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The Princess Trials #3
The Princess Crown
She wanted to destroy the monarchy.
Now she must battle to save her prince.
Zea resumes her role as a spy but this time against the people she once pledged her loyalty—the Red Runners.
Rescuing Prince Kevon won’t be easy, especially when suspicion plagues Zea's every step. She also doesn’t know how the prince will react to learning her terrible truth.
Lies are uncovered, hearts broken… Can Zea and Prince Kevon overcome their differences, save Phangloria and find love?
Now she must battle to save her prince.
Zea resumes her role as a spy but this time against the people she once pledged her loyalty—the Red Runners.
Rescuing Prince Kevon won’t be easy, especially when suspicion plagues Zea's every step. She also doesn’t know how the prince will react to learning her terrible truth.
Lies are uncovered, hearts broken… Can Zea and Prince Kevon overcome their differences, save Phangloria and find love?
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2020
2119 people are currently reading
9270 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 407 reviews
November 1, 2022
I would politely like to disagree with everyone who gave this book anything more than two stars. And I would also like to hit myself over the head with a bat made of old bricks (if that’s possible.) for deciding to read this.
Let’s get into it dear deep diver. And I will full out be spoiling this book, so caution going forward if you want to read. (Which please don’t.)
I think the biggest problem this entire series had is that it’s one story, and the author desperately wanted a trilogy. So desperately Infact, she split what should’ve been one book into two (the princess trials and the princess games) and then wanted to make sure she had justification for a saga by making this book end on a “or.....” sort of ending.
Another issue this series has that someone brought up on Tiktok [about YA dystopian in general] is that, this book desprately wants you to think its a spirtiual sucessor to the hunger games, that it handles the same themes and empowerment of its characters with the grace of collins, but honestly it falls not flat, but mockingly against a comfortable chaise lounge of white entitlement and blindness. It mocks the very stories it tries so desperately to draw credit from in that this story's protagonist is more of an unintentional antagonist than she is heroic. At every turn the author gets confused what character she's borrowing a trait from, for instance going even to the first book, Zea is a smart and intuitive character for about half a chapter, but doesn't realize about six pages later someone is manipulating her in the most obvious way. We're to believe she's smart enough to use the right venom from a special YA bug wasp, but not smart enough to recognize her crush is using her for his own gain. That she can spot fake actors in a propaganda film, but can't spot a prince in disguise? That she's so jaded and worldly that she hates her mothers hope, but then tries to use hope as a justification for her cause later?
Zea Mays calico had potential to be a excellent YA protagonist. Someone who grows from a reckless moron to a more cognizant moron. There’s maybe two scenes where I can see character development for a half second of a moment, but I’m so tired of how this book is. It constantly tries to shove shocking revelations at us, or tries to convince us Zea is something she clearly isn’t. (Competent, interesting, kind, thoughtful.) I’m so tired of just not knowing who this character is because of how much fucking shit the author throws at the wall to see what will stick. I think that’s the best way to sum up this book, throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks. Then trying to wipe away your shameful smears and doing it again.
The plot of the book is as follows.
Zea realizes a revolution kills people, and doesn’t like that. So she tries to fix things by bringing back the old government that oppressed people bc she’s also in love with the prince of said government who said he can fix the oppression! So that’s fine!
We also are introduced halfway through the book to Kevons (Kevin, I’m calling him Kevin kevon is a stupid name) sister, who is the protagonist of the next “ thrilling installment of the princess trials universe!”
Because what we really needed was more white girl drama and making the exact same character go through the same lame ass gauntlet of straight boy drama.
Zea and Kevin blow up some stuff, it’s boring. I think Zea killed her dad at some point but how little she cares about her family it didn’t matter unless she wanted pity points. INFACT, the only character we see zea get any onscreen time with in her family is her mother, so to me they have the strongest relationship yet, here they are, acting as if her father has done anything for her her entire life and journey. Her mother is the one who gave her the slingshot, the hand to hand fighting skills she supposedly has.
She and Kevin are married, and we flash forward to their son wanting to have his own princess trials. Everyone laughs it’s a happy ending. What happened to our POC characters you may be wondering! THEY DIED. All of them died in a explosion or the author didn’t give enough of a shit to keep writing them. Zea even confused one dark skinned character who was new for every single other dark skinned character she’s ever met. (The other two POC characters have distinct hair. One has purple, the other has no hair. This character had regular curls if I remember correctly) She wasn’t even like drugged and just in a altered state of mind to warrant the confusion. She was waking up or something but clearly clear minded.
So, What would’ve I done to improve this? Because since I’m being so critical surely I have a insight?
I do!
This entire series feels like the author didn’t go through more than one or two drafts of her story. I can’t say I’m a professional writer all I do is write Fanfiction, but I know that you always throw out the first draft. Know where your characters are most likely going to go before you start, or at least have a grasp on who they are before you take them on their journey. Zea feels like she’s been left in the woods with a map she has to solve on a rubix cube to walk the next four feet without breaking her neck. It is a mess. The characters are so majorly unlikable. The only characters I like is the mom and the prince! And the prince is on thin ice because he went with Zea as is true love and not...anyone else.
In conclusion. The princess trials series is about a unlikable coat rack, And how eugenics aren’t that bad!
Love yourself. Read anything else.
Arty out.
Let’s get into it dear deep diver. And I will full out be spoiling this book, so caution going forward if you want to read. (Which please don’t.)
I think the biggest problem this entire series had is that it’s one story, and the author desperately wanted a trilogy. So desperately Infact, she split what should’ve been one book into two (the princess trials and the princess games) and then wanted to make sure she had justification for a saga by making this book end on a “or.....” sort of ending.
Another issue this series has that someone brought up on Tiktok [about YA dystopian in general] is that, this book desprately wants you to think its a spirtiual sucessor to the hunger games, that it handles the same themes and empowerment of its characters with the grace of collins, but honestly it falls not flat, but mockingly against a comfortable chaise lounge of white entitlement and blindness. It mocks the very stories it tries so desperately to draw credit from in that this story's protagonist is more of an unintentional antagonist than she is heroic. At every turn the author gets confused what character she's borrowing a trait from, for instance going even to the first book, Zea is a smart and intuitive character for about half a chapter, but doesn't realize about six pages later someone is manipulating her in the most obvious way. We're to believe she's smart enough to use the right venom from a special YA bug wasp, but not smart enough to recognize her crush is using her for his own gain. That she can spot fake actors in a propaganda film, but can't spot a prince in disguise? That she's so jaded and worldly that she hates her mothers hope, but then tries to use hope as a justification for her cause later?
Zea Mays calico had potential to be a excellent YA protagonist. Someone who grows from a reckless moron to a more cognizant moron. There’s maybe two scenes where I can see character development for a half second of a moment, but I’m so tired of how this book is. It constantly tries to shove shocking revelations at us, or tries to convince us Zea is something she clearly isn’t. (Competent, interesting, kind, thoughtful.) I’m so tired of just not knowing who this character is because of how much fucking shit the author throws at the wall to see what will stick. I think that’s the best way to sum up this book, throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks. Then trying to wipe away your shameful smears and doing it again.
The plot of the book is as follows.
Zea realizes a revolution kills people, and doesn’t like that. So she tries to fix things by bringing back the old government that oppressed people bc she’s also in love with the prince of said government who said he can fix the oppression! So that’s fine!
We also are introduced halfway through the book to Kevons (Kevin, I’m calling him Kevin kevon is a stupid name) sister, who is the protagonist of the next “ thrilling installment of the princess trials universe!”
Because what we really needed was more white girl drama and making the exact same character go through the same lame ass gauntlet of straight boy drama.
Zea and Kevin blow up some stuff, it’s boring. I think Zea killed her dad at some point but how little she cares about her family it didn’t matter unless she wanted pity points. INFACT, the only character we see zea get any onscreen time with in her family is her mother, so to me they have the strongest relationship yet, here they are, acting as if her father has done anything for her her entire life and journey. Her mother is the one who gave her the slingshot, the hand to hand fighting skills she supposedly has.
She and Kevin are married, and we flash forward to their son wanting to have his own princess trials. Everyone laughs it’s a happy ending. What happened to our POC characters you may be wondering! THEY DIED. All of them died in a explosion or the author didn’t give enough of a shit to keep writing them. Zea even confused one dark skinned character who was new for every single other dark skinned character she’s ever met. (The other two POC characters have distinct hair. One has purple, the other has no hair. This character had regular curls if I remember correctly) She wasn’t even like drugged and just in a altered state of mind to warrant the confusion. She was waking up or something but clearly clear minded.
So, What would’ve I done to improve this? Because since I’m being so critical surely I have a insight?
I do!
This entire series feels like the author didn’t go through more than one or two drafts of her story. I can’t say I’m a professional writer all I do is write Fanfiction, but I know that you always throw out the first draft. Know where your characters are most likely going to go before you start, or at least have a grasp on who they are before you take them on their journey. Zea feels like she’s been left in the woods with a map she has to solve on a rubix cube to walk the next four feet without breaking her neck. It is a mess. The characters are so majorly unlikable. The only characters I like is the mom and the prince! And the prince is on thin ice because he went with Zea as is true love and not...anyone else.
In conclusion. The princess trials series is about a unlikable coat rack, And how eugenics aren’t that bad!
Love yourself. Read anything else.
Arty out.
January 3, 2021
Okay, so first book of the year goes out to this book. After diving into the previous books, I was honestly excited to see what was going to happen next. Yet, it was just okay for me. I mean.. it did have some interesting parts to it and I was happy with the ending overall.. but other than that - it was just okay for me.
This series had so much betrayal throughout it. So when certain things happened.. well, let's just say that I wasn't completely shocked by any of it. Then there's Kevon and Zea who go through their own ups and downs. Some of the drama was eye roll worthy to me but I still ate it all up. Mostly because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next and how it was all going to end.
In the end, I kind of wanted more from Kevon and Zea. I'm also kind of intrigued and worried about Calix going through the trials.. but who knows. Maybe the girls will be somewhat less vicious than the ones Zea went through..
Maybe.
This series had so much betrayal throughout it. So when certain things happened.. well, let's just say that I wasn't completely shocked by any of it. Then there's Kevon and Zea who go through their own ups and downs. Some of the drama was eye roll worthy to me but I still ate it all up. Mostly because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next and how it was all going to end.
In the end, I kind of wanted more from Kevon and Zea. I'm also kind of intrigued and worried about Calix going through the trials.. but who knows. Maybe the girls will be somewhat less vicious than the ones Zea went through..
Maybe.
January 7, 2021
Well, as much as I really do enjoy these books, I found myself skimming some of the pages toward the end. I pretty much knew how it would turn out and I just wanted to get to that action ya know? I honestly would have liked to know more about Princess Briar and Mouse’s relationship 😉 but I was happy to find out that, that story will be available in March! Anyway, I enjoyed these characters quite a bit and I’m glad I gave this series a chance.
