Synopsis

A long-kept secret. A seaside kingdom. A life-changing revelation.

No stranger to tragedy, Amira seeks joy in the little things—books, nature, her friends, and the memories of her late mother. When she gets the opportunity to leave her sleepy village and visit the kingdom’s capital of Kalopsia, her excitement knows no bounds. But even her vivid imagination couldn’t anticipate gaining a crown…or a father.

King Thorndale has spent the years since his queen left with their infant daughter blaming himself, struggling under the combined weight of his guilt and duties to his realm. When Amira arrives, her cheerfulness sheds light on the darkness inside him. But he cannot welcome her wholeheartedly, not when he knows the danger she may be in and what little he can do to prevent it.

Amira soon realizes her royal life isn’t the fairy tale she expected. And when a precious item goes missing, she realizes there’s a larger threat afoot. She’s determined to find answers, but failing may bring her tentative relationship with her father to ruin. Will the ray of hope be bright enough to see them through? Or will grief and doubt overshadow it for good?

Walking the line between historical fiction and fantasy, you’ll travel to a realm devoid of magic and dragons but overflowing with ballgowns, secret rooms, ocean breezes, and touches of mystery perfect for readers, young and old, seeking a clean, wholesome story. This is the second stand-alone novel in the “Fallen Stars” series.

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Review

This novel was quite a surprise! It entranced me from the start. While billed as a historical fantasy, it isn’t filled with dragons or mythical creatures. It is set in a non-existent country with royalty and the usual squabbles that arise. It is more like a fairytale than historical fiction.

Amira is a young woman on a path to a life she wasn’t expecting. She wasn’t taught how to handle certain situations but made great strides in fulfilling her potential. I enjoyed watching her relationship with her father grow. They brought out the best in each other.

There is a mystery that pops up about 60% of the way into the story. I enjoyed watching Amira reason who might have committed the crime, why, and how.

This is part of a series but can definitely be read as a standalone book. It is also very clean and could fall into the YA category, or at least the NA category, since Amira is 20.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Madison grew up in a small town in Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She has always enjoyed getting lost in the fictional worlds of movies, literature, and her own imagination. Her favorite stories are clean and sweet with happily ever afters. She enjoys traveling, drawing, going to the beach, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her dog, Sprinkles.

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