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The Culled Crown #1
Of Cages and Crowns
Fire at her fingertips. Watch the world burn.
When Monroe Benson was born with the power to summon fire from her fingertips, her family knew she had to stay hidden. But when Queen Viera calls for the Culling, an age-old tradition in Erydia where ten goddess-touched girls battle to the death in order to claim the crown, Monroe can no longer hide. She’s whisked away from her home, from her mother, from everything she’s ever known to fight alongside the other girls–each with their own power—for a throne she does not want.
Duty is his destiny. There’s no way out.
As the son of the queen and the next king, Cohen can’t question tradition. Not even when he’s being mysteriously poisoned. Not even when his sister goes missing and no one seems to care. The Culling makes his life’s choices for him—who will become his wife, who will rule by his side. And when rebellion rises around him, what little control Cohen has over his future is threatened.
Together they’ll stand. Together they’ll fall.
But Monroe sees a different Cohen than the rest of the world. She sees him as more than just the crown, more than just the next cruel ruler in a long line of cruel leaders. In turn, he sees her as more than just her powers. More than just a goddess-touched girl destined to lose her life. When a betrayal threatens both their relationship and the monarchy, Monroe and Cohen face a choice that will change their lives . . . forever.
For goddess-touched girls, there is only one the Culling
From the moment Monroe Benson is born with a mark on her hand and the ability to summon fire from her fingertips, her life will never be her own. She’s goddess-touched, which means she’s destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia. For most of her seventeen years, her family has managed to keep Monroe—and her powers—hidden. But now, as Queen Viera calls for the Culling to start, and war looms on the horizon, Monroe can no longer hide. She must face her destiny whether she wants to or not.
For the ten goddess-touched girls, all with different powers, the inevitably of this fight to the death has always ruled their lives. The tradition is both barbaric and cruel, but to make matters worse—Monroe isn’t prepared. She hasn’t trained her whole life for this day. She doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. She doesn’t want the crown.
While Monroe struggles with her fate, a rebellion is brewing in the castle and in the country. A group called the Culled are banding together; their goal—to topple the monarchy. And the more they rise, the more merciless Viera is with her kingdom, recruiting younger and younger people from poorer and poorer places to fight in a war no one wants to be waging.
Monroe finds herself on the front lines of the rebellion’s inner circle, and only one thing stands in her Cohen. The queen’s son and the man who will be king. Cohen’s dedication to duty, to family, to tradition stands in stark contrast to the boy Monroe sees at night in the kitchens, secretly making the two of them a snack. As the fight crescendos around them, and the death of innocents becomes a reality, the choices Monroe makes will reverberate through the kingdom . . . and her heart forever.
When Monroe Benson was born with the power to summon fire from her fingertips, her family knew she had to stay hidden. But when Queen Viera calls for the Culling, an age-old tradition in Erydia where ten goddess-touched girls battle to the death in order to claim the crown, Monroe can no longer hide. She’s whisked away from her home, from her mother, from everything she’s ever known to fight alongside the other girls–each with their own power—for a throne she does not want.
Duty is his destiny. There’s no way out.
As the son of the queen and the next king, Cohen can’t question tradition. Not even when he’s being mysteriously poisoned. Not even when his sister goes missing and no one seems to care. The Culling makes his life’s choices for him—who will become his wife, who will rule by his side. And when rebellion rises around him, what little control Cohen has over his future is threatened.
Together they’ll stand. Together they’ll fall.
But Monroe sees a different Cohen than the rest of the world. She sees him as more than just the crown, more than just the next cruel ruler in a long line of cruel leaders. In turn, he sees her as more than just her powers. More than just a goddess-touched girl destined to lose her life. When a betrayal threatens both their relationship and the monarchy, Monroe and Cohen face a choice that will change their lives . . . forever.
For goddess-touched girls, there is only one the Culling
From the moment Monroe Benson is born with a mark on her hand and the ability to summon fire from her fingertips, her life will never be her own. She’s goddess-touched, which means she’s destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia. For most of her seventeen years, her family has managed to keep Monroe—and her powers—hidden. But now, as Queen Viera calls for the Culling to start, and war looms on the horizon, Monroe can no longer hide. She must face her destiny whether she wants to or not.
For the ten goddess-touched girls, all with different powers, the inevitably of this fight to the death has always ruled their lives. The tradition is both barbaric and cruel, but to make matters worse—Monroe isn’t prepared. She hasn’t trained her whole life for this day. She doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. She doesn’t want the crown.
While Monroe struggles with her fate, a rebellion is brewing in the castle and in the country. A group called the Culled are banding together; their goal—to topple the monarchy. And the more they rise, the more merciless Viera is with her kingdom, recruiting younger and younger people from poorer and poorer places to fight in a war no one wants to be waging.
Monroe finds herself on the front lines of the rebellion’s inner circle, and only one thing stands in her Cohen. The queen’s son and the man who will be king. Cohen’s dedication to duty, to family, to tradition stands in stark contrast to the boy Monroe sees at night in the kitchens, secretly making the two of them a snack. As the fight crescendos around them, and the death of innocents becomes a reality, the choices Monroe makes will reverberate through the kingdom . . . and her heart forever.
530 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2018
64 people are currently reading
12794 people want to read
About the author
Brianna Joy Crump
2 books148 followersBrianna Joy Crump grew up on library cards and games of make-believe. She loves cats, houseplants, candles that smell nice, cream and sugar with her coffee, the pretty notebooks she is too afraid to use, the beach, her kindle, and you. Brianna is the author of the Culled Crown series. She currently lives in Holly Ridge, North Carolina, with her cat, Jinx—who spends his days sitting on her desk while she writes. To learn more about Brianna’s writing journey, follow her on Instagram at @briannajoyc and TikTok @briannajoycrump.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
May 1, 2022
4.5 stars 🌟
What a ride. All am thinking is why did I not read this sooner 😩😩
Fans of the Hunger Games? This one is for you. Don't even question it, just pick it up and give it a go. It's unputdownable.
Erdiya is ruled by a "goodess touched" queen, who is brutal, evil and looking for the next queen. Ten girls with powers of their own must compete and fight to death to be the queen of Erdiya and marry the prince. Only it's not that simple, Monroe doesn't want to be queen. She doesn't want to fall for the prince. And she certainly doesn't want to conspire and be part of the rebels. Do things work out in her favour or she's gone for good?
The world building was top notch. The way the book is written is so amazing, I immediately felt like I was witnessing it. The storyline sticks with the plot. But I did wanted to see more of the competition, I felt that was a bit short. Also the pacing of the book slowed down a bit in the middle (had to take a short break) but it picked up pace pretty quickly and was action packed towards the end. I did not see some of the plot twists coming and the ending broke me😭😭
The characters are complex.
Monroe, the FMC is presented as weak for about 60% of the book (which I felt was a bit much). I wanted to see her use her powers to full extent. Some of the people want her to be queen, but she barely took charge. I would prefer for her to be more empowered.
Cohen is the prince, who is undeniably sweet, kind and such a romantic. He is presented with struggles of his own, and he did take charge in some scenes but it wasn't enough for me. I want him to be a much more powerful character, someone worthy of being a king.
The chemistry between the two is so perfect.😩😩There were parts which made me smile so much, but other left me heartbroken. It's so easy for them to be together, and I definitely loved that. It never felt forced🤌
Supporting characters are pretty good as well and there's no lack of personality.
It's close to perfection, I would definitely recommend and can't wait to read the sequel 😩 The action towards the end is so brilliantly written, and the cliffhanger had me crying😭 So happy I read this one.
eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
What a ride. All am thinking is why did I not read this sooner 😩😩
Fans of the Hunger Games? This one is for you. Don't even question it, just pick it up and give it a go. It's unputdownable.
Erdiya is ruled by a "goodess touched" queen, who is brutal, evil and looking for the next queen. Ten girls with powers of their own must compete and fight to death to be the queen of Erdiya and marry the prince. Only it's not that simple, Monroe doesn't want to be queen. She doesn't want to fall for the prince. And she certainly doesn't want to conspire and be part of the rebels. Do things work out in her favour or she's gone for good?
The world building was top notch. The way the book is written is so amazing, I immediately felt like I was witnessing it. The storyline sticks with the plot. But I did wanted to see more of the competition, I felt that was a bit short. Also the pacing of the book slowed down a bit in the middle (had to take a short break) but it picked up pace pretty quickly and was action packed towards the end. I did not see some of the plot twists coming and the ending broke me😭😭
The characters are complex.
Monroe, the FMC is presented as weak for about 60% of the book (which I felt was a bit much). I wanted to see her use her powers to full extent. Some of the people want her to be queen, but she barely took charge. I would prefer for her to be more empowered.
Cohen is the prince, who is undeniably sweet, kind and such a romantic. He is presented with struggles of his own, and he did take charge in some scenes but it wasn't enough for me. I want him to be a much more powerful character, someone worthy of being a king.
The chemistry between the two is so perfect.😩😩There were parts which made me smile so much, but other left me heartbroken. It's so easy for them to be together, and I definitely loved that. It never felt forced🤌
Supporting characters are pretty good as well and there's no lack of personality.
