What a wonderful story! This book had both witchy and fairytale vibes – two things I am all for. It also very much reminds me of my current WIP, a witchy story that retells Snow White, so it was strange to read this at the same time, but I absolutely loved it.
So as the title says, you have twin princesses, but as you go into the book you realise that there is a lot more to the politics of the world and it’s quite special. Wren was raised by witches, and as an enchanter, has the ability to use magic through rhymes, which I really liked. She’s sassy and powerful, and you see her determination straight away when she literally takes over her twin sister’s life by sneaking into her bed and having her warrior best friend steal her sister away to her home, where she can meet the family she never really knew.
Rose has been living in the palace under the protection and guardianship of the Knightsbreath, who becomes an advisor of sorts but is more of a King regent, (if that’s even a title?), because he holds all of the power. Rose thinks she has a lot more authority than she actually does. Her parents were murdered when she was a baby, and we learn through Wren’s POV that it was the Knightsbreath himself that killed them. Who doesn’t love to hate a power hungry villain? So of course when Rose is taken by Wren’s best friend Shen, she’s less than happy. Travelling through the desert to their ocean home, her character is tested, and she learns to create some more friendships along the way.
Back at the palace, Wren is determined to take her sister’s coronation when she turns 18, but soon learns that Rose was only ever going to be sold off to the suitor she wishes to marry, and that this suitor has a deadly older brother who is the king of a vicious enemy kingdom.
I loved the twins’ growth through the story, and their friendships and relationships with those they encountered in their sisters’ home lives. There were some hilarious moments from Wren, and some romantic parts for both with Shen and Rose’s suitor’s personal soldier, Tor.
Overall, a great read and one that I quickly devoured. All I wanted to do was get through another chapter of this, (and they were nice and short and snappy, too!) but of course I had to go to work. Definitely worth a read if you love anything fairytale inspired!
April Grace 