 12, 2019
I received this gorgeous book as an ARC and loved every bit!!! There is betrayal, magic, death and so much more! I recommend this book to people who are fans of royal betrayal and magic! It wasn’t like any book I have read in the past. The idea of competing for the throne was a definite win for me. Annie was such a lovable character and her and Lilianna’s relationship was one of my favourite things about the book. Definitely worth reading! I can’t wait for book 2!!! I love Queen Amealiana and I would love to know what happens in book 2!!! The ending of book 1 left me with questions!!! Good job Nattie!!
April 20, 2019
I was fortunate to receive a signed copy of this beautiful book from the author herself!
Being Perth based & a small business operator, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read, review and support a local author.
This book broke a 2 month reading drought that I was in the middle of.
The storyline is engaging, interesting and it's easy to read.
A fast paced story line offering the right amount of emotional investment into the world and characters Nattie has created.
I loved every moment of the story and found myself thinking of the characters and story when life got in the way of me reading lol
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical and royal storylines.
I am looking forward to book 2!
Being Perth based & a small business operator, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read, review and support a local author.
This book broke a 2 month reading drought that I was in the middle of.
The storyline is engaging, interesting and it's easy to read.
A fast paced story line offering the right amount of emotional investment into the world and characters Nattie has created.
I loved every moment of the story and found myself thinking of the characters and story when life got in the way of me reading lol
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical and royal storylines.
I am looking forward to book 2!
February 13, 2019
In the Kingdom of Aleria, only one may be crowned heir.
Queen Amealiana has four children, each possessing their own magical gift. There's her shape-shifting son, Alexander, fire wielders Alecia and Anastasia, and Agnes, who possesses a weak prophetic ability. Upon Anastasia's sixteenth birthday, the prince and princesses must begin a competition in which they must showcase their abilities and leadership skills, the winner will be named heir to the throne of Aleria.
However, what the siblings don't know is that there is a secret fourth princess, Annalyse, who was hidden away immediately after her birth, when a prophecy was made suggesting that she would meet an early death.
With Annalyse's impending return, the competition is sure to heat up. How far will the prince and princesses go in order to win the throne?
Initially, The Crowning gave me some serious Three Dark Crowns vibes. However, I quickly realised that this story is far lighter and more wholesome. Though one sibling is ruthless in her pursuit of the throne, there's a lot of kindness and love between the others. Annalyse in particular is a gentle character, full to the brim with compassion. There are some scents between her and another character which were just so sweet that I almost teared up!
The Crowning is quite a character driven story, and we get to know the various members of the royal family quite well through alternating perspectives. Ultimately, I'd say the well written characters were my favourite thing about this book. I also enjoyed the lavish descriptions of their outfits.
However, I do wish we got to know a bit more about Aleria itself. I was quite curious about the system of magic, and would love to have read more about how magic works in the kingdom!
I was sent an eARC of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Queen Amealiana has four children, each possessing their own magical gift. There's her shape-shifting son, Alexander, fire wielders Alecia and Anastasia, and Agnes, who possesses a weak prophetic ability. Upon Anastasia's sixteenth birthday, the prince and princesses must begin a competition in which they must showcase their abilities and leadership skills, the winner will be named heir to the throne of Aleria.
However, what the siblings don't know is that there is a secret fourth princess, Annalyse, who was hidden away immediately after her birth, when a prophecy was made suggesting that she would meet an early death.
With Annalyse's impending return, the competition is sure to heat up. How far will the prince and princesses go in order to win the throne?
Initially, The Crowning gave me some serious Three Dark Crowns vibes. However, I quickly realised that this story is far lighter and more wholesome. Though one sibling is ruthless in her pursuit of the throne, there's a lot of kindness and love between the others. Annalyse in particular is a gentle character, full to the brim with compassion. There are some scents between her and another character which were just so sweet that I almost teared up!
The Crowning is quite a character driven story, and we get to know the various members of the royal family quite well through alternating perspectives. Ultimately, I'd say the well written characters were my favourite thing about this book. I also enjoyed the lavish descriptions of their outfits.
