ARC Review: The Fate of Crowns by Rebecca L. Garcia

Title: The Fate of Crowns

Author: Rebecca L. Garcia

Series: The Fate of Crowns (Book 1)

Publication Date: Jan. 5, 2021

Synopsis: With my brother’s death came the crown and all the trappings that accompany it. Now, my father, the most dangerous man in Magaelor, seeks to control my future.

But fate has other plans.

Thrown into mer-filled waters, I’m dragged into the rival kingdom of Berovia. Surrounded by those who murdered my brother and wished my entire family dead, I must find my way back to my kingdom. There, a marriage between myself and the dark fae prince could bring peace to a century’s old division between the fae and sorcerers.
But dark revelations and deadly lies threaten to destroy my destiny. I must make the choice between my duty, family, and heart before it’s too late.

Will I allow myself to become the exalted Queen of everything? Or be reduced to a cautionary tale as the shattered princess of nothing?

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

The first book in The Fate of Crowns series, the story follows Winter, a young woman who finds herself embroiled in political intrigue and disturbing revelations that threaten all she knows.

Throughout the story, Winter is finding herself. A sheltered princess, Winter is naïve to the harsher realities of society. She lives under the protection of her parents and brother, and she spends much of her life sheltered. As Winter begins to learn the truth of her world, she has to reevaluate all she has ever known. She is smart and practical, and she feels a strong sense of honor. However, she is a bit judgmental and uncompromising as well. She is a well-layered and dynamic character and one of the highlights of the novel.

Blaise is a difficult character to understand. He’s pretty mysterious! His motivations seem complex and unclear, and he struggles to show his vulnerability. Throughout the story, I could never really tell if he was good or evil, and I suspect he is a bit of both. Determined to rule, Blaise holds his true feelings in, and I suspect he knows way more than he reveals to Winter. I’m curious to find out what secrets he’s keeping and where his loyalties lie.

Despite my suspicions about Blaise, I liked the relationship between him and Winter. They have amazing chemistry, and it is clear they have feelings for each other. However, they also have a total lack of trust, and nothing is ever what it seems with these two, which makes for a complex and unusual connection. Add secretive political machinations, and everything becomes even more complicated. I liked all of the layers to their growing relationship and am curious to see how it develops in future books.

I’m also fascinated by the political intrigue and the constant twists and turns. Winter has many revelations related to her father’s politics, as well as the political influence of other people in her life, including Blaise. I’m interested to see how Winter handles the political arena now that she’s gained more knowledge and has decided to rule.

This is an immersive and interesting story for readers who enjoy young adult fantasy. I also think that readers who like coming-of-age stories will appreciate the book. Thanks so much to Rebecca L. Garcia and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.