August 8, 2025
de pacing is zo onlogisch, hoezo duurt het jaren voordat iets gebeurde om uiteindelijk alles in een half hoofdstukje te proppen????
February 24, 2021
I'm so sad the books are over now. I'm going to miss Zea, Kevon and their friends so much. I genuinely feel as if I lost something good.
Plot
In the last installment of the books, Zea and Kevon have a lot of problems to work through and Zea needs her clever mind more than ever to pull of a rescue mission. Not just to save Kevon but the whole nation. While their love and lives hang in the balance, will they be able of saving the nation and each other? Allies and enemies stalk around every corner and the stakes are incredibly high.
Writing style
I'm a huge Cordelia Castel fan now. I've sailed through these three books and was intrigued and engaged with every page turn. There is just such a nice flow to these books, even when we jump from place to place and with all that happens in between. They make for easy, fun and good reads.
Characters
While I absolutely adore Zea, don't get me wrong, she is awfully level headed for a sixteen year old that gets hunted on nearly every page. She stays incredibly calm in some very heinous situations that I feel like she was made either too young or too mature in the books. I mean, there are like at least six murder attempts made on her life in every book but she never once freaks out. She just goes with the flow. That just makes her character a little unbelievable at times. Otherwise she is absolutely one of my favorites. And Kevon, swoon, swoon swoon. Who would've thought I'd come to love him so after deeming him a vanilla table cloth in the first book? For young people their relationship is also very mature but I actually like that. Give everyone who reads these books a glimpse of what an adult relationship should be like.
Overall
I've said it before and I'm saying it again, Cordelia should've edited this book and scrapped at least half of the plot twists and turns because something new happens nearly every page and I find it to be too much. I also would've loved to see more elaboration in the epilogue but other than that I truly enjoyed these series and I can't wait to read more books by Cordelia.
Plot
In the last installment of the books, Zea and Kevon have a lot of problems to work through and Zea needs her clever mind more than ever to pull of a rescue mission. Not just to save Kevon but the whole nation. While their love and lives hang in the balance, will they be able of saving the nation and each other? Allies and enemies stalk around every corner and the stakes are incredibly high.
Writing style
I'm a huge Cordelia Castel fan now. I've sailed through these three books and was intrigued and engaged with every page turn. There is just such a nice flow to these books, even when we jump from place to place and with all that happens in between. They make for easy, fun and good reads.
Characters
While I absolutely adore Zea, don't get me wrong, she is awfully level headed for a sixteen year old that gets hunted on nearly every page. She stays incredibly calm in some very heinous situations that I feel like she was made either too young or too mature in the books. I mean, there are like at least six murder attempts made on her life in every book but she never once freaks out. She just goes with the flow. That just makes her character a little unbelievable at times. Otherwise she is absolutely one of my favorites. And Kevon, swoon, swoon swoon. Who would've thought I'd come to love him so after deeming him a vanilla table cloth in the first book? For young people their relationship is also very mature but I actually like that. Give everyone who reads these books a glimpse of what an adult relationship should be like.
Overall
I've said it before and I'm saying it again, Cordelia should've edited this book and scrapped at least half of the plot twists and turns because something new happens nearly every page and I find it to be too much. I also would've loved to see more elaboration in the epilogue but other than that I truly enjoyed these series and I can't wait to read more books by Cordelia.
January 3, 2021
Eh, this book doesn't live up to the hype I was expecting. Yes, it has a good bit of action and adventure but there are too many elements that bother me to the point that I cannot enjoy it as I should.
To name a few:
- It's the same old same old stuff. There is nothing different or unexpected in this last book. It's like reading the second book again but with more characters to keep track of. None of them (old and new) develop in any way and toward the end, I just got bored. There is one bit, kinda funny, where Zea and Kevon are thinking about having sex and Kevon asks how Zea feels because she's expelled a bunny bomb (pooped it out), which is confusing and entertaining because I'm not sure if he's asking if she's good to go or just generally enquiring about her bum.
- Prince Kevon is still utterly useless. From the start, he's been naive enough to be controlled by someone else. He's next in line to be king but has no idea what's going on in the kingdom he's to rule until Zea tells him. And he was on the trip to pick up the contestants for the trials, so why can't he tell there's something strange by the difference in the girls boarding the train (some grossly unhealthy while others are in tip-top shape)? Is he not able to use his eyes? Again, the naivety is crazy because he believes everything Zea says, not once questioning her but taking whatever meager action he can to do the things she asks of him. He has no voice, no power, and no personal ambition. He's simply a boy living to do what others tell him so they will be proud of him. Hell, even his best friend picks out his wife and he just goes with it! This guy takes no initiative (as you think he would maybe behind the scenes) to save his country, but only manages to get kidnapped a bunch and constantly saved by his future wife. Yes, he may be pretty, but that's all he's got going.
- The constant jumps. It's as if Castel sat down with an outline for this book and said, "Every single pivitol moment needs to be interrupted by either a bomb going off by the bad guys or someone getting knocked out and waking up so we don't have to finish the scene, I can just tell them about it later." Which is exactly what happens throughout the whole book. It is annoying, even at the very end where we're at the final standoff between Carolina and Zea and instead of Zea saving the day and taking out the baddie, she gets shot and loses consciousness, wakes up later and everything is over. It is just painful. And this happens so many times that I'll just tell anyone who picks this book up that you can read the first few chapters and then skip to the end because the middle is just a tape on replay.
