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Princess of Blood (The Shards of Magic) by Sarah Hawley- a Review

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Princess of Blood (The Shards of Magic) by Sarah Hawley- a Review

 

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Description:
Kenna Heron is still reeling from her lover’s betrayal and the threat of an impending war. With only her two closest–and most powerless–friends by her side, she must navigate the treacherous politics of Mistei while coming to terms with her new identity as not just Fae, but princess of her own house.

With the king dead, three candidates are vying for the right to wear the crown next. A princess who claims the throne as her birthright and two rebel princes, both of whom are depending on the support of Blood House to break the stalemate between them. Old loyalties fray as new, dangerous alliances form, and Kenna finds herself caught in a web of violence, deceit, and unexpected passion.

Kenna has the power to shape Mistei’s future… but someone’s willing to kill to make sure she never gets the chance.

 

 

Review:

Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley is the second book in her The Shards of Magic fantasy.  Kenna Heron has now newly turned fae, as she merges as the head of new house, as she is the Princess of the Blood House.  Kenna is armed with Caedo, a talking dagger, with a thirst for blood; as well as her two friends, Lara and Anya. Kenna knows she needs to get more people to come to live at the Blood House, with her trying to rebuild, manage it, step into the role of the a a royal court leader; as well as she will cast the vote for the for the new realm. Kenna also brings two of her human best friends to help her rebuild.

Kenna struggles to embrace her new identity as the princess of her own house. Her courage makes her impossible to ignore the other houses, with so much betrayal and deception: the inner houses play each other in royal court, with politics & threats. What makes Kenna good, is that she wants to help people, she is generous, kind and trying to change things in fae society. Kenna was caught between voting for Hector (Kallen’s brother) and Drustan, as well as many others who wanted to change everything.

I really liked Kenna and Kallen’s friendship that continued to grow.  Kallen was determined to teach Kenna how to fight their sparring matches, learn dancing, and together they did a lot of spying.  Kallen wanted to protect her, as he knew he was devoted to her; though he was buried with anxieties and traumas of his life.  Soon their slow burn romance grew.  It was also nice to see Kenna and Lara’s friendship blossom.

Princess of Blood was intriguing, tense, torture, violence, sexual abuse and self-harm.  The romance that was developing between Kenna and Kallen was filled with passion.  I have to say that this epic ending was wild, and dangerous throughout.  Princess of Blood was so very well written by Sarah Hawley; which was part of The Shards of Magic fantasy.   I can’t wait for the next book, which will have me desperate to wait to see what happens next.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley – a Review

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Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.

Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.

 

 

Review:

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley is the first book in her new The Shards of Magic series.   I loved this book from start to finish, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. We meet our heroine, Kenna Heron, who is human, and every 6 years the Fae, 4 women are selected to live a life of luxury within the faerie land of Mistei. Kenna’s best friend was one of those selected, and she goes out of her way to follow the selected, only to find out their lives are in danger; with the 4 missing, Kenna becomes trapped in Mistei to become a handmaiden to the heir of Earth House.

Kenna slowly becomes close to Princess Lara, especially trying to help her survive the dangerous and deadly trials, which each house will need to complete the six trials, to get immortality and magic. Each of the faerie houses are, Fire, Earth, Light, Illusion and Blood. Kenna was strong, in her ability to fight others secretly for Lara, using her cunning intellection in facing grueling and magical tests, as well as monsters; but her sentient dagger was her strongest ally, talking to her mentally; and always needing blood from the victims. 

Kenna will find herself caught up in a secret rebellion against the sadistic King Osric.  She begins to have strong feelings for the rebellion’s leader, Drusten, Fire Prince, which will change as we get closer to the end.  Void Prince, Kellan early on managed to get Kenna to discover the secrets he wants to know about; though as truths are revealed, the real culprit becomes a dangerous enemy. This was a very dark story, that is filled with twists, romance, intrigue, betrayal and an evil cruel King.

Servant of Earth was a fantastic story that kept me unable to put the book down, with an exciting plot that had friendship, rebellion, spice, alliances, politics, danger, magic and secrets. Servant of Earth was so very well written by Sarah Hawley.  Kenna was a fantastic heroine, helping to survive the trials and finding a way to overthrow the evil king.  I cannot wait for the next book.  I suggest you read Servant of Earth, as it was a terrific read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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