Rise of the Vicious Princess
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
The first in a YA political fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart—from C.J. Redwine, the author of the Defiance series and the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess.
Princess Charis Willowthorn is the dutiful sword of Calera. Raised to be ruthless and cunning, her only goal is to hold her war-torn kingdom together long enough to find a path toward peace with their ancient foe Montevallo, even if the cost is her own heart.
When violence erupts in the castle itself, nearly killing the queen, Charis must assume her mother’s duties and manage both the war and her kingdom. But as an unseen enemy begins sinking Calera’s ships, Charis realizes a threat much greater than Montevallo is coming for her people. So she forms a plan.
By day, she is Calera’s formidable princess intent on forging an alliance with Montevallo. By night, she disguises herself as a smuggler and roams the sea with a trusted group of loyalists, hunting for their new enemies. And through it all, there's the one boy she can't have—who guards her life, but steals her heart.
But her enemies are much closer than Charis realizes, and her heart isn’t the only thing she has left to lose.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Seventeen-year-old Princess Charis Willowthorn of Calera assumes the throne when an assassin injures her mother, Queen Letha, in Redwine's (The Blood Spell) scintillating duology opener. Calera, a coastal matriarchal society, is at war with the landlocked kingdom of Montevallo, which wants control of Calera's northern ports. Though guards kill both Letha's assailant and a spy hiding in Charis's chambers before they can be interrogated, Charis and those closest to her assume both were sent by Montevallo's King Alaric Penbyrn, particularly after his soldiers advance toward Calera's capital. Believing it's the only way to protect her people, Charis launches a brutal attack that decimates Montevallo's army, but when a seemingly separate entity begins sinking supply ships bound for Calera, Charis fears that Montevallo isn't the only nation determined to conquer hers. Redwine skillfully crafts well-rounded characters and an action-packed plot, resulting in a nuanced political fantasy that's rife with court intrigue. Charis—fierce and formidable, yet altruistic—is exquisitely drawn, and her tender, developing relationship with bodyguard Tal adds emotional complexity to the breathlessly paced tale. Main characters cue as white; varying skin tones suggest racial diversity throughout. Ages 13–up.
