Sophie Reads YA: Laura Sebastian

Waiting On Wednesday: Poison in Their Hearts (Castles in Their Bones #3) by Laura Sebastian

10:00

2023 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Stardust in Their Veins (Castles in Their Bones #2) by Laura Sebastian

10:00

Stardust in Their Veins
Series: Castles in Their Bones #2
Author: Laura Sebastian
Published February 7th 2023 by Hodder & Stoughton/Delacorte Press

Goodreads Synopsis
Princesses Beatriz and Daphne have lost their older sister, but their mother's grand scheme of taking the continent of Vesteria is far from complete. With the country of Temarin now under the Empress's control, only the nations of Cellaria and Friv remain free from her rule. What's worse, an ominous prophecy has begun to shine through the constellations: the blood of stars and majesty spilled.

Usurped by conniving cousins Nico and Gigi, Beatriz fears for her life, while in icy Friv, Daphne continues her shaky alliance with the rebels even as she struggles to stay a step ahead of them. But when an unlikely ally offers Beatriz a deal, she finds herself back in her mother's sights.

With enemies around every corner and the stars whispering of betrayal, Daphne and Beatriz can't trust anyone--least of all each other. If they've learned anything, though, it's that the Empress's game is constantly changing. And the arrival of surprise visitors from Temarin just might tip the scales in the princesses' favor... if they manage to avoid meeting their sister's fate before they can make their next move.

Immerse yourself in the second book in a fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Ash Pricess series. The sequel to Castles in Their Bones is the story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

After their sister Sophronia is killed in a coup, Daphne and Beatriz know that they are in danger, and need all the help they can get. Beatriz is lucky to have been only imprisoned by the coup that has taken her throne, and Daphne is dodging attempts on her life at every turn. They don't know who they can trust, and it seems their mother's plots might put them in more danger than they expected. If they can get together, and if they can overcome their past distrust, they might be able to use their star magic to succeed, but the odds are stacked against them.

After the cataclysmic ending to Castles in their Bones, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel, Stardust in their Veins! Sophy had been my favourite of the sisters, and I was gutted that she was murdered, but thankfully her deaths sparked the drive in her sisters to fight against their mother, and the plots against them. This was a hefty book, and so much happened. We had three PoVs, Beatriz, Daphne, and Violie, and each other's individual stories were epic, but when they had moments together, it was fantastic! I didn't really like Violie or Daphne that much in book 1, but we learn so much more about them in this book, and it makes more sense why they acted that way previously. There's so much growth in this book, both in the three main characters, but also in the secondary characters like Bairre, Pasquale and Leopold. The romance is ramping up too, and though some of the characters make bad choices at times, I can see how their actions will help them in the future. Yet again there's a fiery ending, and book 3 can't come soon enough! My favourite of Laura's books, and I think I'd honestly read anything of hers!!

Dates Read:
April 22-29, 2023

Rating
4 Stars

Laura Sebastian

Waiting On Wednesday: Stardust in Their Veins (Castles in Their Bones #2) by Laura Sebastian

10:00

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Castles in Their Bones (Castles in their Bones #1) by Laura Sebastian

10:00

Castles in Their Bones
Series: Castles in their Bones #1
Author: Laura Sebastian
Published February 1st 2022 by Hodder & Stoughton/Delacorte Press

Goodreads Synopsis
The plot: overthrow a kingdom. The goal: world domination. The plan: marriage.

Trained for from birth in espionage and seduction, the triplet princesses of Bessemia must travel to three distant lands to marry three princes and enact their Queen mother's plan to rule from sea to sea. But when they arrive, each sister discovers her task is not so simple, and their mother's motives may not be what they seem.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

The Empress of Bessemia may have a country under her control, but she's nothing if not ambitious, and why else enlist a empryea to fall pregnant with triplets, if not to use them to gain dominance over the continent? The princesses Daphne, Beatriz, and Sophronia, now about to turn 16, know that soon they will be leaving home, marrying foreign princes, and setting in motion a plan years in the making, all for their mother's own gain. But as they meet their 'new' countries, and soon learn that their mother's goals may not align with their own, can they achieve their goals, or will they fall into danger, with no way out?

I've been waiting for this book for so long! I love Laura's Ash Princess trilogy, and when I learnt about this story, and the synopsis, I immediately sent in my review requests. As soon as I started my copy, I knew I needed to savour it, because it was just so good! Told in the pov's of the princesses, we soon learn that though they are privileged, their lives haven't been one of love or even affection, really. They were being raised as lambs to the slaughter - some more than others - and were only pawns in their mother's game. I'm going to admit, I warmed to Sophronia the most, with Daphne being the most aloof, and difficult to like. But by the end, I adored all three sisters, and the last 20% or so, I just devoured because I needed to know how they manage all the plans which are taking place simultaneously. The ending killed me, and I honestly don't know how I'll wait until book 2 is released! Such a fantastic story, with epic world-building, and amazing characters - a hit from Laura, yet again!

Dates Read:
January 30-February 4 2022

Rating
4 Stars

Castles in Their Bones

Waiting on Wednesday: Castles in Their Bones (Castles in their Bones #1) by Laura Sebastian