Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

Kiss of the Royal
by Lindsey Duga
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: July 3, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance


In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is de-termined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle part-ner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.



When I first started reading Kiss of the Royal, it had that vibe that everything has gone wrong in Fairyland. Like you are coming into the part of Narnia where they are having the epic battle scene with the White Witch. I think it had to do with the talk of fighting and princesses and princes. As in multiples fighting, it was kind of interesting.

The story had a slow start for me but as soon as Zach enters the picture it becomes a lot more interesting. I did find the whole idea of the plot interesting. There are the Royals who believe that you don’t need love because they focus on magical powers that come from kisses. For girls you use your powers to combine with a partner who then can become strong and powerful with your magic. Once you are no longer able to fight you are sent off to breed more heirs. So they can grow and fight. On the other side there are the Romantics who don’t believe in using kisses that way and tie them to emotions, like love. This is where they think true power comes from.

It was interesting to see Zach and Ivy interact. They come from two very different point of views. So they clashed but you could see them really thinking about it after. Zach is very much on the Romantic side of things and Ivy’s determination to make him see why he needs to use her power was almost funny in a way. I loved loved his character from the way he presents himself in the beginning to his actual skills. Ivy was kind of iffy for me but I also understood that she was brought up in this world where love is bad. She suffers some abuse from her mother so she doesn’t really have any kind of base line for the feeling.

I love any kind of story that finds the characters setting off on an adventure. It’s always my favorite type of character interactions because you are stuck with a limited number of people in dire situations. It really brings out the characters personalities. There is no other influence except what is in the group. I enjoyed the plot and thought it is a really interesting idea to explore.

I liked Kiss of the Royal. It’s not as heavy as some of the other Fantasy novels I read which makes it a nice break for my brain. I really loved Zach so I enjoyed it for him alone and I did like Ivy too. Even if she wasn’t my favorite. Ha ha. Of course there are also a couple of great supporting characters.


Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisi-ana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

Website : Twitter : Facebook : Instagram





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Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead Playlist

Title: Midnight Jewel
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: June 27th 2017 by Razorbill
Buy: B&N : BD


In MIDNIGHT JEWEL, Richelle Mead goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the Glittering Court, delving into the dark, political underbelly of Cape Triumph through the eyes of one girl who dares to fight for her freedom.

A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. There, Mira finds herself subjected to persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well—men she would potentially be expected to give her life to.

By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies’ maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely—one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.

MIDNIGHT JEWEL is the extraordinary story of a girl with few options who courageously forges a new path, finding love, passion, lifelong friendships, and maybe even a way to freedom.