Shielded (Shielded #1) by KayLynn Flanders - Starting March 5th 2020

[Kelly]

For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.

The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It's losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.

As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn's--her brother's--magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.

Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong--the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it's too late--for her and for her entire kingdom.

[Aly]

I'm a bit behind on my ebooks, hopefully I'll get to this on Sunday

[Kelly]

Finally picking this up! I'm excited and hopeful for this one!

[Kelly]

Ch 1 - I'm loving the first chapter. Three YA Fantasy flops in a row, I'm so happy this doen't seem like one of them for me. Hopefully it'll stay that way!

29% - (view spoiler)[Oh shit. I expected the King to die when her and her brother left but no it's not just him. So many people died already I'm kind of stunned! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

50% - (view spoiler)[It's obvious from their meeting that he's the prince but I'm sure it was mean to be written that way. I wonder why her wound affected her so badly compared to Luc. Is it because of her magic? (hide spoiler)]

60% - (view spoiler)[ "gray Mage" "the Black Mage, the leader of the evil mages." "the brown Mage"---> If that's not the most generic cliché description ever, I don't know what is. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Okay I didn't get to this over the weekend, but I am starting today after work

[Kelly]

Ch 19 - (view spoiler)[ Wait, if they're not at Lord Hallen's estate where are they?! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 21 (view spoiler)[ The truth about her identity is finally out! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 23 (view spoiler)[ I didn't expect Ren to be alive! It might be a bit convenient for the romance and the war but I don't mind. However, I don't understand how she could have felt his tether break if he didn't die or even fight an opponent. Also, the princess asking outright if the councilman is a traitor feels immature and not very well written. It's like the FMC feels smug when the conclusion isn't actually hard to figure out. The King probably should have known before her. (hide spoiler)]
End - (view spoiler)[Leland's betrayal was predictable. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like at the end (last 20% maybe) some things were a bit messy, as if the writing wasn't as good as before. I'm not sure how to explain but still really enjoyed this book overall! I'm actually interested in reading the sequel which is saying a lot compared to other ya fantasy I've read recently ^^

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "Okay I didn't get to this over the weekend, but I am starting today after work"

Looking forward to see your thoughts.

[Aly]

Ugh spam

[Aly]

Okay I'm loving this so far!
ch 5 (view spoiler)[ This is interesting and I like the world building. Jenna seems like a strong girl and I like how much she cares for her brother and father. I think her magic is more than she thinks. I hope Ren stays safe, I'm worried for him (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 1 - I'm loving the first chapter. Three YA Fantasy flops in a row, I'm so happy this doen't seem like one of them for me. Hopefully it'll stay that way!

29% - [spoilers removed]"

No kidding!

[Aly]

ch 12 (view spoiler)[ I'm holding out hope that Ren is somehow alive and she just can't feel him. Magic maybe? I'm glad we found out Teren was the prince quickly since it was obvious. Her journey through the wild was intense and I'm glad it mostly helped her (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "Ugh spam"

I blocked him that way I can't see his messages.

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "50% - [spoilers removed]

60% - [spoilers removed]"

Agreed! (view spoiler)[ The mages are all colors, okay. And they dress in their colors. Seems overly simplistic. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[For the Wild, I didn't really understand why it would help her and at the same time, not really. I'm glad she survived, it was intense and that family was so nice to her. I hope she'll see them again in the next book maybe. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I think (view spoiler)[ maybe her magic calls to it so it wants her safe but once she tries to leave it freaks out? The family was great and I definitely hope she gets to repay them sometime (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Okay wow ch 18 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Koranth poisoned Jenna? He seems like a bad guy for sure (hide spoiler)]

ch 22 (view spoiler)[Ren is back!! And Jenna and Enzo kissed! I'm so happy right now. Cris seems really weird, hmm... (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[ I wondered about Cris, but the general too? And who knows how many other hidden spies. But Enzo and Jenna are engaged and Ren is alive and the king! (hide spoiler)] This was so good! I hope there's a sequel agh!!

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 19 - [spoilers removed]
Ch 21 [spoilers removed]
Ch 23 [spoilers removed]
End - [spoilers removed]

I feel like at the end (last 20% maybe) some things were a bit messy, as if the writing wasn'..."
Response to your comment on ch 23 (view spoiler)[ I agree about her calling out the councilman. It was really weird that she would do that and that he would just admit it. Like come on really? Immature writing moment (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Response to your ending comment (view spoiler)[ it does make sense about Leland once we knew he survived. I thought Cris was fairly obvious too. That part could have been better (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Ch 19 - [spoilers removed]
Ch 21 [spoilers removed]
Ch 23 [spoilers removed]
End - [spoilers removed]

I feel like at the end (last 20% maybe) some things were a bit messy, as if the..."

I noticed so many moments like this especially when the author was writing King Marko's dialogue. Those passages need some editing in my opinion.

[Aly]

I agree