Aren is more than he seems – loyal and honourable, rather than sadistic and cruel – and not the villain who wanted to do harm to her people.

Lara arrived in this new kingdom, expecting to be treated poorly and to hate this new husband of hers, but it turns out that her father had not been entirely truthful with her. Oh, and it also encompasses a series of islands made up of a jungle terrain, dangerous waters, incessant storms, and an infestation of SNAKES (no, thank you!!!) Ithicana, or the Bridge Kingdom, makes most of its income from the bridge that protects the kingdom from would-be invaders and serves as a source of revenue due to trade with the neighbouring kingdoms. “She wanted to stay, to fight and sweat and bleed for him and his harsh, wild, and beautiful kingdom.”Īren Kertell, the 37th King of Ithicana, is her soon-to-be husband. She wants to complete her mission and then be able to live her life in the manner of her choosing. Having grown up in harsh conditions and seclusion, however, Lara’s true motive is the acquisition of her freedom. Her kingdom is held captive between the Red Desert and the Tempest Seas, leaving its citizens impoverished and starved, so this is the only way that she can save her people from suffering as they do. She was trained in the knowledge that she’d be married off to the evil, demon-like king of an enemy kingdom with the orders to spy on and then kill her new husband within her first year of marriage. Lara Veliant, the Princess of Maridrina and the daughter of King Silas (aka the “ Rat King”), was raised as an assassin.

But he was mistaken if he believed she was prey.” I was bored and the synopsis was intriguing enough…but little did I know that I was about to discover one of my new favourite books!!! This is a re-read in preparation for the sequel, The Traitor Queen, releasing in September, but I had initially picked up this gem on a whim. (For others, see: Falling Kingdoms, The Cruel Prince, Serpent & Dove, Cruel Beauty, Spinning Silver…) And I will bring the Bridge Kingdom to its knees.”ĮNEMIES TO LOVERS COMBINED WITH A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE IS THE BEST MIX OF TROPES EVER CONCEIVED.

The bridge kingdom