- Too many thirsty people. Everyone and their dog wants to be king/queen or at least rule vicariously through someone. This is the entire middle of the book. Zea is introduced to a slew of new characters that can easily be omitted because they are really not pivotal to the plot and die within a few chapters anyway, but whatever. There's a lot of kidnapping and secret tunnels (don't even get me started on the ridiculous amount of secret tunnels in this series) aaaaand -- skip! It gets to the point in this book that Castel realizes this and puts all those people in a room together and just bombs it so the plot can move forward. Swear.
- Zea doesn't grow any further. I really looked forward to this book because I wanted to see Zea become strong and willing to make tough decisions, (you know, murder people and make a plan that she herself actually executes to completion) but she doesn't. Literally, everything she does is accidental or self-defence and just when she's about to kill someone, someone else does it for her.
The one person she does kill (on purpose) is her own father, which is great for building her character but in the end, really doesn't because she doesn't take time to mourn nor does it change her demeanor in similar future events. I simply got used to her lucking into being alive and becoming queen.
My rant is going on for far too long, so I'll just say this book is disappointing. I really wished for more but it just fell flat. As a whole, I flipped back and forth with the series. The first book is average but holds promise. The second takes things up a notch and leads nicely up to the next. The last falls below standards. I'm giving The Princess Crown a 2.5 and moving on.
To name a few:
- It's the same old same old stuff. There is nothing different or unexpected in this last book. It's like reading the second book again but with more characters to keep track of. None of them (old and new) develop in any way and toward the end, I just got bored. There is one bit, kinda funny, where Zea and Kevon are thinking about having sex and Kevon asks how Zea feels because she's expelled a bunny bomb (pooped it out), which is confusing and entertaining because I'm not sure if he's asking if she's good to go or just generally enquiring about her bum.
- Prince Kevon is still utterly useless. From the start, he's been naive enough to be controlled by someone else. He's next in line to be king but has no idea what's going on in the kingdom he's to rule until Zea tells him. And he was on the trip to pick up the contestants for the trials, so why can't he tell there's something strange by the difference in the girls boarding the train (some grossly unhealthy while others are in tip-top shape)? Is he not able to use his eyes? Again, the naivety is crazy because he believes everything Zea says, not once questioning her but taking whatever meager action he can to do the things she asks of him. He has no voice, no power, and no personal ambition. He's simply a boy living to do what others tell him so they will be proud of him. Hell, even his best friend picks out his wife and he just goes with it! This guy takes no initiative (as you think he would maybe behind the scenes) to save his country, but only manages to get kidnapped a bunch and constantly saved by his future wife. Yes, he may be pretty, but that's all he's got going.
- The constant jumps. It's as if Castel sat down with an outline for this book and said, "Every single pivitol moment needs to be interrupted by either a bomb going off by the bad guys or someone getting knocked out and waking up so we don't have to finish the scene, I can just tell them about it later." Which is exactly what happens throughout the whole book. It is annoying, even at the very end where we're at the final standoff between Carolina and Zea and instead of Zea saving the day and taking out the baddie, she gets shot and loses consciousness, wakes up later and everything is over. It is just painful. And this happens so many times that I'll just tell anyone who picks this book up that you can read the first few chapters and then skip to the end because the middle is just a tape on replay.
- Too many thirsty people. Everyone and their dog wants to be king/queen or at least rule vicariously through someone. This is the entire middle of the book. Zea is introduced to a slew of new characters that can easily be omitted because they are really not pivotal to the plot and die within a few chapters anyway, but whatever. There's a lot of kidnapping and secret tunnels (don't even get me started on the ridiculous amount of secret tunnels in this series) aaaaand -- skip! It gets to the point in this book that Castel realizes this and puts all those people in a room together and just bombs it so the plot can move forward. Swear.
- Zea doesn't grow any further. I really looked forward to this book because I wanted to see Zea become strong and willing to make tough decisions, (you know, murder people and make a plan that she herself actually executes to completion) but she doesn't. Literally, everything she does is accidental or self-defence and just when she's about to kill someone, someone else does it for her.
The one person she does kill (on purpose) is her own father, which is great for building her character but in the end, really doesn't because she doesn't take time to mourn nor does it change her demeanor in similar future events. I simply got used to her lucking into being alive and becoming queen.
My rant is going on for far too long, so I'll just say this book is disappointing. I really wished for more but it just fell flat. As a whole, I flipped back and forth with the series. The first book is average but holds promise. The second takes things up a notch and leads nicely up to the next. The last falls below standards. I'm giving The Princess Crown a 2.5 and moving on.
August 3, 2024
I started reading this book because it was described as a combination of the selection and the hunger games. There is some truth in that, but I think a more accurate description would be the selection with a lot more violence.
Now there’s nothing wrong with violence, except that it’s constantly the same in this book. They’re in danger, miraculously get to safety and two seconds later are in a very similar dangerous situation again. This together with the fact that the plot was unoriginal to begin with, makes it a very monotonous read.
I loved the first book of this trilogy, but it got more dull as the story progressed. The main characters kept getting hurt, healing, getting hurt, healing,… without an end in sight.
So for the people who loved the selection and violence, reading the book is definitely worth a try, but be aware of the monotony.
Now there’s nothing wrong with violence, except that it’s constantly the same in this book. They’re in danger, miraculously get to safety and two seconds later are in a very similar dangerous situation again. This together with the fact that the plot was unoriginal to begin with, makes it a very monotonous read.
