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Shattered Kingdom #1
Shattered Kingdom
Perfect for fans of "Throne of Glass" and "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas and "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo.
Sworn to a goddess. One with her blade. A heart yet unbroken.
It would have been only one more year of training. One year in the dust and wind of the Calma Desert. But Gandrett Brayton’s fate storms in disguised as a beautiful stranger with a damning secret.
As he forces her into the service of the lord who tore her from her mother’s arms ten years ago to commit her to the Order of Vala, Gandrett is left with a choice: run, or work for the man she despises and earn the chance to see her family again. Trained with all the weapons she can wield with her hands, Gandrett must learn that at the courts of the shattered kingdom of Sives, her sword won’t help her - especially when it is her own heart on the line.
Shattered Kingdom is bestselling author Angelina J. Steffort's new young adult epic fantasy romance about a girl who's heart could change the course of history.
Sworn to a goddess. One with her blade. A heart yet unbroken.
It would have been only one more year of training. One year in the dust and wind of the Calma Desert. But Gandrett Brayton’s fate storms in disguised as a beautiful stranger with a damning secret.
As he forces her into the service of the lord who tore her from her mother’s arms ten years ago to commit her to the Order of Vala, Gandrett is left with a choice: run, or work for the man she despises and earn the chance to see her family again. Trained with all the weapons she can wield with her hands, Gandrett must learn that at the courts of the shattered kingdom of Sives, her sword won’t help her - especially when it is her own heart on the line.
Shattered Kingdom is bestselling author Angelina J. Steffort's new young adult epic fantasy romance about a girl who's heart could change the course of history.
457 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
2709 people are currently reading
16785 people want to read
About the author
Angelina J. Steffort
39 books1,154 followers"Chocolate fanatic, milk foam enthusiast and strict fan of the southern sting-ray. Writing is an unexpected career path for me."
Angelina J. Steffort is a bestselling, award-winning Austrian novelist, best known for her Wings series and her Shattered Kingdom series. With over twenty YA and adult fantasy and paranormal romance books under her belt, Angelina is far from done with inventing and exploring new worlds. That might have something to do with her passion for following the narrative of new characters and getting surprised by the twists they spin on her stories. Angelina has multiple educational backgrounds including engineering, business, music, and acting. Currently, Angelina lives in Vienna, Austria, with her husband and her son.
Find Angelina online: linktr.ee/ajsteffort
Subscribe to Angelina's newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/ajs_zon_nl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
March 7, 2023
When I say I devoured this… I DEVOURED it. Made the fatal mistake of starting to read early before bed, and was up until 6am to finish it. I love this type of story that keeps me on edge and guessing. To be honest, because of the author's unique writing style, I had a hard time getting through the book in the beginning. It was like every inner thought was written in too many long lines with unnecessary information, which I found a little... tiring in the first few chapters. But I am glad I didn't give up. From the middle, the writing gradually improved to the point where I was completely engrossed by the story. I think the author has done a great job in creating a believable fantasy world with many mysteries, complex characters, full of actions, interesting magical system, and hints of a few more exciting events to come.
And on the romantic side, despite the huge difference in their ages, I kinda enjoyed too much the game of hatred between our shady-grumpy-fae and badass-heroine. Well...what can I say, 😁 I'm a sucker for this type of angsty thing. With Fated-Mates trope?! Sign me up any time!
Anyway, the foundation of the story is solidly laid out, and no doubt the rest of the books in this epic fantasy series will be more interesting. I already have a feeling I'm going to love them all.
P.S: While I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the book, I couldn't help but feel that the cover design didn't quite do it justice. In my opinion, a book of this caliber deserves a more beautiful and eye-catching cover that accurately reflects the quality of the writing and story within.
And on the romantic side, despite the huge difference in their ages, I kinda enjoyed too much the game of hatred between our shady-grumpy-fae and badass-heroine. Well...what can I say, 😁 I'm a sucker for this type of angsty thing. With Fated-Mates trope?! Sign me up any time!
Anyway, the foundation of the story is solidly laid out, and no doubt the rest of the books in this epic fantasy series will be more interesting. I already have a feeling I'm going to love them all.
P.S: While I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the book, I couldn't help but feel that the cover design didn't quite do it justice. In my opinion, a book of this caliber deserves a more beautiful and eye-catching cover that accurately reflects the quality of the writing and story within.
January 12, 2022
What a well written book! It had everything I enjoy reading adventure, a bit of romance and a great plot that had me guessing what was gonna happen next. I couldn’t put this book down I greedily read it in 2 days! Highly recommend!