However, I do wish we got to know a bit more about Aleria itself. I was quite curious about the system of magic, and would love to have read more about how magic works in the kingdom!
I was sent an eARC of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2021
The book is centered on the royal family and the siblings all preparing to compete in the crowning ceremony to determine who would be awarded the title of ‘heir’ to one day rule the land of Alearia.
I loved the premise of the story and the idea of each of them having a ‘gifting’ (a magical power) and that the land was full of power with giftings of varying types and strengths. The different powers were interesting to read about and how they affected each character differently. The book was written with multiple POVs from the different princesses as well as the Queen and the occasional other POV. I enjoyed this style of writing and it was great to get an insight into each princess and how they thought/ what kind of people they were. I especially liked that we got the Queen’s POV regularly as it’s less skewed than any of the sisters, so that was a great addition.
The character of Anastasia was a great way for the author to represent mental health, showing us a character can be strong even when they have a complex relationship with anxiety, trauma, and grief. I thought the author handled this very well and showed us a strong character we can love, that also struggles with a lot of problems we also struggle with. I loved seeing this represented and I look forward to seeing more of this in the following books.
The story flowed well, and each scene brought us something new and interesting to read, either to further the plot or to build up the characters and show us what they were getting up to in secret. It was easy to read however, whilst the writing was good, it was quite formal, especially in the dialogue. This didn’t detract from the story and it was still easy to read but it just felt as though it would have been better if the writing had been a bit more relaxed.
The only other thing I would say is that it was a bit confusing that all of the characters had very similar names – Alecia, Anastasia, Analyse (x2), Amealiana, and Agnes - I understand that this was probably done to show them connected as a family but this was rather confusing to start with, as we get sections from each of their POVs. It would have made it a bit easier to keep them all separate if there were more differentiation in names but once I got used to it then it wasn’t a problem.
Overall, it was a great story with a dynamic cast of characters, each with its own stories and desires. I was very happy with how it ended and am very intrigued to see what happens in the next books based on the events that ended this one! The story gave us great pacing, a good mix of action/ intrigue as well as a good amount of character growth and development.
I loved the premise of the story and the idea of each of them having a ‘gifting’ (a magical power) and that the land was full of power with giftings of varying types and strengths. The different powers were interesting to read about and how they affected each character differently. The book was written with multiple POVs from the different princesses as well as the Queen and the occasional other POV. I enjoyed this style of writing and it was great to get an insight into each princess and how they thought/ what kind of people they were. I especially liked that we got the Queen’s POV regularly as it’s less skewed than any of the sisters, so that was a great addition.
The character of Anastasia was a great way for the author to represent mental health, showing us a character can be strong even when they have a complex relationship with anxiety, trauma, and grief. I thought the author handled this very well and showed us a strong character we can love, that also struggles with a lot of problems we also struggle with. I loved seeing this represented and I look forward to seeing more of this in the following books.
The story flowed well, and each scene brought us something new and interesting to read, either to further the plot or to build up the characters and show us what they were getting up to in secret. It was easy to read however, whilst the writing was good, it was quite formal, especially in the dialogue. This didn’t detract from the story and it was still easy to read but it just felt as though it would have been better if the writing had been a bit more relaxed.
The only other thing I would say is that it was a bit confusing that all of the characters had very similar names – Alecia, Anastasia, Analyse (x2), Amealiana, and Agnes - I understand that this was probably done to show them connected as a family but this was rather confusing to start with, as we get sections from each of their POVs. It would have made it a bit easier to keep them all separate if there were more differentiation in names but once I got used to it then it wasn’t a problem.
Overall, it was a great story with a dynamic cast of characters, each with its own stories and desires. I was very happy with how it ended and am very intrigued to see what happens in the next books based on the events that ended this one! The story gave us great pacing, a good mix of action/ intrigue as well as a good amount of character growth and development.
February 12, 2019
"The Crowning" is the first book by Nattie Kate Mason.
