YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

What if you fell in love with the one person you'd sworn to destroy?

Lara has only one thought for her husband on their wedding day: I will bring your kingdom to its knees. A princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, Lara knows that the Bridge Kingdom represents both legendary evil - and legendary promise. The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom controls all trade and travel between lands, allowing its ruler to enrich himself and deprive his enemies, including Lara's homeland. So when she is sent as a bride under the guise of fulfilling a treaty of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture the defenses of the impenetrable Bridge Kingdom.

But as she infiltrates her new home - a lush paradise surrounded by tempest seas - and comes to know her new husband, Aren, Lara begins to question where the true evil resides. Around her, she sees a kingdom fighting for survival, and in Aren, a man fiercely protective of his people. As her mission drives her to deeper understanding of the fight to possess the bridge, Lara finds the simmering attraction between her and Aren impossible to ignore. Her goal nearly within reach, Lara will have to decide her own fate: Will she be the destroyer of a king or the savior of her people?

Chapter 20.
When I started reading I didn't expect much of this book. But it's surprisingly captivating. Not perfect language, sometimes pretty plain characters but I'm so into the story, eager to learn how it's going to end. By the way, there was this phrase 'lush paradise' in the description and I imagined those islands being like Maldives but now - reading the book - it seems more like unfriendly amazon jungle :D

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ I can't believe she killed her sisters. 😳 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I judged hardly about after just one Chapter. She is smart and brave to make up a plan for her sisters.
I think lara's father is lying about the facts to make Lara think Ithicana is the enemy.
Aren is quite trapped with so many enemies. (hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "Chapter 20.
When I started reading I didn't expect much of this book. But it's surprisingly captivating. Not perfect language, sometimes pretty plain characters but I'm so into the story, eager to ..."

Amazon Jungle is quite the correct description even I thought it would be a prosperous place.

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ Oh Lara! what have you done 🤦🏻‍♀️ (hide spoiler)]

Finished a couple of days ago
I loved the book! It's not perfect yet very interesting and sooner or later I'm going to read the next book in the series.
(view spoiler)[
I thought there would be a happy ending! And I really needed it. Why her sister appeared? Such an arrogant woman messed up all the story! I wish in the next book Aren will be safe and they will be together again. I want the happy ending to this story so much!
(hide spoiler)]

@Pragya
(view spoiler)[
Yes she is indeed very smart and brave. Also caring sister and I believe she's going to be a perfect ruler for her people.
(hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "Finished a couple of days ago
I loved the book! It's not perfect yet very interesting and sooner or later I'm going to read the next book in the series.

I thought there would be a happy ending! An..."

I have just finished!
(view spoiler)[ I agree with you we need happy ending and Aren free from the Evil King's grasp.
They really rushed the end... Like when the attack happened and later on moved to her away and back Ithicana in one Chapter.
(hide spoiler)]

@Pragya Yeah! Totally agree with you.
(view spoiler)[
The story went on a nice path till the last chapter and in one last chapter there were more events than in the whole story.
(hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting November 16th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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Chapter 7

(view spoiler)[ Wow, a tense start! For a while I thought she really had killed all her sisters!
I really like both MCs - I think we’ll have lots of fun with them! So funny how she uses all tricks and is so confident he has to fall for it and he acts totally bored 😅 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)["One kingdom to save. One kingdom to destroy."
Pretty powerful, although I do wonder how patriotic someone can be if they lived isolated from their people all their life. I guess it all relies on grooming, since it's definitely not loyalty to the king.

I do wonder, with the sisters growing up so isolated, is the poverty of Maridrina real or some ploy orchestrated by the king?

I really like the idea of a 'bridge kingdom', though. (hide spoiler)]

Brigia wrote: "Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ Oh, yes! So glad she didn't actually kill them! Their father is pretty awful, isn't he?
I already like them too (and his sister). But that was such a close call in the bedroom!
What is this mysterious Eranahl?! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[I love their conversations 😂 Lara is certainly very clever, knows just what to say to confuse Aren.

