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The Magics of Rei-Een #1
The Hidden Princess
In the Empire of Rei-Een, tradition is everything and magic means death.
Lis has spent her life hidden away from the hunters of the Empire. Her father was instrumental in removing magic from the Empire and knows just how dangerous the world is for her. But when the crown prince dies, Lis’s magic is at risk of discovery.
With his brother’s murder, the new crown prince is concerned with far more than the woman to be hidden away as his bride. Magic has found its way back and he is determined to stamp it out before anyone else dies.
When Lis is summoned for the Choosing of the Hidden Princess, she soon discovers not all magics are the same. Some seek revenge for a war that ended a lifetime ago, amidst whispers and visions of a different future for Rei-Een. But who can she trust?
The Empire’s greatest hunter is never far from her side, and what will he do if he discovers the truth? Everyone thinks Lis can help them in some way, but all she wants is to return to her little island home. If she remains in the heart of the Empire of Rei-Een, there is far more at risk than her life.
The Hidden Princess is the first in a sword and sorcery fantasy series, set amongst the palaces and high stone walls of the Empire of Rei-Een.
Lis has spent her life hidden away from the hunters of the Empire. Her father was instrumental in removing magic from the Empire and knows just how dangerous the world is for her. But when the crown prince dies, Lis’s magic is at risk of discovery.
With his brother’s murder, the new crown prince is concerned with far more than the woman to be hidden away as his bride. Magic has found its way back and he is determined to stamp it out before anyone else dies.
When Lis is summoned for the Choosing of the Hidden Princess, she soon discovers not all magics are the same. Some seek revenge for a war that ended a lifetime ago, amidst whispers and visions of a different future for Rei-Een. But who can she trust?
The Empire’s greatest hunter is never far from her side, and what will he do if he discovers the truth? Everyone thinks Lis can help them in some way, but all she wants is to return to her little island home. If she remains in the heart of the Empire of Rei-Een, there is far more at risk than her life.
The Hidden Princess is the first in a sword and sorcery fantasy series, set amongst the palaces and high stone walls of the Empire of Rei-Een.
- GenresFantasy
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2019
40 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Georgina Makalani
52 books74 followersGeorgina Makalani survives life as a servant of the public by hiding in cafes at lunch time with dragons, the occasional crazed faery, and a little bit of magic.
Georgina and her daughter live in beautiful southern Tasmania, with two crazy cats and a writing desk that overlooks the water.
You can find out more about Georgina’s writing journey at www.theflowofink.com
Be sure to follow Georgina on BookBub for the latest on sales www.bookbub.com/authors/georgina-maka...
Georgina and her daughter live in beautiful southern Tasmania, with two crazy cats and a writing desk that overlooks the water.
You can find out more about Georgina’s writing journey at www.theflowofink.com
Be sure to follow Georgina on BookBub for the latest on sales www.bookbub.com/authors/georgina-maka...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 11, 2020
A wonderful fantasy story. A princess hiding along with her magic. Totally lost in the story.
July 16, 2019
Review Summary
This is a hard to put down contemporary fantasy novel. The Hidden Princess is as full of surprises as the title character!
Rating: 82%
Review in a bit more detail
I received an advance copy of this to read from the author.
The Empire of Rei-Een has an eligible royal bachelor and its own version of the reality show is called the Choosing.
Prospective wives line up and are picked to progress to the next round of the competition, to get a rose or be sent home. The bachelor in this game is the Crown Prince, next Emperor of Rei-Een.
The Empire is strong on its established traditions, including death to all who display any magical talent.
The one selected to be hidden princess is sequestered away from the world and privately tutored with a view to one day become the new Empress.
One girl, Lisabet (Lis) is selected for the choosing, but has a couple of problems. She is promised to another man Wu Peng (but the royal bachelor game ignores these betrothals), and she has magical ability.
Adding to her concerns, the Crown Prince is a hunter, one of those with the talent and ability to track down and kill magic-users.
Lis becomes the hidden princess, but in more ways than one.