(I am so glad you sent me your book🧡)
This story is about the Kingdom of Alearia which people are gifted by magical skills. The story gets interesting from the very beginning. The Kingdom have to choose one of the royal children to become the Queen - King.
But who is gonna win? Who will rule the Kingdom of Alearia? And at what price?
A story full of interesting parts and unexpected turns to get the crown.
I recommend this amazing book to everyone . You will not be disappointed!
Thank you Nattie!🧡
(I am so glad you sent me your book🧡)
This story is about the Kingdom of Alearia which people are gifted by magical skills. The story gets interesting from the very beginning. The Kingdom have to choose one of the royal children to become the Queen - King.
But who is gonna win? Who will rule the Kingdom of Alearia? And at what price?
A story full of interesting parts and unexpected turns to get the crown.
I recommend this amazing book to everyone . You will not be disappointed!
Thank you Nattie!🧡
March 31, 2019
Well done Nattie. What a great read for your first book and leaving us a little teaser making me anticipate Book 2.
I loved all the characters, especially Annie and their bonds and relationships together. Definitely a book that I am waiting for the sequel.
Like another reviewer stated I would have loved more details about the worlds and lands so you could picture it all. And for me personally there was a little too much of the characters inner monologues/talking to themselves.
But overall I really liked it, can’t wait to read the next one, so hurry and keep writing.
I loved all the characters, especially Annie and their bonds and relationships together. Definitely a book that I am waiting for the sequel.
Like another reviewer stated I would have loved more details about the worlds and lands so you could picture it all. And for me personally there was a little too much of the characters inner monologues/talking to themselves.
But overall I really liked it, can’t wait to read the next one, so hurry and keep writing.
December 15, 2019
Wow! So much love for this book.
If you are fan of royalty, add this one to your list!
I haven’t ever read anything similar to this which made me enjoy it even more!
It’s fast paced, and writing is absolutely beautiful, and shows several different perspectives.
A definite highlight was the characters! I felt they were so easy to fall in love with and get attached.
Can’t wait to get my hands on book 2
If you are fan of royalty, add this one to your list!
I haven’t ever read anything similar to this which made me enjoy it even more!
It’s fast paced, and writing is absolutely beautiful, and shows several different perspectives.
A definite highlight was the characters! I felt they were so easy to fall in love with and get attached.
Can’t wait to get my hands on book 2
April 20, 2021
The Crowning is an enchanting high-fantasy that is well-written and set in a rich, beautiful world. It follows a cast of unique, powerful female characters as they go about the important and often dangerous task of ruling a country. There is magic, mystery, and a healthy dose of villainy to boot. Perfect for readers who love formal language, royalty, and intrigue, this is an entrancing book by a talented indie author.
February 23, 2019
This was definitely nothing like I have read before! It was such a beautiful story. The characters are so loveable and you get attached so easily! The writing style was brilliant. The different perspectives is something I definitely loved as a lot of books don’t usually have more than two perspectives, so it was different and good to read multiple point of views in the book. The ending as well leaves you wanting more! I am so excited for book 2!!
February 13, 2019
Absolutely loved The Crowning!
Not my typical genre but Natties style has made me open my eyes to the world of fantasy, cannot wait for part 2!
Not my typical genre but Natties style has made me open my eyes to the world of fantasy, cannot wait for part 2!
January 11, 2020
Fantastic read. Makes me want to move to Alearia and discover my own gift. I loved the characters. I cant even find the words to describe how amazing this book is.
March 15, 2019
This a wonderful story fantasy story set in the Kingdom of Aleria where ascension to the throne is determined by which potential heir will best serve the people. There’s royal intrigue, sibling rivalry, murder, magic and mind control all wrapped up in an exciting, well written tale which will hold you enthralled from start to finish. A great read which I highly recommend!
February 12, 2019
The Crowning Book 1 By: Nattie Kate Mason
*SPOILERS*
Being a first time author is never easy. Putting your heart and soul into your writing craft and then tossing it out into the wild sea of critics and reviewers is a testament of bravery and vulnerability. So, let’s dig in and talk about The Crowning.