It's close to perfection, I would definitely recommend and can't wait to read the sequel 😩 The action towards the end is so brilliantly written, and the cliffhanger had me crying😭 So happy I read this one.
eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
May 22, 2023
✨𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜.✨
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯.
Of Cages and Crowns follow Monroe Benson, one of the ten goddess-touched girls destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia, where the girls must fight (using their supernatural powers) until one remains.
Monroe's family tried their best to hide her from this brutal fate, but she was caught while fleeing and taken to the palace to participate in the deadly competition. With a war looming around and rebellion brewing all over, Monroe finds herself in the front line of the rebellions circle.
But her growing affection for the queen's son, Cohen, is making it difficult for her to betray him. She must now face her destiny whether she wants to or not.. and the choices Monroe makes will reverberate through the kingdom... and her heart forever.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.
To start with, the prologue literally gave me goosebumps.. and I loved the way the backstory, the emotions and the world building was introduced. It showed us everything we needed to know about the Culling, why this world revolves around the competition and why Monroe's life is the way it is.. looved the world building🤩🤌🏼
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳, we see the beautiful bond between Monroe and her family. How her mother sacrificed everything to keep her safe and away from the fate the goddess has set up for her.. how her brothers do everything in their power to help her grow.
Ambrose grounded her, taught her self-defense and how to use her powers, gave her flowers whenever he came back from the market as she can't roam around freely in town. He did everything in his power to keep her safe, such a great brother he is.. And Kace, he can go to hell.
𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗱-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, Monroe is caught and sent to the palace to participate in the deadly competition. From there, we get to see two plotlines - 1. Where the romance blossoms between her and Cohen, and 2. Where she has to practice hard in order to win the trials and NOT DIE.
✨“𝙄’𝙢 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖. 𝘼𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙣 . . . 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛.”✨
These two aspects of the story are in a 2:1 ratio where the romance part is more prominent than the other (and I wanted the opposite to happen). I wanted to see the action, the fights and how Monroe fights hard to win the competition and become the queen...
But there were more of etiquette lessons and ball rooms, and worries about whether the prince will like her in the gown she is wearing🙄
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟳𝟬% 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹. Something or the other kept happening and there was not a single moment of peace during this phase of the story. It included amazing actions, deceptions, rebellions and politics along with super sweet and heartwarming romance.
And the best part was the "last part" of the storyy...it was super exciting and thrilling. Everything was a chaoss..total chaos🤯 There was so much action, fights, twists and turns that I was almost jumping from excitement. Looved it. The ending was also beautiful and although there's no cliffhanger, I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
Monroe was such a simple and relatable yet complex character. She didn't deny being scared of the competition and running away didn't seem cowardly to her. It was the most natural response to something like 'The Culling' and she didn't try to hide her fear behind the mask of being strong.
✨"𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨: 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙. 𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣."✨
But, when it was time to be strong, she did not shy away and fought hard in the trials to stay alive, and did everyything she can (even when it would be treason) to bring a change in the world and to end this awful tradition.. Although her inner monologue was a bit too much and her emotions took a large majority of the plot, I liked her.. and her character development was amazing.
✨"𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚."✨
Cohen was a such a sweet gentleman, kind and caring, and oh so romantic.. His sweetness made me smile so much and I loved how he opened up to Monroe and trusted her with his life, good or bad.. he was incredibly sweet🥺🥺
His strength was also amazing, the way he rebelled against his mother even when he knew the consequences, he did not back down. He stood up for the people he loved and cared for, and did everything in his power to change the world.
✨“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚?” 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩. “𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”✨
Ambrose, Uri, Nadia, Tallis and Juno, they all have my heart.. Even though we don't see much of their character except for Ambrose and Uri (whose personality I loove💖).. they become an integral part of the plot soon and will always be there in my mind whenever I'll think about this book.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻. Even though she's an evil and vile person, her character was well-written. An incredible villian, for whom there's only one thing one can feel. HATE. There was no humanity in her and all she wanted was power, no matter if she hurt her children for it.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Overall, it was an amazing young-adult fantasy with an incredible world-building, action-packed scenes, sweet romantic moments woven around rebellion, deceptions and politics.
Though the pacing was very slow in the middle, this book was quite eventful and never gave a dull moment as the plot becomes a chaotic mess. Totaly recommended for young-adult fantasy/romance, dystopian fantasy lovers😄
𝗧𝗪: Violence, Blood, Death, Deception, Manipulation, Graphic Scenes.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
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𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯.
Of Cages and Crowns follow Monroe Benson, one of the ten goddess-touched girls destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia, where the girls must fight (using their supernatural powers) until one remains.
Monroe's family tried their best to hide her from this brutal fate, but she was caught while fleeing and taken to the palace to participate in the deadly competition. With a war looming around and rebellion brewing all over, Monroe finds herself in the front line of the rebellions circle.
But her growing affection for the queen's son, Cohen, is making it difficult for her to betray him. She must now face her destiny whether she wants to or not.. and the choices Monroe makes will reverberate through the kingdom... and her heart forever.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.
To start with, the prologue literally gave me goosebumps.. and I loved the way the backstory, the emotions and the world building was introduced. It showed us everything we needed to know about the Culling, why this world revolves around the competition and why Monroe's life is the way it is.. looved the world building🤩🤌🏼
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳, we see the beautiful bond between Monroe and her family. How her mother sacrificed everything to keep her safe and away from the fate the goddess has set up for her.. how her brothers do everything in their power to help her grow.
Ambrose grounded her, taught her self-defense and how to use her powers, gave her flowers whenever he came back from the market as she can't roam around freely in town. He did everything in his power to keep her safe, such a great brother he is.. And Kace, he can go to hell.
𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗱-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, Monroe is caught and sent to the palace to participate in the deadly competition. From there, we get to see two plotlines - 1. Where the romance blossoms between her and Cohen, and 2. Where she has to practice hard in order to win the trials and NOT DIE.
✨“𝙄’𝙢 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖. 𝘼𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙣 . . . 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛.”✨
These two aspects of the story are in a 2:1 ratio where the romance part is more prominent than the other (and I wanted the opposite to happen). I wanted to see the action, the fights and how Monroe fights hard to win the competition and become the queen...
But there were more of etiquette lessons and ball rooms, and worries about whether the prince will like her in the gown she is wearing🙄
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟳𝟬% 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹. Something or the other kept happening and there was not a single moment of peace during this phase of the story. It included amazing actions, deceptions, rebellions and politics along with super sweet and heartwarming romance.
And the best part was the "last part" of the storyy...it was super exciting and thrilling. Everything was a chaoss..total chaos🤯 There was so much action, fights, twists and turns that I was almost jumping from excitement. Looved it. The ending was also beautiful and although there's no cliffhanger, I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
Monroe was such a simple and relatable yet complex character. She didn't deny being scared of the competition and running away didn't seem cowardly to her. It was the most natural response to something like 'The Culling' and she didn't try to hide her fear behind the mask of being strong.
✨"𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨: 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙. 𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣."✨
But, when it was time to be strong, she did not shy away and fought hard in the trials to stay alive, and did everyything she can (even when it would be treason) to bring a change in the world and to end this awful tradition.. Although her inner monologue was a bit too much and her emotions took a large majority of the plot, I liked her.. and her character development was amazing.
✨"𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚."✨
Cohen was a such a sweet gentleman, kind and caring, and oh so romantic.. His sweetness made me smile so much and I loved how he opened up to Monroe and trusted her with his life, good or bad.. he was incredibly sweet🥺🥺
His strength was also amazing, the way he rebelled against his mother even when he knew the consequences, he did not back down. He stood up for the people he loved and cared for, and did everything in his power to change the world.
✨“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚?” 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩. “𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”✨
Ambrose, Uri, Nadia, Tallis and Juno, they all have my heart.. Even though we don't see much of their character except for Ambrose and Uri (whose personality I loove💖).. they become an integral part of the plot soon and will always be there in my mind whenever I'll think about this book.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻. Even though she's an evil and vile person, her character was well-written. An incredible villian, for whom there's only one thing one can feel. HATE. There was no humanity in her and all she wanted was power, no matter if she hurt her children for it.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Overall, it was an amazing young-adult fantasy with an incredible world-building, action-packed scenes, sweet romantic moments woven around rebellion, deceptions and politics.
Though the pacing was very slow in the middle, this book was quite eventful and never gave a dull moment as the plot becomes a chaotic mess. Totaly recommended for young-adult fantasy/romance, dystopian fantasy lovers😄
𝗧𝗪: Violence, Blood, Death, Deception, Manipulation, Graphic Scenes.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
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June 16, 2023
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“Everyone has the ability to kill. What scares me is knowing that I’ll do it —I’ll kill nine other girls if it means I get to stay alive.”
Steampunk-fantasy meets female-exclusive The Hunger Games is about the only way I can best explain the story of Of Cages and Crowns. And I'm not even saying that in a bad way - I actually did very much enjoy reading it, even if I felt that Brianna Joy Crump started off with one idea, but it veered off on it's course into another storyline.
