Readers will appreciate how Kiara’s successes often spring from her ability to overcome failure, as when, during her training, she progresses from being set on fire to creating a fire shield and fire hound for protection. Eglington paints her as a flawed hero who struggles with self-confidence even while quickly gaining the expertise she needs to rule; having been raised Topside herself on a Colorado ranch until her recent return to her birthright, Kiara doesn’t always feel at home in her kingdom—no one understands her references to Topside pop culture, she misses coffee terribly, and she hasn’t even mastered stag riding. As she works to learn the elaborate history of her kingdom and the complex obligations of her role, Kiara must also carve out her place within the royal family, among her new baby brother, a dangerously jealous aunt, and her grandmother Etta, the current queen.
Despite the high stakes of Kiara’s training and future, Eglington gifts her with a cheerfully sassy sense of humor that provides a refreshing contrast to the story’s intricate lore, and her determination in the face of uncertainty will inspire readers to follow along as she fights to find a balance among the powers within and around her. Eglington’s ending sees Kiara step into her own, ready for future adventures in the series.
Takeaway: A teenage queen-to-be learns to manage her supernatural powers.
Comparable Titles: B.T. Narro’s The Mage from Nowhere, Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-
