Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (9) : The Ring and the Crown (The Ring and the Crown, #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Title: The Ring and the Crown
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Series: The Ring and the Crown, #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release: April 1st 2014
Pages: 384 (hardcover)
Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve?

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen.

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard.

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

I have always been fond of historical fantasies. Adding in magic and court conspiracies, The Ring and the Crown quickly grabbed my attention. With a princess who would rather choose love than power and a bastard daughter who is too ambitious for her own good, nothing in the court of Queen Eleanor would be as easy and peaceful as it seems. I imgaine Melissa de la Cruz would portray Marie and Aelwyn through dual POVs, though I do sense more emphasis on Marie's struggles, so perhaps we will be getting a single perspective after all.

What are you waiting on today?

8 comments:

  1. ME TOO ANGEL! I'm definitely waiting on this one as well. That cover is gorgeous, the premise sounds AWESOME, and I just generally need it to be April so I can get my hands on it:)

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    1. haha yep! There are a lot of books I'm anticipating releasing in April, so my wallet is probably gonna take a hit but I don't care I need those books!!! :D

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  2. I love the cover and have heard good things about this one!

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    1. Ahh nice to hear that :D Now I feel more assured about it.

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  3. This sounds great, I hope you'll enjoy it :)
    And the cover is so beautiful. Ah...

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    1. I know I know! I'm debating whether or not I should buy it. The cover only makes it a good collectible.

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  4. I'm really intrigued by this one. I haven't read any of Melissa de la Cruz's books in years, but I know she's a good writer (Blue Bloods is an old favorite series of mine). I really like a good fantasy with court conspiracies, so I want to read this one!

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    1. I haven't read anything by her yet, but I have heard of her fame. This one seems a bit different from her usual subject of interest, but it sounds great so hopefully it will be :D

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