I won't go into the plot, because honestly, the blurb pretty much highlight everything about what this story is. What it doesn't mention is how strong and confident a character, Monroe is. How she genuinely cares about not hurting someone else, how she's so loyal to her family, overly concerned about her mother and brothers' well-beings, while she's participating in The Culling.
She didn't even want to be acknowledged as one of the blessed chosen ten selected to become the next queen., but now that she's here, she's fighting in vain to stay alive. Not only on the tournament battlefield, but from the enemies lurking within the very own royal family. Aside from honing her powers, she gets caught up in a political rebellion, dangerous contestants, and undeniable attraction to Prince Cohen, despite how hard she tries to deny it.
Cohen was a dear - he was such a sweetheart of a prince with such a pure kind heart, honestly just trying to do what's right, not even wanting the Culling to take place. I admired his silent defiance to his mother, Queen Viera (honestly, she was terrifying!) and his loyalty to his sisters and the crown. The steady build up of his relationship with Monroe was laced with such soft tender affection, and my heart did a little dance when he revealed how he knew her even before she arrived as a participant.
I also loved how the action scenes were written - very believable, very tangible - you could sense that you were in the battlefield, and uff, those tense moments with the Queen and contestants were some of the most chilling reads. Her cruelty and vindictive pleasure was so palpable - I could feel Monroe's fear, just really well-done! 👌🏻👌🏻
The supporting cast - mainly Ambrose, Dellacov, Uri, and Nadia - were very well-developed, very likable, and very interactive with each other. There never felt an instant where something was NOT happening and it kept the pace going, even if it felt like it was moving very slowly! And then the twist at the end had me reeling! Totally came out of the blue - everything just steadily fell apart, but when I think about it was inevitable!
Everyone had to pick a side, Monroe didn't know who to trust or put her faith in, rather just stay true to what she believed was right. I am very much curious to see how things will turn out in the sequel. Monroe and Cohen may have come out of the fires, only to land into even more treacherous and scheming ones!
Suffice to say, I had a good time with this one - it wasn't perfectly written, like...haha, totally random but in a world where there are cars, trains, cameras, and even tv cinemas, it's surreal that there aren't any telephones. 🤷 Such a moot point, but it gnawed at me the whole time!! And I'm also very much curious to know how much of the previous goddess' lives will influence the present - we had one prologue with a background into how the Culling came into being, but never again was it mentioned! So, I'm hoping some questions will be revealed in the sequel.
On a side note, why aren't there stories where boys fight it out to be the next king for a princess or prince?!! Why is it always women fighting with each other to win the affection and glory of the handsome prince? 🙄 Or maybe I haven't found those books yet....
“Everyone has the ability to kill. What scares me is knowing that I’ll do it —I’ll kill nine other girls if it means I get to stay alive.”
Steampunk-fantasy meets female-exclusive The Hunger Games is about the only way I can best explain the story of Of Cages and Crowns. And I'm not even saying that in a bad way - I actually did very much enjoy reading it, even if I felt that Brianna Joy Crump started off with one idea, but it veered off on it's course into another storyline.
I won't go into the plot, because honestly, the blurb pretty much highlight everything about what this story is. What it doesn't mention is how strong and confident a character, Monroe is. How she genuinely cares about not hurting someone else, how she's so loyal to her family, overly concerned about her mother and brothers' well-beings, while she's participating in The Culling.
She didn't even want to be acknowledged as one of the blessed chosen ten selected to become the next queen., but now that she's here, she's fighting in vain to stay alive. Not only on the tournament battlefield, but from the enemies lurking within the very own royal family. Aside from honing her powers, she gets caught up in a political rebellion, dangerous contestants, and undeniable attraction to Prince Cohen, despite how hard she tries to deny it.
Cohen was a dear - he was such a sweetheart of a prince with such a pure kind heart, honestly just trying to do what's right, not even wanting the Culling to take place. I admired his silent defiance to his mother, Queen Viera (honestly, she was terrifying!) and his loyalty to his sisters and the crown. The steady build up of his relationship with Monroe was laced with such soft tender affection, and my heart did a little dance when he revealed how he knew her even before she arrived as a participant.
I also loved how the action scenes were written - very believable, very tangible - you could sense that you were in the battlefield, and uff, those tense moments with the Queen and contestants were some of the most chilling reads. Her cruelty and vindictive pleasure was so palpable - I could feel Monroe's fear, just really well-done! 👌🏻👌🏻
The supporting cast - mainly Ambrose, Dellacov, Uri, and Nadia - were very well-developed, very likable, and very interactive with each other. There never felt an instant where something was NOT happening and it kept the pace going, even if it felt like it was moving very slowly! And then the twist at the end had me reeling! Totally came out of the blue - everything just steadily fell apart, but when I think about it was inevitable!
Everyone had to pick a side, Monroe didn't know who to trust or put her faith in, rather just stay true to what she believed was right. I am very much curious to see how things will turn out in the sequel. Monroe and Cohen may have come out of the fires, only to land into even more treacherous and scheming ones!
Suffice to say, I had a good time with this one - it wasn't perfectly written, like...haha, totally random but in a world where there are cars, trains, cameras, and even tv cinemas, it's surreal that there aren't any telephones. 🤷 Such a moot point, but it gnawed at me the whole time!! And I'm also very much curious to know how much of the previous goddess' lives will influence the present - we had one prologue with a background into how the Culling came into being, but never again was it mentioned! So, I'm hoping some questions will be revealed in the sequel.
On a side note, why aren't there stories where boys fight it out to be the next king for a princess or prince?!! Why is it always women fighting with each other to win the affection and glory of the handsome prince? 🙄 Or maybe I haven't found those books yet....
November 27, 2022
I love finding out a book is part of an unpublished series right after it ends in an excruciating cliffhanger
March 14, 2023
4 stars★★★★☆
**I was provided with an ARC from Wattpad Books and Netgalley for an honest review**
✿ My review is also posted right here on my blog ✿
☞ Trigger warnings: **contains spoilers** .
I miss the Hunger Games era. I miss being 14, and reading hunger games, and maze runner and experiencing the dystopian YA era that reignited my love for reading and widened my eyes to what was out there in the literature world. As I expanded my reading, I moved out of the dystopian YA with everyone else, and now my taste is undefinable, as it is equally vast and niche. It is specific to me and I like finding new and exciting books, and being able to access more books via e-library loans, Kindle Unlimited, multiple libraries and thrifting. That was an overly long explanation for me to say that I miss dystopian YA and that I will always love dystopian YA. And guess what, I loved this dystopian YA book.
Monroe Benson is the chosen one... kind of. She was born with a mark on her hand branding her goddess blessed, one of ten girls who have magical ability and will compete in the hand in marriage of the prince of Erdiya, to become Erdiya's future queen. Monroe also doesn't want to be goddess blessed or compete for some random guys hand in marriage. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that she cannot say no and must compete. The Culling dictates nine girls must die for one to survive to become queen. The odds are not in Monroe's favour. Her mother has spent her life trying to hide her from the world to escape this fate. The current Queen of Erdiya calls for the start of the Culling, placing Monre in the hands of the royal family, to fight for her life and the country's entertainment. Monroe isn't the only one who finds the entire competition abhorrent. The rebellion is gaining traction, recruiting Monroe, with promises of stopping the Culling and getting her out of the Palace in exchange for help and information.
Monroe is being pulled in many directions. She is struggling with juggling all the desires of all the people around her, from her mother, her brothers, the rebellion and trying to figure out what she wants.
Competition YA books are not uncommon. The genre is (probably) an undying trope that pulls me back in every single time. Competitions are great to read, have high stakes and will always carry a level of tension that is unmatched. Sure, there is a little relief knowing this is a series and that means Monroe survives but that give anyone else a blanket safety net. Of Cages and Crowns delivers on this tension, where it isn't afraid to pull the rug under you. The rebellion and the actions by the Queen of Erdiya to squash this rebellion, makes this fast-paced book nerve-racking (in the best way).
Don't get me wrong though, there is an element of predicitability. Predictability isn't synonymous with bad. Predicitability has been described as a fault in books, but I believe predictability isn't inherently bad. I think a good book can use its predictability to their advantage to lure their readers into a sense of safety to then flip the script onto them and do something unexpected. I think this book was predictable until it wasn't. I was on the edge of my seat at the end, and I didn't know what any of the characters were going to do next.
The quiet moments were filled with bashful YA romance filled with blushing and handholding, but also the melancholic introspection Monroe was grappling with about her supposed fate. This book needed these quieter moments. I wish there were more moments with the other nine girls. This is a harrowing traumatic thing that they all are experiencing together. The plot dictated the pacing, meaning many girls were left behind but I would have been interested in more backgrounds for some and alliances with other girls. However, the relationship Monroe cultivates was so touching to read and brought lightness to such a bleak environment.
