REVIEW
Do you believe in true love’s kiss? You’ve probably heard of that phrase so many times growing up with all the fairy tales having this kind of idea.
If you like fairy tales, but up for one with a twist, more swords and magic, then you’re in for a treat!
We have all the basic ingredients of a fairy tale but with a little darker tone (which I actually quite love). A prince and princess – lots of them actually. We have the one and only villain of all villains – the Evil Queen. Of course, we have magic, a magic Kiss. But what I like the most? We’re on an journey! This time, we’re about to go on a dragon hunt and face different kinds of mythical creatures on the way.
And discover the real meaning behind a Kiss.
The war with the dark forces
Kiss of The Royal is about Princess Ivy and Prince Zach’s journey to stop the Dark Forces. The people of Myriana are fighting a war against Dark Forces. The Royals are the ones who charge to the battlefields to protect their people because they’re the ones who carry the magic Kiss – more specifically, the princesses.
For a magic Kiss to work, a princess should have a partner who also has to be a Royal. Princess Ivy, being the only pure descendant of Queen Myriana in the Legion, is considered as the one who has the most powerful Kiss. Her Kiss is what the Kingdom needs to end the Dark Forces, and in order to do that, she needs a partner – a partner that will match her strong power.
Getting into the picture is Prince Zacharia – or just Zach – who was considered as the best swordsman in the Legion, and the most qualified to be Ivy’s partner. However, they share a different belief about the power of the Kiss. Zach firmly refuses Ivy’s Kiss no matter how much she tries. This is what they have to settle along their journey to slay a dragon.
A brilliant debut novel
I didn’t expect anything grand about this book. To be very honest, I was a little skeptical after reading the synopsis, so I braced myself for a possible over-the-top romance. The whole idea may also sound cheesy, but it actually wasn’t. It’s quite sweet and I was actually very surprised to find myself so enthralled by the story and the whole idea of the novel.
It didn’t quite get me at the beginning, but as the story goes, I was getting more and more interested until I just couldn’t stop reading.
The party
Most part of the book is focused only to the main party of the journey which includes Princess Ivy, Prince Zach, and Bromley – Ivy’s page.
Ivy is the MC of the story. I wasn’t a big fan of her at the beginning, but I liked her enough to brush off her recklessness and haughtiness for having the most powerful Royal’s Kiss. And then, I learned to understand her behavior more as the story made progress. We gotta love a sword yielding princess!
Bromley is the most surprising character for me. I really liked his character as thirdwheel Ivy and Zach’s sidekick.
Zach is probably my favorite character, and I actually hoped that there’s an extra chapter at the end where the story is told on his POV. He wasn’t a brooding prince. Thank goodness! When he made his first appearance, he took me by surprise. He was clumsy, and quite the fun fellow – a breath of fresh air. But even with the clumsy first impression, he was true to his title of being the best swordsman in the Legion. He’s the Prince Charming of the story, and I got nothing less. He was really really really really sweet and caring.
There are lots of disagreements, arguments, and fights between Ivy and Zach throughout their journey. You’re in for a good hate to love relationship.
True Love’s Kiss
The Romantica thin is probably the most interesting thing about the story which got me really hooked. Romantica is considered as a cult by the Royals. They have a different belief towards the Royals’ magic Kiss. The Royals are taught to act based on logic and sense. Deep feelings such as Love is considered blasphemous.
Contrary to what the Royals believe, Romanticas believe in the power of Love more than anything. They believe that a Kiss shouldn’t be used as weapon and shouldn’t be given to anyone taking it like nothing. It should be acted out of feelings.
You’ll get a lot of attempted kissing and convincing to be kissed, which I find really amusing. And when I reached halfway of the book, I just want them to end their banters and just kiss already.
Until….
Okay. They’re cute. Really adorable. I swooned.
It’s a standalone!
YES! It is! I was bracing myself for a cliffhanger ending and an agonizing waiting game, but this book happened to be a standalone. I’m actually very happy.
I didn’t know it’s a standalone until I was about 90% of the book. It was not rushed at all. Kiss of The Royal was nicely wrapped up in one piece.
If you’re worried about an excruciating waiting game, worry no more. You can get this book today. Click the buy links above.
Also, the epilogue. The cover. I LOVE!
This book will Kiss you a good story. You guys should experience that Kiss!
Disclaimer: I received my review copy of Kiss of The Royal as I am a part of the blog tour organized by YA Bound Book Tours and Engtangled Teen. This didn’t affect my opinion of the book in any way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsey Duga
Lindsey Duga developed a deep love for courageous heroes, dastardly villains, and enchanting worlds from the cartoon shows, books, and graphic novels she read as a kid. Drawing inspiration from these fantastical works of fiction, she wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University. By day, Lindsey isanaccount manager at a digital marketing agency based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. By night, and the wee hours of the morning, she writes both middle grade and young adult. She has a weakness for magic, anything classical, all kinds of mythology, and falls in love with tragic heroes. Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TVshow, practicing yoga, and listening (and belting) to her favorite music artists and show tunes. KISS OF THE ROYAL is her YA debut novel.
GIVEAWAY
Organized by: YA Book Bound Tours
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Erika is a freelance content writer and illustrator from the Philippines. Aside from her love of arts and reading, she loves taking photos, coffee, cats, and fairies. She’s into fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary, and anything young adult genres.
Wow. Love the review. The book seems really interesting. Especially the world with Romantica’s and Royals!
Thank you! Yes, it’s really nice. I hope you’ll give it a try. Thanks for dropping by my blog 🙂