March 13, 2021
So, I know a lot of us are obsessed with Nehelon, the fae male but I find myself in love with Brax and especially Armand! Armand stole my heart and ran away with it. How could anyone not love him? Don’t get me wrong, I adore Nehelon but nowhere near how I feel about Armand.
This was so amazing. The story, world building and the characters! Wow. I was so entranced that I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to get back into it with the next book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was so amazing. The story, world building and the characters! Wow. I was so entranced that I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to get back into it with the next book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 11, 2023
Can we all just agree that authors need just stop pairing teenagers with 100+ year old guys. C’mon man it’s just weird.
This was not written very well at all, the sentences were clunky and I had to keep re-reading shit because it just didn’t make any sense.
The romance: too big of an age difference, the fact that she was only 17 made me kind creeped out how leery he was with her.
The characters: MMC had an awful personality, he either grinned, smiled ferally or snapped. A lot. It starts to loose it’s effect when it’s done on every other page. The FMC was supposed to be this great fighter, a warrior basically.. but she came across as naive and kind of a wuss? She was terrified of our MMC, which was annoying. Like girl, grow some lady balls?
I gave it 2 stars because the plot had potential, but this needed some serious editing.. and maybe just rewritten completely.
This was not written very well at all, the sentences were clunky and I had to keep re-reading shit because it just didn’t make any sense.
The romance: too big of an age difference, the fact that she was only 17 made me kind creeped out how leery he was with her.
The characters: MMC had an awful personality, he either grinned, smiled ferally or snapped. A lot. It starts to loose it’s effect when it’s done on every other page. The FMC was supposed to be this great fighter, a warrior basically.. but she came across as naive and kind of a wuss? She was terrified of our MMC, which was annoying. Like girl, grow some lady balls?
I gave it 2 stars because the plot had potential, but this needed some serious editing.. and maybe just rewritten completely.
dnf
February 2, 2022DNF at 31%.
Reading this book felt like a chore, I just kept pushing myself, so I decided to dnf. I couldn’t connect with the characters at all, the inner monologues are repetitive and the sentences are longer than my life. The girl is 17, but the guy is much older and considers her a grown woman with curves, that was creepy af. She is a trained fighter, but the whole task revolves around her learning instead how to be seductive 🥴
Reading this book felt like a chore, I just kept pushing myself, so I decided to dnf. I couldn’t connect with the characters at all, the inner monologues are repetitive and the sentences are longer than my life. The girl is 17, but the guy is much older and considers her a grown woman with curves, that was creepy af. She is a trained fighter, but the whole task revolves around her learning instead how to be seductive 🥴
November 8, 2021
Actual rating: 4.5🌟
THIS. THIS WAS WHAT I WANTED.
I need to calm down and I'll be back with a review
THIS. THIS WAS WHAT I WANTED.
I need to calm down and I'll be back with a review
June 16, 2021
Questionable
Definitely an intriguing world. The plot was decent, if a little too reminiscent of Throne of Glass. There were some notable differences though, so that made reading more interesting.
Unfortunately, the grammar is bad. Its not everywhere, but its frequent enough to be jarring. Contractions are used in ways that doesn't make sense. For example, saying "Hadn't it been for..." Instead of "Had it not been for..." There were also some missing words, wrong adjectives and adverbs, and lots of odd phrases. IMO, this book needs a strong editors eye to correct these things. If someone actually said the words/phrases aloud, they would have trouble with it because it was so unnatural. I was able to still read the story, I just found myself jarred out of the story every few pages because of the bad grammar.
One trope I really dislike is the blushing virgin and the older male. Sadly,, we get this in this book. At least give her some sexual awareness if you're going to pair her with an much older partner. I dislike virginal MCs because they can be such a sexist trope constraining feminine sexuality to historically male mandated ideas of purity, female agency, and lack of identity. If you want clean romance, fine, but then make them both virgins, not just the female MC. I don't need the paternal hand of a too old for her male to guide her in sexual experiences. Its creepy and reinforces bad messages to today's females on so many levels.
Also, the kiss scene is questionable as he kisses her when she's unconscious. There's no consent. It is not ok. Women have been raised to think the sleeping beauty kiss is romantic. I used to. But when you think about the lack of consent involved, it becomes disturbing. We send this message out to women over and over that they can expect to be touched without consent (sexually or otherwise) instead of showing what consent looks like. A kiss may be small to some people, but these things start small. It starts with a sense of male entitlement to a woman's space or person, however small, and we normalize this abuse until we don't see it as abuse. We call it normal or romance and tell a woman indirectly that her space, her BODY, isn't really hers at all. That her identity and choices don't matter because she is supposed to be subsumed by a male partner.
So, while this is a promising series and I will read the next book, I can't give it more than 1.5-2 stars right now.
