For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.

The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It’s losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.

As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn’s–her brother’s–magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.

Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong–the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it’s too late–for her and for her entire kingdom.

Shielded, Kaylynn Flanders
July 21st, 2020
Goodreads

I was immediately drawn to this cover. Look at her. She’s pretty and she’s badass looking. How could my little queer heart not want to have this book in my hands?

Princess Jenna has secret magic, a conundrum, and the will to fix it. Unfortunately, I never got far enough to finish the book. I barely started it.

I wasn’t drawn in. I didn’t feel connected to any character, and I was listless in the setting. I had no reason to care about Jenna’s brother being sent off to fight on the front lines, no reason to care why she had to hide her magic or why the court laughed at her. There was nothing to guide me towards caring about the book.

Despite it having ticked off a lot of my loves about any YA book, it just wasn’t worth forging ahead to finish it. Shielded is a DNF from me.

My Rating:
DNF