Week 12 Review: A River of Royal Blood, A Queen of Gilded Horns

From Goodreads:

An enthralling debut perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone set in a North African-inspired fantasy world where two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown.

Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of blood and marrow--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina's long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne--because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.

When Eva is attacked by an assassin just weeks before the battle with her sister, she discovers there is more to the attempt on her life than meets the eye--and it isn't just her sister who wants to see her dead. As tensions escalate, Eva is forced to turn to a fey instructor of mythic proportions and a mysterious and handsome khimaer prince for help in growing her magick into something to fear. Because despite the love she still has for her sister, Eva will have to choose: Isa's death or her own.

A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.

From Goodreads:

In this sequel to A River of Royal Blood, Eva and Isa must find a way to work together if they want to save their queendom in the thrilling conclusion to this royal fantasy duology.

Now on the run, Eva is desperate for answers about her transformation and her true heritage. Along with Aketo, a small contingent of guards, and the sister she could not kill, Eva flees Ternain in hopes of finding friends and allies to the north--not to mention Baccha--to help her decide what to do next. Princess Isa is a difficult, unremorseful captive, and Eva knows better than to trust her sister, but she wants to. Despite their history, Eva is convinced that to survive the growing unrest in the queendom, she and her sister must make peace. Since the Entwining ceremony, Eva's and Isa's lives have been bonded, and each can only die by the other's hand. This perhaps provides an opening for a truce and a more hopeful future for both the sisters and the queendom, if only Isa would see reason and give up the battle for the throne.

With the two princesses on the run, the Queendom of Myre is on the brink of a revolution. And without Baccha to guide and train her magick, Eva must find a way not only to survive her own metamorphosis, but to unite all the people of Myre, including her sister, by finally taking the Ivory Throne.

My Review:
Well these were two fantastic books! They weren't on my radar, but once I heard of them, once I picked up the first book, well, I couldn't stop! This world was so detailed and wonderful and horrible to these characters, and I needed more!

I loved this world, though there were certain elements that were disturbingly related to how people of colour are treated, with the different races in this world. And there's a bloody history with the monarchy, with the Rival Heir. To have to kill your own sister to get power, it's awful.

Watching Eva's journey progress, learning these truths about herself, learning how to use her magic, it was a really great journey! And it all comes to a head at the end of Royal Blood, and I loved how it turned out! That was really great! 

And then Gilded Horns was even better, because we also got Isa's perspective, and I really enjoyed seeing things from her eyes, and things that we learned from her. It all kept the plot flowing so quickly, and I couldn't put either of them down! Such great reads! 

These were such wonderful reads, and I can't wait to read more by Amanda Joy! 

Author: Amanda Joy
Series: A River of Royal Blood #1, 2
Read: March 25th, 26th, 2021
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Sounded really good, they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Books! And A River of Royal Blood is a DAC Book, and A Queen of Gilded Horns is a End of Series 2021 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book! 
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Published: October 1st 2019, March 16th 2021

A River of Royal Blood: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

A Queen of Gilded Horns:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars