Hi everyone!
Today I'm so excited to be bring you the Top 5 Reasons you Should Read Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian, as part of a Book Tour With TBRBeyondTours.
I received an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you so much to the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own.
Release Date- 1st February 2022 Publisher- Hodder and Stoughton Genre- YA fantasy
Synopsis
A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.
Empress Margaraux has had plans for her daughters since the day they were born. Princesses Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz will be queens. And now, age sixteen, they each must leave their homeland and marry their princes. Beautiful, smart, and demure, the triplets appear to be the perfect brides—because Margaraux knows there is one common truth: everyone underestimates a girl. Which is a grave mistake. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz are no innocents. They have been trained since birth in the arts of deception, seduction, and violence with a singular goal—to bring down monarchies— and their marriages are merely the first stage of their mother’s grand vision: to one day reign over the entire continent of Vesteria. The princesses have spent their lives preparing, and now they are ready, each with her own secret skill, and each with a single wish, pulled from the stars. Only, the stars have their own plans—and their mother hasn’t told them all of hers. Life abroad is a test. Will their loyalties stay true? Or will they learn that they can’t trust anyone—not even each other? Trigger warnings- on-page death, blood, poison, harassment, violence.
Reason 1
Castles in their Bones is a uniquely set-up story that incorporates multiple sub-plots and ideas. It is a fantasy, but it also has a good bit of poltics and mystery and scheming aspect, as well balances that out with light romance.
It has hight stakes and pot twists and tension, but it never overwhelms you with it. I would still put it in the 'fun' category. I was not prepared for how much I would like it. I expected it to be a typical fantasy, but it is surprisingly light in the magical aspect of things. If you don't want a complex magic system or epic world and still have your fun, this is the perfect read!
"All her mother has to do to make Beatrice jump off a cliff is to tell her not to do it."
Reason 2
The politics and the intrigue. Initially we think that our protagonists, Daphne, Beatrice and Sophie, the three sisters- who are also our main POVs- are in control. They think they have the plan laid out and they know what's going to happen. But they're very wrong.
Their plan involves a lot of politics and scheming and manipulation, but obviously they are not the only ones with a plan. And some of others might be more nefarious than them. I haven't seen a lot of political Fantasy in the YA age range, except for maybe Flamefall by Rosaria Munda, so I was pleasantly surprised to see these themes in the book.
There are plot twists that you wouldn't expect, betrayals you wouldn't see coming. There are courtiers to trick, a war to start and a keeping the hungry cultures away from the crown that they want.
"One day, we'll live in a better world. One day, we'll make one."
Reason 3
Our three main characters, who might seem like typical princesses, are as trained in poisons and archery and disguises as a professional assassin. Each sister has a different skillset that they have mastered, and it just made them all the more cooler. Apart from that, they can also use magic, though not very often as it is looked down upon in the new lands that they are in.
Despite being triplets and growing up and being trained together, they are very different from each other.
Daphne is a strict rule-follower. She's always obedient to her mother and is cold and calculating.
Beatrice is wild and reckless and a master at disguises.
Sophronia is relatively soft-hearted and a genius.
And every single one of them develop so beautifully throughout the story. They make mistakes, they learn and they grow.
Even the side characters are so well-written that it becomes very easy to root for them and be invested.
"Like Mama says, we're three stars of the same constellation. Distance won't change that."
Reason 4
The writing is great and easy to understand. The pacing is not incredibly fast-paced, but it doesn't drag. We also get to explore the sibling relationships between the characters, how they bond with each other. And then how they are separated and forced to make new friends even though they've been that they can't trust anyone. Because of the tenuous situation, even the reader doesn't trust anyone. You are constantly doubting who is on the good side and who is not. Are WE even on the good side of not..? It's very interesting.
Reason 5
Lastly, read it for the cliffhanger that you would never expect. Me, the uninformed idiot, had no idea that this was a series and had zero there was a cliffhanger coming. So the cliffhanger had more so an organic shock. Anyway, I'm sure it'll still be as fun if you know there is one coming. From what I can tell, it is a planned Trilogy and it an amazing first book.
Time to Chat!
I hope you all have just as much reading it! Don't forget to let me know any of your thoughts in the comments down below.
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Bye!
