**SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD**
What a beautifully set novel, in a place of my dreams. As a half-Filipina, I related to MJ, especially the written parts about not feeling entirely part of a community or being embraced as an equal. However, I loved how MJ navigated her identity and place as the throne's rightful heir. I will admit that there were parts that felt sudden -- MJ coming into her magic was left in the final pages. I do wish that we could've seen more of how she discovered her magic. The magical elements also didn't feel extravagant, but rather ordinary for a magical world. Lucas's ability to sense danger and that is why he's a knight feels so ordinary when the world of magic is so limitless. BUT, I also appreciated the simplicity of magic -- that it's just part of who they are and foundational to who they are.
I marked it as 5 stars but I think it's closer to 4.5 -- mainly because the romance felt abrupt. I am not sure how MJ and Lucas formed their friendship/relationship but she went from not trusting him to trusting him and then making out with him? Idk.
All in all though, it was such a fun and lovely read! I loved all of the Filipinx elements and it was so young and sweet. It felt like such a great YA read that I would highly recommend to young readers!!
What a beautifully set novel, in a place of my dreams. As a half-Filipina, I related to MJ, especially the written parts about not feeling entirely part of a community or being embraced as an equal. However, I loved how MJ navigated her identity and place as the throne's rightful heir. I will admit that there were parts that felt sudden -- MJ coming into her magic was left in the final pages. I do wish that we could've seen more of how she discovered her magic. The magical elements also didn't feel extravagant, but rather ordinary for a magical world. Lucas's ability to sense danger and that is why he's a knight feels so ordinary when the world of magic is so limitless. BUT, I also appreciated the simplicity of magic -- that it's just part of who they are and foundational to who they are.
I marked it as 5 stars but I think it's closer to 4.5 -- mainly because the romance felt abrupt. I am not sure how MJ and Lucas formed their friendship/relationship but she went from not trusting him to trusting him and then making out with him? Idk.
All in all though, it was such a fun and lovely read! I loved all of the Filipinx elements and it was so young and sweet. It felt like such a great YA read that I would highly recommend to young readers!!