Series: Enemies of the Prince #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Source:Librarything Early Reviewers program/ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Receiving this book in no way effects my opinion or review of the book.
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Prince Anders, the ruler of Archenfield, has been murdered, leaving his younger brother, Jared, to ascend the throne. Sixteen-year-old Jared feels unprepared to rule the kingdom and its powerful and dangerous court, yet he knows he can rely on the twelve officers of the court to advise him. He also knows he can just as easily be at their mercy-especially when it appears that one of them may be responsible for his brother's death. Unable to trust anyone, Jared takes it upon himself to hunt down his brother's killer-but the killer may be hunting him, as well. Murder, betrayal, and intrigue abound in Justin Somper's thrilling YA series debut. Exploring the political machinations of the medieval court and the lives that hang in the balance, Allies & Assassins is a gripping tale of a teen torn between duty and revenge.
Review:
I really wanted to enjoy this book, I am just not sure what happened... the premise is so good - an assassination, a new prince, betrayals, and a historical fiction-ish genre. It just seemed so up-my-alley. Sadly it was just so slow-paced.
You begin the book as the court is hearing about and sending word of the death of Prince Anders, who has just been assassinated and then jump into the world of the Princes. I really liked the book at first, within the first few chapters I felt for the family and the world building was wonderful and there was even a few gasp-y moments. Then after that... it was just kind of blah. Yes, there were still some great moments and the characters are great and the world building was great and very detailed - but I think all that got in the way of the plot, or lack-thereof.
The book is told from multiple points of view. We alternate a lot: the Falconer, the Prince, the Captain of the Guard, The Physician's Assistant etc. It got to be a bit overwhelming. I enjoyed reading from the POV of the Physician's Assistant, she was inquisitive and wanted the truth of the murders, but there were random people's POVs thrown in and so we got tid-bits of info that in some cases weren't part of the plot (as of yet at least).
The saddest part for me was that I figured it all out about half way through the book. Not the whole thing but the who-done-it part and from then on out I read the book knowing who to be on the lookout for... I think that it was supposed to be a twist-ending but for me it wasn't (sad face).
When it came down to it, the ending was interesting but after the rest of the book was so slow it was hard for me to be excited about.
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