I received this book via the author, Rachel Higginson. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Crown of One Hundred Kings by Rachel Higginson Series: Nine Kingdoms Trilogy #1
Published by Reckless Siren Publishing on 2020-10-27
Length: 334 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2020 New Release Challenge
A lost princess…
Tessana Allisand had a family once. A home. A title. A future. Until one night when everything she loved was taken from her. Secreted away to an isolated monastery in the farthest region of the realm, Tess was raised in the silence of monks and the loneliness of tragedy. And there she would have stayed if the dark magic that killed her family hadn’t finally found her.
An impossible quest…
With her identity discovered, Tessana must face the home she fled all those years ago. The Crown of Nine must return to its rightful place and Tess must be the one to carry it across the nine kingdoms. And when she arrives? She’ll need to convince a dying kingdom that the crown that has belonged to one hundred kings should be given to a queen.
A rebellious prince…
Taelon Treskinat was in love once. With a princess. The daughter of a slaughtered king. He risked everything to save her, to make sure she survived. When that same princess tumbles back into his life no longer the scared little girl he remembers from childhood, he must decide where his duty lies. With the girl that will threaten everything he knows and loves. Or the kingdom he will do anything to protect.
Crown of One Hundred Kings is the first book I’ve ever read from author Rachel Higginson, and it won’t be the last! I devoured this book, there is no other way to explain it. I was hooked from the first words to the last, and y’all I am DYING! I need the next one ASAP. Crown of One Hundred Kings follows the story of Tess, an orphaned princess, as she crosses her realm to claim the throne. Fans of fantasy will love this book!
Tessana Allisand fled her home when she was a young girl after finding her family slaughtered. Raised by monks in the farthest kingdom of the realm, Tess knows it’s time to return. With her best, and only, friend Oliver, she sets out on a trek across the nine kingdoms only to find a dark magic that is lurking in the shadows, villages in disrepair, and rebellion on the horizon. I love Tess! She’s humble when she needs to be, yet has never lost that confidence that comes with being a royal. She is determined and headstrong, brave in the face of her fears, and loyal to the people of her realm. Finding that her uncle has neglected most of her kingdom is heartbreaking for her, but it only deepens her resolve. I have such respect for her.
Oliver is probably my favorite character of the book. Also an orphan and raised by the monks since he was a baby, he is Tess’s only friend at the monastery. Having not taken his vows of silence yet, he’s also the only one that speaks to Tess in her years there. They have an easy friendship. I love their banter! Their relationship is closer to being siblings than friends, and I think that shows just how much Tess trusts him and he believes in her.
Then there is Arrick Westnovian, the “Rebel King.” He is the leader of the feared rebel army. Rumors of their ruthlessness abound, and Tess doesn’t know what to make of them. Arrick seems familiar to her, and everything in her begs her to trust him, but why? I personally love Arrick. He is firm yet kind and his fellow rebels follow him without question. To me, that says a lot about a man that someone willingly follows them out of respect for the person.
Overall, I loved Crown of One Hundred Kings. Tess and her journey is eye-opening as she crosses kingdoms that are falling prey to the Circle of Shadows. When rebels protect her people and the army does not, Tess knows the job in front of her won’t be easy. It isn’t even one she ever wanted, but (and that’s a big BUT) her duty and loyalty to her people, the love she has for them that is born from watching her own parents rule, drives her. If you enjoy YA fantasy with a dash of romance and a ton of adventure, I highly recommend it!
About Rachel Higginson
Rachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Opposite of You, The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.
She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.
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