Towards the end, everyone had to make the hard choice and choose a side. Stick with the establishment or join the rebellion. That being said, I wasn't able to predict the final showdown. Monroe was in trouble and the back and forth of her in danger and her relatively safe was killing me. The final betrayal... was brutal. I think I was prepared but I also had hope, because even though I mistrust everyone doesn't mean this mistrust is warranted. I am a sleuth first and foremost and I love trying to figure everything out. The ending was effective and well done. I am so excited for the next book. Of Cages and Crowns has a feeling of nostalgia that reminds you why you liked this genre back in the day.
✧ 22nd April ✧
I read this in a day. What a good day well spent.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes. I recommended it for people who like Red Queen, The Selection, The Hunger Games.
Will I continue this series?
Yes I am interested in following Monroe's journey after that explosive ending.
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November 19, 2022
I wanted to read Of Cages and Crowns since I saw it compared to The Hunger Games and The Selection. The Hunger Games is one of my all-time favorite books, and I was intrigued by this unique-sounding dystopia. This book is so good!! I loved the world-building, the storyline, and the romance. There’s so much action and political intrigue, and it’s a pretty intense read. I can see why others have compared it to The Hunger Games and The Selection. The stories revolve around deadly competitions and take place in horrific dystopian societies where people are under surveillance, and extreme measures are used as a means of control. Of Cages and Crowns is similar, but it still feels unique and new.
In a world where some girls are goddess marked and gifted with a unique ability lives Monroe, a goddess-marked girl who can summon fire. Monroe has been hidden for her entire life to avoid being forced into the deadly culling, but when she is caught trying to flee, the unwilling Monroe is forced to compete against other girls in the culling. The culling ends when only one girl remains, and with her life and the throne on the line, Monroe must train to compete. Monroe doesn’t want the crown, and she becomes entrenched in a rebellion against the throne. But as she grows closer to the prince, she must make difficult choices that will change her world.
Monroe has all of the great qualities of a dystopian protagonist. She is smart, strong, and brave, and she is a survivor. She defies people’s expectations, and her power is incredible. She’s a well-rounded character, and I like that we get to see her flaws and weaknesses, as well as her more vulnerable side. Throughout the story, Monroe makes friends in unexpected places, and the more she gets to know them, the more she begins to question her loyalties, principles, and more. It’s interesting to see her change once she isn’t hidden away and is more informed and knowledgeable about society, the royal family, the history of the kingdom, and the culling. She goes from being a scared and reclusive girl who didn’t embrace her gift to a brave and powerful young woman with a strong voice and an even stronger ability.
I love Cohen too. He’s so different from what I expected, and I love his relationship with his sister Uri. She’s another great character. Love her! Her enthusiasm and fun personality are infectious, and it is a refreshing contrast to the dark and deadly threats around them. Monroe’s relationship with her brother, though mostly at the start of the novel is as strong as the one between Cohen and Uri, and there are some interesting themes about the lengths people are willing to go to to protect those they love.
Of course, my favorite relationship in the story is the romance. Monroe and Cohen have some great enemies-to-lovers and America/Maxon vibes going on, and I was totally here for it! Between the love story, the friendships, the intense plot, the magic, the world-building, and character development, I found it difficult to put the book down. It’s exciting and unpredictable with many twists and turns and heart-pounding intensity. The story is gory and suspenseful and filled with lies, betrayal, sinister plots, and that ending left me speechless! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
In a world where some girls are goddess marked and gifted with a unique ability lives Monroe, a goddess-marked girl who can summon fire. Monroe has been hidden for her entire life to avoid being forced into the deadly culling, but when she is caught trying to flee, the unwilling Monroe is forced to compete against other girls in the culling. The culling ends when only one girl remains, and with her life and the throne on the line, Monroe must train to compete. Monroe doesn’t want the crown, and she becomes entrenched in a rebellion against the throne. But as she grows closer to the prince, she must make difficult choices that will change her world.
Monroe has all of the great qualities of a dystopian protagonist. She is smart, strong, and brave, and she is a survivor. She defies people’s expectations, and her power is incredible. She’s a well-rounded character, and I like that we get to see her flaws and weaknesses, as well as her more vulnerable side. Throughout the story, Monroe makes friends in unexpected places, and the more she gets to know them, the more she begins to question her loyalties, principles, and more. It’s interesting to see her change once she isn’t hidden away and is more informed and knowledgeable about society, the royal family, the history of the kingdom, and the culling. She goes from being a scared and reclusive girl who didn’t embrace her gift to a brave and powerful young woman with a strong voice and an even stronger ability.
I love Cohen too. He’s so different from what I expected, and I love his relationship with his sister Uri. She’s another great character. Love her! Her enthusiasm and fun personality are infectious, and it is a refreshing contrast to the dark and deadly threats around them. Monroe’s relationship with her brother, though mostly at the start of the novel is as strong as the one between Cohen and Uri, and there are some interesting themes about the lengths people are willing to go to to protect those they love.
Of course, my favorite relationship in the story is the romance. Monroe and Cohen have some great enemies-to-lovers and America/Maxon vibes going on, and I was totally here for it! Between the love story, the friendships, the intense plot, the magic, the world-building, and character development, I found it difficult to put the book down. It’s exciting and unpredictable with many twists and turns and heart-pounding intensity. The story is gory and suspenseful and filled with lies, betrayal, sinister plots, and that ending left me speechless! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
May 11, 2022
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, hot freaking damn! I wasn't prepared for all that bloodshed towards the end of this book. Then the twist blew my mind at the same time because I was completely hating one person when I should have been sharing the hate for two horrible people instead. Well, let's be honest here... I didn't like a few people in this book. I hope they all felt my unhappiness. If not, there's always the sequel?
I also really enjoyed the hunger games meets the selection with a dash of red queen vibes throughout the book. I'm always up for some competition, especially when it's deadly. The amount of betrayal between one family was insane to me though. You'd think family over blood but some of these people were like "Hell nah!"
The characters chosen for the culling were actually pretty interesting as well. After meeting Monroe, I could totally feel for her family trying to protect her. Registering her as guy was pretty clever but that went to shit really quickly with one betrayal. As for the rest of the girls, I really like Nadia. She was just way too sweet and needed to be protected at all costs. I only really didn't like one of them and I'm secretly hoping we get revenge in the next book.
In the end, I honestly couldn't put this book down. My eyes couldn't devour the words fast enough and I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I'm still in shock over the ending and I have endless questions and theories floating around now. Seriously, I can't wait for the sequel to come out because I need it in my hands right now.
I'm so happy that I got the chance to jump into this. Very excited for Brianna to write the next one!
First off, hot freaking damn! I wasn't prepared for all that bloodshed towards the end of this book. Then the twist blew my mind at the same time because I was completely hating one person when I should have been sharing the hate for two horrible people instead. Well, let's be honest here... I didn't like a few people in this book. I hope they all felt my unhappiness. If not, there's always the sequel?
I also really enjoyed the hunger games meets the selection with a dash of red queen vibes throughout the book. I'm always up for some competition, especially when it's deadly. The amount of betrayal between one family was insane to me though. You'd think family over blood but some of these people were like "Hell nah!"
The characters chosen for the culling were actually pretty interesting as well. After meeting Monroe, I could totally feel for her family trying to protect her. Registering her as guy was pretty clever but that went to shit really quickly with one betrayal. As for the rest of the girls, I really like Nadia. She was just way too sweet and needed to be protected at all costs. I only really didn't like one of them and I'm secretly hoping we get revenge in the next book.
In the end, I honestly couldn't put this book down. My eyes couldn't devour the words fast enough and I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I'm still in shock over the ending and I have endless questions and theories floating around now. Seriously, I can't wait for the sequel to come out because I need it in my hands right now.
I'm so happy that I got the chance to jump into this. Very excited for Brianna to write the next one!
December 3, 2020
Never in my life have i taken the time to sit down and write a review for a book. When I tell you this book had me glued to my seat for hours, captivated by the world Brianna created for us I am not kidding. I can not wait for this book to be published and have it as a part of my permanent collection! The last time I felt so entrapped by a book was when I was reading Hunger games, years ago. So, thank you Brianna for allowing me to rediscover my passion of reading through your universe that I can not wait to see become a world sensation!
December 3, 2020
This is one of my favourite books. The storyline is unique and captivating from the very first sentence. The author manages to play on your emotions every single chapter. As someone who is not very emotional this is an amazing accomplishment on the author's part. The descriptions and style of writting brings this book and the characters to life. There are also so many plot twists that you will never lose interest.
There is a perfect balance of fantasy, power, loss, self-discovery, rebellion, love, kindness and betrayal. All powerful emotions and actions.
I would like to think that every great book changes you a little bit as a person after reading it. The Culled Crown series has definately had an impact on who I am as a person and I think that is a very powerful thing. I do not know if everyone will understand what I mean by that but none the less it is true.
In plain and simple English: I highly recommend this book. Please go and read it! You definately will not regret it.
There is a perfect balance of fantasy, power, loss, self-discovery, rebellion, love, kindness and betrayal. All powerful emotions and actions.
I would like to think that every great book changes you a little bit as a person after reading it. The Culled Crown series has definately had an impact on who I am as a person and I think that is a very powerful thing. I do not know if everyone will understand what I mean by that but none the less it is true.
In plain and simple English: I highly recommend this book. Please go and read it! You definately will not regret it.
