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Royal Factions #1
The Price for Peace
How do you keep fighting when you've already been claimed?
When sixteen-year-old Elise is ripped from her home and taken to the royal palace as a permanent 'guest', she thinks her life is over.
Little does she know it has only just begun…
After befriending a group of other captives, including the headstrong Will, Elise finds herself swept away to a world she never knew existed—polished, sculpted, and refined until she can hardly recognize her own reflection. She should be happy to have escaped the poverty of her former life. But she knows a dark truth.
The palace is a dream on the surface, but a nightmare underneath.
With a dwindling population, the royals have imprisoned the teenagers to marry and breed. Only seven days remain of freedom before they will be selected by a courtier and forever claimed.
Danger lurks around every corner. The only chance of escape is death.
But when the day of the claiming finally arrives…the world will never be the same.
Royal Factions
The Price for Peace – Book 1
The Cost for Surviving – Book 2
The Punishment for Deception – Book 3
Faking Perfection – Book 4
The Most Cherished – Book 5
The Strength to Endure – Book 6
When sixteen-year-old Elise is ripped from her home and taken to the royal palace as a permanent 'guest', she thinks her life is over.
Little does she know it has only just begun…
After befriending a group of other captives, including the headstrong Will, Elise finds herself swept away to a world she never knew existed—polished, sculpted, and refined until she can hardly recognize her own reflection. She should be happy to have escaped the poverty of her former life. But she knows a dark truth.
The palace is a dream on the surface, but a nightmare underneath.
With a dwindling population, the royals have imprisoned the teenagers to marry and breed. Only seven days remain of freedom before they will be selected by a courtier and forever claimed.
Danger lurks around every corner. The only chance of escape is death.
But when the day of the claiming finally arrives…the world will never be the same.
Royal Factions
The Price for Peace – Book 1
The Cost for Surviving – Book 2
The Punishment for Deception – Book 3
Faking Perfection – Book 4
The Most Cherished – Book 5
The Strength to Endure – Book 6
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2019
498 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
W.J. May
236 books1,187 followers Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.
The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.
At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.
But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.
Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child. Their house became full of more imagination and stories.
Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).
After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.
Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.
She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.
The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.
At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.
But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.
Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child. Their house became full of more imagination and stories.
Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).
After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.
Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.
She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
November 6, 2020
I finished this last night but was too tired to review. Now that I'm awake and have the time, here it goes. As you can see by my three star rating, I did actually enjoy this book. May has a clear, crisp writing style with just the right amount of languid prose to really catch your eye and make you smile. It was my favorite part of the book in all honesty. Another high point is that May really piled on tension. Elise's narration carried a palpable sense of anxiety and unknown that acted like quicksand and sucked me into the conflict.
Despite that however and my three-star rating, I can't really add this to any of my shelves other than "read". Why? Because it felt unfinished. Compelling readable as The Price for Peace was, it was short. Very short, so short in fact that it apparently is under 200 pages according to Goodreads. And because of that, I didn't feel when I was done with a book. I felt like I'd read the first act of a novel and should've had fifteen or twenty more chapters to go until the conclusion.
I may check out other works by this author though, perhaps her other works will feel more like an actual novel-length work.
Despite that however and my three-star rating, I can't really add this to any of my shelves other than "read". Why? Because it felt unfinished. Compelling readable as The Price for Peace was, it was short. Very short, so short in fact that it apparently is under 200 pages according to Goodreads. And because of that, I didn't feel when I was done with a book. I felt like I'd read the first act of a novel and should've had fifteen or twenty more chapters to go until the conclusion.
I may check out other works by this author though, perhaps her other works will feel more like an actual novel-length work.
October 6, 2020
This is a riveting story of a dystopian society, ruled by the royal family, that has become a world divided into utter wealth or abject poverty. In this world, the children of the outlying provinces are taken by soldiers of the Queen's Guard to be prepared to serve the palace or to be claimed as property of one of the ruling class. Through the years, it became apparent that there was a problem within the realm. There was a steady decline of the numbers of those living in debauchery and getting smaller with the passing of each year. By selecting the best and brightest from each of the outlying villages to come to the palace to be prepared for selection and subsequent claiming, the numbers would grow. It was considered an honor to be taken into wealth, trained and acclimated to your new home and to start a family as soon as possible. The selection process begins with the children being "stolen" from their homes, forced into heavily loaded trucks and trains to travel hours to get to the palace. Once there, the grooming starts and the descriptions of what is done to beautify each of them is both inspiring and disturbing. Elise has a groomer who appears to take great pride in her, but she doesn't know who to trust and who has an ulterior motive. When the crown prince shows interest in her at the first royal presentation, she is disturbed because of the stories of his depravity and the cold eyes that stared into hers. The friendships that formed along the journey are heartwarming and heartbreaking. This story is so well-written that I felt that I was on that journey with them. I could feel the love among the new friends, as well as the fear of the unknown. They soon find that they are living a nightmare in this supposed place of beauty and power where things are not necessarily what they seem. And the prince! Each interaction with the prince throws Elise a little off kilter and the ending is a great twist! The cliffhanger is perfectly placed and the next book can't possibly come soon enough!
Graham Mack does a tremendous job with the narration giving the characters their own voice and personality. He has a dynamic voice with just the right amount of inflection and timbre. Well done!
Graham Mack does a tremendous job with the narration giving the characters their own voice and personality. He has a dynamic voice with just the right amount of inflection and timbre. Well done!
