4.5/5 
 Absolutely amazing! One of my favourite books of the year! Kelsea, our protagonist, is retrieved on from the home she has grown up to be brought back to and claim her throne. 
 I went into this book thinking it was something else, but I was happily surprised. To be honest, I thought it was another YA fantasy everyone on booktube read but after reading it I know it has much more to offer. First off, you might be expecting an action packed read and that is not what you'll get. You will, however, get a well thought out story that makes you think and catches you off guard. I consider myself someone who loves action/fighting/romance. Even though that isn't what this book is about, I couldn't put it down (except to go to work....). I didn't need the usual cheap thrills that get me through all the other over done fantasy plot lines about a girl becoming queen. Kelsea is different, she isn't conveniently perfect or over the top sarcastic. She really is a relatable "every girl". She doesn't want to fight and kill people, she just wants to do the right thing, and she's scared. Together with her Queen's Guard we move through many tense situations that had me on the edge of my seat (couch?). 
 I will say, for anyone who isn't much for politics and heated conversations, you may not love this book like I did. But if you're growing tired of regurgitated YA plot lines this is a great book to pick up. There really isn't any romance, sorry about that. And there is action, but it isn't relied on to carry the story. This story didn't need those aspects to be great. 
 For anyone wondering why I didn't go for a full 5/5 rating, I felt some sections fell flat. But it didn't negatively impact my reading experience. It's a great book even if it wasn't absolutely perfect. And it pulled me out of my "reading slump".