The plot and romance of this book had so much potential.

Unfortunately the world building and writing ended up feeling rushed and sloppy. Details were overlooked and it seemed like many character choices were made to further the plot, then them making sense for the context and how the character was developed.

The writing read like a movie script and lacked the character inner thoughts and world detail to draw me in. The handful of times we got that the story drew me in. Those were few and far between. Almost all of the dialogue was accented by face choreography, which can be helpful, but ended with me wishing for better choices.

My biggest issue with this book is that each character motivation seemed very flimsy based on what we knew about them. Many of the motives felt author led, instead of organic.

This felt like a third draft and I wish Nation had more time to polish and tighten. Overall, I found myself constantly questioning the characters’s motivations and catalysts. It all felt very forced.

Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.

"A plethora of little moments shape us, mould us into who we are. That’s why that power, that force, is unique to each person. Discovering that truth – understanding that deepest part of you that forces your limbs to move, your lungs to fill, forces you to live, it’s – it’s a rite of passage all of us must face. Never easy, of course,’ she said with a soft chuckle. ‘There is no power, no true power at least, without introspection. But mastering it is what separates the mavens from the acolytes."

At the stroke of midnight on her eighteenth Birthday, Sapphire is transported away from her orphanage home to a kingdom she has never before ventured to and parents she never knew she had. They sit upon the throne and promise her all the love and lavish lifestyle she has ever longed for. But can their intentions be believed? She begins to doubt it when the magical powers and opposing forces also abundant in these lands begin to reveal themselves to her, too.

I really bonded with these characters and I thought the author did a stellar job of introducing the reader to them all and making us consider their plight, despite them often opposing the struggles of others. I could consider all angles of this story and it made the good/bad binaries never clear, luring me into dually bonding with and questioning them all. The stakes were never lowered due to this.

I was less sold on the romance at the centre of this story, however. It was very obvious, which I did not dislike, and very sweet, which warmed by heart, but it sometimes felt a little surface-level. I never felt I truly knew where their hearts lay as they kept their true emotions secret from each other and the reader. I wanted to see them soften even more towards each other and reveal even more of their loveable characters.

The political conflicts and magical intrigue were more fascinating and ensured I will continue on with this series to see what occurs after that explosive finale. I could see it coming but was devastated to having been proven correct!

The Shattered Lands was a book I knew that I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. How could I not when it promises a sapphic fantasy story with a returning long-lost princess to a kingdom with dark secrets.

The story is fast-paced and I found myself invested in the politics of this magical world. It had a nice cast of characters, but the main character Sapphire did get under my skin from time to time. She’s fiercely determined and strong willed, which at times led her to being impulsive and ignoring everyone else. Which can be fun, but not when I as the reader could tell that she was just being a fool. But the biggest thing that held me back from loving the book was the romance. Ashes fell a bit flat for me, and thus Sapphire's love-hate relationship with her just didn’t do anything for me.

With that said, I am looking forward to reading the sequel. Because the writing is good, and the ending was a great promise of what is to come next. It was unexpected and sets the stage for a great sequel.

Coming from Penguin on 16 March, The Shattered Lands by Brenna Nation is a bewitching tale of a lost princess, forbidden love and a magical country divided.

When Sapphire finds herself mysteriously transported to a foreign land, she is initially shunned as an outsider and considered a threat. Her violet eyes cause panic and intrigue.

She is soon accosted and taken to the Queen and King where her true lineage is discovered - she is the lost princess of Eriobis.

Finding herself as the heir to crown of a country shrouded in secrets and in possession of powerful magic she is yet to master, Sapphire soon becomes a pawn in a century long feud which has the potential to destroy the world as she knows it.

Whilst unravelling the secrets of her past, she finds herself drawn to the elusive Ashes, a dark witch that can control shadow creatures with the ability to rip flesh from bone within seconds. Ashes plagues her thoughts and dreams. She is her enemy, her undoing and an obsession she cannot escape.

