Blog Tour Book Review: Royal Rebel by Heather Frost

About the Book:

Series: Fate of Eryinthia #4

Publication Date: April 21, 2023

Synopsis: A PRINCE fighting to save a princess
A SERJAH torn between duty and desire
A PRINCESS willing to sacrifice everything
A DECOY with nothing to lose
A WORLD about to be torn apart

After his father’s latest punishment, Grayson isn’t at his full strength. Trapped in Ryden and surrounded by enemies, he knows escaping with Mia will be more complicated than anticipated. Tyrell is determined to claim Mia for himself, and Henri’s plans for the rest of Eyrinthia are more horrific than Grayson ever imagined. Despite the increased danger, he and Mia must return to Mortise and warn Desfan of what’s coming—even though it may already be too late.

In Mortise, the palace is still reeling from the brutal attack that left many dead and even more wounded. Regardless of the chaos, Desfan is determined to continue with his coronation. As serjan, he hopes to bring stability to his country and solidify the peace with Devendra. But things in Eyrinthia are always complicated. When Prince Liam reveals they may be facing dangers from old enemies, Desfan will have to decide what kind of ruler he will be.

Devastating news from home has left Clare broken. Despite her heartache, she must once again be Serene’s decoy when a terrifying report sends the princess on an unexpected mission to Zennor. Left at the palace, Clare helps Desfan build trust with the elite in Mortise while guarding a treasonous secret. Because as her grief transforms into a burning desire for vengeance, she is finally ready to embrace a new role—rebel.

Eyrinthia is consumed by uncertainty. Duty. Desire. Sacrifice. Every rebellion has its cost.

LINKS:   Goodreads  |   Amazon | Indie Bound | Barnes and Noble

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE: https://www.heatherfrost.com/post/royal-rebel-blog-tour-schedule

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon, and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through my links.

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My Review:

When Heather Frost first reached out to me to read Esperance, the first book in the Esperance Trilogy, she also gave me copies of the first two books in this series. I was thrilled! I had heard great things about it, and romantasy is one of my favorite genres. After reading the books, I emailed the author and asked if I could join her street team. That s how much I adored them! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on everything she had ever written, and I was an immediate fan.

Frost’s writing is immersive and captivating, and I was so excited to get lost in the world of Eyrinthia again. I buddy read this with Dini @ Dini Panda Reads, and I’m so glad I did! It’s definitely the kind of book you want to talk about, with many shocking revelations, tons of twists and turns, and the most amazing romances and relationships. As we read, we talked about how incredibly layered the plot is, with threads woven together in unexpected ways. It’s a fantastic balance of plot, character development, and world-building.

The story picks up where the last book left off, and it’s told much like the other books, from a multitude of perspectives. It’s like reading four books in one, knowing that all of the characters have their own journeys even though they are inextricably tied together. Each character is dynamically developed, and you really get to understand their goals, motivations, and more. They are as nuanced and layered as the setting and plot, and I love that each story is as engrossing as the one before, and each character is as compelling.

Clare and Bennick will always have my heart. They are both amazing characters, and they have such a lovely relationship. Their feelings for each other are sweet and deep and have survived so many obstacles. I love how their romance is progressing and that Bennick is such a strong and steady anchor for Clare. She has given up and lost so much, and she has found people she can trust and depend on, most especially Bennick.

I adore Mia and Grayson, too, and so wanted them to find a way to escape Grayson’s father’s clutches. Grayson is one of my favorite characters, and after what he went through in the last book, I was really worried for him. His family is the worst! Every one of them is just reprehensible, and we really see some of the toxic, abusive, and controlling manipulations they inflict in this book. Their thirst for power knows no bounds. It made me even more stressed for Mia and Grayson and nervous that they wouldn’t be able to survive and be together. I liked seeing them in new settings and facing different challenges, as they flee and try to reunite Mia with her brother. They go on a perilous journey, made even tougher because Grayson is still suffering from the brutal punishment his father inflicted upon him, and Tyrell is hot on their heels.

Though Grayson and his brother Tyrell are enemies, both love Mia, and neither lets Mia make her own decisions. Grayson constantly tries to protect her, and even though he does it out of love, it’s still to the extreme. Tyrell is controlling and selfish, and he doesn’t even listen to her. I can’t tell if Tyrell is truly in love with Mia or in love with the idea of her. Or maybe it’s the idea of having something that belongs to his brother. I hope he gets his act together because he has the potential for redemption, but he’s also got some tough choices ahead of him.