Definitely an intriguing world. The plot was decent, if a little too reminiscent of Throne of Glass. There were some notable differences though, so that made reading more interesting.
Unfortunately, the grammar is bad. Its not everywhere, but its frequent enough to be jarring. Contractions are used in ways that doesn't make sense. For example, saying "Hadn't it been for..." Instead of "Had it not been for..." There were also some missing words, wrong adjectives and adverbs, and lots of odd phrases. IMO, this book needs a strong editors eye to correct these things. If someone actually said the words/phrases aloud, they would have trouble with it because it was so unnatural. I was able to still read the story, I just found myself jarred out of the story every few pages because of the bad grammar.
One trope I really dislike is the blushing virgin and the older male. Sadly,, we get this in this book. At least give her some sexual awareness if you're going to pair her with an much older partner. I dislike virginal MCs because they can be such a sexist trope constraining feminine sexuality to historically male mandated ideas of purity, female agency, and lack of identity. If you want clean romance, fine, but then make them both virgins, not just the female MC. I don't need the paternal hand of a too old for her male to guide her in sexual experiences. Its creepy and reinforces bad messages to today's females on so many levels.
Also, the kiss scene is questionable as he kisses her when she's unconscious. There's no consent. It is not ok. Women have been raised to think the sleeping beauty kiss is romantic. I used to. But when you think about the lack of consent involved, it becomes disturbing. We send this message out to women over and over that they can expect to be touched without consent (sexually or otherwise) instead of showing what consent looks like. A kiss may be small to some people, but these things start small. It starts with a sense of male entitlement to a woman's space or person, however small, and we normalize this abuse until we don't see it as abuse. We call it normal or romance and tell a woman indirectly that her space, her BODY, isn't really hers at all. That her identity and choices don't matter because she is supposed to be subsumed by a male partner.
So, while this is a promising series and I will read the next book, I can't give it more than 1.5-2 stars right now.
April 19, 2023
This book was so good. I am a huge SJM fan, so this was right up my alley. Strong female lead, brooding men at every turn, and magic! This was a really great read, and I loved every minute of Gandrett's journey.
I'm also here for Nehelon, so there's that. If you loved ToG, you'll like Shattered Kingdom. If you love the world styles of Bardugo, you'll like Shattered Kingdom. Get a copy today, because you need it.
I'm also here for Nehelon, so there's that. If you loved ToG, you'll like Shattered Kingdom. If you love the world styles of Bardugo, you'll like Shattered Kingdom. Get a copy today, because you need it.
February 1, 2021
DNF 10%. I just couldn't get into it. It was both confusing and boring. Also slightly concerned about the potential age gap. The hero makes commentary that makes me believe that he's much older than the heroine, though he looks only a few years older than her. I'm not down for reading about a 17 year old being obsessed over by a potentially older man who views her as a "girl" but makes observations about her body being "all woman". Creepy/Predatory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 25, 2023rtc
March 5, 2023
This really starts in the middle of everything but it is not hard to get caught up. It's always nice to have a fantasy that is easy to keep up with, I won't say that this is the most action-packed fantasy novel that I've read but it is interesting and easy to keep up with.
February 12, 2023
This was a weird book but I devoured it. I have to warn you though. I hate dragons with my whole heart so I’m not sure I’ll like the other books. I’ll keep on reading still, I adore stories with Fae.
October 29, 2021
DNF at 22%.
I really wanted to like this one - the concept and basic plot are interesting, and they're the reason why I might give this book another shot later on, but I don't know if I'm just not in the mood, but the pacing just feels... off. The story starts right in the middle of action, which just makes the whole setting really confusing and it's just... hard to empathize with any of the characters? Sure, we're constantly told stuff about them, like how Gandrett misses her family very much after being separated from them, how she wants to have a life outside of the strict boundaries imposed on her... but because all that information gets told to us, it just feels like the book is unfinished and that there are chapters missing. And it goes without mentioning that it honestly needs maybe a round or two of editing, because the prose is very wordy, with very long, run-down sentences, to describe pretty much anything, including action. When it comes to following the story, it just makes it all the more confusing, and when they're intersected with nominal sentences that are there for no reason at all, I just end up paying more attention to the choppy prose than the actual story, which is already hard to follow.
Again, maybe I'm just not in the right mindset for this, and I might give it another chance later on.