I loved the first book of this trilogy, but it got more dull as the story progressed. The main characters kept getting hurt, healing, getting hurt, healing,… without an end in sight.
So for the people who loved the selection and violence, reading the book is definitely worth a try, but be aware of the monotony.
November 8, 2021
I will only say this, i feel like 50 % of this series was Zea being knocked out, either with a punch to the face or a drug, waking up and being interrogated. Like how many times can you use this same scene, it happens constantly
+ The ending very mediocre
+ The ending very mediocre
July 20, 2021
I'm a sucker for royalty in books.
I admit to skimming and rushing through the descriptions to get to the action, and it did not disappoint. Overall, it was light, enjoyable, and quite an entertaining journey.
I admit to skimming and rushing through the descriptions to get to the action, and it did not disappoint. Overall, it was light, enjoyable, and quite an entertaining journey.
January 11, 2022
This trilogy is great. It's so well written and the characters are amazing. Loved the first two books, but this one kinda wasn't my cup of tea. Prince Kevon was kinda dumb in the beggining. I mean, how do you not see what's right in front of your eyes? But whatever, it still ended good. This book would've been much better if Prince Kevon and Zea had more quality time together. It was always ruined somehow. But, all in all, I like it. It wasn't quite up to my standards, but it still had a happy ending so that's great. And I want Prince Calix to have his own book as well.
November 7, 2021
The Princess Trials trilogy are with predictable plot lines. You can predict what will happen to the main character or their family, and you can predict what the main character will do to save them and such.
Zea is so much better likable than America from the Selection, and although she is a little too naive in the first two books, she fortunately snaps out of it in The Princess Crown. For The Selection fans, rest assured that this ending won’t ruin your life for days as the Selection did.
Zea is so much better likable than America from the Selection, and although she is a little too naive in the first two books, she fortunately snaps out of it in The Princess Crown. For The Selection fans, rest assured that this ending won’t ruin your life for days as the Selection did.
February 19, 2024
Jackie Chan checks under his bed for Zea-Mays Calico before he goes to sleep
IN ALL SERIOUSNESS,,, invented the bachelor meets the hunger games. Like America Singer should be a embarrassed 🙈
IN ALL SERIOUSNESS,,, invented the bachelor meets the hunger games. Like America Singer should be a embarrassed 🙈
December 8, 2020
2.5*
This was a bit of a let down, I'm not sure what it was it just fell a bit flat for me and I didn't enjoy it as much as the first 2.
First of all, I'm trying to be a Kevon fan. And he was literally so stupid and stubborn in the first half of this book. Like even after he was explicitly told that Zea was manipulated by his crazy mother to say those things/break his heart he was still taking it personally even though it was really obvious.
I was also disappointed that original characters with decent roles were still almost nonexistent, Forelle was hardly in this book at all, and Garrett was sort of just there all the time but not really playing a part.
And like with book 2, I felt like there were so many new characters just being rotated into significant roles and I didn't even remember who they were.
SPOILER AHEAD
The wedding confused me so much. It was so weird, and awkward, and I honestly thought it was all a setup or a plot and it wasn't even Kevon, but then it was legit and I was like???
The whole thing just felt so weird. I understand it happening so Zea was an heir, but it felt so off and strange, and Kevon was in a weird robot suit and couldn't move and I just hated it.
The politics etc. were also confusing, it seemed like everyone was jumping around in their loyalties and doing things for stupid reasons, and things could've been solved in easier ways. And we still didn't actually learn much about the world building, society, and all of that, so I still had a lot of questions.
Characters like Ryce were just gone and never mentioned again, and even Carolina and the queen were just brushed off at the end in a sentence, like 'and then everyone was executed for their crimes'. I thought that was pretty weird after all the effort Zea went to to not kill Kevons mother because he'd be upset, and then she was just executed and it wasn't even a big deal? And after Ryce being so weird and possessive and forceful, he was also just not around and not mentioned again.
It just seemed like a very rushed, tied-up ending that brushed all the consequences of war/revolution aside just to have a generic happy ending.
Anyway it was suitably melodramatic and ridiculous like the other books, but it just felt less-good. I also don't really like the 'twenty years later' thing in most books, but I guess it was setting up a spinoff series/next generation books.
I'll probably still read further series though. I'm a sucker for YA trash.
This was a bit of a let down, I'm not sure what it was it just fell a bit flat for me and I didn't enjoy it as much as the first 2.
First of all, I'm trying to be a Kevon fan. And he was literally so stupid and stubborn in the first half of this book. Like even after he was explicitly told that Zea was manipulated by his crazy mother to say those things/break his heart he was still taking it personally even though it was really obvious.
I was also disappointed that original characters with decent roles were still almost nonexistent, Forelle was hardly in this book at all, and Garrett was sort of just there all the time but not really playing a part.
And like with book 2, I felt like there were so many new characters just being rotated into significant roles and I didn't even remember who they were.
SPOILER AHEAD
The wedding confused me so much. It was so weird, and awkward, and I honestly thought it was all a setup or a plot and it wasn't even Kevon, but then it was legit and I was like???
The whole thing just felt so weird. I understand it happening so Zea was an heir, but it felt so off and strange, and Kevon was in a weird robot suit and couldn't move and I just hated it.
The politics etc. were also confusing, it seemed like everyone was jumping around in their loyalties and doing things for stupid reasons, and things could've been solved in easier ways. And we still didn't actually learn much about the world building, society, and all of that, so I still had a lot of questions.
