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Royal Factions #1-3
Royal Factions Box Set Books #1-3
Book 1 - The Price for Peace
How do you keep fighting when you've already been claimed?
When sixteen-year-old Elise is ripped from her home and taken to the royal palace as a permanent 'guest', she thinks her life is over.
Little does she know it has only just begun…
After befriending a group of other captives, including the headstrong Will, Elise finds herself swept away to a world she never knew existed—polished, sculpted, and refined until she can hardly recognize her own reflection. She should be happy to have escaped the poverty of her former life. But she knows a dark truth.
The palace is a dream on the surface, but a nightmare underneath.
With a dwindling population, the royals have imprisoned the teenagers to marry and breed. Only seven days remain of freedom before they will be selected by a courtier and forever claimed.
Danger lurks around every corner. The only chance of escape is death.
But when the day of the claiming finally arrives…the world will never be the same.
Book 2 - The Cost for Surviving
Is it really living when you spend your life in a cage…
The wait is over, the dust has settled, and the captives have finally been claimed. Elise thought the deadly game was finished, but the more time she spends in the palace, the more she begins to fear the real game has only just begun.
In the aftermath of the ceremony, each of the friends try to adjust to their new life. But some are having more trouble than others. Will's perpetual defiance lands him in trouble with the queen herself, while Elise is playing a dangerous balancing act, trying to understand the affections of the prince. The man can be sweet, but also psychotic. At times, he seems to truly care—but with a snap of his fingers, she'd be sentenced to death.
Danger is brewing. In the royal court, nothing is as it seems. They are told repeatedly to content themselves with the life for which they've been chosen. But how can you live with monsters without becoming a monster yourself? Is it really a life, or just going through the motions?
The more time they spend in the palace, the longer the days drag on, the more a single word keeps rising in each of their minds…escape.
Book 3 - The Punishment for Deception
How can you move on with the future without surrendering the past?
When an escape attempt goes desperately awry, Elise and Will find themselves at the mercy of the very people who have imprisoned them all this time. Tensions sharpen, punishments are severe, and they soon discover what terrible things are required if they wish to survive.
But such wild spirits were never meant to be tamed.
While appearing to submit, the future princess still dreams of freedom. And as the day of her wedding approaches, those dreams begin to turn into something more.
With so many eyes upon her, can she maintain the illusion? Is the crown prince really such a monster, or is there more to him than meets the eye?
Time is running out. All that's left are choices.
But will she have the strength to decide?
Royal Factions
The Price for Peace – Book 1
The Cost for Surviving – Book 2
The Punishment for Deception – Book 3
Faking Perfection – Book 4
The Most Cherished – Book 5
The Strength to Endure – Book 6
How do you keep fighting when you've already been claimed?
When sixteen-year-old Elise is ripped from her home and taken to the royal palace as a permanent 'guest', she thinks her life is over.
Little does she know it has only just begun…
After befriending a group of other captives, including the headstrong Will, Elise finds herself swept away to a world she never knew existed—polished, sculpted, and refined until she can hardly recognize her own reflection. She should be happy to have escaped the poverty of her former life. But she knows a dark truth.
The palace is a dream on the surface, but a nightmare underneath.
With a dwindling population, the royals have imprisoned the teenagers to marry and breed. Only seven days remain of freedom before they will be selected by a courtier and forever claimed.
Danger lurks around every corner. The only chance of escape is death.
But when the day of the claiming finally arrives…the world will never be the same.
Book 2 - The Cost for Surviving
Is it really living when you spend your life in a cage…
The wait is over, the dust has settled, and the captives have finally been claimed. Elise thought the deadly game was finished, but the more time she spends in the palace, the more she begins to fear the real game has only just begun.
In the aftermath of the ceremony, each of the friends try to adjust to their new life. But some are having more trouble than others. Will's perpetual defiance lands him in trouble with the queen herself, while Elise is playing a dangerous balancing act, trying to understand the affections of the prince. The man can be sweet, but also psychotic. At times, he seems to truly care—but with a snap of his fingers, she'd be sentenced to death.
Danger is brewing. In the royal court, nothing is as it seems. They are told repeatedly to content themselves with the life for which they've been chosen. But how can you live with monsters without becoming a monster yourself? Is it really a life, or just going through the motions?
The more time they spend in the palace, the longer the days drag on, the more a single word keeps rising in each of their minds…escape.
Book 3 - The Punishment for Deception
How can you move on with the future without surrendering the past?