March 2, 2022
Short and sweet this one.
Sometimes you just need something with a good plot and easy to pick up and read.
I like the concept of this one and I’m excited to see where the rest of the story goes.
Only thing I will say is it probably could’ve been a duology or trilogy. I think it’s 6 really small books instead.
Sometimes you just need something with a good plot and easy to pick up and read.
I like the concept of this one and I’m excited to see where the rest of the story goes.
Only thing I will say is it probably could’ve been a duology or trilogy. I think it’s 6 really small books instead.
March 11, 2020
What a story. Elise is brought to the Palace to live. It’s not exactly what she wants in life. An extremely strong character that will figure things out. Enjoyable.
June 4, 2021
Honestly, if I hear one more time that a character "part(s) his/her/my lips" I WILL scream. The word "stare" more than a hundred times. (I'm not exaggerating, I'm reading from a kindle and it shows how many times a word is there in a book)
The story is just described too delicately, it makes me want to break something. The main character is just weak, the ending so probable.
The way she describes the character's looks can seem to be good at first, but read it again and you won't be able to imagine WHAT she's describing. For instance, this is how she describes the crown prince.
"Ever so slowly, I lifted my chin--gazing up into a pair of black, soulless eyes. My lips parted as I stared without thinking, like I'd strayed into some kind of dream. Never in my life had I seen such a thing. There was no light in them anywhere. No difference between the iris and the center."
I think later she mentions his pale ice-blonde hair. But, really, can you actually imagine how he looks like? I can't. So while the writing might sound good when just reading, you actually can't process what you're reading.
The writing just describes everything without getting to the point of it. I feel I'm reading something that just goes around in circles, it's so dream-like. I really hate this kind of writing. Really.
The story is just described too delicately, it makes me want to break something. The main character is just weak, the ending so probable.
The way she describes the character's looks can seem to be good at first, but read it again and you won't be able to imagine WHAT she's describing. For instance, this is how she describes the crown prince.
"Ever so slowly, I lifted my chin--gazing up into a pair of black, soulless eyes. My lips parted as I stared without thinking, like I'd strayed into some kind of dream. Never in my life had I seen such a thing. There was no light in them anywhere. No difference between the iris and the center."
I think later she mentions his pale ice-blonde hair. But, really, can you actually imagine how he looks like? I can't. So while the writing might sound good when just reading, you actually can't process what you're reading.
The writing just describes everything without getting to the point of it. I feel I'm reading something that just goes around in circles, it's so dream-like. I really hate this kind of writing. Really.
June 26, 2021
I can’t believe it ended there
October 12, 2021
This book is good enough to keep going but there are some things I did not really like about the book.
The world is vague such as why is the Queen so evil and does she rule with such authority? The Claiming is not explained at all why it happens. Or why they gather all the kidnapped people to the palace. Slaves to the royals, a spouse or a royal toy. Who knows? Not explained. The description of the book explains it better than the actual story did.
I didn't like the pretense that some of the characters gave. For example the Commander, seemed like he had it out for Elise at the very beginning. Not at all.
The stares, there are a lot of stares in this book. Describing the stare and not telling you who that stare belonged to was a big one. It happened enough that it felt as if you are suppose to memorize everyone's unique stare. Or describing the stare only and then later describing the physical appearance of a person. The prince, when Elise first met him she described his stare and nothing else. The second encounter, described his outward appearance and then his stare.
Elise our main character who throughout the book seemed really compliant with the whole process but yet has these outburst of defiance that doesn't make sense.
All in all, this book is giving me just enough to keep going. I like the plot and I do wonder how this would go.
The world is vague such as why is the Queen so evil and does she rule with such authority? The Claiming is not explained at all why it happens. Or why they gather all the kidnapped people to the palace. Slaves to the royals, a spouse or a royal toy. Who knows? Not explained. The description of the book explains it better than the actual story did.
I didn't like the pretense that some of the characters gave. For example the Commander, seemed like he had it out for Elise at the very beginning. Not at all.
The stares, there are a lot of stares in this book. Describing the stare and not telling you who that stare belonged to was a big one. It happened enough that it felt as if you are suppose to memorize everyone's unique stare. Or describing the stare only and then later describing the physical appearance of a person. The prince, when Elise first met him she described his stare and nothing else. The second encounter, described his outward appearance and then his stare.
Elise our main character who throughout the book seemed really compliant with the whole process but yet has these outburst of defiance that doesn't make sense.
All in all, this book is giving me just enough to keep going. I like the plot and I do wonder how this would go.
January 31, 2024
Somewhat boring. I got major “don’t trust anyone” vibes from it, which I didn’t like. Almost like the Hunger Games, except the damage is mentally instead of physically.
December 15, 2024
Very good! I really enjoyed the series. The books were short but with the whole series written, it was similar to one long book. Beautiful covers.
Not YA. Though actually quite clean, no swearing or actual sex, there was a lot of reference to rape of men and women and the whole book was basicallyabout sex trafficking. I dont think appropriate for kids.
Not YA. Though actually quite clean, no swearing or actual sex, there was a lot of reference to rape of men and women and the whole book was basicallyabout sex trafficking. I dont think appropriate for kids.
May 5, 2022
16-year-old Elise is tending to a garden when she is whisked away by members of the royal guard. Every year, a group of young, beautiful girls and boys are rounded up and taken to the capital to be trained and acclimated to court life for "breeding purposes."