Characters like Ryce were just gone and never mentioned again, and even Carolina and the queen were just brushed off at the end in a sentence, like 'and then everyone was executed for their crimes'. I thought that was pretty weird after all the effort Zea went to to not kill Kevons mother because he'd be upset, and then she was just executed and it wasn't even a big deal? And after Ryce being so weird and possessive and forceful, he was also just not around and not mentioned again.
It just seemed like a very rushed, tied-up ending that brushed all the consequences of war/revolution aside just to have a generic happy ending.
Anyway it was suitably melodramatic and ridiculous like the other books, but it just felt less-good. I also don't really like the 'twenty years later' thing in most books, but I guess it was setting up a spinoff series/next generation books.
I'll probably still read further series though. I'm a sucker for YA trash.
April 30, 2022
Not as good as book two but better than book one. I needed more angst honestly. Zea went missing and into near-death experiences every two minutes so I want more yearning and drama from Kevon, I wanted to see his POV and watch that boy panic when Zea was missing. He was way too chill.
I liked that there was some nuance in the handling of the Amstraadi nation and I liked Princess Briar but it still felt like a very vanilla revolution at some points. Otherall I enjoyed it and would like to read from this author again.
Wrapped up too nicely. Could have done with more drama and character deaths as no one died that was important. My only other complaint was Zea being queen and getting married at 16 and then having her first child at 18. Like there is all the time in the world for that.
Excited for a book following their son Caliux how has an equally dumb name as Kevon but in a different way.
December 15, 2021
Oh my soul!!! I'm so in love with this series I loved the ending so very much! I've been reading reviews of how they felt that it was getting kinda dragged on at the end, but honestly I kind of appreciated that. I like how it wasn't a rushed ending. The author I definitely feel like didnt get lazy and I really appreciate that. The only thing I wish I kinda got to see more in this book (not really a spoiler) was just seeing some more time for Prince Kevon and Zea to actually spend time together. Its like they'll have a really sweet moment and then a bomb will go off just something like that, but overall that didn't affect my rating on this book. I loved watching all the characters mature together!
August 28, 2022
zdecydowanie podobała mi się seria oraz jej zakończenie (ok. ostatnie 15% książki gryzłam poduszkę z nerwów, bo za dużo rzeczy na raz się działo), a 2 i 3 część były dużo lepsze i ciekawsze (i pod względem prowadzenia fabuły jak i bohaterów) niż 1.
Jeśli ktoś lubi dystopie, Rywalki, Czerwoną Królową i Igrzyska, to mogę polecić :)
Jeśli ktoś lubi dystopie, Rywalki, Czerwoną Królową i Igrzyska, to mogę polecić :)
June 15, 2025
Finished this series! Overall I did enjoy the plot and the overall messages woven throughout the story. The characters are well developed and their arc enjoyable to follow. My biggest critique for this series is the constant action after action and the times when it felt a bit unfathomable for the characters to be doing what they were. I felt that this at times kept the story moving at a fast pace but at others I just wanted them to dwell in the moments between action a bit more.
January 16, 2021
I was happy with the ending, but it seemed a little rushed. A ton of action happened throughout the book....some calmer moments would have been a nice respite. I would have liked to know more about some of the supporting characters, but maybe there will be some more books about them.
May 2, 2021
After reading the second book and the very promising development established in Princess Games, I was very much looking forward to this book. My expectations were probably too high.
For a book that concludes a series, it surely fell flat. It did not elicit the same feelings, and I was even losing interest in some parts because I felt like "I have seen this before one too many times". There is hardly ever a novelty in the threats Zea has to face, and it became a bit predictable; the pattern was really obvious. I was also dissatisfied with how many questions were left open at the end, not even mentioning the fact that the ends that met many of the characters were also lackluster. Ryce just disappeared from the scene. Carolina and Queen Damascena were dealt with by one sentence. Forelle as one of the best characters was hardly present. The family was also hardly present, and despite the events in the arena, it seemed like there are no feelings to spare to really mourn the father aside from Zea feeling hurt when Ryce taunted her by that. Kevon sounded half of the book like a completely different character to me with his reactions and general behavior. New characters were introduced and swept off as if nothing happened, without real development in the story - just inserted there. Except for princess Briar, she has my attention and even though her series might sound as just a spin-off of this series, I want to know more about Amstraad. Last but not least, all the development I saw in Zea was absent in this book, the only thing she really learned was starting to recognize when someone tried to manipulate her - well, they tried too many times the same trick, even she had to learn. I just felt majority of the book she had a lot of luck, wasn't really the best fit with Kevon, and did not see any clear vision of how exactly she would improve Phangloria aside from some general ideas or minor topics, something she criticized Carolina for but she wasn't much better. It was a fast read and I am glad I saw the conclusion with opening to a new series with character that sounds interesting (Briar; Calix I am a bit undecided about even after this first snippet but I am giving him a chance), however I have to conclude the execution was simply dissatisfying.
