I am PUMPED for this month’s Resilient Royal themed book.
SHIELDED! I actually read up about this book before I knew it would be in this box and I was hoping that it would be this book. Fairyloot coming in for the win.
This month’s box had four tarot cards since the June box skipped them to get the shipping out on time.
I love the box with a candle! The Ash Princess Candle is inspired by the Ash Princess series (which I’ve never read) smells delicious. Blackcurrant tea – yum!
There was also The Royal Cardholder inspired by The Queen’s Rising and art by @jezhawk which I apparently didn’t take a picture of but am pretty excited to use. I think that in this post-COVID world the less you have to carry the better!
As much as I LOVE magnetic bookmarks, I never use them! But this Woven in Moonlight inspired ones by @isabelwriter09 are so nice!
I am obsessed when the boxes have pillowcases in them. Especially throw pillows! The Crescent City cushion cover by @chattynora was a lovely surprise. It’s nice that it has 2 different quotes on each side.
The Bear and the Nightingale inspired art print by @dominiquewesson is very well done. I love the art style. This is also a book that I haven’t read yet but the print makes me very interested!
Unfortunately one of the items this month wasn’t able to ship because the shipment to Fairyloot was damaged! It was a food tray inspired by Marissa Meyer’s ‘Winter’. I don’t even know if I’ve looked up spoilers for it. Fairyloot did refund a portion of the box due to this.
July’s ‘Resilient Royals’ themed book is Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders.
For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.
The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It’s losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.
As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn’s–her brother’s–magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.
Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong–the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it’s too late–for her and for her entire kingdom.
From Goodreads
I am BEYOND excited for this book – I don’t think I’ve mentioned it enough.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was extremely excited to see that this book was part of the July Fairyloot! And the cover art? So good. I love the manga-style that they went with.
The idea that only the ruling heir gets magic but the 2nd born (girl) has it as well is super intriguing. Jenna is such a likeable badass character that I found myself rooting for her the whole way through. Her magic creates a bond between her and her family that she has to keep secret for her whole life. She’s intensely good at battle/as a warrior that I think is partially due in part to her magic (but this isn’t confirmed in the book).
She’s unexpectedly told by her father that she is off to marry the Prince of the neighbouring country and she’s not too happy about it. Due to being attacked on her way there, she’s able to get a feel for the country that’s so different from her own land and she gets to use her magic more as she’s not being scrutinized and fear of being judged by her own people. There’s actual back story for all of this which is great and it makes sense.
Along the way she meets new people, comes to terms with things she’s been told about her heritage and tries to figure out how to defeat the evil that’s tracking her down.
There are some excellent plot twists and character reveals that keep you on your toes but nothing too dark as of yet (in terms of killing or writing style). Some mild death but nothing too graphic.
I loved this book. It lived up to the expectations I had going into reading it. It’s probably a bit fluffy but that’s sometimes just what you need to read. I finished it fairly quickly and wanted to keep reading even though I knew I needed to stop and go to bed.
I’m looking forward to the next one in the series and learning more about the characters and seeing how the relationships progress.
Definitely would recommend this book!
View all my reviews
This month’s Resilient Royals was a hit for me.
Even with a missing item. This box checked it all off and then some. I loved the book and it contained practical items. I’m already working on August’s post because it seems we’re almost back on track with them.
Have you decided to splurge and get a box yet?
J x
