In Auranos, Cleo is under constant protection from her bodyguard, Theon, and is forbidden from leaving the palace due to the unrest in the neighboring countries.

Bottom country thriving and yet isn’t helping because it’s waiting for a ‘sovereign request’ from an ‘independent nation’? This book actually sounds pretty perfect for me actually, I love my fantasies and never wanted to read Game of Thrones but I love how complex the world and all of the characters sound. Blood-Splattered Wedding Dress: Happens to Cleo, when her and Magnus’s Arranged Marriage ceremony is interrupted by an assassination attempt by Jonas’s rebels (which she helped plan).

Slipping a Mickey: The reason Lucia takes so long to wake up from her coma in the second book is because every time she stirs, Queen Althea gives her another sleeping potion. Since then, she has lived in fear of her father finding out — noble women are expected to remain virgins until they wed.

But Morgan Rhodes does try to go full GRRM in this book, because Magnus totally has a crush on Lucia before it comes out that they are not blood related. While the people of Auranos no longer practice magic, Emilia tells Cleo about an exiled Watcher in Paelsia who guards grape seeds infused with earth magic that have the power to heal. Valoria is worshiped in Limeros, and while people in Auranos are not religious, they consider Cleiona their goddess. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, and reality TV, and is an extremely picky yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. The sisters ended up turning on each other as well but the hunter was there to pick up the pieces of the Kindred and hide them so not to corrupt anyone else.

Passive-Aggressive Kombat: All the royals of Mytica are well-versed in using politeness, false sincerity, doublespeak, and Exact Words as daggers. I agree- the complexities and layers a character obtains because of multiple POVs is always a delight! I enjoyed finding out about the magic at the same pace as the main characters and seeing the way it is now regarded in this world. All they want to do is sleep with boys – including Magnus’ father’s mistress who offers to have sex with him. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia’s overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

Magnus Damora is heir to the throne of Limeros and son of the man dubbed the “King of Blood,” Gaius Damora. I am really looking forward to finding out more about his character because he just has so much potential. Cleiona and Valoria were Watchers who took the power of the Kindred, becoming so powerful that they were worshiped as goddesses.Unfortunately, word travels that the beautiful princess is staying in Paelsia and Jonas goes to check for himself. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love. In this prequel short story, set before the events of Falling Kingdoms book 1, Prince Magnus is awoken by an unexpected visitor—in his bed. She always expected a man to swoop in and save her, she never fought for herself but she did fight for others. The people of Paelsia worship Chief Basilius, yet he imposes heavy taxes on the poor population of his nation while he lives in luxury.

This secret lasts for all of a hot second because both Magnus’ father and his mistress, Sabina Mallius, have been patiently waiting for sixteeen years for Lucia’s powers to show. The history behind how several things came to pass, was very neatly done with the division of the Kindred and how several players want to get their hands on an unthinkable power. While they usually look like very beautiful humans, they can take the form of hawks to watch over the mortal world, which is the only way they can go there without losing their immortality. Jonas is among the troops but he has begun to question the motives of King Gaius of Limeros as well as the aloof Chief Basilius. Much maligned and ignored by his father, the King of Blood, Magnus spends his days training, reading and secretly pining for his sister, Lucia.

Unlike Jonas's, it's seemingly crushed but plays a part in many important things, such as Felix's rescue, Lyssa's rescue, and Amara's eventual exile. Hopefully, it doesn’t disappoint, because I loved this book and I honestly think it’s maybe the best YA Fantasy I’ve ever read.