Speaking of tough choices, there are two other romances in the story that are riddled with obstacles, and one completely shattered me. Both couples’ romances are forbidden. Desfan and Imara are both betrothed to others, and Imara’s fiancée comes to claim her. OMG I love Desfan and Imara together! They’re both amazing characters! Desfan has come such a long way, and I feel like he’s going to continue to be a fantastic leader. Imara too! However, I despise Imara’s fiancee and how he treats Imara, but I’m really curious about him too. There’s definitely something shady going on with Imaras family and kingdom, and I think her fiancée is the key to figuring it all out.

Serene and Cardon also have the forbidden romance vibes since she is a princess and he is her bodyguard. Oof. The slow-burning sexual tension between them (and Desfan and Imara) is off the charts! Even some of the secondary romances are intriguing and swoon-worthy.

The found family aspect of the story is also fantastic. Bennick, Wild, Clare, Vera, and many others have formed a friend group that feels more like family. I love how this group has grown and changed as their experiences become more intertwined. Desfan and Karim also have an amazing friendship, and their banter is great!

The story also has a ton of action and suspense, and revelations that I totally didn’t see coming!. Political intrigue and turmoil, brewing war, missing people, daring escape attempts, perilous journeys, assassination attempts, and more create an engrossing, suspenseful, and epic read. I’m so excited that there are several more books in this brilliant series because I’m obsessed! And after that ending, I need to get the next book in the series ASAP!!

I obviously could go on and on about how much I loved the book. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy YA fantasy or romantasy. There are some darker elements and themes, so I would also suggest checking out the content warnings before starting. Special thanks to Heather Frost for having me on the tour and providing me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Lines:

I am what you made me. It’s not my fault if you don’t like the nightmare I’ve become.”

Family. It could be complicated, messy, and sometimes terrible. It could bring the greatest joy, and the most soul-crushing heartache. In the end, family was everything. Especially the family one chose.

Maybe she wasn’t broken, but rather made whole by all the different pieces of herself.

She stole his breath. Every thought in his head. And when she saw him and her red lips curved, she stole his heart all over again.

Excerpt:

Mia twisted toward the open bedroom door, the silk ribbon clutched in her hand as Tyrell stalked in.

His face glistened with sweat and his dark blue shirt clung to every ripple of muscle on his torso. The long sleeves were shoved up his forearms, and his dark hair was ruffled—by wind, training, or his own fingers, Mia wasn’t sure.

He looked caught in a rage, but he halted abruptly when he spotted Mia and Fletcher. His eyes cut between them, then he took in the bags at their feet. Surprise flashed across his features. “You’re coming back?”

The hope in his voice made her wince. “No. I just needed to get the last of my things.”

Hurt slashed across his face—then his expression closed off. His chest lifted on a heavy breath, and some of his earlier tension returned as he met her gaze. “Where is Grayson?”

Mia’s throat was horribly dry, but her palms were sweaty. “He went to see Devon. His wound was infected.”

Tyrell shifted back a step and pushed a hand through his dark hair. The nervous motion made him seem younger than he was. Vulnerable. “Can I please talk with you?” he asked softly. “Alone?”

Mia bit the inside of her cheek. They were leaving tonight—this might be the last time she ever saw Tyrell. Her hold on the ribbon tightened, and she glanced at Fletcher. “Will you wait outside for me?”

He didn’t seem particularly happy about it, but he lifted both bags and moved for the door. As he slid through it, he cast a quick look at Tyrell.

The prince ignored him. His attention was solely on Mia.

The main suite door clicked shut a moment later. Silence drew around them as they stared at each other.

Finally, Mia whispered, “You kept the ribbon.”

Tyrell’s eyes changed. She wasn’t sure how; they were still hard, but maybe they were a little softer as he stepped through the doorway, fully entering the bedroom.

Her heartbeat quickened at his approach, but she didn’t move.

He stopped near the corner of the bed, keeping a few paces between them. “Yes, I kept it.” His tone said more than those simple words conveyed.

She moved slowly, setting the ribbon back on his bedside table. Her voice was heavy as she said, “I kept the queen.”

There was a long pause. “I didn’t know if you would,” he whispered.

The air was thick with words unsaid. Emotions unnamed. Fates unknown. If Grayson didn’t already have her heart . . .

But he did.

That didn’t ease the pang in her chest as she faced Tyrell. “I’m sorry,” she breathed.

His entire body jerked. “Don’t.” He sounded strangled.

Her breath caught. “Why can’t I apologize?”

“Because saying you’re sorry feels like you’re really just telling me goodbye.”

About the Author:

Heather Frost is a #1 Amazon bestselling author who writes magical stories with breath-stealing romance. She is the author of the Seers trilogy, the Fate of Eyrinthia series, and Esperance. Her books have been Whitney Award and Swoony Award Finalists. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and call it homework. When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and re-watch Lord of the Rings. She lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains in northern Utah. To learn more about Heather and her books, visit her website: www.HeatherFrost.com.

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