Principessa Annalisia is stunned and conscience-stricken when an unknown enemy mistakenly abducts her maidservant. Determined to find the girl, Annalisia disguises herself as plain Anna and slips away from the palace. She tracks down Jovanni, her maidservant's daring older brother, and they soon begin to search together. As they uncover clues, Anna also discovers a kindred spirit in Jovanni. But would he be so free with her if he knew who she really was? Doubtful. Even so, she reveals her secret gift of visions to him, and in so doing disobeys the orders of her beloved grandmother, the queen.With Jovanni, Anna can almost imagine she’s like any other seventeen-year-old girl, free to pursue the longings of her heart. When she learns that he also has a secret—he's a sentinel, an ancient shapeshifter who can take the form of a falcon—it seems as if they were destined to be together, as in the legends of il Sentiro. Though Anna is tempted to wish otherwise, she can’t forget that she’s a princess and it's her duty to marry another. Meanwhile, their hunt leads Anna ever closer to danger, for she herself is being hunted.
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When I started reading this it reminded me of the TV series Reign, which I love, so I eagerly jumped right in. Anna isn't your typical princess. She cares a lot about the people around her and she has visions, which she can use to save those very people. I loved the emotion throughout the story. I felt like I could feel what Anna was feeling every step of the way, and her connection to Jovanni only made that stronger. But the thing I really liked was that this isn't just about a princess finding the man she loves versus the one she's supposed to marry. Anna's special gift lets her do so much more, and she never loses focus of that.
Overall, this is a fast read filled with tension, action, and lots of emotion.
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Have you read Aire or any other books by Lena?
Looks magical and the character sounds like a member of royalty you don't usually read about.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was very different from other books I've read, and since I'm on a Reign kick I really enjoyed it.
DeleteCute cover.
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteThanks, Vanessa! The cover design was a joint effort between amazing cover designer Lisa Amowitz and myself. :)
DeleteThanks for the lovely review, Kelly! So glad you liked AIRE and thanks so much for joining in the blog tour. :)
ReplyDelete(Makes note to check out REIGN… :))
You're welcome. And yes, check out Reign. :)
DeleteFun review! I love the way Lena incorporates emotions into her stories, as well. :) Thank you for participating in the blog tour, Kelly!
ReplyDelete~Amber
Yes, she incorporates emotion very well. :)
DeleteThe descrition sounded like Shannon Hale's Goose Girl at first, but the shapeshifter added a new sense of drama. Can't wait to read it. Ordering it now.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! :)
DeleteI recently interviewed Lena for the Enchanted Inkpot blog. I've read SONGSTONE and loved it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one but it looks good.
DeleteAww, thanks, Katie! :)
DeleteWhat can be better than a story about a princess? A gorgeous cover too. Congratulations, Lena. Sounds like a lovely novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverly! I appreciate that. (The cover was a joint effort by the amazingly talented Lisa Amowitz and myself. She's so wonderful to work with!:))
DeleteThis looks great! Thanks for the review, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
DeleteThis story sounds really sweet and I adore the cover. I love it when princess stories go against the typical "princess" cliché. I am especially interested in Anna' growth as she discovers herself being more than royalty while living in her disguise. Thanks for sharing, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I love when stories go against the typical mold. :)
DeleteIt sounds good, Lena!
ReplyDeleteKelly, a terrific review!
Thanks, William.
DeleteSounds like a great book! I am wondering if it was a good or bad idea for the princess to share her secret. :) Wishing Lena the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI'm not telling. ;)
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