I really wanted to like this one - the concept and basic plot are interesting, and they're the reason why I might give this book another shot later on, but I don't know if I'm just not in the mood, but the pacing just feels... off. The story starts right in the middle of action, which just makes the whole setting really confusing and it's just... hard to empathize with any of the characters? Sure, we're constantly told stuff about them, like how Gandrett misses her family very much after being separated from them, how she wants to have a life outside of the strict boundaries imposed on her... but because all that information gets told to us, it just feels like the book is unfinished and that there are chapters missing. And it goes without mentioning that it honestly needs maybe a round or two of editing, because the prose is very wordy, with very long, run-down sentences, to describe pretty much anything, including action. When it comes to following the story, it just makes it all the more confusing, and when they're intersected with nominal sentences that are there for no reason at all, I just end up paying more attention to the choppy prose than the actual story, which is already hard to follow.
Again, maybe I'm just not in the right mindset for this, and I might give it another chance later on.
May 19, 2021
4.5
I was in a big reading slump and somehow this book got me out of it! I loved Gandrett, loved her inner monologues and her character development. I loved Armand and Brax they stole my heart.
It was a typical first book, I loved the pace and the plot I didn’t see coming,
I’m really intrigued and can’t wait to start the second book
I was in a big reading slump and somehow this book got me out of it! I loved Gandrett, loved her inner monologues and her character development. I loved Armand and Brax they stole my heart.
It was a typical first book, I loved the pace and the plot I didn’t see coming,
I’m really intrigued and can’t wait to start the second book
March 14, 2025
I did not expect this to get as intense as it did! The first half was intriguing enough but the second completely ramped up and had me on the edge of seat. It was just revelation after revelation, and I ended up totally consumed by the story. The cliffhanger chapter endings were criminal! The romance was subtle but sweet with a love triangle developing. 👏
As each character was introduced the story became more layered and intriguing, but it definitely felt like we only got a taste of their personalities and backstories in this book, with more focus on plot set up and introductions, but I already love them all! I felt for Gandrett pretty early on and was immediately rooting for her, and Nehelon was so broody and mysterious. I loved their dynamic. And once Armand entered the picture, I was instantly captured by him and what his involvement could lead to. Super excited to continue the series!
The only issue I had was the writing felt drawn out and repetitive at times which threw me off at first as I'd get lost in a sentence and have to reread it a few times, but it became easier to digest around 30% in.
As each character was introduced the story became more layered and intriguing, but it definitely felt like we only got a taste of their personalities and backstories in this book, with more focus on plot set up and introductions, but I already love them all! I felt for Gandrett pretty early on and was immediately rooting for her, and Nehelon was so broody and mysterious. I loved their dynamic. And once Armand entered the picture, I was instantly captured by him and what his involvement could lead to. Super excited to continue the series!
The only issue I had was the writing felt drawn out and repetitive at times which threw me off at first as I'd get lost in a sentence and have to reread it a few times, but it became easier to digest around 30% in.
June 6, 2022
A truly amazing gem of a book! With a similar feel as throne of glass but a completely unique story and amazing characters, it got me hooked from the very first page. If you're a fan of Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass, or just want a really good fantasy book to read, you should definitely try this one out. Cannot recommend it enough!
June 18, 2020
I think this might be a top favorite. The story line was a mystery you just couldn't put down!!! From a simple life to political intrigue you cant gonwrong with shattered kingdom. Is that a hint of romance? Possibly, read it and see what's mixed in with sword play, secret tunnels, and princes.
March 26, 2023
2,5/5
17 yo blushing virgin fierce fighter (without any personality but the most beautiful face in the whoooole world) is loved by a 300 yo fae male, and by two princes.
Enough said lol
(Also! The audiobook si so bad!! The narrator is so flat and breathy 😭)
17 yo blushing virgin fierce fighter (without any personality but the most beautiful face in the whoooole world) is loved by a 300 yo fae male, and by two princes.
Enough said lol
(Also! The audiobook si so bad!! The narrator is so flat and breathy 😭)
Want to read
August 12, 2023Drawn to that gorgeous cover.
September 26, 2025
I've been unable to settle on a rating for this book since I finished it yesterday. While I did enjoy things about it that make me want to give it 3/4 stars, there were things I didn't like about the story, characters, and especially the writing style, that make me want to demote it to 2 stars... Thus, I've settled on a 3 (maybe). Not the worst, not the best. There are spoilers after this next paragraph.
The main thing I struggled with is the writing style, and let me tell you, I struggled. I love having the world and its characters drawn beautifully for me with elaborate descriptors, but I don't love them being repeatedly rammed down my throat throughout the entire book. If I'm told once that a character has black hair, blue eyes, and sexy lips, I don't need to hear it 40 more times within this short of a book. Seriously, we really do get that Nehelon has "sensual lips" 🥴. I'm probably damned to think of this damn book anytime I see those two words paired together within the foreseeable future. Also, he is super handsome and his eyes are apparently "diamond blue" (what does that even mean). Can someone give this author a thesaurus so she can at least pick some different adjectives? You have to slog through excessive descriptors in every paragraph. Instead of saying "She sat down", it had to be "She plopped heavily down into the ultra fluffy chair, puffed out a long and exhausted breath, and stared into his diamond-blue eyes inquisitively" (not from the book, just a bad example because I'm too lazy to find one). It made reading a chore and kept pulling me out of the story. It looks like some other reviewers felt the same, so I guess I'm not alone.