Honestly one of my favorite chapters is the prologue. This medieval tale begins with so many questions that I can’t wait to see answered. From there on the plot flows well, creating a nice-to-read kind of story. Although there are some time period discrepancies and modern language, you get the feel of being in a land full of knights, kings, queens, castles and magic.
The characters are fun to get to know and although most of the exposition in divulged through inner thoughts and monologues, it’s still easy to see the personalities shine through. I personally wish there were a few more male roles and and sad that Alexander died so quickly! But the characters that were there were fun to get to know.
I enjoyed seeing all the types of powers and gifts, and how different characters represented and correlated to problems and feelings that we all still have today: Anxiety, jealousy, sibling rivalry, relationships and so much more.
What do I wish from this author the next time around? More. I love the people, world, relationships and gifts Mason has created, I just want more. Whereas she has a very bard-like way of telling stories, I wish in the future to be SHOWN the stories instead of TOLD them. I want to feel the emotions and experiences of the characters instead of seeing it in their thoughts. I wish there was more description about the mysterious kingdom of Aleria. I want to know the history and the wars and the temples of the goddess. I love what she has created I. Just. Want. More.
*SPOILERS*
Being a first time author is never easy. Putting your heart and soul into your writing craft and then tossing it out into the wild sea of critics and reviewers is a testament of bravery and vulnerability. So, let’s dig in and talk about The Crowning.
Honestly one of my favorite chapters is the prologue. This medieval tale begins with so many questions that I can’t wait to see answered. From there on the plot flows well, creating a nice-to-read kind of story. Although there are some time period discrepancies and modern language, you get the feel of being in a land full of knights, kings, queens, castles and magic.
The characters are fun to get to know and although most of the exposition in divulged through inner thoughts and monologues, it’s still easy to see the personalities shine through. I personally wish there were a few more male roles and and sad that Alexander died so quickly! But the characters that were there were fun to get to know.
I enjoyed seeing all the types of powers and gifts, and how different characters represented and correlated to problems and feelings that we all still have today: Anxiety, jealousy, sibling rivalry, relationships and so much more.
What do I wish from this author the next time around? More. I love the people, world, relationships and gifts Mason has created, I just want more. Whereas she has a very bard-like way of telling stories, I wish in the future to be SHOWN the stories instead of TOLD them. I want to feel the emotions and experiences of the characters instead of seeing it in their thoughts. I wish there was more description about the mysterious kingdom of Aleria. I want to know the history and the wars and the temples of the goddess. I love what she has created I. Just. Want. More.
December 2, 2019
‘The Crowning’ is from the multiple POVs of the female royalty (the Queen and her Princesses) of Alearia. As the crowning, which are challenges that will determine who the successor of the kingdom will be, nears, the royals must also deal with their people lossing their gift under mysterious circumstances.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t hold my interest. The plot idea and concept itself were intriguing, however clumsily executed. The dialogue missed the mark of ‘Queen’s English’ or posh speak and went straight to unnatural. The copious dialogue tags and adverbs were unnecessary and very disruptive. The novel was overwhelmed with tautology, e.g. ‘bowed respectfully’ (a bow it is an act of respect). The characters were very poorly brought to life. This was due to a number of reasons;
- The author telling the readers everything instead of showing, e.g. we are told the King and Queen love each other very much. Yet, we are shown no affectionate actions between the royal couple and the King was quick to accuse the Queen of treason (which, to me, shows a lack of love and trust for the Queen).
- The characters (especially the King and Agnes) were prone to melodrama and forced actions.
- All the characters movements are described in the same way (e.g. gracefully, elegantly, graciously). They are continually described in this way throughout the novel which was unneeded.