※※※
2.5 Stars
The story follows Elise through the one week they are groomed at the castle and ends right at the claiming. It was pretty short. Honestly, I don't like how people have been taking advantage of readers and cutting up their stories into short books and making long series. Like, they charge so much for a book that's only a couple hundred pages long and try to force people to buy the rest of the series. This series could have been much shorter had they given each book the much-needed editing and put 2 or 3 books together to make it a duology or trilogy. It seems like more authors are writing books just for the sake of making money rather than to tell a good story, and it disappoints me. I only got this book because it was free, and I would not suggest actually spending money on it.
Sorry about my rant. Back to the book:
The story didn't feel grounded enough, and it just didn't seem to flow smoothly. I feel like the writing just needs some polishing up. It wasn't super bad, but it wasn't particularly good. There is a lot of room for improvement.
The writing was subpar. There were way too many descriptions—and long ones at that—and it got boring pretty quickly. Too many times the author makes the mistake of running two whole sentences together with the word "then" and not adding a period or something in between. Example: "There was a quick signal then he was accosted by guards." I just think maybe a better editor could have helped make everything more cohesive and flowing.
Also, for those of you who like to know these things before you read a book: there are a lot of mentions and references to s*x and stuff. However, there weren't any swear words, as far as I can recall.
As for the characters, I really didn't like Will. He was okay and sometimes even funny and I liked him as a friend, but not as a love interest. No. As a love interest, he was kinda annoying, and I just started not liking him more and more. I also did not like the MC. She was really cocky and annoying, too, and sometimes just very blind. Her pretentious, "I'm so good and beautiful and great" attitude, probably developed because of always being told she was beautiful, continued throughout the book and never improved. She didn't become a better person by the end of the book, and I found that dissatisfying. I got frustrated with her so many times. All the characters seemed really forced and just weren't likable, especially Will and Elise. Neither of them had any qualities I admired or thought to be good models to readers, and there were times when I just couldn't help but roll my eyes at them when I was reading.
The others weren't as bad. I honestly liked the prince. Yeah, Bird paints him as a "bad guy," but I think he's more interesting of a character than the others. He has a mysterious side to him, which I like, and he proved himself to actually be smart and someone who values honesty. He even showed better character than some of the others, and I found myself rooting for him. How the book's written and what the blurbs say obviously show that it's Will who is the one who actually gets together with Elise, but I just could not root for them. Also, you can tell from the blurb of the next few books that and since figuring that out I've hated Elise and Will even more.
Despite being super predictable, this book kept me entertained enough while reading at home during my quarantine (my brother got sick. Thanks, coronavirus), but I don't think it was THAT good. I happen to have the next 2 books in the series (another bundle I got for free on Amazon), so I'll probably read at least some of them to see how the story plays out.
※※※
2.5 Stars
The story follows Elise through the one week they are groomed at the castle and ends right at the claiming. It was pretty short. Honestly, I don't like how people have been taking advantage of readers and cutting up their stories into short books and making long series. Like, they charge so much for a book that's only a couple hundred pages long and try to force people to buy the rest of the series. This series could have been much shorter had they given each book the much-needed editing and put 2 or 3 books together to make it a duology or trilogy. It seems like more authors are writing books just for the sake of making money rather than to tell a good story, and it disappoints me. I only got this book because it was free, and I would not suggest actually spending money on it.
Sorry about my rant. Back to the book:
The story didn't feel grounded enough, and it just didn't seem to flow smoothly. I feel like the writing just needs some polishing up. It wasn't super bad, but it wasn't particularly good. There is a lot of room for improvement.
The writing was subpar. There were way too many descriptions—and long ones at that—and it got boring pretty quickly. Too many times the author makes the mistake of running two whole sentences together with the word "then" and not adding a period or something in between. Example: "There was a quick signal then he was accosted by guards." I just think maybe a better editor could have helped make everything more cohesive and flowing.
Also, for those of you who like to know these things before you read a book: there are a lot of mentions and references to s*x and stuff. However, there weren't any swear words, as far as I can recall.
As for the characters, I really didn't like Will. He was okay and sometimes even funny and I liked him as a friend, but not as a love interest. No. As a love interest, he was kinda annoying, and I just started not liking him more and more. I also did not like the MC. She was really cocky and annoying, too, and sometimes just very blind. Her pretentious, "I'm so good and beautiful and great" attitude, probably developed because of always being told she was beautiful, continued throughout the book and never improved. She didn't become a better person by the end of the book, and I found that dissatisfying. I got frustrated with her so many times. All the characters seemed really forced and just weren't likable, especially Will and Elise. Neither of them had any qualities I admired or thought to be good models to readers, and there were times when I just couldn't help but roll my eyes at them when I was reading.
The others weren't as bad. I honestly liked the prince. Yeah, Bird paints him as a "bad guy," but I think he's more interesting of a character than the others. He has a mysterious side to him, which I like, and he proved himself to actually be smart and someone who values honesty. He even showed better character than some of the others, and I found myself rooting for him. How the book's written and what the blurbs say obviously show that it's Will who is the one who actually gets together with Elise, but I just could not root for them. Also, you can tell from the blurb of the next few books that and since figuring that out I've hated Elise and Will even more.
Despite being super predictable, this book kept me entertained enough while reading at home during my quarantine (my brother got sick. Thanks, coronavirus), but I don't think it was THAT good. I happen to have the next 2 books in the series (another bundle I got for free on Amazon), so I'll probably read at least some of them to see how the story plays out.
Read
March 1, 2022This book was a cross between The Hunger Games and The Selection.
The plot involves teenagers chosen from impoverished villages (districts) and taken forcibly to the city (Capitol). When they get there, they are selected by grooms and go through the beautification process. Elise is assigned to Rowan (kinda like Cinna, but without the underlying rebellious tendencies), who wants her to look beautiful for unspecified, but hardly altruistic, reasons.
The entire book covers a period of 8-9 days from when Elise is picked up in her village, to the claiming (like the selection). Candidates have a week after capture to acclimate, and be viewed before someone claims them. After the claiming, they are expected to sleep with their new owners and then bear them children. I think maybe there's an issue with fertility, but that part is really glossed over.
It goes without saying that Elise is the prettiest girl every to have been brought into the city for the claiming. On the trip, Elise meets Will, a handsome 16 year old from another village, who reads like someone who is far older than 16. When we first met him, I thought he was in his mid twenties. It was only towards the end of the book that he begins to be described as a "boy" and a "teenager." Will's is introduced to us as someone who is trying to incite a rebellion with a proud, defiant spirit that refuses to be cowed, but he fluctuates between rebellion and passivity.
The plot involves teenagers chosen from impoverished villages (districts) and taken forcibly to the city (Capitol). When they get there, they are selected by grooms and go through the beautification process. Elise is assigned to Rowan (kinda like Cinna, but without the underlying rebellious tendencies), who wants her to look beautiful for unspecified, but hardly altruistic, reasons.
The entire book covers a period of 8-9 days from when Elise is picked up in her village, to the claiming (like the selection). Candidates have a week after capture to acclimate, and be viewed before someone claims them. After the claiming, they are expected to sleep with their new owners and then bear them children. I think maybe there's an issue with fertility, but that part is really glossed over.
It goes without saying that Elise is the prettiest girl every to have been brought into the city for the claiming. On the trip, Elise meets Will, a handsome 16 year old from another village, who reads like someone who is far older than 16. When we first met him, I thought he was in his mid twenties. It was only towards the end of the book that he begins to be described as a "boy" and a "teenager." Will's is introduced to us as someone who is trying to incite a rebellion with a proud, defiant spirit that refuses to be cowed, but he fluctuates between rebellion and passivity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2020
Interesting Introduction to Elise's World
The world-building and character development are well done. By the time we finish the book, we have a good understanding of Elise and her world.
This story covers slightly more than one week. During this time, Elise and her fellow "guests" undergo a thorough change and indoctrination. This is clearly a set up for the rest of the series, but it kept my interest.
I'm curious where the plot will go.
The world-building and character development are well done. By the time we finish the book, we have a good understanding of Elise and her world.
This story covers slightly more than one week. During this time, Elise and her fellow "guests" undergo a thorough change and indoctrination. This is clearly a set up for the rest of the series, but it kept my interest.
I'm curious where the plot will go.
November 15, 2020
this book had an interesting plot idea, yet the execution was super vague, the characters weren't well fleshed out, and the whole book was less than 200 pages. It just felt very rushed, and I don't think having several books in a series is worth it, if the story has just enough plot to fill one or two books. I also completely saw the ending coming, so there was very little surprise there.
September 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I haven't felt hooked to a good story in a while so I managed this whole book in a day!
I loved the concept of this book, very Hunger Games and Divergent meets The Handmaids Tale. I would really like to see this as a film or TV series too! The story has a lot of potential to developed and expand. I loved the characters, Rowan the groom, their little 'friendship' group and I loved Will and his bond/the forbidden romance with Elise. I really enjoyed the swimming pool/grooming scene and dancing scenes too as if I could see and feel every moment.
I'm going to be honest, the beginning didn't start great. I was pretty confused and struggled to follow until chapter 3. I was confused as to what era this was based in, what kind of world it was, there's abandoned vehicles, technology and some other modern aspects but it was banned? there's mention of the rebellion, is that what caused all of this? what happened! There's also the geography side of it, "the realm" "the kingdom" "entire Realms" so is there multiple? what kind of earth is this - is this earth? I feel a little bit more background into these things and what happened would help to visualise the story and surroundings better and to be able to understand what is going on now, maybe even a little sketched map to help follow where they were going and the different districts they were from. I also struggled sometimes to imagine or visualise any of the people or the clothing, they needed a little bit more detail but eventually things improved and started to make more sense. Lastly i was also confused by how many captives there were, it kept giving mixed signals which made it hard to follow - "no fewer than thirty captives making their way towards the tracks, not counting those already on the train","maybe there are hundreds - maybe the palace is enormous, and we're meant to fill it to the brim","the quiet whisper of fifty-four frantically pounding hearts" etc, it seemed like a lot of people especially when it then describes places like the pool and the dormitory, it felt like far too many people to fit in such clustered places.
Despite sounding overly picky, i really enjoyed this book, i just got puzzled quite a few times and it seemed like the story finished before it even really got started or to the main point.
Overall, it took a minute to get started, some struggle and confusion at the beginning, but eventually, details came and it made more sense and I was able to really enjoy the story.
I would recommend and read again and I would love to know what happens next...
