Castles in Their Bones
Author: Laura Sebastian
Pages: 528 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Published: 1st February 2022
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis:
A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.
Empress Margaraux has had plans for her daughters since the day they were born. Princesses Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz will be queens. And now, age sixteen, they each must leave their homeland and marry their princes.
Beautiful, smart, and demure, the triplets appear to be the perfect brides—because Margaraux knows there is one common truth: everyone underestimates a girl. Which is a grave mistake. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz are no innocents. They have been trained since birth in the arts of deception, seduction, and violence with a singular goal—to bring down monarchies— and their marriages are merely the first stage of their mother’s grand vision: to one day reign over the entire continent of Vesteria.
The princesses have spent their lives preparing, and now they are ready, each with her own secret skill, and each with a single wish, pulled from the stars. Only, the stars have their own plans—and their mother hasn’t told them all of hers.
Life abroad is a test. Will their loyalties stay true? Or will they learn that they can’t trust anyone—not even each other?
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon Barnes & Noble Book Depository Indigo Indie Bound
Author Info
Laura Sebastian was born and raised in South Florida (the Redlands and Key Largo) and has always loved telling stories–many apologies to her little brother who often got in trouble because of them. She got her BFA in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design before realizing she preferred the other side of storytelling.
When Laura isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, cooking/baking, or buying more clothes than her overstuffed closet can fit. She currently lives in London with her two dogs, Neville and Circe.
Her New York Times Bestselling series, Ash Princess, is out now from Delacorte (Penguin Random House. Keep an eye out for her debut adult fantasy book, Half Sick Of Shadows, out Summer 2021, and the first book in her new YA series, Castles In Their Bones.
Author Links: Website Twitter Instagram Goodreads
My Review!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, Delacorte Press and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. You can check out the other posts on the tour here.
This book blew me away! Best book I’ve read of 2022 so far for definite. I read and loved the Ash Princess trilogy a few years ago and it is an underrated series, so when I saw that the author was writing a new book, I knew I had to read it. The synopsis drew me in and the first chapter had me hooked!
Castles in Their Bones follows three princesses, Sophronia, Daphne and Beatriz. Betrothed to princes/kings from other kingdoms, these princesses have been raised with one mission; bring down the monarchies from within. Their mother, the Empress, wishes to rule all of Vesteria, and she plans to do so with the help of her three daughters. For sixteen years, their lives have been dictated by their mother, but will this change once the girls taste a bit of freedom?
‘We’re three stars of the same constellation. Distance won’t change that.’
This is told from the perspective of all three of the triplets, which was necessary in order for the story to flow and to understand what was happening in each country. Each sister had a different experience, regarding their betrothed, the status of magic in the kingdom, and the simplicity of the plan. I found it very easy to like all three sisters, and found that my favourite storyline changed frequently. Away from their mothers influence, Sophronia, Beatriz and occasionally Daphne begin to think of the consequences of their actions on the kingdom and the relationships they have made with the people living there.
‘You didn’t raise them, Margaraux. You built them.’
The magic system is so interesting and I feel like it’s going to become more of a plot point in the sequel as there is still so much unknown about it. It is all connected to the power of the stars, and wishing upon the stars to create stardust. The triplets are startouched, which may become more important in future books.
The relationships in this book are complicated, especially between the sisters. Loyalties are tested and occasionally betrayed. There is, of course, romance, but this adds to the plot and doesn’t take away from the political intrigue. Still I did get invested and was rooting for each sister. The romance didn’t feel over done and it felt like just the right amount, although I am hoping there may be a bit more in the sequel!
‘I’m here because I want to be. Because you are lightning – terrifying and beautiful and dangerous and bright all at once. And I wouldn’t wish you were anything else.’
I wish I could say so much more about this book, but then my review would be full of spoilers! I couldn’t put it down and pretty much read it in one sitting. I was obsessed with this story and these characters. I will just say that the ending came out of nowhere and shocked me. I am still reeling just thinking about it! There were so many twists and turns that I did not predict that just made this book a whole amazing experience! I couldn’t recommend this more if you are a lover of YA fantasy, romance and political intrigue!
Keep reading,
Georgia x
Lost in Neverland 
Glad you enjoyed this one too! I wasn’t a fan of her series Ash Princess but I am so glad I gave this one a try. Can’t wait for the sequel!
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I need the sequel now! It was such a good read!
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