Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan's Children's Publishing Group/Feiwel and Friends, and Bookish First for allowing me to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Princess of Souls is a Rapunzel re-telling with witches and adventure set in the same world as Alexandra Christo's debut book To Kill A Kingdom. To Kill A Kingdom is a Little Mermaid re-telling and I was super excited to read her next twist on a favorite Grimm story. It has been years since I've read Christo's debut and after reading Princess of Souls, I wasn't sure what the connection was. If you haven't read To Kill A Kingdom it is safe to say you can read this without reading the other.
Selestra is a witch kept hidden away in the immortal king's castle with her mother, who is loyal to the king's doings. Every year citizens are allowed to sell their souls for a wish but if they die before the end of the month their soul is forfeit to the king. Selestra doesn't agree with the king but when she reads her first death-vision for a handsome guard she becomes bonded to him. Nox's death is connected to Selestra and she needs to keep him safe while also making sure she doesn't die along with him.
While I'm not a huge fan of the cover I was definitely intrigued by the concept of a witch with natural green hair and snake-like eyes who is hidden away like Rapunzel and aches for freedom. Selestra comes from a line of witches who are able to predict when and how someone is going to die. Because she is not eighteen she does not have her full powers to save herself from the king and her mother's wrath. Deciding to follow Nox, to keep themselves safe from death, they go on an adventure for a mythical sword that can kill the immortal king.
Sounds like a really cool story right? Well prepare to be disappointed.
Up to the 40% mark I was entertained and ready for a fun ride but once I hit the middle of the book the pacing dropped to zero. It was a heavy slog up hill to get to the final battle between Selestra, her mother, the King and Nox. To bounce off of what another reviewer had said, it's almost like there was a YA checklist and Alexandra Christo was just checking it twice to make sure she had everything in there. The story is written appropriately for the target audience of YA: around 15-17 years old.
Character development is lacking and the romance wasn't needed. It didn't add much to the story and felt forced and unnecessary. I wish Nox and Selestra's friendship was built on more than the romantic feelings, I think it would have made for a better dynamic.
I wanted to love this book so bad.
My expectations might have been high due to my love for To Kill A Kingdom and I think that hurt Princess of Souls chances of being great. It's possible this book wasn't for me in the end as much as I very much wanted it to be.
3 stars
Princess of Souls is a Rapunzel re-telling with witches and adventure set in the same world as Alexandra Christo's debut book To Kill A Kingdom. To Kill A Kingdom is a Little Mermaid re-telling and I was super excited to read her next twist on a favorite Grimm story. It has been years since I've read Christo's debut and after reading Princess of Souls, I wasn't sure what the connection was. If you haven't read To Kill A Kingdom it is safe to say you can read this without reading the other.
Selestra is a witch kept hidden away in the immortal king's castle with her mother, who is loyal to the king's doings. Every year citizens are allowed to sell their souls for a wish but if they die before the end of the month their soul is forfeit to the king. Selestra doesn't agree with the king but when she reads her first death-vision for a handsome guard she becomes bonded to him. Nox's death is connected to Selestra and she needs to keep him safe while also making sure she doesn't die along with him.
While I'm not a huge fan of the cover I was definitely intrigued by the concept of a witch with natural green hair and snake-like eyes who is hidden away like Rapunzel and aches for freedom. Selestra comes from a line of witches who are able to predict when and how someone is going to die. Because she is not eighteen she does not have her full powers to save herself from the king and her mother's wrath. Deciding to follow Nox, to keep themselves safe from death, they go on an adventure for a mythical sword that can kill the immortal king.
Sounds like a really cool story right? Well prepare to be disappointed.
Up to the 40% mark I was entertained and ready for a fun ride but once I hit the middle of the book the pacing dropped to zero. It was a heavy slog up hill to get to the final battle between Selestra, her mother, the King and Nox. To bounce off of what another reviewer had said, it's almost like there was a YA checklist and Alexandra Christo was just checking it twice to make sure she had everything in there. The story is written appropriately for the target audience of YA: around 15-17 years old.
Character development is lacking and the romance wasn't needed. It didn't add much to the story and felt forced and unnecessary. I wish Nox and Selestra's friendship was built on more than the romantic feelings, I think it would have made for a better dynamic.
I wanted to love this book so bad.
My expectations might have been high due to my love for To Kill A Kingdom and I think that hurt Princess of Souls chances of being great. It's possible this book wasn't for me in the end as much as I very much wanted it to be.
3 stars