Uptown Oracle Reads… Royal Bastards

Action, magic, betrayal, romance… What more could you ask for from a YA fantasy? Royal Bastards not only delivers, but manages to pull it off as unpredictable.

Starting this book I didn’t really get into it straight away. I didn’t really like Tilla, our main protagonist. Consequently, it’s in her POV, so I wasn’t quite sure on the book. But, Shvarts turned it around and developed Tilla into a better character. After the group witnesses a crime, the story starts. Then I was completely hooked. This is one of those ‘I just can’t put it down’ reads.

The main focus  is the friendships between the five protagonists as  is they run for their lives. Shvarts has given Tilla time with each individual to evolve their relationship with each other. The writing of this is really natural and there doesn’t seem to be any inconsistent writing. So Tilla isn’t in love with Jax one minute and then despises him the next, there’s a very clear feeling towards him and she acts suitably on how she see’s him as her brother.

I loved the princess, Lyriana. At first, she may seem weak and emotional, sometimes slightly annoying. Which Tilla does express in her view as well. But Lyriana really grows into her own. Due to the fact Royal Bastards is the first in a trilogy, Lyriana is most likely going to lead her kingdom at some point. Hence, this book proves she will be a strong, just and fair leader to her people. The character building by Shvarts is fantastic.

I actually enjoyed the ‘love triangle’ in this book. And I say love triangle very loosely here. Tilla knows what she wants and what she doesn’t. Tilla shows her feelings throughout the book, and it’s shown from the first chapters that the love of one of the triangle is completely unrequited. Because of this, it is, yes, predictable but it’s not annoying as a trope.

Magic was mostly unexplained. Rings channel the magic, but some people dont need the rings to do magic. Although I would say it’s not a big issue. It is probably me being picky. I found the misconception to be strange. I will give Shvarts the benefit of the doubt, and it will be further explained in the next book though.

The ending was so good. Things just kept happening that I just couldn’t predict. Shvarts completely played with my emotions. I was angry. But also excited to get my hands on the next book.

I received Royal Bastards* by Andrew Shvarts as an e-book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is an unbiased and honest review.