I'm pretty sure now that Silas was manipulating the girls into thinking Ithacanians were horrible. Aren seems too honorable to allow spoiled goods to be sent to Maridrina. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 12
I love their conversations 😂 …“

(view spoiler)[ I think they’re just perfect for each other 😁
I agree, her father must have lied! I wonder if he keeps all the money for himself. That would explain Aren‘s comment that Lara’s people won’t ever get to see it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[Not sure about it so far. It's enjoyable and interesting, but I'm not invested in the relationship yet (and I'm half way through). Not a lot of significant Lara & Aren scenes, I feel like they barely know each other. Maybe it's too focused on showing us Ithicana's situation? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[I mean we all knew she was going to betray them (the second book is called Traitor Queen...), but I'm still disappointed in Lara 😅
She knows that her father and tutors lied about Ithicana, but she's not questioning anything else? At least mention it to Aren. Why wouldn't she at least try to convince him to help her starving people, try to propose a true alliance?
Well, I guess 'drama' is the answer. We wouldn't have a 2nd book without it lol. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 21
[spoilers removed]"

Yes, I feel the same (view spoiler)[It's a bit weird, because there's nothing exactly wrong with it, but somehow, I don't really feel it. I think it's Lara - she's so very practical, that she doesn't (let herself) feel the romance. I'm hoping it will pick up a bit! (hide spoiler)]

Brigia wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Chapter 21
[spoilers removed]"

Yes, I feel the same [spoilers removed]"

It might still surprise us. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Chapter 32
(view spoiler)[What?! No, no, no!!! Just when I thought I could stop stressing about the papers, he uses one?! 😤 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[I am so disappointed with her. So instead of turning a new page and being fully honest with Aren, she still carries on deceiving. And was ready to drug him ! Sorry, I can't like Lara anymore after this. Even if he hadn't sent that stupid letter, I still wouldn't be ok with it. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 24..."

(view spoiler)[ I agree it doesn’t make much sense she’s not questioning everything. I think Aren is a little too perfect. I mean if he did anything at all that seemed a little controlling or cruel from her view point it would be much more believable. But as it is, there’s not any reason at all for her to betray him. (hide spoiler)]

Brigia wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Chapter 24..."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Very true, he's a bit of a Gary Stu, isn't he? Far too perfect. I can't think of a single flaw, really. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Ugh, even though it was obvious all along that she would end up being a "traitor queen", I kept hoping it wouldn't happen somehow.

I mean how do you go back from this? Yes, she didn't mean for it to happen, but it did and it is her fault. Sure, Aren might eventually forgive her, but how will the people forgive and trust her when she's responsible for the death of so many?

And it would have been nice for her to try to do something in all the weeks after Aren banished her, instead of getting drunk. I'm sure she'll save lots of people later on, but can anything make up for her mistake in everyone's eyes?

I am interested to see how the author plans to turn it all around, so I might read the second book, but not sure. (hide spoiler)]

I finished this on Sunday, but didn’t have a chance to update before.

(view spoiler)[ I switched to audio after my last update and that helped 😅 I was sucked back into the story and enjoyed the drama, even though I still wanted to scream at Lara for the many wrong choices she made! I didn’t want to leave things like they were at the end…so… I had to start the next book 😉 (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Brigia wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Chapter 24..."

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]

Finished!

Ugh, even though it was obvious all along that she would end up being a "traitor queen", I kept hop..."

(view spoiler)[ She would have to do something pretty amazing to make up for it! I agree, she’s definitely guilty and it’s so depressing, because she really didn’t want this. I’m rooting for her and Aren, though I’m hoping the reconciliation will be believable - she has to make up for a lot! (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting April 10th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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Well this book started with a bang!
Partway into chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Love how Lara poisoned her sisters for them to live. I am very curious what they are doing now and I hope we get a chapter from one of their POV at some point!

Lara is an interesting character, neither the brightest or most intelligent but in theory the most ruthless. I am preferring the narrator for her chapters.

I need to know more about Aren to have an opinion of him and I dont love the narration of his chapters. He does seem to want the best for his people and does want an end to senseless death so thats always a point in his favour.

I think the whole "bridge" of the bridge kingdom is neat. Want to know more about how it all came to be. (hide spoiler)]

Starting tonight :)

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ That jumped right into the story! I really like the pace so far. Lara sounds amazing and I can't wait to see what she's going to do since they are already underestimating her. (hide spoiler)]

Brittany wrote: "Well this book started with a bang!
Partway into chapter 12 Love how Lara poisoned her sisters for them to live. I am very curious what they are doing now and I hope we get a chapter from one of t..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes! I thought it was very resourceful of her to poison her sisters like that. I'm reserving judgement for Aren and Ahnna for now. Especially Ahnna is very condescending to Lara, but they don't know what she is capable of yet, so I'm letting that go for now. I don't trust any of the letters that Serin writes at all, so I'm not sure how Lara should really proceed. Doesn't seem like she can really trust anyone. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I don't know how I feel about Nana yet. I appreciate her wanting to save her grandson from her, but she's all about that baby making. That would drive me crazy. (hide spoiler)]

Start of chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Oh Aren never should've given in and brought Lara onto the bridge! Seems like such a mistake, especially this early into their knowing each other. Although I do appreciate his not wanting her to suffer. Seems like Lara should've been taught to swim in her training since the Bridge is over water...