April 30, 2023
4 for enjoyment, a 3.2-3.5 objectively (because some parts were written so well and others were.. written. i enjoyed myself, though!)
August 31, 2024
What a ride!
This is a one POV book, told by the POV of Monroe.
I really liked Monroe as an FMC, I would say she is kind of a typical badass fantasy FMC, who already has certain qualities and just learns to control them better. Cohen is like the soft boy next to her, a total cinnamon roll. I would say their dynamic reminded me a bit of Jude and Cardan, but I feel like that wouldn´t really do Jude justice, so just a teeny bit.
Regarding side characters I really liked Uri and Nadia. I hope to learn more about Uri in the second book and maybe get more background story about her.
Plotwise I have to honestly say that I didn´t expect that much from it, being a wattpad book and all (yes I was being a bit judgemental), so I can say that it honestly positively surprised me. The vibes are kind of Hunger Games coded, without it feeling like a copy, it feels more like it was inspired by the Hunger Games. The writing is well done, the pacing is quick, with only some exceptions where it slowed down a little. I´d say the romance is more of an underlying plot and isn´t the sole focus of the book. But just to complete my review, this is YA and you will not find any spicy or steamy scenes in here. There is tension and angst in this, which made me want to keep on reading, however I would advise having the second book on hand as this does end in a cliffhanger.
Overall it was a surprisingly good read!
trigger warnings: death/murder, trauma
This is a one POV book, told by the POV of Monroe.
I really liked Monroe as an FMC, I would say she is kind of a typical badass fantasy FMC, who already has certain qualities and just learns to control them better. Cohen is like the soft boy next to her, a total cinnamon roll. I would say their dynamic reminded me a bit of Jude and Cardan, but I feel like that wouldn´t really do Jude justice, so just a teeny bit.
Regarding side characters I really liked Uri and Nadia. I hope to learn more about Uri in the second book and maybe get more background story about her.
Plotwise I have to honestly say that I didn´t expect that much from it, being a wattpad book and all (yes I was being a bit judgemental), so I can say that it honestly positively surprised me. The vibes are kind of Hunger Games coded, without it feeling like a copy, it feels more like it was inspired by the Hunger Games. The writing is well done, the pacing is quick, with only some exceptions where it slowed down a little. I´d say the romance is more of an underlying plot and isn´t the sole focus of the book. But just to complete my review, this is YA and you will not find any spicy or steamy scenes in here. There is tension and angst in this, which made me want to keep on reading, however I would advise having the second book on hand as this does end in a cliffhanger.
Overall it was a surprisingly good read!
trigger warnings: death/murder, trauma
February 21, 2025
"'being queen isn’t freedom. becoming a murderer isn’t freedom. marrying a stranger and sharing a bed with him isn’t freedom. it’s a damn prison.'"
— four stars.
would i recommend this book? yes!
trigger warnings: violence, with often graphic depictions of death. descriptions of child abuse.
wow. what a ride!
let's just dive right in while everything is still fresh in my head, shall we? this was a crazy ride, start to finish, and though i had my own personal nitpicks, it was definitely enjoyable. i think the "the hunger games meets the selection series" way it was advertised was, for the most part, accurate, but i still find that most of these hunger games retellings still fail to truly delve into the level of political commentary that suzanne collins did. for what it was, though, i really did enjoy it, and i absolutely see what the author was trying to do here.
i didn't feel entirely immersed in the world itself, but the plot was extremely interesting and kept my attention hooked from start to finish. there were numerous twists and turns i honestly never saw coming, which is obviously a great thing as it stopped the book from being predictable. however, one of my downsides to this book is that there was such a large cast of characters that many failed to be characterized and there was a lot of confusion for me, as the reader, trying to figure out who everyone was and remember all their abilities. for the characters we did focus on, though, such as monroe and cohen, i felt like they were characterized well, and had enough depth for me to truly care about them. and uri, sweet princess uriel, was such a standout character to me. you can definitely tell when an author has favorites while writing, and it's so obvious uri was brianna's favorite. she's such a fun character, and i loved every single time we got to see her on page.
and to touch on the plot again, a very, very interesting idea here. i really enjoyed the selection series when i was younger (though i'm definitely due for a reread), so i loved the creative spin on the series where the girls have to fight to the death instead of just... compete for the crown. i think it made for a book that obviously had its inspirations, but was able to split from them well enough that it still felt fresh and unique. i do think there are a lot of plot points, and if this series is truly intended to be a trilogy, i truly pray for the author's sanity while trying to tie them all up. however, i really do want to see how she does so, because i'm hooked, in all honesty.
all in all, this is a typical "girls compete for the crown" fantasy story with the added element of death and powers, but it's also very fun all the same, and i really do encourage people to pick it up and give it a try. i'm happy i did! it was a very fun ride. onto the second book!
— four stars.
would i recommend this book? yes!
trigger warnings: violence, with often graphic depictions of death. descriptions of child abuse.
wow. what a ride!
let's just dive right in while everything is still fresh in my head, shall we? this was a crazy ride, start to finish, and though i had my own personal nitpicks, it was definitely enjoyable. i think the "the hunger games meets the selection series" way it was advertised was, for the most part, accurate, but i still find that most of these hunger games retellings still fail to truly delve into the level of political commentary that suzanne collins did. for what it was, though, i really did enjoy it, and i absolutely see what the author was trying to do here.
i didn't feel entirely immersed in the world itself, but the plot was extremely interesting and kept my attention hooked from start to finish. there were numerous twists and turns i honestly never saw coming, which is obviously a great thing as it stopped the book from being predictable. however, one of my downsides to this book is that there was such a large cast of characters that many failed to be characterized and there was a lot of confusion for me, as the reader, trying to figure out who everyone was and remember all their abilities. for the characters we did focus on, though, such as monroe and cohen, i felt like they were characterized well, and had enough depth for me to truly care about them. and uri, sweet princess uriel, was such a standout character to me. you can definitely tell when an author has favorites while writing, and it's so obvious uri was brianna's favorite. she's such a fun character, and i loved every single time we got to see her on page.
and to touch on the plot again, a very, very interesting idea here. i really enjoyed the selection series when i was younger (though i'm definitely due for a reread), so i loved the creative spin on the series where the girls have to fight to the death instead of just... compete for the crown. i think it made for a book that obviously had its inspirations, but was able to split from them well enough that it still felt fresh and unique. i do think there are a lot of plot points, and if this series is truly intended to be a trilogy, i truly pray for the author's sanity while trying to tie them all up. however, i really do want to see how she does so, because i'm hooked, in all honesty.
all in all, this is a typical "girls compete for the crown" fantasy story with the added element of death and powers, but it's also very fun all the same, and i really do encourage people to pick it up and give it a try. i'm happy i did! it was a very fun ride. onto the second book!
May 12, 2020
The day I opened the book and read the first chapter I fell in love with this book. The rivalry between characters, the relationships made inside the palace, the betrayals, everything in my opinion is well put. Even the story of three brothers, a family who sacrificed everything to save the life of a girl who is goddess-touched is something that made me want to continue reading. Later, I found myself not letting go of the book. Going through Monroe’s journey is something I recommend. You are going to fall in love with each of the characters.
July 22, 2024
3.5 Stars (enjoyment), 3 stars (objectively)
First of all, thank you to the publisher for sending me this! This in no way affects my review.
I picked this up for a light read after reading a heavy setting focused fantasy novel, and I accidentally binged this in a day. It gave me selection x red queen vibes, but I've seen people saying they've gotten hunger games vibes as well!
I would like to first off the bat say this is not high fantasy in anyway. It's more of a regular fantasy novel, which I feel is important to say! It's very light and easy to read, so it's good for people who need a break from heavy content or are still learning English.
Okay, now time for the review. I think because I had the right expectations going into this I enjoyed it more. It kind of reminds me of that dystopian era when selection came out. I just enjoyed the book and didn't think too much.
The problem is when I think too much. For example, the world is kind of empty to me and not explained well. I found I experienced white room syndrome a lot of the time, and for me I think I need really good settings to visualize everything in fantasy novels. Another thing that bothered me was the use of radio and camera's. When they first came in, I was surprised, because nothing had really mentioned their existence. I had a hard time determining how advanced they were etc.
I really truly believe that the main character can really have good development in the sequel. For this book, I felt like her character was going good, but occasionally found that it jumped around a bit, almost changing personalities.
I feel like this series has a lot of potential, so I'm hoping the next book gets even better, and hopefully, embraces the potential it has and doesn't follow a generic predictable plot.
Signing off, your fav book reviewer Tatiana
First of all, thank you to the publisher for sending me this! This in no way affects my review.
I picked this up for a light read after reading a heavy setting focused fantasy novel, and I accidentally binged this in a day. It gave me selection x red queen vibes, but I've seen people saying they've gotten hunger games vibes as well!
I would like to first off the bat say this is not high fantasy in anyway. It's more of a regular fantasy novel, which I feel is important to say! It's very light and easy to read, so it's good for people who need a break from heavy content or are still learning English.