My other struggle was the thing between Nehelon (hundreds of years old) and Gandrett (only 17). I know not everyone shares this aversion, but I hate pairing a young, completely inexperienced character with a much older, very experienced one. She has never even left the priory since she was 7, and due to the rules, she's never even kissed someone. She is completely green while he is definitely not. It just felt creepy to me. Aside from that, I don't understanding why feelings are even budding between them. I love a good enemies-to-lovers/tsundere romance, but Nehelon is a dick and has done almost nothing to inspire fuzzy feelings in Gandrett. He's super attractive and is occasionally decent and overly protective towards her.... So? Why does she have any interest? Why not just lust? I was hoping she'd fall for Armand, who is a character with genuine and open interest in her, but no. If Nehelon had started cold and gradually warmed up to her, feelings developing as it went, I would have found it believable, but his extreme back and forth was so aggravating. One moment he's a huge asshole, the next he's worried about her, then he's emotionless, then he's pining for her. If this "male" is so old, why is he behaving like a teenage boy......? I'm reading book 2 now and it's still happening. I'm just waiting for the cliche mate-bond thing to come up to explain his nonsensical feelings towards her.
Now can we talk about some of the ridiculous, unbelievable story elements?
The Brenheran family hires a Child of Vala, who has unparalleled fighting skills, to seduce a noble's son in order to facilitate the escape of their own kidnapped son.......... What? The Childred of Vala are basically warrior monks/nuns or templars, but you hired one to seduce someone...? Why couldn't they have found some noble female that Armand didn't know of, someone who actually had the social skills to integrate into a court setting, instead? I don't understand why they needed a fighter. The Denderlain castle is filled with guards, and Armand is a skilled fighter himself, so it's not like one girl is going to fight her way out of there. Please, make it make sense. Also, could someone tell me what the deal was with that stupid fight scene between Linniue, Gandrett, and Armand? Why did they allow her to continue chanting instead of just knocking her out immediately? The guard was already taken care of, so that made zero sense to me.
Also, a small nit-pick. I thought the sudden appearance of Gandrett's magic was a little silly. I've read dozens of books with this same trope handled better, where they had little things happen as time went on to hint at their magic developing. With Gandrett, there was nothing, then she suddenly has magic one day. I told myself it was tied to extreme emotions, that she's been coerced and trained into suppressing hers since she was a child, and now she's experiencing these sudden strong feelings due to her friends being in danger, but I still just didn't love it.
Honestly, after typing out the things I really didn't like, I'm having trouble recalling what I enjoyed.
I guess I did like Gandrett at times, though I felt she was weirdly capricious and didn't always conform to her originally outlined character traits, but I still liked her enough. I also liked Armand, Addie, Brax, McKenzie...just most of the supporting characters, apparently. As for Nehelon, I never liked him and really still don't, but please change my mind. 🤷🏻♀️
I think the thing about Shygon and its worshippers could be interesting, and I assume it will eventually result in dragons appearing. I wonder if Addie or Gandrett will be a descendant of the Dragon King, because we know fantasy stories love an ultra rare and shiny protagonist. I know I do. Give me Richard Rahl, Aelin Galathynius, Rand al'Thor, Favrielle Lothaire.
Overall, I'll keep reading this series because I have a thing where I hate not finishing one after I've started it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I start liking it more than I dislike it. Also, I'm changing my rating to 2 stars because my list of dislikes hugely outweighs my very few likes. I don't even know if I'll be able to get through the next book, much less the rest of the series...unless Nehelon is killed off - I'd read for that alone.
TLDR: Writing style is overly descriptive and a chore to slog through, and the "romance" leaves much to be desired, but the story has the potential to be interesting as it develops.
The main thing I struggled with is the writing style, and let me tell you, I struggled. I love having the world and its characters drawn beautifully for me with elaborate descriptors, but I don't love them being repeatedly rammed down my throat throughout the entire book. If I'm told once that a character has black hair, blue eyes, and sexy lips, I don't need to hear it 40 more times within this short of a book. Seriously, we really do get that Nehelon has "sensual lips" 🥴. I'm probably damned to think of this damn book anytime I see those two words paired together within the foreseeable future. Also, he is super handsome and his eyes are apparently "diamond blue" (what does that even mean). Can someone give this author a thesaurus so she can at least pick some different adjectives? You have to slog through excessive descriptors in every paragraph. Instead of saying "She sat down", it had to be "She plopped heavily down into the ultra fluffy chair, puffed out a long and exhausted breath, and stared into his diamond-blue eyes inquisitively" (not from the book, just a bad example because I'm too lazy to find one). It made reading a chore and kept pulling me out of the story. It looks like some other reviewers felt the same, so I guess I'm not alone.
