This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 The Ring and the Crown takes place in an alternate version of England. An version where magic has reigned supreme over technology and America lost the revolution and remained a colony. It's a world of royals and social climbing and dark magic. 
 Melissa de la Cruz has a knack for amazing world building. I felt so immersed in this world even though it looked nothing like the world we live in today. It's obvious how much thought and research went into the writing of this novel - from the clothes, to the food, to the castle and its defences. But most impressive was the complex politics that were the focus on much of the conflict. To say the politics of European royalty are complicated would be an understatement. And The Ring and the Crown reflects that. Alliances are made and broken and you're never 100% sure which characters are trustworthy. As a result there are some excellent twists and surprises. 
 I also really like that none of the characters are "good" or "evil." It was all very shades of grey. The story rotates through a number of points of view and each character has their own motivations. And that doesn't always make them the most compassionate individuals but it also helps you understand why they do the things they do. I definitely prefer books with well rounded characters. No one is just one thing and the characters of The Ring and the Crown prove it. 
 However the sheer number of characters and POVs also worked against the overall quality of the story. They may be well rounded but as the reader you don't get to spend a lot of time with any of them. Their individual subplots are spread a bit thin. Especially the romantic relationships. Couple are thrown together or broken apart so quickly there was never anytime to get attached to them, which lessened their emotional impact. 
 Overall I really enjoyed The Ring and the Crown. I thought it was detailed and compelling - a little bit Game of Thrones, a little bit Gossip Girl. I liked the anticipation of wondering who would come out on top. The ending is a bit rushed but I'm hoping the subsequent books will spread the action out a bit more and allow for further character development. If you like your high fantasy heavy on the drama and scandal then this book is for you.