Plot:

The king is dying, his heir has just been murdered, and rebellion brews in the east. But the kingdom of Kolonya and the outer Reaches has one last option before it descends into leaderless chaos.

Or rather, three unexpected options.

Zofi has spent her entire life trekking through the outer Reaches with her band of Travelers. She would do anything to protect the band, her family. But no one can ever find out how far she’s already gone.

Akeylah was raised in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by whispers of rebellion and abused by her father. Desperate to escape, she makes a decision that threatens the whole kingdom.

Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a lady’s maid and scheming her way out of the servants’ chambers. But one such plot could get her hung for treason if anyone ever discovers what she’s done.

When the king summons the girls, they arrive expecting arrest or even execution. Instead they learn the truth: they are his illegitimate daughters, and one must become his new heir. But someone in Kolonya knows their secrets, and that someone will stop at nothing to keep the sisters from their destiny… to rule.

I managed to snag an ARC of this and I’m so glad!This is the debut novel for Author Ellen Goodlett, the first in a duology and I already want to get my hands on the next one.

Zofi, Akeylah and Ren are really great individual characters, although out of the three I would have to say Ren is my favourite. Ellen writes such realistic female characters, with real emotions that make you instantly bond with them. Although at the start of the book there was a bit of “female” rivalry, this quickly dissipated and through their mutual need to find the blackmailer they learnt to trust one another.

The premise of the book was good and it didn’t let down, there were plenty of twists and turns that kept you guessing throughout and the ending definitely left me wanting more. Because of all the plot twists you are left unsure as to who the blackmailer is and right when you think you know *Boom* another plot twist and the book ends!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this , it was a fresh story which made it all the more interesting. I would give it 4/5 mainly as i’m not a massive fan of female “bitchiness”, and I felt it was prominent throughout the novel, but it did not put me off finishing it and it will not put me off reading the next one.

Goodreads