A good read that I found hard to put down. Very enjoyable, I'm looking forward to book 2.
Pete Diggins
13 July 2019
This is a hard to put down contemporary fantasy novel. The Hidden Princess is as full of surprises as the title character!
Rating: 82%
Review in a bit more detail
I received an advance copy of this to read from the author.
The Empire of Rei-Een has an eligible royal bachelor and its own version of the reality show is called the Choosing.
Prospective wives line up and are picked to progress to the next round of the competition, to get a rose or be sent home. The bachelor in this game is the Crown Prince, next Emperor of Rei-Een.
The Empire is strong on its established traditions, including death to all who display any magical talent.
The one selected to be hidden princess is sequestered away from the world and privately tutored with a view to one day become the new Empress.
One girl, Lisabet (Lis) is selected for the choosing, but has a couple of problems. She is promised to another man Wu Peng (but the royal bachelor game ignores these betrothals), and she has magical ability.
Adding to her concerns, the Crown Prince is a hunter, one of those with the talent and ability to track down and kill magic-users.
Lis becomes the hidden princess, but in more ways than one.
A good read that I found hard to put down. Very enjoyable, I'm looking forward to book 2.
Pete Diggins
13 July 2019
September 28, 2019
Beautiful and wondrous
This book was a surprise to me. I knew from the beginning that Lis would be chosen, but didn't expect it to cause me to grieve with her. I cried at several points in the early chapters. It is rare to fall in love with a character so quickly, but Georgina did such a beautiful job bringing the girl to life, that she felt like a friend almost from the first page.
Prince Remi is also a very good person. He loves his family and his people and seems to be falling fast for the new princess. But that doesn't change his desire to search for those who are using magic to kill, magic that both the prince and the princess's fathers supposedly eradicated a generation earlier, magic that killed his brother and threatens to take the lives of several others.
Lis learns there is much more to her than she realized, but struggles to find where she fits or if she fits. It is also very hard to see who she can trust. Why does she keep having strange dreams? Why are so many people trying to kill her? And why was magic destroyed in the first place? The world building is incredible, but we'll have to keep reading to find out the answers to those questions. I know I can't wait to read the next book! I recommend this to anyone who likes fairy tales, adventures, strong heroines, and a bit of mystery.
This book was a surprise to me. I knew from the beginning that Lis would be chosen, but didn't expect it to cause me to grieve with her. I cried at several points in the early chapters. It is rare to fall in love with a character so quickly, but Georgina did such a beautiful job bringing the girl to life, that she felt like a friend almost from the first page.
Prince Remi is also a very good person. He loves his family and his people and seems to be falling fast for the new princess. But that doesn't change his desire to search for those who are using magic to kill, magic that both the prince and the princess's fathers supposedly eradicated a generation earlier, magic that killed his brother and threatens to take the lives of several others.
Lis learns there is much more to her than she realized, but struggles to find where she fits or if she fits. It is also very hard to see who she can trust. Why does she keep having strange dreams? Why are so many people trying to kill her? And why was magic destroyed in the first place? The world building is incredible, but we'll have to keep reading to find out the answers to those questions. I know I can't wait to read the next book! I recommend this to anyone who likes fairy tales, adventures, strong heroines, and a bit of mystery.
July 16, 2019
ONE ENTANGLING GRAND ADVENTURE!!!
Mind blowing! One, heart pounding, pulse racing, page turning bombshell that's as riveting as it is captivating. Dealing with all the trials and tribulations along with all the ups and downs, propel this baby to life beautifully. A skillfully laid storyline and gripping plot shows our heroine totally holding her own up against the heavy hitters. Not knowing where to turn, whom to trust and knowing everything is not as it seems. A swirling eddy of circumstances and a slew of surprising events that launch all of your spinning emotions to life wonderfully. Throw in all the drama and suspense and you have one intense, electrifying tale that captures your attention from start to finish. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that blend and play off one another in such a smooth flowing rhythm. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions you have no problem picturing each scenario creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Georgina, thanks for sharing.
Mind blowing! One, heart pounding, pulse racing, page turning bombshell that's as riveting as it is captivating. Dealing with all the trials and tribulations along with all the ups and downs, propel this baby to life beautifully. A skillfully laid storyline and gripping plot shows our heroine totally holding her own up against the heavy hitters. Not knowing where to turn, whom to trust and knowing everything is not as it seems. A swirling eddy of circumstances and a slew of surprising events that launch all of your spinning emotions to life wonderfully. Throw in all the drama and suspense and you have one intense, electrifying tale that captures your attention from start to finish. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that blend and play off one another in such a smooth flowing rhythm. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions you have no problem picturing each scenario creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Georgina, thanks for sharing.
Read
August 25, 2019While going through the books in the Featured of ARC, I came across this book. As an Asian myself, the title and the cover of the book intrigued me. Though I have not read any of Georgina Makalani's book before, I chose to check the book out. After reading the book, and the mastery way that Georgina told the story, I am convinced that Georgina is definitely an author that I have to follow, especially if all her stories are as well written as this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2021
I walked into this novel not entirely sure of what to expect. I would be lying if I expressed that this novel really spoke to me. The title and cover kind of made me pass it by a few times, before inevitably downloading to see what laid within the pages. However, as the story goes, "never judge the book by it's cover." This book took me by storm and was completely full of emotion, and I loved every moment.
August 21, 2019
Great story line, fast paced, thoroughly written, and with great characters. Lis is a wonderfully written character. Throughout her story she is faced with many challenges to overcome and learn whom she can and cannot trust. I can't to see what this series brings next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2020
I'm not sure exactly what I just read, but everyone needs to eat more and rest. That's basically the primary dialogue. Oh, and "I'm not good enough," except that she is confident all the time..?
This book gives incredibly mixed messages and I had a very challenging time discerning the environment the scenes took place in as well as the flow of time passing. For example, it's mentioned that there are clouds above and whether rain could possibly inhibit fire magic while they're in the throne room. Huh? Does this room have a ceiling? Or you'll get what feels like one scene, but two days passed. All the while, not much has happened, but like, you need some rest. Ok, I'll get right on that.
I actually really like the premise of this book, but the characters constantly acted like they had personality whiplash. Lis is a compassionate and confident person one moment, then sort of doubting herself?, then snarky and honestly pretty rude the next. The character progression for everyone is pretty choppy, and I'm fairly sure she thinks the prince is crushing on her maid (what was all the whispering about?!) Sigh. I'm conflicted about continuing. There's good magic users and bad ones, but we're not given much information to work with in this installment. For all the chapters we got about Lis' princess training and how she's so behind, I couldn't tell you exactly what they were trying to teach her.
Ok, rambly rant over. Final point, there was promise here, but I don't think it delivered on its great premise. 2.5 stars.
This book gives incredibly mixed messages and I had a very challenging time discerning the environment the scenes took place in as well as the flow of time passing. For example, it's mentioned that there are clouds above and whether rain could possibly inhibit fire magic while they're in the throne room. Huh? Does this room have a ceiling? Or you'll get what feels like one scene, but two days passed. All the while, not much has happened, but like, you need some rest. Ok, I'll get right on that.
I actually really like the premise of this book, but the characters constantly acted like they had personality whiplash. Lis is a compassionate and confident person one moment, then sort of doubting herself?, then snarky and honestly pretty rude the next. The character progression for everyone is pretty choppy, and I'm fairly sure she thinks the prince is crushing on her maid (what was all the whispering about?!) Sigh. I'm conflicted about continuing. There's good magic users and bad ones, but we're not given much information to work with in this installment. For all the chapters we got about Lis' princess training and how she's so behind, I couldn't tell you exactly what they were trying to teach her.
Ok, rambly rant over. Final point, there was promise here, but I don't think it delivered on its great premise. 2.5 stars.
December 6, 2021
My rating system
5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
4 Stars
A beautiful romantic fantasy inspired by Asian influence (Chinese I believe but could be wrong). Deals with magic, mystery and murder. Our heroine Lis is arranged to be married to her lifelong friend Peng when the crown prince is murdered. Remi is now the crown prince and needs a new Hidden Princess to go into training to become the future empress. Lis has always had magic, but that is a huge issue since the emperor believes that he has exterminated magic users from the world with his war. Highly recommend giving this one a chance.
5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
4 Stars
A beautiful romantic fantasy inspired by Asian influence (Chinese I believe but could be wrong). Deals with magic, mystery and murder. Our heroine Lis is arranged to be married to her lifelong friend Peng when the crown prince is murdered. Remi is now the crown prince and needs a new Hidden Princess to go into training to become the future empress. Lis has always had magic, but that is a huge issue since the emperor believes that he has exterminated magic users from the world with his war. Highly recommend giving this one a chance.
March 28, 2020
Not a bad book, but sometimes it felt choppy and we never saw the metaphorical gun placed on the mantle before it was shot. We went from no one having magic to everyone and their dog having it. Plus, there is a lot of repetition, in dialog and action, that could have been removed. It was a good read and it would have made 4* if it had more clarity in the events and we had less repetition (for example: she is tired and needs to rest, there is not enough time, there is no magic left) while placing more of the "hidden" guns on the mantle so we can see them before they're shot in the climax.
April 10, 2020
Okay I guess..
Storyline was actually not bad but the tedious telling of daily event was overdone up to 35%. It got boring. The chemistry between the h was nonexistent. No passions, emotional pull, or captivating moments while reading this book. More telling than showing. The ending wasn't great either on how the h treated the mc brutally. Good plot but weak execution in my opinion. Ended up skipping pages than reading.
Storyline was actually not bad but the tedious telling of daily event was overdone up to 35%. It got boring. The chemistry between the h was nonexistent. No passions, emotional pull, or captivating moments while reading this book. More telling than showing. The ending wasn't great either on how the h treated the mc brutally. Good plot but weak execution in my opinion. Ended up skipping pages than reading.
October 1, 2023
It will be as it must be. . Everything.
Japanese-style names lend foreign flavor but unfamiliar to me make some hard to remember. Overall slowed by repetition. Lis loves Peng. He loves her, or maybe not for long. She knows she "will never see any of them again". Prediction. Above from vision
Too much "chew lip". His and hers. Most books just heroine. No lower lips left.
Typos
discrete discreet
if she was + if she were
that the + that he
site sight
Japanese-style names lend foreign flavor but unfamiliar to me make some hard to remember. Overall slowed by repetition. Lis loves Peng. He loves her, or maybe not for long. She knows she "will never see any of them again". Prediction. Above from vision
Too much "chew lip". His and hers. Most books just heroine. No lower lips left.
Typos
discrete discreet
if she was + if she were
that the + that he
site sight
February 26, 2020
This story surprised me. It started out slow, and quickened faster than I was aware of. I was finished with it much faster than I thought. The characters are well fleshed out and quite believable. The plot twisting, but easily followed. I do, very much, recommend this book.
March 8, 2026
I enjoyed this story and want to continue the series to find out what happens. My biggest complaint is the author's repeated use of "opened their mouth then closed it", probably the most used phrase in the book.
April 1, 2020
A new author for me.
An interesting world with it's own set of rules, but I'm finding it difficult to like or care about the characters.
However I will persevere.
An interesting world with it's own set of rules, but I'm finding it difficult to like or care about the characters.
However I will persevere.
May 18, 2020
A very well written story!
I was completely engaged with this story from the beginning to end. The characters are interesting, the story line is great, and the magic is intriguing!
I was completely engaged with this story from the beginning to end. The characters are interesting, the story line is great, and the magic is intriguing!
March 10, 2026
Free weekend book offer. Enjoyed the story but know I'm missing a beginning & ending of the REI-Een. Fantasy books are not my normal reading.
October 21, 2019
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews