Review: A River of Royal Blood

Hello, book dragons! I hope you’re all doing well. This week on my blog I’ve got a review for River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss.

{You might also like – Review: Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks}

Title: A River of Royal Blood
Author: Amanda Joy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Putnam
Date Published: 29 October 2019
Goodreads Description: Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of marrow and blood–a dark and terrible magick that hasn’t been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina’s long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne–because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.

When Eva is attacked by an assassin just weeks before the battle with her sister, she discovers there is more to the attempt on her life than meets the eye–and it isn’t just her sister who wants to see her dead. As tensions escalate, Eva is forced to turn to a fey instructor of mythic proportions and a mysterious and handsome khimaer prince for help in growing her magick into something to fear. Because despite the love she still has for her sister, Eva will have to choose: Isa’s death or her own.

I received a review copy from Penguin Random House SA. All opinions are my own.

Story

I really enjoyed the plot of A River of Royal Blood. The concept of rival sisters having to kill each other for the throne is awesome. (I mean that in the best way possible, I do not condone killing your siblings) It makes for some great relationship dynamics. The story is very character-focused, and even though some of the earlier events felt like they were just taking place because the plot demanded it, it all made sense at the end.

Writing

I really enjoyed Joy’s writing, it flowed well and had me completely engaged in the story. The world-building was amazing, especially the magic system. The different tribes and their different magics were really fleshed out and just added more to the story.

Characters

I loved following Eva’s journey throughout this book. She starts off as someone with no real goals, but she quickly learns that she cares for the queendom and that she wants to make some changes.

I would have liked some more interaction between Eva and Isa, and I would have liked to delve into their relationship a bit more. Giving Isa a POV might be a good move for the next book. My only real complaint about this book is that the side characters don’t seem quite as fleshed out as Eva. I would really like to see more of the side characters in the next book.

What are your thoughts on A River of Royal Blood?

+3

0