Okay, now time for the review. I think because I had the right expectations going into this I enjoyed it more. It kind of reminds me of that dystopian era when selection came out. I just enjoyed the book and didn't think too much.
The problem is when I think too much. For example, the world is kind of empty to me and not explained well. I found I experienced white room syndrome a lot of the time, and for me I think I need really good settings to visualize everything in fantasy novels. Another thing that bothered me was the use of radio and camera's. When they first came in, I was surprised, because nothing had really mentioned their existence. I had a hard time determining how advanced they were etc.
I really truly believe that the main character can really have good development in the sequel. For this book, I felt like her character was going good, but occasionally found that it jumped around a bit, almost changing personalities.
I feel like this series has a lot of potential, so I'm hoping the next book gets even better, and hopefully, embraces the potential it has and doesn't follow a generic predictable plot.
Signing off, your fav book reviewer Tatiana
Want to read
April 14, 2022This book sounds amazing. To the person who popped up recommending this book on my goodreads i love you for suggesting this!!!
May 9, 2022
3.5 stars
The perfect way of describing this would be Hunger Games meets The Selection. There's a battle to the death in an arena and the winning girl will marry the prince and eventually become queen. I do think parts of this could have been more original, but it was an entertaining premise and I'm always on board for deadly competition stories.
It's easy to fall right into this and fly through in a couple of sittings. We learn about the world through a quick prologue, though it took a bit to explain why exactly the girls needed to die instead of just having a regular competition. I liked the main character Monroe, she just wants to live her life and not become a sacrifice. She's scared and not necessarily the strongest of the girls she's competing against. I also adored her close relationship with her eldest brother Ambrose.
Where this lost me a bit was the overabundance of romance. I didn't love who Monroe fell for and think it would have been fun if she'd fallen for one of her competitors. I also thought the rebels and the Culling (aka the fight to the death) fell back as the romance took center stage. I wanted to see the girls bond more, more fighting and use of powers, and learn more about the politics of the country.
I had fun reading this and I'm definitely up for checking out the sequel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for the copy.
The perfect way of describing this would be Hunger Games meets The Selection. There's a battle to the death in an arena and the winning girl will marry the prince and eventually become queen. I do think parts of this could have been more original, but it was an entertaining premise and I'm always on board for deadly competition stories.
It's easy to fall right into this and fly through in a couple of sittings. We learn about the world through a quick prologue, though it took a bit to explain why exactly the girls needed to die instead of just having a regular competition. I liked the main character Monroe, she just wants to live her life and not become a sacrifice. She's scared and not necessarily the strongest of the girls she's competing against. I also adored her close relationship with her eldest brother Ambrose.
Where this lost me a bit was the overabundance of romance. I didn't love who Monroe fell for and think it would have been fun if she'd fallen for one of her competitors. I also thought the rebels and the Culling (aka the fight to the death) fell back as the romance took center stage. I wanted to see the girls bond more, more fighting and use of powers, and learn more about the politics of the country.
I had fun reading this and I'm definitely up for checking out the sequel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for the copy.
March 11, 2024
Yes yes yes. I loved the cover of this book and cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Pretty! This is def going on my favorite bookshelf.
November 22, 2022
Let’s start with this: Don’t go into this thinking it’s a standalone novel. Neither Amazon or GoodReads list it as being part of a series, but it ends on what I’d call a semi-cliffhanger, with the story long from resolved, so it’s either part of a series or I’ve misread the book entirely and am very embarrassed. I’d rather not be that embarrassed, so I’m going with it being the first book in a series and the rest of the series just hasn’t been announced yet. So, are we all on the same page now? Good.
So, okay. This book really, really, isn’t original. It was pretty clear from very early on in this book that the plot (of this entry at least) is Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass meets The Selection. That’s a whole lot of YA lore to be whipping into a batter and baking a cake out of, but I just couldn’t help but inhale it greedily, my brain and soul loving the empty calories. This kind of book isn’t like reading some of the books I read where I come away full of feels and needing to take time to contemplate the experience. It’s not even like the romance novels I read on the regular, where I giggle and sigh and swoon. No. Books like “Of Cages and Crowns” are like spending the evening watching rom-coms and eating ice cream: just pure comfort and relaxation. Books like these are enjoyable because they ask nothing of you but to lay back and enjoy the fantasy fluff.
That’s not to say Brianna Joy Crump doesn’t have talent. She really does. Her characters aren’t complete cookie cutter cut-outs. They’re multi-faceted and interesting. Have I read books with a “culling” trope that did better with the characterizations of the females involved? Yes. But I enjoyed Crump’s efforts to bring depth and breadth to the sociopolitical and geopolitical situation for the people and the country in the book as well as the central plot in the book.
It’s not a perfect book, but it’s a lot of fun for us people who gobble up fantasy romances like candy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for granting me access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
File Under: Fantasy/Dark Fantasy/YA Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Series/Coming of Age/Steamy Romance/YA Fantasy Romance
So, okay. This book really, really, isn’t original. It was pretty clear from very early on in this book that the plot (of this entry at least) is Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass meets The Selection. That’s a whole lot of YA lore to be whipping into a batter and baking a cake out of, but I just couldn’t help but inhale it greedily, my brain and soul loving the empty calories. This kind of book isn’t like reading some of the books I read where I come away full of feels and needing to take time to contemplate the experience. It’s not even like the romance novels I read on the regular, where I giggle and sigh and swoon. No. Books like “Of Cages and Crowns” are like spending the evening watching rom-coms and eating ice cream: just pure comfort and relaxation. Books like these are enjoyable because they ask nothing of you but to lay back and enjoy the fantasy fluff.
That’s not to say Brianna Joy Crump doesn’t have talent. She really does. Her characters aren’t complete cookie cutter cut-outs. They’re multi-faceted and interesting. Have I read books with a “culling” trope that did better with the characterizations of the females involved? Yes. But I enjoyed Crump’s efforts to bring depth and breadth to the sociopolitical and geopolitical situation for the people and the country in the book as well as the central plot in the book.
It’s not a perfect book, but it’s a lot of fun for us people who gobble up fantasy romances like candy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for granting me access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
File Under: Fantasy/Dark Fantasy/YA Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Series/Coming of Age/Steamy Romance/YA Fantasy Romance
Want to read
June 16, 2022Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad books for this arc. 🖤
April 20, 2024
Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump is a mesmerizing journey into a world where power, duty, and love collide in the most unexpected ways. From the very first page, Brianna weaves a gripping narrative that immerses readers into a richly imagined realm where magic, tradition, and political intrigue reign supreme.
At the heart of the story are two compelling characters Monroe Benson and Cohen, each burdened by their respective destinies yet determined to carve their own paths. Monroe, born with the ability to summon fire, is thrust into the dangerous arena of the Culling, where goddess-touched girls vie for the crown in a deadly competition. Despite the odds stacked against her, Monroe refuses to be defined solely by her powers, displaying courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Cohen, the son of the queen and the next in line for the throne, grapples with his duty to uphold tradition even as he questions its morality. As he navigates palace intrigue and personal peril, Cohen emerges as a complex character torn between loyalty to his family and a desire for a better future.
What sets "Of Cages and Crowns" apart is its exploration of the evolving relationship between Monroe and Cohen. Theirs is a love story that defies expectations, transcending societal norms and challenging the constraints of their world. Crump deftly portrays their bond with nuance and depth, capturing the complexities of love amidst turmoil and uncertainty. Moreover, Brianna masterfully crafts a narrative filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The pacing is impeccable, building tension with each chapter and culminating in a breathtaking climax that will leave readers clamoring for more. Beyond its thrilling plot and well-drawn characters, "Of Cages and Crowns" also grapples with themes of rebellion, identity, and the consequences of power.
Brianna skillfully navigates these weighty topics with sensitivity and insight, prompting readers to ponder the nature of freedom and the price of sacrifice. In conclusion, "Of Cages and Crowns" is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction. Brianna Joy Crump has crafted a captivating tale that will linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the final page. With its unforgettable characters, intricate world-building, and poignant themes, this book is a true gem that deserves a place on every bookshelf.
A special thank you to NetGalley & Wattpad Books for gifting me an ARC of this amazing book!!!
At the heart of the story are two compelling characters Monroe Benson and Cohen, each burdened by their respective destinies yet determined to carve their own paths. Monroe, born with the ability to summon fire, is thrust into the dangerous arena of the Culling, where goddess-touched girls vie for the crown in a deadly competition. Despite the odds stacked against her, Monroe refuses to be defined solely by her powers, displaying courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Cohen, the son of the queen and the next in line for the throne, grapples with his duty to uphold tradition even as he questions its morality. As he navigates palace intrigue and personal peril, Cohen emerges as a complex character torn between loyalty to his family and a desire for a better future.
What sets "Of Cages and Crowns" apart is its exploration of the evolving relationship between Monroe and Cohen. Theirs is a love story that defies expectations, transcending societal norms and challenging the constraints of their world. Crump deftly portrays their bond with nuance and depth, capturing the complexities of love amidst turmoil and uncertainty. Moreover, Brianna masterfully crafts a narrative filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The pacing is impeccable, building tension with each chapter and culminating in a breathtaking climax that will leave readers clamoring for more. Beyond its thrilling plot and well-drawn characters, "Of Cages and Crowns" also grapples with themes of rebellion, identity, and the consequences of power.
