To be published 26/07/2022…
The last Seer of Auveny spoke a curse on her deathbed, proclaiming Prince Cyrus’ future bride as the only one who can stop the curse. As the current Seer of Auveny, it is up to Violet to manipulate events to make sure the prince actually chooses a bride before the people grow too restless with their fear. It would be easier if he wasn’t so stubborn and if there wasn’t a mysterious voice whispering of damned futures in her dreams every night. Perhaps if they worked together they could save the kingdom between them, but a lifetime of distrust is difficult to overcome – especially when a pesky thing like lust keeps getting in the way.
I love the premise of this book; it turns the true loves saves the day trope completely on its head with a sarcastic and grittily realistic prophet who is so buried in lies that she treads a fine line between hero and villain. True love will not save the day, but if Violet can spin the tale just right it might avert complete disaster at least. And the rough edges of the truth are nothing that time, and lack of a better answer, can’t buff out.
The magic in Auveny has two sides: the fun and light and whimsical versus the dark and gritty. One moment Violet is telling a bubbly teenager that she Sees her talking with the prince at a ball and the next she is Seeing thorny roses erupting bloodily from a familiar body. Similarly glamours can be frivolous vanity or they can be used to hide untold dangers.
As a main character Violet is perfect. She is right in the middle of all of the action, yet at the same time she lingers on the side-lines. Both seen and unseen, both important and disposable, both manipulator and manipulated. Her character is strategically balanced on a tightrope between bliss and chaos and she walks this fine line from beginning to end. Not once does her character change to suit others or to adapt to the plot. Whenever chaos rears its head, Violet’s pragmatism quickly takes over. Even at the end she is still playing the game of a balancing act. There is no all-in-one solution and no happily-ever-after. This book is messy and it is real and it is brilliant.
Escape to the Bookshelf 