The disruptive flow of the story, due to tautology, overused dialogue tags and poor characterisation removed me from the story so often, I hardly felt immersed. Thus, I have no intention at this time to read the second and the third book in the series.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t hold my interest. The plot idea and concept itself were intriguing, however clumsily executed. The dialogue missed the mark of ‘Queen’s English’ or posh speak and went straight to unnatural. The copious dialogue tags and adverbs were unnecessary and very disruptive. The novel was overwhelmed with tautology, e.g. ‘bowed respectfully’ (a bow it is an act of respect). The characters were very poorly brought to life. This was due to a number of reasons;
- The author telling the readers everything instead of showing, e.g. we are told the King and Queen love each other very much. Yet, we are shown no affectionate actions between the royal couple and the King was quick to accuse the Queen of treason (which, to me, shows a lack of love and trust for the Queen).
- The characters (especially the King and Agnes) were prone to melodrama and forced actions.
- All the characters movements are described in the same way (e.g. gracefully, elegantly, graciously). They are continually described in this way throughout the novel which was unneeded.
The disruptive flow of the story, due to tautology, overused dialogue tags and poor characterisation removed me from the story so often, I hardly felt immersed. Thus, I have no intention at this time to read the second and the third book in the series.
March 17, 2019
Honestly, I’m not sure this book was really my cup of tea. I like my books to have some form of romance in them (a couple that I can be rooting for that will play at my heartstrings) even if it’s just in the background. But because there wasn’t any in this book, I just couldn’t get into it. It seemed to be passing by so slowly for me.
•
Another thing I noticed was that it was quite repetitive. I’m not sure if the fact that the book was written in the third person point of view helped that or not, but I did find myself getting quite bored by the constant repetitive nature of the book.
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There was a cliffhanger at the end of the book that was kind of interesting though. Perhaps the second book could be better?
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I hate giving bad reviews to books but what I hate even more is being dishonest about what I thought because it doesn’t help the author to get dishonest reviews or other people who want to know about the book.
•
Who knows, maybe there are people out there who like this kind of book? I just know that it wasn’t for me.
•
Another thing I noticed was that it was quite repetitive. I’m not sure if the fact that the book was written in the third person point of view helped that or not, but I did find myself getting quite bored by the constant repetitive nature of the book.
•
There was a cliffhanger at the end of the book that was kind of interesting though. Perhaps the second book could be better?
•
I hate giving bad reviews to books but what I hate even more is being dishonest about what I thought because it doesn’t help the author to get dishonest reviews or other people who want to know about the book.
•
Who knows, maybe there are people out there who like this kind of book? I just know that it wasn’t for me.
June 2, 2020
I loved how this book had no romance. I’m so over fantasies being focused on romance. But I had so many issues with it unfortunately.
I’m aware it’s a debut hence I’m giving it three stars but I really struggled with the writing style. It’s very literal and there is no sense of characters developing. The author states everything that is happening without actually showing how it does, as someone mentioned in another review, she says the king and queen love each other but this is not shown. There is no assuming things, we are told everything. I also didn’t like how the characters names are in every single sentence and every single time there was dialogue, there was a mention of so and so said, when it didn’t need to have how they said it. It felt a bit forced and didn’t flow as well as it could.
The ideas were great though of the world (but 0 world building) and the different powers. I want more character development. I know Annie is caring, Anastasia is anxious but I needed evidence of this to believe it.
I will still pick up the second book eventually to see where it goes and if the writing is easier to follow.
I’m aware it’s a debut hence I’m giving it three stars but I really struggled with the writing style. It’s very literal and there is no sense of characters developing. The author states everything that is happening without actually showing how it does, as someone mentioned in another review, she says the king and queen love each other but this is not shown. There is no assuming things, we are told everything. I also didn’t like how the characters names are in every single sentence and every single time there was dialogue, there was a mention of so and so said, when it didn’t need to have how they said it. It felt a bit forced and didn’t flow as well as it could.
The ideas were great though of the world (but 0 world building) and the different powers. I want more character development. I know Annie is caring, Anastasia is anxious but I needed evidence of this to believe it.
I will still pick up the second book eventually to see where it goes and if the writing is easier to follow.
