It’s been a while since I reviewed any books on this blog that I actually bought – or got in a book box – rather than just the ARCs I’ve received. But I definitely want to be reviewing more books so here we go!
Shielded is the book I got in the July 2020 Fairyloot. It was a book that I didn’t know I was certain that I was going to get but it was one I wanted. I originally started reading it in September but I had to put it down because I just wasn’t in the mood for fantasy. I picked it up again a few days ago and boy, did I enjoy it.
Shielded follows Jennesara a princess with magic and fighting skills who has been told the only way she could help her country is by marrying another country they risk going to war with. Only, when she’s making her way there she gets attacked by people claiming to be from the country she was marrying into and she has to go undercover to find out what was really going on.
I loved the characters in this book. Jennesara was a good main character. She was powerful but it never felt like she was too strong. She had magic she shouldn’t have had but she could barely use it. As far as she knew it was something very limited. Then we got into Turia and met Enzo, Chiara and Mari and I love all three of the siblings. Their dynamic was just as close as Jenna and Ren and I just adored seeing all these close family relationships so much. It’s one of my favourite things to read about so I’m glad they were included.
Romance in this book was definitely cute. It happened slowly as they spent time together even if there was attraction pretty quickly. I liked that they were willing to not be together if that was necessary for their countries but they still clearly cared a lot about each other. They had a lot of sweet scenes and yes, definitely shipping it.
The world building in this book was good but I could have done with a little more understanding about the plateau and the continent. The magic systems and the history were all good and did a good job of drawing me in. But now day or two later and I’m wondering why we wouldn’t learn more about these countries. It felt like though there were obvious differences between the country…that’s about all you really know. And I’d like to know more.
But that aside I did really enjoy this book. Once I had taken a break from fantasy and came back to it, I gobbled this novel up and it was so damn good. I’m excited for the sequel now and I’m definitely going to have to get it when it comes out next year!
5/5 Stars
Lace and Dagger Books 