This enchanting story of sacrifice and forbidden love completely blew me away. With little over a month until its release, I'm already craving a sequel.

The Shattered Lands is beautifully written and fast-paced. Ashes is a dangerously seductive character that I look forward to learning more about while Saphire is fiercely determined and strong willed. I adored both characters and the romance that develops between them is alluring and simply magical.

The ending was unexpected and carefully crafted. A fantastic read packed with potential and promise.

I really enjoyed The Shattered Lands by Brenna Nation!
My favourite thing about this book was definitely the two main characters, Sapphire and Ashes.
It was also really well written and I really liked the magic and world.
I definitely hope there will be a sequel as that ending hurt!
I really do highly recommend this book!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and by god it did not disappoint.

the premise of this book is one of my favourites: princess x witch, enemies to lovers, and while in this book the romance is definitely not the focal point of the story, the parts with the romance absolutely shine.

Sapphire is an absolute ray of sunshine (with a darker side) and her character arc throughout this book constantly had me on the edge of my seat. i regularly found myself going “just one more chapter”. she is the perfect character to follow on the journey in this book because much like the reader, she hasn’t got a clue what is going on. this meant that when information was revealed I was having the same reactions as Sapphire. I absolutely adore her and the way she is written means it’s absolutely impossible for you to not fall in love with her.

As for Ashes, where does one start? there’s a tension between the two main characters straight away, but after the initial meeting it takes a while before we see Ashes again. But once her character gets going, wow. It’s hard to talk about her without spoiling the book. But the way she’s written is incredibly. her motivations and her inner workings are phenomenal, and by the time you reach the last chapter your jaw will drop and you will be so overcome with so many conflicting emotions. i cannot wait to talk about Ashes and that ending with people once this book is out. also, i would have killed for an Ashes POV but the fact that this book is only told from one perspective does not detract from how good the book is at all.

the side characters also hold a special place in my heart. Evera is the best friend we all need. Kaian is brilliant. he exceeded my expectations because i thoroughly doubted him at every twist and turn yet he did not falter. Sapphire’s mother was another character i fell in love with she is the ultimate book mother and i cannot wait to see more of her in the next book.

The one error i have made when reading this book is reading it now. i don’t think i can wait an undecided amount of time for book two with that ending. i’m going to be ripping my hair follicles out by the time it is released. i cannot wait to see where this story goes next.

And a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc so that i could read this one early!

I could not put this book down! I really enjoyed the magic system and world building in this story. The twists and turns kept me hooked and I also enjoyed and appreciated the sapphic romance and strong friendships. The ending left me heartbroken and I’m already looking forward to a sequel!

An engaging read - it’s marketed as a Sapphic romance, but really, it’s more like the fantasy/coming of age/discovery of a young woman, Sapphire, who finds out she’s a princess in a land she’s never been in.

I’d recommend it to anyone who’s interested in reading more Sapphic YA of the fantasy variety.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher as always.

A sapphic fantasy book about a princess and a witch do I need to say more. This debut book was very well written. I really loved the writing style which for me is extremely important because if it’s not good I can’t get into the reading but I really like the descriptions and everything. The tension between Sapphire and Ashes was everything. This was truly great sapphic representation that we need. I definitely need the second book as soon as possible the cliffhanger emotionally destroyed me. Cannot wait to read more books from Brenna.

The Shattered Lands by Brenna Nation.
18 years after her disappearance, the princess has returned. But what is left of her kingdom?Sapphire finds herself in Eriobis with a crown, a castle and too many handmaidens to count. And so her life begins as the heir to the throne of a country she doesn't understand - a country ruled by magic and secrets.That's before she meets Ashes. A dark witch with the power to destroy Sapphire's life and kingdom. But Ashes also happens to be the only person that can help her discover the truth.And the answers might unravel the very world she's come to know.
Omg. A brilliant read. I did like Sapphire and Kaian and Evera and Claye. I loved the cover. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.