Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
King Leander Eldana of Ashland refuses to let his unworthy children's political infighting and jockeying for the crown ("My sons are worthless.... And my daughter is too frail") compromise the kingdom's future. Thus, he separates his grandchildren Emmeline, Titus, and Alaric from their parents to be raised ignorant of their royal statuses. When the three are 17, they're admitted to Almus Terra Academy, a school for the international global elite. Emmeline and Titus, who were raised by wealthy families, are used to this level of grandeur, while Alaric grew up in foster care and believes that he must rely on himself. They're joined by wildcard Sadie, the only one raised in Ashland; though she isn't a royal, she was personally chosen by King Leander to compete against his grandchildren for the crown. Duga (Glow of the Fireflies) deftly combines competition intrigue with the romance and friendship drama of standard boarding school settings, making for a twisty contemporary tale. School divisions between the rich and powerful and the scholarship students, or the Norms, help to emphasize the issue of class disparity that permeates the primarily white characters' every interaction. Ages 14--up. Agent: Masha Gunic, Azantian Literary. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Gossip Girl meets Katharine McGee's American Royals in this YA boarding school novel that follows four students to an elite boarding school after they find out they are all competing to rule the small country of Ashland. In alternating POV chapters, readers meet three grandchildren of the ruling king (Titus, Alaric, and Emmeline) and one commoner (Sadie) who are all competing for the throne as they deal with grueling class loads, teenage hormones, and the expectations of an awaiting nation. The romantic inclinations of the teens, especially centered around Sadie, and the projects of a school training future world leaders dominate the novel, while the fight for the throne mostly manifests in family drama and threats of blackmail. Though nearly 400 pages, the pacing and stakes of the novel are slower than one might want in a throne-battle YA, but the unfurling romantic entanglements provide ample fodder for readers of the genre. Each character is well delineated, and Duga has clearly created a developed world within the castle walls that invites readers to feel like they are a part of all the drama. VERDICT Add this to collections where patrons are constantly seeking new royal reads and hand to older readers looking for a more nuanced, less fantasy-driven battle for the throne.--Aryssa Damron
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
After being separated from their families and each other in infancy, three heirs of Ashland--and a spare--are summoned out of isolation for a chance to claim a throne. Emmeline, Titus, and Alaric grew up in vastly different ways, Emmeline as a wealthy Manhattanite, Titus as a posh Londoner attending Eton, and Alaric as a member of a Dublin street gang. Their similarities? Loneliness. Oh, and royal blood, which they discover when they're summoned to Almus Terra Academy, the world's most prestigious school, and meet the King of Ashland, who reveals their birthright. They are his grandchildren, the rightful princes and princess of Ashland, whom he sent away for their own safety. Now, he's welcoming them back and is ready to name an heir. The catch? There's another candidate: scholarship student Sadie Aurelia, a top scholar from Ashland whose presence helps "challenge unbridled nepotism." Rivalry ensues as the four heirs are all driven by their own reasons to claim the crown and prove their worth. This fast-paced novel is filled with antiheroes, romance, and secrets. Each character is believable and likable, while being deeply flawed at times. Readers will swoon and ache at points, only to rage and cry at others. The blending of these emotions will ultimately keep them turning pages. The main characters read white, while the supporting cast is diverse in race and nationality. Fast, engaging, and addictive. (content note)(Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