My other struggle was the thing between Nehelon (hundreds of years old) and Gandrett (only 17). I know not everyone shares this aversion, but I hate pairing a young, completely inexperienced character with a much older, very experienced one. She has never even left the priory since she was 7, and due to the rules, she's never even kissed someone. She is completely green while he is definitely not. It just felt creepy to me. Aside from that, I don't understanding why feelings are even budding between them. I love a good enemies-to-lovers/tsundere romance, but Nehelon is a dick and has done almost nothing to inspire fuzzy feelings in Gandrett. He's super attractive and is occasionally decent and overly protective towards her.... So? Why does she have any interest? Why not just lust? I was hoping she'd fall for Armand, who is a character with genuine and open interest in her, but no. If Nehelon had started cold and gradually warmed up to her, feelings developing as it went, I would have found it believable, but his extreme back and forth was so aggravating. One moment he's a huge asshole, the next he's worried about her, then he's emotionless, then he's pining for her. If this "male" is so old, why is he behaving like a teenage boy......? I'm reading book 2 now and it's still happening. I'm just waiting for the cliche mate-bond thing to come up to explain his nonsensical feelings towards her.
Now can we talk about some of the ridiculous, unbelievable story elements?
The Brenheran family hires a Child of Vala, who has unparalleled fighting skills, to seduce a noble's son in order to facilitate the escape of their own kidnapped son.......... What? The Childred of Vala are basically warrior monks/nuns or templars, but you hired one to seduce someone...? Why couldn't they have found some noble female that Armand didn't know of, someone who actually had the social skills to integrate into a court setting, instead? I don't understand why they needed a fighter. The Denderlain castle is filled with guards, and Armand is a skilled fighter himself, so it's not like one girl is going to fight her way out of there. Please, make it make sense. Also, could someone tell me what the deal was with that stupid fight scene between Linniue, Gandrett, and Armand? Why did they allow her to continue chanting instead of just knocking her out immediately? The guard was already taken care of, so that made zero sense to me.
Also, a small nit-pick. I thought the sudden appearance of Gandrett's magic was a little silly. I've read dozens of books with this same trope handled better, where they had little things happen as time went on to hint at their magic developing. With Gandrett, there was nothing, then she suddenly has magic one day. I told myself it was tied to extreme emotions, that she's been coerced and trained into suppressing hers since she was a child, and now she's experiencing these sudden strong feelings due to her friends being in danger, but I still just didn't love it.
Honestly, after typing out the things I really didn't like, I'm having trouble recalling what I enjoyed.
I guess I did like Gandrett at times, though I felt she was weirdly capricious and didn't always conform to her originally outlined character traits, but I still liked her enough. I also liked Armand, Addie, Brax, McKenzie...just most of the supporting characters, apparently. As for Nehelon, I never liked him and really still don't, but please change my mind. 🤷🏻♀️
I think the thing about Shygon and its worshippers could be interesting, and I assume it will eventually result in dragons appearing. I wonder if Addie or Gandrett will be a descendant of the Dragon King, because we know fantasy stories love an ultra rare and shiny protagonist. I know I do. Give me Richard Rahl, Aelin Galathynius, Rand al'Thor, Favrielle Lothaire.
Overall, I'll keep reading this series because I have a thing where I hate not finishing one after I've started it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I start liking it more than I dislike it. Also, I'm changing my rating to 2 stars because my list of dislikes hugely outweighs my very few likes. I don't even know if I'll be able to get through the next book, much less the rest of the series...unless Nehelon is killed off - I'd read for that alone.
TLDR: Writing style is overly descriptive and a chore to slog through, and the "romance" leaves much to be desired, but the story has the potential to be interesting as it develops.
March 4, 2024
Both loved and hated this...solidly in the middle about it - while our setting was great and the concept was there, the main character made me wanna throw my head into a wall...several times.
July 28, 2022
It did not deserve a 5.
Although the storyline was cool, it was a bit plain. Nothing too crazy or mind blowing.
The real issue I had with this book was the writing. Gods, the writing. Has this woman never heard of a full-stop? These sentences were longer than my reading list and we all know how 15 yr old YA readers are.