Brianna skillfully navigates these weighty topics with sensitivity and insight, prompting readers to ponder the nature of freedom and the price of sacrifice. In conclusion, "Of Cages and Crowns" is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction. Brianna Joy Crump has crafted a captivating tale that will linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the final page. With its unforgettable characters, intricate world-building, and poignant themes, this book is a true gem that deserves a place on every bookshelf.
A special thank you to NetGalley & Wattpad Books for gifting me an ARC of this amazing book!!!
April 17, 2022
Monroe has grown up hiding her whole life – the mark on her hand indicates her as goddess-touched, which means she will have to fight to the death in this generation’s Culling. There are always ten girls born with this mark throughout the empire, and all must participate in the Culling to determine who will reign as the next queen. Tensions are also high between neighboring countries, and it appears that war is imminent. But there’s no outrunning fate. Will Monroe be able to navigate the court and survive all that the Culling will entail?
When I first began reading this, I was afraid it was going to be too reminiscent of the Hunger Games for me to enjoy. While there were similarities, this book contained many unique and fresh ideas. I would have preferred a little more information concerning the setting early on – it took a little bit of time to identify what sort of place the setting was (fantasy vs. post-apocalyptic vs. historical fantasy, etc.). But through bits and pieces, the world became clearer. The lore was fantastic – I loved the creation story told at the beginning and how the whole setting revolved around those religious beliefs. The concept of the Videra Priestesses was also quite intriguing – I would have loved to see more of them!
The characters were very well written. Monroe was an engaging protagonist, one that was relatable and had the perfect amount of fear and wherewithal to make a great main character. The secondary characters were also generally well developed; I especially loved that some of the other female contestants got more page time toward the end of the book. Cohen was well written and likeable. I was grateful that the love story wasn’t the typical insta-love. The character even acknowledged that it wasn’t love but more of an attraction and situational thing – I was pleasantly surprised by this.
There were unfortunately many errors and typos in the kindle version that I received. The formatting was also horrible, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the book. If it weren’t for the typos, errors, and formatting issues, I would have given this book a five-star rating.
Y’all need to read this. If you love magic, fights to the death, soft romance, rebellions, and dangerous rulers, this is the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
When I first began reading this, I was afraid it was going to be too reminiscent of the Hunger Games for me to enjoy. While there were similarities, this book contained many unique and fresh ideas. I would have preferred a little more information concerning the setting early on – it took a little bit of time to identify what sort of place the setting was (fantasy vs. post-apocalyptic vs. historical fantasy, etc.). But through bits and pieces, the world became clearer. The lore was fantastic – I loved the creation story told at the beginning and how the whole setting revolved around those religious beliefs. The concept of the Videra Priestesses was also quite intriguing – I would have loved to see more of them!
The characters were very well written. Monroe was an engaging protagonist, one that was relatable and had the perfect amount of fear and wherewithal to make a great main character. The secondary characters were also generally well developed; I especially loved that some of the other female contestants got more page time toward the end of the book. Cohen was well written and likeable. I was grateful that the love story wasn’t the typical insta-love. The character even acknowledged that it wasn’t love but more of an attraction and situational thing – I was pleasantly surprised by this.
There were unfortunately many errors and typos in the kindle version that I received. The formatting was also horrible, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the book. If it weren’t for the typos, errors, and formatting issues, I would have given this book a five-star rating.
Y’all need to read this. If you love magic, fights to the death, soft romance, rebellions, and dangerous rulers, this is the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 4, 2022
4.5 stars
Of Cages and Crowns is The Hunger Games meets The Selection but with a twist.
Monroe is a goddess-touched girl with the ability to create fire. When the heir to the throne becomes of age, the goddess-touched girls are forced to participate in The Culling: a fight to the death. Each girl has a unique ability, and the prize: to marry the prince and become the next queen.
This was very well written! I usually have to be in the mood to read a fantasy book, but I was determined to get through my ARC pile, so I picked this one up, and I'm so glad I did! This book had me captivated. I loved learning about Monroe and Cohen. I loved the backstory at the beginning of the book. And I loved how I did not expect a lot of what happened. This book was SO good! I can't wait to read the next book in this series to find out what happens next!
I highly recommend this book, especially if you loved The Selection series and magic!
I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Of Cages and Crowns is The Hunger Games meets The Selection but with a twist.
Monroe is a goddess-touched girl with the ability to create fire. When the heir to the throne becomes of age, the goddess-touched girls are forced to participate in The Culling: a fight to the death. Each girl has a unique ability, and the prize: to marry the prince and become the next queen.
This was very well written! I usually have to be in the mood to read a fantasy book, but I was determined to get through my ARC pile, so I picked this one up, and I'm so glad I did! This book had me captivated. I loved learning about Monroe and Cohen. I loved the backstory at the beginning of the book. And I loved how I did not expect a lot of what happened. This book was SO good! I can't wait to read the next book in this series to find out what happens next!
I highly recommend this book, especially if you loved The Selection series and magic!
I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2024
Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump
"I wasn't the girl who ended up with the prince. I was the girl who burned it all down or died trying."
The map of Erydia. Monroe Benson is destined for the throne. She only has to fight nine girls to secure royal status. A crowned queen. If she loses, and someone else dawns the glittering headpiece, that meant she was dead. And Monroe refuses to die.
Marked and goddess-touched, Monroe is one of 10 heirs that are born to take to the Erydian throne and their place in the Royal court. The Culling is announced.
A deadly competition. Talk of war and rebellion. The girls are supposed to drop one by one inside the trials, a fair fight. Except, the girls are suddenly going missing and turning up dead outside of the Culling trials.
Depending on her affinity for fire, Monroe weilds a powerful skill against her unseen enemy. And Cohen, the queen's son, is beginning to make her feel affection -- perhaps even love, making it difficult to betray him.
Monroe is a little unique to most heroines. She doesn't wait for a prince, or anyone, to save her and set her free. She's the damsel who must fight the dragon herself and in so winning, becomes the dragon herself. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!
"I wasn't the girl who ended up with the prince. I was the girl who burned it all down or died trying."
The map of Erydia. Monroe Benson is destined for the throne. She only has to fight nine girls to secure royal status. A crowned queen. If she loses, and someone else dawns the glittering headpiece, that meant she was dead. And Monroe refuses to die.
Marked and goddess-touched, Monroe is one of 10 heirs that are born to take to the Erydian throne and their place in the Royal court. The Culling is announced.
A deadly competition. Talk of war and rebellion. The girls are supposed to drop one by one inside the trials, a fair fight. Except, the girls are suddenly going missing and turning up dead outside of the Culling trials.
Depending on her affinity for fire, Monroe weilds a powerful skill against her unseen enemy. And Cohen, the queen's son, is beginning to make her feel affection -- perhaps even love, making it difficult to betray him.
Monroe is a little unique to most heroines. She doesn't wait for a prince, or anyone, to save her and set her free. She's the damsel who must fight the dragon herself and in so winning, becomes the dragon herself. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!
May 13, 2022
The author took the concept of 'fight to the death' and 'the bachelor' and mixed them.
And the result was pretty great! Even though, the prince doesn't have a say in who he gets to marry.
For the most part, it was a fast-paced book, with lots of action and plot twists. At some point, near the middle, there was a lot of romance added that took away a lot of pages from the main theme.
In the beginning, the romance between Monroe and Cohen seems forced, but as the plot advances, the chemistry gets better.
On that note, I love Uri and Hugo with all my heart and they should be protected at all costs.
The characters are well-written and unique, even the secondary characters.
The descriptions of them, the landscape, and the fights are great.
I can't wait for the next book!
A thank you to NetGalley for the free ebook copy.
And the result was pretty great! Even though, the prince doesn't have a say in who he gets to marry.
For the most part, it was a fast-paced book, with lots of action and plot twists. At some point, near the middle, there was a lot of romance added that took away a lot of pages from the main theme.
In the beginning, the romance between Monroe and Cohen seems forced, but as the plot advances, the chemistry gets better.
On that note, I love Uri and Hugo with all my heart and they should be protected at all costs.
The characters are well-written and unique, even the secondary characters.
The descriptions of them, the landscape, and the fights are great.
I can't wait for the next book!
A thank you to NetGalley for the free ebook copy.
March 18, 2024
this was actually a really good book! And from wattpad too? im shocked. normally i hate wattpad books that get published because you can actually tell with the quality of writing (and that’s coming from a girl who used to use wattpad religiously) but this book was actually well written! If you like the hunger games and red queen, this is the book you will want to read next! The plot was pretty good, and i actually enjoyed the main characters. Uri was my favorite but that’s because she’s a wild card and she always knew what was up. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!
November 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this. It was giving Hunger Games but fantasy with a twist?
I loved how all the girls had different powers & I was expecting the trials as in them all against each other at once, but it wasn’t - so that was fun & more hardcore for them individually.