For a book that concludes a series, it surely fell flat. It did not elicit the same feelings, and I was even losing interest in some parts because I felt like "I have seen this before one too many times". There is hardly ever a novelty in the threats Zea has to face, and it became a bit predictable; the pattern was really obvious. I was also dissatisfied with how many questions were left open at the end, not even mentioning the fact that the ends that met many of the characters were also lackluster. Ryce just disappeared from the scene. Carolina and Queen Damascena were dealt with by one sentence. Forelle as one of the best characters was hardly present. The family was also hardly present, and despite the events in the arena, it seemed like there are no feelings to spare to really mourn the father aside from Zea feeling hurt when Ryce taunted her by that. Kevon sounded half of the book like a completely different character to me with his reactions and general behavior. New characters were introduced and swept off as if nothing happened, without real development in the story - just inserted there. Except for princess Briar, she has my attention and even though her series might sound as just a spin-off of this series, I want to know more about Amstraad. Last but not least, all the development I saw in Zea was absent in this book, the only thing she really learned was starting to recognize when someone tried to manipulate her - well, they tried too many times the same trick, even she had to learn. I just felt majority of the book she had a lot of luck, wasn't really the best fit with Kevon, and did not see any clear vision of how exactly she would improve Phangloria aside from some general ideas or minor topics, something she criticized Carolina for but she wasn't much better. It was a fast read and I am glad I saw the conclusion with opening to a new series with character that sounds interesting (Briar; Calix I am a bit undecided about even after this first snippet but I am giving him a chance), however I have to conclude the execution was simply dissatisfying.
November 20, 2020
The third book continues Zea's story and how she is manipulated by not only the Queen, mother to the man she loves but also by the leader and her son of the rebel group from the water deprived Harvester region.
Zea decides to do what is right in her code and fights for justice and the love of her Prince. Even if this means her own death.
A clean well written story with an end that nicely concludes the story told in all 3 of the books in this series. I would suggest it is best to read them in their chronological order.
Although I note that there will be extra books about some of the other characters that are pivotal in this book.
Zea decides to do what is right in her code and fights for justice and the love of her Prince. Even if this means her own death.
A clean well written story with an end that nicely concludes the story told in all 3 of the books in this series. I would suggest it is best to read them in their chronological order.
Although I note that there will be extra books about some of the other characters that are pivotal in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2022
2.5-2.75 Stars
Have you ever read a book/series that just frustrated the stuffing out of you but you had to continue reading/listening to it to see how it ends? Well, this series was like that for me. So many times throughout the series I wanted to bang my head and pull the ear buds out of my ears! The MC just couldn’t catch a break and the backstabbing and manipulations were just nuts. Im glad I finished the series but I’m not sure if I will read the spin off.
Have you ever read a book/series that just frustrated the stuffing out of you but you had to continue reading/listening to it to see how it ends? Well, this series was like that for me. So many times throughout the series I wanted to bang my head and pull the ear buds out of my ears! The MC just couldn’t catch a break and the backstabbing and manipulations were just nuts. Im glad I finished the series but I’m not sure if I will read the spin off.
January 19, 2021
Exactly like mockingjay in that it was slow,slow,show and then BAM everything happened at once. Not my cup of tea
May 23, 2021
So the end is here; the third book in the series The Princess Trials is a roller coaster of a ride with so much action packed into it you won't be able to put it down.
The revolution is here and it is not what Zea had in mind. With her mentor going down the crazy road it is up to her to save the country she originally plotted against. There are so many ups and downs in this book and you never know what's real or not. Zea has made a lot of enemies during her time on the Princess Trials and some of those enemies are making a re-emergence against her. Kevon has a lot to think through and even more to process- there are times that you want to smack him and then there are others you want to kiss him; it's maddening!
The descriptions of this book are spot on. The author does an amazing job laying everything out so you can really picture what is happening and how someone looks. The writing flows really nicely as well. It is a story that is smoothly executed and easy to read.
There is more Hunger Games than Selection in this book. There are a lot of loose ends from book two that were answered in this book. A lot of character stories were wrapped up and very nicely if I do say so myself. We did get a glimpse into a few "new" characters in this book that would have been nice to learn more of, though it might come to pass that they get their own spin-off stories.
All in all, this was a very good book and series to read. It has quite an original storyline going for it, and as I said before very good writing. The world-building was fantastic and it was well-paced. I was happy to read this, and I would recommend it to those who want a bit of action and adventure!
The revolution is here and it is not what Zea had in mind. With her mentor going down the crazy road it is up to her to save the country she originally plotted against. There are so many ups and downs in this book and you never know what's real or not. Zea has made a lot of enemies during her time on the Princess Trials and some of those enemies are making a re-emergence against her. Kevon has a lot to think through and even more to process- there are times that you want to smack him and then there are others you want to kiss him; it's maddening!
The descriptions of this book are spot on. The author does an amazing job laying everything out so you can really picture what is happening and how someone looks. The writing flows really nicely as well. It is a story that is smoothly executed and easy to read.
There is more Hunger Games than Selection in this book. There are a lot of loose ends from book two that were answered in this book. A lot of character stories were wrapped up and very nicely if I do say so myself. We did get a glimpse into a few "new" characters in this book that would have been nice to learn more of, though it might come to pass that they get their own spin-off stories.
All in all, this was a very good book and series to read. It has quite an original storyline going for it, and as I said before very good writing. The world-building was fantastic and it was well-paced. I was happy to read this, and I would recommend it to those who want a bit of action and adventure!
July 29, 2021
Final Rating: 3.6/5 Stars
When I first read the plot of this book, I was sorta disappointed by where the author was going to take the plot for this last book. Thankfully, that plot only lasted about 5 seconds. There were certainly moments in this book where I wasn't that engaged, but other moments (the "action scenes" specifically) that really surprised me. Also, being a pretty big romantic, the main couple always kept me entertained. That said, as exciting as those scenes were, sometimes I just wished the characters could take a little breather, y'know. I mean, I know the country was in complete chaos, but threats were popping up every 3 pages, so it was hard to trust any of the happy moments. Plus, the writing didn't exactly clear up the constant confusion from the first book, but at least I've grown familiar with the environment of The Princess Trials. All in all, I'm probably not gonna remember much of this trilogy as time goes on, but it was a nice break from all of the predictability that haunts this literary world.