* "To confront the fear of something is to remove the fear itself" - Remy
* '"You're stunning" he said flatly. "The first place my eyes go whenever I walk into a room. It isn't something you can help. And it won't help you here"' - Will
I loved the concept of this book, very Hunger Games and Divergent meets The Handmaids Tale. I would really like to see this as a film or TV series too! The story has a lot of potential to developed and expand. I loved the characters, Rowan the groom, their little 'friendship' group and I loved Will and his bond/the forbidden romance with Elise. I really enjoyed the swimming pool/grooming scene and dancing scenes too as if I could see and feel every moment.
I'm going to be honest, the beginning didn't start great. I was pretty confused and struggled to follow until chapter 3. I was confused as to what era this was based in, what kind of world it was, there's abandoned vehicles, technology and some other modern aspects but it was banned? there's mention of the rebellion, is that what caused all of this? what happened! There's also the geography side of it, "the realm" "the kingdom" "entire Realms" so is there multiple? what kind of earth is this - is this earth? I feel a little bit more background into these things and what happened would help to visualise the story and surroundings better and to be able to understand what is going on now, maybe even a little sketched map to help follow where they were going and the different districts they were from. I also struggled sometimes to imagine or visualise any of the people or the clothing, they needed a little bit more detail but eventually things improved and started to make more sense. Lastly i was also confused by how many captives there were, it kept giving mixed signals which made it hard to follow - "no fewer than thirty captives making their way towards the tracks, not counting those already on the train","maybe there are hundreds - maybe the palace is enormous, and we're meant to fill it to the brim","the quiet whisper of fifty-four frantically pounding hearts" etc, it seemed like a lot of people especially when it then describes places like the pool and the dormitory, it felt like far too many people to fit in such clustered places.
Despite sounding overly picky, i really enjoyed this book, i just got puzzled quite a few times and it seemed like the story finished before it even really got started or to the main point.
Overall, it took a minute to get started, some struggle and confusion at the beginning, but eventually, details came and it made more sense and I was able to really enjoy the story.
I would recommend and read again and I would love to know what happens next...
* "To confront the fear of something is to remove the fear itself" - Remy
* '"You're stunning" he said flatly. "The first place my eyes go whenever I walk into a room. It isn't something you can help. And it won't help you here"' - Will
October 28, 2024
What did I just read?
'The Price for Peace' is W.J. May's first book in her 'Royal Factions' Series. This is the second book I've read by her. In 'The Price for Peace' we find ourselves in a land where the rich are very weathly and everyone else struggles to survive. The land is divided with the wealthy living in seclusion in one area and the rest in areas dominated by their trade, the mines, the farm land etc. Unfortunately overtime the wealthy people began to notice a decline in their population so a plan was set froth to go and take young near adults that were considered attractive, steal them from their homes, bring them to the castle the wealthy live in clean them up and set them to be married and then breeders for the wealthy. Elise has grown up in the wilderness near the edge of civilization and she is a stunning beauty that thought she was safe being so far from the wealthy but in her 16th year the Commander and his men find her and bring her to the castle to scrub and polish her and set her out for the claiming.
spoilers
This book really read like a very long and drug out overly detailed first quarter of a book. And the things that were most focused on and gone over again and again, it was odd to hear yet again that they had to get changed as a group in open view of way too many people but that nobody was bugged by it by that point, it became a constant thing of we get you've become desensitized. Which didnt make sense with on day one there being forced into a pool, that was deep enough to cover her and that she could swim a good distance in for soap being calming. She was forced naked then forced into this pool, there's loads of groomers standing around, theres other people making notes, theres all the other 'guests' as well. But someone she felt comfortable enough to flail her limbs swimming a stroke over to a side wall, brave enough to be the first person to do that, then when she's all cleaned up she felt calm and comfortable siting on a ledge just people watching? Essentially gawking at others like her. But then right after this we're back to horribly shy and afraid.
There were times that her relationship with Will, Remy and such was entertaining but those were very fleet moments and then we were back to the groomers and the clothes and the styling. It would have been nice to spend some time not on clothes and such and then had a character, any character be more than one dimensional.
I will definitely not be continuing with this series.
'The Price for Peace' is W.J. May's first book in her 'Royal Factions' Series. This is the second book I've read by her. In 'The Price for Peace' we find ourselves in a land where the rich are very weathly and everyone else struggles to survive. The land is divided with the wealthy living in seclusion in one area and the rest in areas dominated by their trade, the mines, the farm land etc. Unfortunately overtime the wealthy people began to notice a decline in their population so a plan was set froth to go and take young near adults that were considered attractive, steal them from their homes, bring them to the castle the wealthy live in clean them up and set them to be married and then breeders for the wealthy. Elise has grown up in the wilderness near the edge of civilization and she is a stunning beauty that thought she was safe being so far from the wealthy but in her 16th year the Commander and his men find her and bring her to the castle to scrub and polish her and set her out for the claiming.
spoilers
This book really read like a very long and drug out overly detailed first quarter of a book. And the things that were most focused on and gone over again and again, it was odd to hear yet again that they had to get changed as a group in open view of way too many people but that nobody was bugged by it by that point, it became a constant thing of we get you've become desensitized. Which didnt make sense with on day one there being forced into a pool, that was deep enough to cover her and that she could swim a good distance in for soap being calming. She was forced naked then forced into this pool, there's loads of groomers standing around, theres other people making notes, theres all the other 'guests' as well. But someone she felt comfortable enough to flail her limbs swimming a stroke over to a side wall, brave enough to be the first person to do that, then when she's all cleaned up she felt calm and comfortable siting on a ledge just people watching? Essentially gawking at others like her. But then right after this we're back to horribly shy and afraid.
There were times that her relationship with Will, Remy and such was entertaining but those were very fleet moments and then we were back to the groomers and the clothes and the styling. It would have been nice to spend some time not on clothes and such and then had a character, any character be more than one dimensional.
I will definitely not be continuing with this series.
October 5, 2022
Oh boy, this is what The Jewel wish it could be.
So this is the story ofPanem Gilead some dystopian kingdom with extreme poverty rates, where due to some mysterious reason the rich's ability to produce offspring has been severely affected, while the poor's seem to be left untouched. Presented with this problem and the raging rebellion of the districts provinces, President Snow the Queen decided to take as tribute kidnap teenage boys and girls from the provinces to compete in The Hunger Games be handmaids act as s3x slaves and surrogates to the aristocracy, also to keep the peasants compliant. Enter now our main character Katniss Offred Elise, who was tending some rich lady's garden in District 12 Midlark when was suddenly taken to the Capitol the capital to be "claimed" (as someone's personal s3x slave) next to some other fifty or so kids, all whom are reasonably as terrified as her...
I can go on and on with the similarities between this, THG and THT, but I would spoil you the whole book. And there's not much of a book, let me tell you. The Price for Peace has barely 188 pages, clearly not enough to really get the story going, which led me to believe that this is supposed to serve as a sort of prologue for the rest of the books. I wish I could be more mad about it, but I got this for free with the next two books in the series and I'm completely engaged with however little story we have been given so far.
So, into the second book I go, I guess.
So this is the story of
I can go on and on with the similarities between this, THG and THT, but I would spoil you the whole book. And there's not much of a book, let me tell you. The Price for Peace has barely 188 pages, clearly not enough to really get the story going, which led me to believe that this is supposed to serve as a sort of prologue for the rest of the books. I wish I could be more mad about it, but I got this for free with the next two books in the series and I'm completely engaged with however little story we have been given so far.
So, into the second book I go, I guess.
November 19, 2021
It pains me that this is my first review but I feel obligated to realistically discuss this series.
I have read the first five of the six available. Not because they are good but because the series is essentially one novel that has been split into six. Each book finishes on what the author must have believed was a cliffhanger. However, the ending of each book is merely the end of a chapter leaving the story awkwardly unfinished.
I assume the books were self published as they are littered with grammatical and spelling errors, which are distracting to say the least, and no-one appears to have told the author that the narrative voice chosen for her protagonist in no way matches the background she describes.
As far as the plot goes it is so disappointing as a woman to read a book featuring such a weak, dependent female character. This series would certainly not pass the Bechdel test. The protagonist spends the entire series obsessing over her appearance and wondering which of the male characters she likes more.
The real killer was the only character with any depth or conflicting agenda is killed off before he’s developed in anyway. It’s infuriating. The final frustrating issue with these books is that the author appears somehow embarrassed to actually say “sex”. It is alluded to in elaborate, languid prose which just comes across as childish. However, she never actually manages a concise account.
Overall, this series is just a painfully long-winded single novel where a woman lusts after men. How sad.
I have read the first five of the six available. Not because they are good but because the series is essentially one novel that has been split into six. Each book finishes on what the author must have believed was a cliffhanger. However, the ending of each book is merely the end of a chapter leaving the story awkwardly unfinished.
I assume the books were self published as they are littered with grammatical and spelling errors, which are distracting to say the least, and no-one appears to have told the author that the narrative voice chosen for her protagonist in no way matches the background she describes.
As far as the plot goes it is so disappointing as a woman to read a book featuring such a weak, dependent female character. This series would certainly not pass the Bechdel test. The protagonist spends the entire series obsessing over her appearance and wondering which of the male characters she likes more.
The real killer was the only character with any depth or conflicting agenda is killed off before he’s developed in anyway. It’s infuriating. The final frustrating issue with these books is that the author appears somehow embarrassed to actually say “sex”. It is alluded to in elaborate, languid prose which just comes across as childish. However, she never actually manages a concise account.
Overall, this series is just a painfully long-winded single novel where a woman lusts after men. How sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
It was unexpected! I did not anticipate such good writing and dark undertones. The Price for Peace was truly well written, and gripping.
However, I don't think I'll move on to the next installment for two reasons. Firstly, I don't think it's going to take the direction that interests me at this time.
Secondly, the stifling atmosphere, charged with a constant sense of dread, is absolutely on point but it's also anxiety-inducing and life is doing a good enough job of it already. What I need is to escape reality, and plunging me deeper into worry and distress is doing the exact opposite 😅
However, I don't think I'll move on to the next installment for two reasons. Firstly, I don't think it's going to take the direction that interests me at this time.
Secondly, the stifling atmosphere, charged with a constant sense of dread, is absolutely on point but it's also anxiety-inducing and life is doing a good enough job of it already. What I need is to escape reality, and plunging me deeper into worry and distress is doing the exact opposite 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2020
I rarely write a review for a book that I DNF, but I’m making an exception here. My review is not for the story, as I forced myself to 7% and then had to stop. I can’t tell you if the story is any good. It might be.
But I can tell you why had to stop, and that was the absolutely awful writing. This read like a story one of my high schoolers would write. Super stilted sentences, absolutely no flow, everything is TOLD nothing is shown and absolutely no descriptions. I can overlook poor grammar if the story is good and I’m drawn in. But this type of unimaginative sentence after sentence “prose” is painful.
“At first, I didn’t know what was happening—why they were swarming around me, trampling those flowers that’s I’d tended with such care. Then, all at once, I understood.
A rose slipped from my fingers as I let out a scream.
I felt silly about that later. We all knew better by now than to scream. But the impulse was so strong in me there was no fighting it”
April 7, 2021
The book is the synopsis
I was disappointed that the only thing that happens here in book one is everything described on the book description: she’s selected from her town, has a journey to the capitol, describes the 7 days of the grooming they all receive and the chosen process occurs in the last chapter/last page. Other books feel like the description only gives a hint of what’s going to happen in maybe a third of the book with perhaps foreshadowing of more; this book doesn’t have that magic. I feel like I wasted my time staying up late reading this to finish, and don’t plan to read further.
Gave the book 3 stars because the writing isn’t terrible, the characters are developed, but there’s just no action in my mind contained in this book. Just lots of teenage abuse through grooming and hinted raping. 👎🏻
I was disappointed that the only thing that happens here in book one is everything described on the book description: she’s selected from her town, has a journey to the capitol, describes the 7 days of the grooming they all receive and the chosen process occurs in the last chapter/last page. Other books feel like the description only gives a hint of what’s going to happen in maybe a third of the book with perhaps foreshadowing of more; this book doesn’t have that magic. I feel like I wasted my time staying up late reading this to finish, and don’t plan to read further.
Gave the book 3 stars because the writing isn’t terrible, the characters are developed, but there’s just no action in my mind contained in this book. Just lots of teenage abuse through grooming and hinted raping. 👎🏻
July 24, 2021
No steamy scenes!!!
Why make this book YA? It's clear for what purpose those young people are taken to the pakace. Why don't make them over 18 and our heroine for example 24 or even 26. Her point of view will be exactly the same. And she could be a virgin if the author thinks it is necessary. This book could be very upsetting and unfiting for young adults but is delicious for adults. Why not give us adult readers the steamy scenes that are unspoken in this book but will fit perfectly. It really a pity that all the serie is written so the author can't redeem herself in some future book. Please somebody tell the author that is time that she start writing adult books with soft steamy scenes. And why the drama? Ok, it is frightening to be claimed by some twisted aristocracy but I will always prefere to be a pampered pet then perish from hard work or famine.
Why make this book YA? It's clear for what purpose those young people are taken to the pakace. Why don't make them over 18 and our heroine for example 24 or even 26. Her point of view will be exactly the same. And she could be a virgin if the author thinks it is necessary. This book could be very upsetting and unfiting for young adults but is delicious for adults. Why not give us adult readers the steamy scenes that are unspoken in this book but will fit perfectly. It really a pity that all the serie is written so the author can't redeem herself in some future book. Please somebody tell the author that is time that she start writing adult books with soft steamy scenes. And why the drama? Ok, it is frightening to be claimed by some twisted aristocracy but I will always prefere to be a pampered pet then perish from hard work or famine.
August 10, 2022
Meh.
Not a lot going on in this. The story is completely plot driven, not character driven. Things happen to Elise, with very little decisions and choices made by her. The first half, all it was is her being kidnapped and dolled up. That's it. Second half is getting lessons and paraded around a bit. The conclusion is the Claiming. So much description, nearly every little thing, and nothing really happens. Some of it is reminiscent of Hunger Games- dystopian with their country divided into districts that do certain things like the mining district, the crop growing district, etc, then the teens taken against their will from poverty stricken districts to the opulent capital, being groomed and beautified before being presented. But I probably would have liked it if there'd been more of an actual story.
Not a lot going on in this. The story is completely plot driven, not character driven. Things happen to Elise, with very little decisions and choices made by her. The first half, all it was is her being kidnapped and dolled up. That's it. Second half is getting lessons and paraded around a bit. The conclusion is the Claiming. So much description, nearly every little thing, and nothing really happens. Some of it is reminiscent of Hunger Games- dystopian with their country divided into districts that do certain things like the mining district, the crop growing district, etc, then the teens taken against their will from poverty stricken districts to the opulent capital, being groomed and beautified before being presented. But I probably would have liked it if there'd been more of an actual story.
January 31, 2024
In a world fallen back into feudal ways, Elise has no choice when royal guards come to take her to the palace. Everyone knew the nobles chose the most accomplished teenagers from throughout the realm to infuse new blood into the palace. Somehow she thought living so far in the outreaches of the kingdom would keep her safe. Now that she knows different, she begins to learn even more about the inhabitants of the palace and the other “guests” who have joined her in her journey.
While the story intrigues me and I have hopes for an unexpectedly brighter ending to their stories, I am wary of continuing this series. I fear the depravities that were hinted at in this volume might be elaborated on in the next. A couple of the characters may have worked their way into my heart and their future looks terrifying as it stands in the last chapter.
While the story intrigues me and I have hopes for an unexpectedly brighter ending to their stories, I am wary of continuing this series. I fear the depravities that were hinted at in this volume might be elaborated on in the next. A couple of the characters may have worked their way into my heart and their future looks terrifying as it stands in the last chapter.
January 18, 2020
Disobeying means death, but might that not be better than what the fates have in store? Elise along with over fifty other young people have been taken from their homes to be claimed by nobles and forced to breed. On her trip to the palace she meets several other young people and be become friends, especially the handsome Will. And once in the palace they are locked away from the outside world. Forced to take baths together, sleep in one huge room together and gets dressed and undressed together. For a week they are groomed to bring the highest money at an auction. And Will being the handsomest, and Elise being the most beautiful could go to the richest highest ranking nobles. But is that the best or worst fate?
December 9, 2020
Loved this book.
Slaved by your own kind just richer and crueler, the author shows us Elise and her bundle of slave friends are taken from their homes to the palace a.k.a Hell.
There she meets all the different kinds of rich people, some are kind and consider them as humans while others are cruel and consider them as properties.
The book ends with each being selected and I can't wait to get my hands on the second. I need to know what happens next, will there be escape attempts? Will some die during these attempts? What of the one selected by the commander, the cruelest character in here?
I recommend to any, there is no magic in this although Elise does have unique set of eyes that set her apart. Still recommend it.
Slaved by your own kind just richer and crueler, the author shows us Elise and her bundle of slave friends are taken from their homes to the palace a.k.a Hell.
There she meets all the different kinds of rich people, some are kind and consider them as humans while others are cruel and consider them as properties.
The book ends with each being selected and I can't wait to get my hands on the second. I need to know what happens next, will there be escape attempts? Will some die during these attempts? What of the one selected by the commander, the cruelest character in here?
I recommend to any, there is no magic in this although Elise does have unique set of eyes that set her apart. Still recommend it.
August 7, 2023
Ok ..... just gonna be honest. This is a bit of a gritty dystopian story. I mean, I suppose that all dystopian is a bit dysfunction, and gritty but I honestly sent a text to a book bestie that read, "I'm like 63 pages in and I'm thinking what have I picked up? A dystopian novel that borders on sex trafficking stories" and this was seriously my thought - instead of Epstein Island we have the capital and castle. Talk about stressful.
And I have to say that May seriously handled a troubling subject of sexual, physical, and mental abuse as delicately as such things can be handled with more descriptions of the mental than any of the others. Although, the things illuded to really do expose the depravity that some men can stoop to.
I think the following qoute sets the tone of this book perfectly, "we were everything they wanted us to be. And every single one of us wanted to die."
In the end, yep I'm invested. I even like this and one other series better than May's Kerrigan Chronicles - which I read completely through.
And I have to say that May seriously handled a troubling subject of sexual, physical, and mental abuse as delicately as such things can be handled with more descriptions of the mental than any of the others. Although, the things illuded to really do expose the depravity that some men can stoop to.
I think the following qoute sets the tone of this book perfectly, "we were everything they wanted us to be. And every single one of us wanted to die."
In the end, yep I'm invested. I even like this and one other series better than May's Kerrigan Chronicles - which I read completely through.
January 19, 2020
I have to say that The Price for Peace was one of the most emotionally charged, heart-breaking books I've read in a long time. The characters are developed in such a way that you walk their story with them. Elise and Will are both amazing--not only having the strength to face each day, but the ability to help others stand strong in these times of uncertainty. The storyline is incredibly unique, filled with kidnapping, danger, intrigue and uncertainty. Each chapter is full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep you guessing. I am definitely looking forward to book 2 to see where this story takes us!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2021
I think this book would have been a little more enjoyable if the audiobook nerrorator had been female. If the MC had been Trans or something it would have made since to have a male nerrorator read for a female POV. Instead they used a very, very deep voice to read and I never could slip into the story.
The story itself was mediocre at best. Kidnapped from her home to perhaps live a better life or be someone's sex toy, she goes through the motions and not much else happens. The selection finally happens and the end is predictable. You don't get anything else from it however. She is picked and that's the end of the book.
The story itself was mediocre at best. Kidnapped from her home to perhaps live a better life or be someone's sex toy, she goes through the motions and not much else happens. The selection finally happens and the end is predictable. You don't get anything else from it however. She is picked and that's the end of the book.
April 25, 2021
Rated 4.75 Stars
This book really threw me for a loop and I wasn't expecting this story to be as good as it was. I am pleasantly surprised. The book did lull a bit in the beginning and I felt a little lost in the beginning too, given this was a different world and the author's world-building had just begun. Yes. It took me a bit to get used to it, but when I did, I really started to enjoy this read.
Captivating, with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue, this book was truly a gem. In a world that is glittering and rich with gold, it is also a world that is full of the worst kinds of people.
Great read and I highly recommend it. At least this first book in the series so far.
This book really threw me for a loop and I wasn't expecting this story to be as good as it was. I am pleasantly surprised. The book did lull a bit in the beginning and I felt a little lost in the beginning too, given this was a different world and the author's world-building had just begun. Yes. It took me a bit to get used to it, but when I did, I really started to enjoy this read.
Captivating, with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue, this book was truly a gem. In a world that is glittering and rich with gold, it is also a world that is full of the worst kinds of people.
Great read and I highly recommend it. At least this first book in the series so far.
April 27, 2022
Series tone is cute and fluffy considering the heavy implications made in this fantasy world. Teens are kidnapped and sold to high ranking members of court as playthings. Def triggering for rape, consent, abuse, etc. each book is short, could have easily been condensed into a duology. Fast paced, rated 2 stars but I enjoyed the 4 I read. Stopped in 5 because I just got bored of the world and characters.
I would say this story has the potential to be alike to the Red Queen if the world building, dialog, and tone was improved. As of now it reads as intermediate wattpad. Again, enjoyed myself, but wouldn’t read again.
I would say this story has the potential to be alike to the Red Queen if the world building, dialog, and tone was improved. As of now it reads as intermediate wattpad. Again, enjoyed myself, but wouldn’t read again.
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