Let me start by saying that I have been super excited for this book since it was announced. And I had huge expectations, which is why I am so disappointed to have not liked the excerpt. I did enjoy the way it started because it hooked my attention. Ximena is handing out food to the few people who are in hiding and hoping for her, whom they believe is the Condesa, to take back the throne. But a riot almost starts when she announces they need to cut back rations because they are low on food. The riot is averted when Catalina, the Condesa in hiding, calms them and pulls supplies from the emergencies stores.
And so begins the story. I liked how the book is already discussing what it feels like for Ximena to pretend to be someone else and her longing to speak out as her own person. And the interweaving of Bolivian culture is well done. Unfortunately, I did not like Ximena as a character. For instance, when Llacsans ask to cross the bridge to give a message, she agrees. But when they tell her that she must marry the false king because he has captured several of their people, including their general, she has them all killed. I do not care they were smug. I do not care they were enemy messengers. Any character willing to killing messengers, who have been disarmed, out of anger is not a character I want to follow.
And so begins the story. I liked how the book is already discussing what it feels like for Ximena to pretend to be someone else and her longing to speak out as her own person. And the interweaving of Bolivian culture is well done. Unfortunately, I did not like Ximena as a character. For instance, when Llacsans ask to cross the bridge to give a message, she agrees. But when they tell her that she must marry the false king because he has captured several of their people, including their general, she has them all killed. I do not care they were smug. I do not care they were enemy messengers. Any character willing to killing messengers, who have been disarmed, out of anger is not a character I want to follow.