The writing was easy to follow & flowed so well throughout. Major twists & turns come towards the end. The last 20% was bam bam bam! I was page turning so quickly.
The trial scene with Tessa, jheeze.. I actually shivered🤣
I am 100% going to read the next one because I need answers on WHO WILL WEAR THE CROWN!
I loved how all the girls had different powers & I was expecting the trials as in them all against each other at once, but it wasn’t - so that was fun & more hardcore for them individually.
The writing was easy to follow & flowed so well throughout. Major twists & turns come towards the end. The last 20% was bam bam bam! I was page turning so quickly.
The trial scene with Tessa, jheeze.. I actually shivered🤣
I am 100% going to read the next one because I need answers on WHO WILL WEAR THE CROWN!
March 16, 2025
Lightlark 2.0
July 5, 2022
4.5 Stars
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an onest review.
This book absorbe me completely. It was an emotional ride and i can't wait to read the sequel.
Brianna has the power to make you feel inside the story. I felt a strong emotional connection with Monroe, when she was sad, when she was tense, when she was anxious, I could feel everything. She is just a girl who would like to live a quiet life with her brothers and her mother, instead she is forced to participate in a competition to the death and this leads her to become a different person, stronger not only physically but also emotionally. I loved her development, from a simple frightened girl with a power she doesn't want, to a mature woman, aware of her powers and with strong ideals she is ready to sacrifice herself for. I also really enjoyed the other characters, Cohen, Uri and Nadia in particular, and their development.
I felt the tension from the first to the last page, the anxiety in every plot twist, the action is never predictable and keeps you glued to the pages. I also enjoyed the love story that gives that extra touch to a book that is definitely one of my favorite readings of the last period.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an onest review.
This book absorbe me completely. It was an emotional ride and i can't wait to read the sequel.
Brianna has the power to make you feel inside the story. I felt a strong emotional connection with Monroe, when she was sad, when she was tense, when she was anxious, I could feel everything. She is just a girl who would like to live a quiet life with her brothers and her mother, instead she is forced to participate in a competition to the death and this leads her to become a different person, stronger not only physically but also emotionally. I loved her development, from a simple frightened girl with a power she doesn't want, to a mature woman, aware of her powers and with strong ideals she is ready to sacrifice herself for. I also really enjoyed the other characters, Cohen, Uri and Nadia in particular, and their development.
I felt the tension from the first to the last page, the anxiety in every plot twist, the action is never predictable and keeps you glued to the pages. I also enjoyed the love story that gives that extra touch to a book that is definitely one of my favorite readings of the last period.
June 4, 2022
Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monroe Benson, a goddess-touched girl gifted with fire powers, has to participate in the Culling where the other nine goddess-touched girls fight each other to death to become the Queen of Erydia.
Though at first, I found it similar to The Selection series and The Hunger Games, Of Cages and Crown blew my mind away.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The characters are very well written. Each one of them is unique and intriguing. Monroe is the typical strong and kind female character. She is very relatable, practical and sometimes a bit susceptible. Her powers are really awesome.
Cohen is also the typical prince- handsome, perfect and kind. He is emotionally driven to do things most of the time even though it means feeling the wrath of the evil Queen, his mother, Viera.
I relished their encounters. They have good chemistry and are heart-warming romantics.
Among the other characters, I love Uriel (she's a sweetheart!), Britta (I love her caring nature), Nadia (she's really innocent and kind), Ambrose (very caring of his family and thoughtful) Dellacov (he and Uri make a pretty good pair and I love his protectiveness) and June (he's a really good tutor and brother.)
The antagonists (mostly women) were all cruel and scary. Viera, Larkin and Kinsley... gosh! They gave me chills. They are just cold and heartless.
The prologue gave a clear introduction to the world and it was amazing. The plot wasn't what I expected- in a good way. Sometimes, I could guess correctly what was going to happen next but the twists and turns made my jaw drop. For instance, I didn't expect Cohen to be that dying stranger Monroe saved and Kace betraying his siblings (that made me cross his name off my favourite characters.)
I just loved the author's imagination. The pacing was perfect, the description- top notch and the creativity was fantabulous.
But at some places, it was a tiny bit unrealistic. Like, near the ending of the book, after Viera was poisoning Monroe she recovered really quickly. Yeah, I understood she withdrew the poison but doesn't its effect last for a little longer? You couldn't heal so fast when you were given such a high dose of poison and Nadia was healing Cohen and she couldn't have healed Monroe that quick without touching her, hence my reasoning.
Ultimately, it's a 5-star book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will surely recommend it to all the fantasy and YA lovers. This book deserves more readers. I'd love to read the sequel soon.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monroe Benson, a goddess-touched girl gifted with fire powers, has to participate in the Culling where the other nine goddess-touched girls fight each other to death to become the Queen of Erydia.
Though at first, I found it similar to The Selection series and The Hunger Games, Of Cages and Crown blew my mind away.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The characters are very well written. Each one of them is unique and intriguing. Monroe is the typical strong and kind female character. She is very relatable, practical and sometimes a bit susceptible. Her powers are really awesome.
Cohen is also the typical prince- handsome, perfect and kind. He is emotionally driven to do things most of the time even though it means feeling the wrath of the evil Queen, his mother, Viera.
I relished their encounters. They have good chemistry and are heart-warming romantics.
Among the other characters, I love Uriel (she's a sweetheart!), Britta (I love her caring nature), Nadia (she's really innocent and kind), Ambrose (very caring of his family and thoughtful) Dellacov (he and Uri make a pretty good pair and I love his protectiveness) and June (he's a really good tutor and brother.)
The antagonists (mostly women) were all cruel and scary. Viera, Larkin and Kinsley... gosh! They gave me chills. They are just cold and heartless.
The prologue gave a clear introduction to the world and it was amazing. The plot wasn't what I expected- in a good way. Sometimes, I could guess correctly what was going to happen next but the twists and turns made my jaw drop. For instance, I didn't expect Cohen to be that dying stranger Monroe saved and Kace betraying his siblings (that made me cross his name off my favourite characters.)
I just loved the author's imagination. The pacing was perfect, the description- top notch and the creativity was fantabulous.
But at some places, it was a tiny bit unrealistic. Like, near the ending of the book, after Viera was poisoning Monroe she recovered really quickly. Yeah, I understood she withdrew the poison but doesn't its effect last for a little longer? You couldn't heal so fast when you were given such a high dose of poison and Nadia was healing Cohen and she couldn't have healed Monroe that quick without touching her, hence my reasoning.
Ultimately, it's a 5-star book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will surely recommend it to all the fantasy and YA lovers. This book deserves more readers. I'd love to read the sequel soon.
May 7, 2022
2.5 stars
The first third of this book had me hooked.
I loved Monroe because she was so different from the typical YA heroine: she was scared, she knew that entering the Culling meant killing and/or being killed, and she was not ashamed to try to run away from all of this. I also found the reference to the strong inequalities among the different counties in Erydia and the presence of the rebels pretty promising.
But going on I started to feel more and more puzzled.
Gone were the political intricacies, the rebels, the upcoming war, the army draft call, any concern for the fate of her family, and the Trials against the other girls. Most of the story started to revolve around Monroe's feelings for Cohen, the prince. I mean, while I love a touch of romance in my fantasy books, I don't like when it obliterates everything else. And that was precisely, sadly the issue here. I would have liked to see more action, more connections between the girls, and the socio-political issues more developed.
Another aspect that didn't convince me was the Culling system itself. It's not clear why the girls have to die - especially considering how useful their gifts (e.g., healing, poisoning, controlling the elements...) could be at the military level or to make Erydian people's life better. The Author never explained why this brutal (and pointless) system was still enforced while there could be far much better alternatives.
Moreover, plotwise, having an entire month passing between a Trial and the following one spoiled the dramatic tension.
Overall, the whole story fell flat for me. Such a pity, because this book had great potential.
**Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.**
The first third of this book had me hooked.
I loved Monroe because she was so different from the typical YA heroine: she was scared, she knew that entering the Culling meant killing and/or being killed, and she was not ashamed to try to run away from all of this. I also found the reference to the strong inequalities among the different counties in Erydia and the presence of the rebels pretty promising.
But going on I started to feel more and more puzzled.
Gone were the political intricacies, the rebels, the upcoming war, the army draft call, any concern for the fate of her family, and the Trials against the other girls. Most of the story started to revolve around Monroe's feelings for Cohen, the prince. I mean, while I love a touch of romance in my fantasy books, I don't like when it obliterates everything else. And that was precisely, sadly the issue here. I would have liked to see more action, more connections between the girls, and the socio-political issues more developed.
Another aspect that didn't convince me was the Culling system itself. It's not clear why the girls have to die - especially considering how useful their gifts (e.g., healing, poisoning, controlling the elements...) could be at the military level or to make Erydian people's life better. The Author never explained why this brutal (and pointless) system was still enforced while there could be far much better alternatives.
Moreover, plotwise, having an entire month passing between a Trial and the following one spoiled the dramatic tension.
Overall, the whole story fell flat for me. Such a pity, because this book had great potential.
**Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.**
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