I received an ARC from the publisher. Thank you! This is a spoiler free review.
Rule
Written by Ellen Goodlett
Written by Ellen Goodlett
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 11, 2018
Pages: 384
Source: ARC provided by Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository
Recommended Age: 13 and up!
Summary:
Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.
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.
Review:
I was so excited when I received Rule in the mail from the publisher. I really enjoyed this book and I liked how the whole concept was about three sisters from different areas of the kingdom. The different backgrounds of the sisters made the book a lot more interesting. Also, it is shown to be Three Dark Crowns meets Pretty Little Liars which is true.
Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.
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.
Review:
I was so excited when I received Rule in the mail from the publisher. I really enjoyed this book and I liked how the whole concept was about three sisters from different areas of the kingdom. The different backgrounds of the sisters made the book a lot more interesting. Also, it is shown to be Three Dark Crowns meets Pretty Little Liars which is true.
COVER
The cover is really pretty. I like how there is a crown in the middle symbolizing the fact that the three girls are children of the King and trying to get the crown after the King dies. I also think the colors are very appropriate for the story.
The cover is really pretty. I like how there is a crown in the middle symbolizing the fact that the three girls are children of the King and trying to get the crown after the King dies. I also think the colors are very appropriate for the story.
WORLD-BUILDING
The world-building is done gradually throughout the book which I liked. I was still a little confused about some of the places and how they related at the end but for the most part it was done really well.
The world-building is done gradually throughout the book which I liked. I was still a little confused about some of the places and how they related at the end but for the most part it was done really well.
Then there are the characters.
ZOFI
Zofi is a very fierce, strong and independent. Zofi is a Traveler which is an outcast and someone the kingdom doesn't really like but tolerates. I enjoyed her character because she brings a lot of the female empowerment to the novel. Zofi is a character who is determined to find things out, if not for others, then for herself. Also, she tries to be very loyal to her Traveler heritage which I admired.
AKEYLAH
Akeylah is the second sister who is an Easterner. Easterners are also seen as outcasts and different from the people in Kolonya. Akeylah is from a family where her stepfather (who she thought was her father, her whole life) physically abuses her because he blames her for the death of his wife who died during childbirth. Akeylah curses the king by accident when she is trying to curse her stepfather and she is constantly trying to fix it. She was also the LGBT representation.
FLORENCIA
Florencia is the only one that comes from Kolonya as she is a maid in the castle. Florencia really wanted to move up in the world and when she finds out that she is a daughter of the King, that seems to be the answers to her prayers. Ren has dirt on many a member of royal society and wants to avenger her low status. Florencia is also a very strong female character though she is seduced by the power of being a royal.
FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY
Family is what brought the three girls together as they find out that the King is dying and that they are his heirs. For most of the book, the three sisters are forced to work together because they are being blackmailed by someone but later on, they truly bond as sisters.
Family is what brought the three girls together as they find out that the King is dying and that they are his heirs. For most of the book, the three sisters are forced to work together because they are being blackmailed by someone but later on, they truly bond as sisters.
PLOT
The plot is very dark and mysterious. It is almost written as a mystery as the three sisters are trying to figure out who is blackmailing and threatening them. They are brought together because they find out that they are the heirs to the King's throne. Soon, they receive nasty notes threatening to expose their dark secrets.
The plot is very dark and mysterious. It is almost written as a mystery as the three sisters are trying to figure out who is blackmailing and threatening them. They are brought together because they find out that they are the heirs to the King's throne. Soon, they receive nasty notes threatening to expose their dark secrets.
ROMANCE
There are three romances in this book but they do not take up the whole plot which I really loved. I'm not going to say much about them because it is hard to explain but I really liked Akeylah's romance as well as Zofi's. Also, there is a f/f romance.
WRITING
The writing was great. I loved how she started straight into the story and I was never bored.
There are three romances in this book but they do not take up the whole plot which I really loved. I'm not going to say much about them because it is hard to explain but I really liked Akeylah's romance as well as Zofi's. Also, there is a f/f romance.
WRITING
The writing was great. I loved how she started straight into the story and I was never bored.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I highly recommend this book as it is very fast paced and entertaining. There is so much to love about this book from the POC and LGBT diversity as well as the characters. It comes out in September and is a must read.
Quotes from the Book:
I highly recommend this book as it is very fast paced and entertaining. There is so much to love about this book from the POC and LGBT diversity as well as the characters. It comes out in September and is a must read.
Quotes from the Book:
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns
