Though this story needs to be on library shelves because of its uncommon setting, historically and ethnically, I found the characters to be cumbersome and shallow. I wish I’d found their intrigues interesting enough to hold me. I didnt finish.

I DNF'd this book almost a couple chapters in. I was not very fond of the writing or the characters and the story seemed a bit out of reach for this author. The premise and the promise of this novel was delightable but ultimately it wasnt presented in the way I hoped it would be. Granted that the writing was fluid and the world building could have done this book justice but I felt that this book was taking too many plotpoints and battling them all at once.

The reason it gets three stars instead of the initial two is because of the characters who were somewhat interesting, entertaining and well written in the sense that they were modern when it came to intelligence and social constructs.

Overall this book is for others and just simply not for me. Kudos to the author for attempting a really good idea.

A prince and once-famous general disgraced by accusations of treason and murder. A beautiful princess whose sheltered life suddenly gets entangled in lies, deceit, and a prince’s quest for vengeance. Villains out to ensure they do not get to live another day. Wrongs that need to be set right. A love that is unanticipated, and born at a most inopportune time.

Interesting plot. Strong, dependable, and well-suited hero and heroine. Scenic description of places and events. Neat and clear writing.

Then comes the very syrupy delivery of romantic lines, periodic mentions of the protagonists’ strikingly flawless attributes, the glaring use of deus ex machina plot device in a scene or two, the hero’s pigheadedness and the heroine’s nauseating crying outbursts... even a love affair that could’ve been realized early on had the protagonists been of a mind to effectively communicate with each other.

Such banalities in any romance story--in whatever genre or form--are usually often enough to spoil my reading pleasure and rouse the cringe person in me. But this book has kept me awake even in the wee hours of the morning, charmed by its story and totally accepting of the protagonists’ cheesy moments and dramatic turn of events.

One word to describe this novel, and in Filipino: kilig.