Of cages and crowns

"Goddess-touched" Monroe Benson was born with the power to summon fire, which has fated her to participate in the Culling--a battle whose victor will become queen of Erydia and marry the prince. While many of the other nine girls (each touched in her own way) are looking forward to this battle to the death, Monroe's anxiety and doubt are palpable as she considers becoming queen and having her romantic future sealed. Crump shows creativity in her world building and plotting, and her multidimensional characters add a layer of intensity as their individual personalities blaze while fiercely chasing the throne. Meanwhile, Prince Cohen introduces romantic tension to the story and shows himself to be a caring character--unlike his cruel mother--and the connection between him and Monroe is undeniable. This fast-paced debut's scenes of romance and heartbreak offer respite from the adrenaline-fueled battle royal. Relatable themes such as competition, stress, and hope will help readers connect with the characters, and they'll root for Monroe from start to finish. A worthwhile addition to fantasy collections.

For centuries, the Kingdom of Erydia has chosen their queen via the Culling, a brutal tournament in which 10 teenage girls, each blessed with a different goddess-touched power, battle to the death. The survivor then marries the prince and becomes the next queen. Seventeen-year-old Monroe Benson, who can control fire but wants no part of the spectacle, has spent much of her life hiding on her family farm. But when the Culling is announced and Monroe attempts to flee, she's captured and brought to Erydia's palace, where she's forced to train and fight. After unexpectedly falling for Prince Cohen, Monroe must conceal her romantic feelings while navigating royal politics, the Culling's deadly demands, a growing rebellion within the kingdom, and a war brewing at Erydia's borders. The tight focus on Monroe and Cohen's burgeoning romance leaves supporting characters, especially Monroe's competitors, underdeveloped, and slow pacing saps the Culling of tension. Using a richly detailed near-contemporary setting and blending well-trod fantasy tropes with romance, intrigue, and action, Crump capably delivers an opulent tale of defiance and resilience in this absorbing debut. Characters read as white. Ages 12--up.(Nov.)