February 26, 2019
The Kingdom of Aleria— a magical world of wonder brought to life through the trials and tribulations of its royal family. In this book you’ll find love, kindness, betrayal, death, and the ultimate sacrifice. Mason developed strong characters and relationships, allowing you to delve into the minds of each and every one. One of the most lovely things is the moral compassing showcased in this book. Very heroic (or not so much ;) for some characters) The idea behind unique magical properties being gifted to individuals is an interesting concept, and plays a pivotal role in the competition to be crowned King or Queen.
Usually I am not a fan of chapters changing character to character but Mason makes it work well. My only constructive criticism would be the world building. It sounds like a fantastic place to live but I wish I had a better concept of it!
Overall, the story left me very intrigued and I am very excited to read Book Two!!
Thanks Nattie for the pre-order! Xx
Usually I am not a fan of chapters changing character to character but Mason makes it work well. My only constructive criticism would be the world building. It sounds like a fantastic place to live but I wish I had a better concept of it!
Overall, the story left me very intrigued and I am very excited to read Book Two!!
Thanks Nattie for the pre-order! Xx
February 22, 2020
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book.
The setting and characters weren't over explained, but there was still enough detail that I was able to vividly picture everything in my head. At times I felt like I was watching a movie! The story progressed incredibly fast, and I really appreciated that there weren't any tedious backstories. We got to know the characters and their stories organically throughout the book.
I especially enjoyed how different all the characters were. Each was presented as both flawed and strong in unique ways, and I definitely felt empowered by seeing Anastasia use her struggles with Anxiety as a strength.
I was also surprised by how unpredictable this book was. There were a few times I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen, but boy was a wrong.
I recommend making sure you have book 2 at the ready, because you will want to continue the story immediately!
PS. Can someone develop a "What's your Alearian gifting" quiz? I need to know!
The setting and characters weren't over explained, but there was still enough detail that I was able to vividly picture everything in my head. At times I felt like I was watching a movie! The story progressed incredibly fast, and I really appreciated that there weren't any tedious backstories. We got to know the characters and their stories organically throughout the book.
I especially enjoyed how different all the characters were. Each was presented as both flawed and strong in unique ways, and I definitely felt empowered by seeing Anastasia use her struggles with Anxiety as a strength.
I was also surprised by how unpredictable this book was. There were a few times I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen, but boy was a wrong.
I recommend making sure you have book 2 at the ready, because you will want to continue the story immediately!
PS. Can someone develop a "What's your Alearian gifting" quiz? I need to know!
October 29, 2020
💫💫💫💫
Nattie Kate Mason’s first book in her debut The Crowning sets a magical world that grabs you from page one.
I really love prologues in books, especially when they help to give you a sense of what the characters are going to go up against and the prologue in this book does just that! (And also gives you the feels). The aspect I enjoyed the most about this book, is that way that Nattie highlights the bond between family and her representation of anxiety.
This book is very female based, women supporting women, and family supporting family.
But the magic! Ahhh, magic!!! I have an instant like for books that contain magic, as it often adds another element for the characters to overcome. The magic in this book is unique, not only are there the classic elementals but also magic that includes shape-shifting and telepathic.
I highly recommend this series for people who want to keep guessing what the hidden story is, and love the concept of family values.
Nattie Kate Mason’s first book in her debut The Crowning sets a magical world that grabs you from page one.
I really love prologues in books, especially when they help to give you a sense of what the characters are going to go up against and the prologue in this book does just that! (And also gives you the feels). The aspect I enjoyed the most about this book, is that way that Nattie highlights the bond between family and her representation of anxiety.
This book is very female based, women supporting women, and family supporting family.
But the magic! Ahhh, magic!!! I have an instant like for books that contain magic, as it often adds another element for the characters to overcome. The magic in this book is unique, not only are there the classic elementals but also magic that includes shape-shifting and telepathic.
I highly recommend this series for people who want to keep guessing what the hidden story is, and love the concept of family values.
July 24, 2021
I can say I’m definitely glad I picked this book up!