When an escape attempt goes desperately awry, Elise and Will find themselves at the mercy of the very people who have imprisoned them all this time. Tensions sharpen, punishments are severe, and they soon discover what terrible things are required if they wish to survive.
But such wild spirits were never meant to be tamed.
While appearing to submit, the future princess still dreams of freedom. And as the day of her wedding approaches, those dreams begin to turn into something more.
With so many eyes upon her, can she maintain the illusion? Is the crown prince really such a monster, or is there more to him than meets the eye?
Time is running out. All that's left are choices.
But will she have the strength to decide?
Royal Factions
The Price for Peace – Book 1
The Cost for Surviving – Book 2
The Punishment for Deception – Book 3
Faking Perfection – Book 4
The Most Cherished – Book 5
The Strength to Endure – Book 6
507 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2021
333 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
W.J. May
236 books1,187 followers Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.
The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.
At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.
But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.
Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child. Their house became full of more imagination and stories.
Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).
After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.
Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.
She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.
The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.
At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.
But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.
Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child. Their house became full of more imagination and stories.
Wanita and her husband run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain (one of the business' website: www.wadeincanada.com ).
After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.
Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - will be available October 2011 by kNight Romance Publishing.
She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 24, 2023
There are some good bones for a story that could keep you hooked....
The only problem is that like most self written and self edited books these days, they lack the finesse of a real author that writes in order to earn a full time salary and an editor that isn't afraid to rip stories apart until they are bang on amazing.
All the books are too light on in areas like... proper details to get invested in the characters; the history of how we came to such an environment in the books; thought out and actioning ambitions rather than always being a fly on the wall; having a fully thought out series plot and not just float until inspiration hits the writer; and proper thought out characters and what motivates them etc rather than a deck of lukewarm characters that have very little substance to their existence in the story and then randomly they do something that's out of character just to propel the story forward.
The books also have the annoying habit that self authoring and self editing writers have today - rambling nonsense descriptions and repeating such nonsense in each chapter just to fill in blank space and sell another book with the same writing pattern.
Yes we know they are beautiful, even ethereal looking people, but move past that and build some oomph in their existence. Yes we know they are prisoners, but opportunity comes before them that is constantly and purposely ignored or refused just so we can somehow feel sorry for them or try to make it the basis for a romance.
Look, the starting base for the storyline or series isn't that bad. It's got a lot of potential. It's just sad that the writer hasn't captured this and made it an epic trilogy that can then branch off into other epic trilogies.
Wouldn't it be better if Eric, whose character clearly hints at the opposition to his mother's ways, got with Elise and both evolved into a power couple that headed a rebellion and actually caused a Royal Faction?
After all what's the point of the series title if there is no faction?
The only problem is that like most self written and self edited books these days, they lack the finesse of a real author that writes in order to earn a full time salary and an editor that isn't afraid to rip stories apart until they are bang on amazing.
All the books are too light on in areas like... proper details to get invested in the characters; the history of how we came to such an environment in the books; thought out and actioning ambitions rather than always being a fly on the wall; having a fully thought out series plot and not just float until inspiration hits the writer; and proper thought out characters and what motivates them etc rather than a deck of lukewarm characters that have very little substance to their existence in the story and then randomly they do something that's out of character just to propel the story forward.
The books also have the annoying habit that self authoring and self editing writers have today - rambling nonsense descriptions and repeating such nonsense in each chapter just to fill in blank space and sell another book with the same writing pattern.
Yes we know they are beautiful, even ethereal looking people, but move past that and build some oomph in their existence. Yes we know they are prisoners, but opportunity comes before them that is constantly and purposely ignored or refused just so we can somehow feel sorry for them or try to make it the basis for a romance.
Look, the starting base for the storyline or series isn't that bad. It's got a lot of potential. It's just sad that the writer hasn't captured this and made it an epic trilogy that can then branch off into other epic trilogies.
Wouldn't it be better if Eric, whose character clearly hints at the opposition to his mother's ways, got with Elise and both evolved into a power couple that headed a rebellion and actually caused a Royal Faction?
After all what's the point of the series title if there is no faction?
August 9, 2022
Book 3’s ending…
Wow. I did not see that ending coming… great storyline. Believable characters. A love triangle and constantly guessing who is going to win her heart in the end…
Wow. I did not see that ending coming… great storyline. Believable characters. A love triangle and constantly guessing who is going to win her heart in the end…
March 6, 2024
Action Packed
A fast paced tale with unforgettable characters. Lots of action and very descriptive. A great read that keeps you turning the pages.
