Scan barcode
A review by meirinasoe
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am old and have witnessed the same story being told in 1000 different ways, so there’s no chance that any book could impress me at this point… and then this book exists. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And now I'm officially part of the "Put down whatever you're reading and pick up this book RIGHT NOW" crowd.
The premise pulled me in right away because it has the arranged marriage trope, which I love (and also the enemies-to-lovers trope, which everyone loves).
Yes, it’s based on an old premise but it's done in a way that is new and fresh.
The world-building is very, very unique, original and exquisite. The concept of a kingdom shaped like a bridge isn’t something that I’ve heard before.
And it's not set in medieval Europe, or 19th century Europe (that has been done 1000x to death), it's something new and original.
Lara is a spy sent to take down Ithicana, a kingdom that controls a gigantic bridge used for trades. But it turns out, it’s not really a superpower country, but one striving to survive. In fiction, we’re often faced with love interests who are most powerful or wealthiest of everything, so having this kind of approach is very interesting.
Lara is… awesome.
I had to admit that I didn’t really like her at the start, but I was very touched by her actions nearing the ending. And that ending made her one of my favourite heroines now.
Aren is not my typical love interest, but I came to care a lot about him as I see how he truly cares for his country, how much he loves his people and the sacrifices he made for them. It broke my heart to see him like that in the ending.
The romance is the epitome of slow-burn because it is SLOW.
In a romance arc, the couple should move past their initial attraction and spend time together to get to know each other personally. Knowing their interests and dislikes, spending leisure time with their friends and families.
But the only time Lara and Aren spent together was as King and Queen, not husband and wife or lovers- in which she was still on 100% spy mode. So in the end, they still feel like strangers, ready and excited to start anew.
Fortunately, it was done in a way that made sense for the characters and the plot.
Sadly, the part where they really open up and let loose, being vulnerable with each other outside of business and politics wasn't shown in the majority of the book; but was skimmed over in the remaining chapters. I wished it could be shown over the course of the book instead. How Lara ceased to become her father's spy, becoming happier and more herself. I think it's also an important part of her character development.
I saw the plot twist, but it didn't make it any less heart-wrenching when it happened, as I continuously prayed for it NOT to happen.
Okay, there are two plot-twists, I didn't see the second.
That. ending. was groundbreaking! I am ecstatic to pick up the second book.
7/5⭐ (Can I rate it more than 5? Because I must.)
And now I'm officially part of the "Put down whatever you're reading and pick up this book RIGHT NOW" crowd.
The premise pulled me in right away because it has the arranged marriage trope, which I love (and also the enemies-to-lovers trope, which everyone loves).
Yes, it’s based on an old premise but it's done in a way that is new and fresh.
The world-building is very, very unique, original and exquisite. The concept of a kingdom shaped like a bridge isn’t something that I’ve heard before.
And it's not set in medieval Europe, or 19th century Europe (that has been done 1000x to death), it's something new and original.
Lara is a spy sent to take down Ithicana, a kingdom that controls a gigantic bridge used for trades. But it turns out, it’s not really a superpower country, but one striving to survive. In fiction, we’re often faced with love interests who are most powerful or wealthiest of everything, so having this kind of approach is very interesting.
Lara is… awesome.
I had to admit that I didn’t really like her at the start, but I was very touched by her actions nearing the ending. And that ending made her one of my favourite heroines now.
Aren is not my typical love interest, but I came to care a lot about him as I see how he truly cares for his country, how much he loves his people and the sacrifices he made for them. It broke my heart to see him like that in the ending.
The romance is the epitome of slow-burn because it is SLOW.
In a romance arc, the couple should move past their initial attraction and spend time together to get to know each other personally. Knowing their interests and dislikes, spending leisure time with their friends and families.
But the only time Lara and Aren spent together was as King and Queen, not husband and wife or lovers- in which she was still on 100% spy mode. So in the end, they still feel like strangers, ready and excited to start anew.
Fortunately, it was done in a way that made sense for the characters and the plot.
Sadly, the part where they really open up and let loose, being vulnerable with each other outside of business and politics wasn't shown in the majority of the book; but was skimmed over in the remaining chapters. I wished it could be shown over the course of the book instead. How Lara ceased to become her father's spy, becoming happier and more herself. I think it's also an important part of her character development.
I saw the plot twist, but it didn't make it any less heart-wrenching when it happened, as I continuously prayed for it NOT to happen.
Okay, there are two plot-twists, I didn't see the second.
That. ending. was groundbreaking! I am ecstatic to pick up the second book.
7/5⭐ (Can I rate it more than 5? Because I must.)