Wayward Reviews

A fantasy set in a world where an empire is on the brink of change, and an untold contender for the throne makes an appearance.

Book Synopsis

Book Details

Pages: 432

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Angry Robot

Format: Paperback

A young sword prodigy must impersonate a lost princess and throw her life into a deadly political game, in this kinetic epic fantasy novel by the author of the award-winning Majat Code series

Naia dreams of becoming a Jaihar Blademaster, but after assaulting a teacher, her future seems ruined. The timely intervention of a powerful stranger suddenly elevates her into elite Upper Grounds training. She has no idea that the stranger is Dal Gassan, head of the Daljeer Circle.

Seventeen years ago he witnessed the massacre of Challimar’s court and rescued its sole survivor, a baby girl. Gassan plans to thrust a blade into the machinations of imperial succession: Naia.

Disguised as the legendary Princess Xarimet of Challimar, Naia must challenge the imperial family, and win. Naia is no princess, but with her desert-kissed eyes and sword skills she might be close enough…

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Review

* Non-Spoiler Review*

It’s only taken me two years to read this book… A book from my first ever book box subscription. To be honest I was hesitant to pick up this book as the cover didn’t grab me – and let’s be fair, we all judge a book by it’s cover!

I don’t have too much to say about this book. While I enjoyed learning about the political system in this world – I found the MC Naia a little underwhelming and also her character development had quite a few holes in it.

As this is a non-spoiler review, what I will tell you is that for her age, Naia in the beginning of the story showed loyalty and inexperience in dealing with internal politics. However, the story jumps 2-3 years without any summary or connecting chapter. Therefore when Naia is on her quest, she in a short span of time is authoritative and a strategist.

Throughout the book, you also learn of how the world came to be as it was – which I found more interesting than the MC storyline. Then about 3/4 near the end the story ramps up so fast that I didn’t end up enjoying the ending.

Overall, it was an alright read. The story needed a few more rounds of edits to add a clearer character development and polish to the overall plot.

Spice Rating: 1/6 – See my rating system here

Book Rating: 3/5