Otherwise, an alright read 👍 (I will continue with the series cause I am slightly interested as to how her celibacy vows play in with the 3??? love interests)
Although the storyline was cool, it was a bit plain. Nothing too crazy or mind blowing.
The real issue I had with this book was the writing. Gods, the writing. Has this woman never heard of a full-stop? These sentences were longer than my reading list and we all know how 15 yr old YA readers are.
Otherwise, an alright read 👍 (I will continue with the series cause I am slightly interested as to how her celibacy vows play in with the 3??? love interests)
June 27, 2020
I received Shattered Kingdom as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying that if you're a Throne of Glass fan, you will, hands down, LOVE this book. I got all of the same feels that I did while reading ToG, I loved all of the characters and the storytelling was *chefs kiss*
Gandrett Brayton has resigned herself to a life of servitude as a child of Vala, devoting her life to the Goddess and the Meister who runs the priory where she's lived for the past ten years. Enter Nehelon, who offers her a chance to leave, on one condition. She must aid him in a rescue mission. The only catch is that the man who has hired her for the job, Tyrem Brenheran, is the same man who gave the order to send her to the priory. The Lord of Ackwood. Can she put her pride aside to rescue Tyrem's son, or will she let her herself be entranced by the charming Armand Denderlain, son to the Lord of Eedwood.
With so many twists and turns, you won't be able to put the book down.
Let me start by saying that if you're a Throne of Glass fan, you will, hands down, LOVE this book. I got all of the same feels that I did while reading ToG, I loved all of the characters and the storytelling was *chefs kiss*
Gandrett Brayton has resigned herself to a life of servitude as a child of Vala, devoting her life to the Goddess and the Meister who runs the priory where she's lived for the past ten years. Enter Nehelon, who offers her a chance to leave, on one condition. She must aid him in a rescue mission. The only catch is that the man who has hired her for the job, Tyrem Brenheran, is the same man who gave the order to send her to the priory. The Lord of Ackwood. Can she put her pride aside to rescue Tyrem's son, or will she let her herself be entranced by the charming Armand Denderlain, son to the Lord of Eedwood.
With so many twists and turns, you won't be able to put the book down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2023
If you enjoy Carissa Broadbent’s books, you’ll love this! It’s really good!!! Why aren’t more people reading it? It’s got humans and Fae and magic and quests and possibly a chosen one. Plus there’s a hint of forbidden romance! It’s all the best tropes. I’ve already bought the next book.
June 30, 2020
I was given this opportunity by the author and Bookfunnel to read this starter in a new series in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I just looked at the cover and told the author I needed to read this without even reading the synopsis.
This book is for anyone who loved Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.
It was a bit too quick for me. Relationships couldn't be built and one just couldn't really get a feel for the other characters.
Our MC, Gandrett, is a spunky warrior with unique characteristics. Nehelon is our typical brooding Fae male that makes you want to hate and love him at the same time. Brax and Armand first had overlapping personalities, but as Armand started to shed his arrogant prince ways, he started to bloom as a character - Brax is still a mystery which I hope to unravel in the upcoming books. As for McKenzie, I hope to read more about her too. She was a shining gem, nothing what one would have expected in such short chapters where we saw her.
The plot twists were unexpected. I literally voiced my comments for each and every one of those to the author and she - like many awesome (evil) authors do - laughed in pure delight at the feelings that stirred within me.
I even had the chance to pop in a few questions with the author herself to get a all-around feel of what she was thinking when she was busy putting this piece of artwork on virtual paper. Angelina is so down to earth, readily to answer questions and lay out anything that seemed confusing - she even helped me as an aspiring writer to be motivated enough and finish, not 1, but 10 chapters of my own book!
As for the conclusion, I got tingles! It leaves a reader wondering if and what that ancient darkness could be *wink-wink*
Overall enjoyed the book, and I am more than happy to read the next books in the series. I highly recommend this series!
To be honest, I just looked at the cover and told the author I needed to read this without even reading the synopsis.
This book is for anyone who loved Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.
It was a bit too quick for me. Relationships couldn't be built and one just couldn't really get a feel for the other characters.
Our MC, Gandrett, is a spunky warrior with unique characteristics. Nehelon is our typical brooding Fae male that makes you want to hate and love him at the same time. Brax and Armand first had overlapping personalities, but as Armand started to shed his arrogant prince ways, he started to bloom as a character - Brax is still a mystery which I hope to unravel in the upcoming books. As for McKenzie, I hope to read more about her too. She was a shining gem, nothing what one would have expected in such short chapters where we saw her.
The plot twists were unexpected. I literally voiced my comments for each and every one of those to the author and she - like many awesome (evil) authors do - laughed in pure delight at the feelings that stirred within me.
I even had the chance to pop in a few questions with the author herself to get a all-around feel of what she was thinking when she was busy putting this piece of artwork on virtual paper. Angelina is so down to earth, readily to answer questions and lay out anything that seemed confusing - she even helped me as an aspiring writer to be motivated enough and finish, not 1, but 10 chapters of my own book!
As for the conclusion, I got tingles! It leaves a reader wondering if and what that ancient darkness could be *wink-wink*
Overall enjoyed the book, and I am more than happy to read the next books in the series. I highly recommend this series!
June 22, 2020
Gandrett is such a robust character she is always a warrior but you get to watch her through the many disguises she is forced to wear. And her internal monologue is hilarious!!
She has so many handsome men to choose from. She is so different from the ladies in court since she did not grow up in court that they are, of course, intrigued by her. I was rooting for every guy that was interested in her. I still don't know which one that I want her to be with but pretty sure her oath forbids it. But a girl can dream!
I did not see the bad guy coming at all. And I love that in a story. It is fun to guess how the story will twist and turn and be completely surprised. The bad guy is a nasty piece of work too.
There were lots of nuggets throughout that were joined at the end cohesively that you went OH!
I enjoyed this journey with Gandrett and would like to see her again in Sives or Neredyn.
Thank you for the ARC copy for an honest review!
She has so many handsome men to choose from. She is so different from the ladies in court since she did not grow up in court that they are, of course, intrigued by her. I was rooting for every guy that was interested in her. I still don't know which one that I want her to be with but pretty sure her oath forbids it. But a girl can dream!
I did not see the bad guy coming at all. And I love that in a story. It is fun to guess how the story will twist and turn and be completely surprised. The bad guy is a nasty piece of work too.
There were lots of nuggets throughout that were joined at the end cohesively that you went OH!
I enjoyed this journey with Gandrett and would like to see her again in Sives or Neredyn.
Thank you for the ARC copy for an honest review!
August 20, 2022
A great character driven adventure which draws you in and doesn't release you until the final page.
Gandrett is a wonderful heroine, with many secrets, some even she isn't aware of, and Nehelon is the fae male who set her on the path she treads even though she doesn't know it.
Steffert has created some rich and engaging characters, all of whom you empathise with and root for. Innocent Gandrett, raised in isolation and trained to be a elite warrior, knows nothing of love, yet she is forced into a situation where she is surrounded by princes and lords, all of whom are attracted to her, and she to them.
But love is not the purpose of her mission, she is a honed weapon, and there to save an abducted royal and her skills are only the beginning, there is more afoot than abuduction.
Nehelon is the tortured male who is not who he seems, and struggls to balance his actions wiht necessity.
A great start to the series. The action hooks you, and the characters entice you to stay. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series.
Gandrett is a wonderful heroine, with many secrets, some even she isn't aware of, and Nehelon is the fae male who set her on the path she treads even though she doesn't know it.
Steffert has created some rich and engaging characters, all of whom you empathise with and root for. Innocent Gandrett, raised in isolation and trained to be a elite warrior, knows nothing of love, yet she is forced into a situation where she is surrounded by princes and lords, all of whom are attracted to her, and she to them.
But love is not the purpose of her mission, she is a honed weapon, and there to save an abducted royal and her skills are only the beginning, there is more afoot than abuduction.
Nehelon is the tortured male who is not who he seems, and struggls to balance his actions wiht necessity.
A great start to the series. The action hooks you, and the characters entice you to stay. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series.
June 30, 2020
I want to first mention that I had a hard time reading the first couple of chapters and that I think was solely because I felt extremely lost about what was going on but once I got passed that the book became really good. The story sort of reminds me of Beauty and the Beast and you can definitely see the comparison between the two characters.
The book has the perfect amount of romance and suspense on it that keeps the story on your toes!
The book has the perfect amount of romance and suspense on it that keeps the story on your toes!
July 1, 2020
This book drew me in so thoroughly I did not want to put it down. The main character, Gandrett Brayton, is a trained warrior with a hard outer wall of defences protecting trauma of her youth. Her inner monologue is delightful and she is perfectly expressed by the author. Her tumultuous journey throughout the book is hinged around events not of her choosing and the men that she faces are all so multi-faceted and interesting. As to their motivations, well…. Angelina J. Steffort weaves a tale of adventure, fantasy, the forbidden, love and hate and above all else….. courage. Does Gandrett have the courage to complete her tasks and face her past and her future? No matter the outcome? For someone is depending on her for reasons of his own. Do you have the curiosity to find out what they are? You won’t be disappointed. Likened to Sarah J. Maas this series promises to keep you coming back for more!!!!I loved it!!!!
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