ARC Review & Giveaway: Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders
Shielded is a binge worthy Throne of Glass meets Air Awakens story you will adore. Shielded is a fast paced, high fantasy that will leave you dying for the next book with a bonus gorgeous cover! Check out my 4 star review below, preorder (and enter for swag!), and enter to win this or any July release we mention below!
Shielded (Shielded, #1)
by KayLynn FlandersPublished by: Delacorte Press
on July 21, 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 432
IndieBound, iTunes, Audible
Goodreads
For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.
The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It's losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.
As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn's--her brother's--magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.
Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong--the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it's too late--for her and for her entire kingdom.
Review
Kaylynn Flanders created an epic journey for Jenna, a princess stuck between a rock and a hard place. Where the decisions of this young woman become burdened with royal obligation and quickly change to what is best for her kingdom versus the wishes of a young princess. I absolutely adored this book and immediately went online to preorder a signed edition from Kings English book store, which is Flanders’ local indie bookstore.
It was an unusual but very nice change that Jenna has a strong connection and love towards her father, the King, even if she does keep her own secrets. Very few YA high fantasy books I have read, have strong family ties with their parents. I’m used to seeing a tyrannical parental ruler or a lack of parents. Readers feel Jenna’s anguish over feelings about what she wants to do versus what she feels she must do in relation to her brother and father.
I enjoyed the unique magic system that Flanders created, making each person’s style of magic a mystery for both the reader and the character. The magic is not familial handed-down magic but unique to each individual and in essence connects with who they are at their core. I hope we get to know more about the different magic each character has in book 2 as I felt like Flanders lead us to believe there is more to why each character has a certain magic as well as why it was needed to drive the overarching plot.
Flanders gives Jenna a convincing journey with heart warming characters who assist in her journey for salvation for her kingdom. You can see by the connections that Jenna makes that she will be a kind-hearted ruler. Of course, I can’t leave out the slow burn romance that is not exactly enemies to lovers but one you will have to read for yourself.
Thank you to Random House books for the advanced copy to review, which in no way affects the thoughts given in this review.
Giveaway
Win this or any new release featured in July. Open international so long as Book Depository ships to you!
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