A fast paced tale with unforgettable characters. Lots of action and very descriptive. A great read that keeps you turning the pages.
November 22, 2021
Omg!! So good!!!
I don't even know where to begin. I was hooked from the start! Great, well developed characters & storyline. Reminds me a little of The Hunger Games. Yes a cliffhanger at the end of each book, but that's what keeps you interested....you have to know what happens next!!
I don't even know where to begin. I was hooked from the start! Great, well developed characters & storyline. Reminds me a little of The Hunger Games. Yes a cliffhanger at the end of each book, but that's what keeps you interested....you have to know what happens next!!
March 28, 2025
What an ending!!
I could not believe the ending to the 3rd book!! It caught me by surprise. These three books were amazing. I loved the beginning where the main characters are brought to the palace and how their lives changed. The story went from one adventure to the next and the teacher never knows what will happen next. W. J. May did a great job with these books.
I could not believe the ending to the 3rd book!! It caught me by surprise. These three books were amazing. I loved the beginning where the main characters are brought to the palace and how their lives changed. The story went from one adventure to the next and the teacher never knows what will happen next. W. J. May did a great job with these books.
October 10, 2021
Addictive read
I could not stop reading this series. Such and addicting read. Every minute these books had me on the edge of my seat. So unpredictable we’re the characters, you thing you got them down and could predict what might happen then they would completely surprise me.
I could not stop reading this series. Such and addicting read. Every minute these books had me on the edge of my seat. So unpredictable we’re the characters, you thing you got them down and could predict what might happen then they would completely surprise me.
October 26, 2023
Not a problem with the book but a problem with the genre. I read book 1; a couple of months later, I read book 2; and finally after another break, I read book 3.
I didn't dislike it enough to not finish but I definitely read a bunch of books in the middle.
Not really for me
I didn't dislike it enough to not finish but I definitely read a bunch of books in the middle.
Not really for me
December 25, 2025
Good and strong character buildup, but never takes off
Character descriptions and buildup is good. Some good twists showing the multifaceted side of a person. Suprising end..
Never really takes off. Motlys reads as the first book in a trilogy, then ends without book 2 andre 3
Character descriptions and buildup is good. Some good twists showing the multifaceted side of a person. Suprising end..
Never really takes off. Motlys reads as the first book in a trilogy, then ends without book 2 andre 3
Want to read
September 23, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/23/2021)! 🎁
October 22, 2021
REALLY good! Can’t stop reading! I’ll have to get books 4, 5 and 6.
November 1, 2021
Amazing series
Wow loads of suspense, intrigue and romance. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games series you will love this one! A must read!
Wow loads of suspense, intrigue and romance. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games series you will love this one! A must read!
July 31, 2022
Waste of time
The END... No thanks! I don't get it! I can never get that time back I wasted on these books!!!
The END... No thanks! I don't get it! I can never get that time back I wasted on these books!!!
December 3, 2022
WOW!
Oh my GOSH what a story! I’m hooked. I’m starting the next in the series right now. What an ending!!
Oh my GOSH what a story! I’m hooked. I’m starting the next in the series right now. What an ending!!
June 18, 2023
Omg
My jaw dropped with the last 2 sentences! Wow! I have to keep reminding myself that these kids are only 16 and don't make the best decisions. So many ups and downs!
My jaw dropped with the last 2 sentences! Wow! I have to keep reminding myself that these kids are only 16 and don't make the best decisions. So many ups and downs!
September 4, 2023
Enjoyable
I have enjoyed many books written by W.J. May and this was no exception. Quickly becoming a favorite author. 💕
I have enjoyed many books written by W.J. May and this was no exception. Quickly becoming a favorite author. 💕
April 5, 2024
Great ending
The book was enteraining with engaging characters and storyline.
I loved the ending. It was a surprise and left me satisfied!
The book was enteraining with engaging characters and storyline.
I loved the ending. It was a surprise and left me satisfied!
February 18, 2025
Astounding
This trio of books were so engaging. It was mind blowing as to what happens to the children and the reason for it. It was intriguing and had me glued to the end.
This trio of books were so engaging. It was mind blowing as to what happens to the children and the reason for it. It was intriguing and had me glued to the end.
March 22, 2025
Left on an arguably large cliffhanger and can't bring myself to buy the next book :(
Couldn't find myself liking a single character and beginnings dragged while endings felt like whiplash
Couldn't find myself liking a single character and beginnings dragged while endings felt like whiplash
September 14, 2025
Good but slow and characters needed a bit more development for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews