• By Neva Walker
• Posted Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Royal pains?

A lot of people dream of being a royal. While others wouldn’t even think of wanting the life. I mean the crowns, adoring public, fancy parties, what’s not to love? Or is it all an illusion of something much darker? Like corruption, deceit and even murder? Let’s delve into some books that can make the argument for this and you can make the final decision.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdeih

When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry the eighteen boy-king of Khorasan, she decides to do what his other brides couldn’t do - make it through the night to live and see another day. But why would the king kill his brides and were they really the victims?

The Belles by Dhoneille Clayton

Born one of the revered Belles in the opulent world of Orleans, where people are naturally born gray and seek the talented Belles to transform themselves with beauty, Camellia dreams of being declared the queen's favorite before her arrival at court exposes dark and dangerous realities within the palace walls.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C Dao

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng's majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. But in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn into the throne much sooner than she expected.

Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

Murder, blackmail, and betrayal - in one-night seventeen-year-old Danica witness it all and now has to fight for her freedom before her eighteenth birthday. Her ticket out? Glitter. The most powerful, addictive drug in the world and possibly the biggest risk of her life.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

America Singer is living in the caste-divided nation of Illea. She is chosen to compete in the Selection - a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illea's prince. But like a good reality TV shows, it’s what happens behind the scenes that really get you wondering.