I enjoyed seeing Lara save Aren and that she couldn't just stand there and watch innocents slaughtered. I do wonder how long it will take him to realize that Lara is really a fighter and that it was her who killed those men. (hide spoiler)]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 15
[spoilers removed]"

I agree (view spoiler)[ I too dont know how to feel about Nana. She is definitely a woman used to getting her way who loves her family. The baby making thing would be annoying but I see the necessity also. (hide spoiler)]

Brittany wrote: "Start of chapter 19 Oh Aren never should've given in and brought Lara onto the bridge! Seems like such a mistake, especially this early into their knowing each other. Although I do appreciate his ..."

(view spoiler)[ It seemed strange for him to bring her because he obviously doesn't trust her. And he really has no reason to care about her feelings, emotional or physical yet. I could only guess it was some sort of male honor thing that he just didn't want her to suffer or he really does take the marriage seriously beyond just an alliance. (hide spoiler)]

Brittany wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapter 15
[spoilers removed]"

I agree [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I don't think I would have minded the pregnancy pushing if she hadn't made it seem like that was all Lara was good for. Like have her push out a baby then throw the whole wife away because he has an heir and she can't be trusted. Which of course she can't but that's only because she was told so many horrendous things about Aren. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[
I dont know how any of the Ithicanans could ever forgive Lara her treachery after all the death and destruction she caused. No she didnt mean for it to happen and thought she had destroyed all the pages. But she should have told Aren what she had done in the first place and then he never would've sent the letter at all.
Wasnt surprised that Marilyn was the one on the boat or that she came to kill them. She wanted the power and was furious Lara had stolen it.

I especially enjoyed the end with her finding some of her sisters and that they had found lives for themselves and her favourite sister had met a man she loved and married. (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed it enough to jump right into book 2. Want to buddy read that one too?

Ashley wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapter 15
[spoilers removed]"

I agree [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Very true (view spoiler)[ The have an heir than disappear part was rather awful. Even if its true that Lara cannot be trusted. She was brainwashed by her father to hate Ithicana (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ Oh no. She's going to regret that later. By the time she realizes she's wrong, it will be too late. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I expected her message to get to her father one way or another after it was too late for her to change anything. But I really didn't think that Marylyn would be the one to side with their father. That shocked me. I really hope she and Ahnna can get along long enough to get Aren back though it will take a lot for him to trust her again if he does. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting September 14th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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If I have the time I'll definitely join this buddy read!

Great!

I will join this one!!

Started today. In the first few chapters (view spoiler)[I'm getting the impression that the worldbuilding is constructed more for the general *vibes* than in any way that really makes sense. Why the hell would the king have 20 daughters and then kill all but one when his entire kingdom depends on the daughter's success? What if she catches the flu and dies? It's so stupid not to keep at least one spare around. Seems like this plot point was just included to make the dad seem comically evil. (hide spoiler)]

A theory around Ch 8 (view spoiler)[seems like the Bridge Kingdom maybe isn't wholly responsible for Laura's people starving. Her dad is blaming the trade taxes Aren puts on them, but Aren is clearly an alright guy and Laura's dad is clearly evil, so maybe the dad is embezzling or something and that's what's making the people in his kingdom so poor? Idk. Just a theory. (hide spoiler)]

Oh yay! I'm excited for it

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Started today. In the first few chapters [spoilers removed]

A theory around Ch 8 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I'm only 10% in but I also feel the same.

(view spoiler)[The world-building feels so shaky and shallow and none of it makes sense. It feels over the top trying to be shocking/extreme with how the king literally killed everyone involved in the plot except for the spymaster. Like, who are these random servants going to tell? They said communication with Ithicana is supremely limited anyway, and why would the people of the kingdom willingly give up the plot if they're enemies?

I also think the king is keeping the wealth to himself, I mean he's got money to share during their journey so obviously he can do that more often. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not sure I'm that into it, but I'll give it a bit more.

Alexandra wrote: "Helen 2.0 wrote: "Started today. In the first few chapters [spoilers removed]

A theory around Ch 8 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I'm only 10% in but I also feel the same."

Yes, (view spoiler)[I agree, feels like a lot of the details about the kingdoms have been included for shock value. (hide spoiler)]

Okay I finished the book yesterday. I found it super underwhelming considering all the hype... (view spoiler)[the plot and the romance was all tropes and no actual substance. This read like a fanfiction with new character names and a little bit of worldbuilding laid on top. Too bad! I was hoping the hype would hold up. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting November 12th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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Starting this one now