Hello fellow book lovers and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. Today, I have my review and some of my favorite quotes to share with you. Don’t forget to stay until the end, join the giveway, and check out the rest of the tour for more reviews and other fun stuff.
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 determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner 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.
AMAZON – BARNES & NOBLE – BOOK DEPOSITORY – KOBO – INDIEBOUND – iBOOKS
A Creative, Magical, and Delightfully Spellbinding Read
Sooo in LOVEEEE! Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a wickedly entertaining and enthralling fantasy story filled with magic, myths, monsters, and royal princes and princesses battling forces of evil one KISS at a time.
I love romance stories, fairytales, and the idea that a “True Love’s Kiss” can defeat anything that is evil. When I first saw this book, the gorgeous cover and the title had me immediately intrigued. However, it was the unique premise that totally sealed the deal for me. I thought the idea about magical kisses and two unlikely heroes slowly falling in love as they battle Forces of Darkness was creative and so much fun. I expected to laugh, to swoon, and to have an epically awesome journey and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so desperately charmed and hooked the entire time.
Some may find the idea of this book somewhat silly, and even cheesy, but I thought Lindsey Duga did fantastic at creating a world that’s different and undeniably enticing in its own magical way. The writing was mesmerizingly detailed and breathtakingly captivating that I was easily sucked into the story and could picture myself right beside the characters as they fought evil dwarves, griffins, wraiths, and curses. While some parts felt a bit slow, there were so many amazing surprises, thrilling battles, hilarious scenes, and heartwarming moments that made me excited and pleasantly entertained. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and that ending… I absolutely loved that ending.
The characters were incredibly badass, really fun, and likable. They had spunk, wit, and determination. Princess Ivy was powerful and the best in her Legion. She was stubborn and guarded, but also fierce, loyal, brave, and as much as she denied it, Princess Ivy let herself feel. Prince Zach won me over instantly with his charming personality, humor, and heart of gold. He was definitely my kind of hero – strong-willed, but adorably sweet, and courageous, but also vulnerable. I also really liked Brom and Millennia and enjoyed the roles they played in the story.
The romance was really slow burn in this one and I have to admit… I did get somewhat impatient a few times. Just when I thought this it for Ivy and Zach… after all the wait and pages and pages of me hoping for it…it’s finally going to happen…And then BAM. Nothing. I’m suddenly thrown off and the story moves on again. That being said, the anticipation and the delicious little tease here and there had me ridiculously swooning. It was frustratingly soooo good. I don’t want to say anymore, but my heart exploded into a million different FEELS and at the end of the day, that slow burn was definitely worth it.
This was a delightfully spellbinding read that kept me up late into the night! It was whimsical, fascinating, hilarious, and magical. It’s a wonderfully written YA fantasy story with exciting adventures, awesome fighting scenes, engaging characters, and swoony kisses. I loved this book and highly recommend to everyone who’s looking for something creative and fun.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have SO MANY favorite quotes from this book and it was really difficult to choose. I tried to narrow it down to 5, but as you can see, I definitely ended with more than that. Hope you enjoy reading them all! Let me know which one is your favorite(s) in the comment below.
“Isn’t the irony hilarious? The girl I love begging me to kiss her every day and I have to refuse. And I have to. Not just for my own beliefs and this golden theory, but for my own sanity. Because a kiss would mean nothing to you, while it meant everything to me.”
“I couldn’t let you go alone. Or with anyone else. You wouldn’t be safe with someone like Amias. Someone who wanted you only as a weapon. To make themselves stronger by using you. […] They wouldn’t make you feel wanted for just being you.”
“Bond wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt for him. It was a force, a magic that defied all reasons, and logic. Love was the only thing strong enough to describe him to me. I loved him with all my heart. All my soul.”
“It’s completely and utterly irrational. It can’t be understood, and it can’t be explained. It’s unreasonbable – which is probably why the Legion doesn’t to believe it exists. It’s falling for someone even when you know they can’t love you back. […] Love is sacrifice. It’s painful. It’s wishing that you could have one more day together, one more minute, one more second together, and hoping it lasts a lifetime, and then believing maybe it could.”
“I don’t know how Love… – happens.”
“That’s the thing. It just does. No reason at all. Or maybe it’s all the reasons.”
“I want so much more than your lips, Ivy. I want your heart. Because I love you… desperately.”
“That’s what Love does right? It makes you feel pain, but courage, too.”
“Love does exist. I saw it in the way you talked about him. You still love him. You always will. And it makes you stronger. You’re not weak […] You didn’t cut out your heart or abandon your feelings — you embraced them.”
“I focused on that one sensation. That I still had hold of someone
Someone who stood with me, hands on a sword, burning in black flames, to save the kingdoms.
Someone who loved me when I cried.
Someone who loved me even if I yelled at him.
Someone who loved my freckles and my imperfections.
Someone who wanted to love me and did.”
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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 Louisiana 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 – GOODREADS – TWITTER – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM
Prize: Win 1 copy of KISS OF THE ROYAL by Lindsey Duga. Ends July 10, 2018
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Hope you enjoyed reading my review! I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed and loved this book. If you love adventure, magic, romance, lovable characters, then add this book to your TBR!
Have a wonderful weekend loves!!! Until next time.
J.A. (Jessica) Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, international bestseller, and award winner, who juggles several different genres. She began self-publishing in 2012, and later with the success of THE EDGE OF NEVER, signed on with Grand Central Publishing/Forever Romance. Her works have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Sincerely Karen Jo 