From the very beginning I was really intrigued and super excited to see what was going to happen throughout this book
The storyline really kept you hooked, and the writing style was very easy to read and understand. Not once was I ever confused by what was happening
I do however wish there was more world building, would have loved to explore more of the world
Annie was such an adorable loving character, definitely a favourite of mine. You couldn’t help but have strong feelings for all the characters, even hate 😂 but that’s what made me love this book even more, I loved having those feelings for all these characters.
Some moments in this book definitely were very sad as well! So be warned you could get a bit teary at times.
When you get towards the end of the book it was a bit predictable as to what was going to happen, but I definitely wasn’t disappointed with what happened, it’s still got me excited to get to book 2!
Nattie Kate Mason is now definitely and auto buy author for me ❤️
From the very beginning I was really intrigued and super excited to see what was going to happen throughout this book
The storyline really kept you hooked, and the writing style was very easy to read and understand. Not once was I ever confused by what was happening
I do however wish there was more world building, would have loved to explore more of the world
Annie was such an adorable loving character, definitely a favourite of mine. You couldn’t help but have strong feelings for all the characters, even hate 😂 but that’s what made me love this book even more, I loved having those feelings for all these characters.
Some moments in this book definitely were very sad as well! So be warned you could get a bit teary at times.
When you get towards the end of the book it was a bit predictable as to what was going to happen, but I definitely wasn’t disappointed with what happened, it’s still got me excited to get to book 2!
Nattie Kate Mason is now definitely and auto buy author for me ❤️
March 12, 2020
Hmm, not sure how to go about this one. Let's go good points/bad points, shall we?
First of all, good points...
The world building was good, as was the magic system. The idea that magic has a price was what brought the tension, and I liked that people had different types of magical skills.
I liked the idea of the potential heirs competing for the crown rather than the usual first-born, first-in-line, and I was looking forward to how that played out.
Not-so-great points...
The narrative felt rushed and there was a lot of telling rather than showing. The internal monologues of the characters were very 'this is what I'm feeling' and it left little to the reader's imagination.
The writing style reminded me a lot of Enid Blyton and her style that she uses for her younger audience - it was very abrupt at times and instead using descriptive language that immersed the reader, it felt rather clinical, like an info-dump.
I honestly wanted to be drawn into this world, but I found that the writing style really stopped me from doing that and at times I became disinterested. I'm hoping book 2 amps it up a bit for me.
First of all, good points...
The world building was good, as was the magic system. The idea that magic has a price was what brought the tension, and I liked that people had different types of magical skills.
I liked the idea of the potential heirs competing for the crown rather than the usual first-born, first-in-line, and I was looking forward to how that played out.
Not-so-great points...
The narrative felt rushed and there was a lot of telling rather than showing. The internal monologues of the characters were very 'this is what I'm feeling' and it left little to the reader's imagination.
The writing style reminded me a lot of Enid Blyton and her style that she uses for her younger audience - it was very abrupt at times and instead using descriptive language that immersed the reader, it felt rather clinical, like an info-dump.
I honestly wanted to be drawn into this world, but I found that the writing style really stopped me from doing that and at times I became disinterested. I'm hoping book 2 amps it up a bit for me.
March 5, 2019
It has been a long time since I wanted to forgo everyday life to finish a book, but The Crowning was that book! I am eagerly awaiting the next two books!
Nattie was able to allow me to immerse myself into the Kingdoms she created, while keeping me on a rollarcoaster of emotion & surprise. Just when you think you know what will happen, the plot takes a twist. What a skill she has!
Nattie's ability to capture human nature with her words invited us to get to know & understand each of the characters. Her writing was thorough, and felt she did not leave lose ends about people or side journeys, as I sometimes find in fantasy novels.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ready fantasy regardless of their age.
Nattie was able to allow me to immerse myself into the Kingdoms she created, while keeping me on a rollarcoaster of emotion & surprise. Just when you think you know what will happen, the plot takes a twist. What a skill she has!
Nattie's ability to capture human nature with her words invited us to get to know & understand each of the characters. Her writing was thorough, and felt she did not leave lose ends about people or side journeys, as I sometimes find in fantasy novels.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ready fantasy regardless of their age.
January 14, 2020
4.50 star rounded up!
I really liked how there wasn't an overload of information in the beginning of the book and you got the information as you went, but it flowed to so naturally. I thought that was really well thought out and planned well.
I loved the natural reactions that the family had to Annie being introduced to the family as another Princess. The interactions between the characters were really well done and even though the characters are young, the writing didn't come across immature.
Even though I knew there was a book 2 and 3 coming, I thought the ending was so peaceful and I thought that was a great way to end the book, BUT then you read the epilogue and there's the ending leaving you wanting more! That was such an epic ending to the series which I absolutely loved.
I would like to see more breaks/spaces in the writing to separate a new thought so it allows the story to flow a bit better, as there were pages that were one long paragraph or only 1 or 2 breaks. Sometimes commas were placed a bit awkwardly in a sentence and appeared more broken up than needed.
I absolutely loved this book and am keen to start on book 2 and I can't wait to see what's in store for book 3!
I really liked how there wasn't an overload of information in the beginning of the book and you got the information as you went, but it flowed to so naturally. I thought that was really well thought out and planned well.
I loved the natural reactions that the family had to Annie being introduced to the family as another Princess. The interactions between the characters were really well done and even though the characters are young, the writing didn't come across immature.
Even though I knew there was a book 2 and 3 coming, I thought the ending was so peaceful and I thought that was a great way to end the book, BUT then you read the epilogue and there's the ending leaving you wanting more! That was such an epic ending to the series which I absolutely loved.
I would like to see more breaks/spaces in the writing to separate a new thought so it allows the story to flow a bit better, as there were pages that were one long paragraph or only 1 or 2 breaks. Sometimes commas were placed a bit awkwardly in a sentence and appeared more broken up than needed.
I absolutely loved this book and am keen to start on book 2 and I can't wait to see what's in store for book 3!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
Nattie creates an intriguing fantasy world where the heir to the throne isn't chosen by ascension, but by which sibling will serve the people best. The tension and conflict this creates amongst the characters is heightened by the powers they all possess, and how these powers are used for good or bad.
There's fire-wielding, mind-control, and people who can see into the future. That, and the Game of Thrones feel made it a must-read for me.
I loved the focus on mental health and felt especially connected to Anastasia ❤ I'm looking forward to seeing where Nattie takes us in the second instalment.
There's fire-wielding, mind-control, and people who can see into the future. That, and the Game of Thrones feel made it a must-read for me.
I loved the focus on mental health and felt especially connected to Anastasia ❤ I'm looking forward to seeing where Nattie takes us in the second instalment.
June 6, 2020
If you're a fan of scheming princesses, interesting and varied magic, and a healthy dose of family drama, this book may be for you! I enjoyed how Nattie differentiated the various siblings and their personalities - no easy feat given all their names start with A. The villain was particularly sympathetic and I could easily understand how and why she turned to evil. I also enjoyed final contest between the sisters. These things are usually pretty obvious, but I honestly had no idea who was going to win until right at the end. Kudos to Nattie for keeping the suspense going.
There's no serious 'adult' language or content in this book, so it would suit younger YA readers.
There's no serious 'adult' language or content in this book, so it would suit younger YA readers.
August 31, 2021
Such an interesting premise, all of the royal children vying to be named Heir. It reminds me of Tower of Dawn in that way. And the ceremony at the end reminded me of how The Hunger Games was televised with the interviews and stuff.
I found the writing was quite clunky and formal, however, and there were a lot of words but not much in the way of descriptions. I didn't feel like any of the characters had a genuine personality. And we were told very little about the kingdom outside the castle. Still, I kept at it, and the twist at the end was compelling enough to make me want to read the next one.
I found the writing was quite clunky and formal, however, and there were a lot of words but not much in the way of descriptions. I didn't feel like any of the characters had a genuine personality. And we were told very little about the kingdom outside the castle. Still, I kept at it, and the twist at the end was compelling enough to make me want to read the next one.
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