THE CUP AND THE PRINCE REVIEW

received this ARC From Sparkly Wave publisher via netgalley with thanks, in return for an unbiased review.

"Zora had always wanted to be a hero"

Guys, its not often that i say this...but i had toFORCEmyself to finish this book.

Let's jump straight into my iteration of the plot before we continue with the review:

"Nothing is more dangerous that a woman scorned.

Growing up in the Dark Valley, Zora knew to never trust in the shadows because you may yet meet your death.

But shadows are more than that, the most dangerous are the shadows which lurk within the hearts of mankind.

When the night which should have been a monumental affair in her 17 years turns out to be a nightmare;

Zora is stripped of confidence and full of righteous anger, she takes her sword escapes Dark Valley at twilight to join the one and only...ROYAL GAMES.

While she knew she will face many trials... she never counted on the two princes and one king who throw her life into a world beyond imagination.

...especially one with hair the softness of silk and eye which spell danger. Both alluring but deadly."

Ugh. Guys, i made that sound pretty good right? Wrong.

Let's do a few disclaimers first before anyone thinks me a hater. I didn't like this book. Me, as in my person. So i'm gonna be real and unbiased here. I do not hate the author nor do i thrive on crucifying novels.

Okay, lets move on.

Character personality...was there any?

Romance progression....um...yea i guess? When did they ACTUALLY have that 'aha' love moment i cannot tell you because its a mystery to me.

World building? interesting! doors of opportunities there.

Action? *groans* mostly pathetic.

This novel scores a solid 1.5- 2 stars/5 stars (leaning more towards 1.5 stars)

I know, I know, you're all thinking, if she hated it, why not give it a zero?

Let me explain. This book had so much potential to be something AMAZING. Unfortunately, it was a woefully missed opportunity. The main character is hardly likeable, she's naive and petty as heck and literally gets angry and cries at EVERYTHING. I did NOT connect with her in the least and it became real boring, real fast. Did i mention she cried at everything? yea. she does that. She made it into my 'irritating protagonist' shelf.

Now I don't mind tears but if someone painted me in a...um...interesting you-know-what manner, rather than cry I'd rip it all up and throw it in their face. What does our protagonist do instead? talks about deep world issues relating the portrayal of women and the difference in men, even though they were exaggerated and sexualised too. But noooooo, it's not like hers so we cry. Not do something about it like... set the place on fire...*coughs* sorry.For OH&S please don't set places on fire.

Blood Cup...WHAT THE HECK IS IT? I STILL DON'T KNOW! WHY DOES EVERYONE WANT IT? So, I thought, surely at some point I'll have a super cool mythological retelling that the gods created a mystical cup blah, blah...yeaaaa, I never got that. I STILL don't know why it's a reward, why Griffin wants it and how it can change lives.

And sun Goddess, ma'am, you appeared in one scene and then...WE HAD NO EXPLANATION ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANT IN THE FIRST PLACE. *exhales*

When i was reading this, i felt my age, all my 25 years and i was like, bruh, I'm too old for this kind of irritating thought processing and naïveté...perhaps a 12-14 year old could enjoy this more. And like, no shade on this...but so many sexual idioms were included in this novel, like at nearly every page of the book. It's a young adult book so, technically, its okay...but at every moment? like it got to be such a cliche with things being said like"i don't think she'd like to come..."and the other person replying with,"i thought girls like to come *winky face*."ha...ha...ha... hilarious...

Think of that but every few sentences *eye roll*.

THE INCONSISTENCIES!!!!!! OH. MY. GOSH! Zora is advertised to have being holding her sword her whole life, fighting monsters and being a 'badass' or something like that. You'd think, man, if i hold a sword since i was a baby, like 2 years old (yes...2) then my arms would have muscles on their muscle...but what does our protagonist suffer from?...weak...arms...? get help.

Someone save me and explain how this can be.

Our home potato boy, princey Griffin, has been fighting his whole life, strongest man in the realm and yet his hands are described as smooth and soft *squeals...gag* Again...how? Also Our little Miss is a potion master but she never thought to conjure a truth potion to you know, give it to the person she suspects wanted to kill her? It never crossed her mind. What did she do? Cry. Get shot by an arrow? what to do? kiss of course. And like, what's his deal with his brothers, why are they like that with each other? We don't know because its never explained!

The Royal games...honestly, pathetic. I blameThe Hunger GamesandFirst Yearfor my expectations. They actually made the games in those book something that made my heart pound. The royal games in this book...ugh. Sucked. Like...guys...I can't even.

I'm sad to say that i could probably keep going with this rant but i probably already lost half of you now.

This book has the potential to be great, so author, i genuinely wish you the best for you follow up novel but PLEASE keep the little nuances in mind and give your characters depth so we can like them.

I can't say I recommend this in good faith, but please do read it and make your own judgement. I'm unsure whether i want to delve into the follow up book but i might to see if this gets slightly...better.

Stay awesome my lovelies!

-Emmeline The Book Herald