When I first read the plot of this book, I was sorta disappointed by where the author was going to take the plot for this last book. Thankfully, that plot only lasted about 5 seconds. There were certainly moments in this book where I wasn't that engaged, but other moments (the "action scenes" specifically) that really surprised me. Also, being a pretty big romantic, the main couple always kept me entertained. That said, as exciting as those scenes were, sometimes I just wished the characters could take a little breather, y'know. I mean, I know the country was in complete chaos, but threats were popping up every 3 pages, so it was hard to trust any of the happy moments. Plus, the writing didn't exactly clear up the constant confusion from the first book, but at least I've grown familiar with the environment of The Princess Trials. All in all, I'm probably not gonna remember much of this trilogy as time goes on, but it was a nice break from all of the predictability that haunts this literary world.
June 1, 2022
While the first book was magnificent and kept me on edge. The following two books didn’t quite measure up. The series is wonderful but the first book set a high bar. It almost reminds me of Divergent. The first book is amazing but the following books don’t quite measure up even though they are good.
Zea has to continue the fight but Prince Kevon has learned of the real reason why she had entered the Princess Trials.
I feel like the romance was good. The action at the beginning of the book held my attention. Towards the middle, it slowed down a smidge then picked back up then would slow down then pick back up to an ending that was surprisingly good.
There is a book called Princess Purge but that falls Princess Briar’s story. Briar was a character that I wasn’t very fond of nor did I dislike her. It’s up in the air if I will read her story.
A good end to a good series.
Zea has to continue the fight but Prince Kevon has learned of the real reason why she had entered the Princess Trials.
I feel like the romance was good. The action at the beginning of the book held my attention. Towards the middle, it slowed down a smidge then picked back up then would slow down then pick back up to an ending that was surprisingly good.
There is a book called Princess Purge but that falls Princess Briar’s story. Briar was a character that I wasn’t very fond of nor did I dislike her. It’s up in the air if I will read her story.
A good end to a good series.
January 25, 2023
This is the most intense book in the series, and I'm saying this after highlighting in past reviews that the first novel had more violence in it than The Hunger Games.
This installment focuses a lot on the political aspect of the series, which is to be expected as it needs to tie up all the lose ends, but I can see how some readers could get lost trying to keep up with all that's happening in Phangloria. The drama between Zea and Kevon is less in this novel than it was in the second one, but still somehow frustrating? Not unbearable though; I do think that the author did a good job at using the political aspects to help patch up their relationship in a cohesive way.
Overall, this was the exact ending I expected after the absolute rollercoaster that the first two books put you through, and I'm glad that I stumbled upon this series when I did.
This installment focuses a lot on the political aspect of the series, which is to be expected as it needs to tie up all the lose ends, but I can see how some readers could get lost trying to keep up with all that's happening in Phangloria. The drama between Zea and Kevon is less in this novel than it was in the second one, but still somehow frustrating? Not unbearable though; I do think that the author did a good job at using the political aspects to help patch up their relationship in a cohesive way.
Overall, this was the exact ending I expected after the absolute rollercoaster that the first two books put you through, and I'm glad that I stumbled upon this series when I did.
March 29, 2024
There’s just way too much going on always. Like someone’s is always trying to murder her that’s all that happens. Then every time the author doesn’t want to describe all the details of how something got fixed and the problem, she just knocks the main character out and then when she wakes up someone says “Oh hey all your problems were solved while you were sleeping.”
With most of the series consisting of Zea trying to stay alive, I feel like there wasn’t proper character development just “oh crap I better do something before I die” I don’t know something was just off.
With most of the series consisting of Zea trying to stay alive, I feel like there wasn’t proper character development just “oh crap I better do something before I die” I don’t know something was just off.
December 16, 2021
The ending really threw me for a loop
I really want to rate this a 3.5 rather than a 3. I enjoyed this series and I am looking forward to reading the Princess Purge, but I couldn’t help feeling like the ending of this book was hastily put together as a “slap a happily ever after on it!” And be done. Also- how many times can Zea be gassed, or knocked unconscious to wake up on a table or the ground captured by someone else.
I really want to rate this a 3.5 rather than a 3. I enjoyed this series and I am looking forward to reading the Princess Purge, but I couldn’t help feeling like the ending of this book was hastily put together as a “slap a happily ever after on it!” And be done. Also- how many times can Zea be gassed, or knocked unconscious to wake up on a table or the ground captured by someone else.
January 28, 2025
Honestly, I loved the first two books in this series. But, this book lost it for me.
There are only so many times we can reuse the same plot device before I get bored or annoyed. By the end of the book, I was annoyed and almost hoping that we would get a complete overhaul of authority with how often Zea's life was in danger.
And if we had spent less time putting her in the 8 million life-threatening situations, we could have included a more climatic resolution.
There are only so many times we can reuse the same plot device before I get bored or annoyed. By the end of the book, I was annoyed and almost hoping that we would get a complete overhaul of authority with how often Zea's life was in danger.
And if we had spent less time putting her in the 8 million life-threatening situations, we could have included a more climatic resolution.
March 4, 2021
I really enjoyed reading these book series, and I loved the characters. The book had the ending I wanted which was great! But just wish there was more at the end, it felt like the last couple of chapters were super short and suddenly everything was just over? I think this happens in a lot of YA books once all the action is over, but after the action is my favourite bit!!
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