Princess Jennesara wants to help her kingdom, Halendi, by going to war, but she has no magical talent to speak of. Instead, her father believes Jenna can best assist the war effort by marrying the prince of Turia, a neighboring country with resource-rich land. Jenna does as her king demands and sacrifices her personal happiness for the sake of her people. At least, that was the plan, but then her caravan is attacked on the way to Turia, and Jenna learns that Halendi is in far more danger than a war could ever conjure.⁣⁣⁣
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What I liked most about this story is Jenna herself. She's sweet, willing to put others before herself, and is also strong and capable. She wants to solve problems and is willing to put in the hard work to make it happen, and that makes her a very endearing character. The pacing of the story was spot on, and there were plenty of twists and turns for both the plot and the characters, which kept me engaged throughout. This was a really fun, absorbing read, and the writing sucked me in right from the start. If you like strong female characters with big hearts, give Shielded by KayLynn Flanders a try today!⁣⁣⁣

Shielded is about Jennesara, princess of Hálendi, who has magic which is only supposed to be inherited by the heir to the throne, her older brother. War is brewing on the border and Jenna sets off for the neighboring country of Turia. While crossing the wilds between the two countries, Things Happen, and Jenna ends up alone and undercover as a guard in the Turian capital, trying to uncover the truth and help her kingdom.

If you are looking for a pretty standard and easy YA fantasy, this is definitely it. The beginning is rather slow but after that it is engaging enough. The characters are likable, the villains are evil, the magic is unexplained. The book doesn’t really do anything unexpected so having read a lot of YA fantasy I could see what was coming well before the characters, which is a little frustrating but it was still a fun read.

I don’t know what the second book will be about or when it comes out but all I know is that I NEED IT.

This book was everything I needed in a fantasy during this pandemic; and not to sound like Belle from Beauty and the Beast but.. it had a princeESS in disguise, daring swordplay, magic and SO much more! I completely adored this concept of magical tethers and a royal family being interconnected through their magic.

In this story we meet Princess Jenna of Halendi the second born daughter of this kingdom of royals wherein the firstborn inherits magic. But in a twist of fate, Jenna too was born with magic putting her at danger if anyone found out, but with evil mages in the horizon, Jenna’s father plans to send her away to the neighboring kingdom of Turia where Jenna would wed the crown prince Enzo. Setting of on her journey, Jenna is betrayed by one of the least likely persons ever, forcing her to keep faking her death to figure out who betrayed her family to these evil mages.

There is so much action in this book that it’s amazing and it has everything you could need or want in a fantasy, a definite must read!

I enjoyed this book so freaking much!!

Princess Jennesara of Hálendi is considered an oddity to the courtiers in the palace, but she knows her skill with a blade could aid in the growing struggles at her country’s border. Instead, her father, unbeknownst to Jenna until three days before their departure, signed her hand in marriage to Prince Enzo of Turia in exchange for resources and soldiers. But she isn’t just nervous to marry a man she’s never met - she’s been hiding a secret her whole life, one she must still maintain: the white streak in her hair, an outward symbol of the magic in her blood, magic that isn’t supposed to go to the second-born of her bloodline.

She isn’t able to completely figure that out, though, because on their way to Turia, their caravan is attacked by a mysterious mage in gray, who slaughters her maid, believing it to be her. Her whole family has been killed, and now she’s on the run… but from whom?? She has no idea who to trust, but she travels to Turia in the hopes she can learn what she can to defeat the mage who murdered her family, and she finds there’s much more behind these brewing hostilities than first meets the eye.

Ok… This is my type of YA fantasy - the kind that throws you into a whirlwind of action and romance and doesn’t let you go. Of course, I’m all for intricately woven fantasies with expansive worlds and lyrical prose and blah blah blah, but danggg if a book pitches me into the main character until I’m living her adventure - that’s when I’m reminded of why I fell in love with reading in the first place.

And Shielded was one of those books for me. Every almost kiss, every near-death experience, every magical battle, I was there. I was Jenna. And it was the most fun adventure!

And let me just say, I love these characters. And I love the happy endings. And I love the - ok I need to stop, or this review will go on forever. Sure, the world wasn’t super developed, the writing wasn’t lyrical, but this book will transport you from 2020 to a world full of royalty, drama, magic, and hidden identities (I know that alone is a good reason ;). If any of that sounds like your cup of tea (I know it is mine), then pick this one up!!

Thank you soooo much to Netgalley, Delacorte Press, and Kaylynn Flanders for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own!!

This book takes the reader on an adventure that makes them feel like their life is going to change. Regardless of this it seemed to fall just short of my expectations. It still is a really interesting book but will not be on my must re-read list. The world building was good, but for some reason it seemed like there was a slight lack of character growth that would have made this book a 5 star read. Then again it is just my opinion and maybe there is more growth than I noticed when I read it, but until I get a chance to read it again at a later date I will leave my rating at 4 stars. I will still recommend this to some of my family and friends because everyone has different tastes in books and I would prefer them to draw their own conclusions.

Everything you love about YA fantasy but could use a little boost to really be a standout. I loved Jenna’s character and the strength of character she demonstrated. I felt she remained true to herself while also balancing her own desires with duty and practicality. Her spirit captured me and her connection to the princesses was adorable. Other standouts for me were the fight scenes and action sequences. The detailed, tactile writing brought them to life and I appreciated how realistic they were. I loved that Jenna didn’t remain untouched but truly had to fight her way through, unlike a lot of fantasy heroes. The romance was filled with tension, magnetism and warmth, leaving me appreciating the beauty of their connection. Definitely a swoonworthy hero and I fell almost as hard as Jenna. I did struggle with several parts of the story at times. Jenna’s journey to Turania slowed the pacing a bit and I found myself having to push through several times. The switches in POV also left me feeling more confused and re-reading a bit rather than creating the mystery they were intended to. Overall, I enjoyed the story and think YA fantasy readers will enjoy it too!

I received an ARC of this title from #netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a great YA Fantasy! I enjoyed the fast-paced action packed adventure.

Jenna is ambushed with a marriage she didn't know about and then ambushed again on her way to meet the poor sap. She didn't want to get married but understands that she's not the heir and despite her wish to marry for love she is bound to follow what is expected.

When she's ambushed on her way to meet her betrothed she finds out that the impending war is much worse than expected and now it's up to her to save her kingdom and now she has the magic to do so. She's a tough young woman who doesn't let her circumstances keep her from her duty to her people. I really enjoyed her strength throughout the book.

I found Enzo very adorable and enjoyed watching him and Jenna fall in love. He has such a great supportive family which really lent well to the story also. Sometimes the most important relationships are found in the connection the MC has with the supporting characters. I found that in Shielded and really loved it.

I liked the world setting in Shielded and can't wait to see more of it. Overall I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA Fantasy and can't wait for the next one!

Shielded was a delightful fantasy about a princess with secret magic, scheming and powerful mages, and survival. Princess Jennesara has always done what is right by her kingdom and hidden her magic, and when her father inform's her that she will be wed to the crown prince of Turia, Jenna obediently says goodbye to her family and her home and travels with a convoy into the Wild to do her duty. A vicious attack and a heartbreaking loss sends Jenna fleeing for her life into the Wild, unsure of who she can trust. As Jenna seeks refuge disguised as her maid with her former betrothed, she uncovers a dangerous plot by mages for domination of their world. With war imminent, Jenna must put a stop to these mages's schemes and find a way to master her magic to bring peace to Turia and Halendi.
I really enjoyed Shielded. It has a feel of a classic high fantasy with some very good worldbuilding and likeable characters. I liked Jenna's character and her resilience, as well as the way women are portrayed in this novel in general. They do not compete or tear each other down, but support and help one another. I also liked that, even though there was a great romance in this book, that Jenna's story line was not reliant on her love interest to be fulfilled. It took a back seat to her ARC as she survives the attempts on her life and country. This book also had a great number of twists in it, lending the plot a sense of uncertainty as to where it was going to go. This kept me pretty engaged with it. Filled with action, betrayal, and romance, Shielded is a story of a young woman surviving in a world where men seek to take away her power, and how embracing that power can change the course of nations.

Thank Netgalley for an ARC to review.

For once I actually liked the main character, Jennesara, she’s strong, smart and has magic. I adored her relationship with the rest of the side characters. My only negative was that there wasn’t enough romance. I’m a romance lover in any of the books I read. I’m assuming this means this will be a slow burn romance, as there is a love interest in the book. I just hope there’ll be some angst thrown in the make it perfect :) But, honestly, Jennesara seems to a strong character that stands up for herself and the wisely chooses to hide her identity to save herself and what she loves. I willl definitely look forward to reading the sequel.

Princess Jennesara of Hálendi knows that her military skills could save her troubled kingdom, but her father wants to marry her to the prince of Turia in exchange for resources. When her royal caravan is ambushed, Jenna soon learns about a new threat to the people. Revealing this threat comes at a cost, and Jenna has to decide if it's worth it.

Magic in Jenna's kingdom is feared, so she has always hidden the streak of white in her hair that indicates she has it. Her magic is generally only something that tells her how her family members feel, not like her brother's ability to heal himself and others. The Wild lands carry magic as well, and that's feared; plants move to absorb creatures within their grasp, animals can preternaturally follow any travelers going through them, and even the water can lull people into forgetfulness. It's an untamed place and is an obvious sign of Jenna's desperation that she travels through it in order to escape the attempt on her life. Instead, everyone else in her caravan dies.

Jenna caught on quickly that she had to safeguard her identity, and I thought it was clever of her to take on her maid's name and role. As difficult as it was for her to go around an entirely different kingdom, she managed to land on her feet and get exactly where she needed to go. She was able to fall in with people that would be central to the war and gathered more information behind the mages that had triggered its start. History is important here; it's not a spoiler to say that the mages from hundreds of years ago that had prompted the founders of the kingdoms to move to this new land are the ones that are now tearing everything apart to get their revenge.

There are wonderful surprises for Jenna even as there are many struggles on the way to the end of the book. She was betrayed on a fundamental level at the start, and all of it is revealed by the end. While she was able to triumph. I feel there are more than enough hooks for a sequel or two. This world is one I would definitely love to revisit.

I mean look at that cover!!

Now I don’t usually choose YA books, mostly because I find them to be a little formulaic at times. However, when I saw the cover of this book … it just called to me. I had to have it, and I was not disappointed.

This one was hard to put down. The story was paced well and very interesting. A big plus is the main character herself, she was absolutely winning. As a young girl forced to play the game of thrones with absolutely zero training, not only does she do a darn good job of it but she also retains her sweet nature and courageous spirit. She could be a little bit of a Mary Sue in that she is surprisingly good at battling and intrigue once she gets into it but I get the feeling there is a genetic reason why she is predisposed to the life she finds herself in that will be explained more fully in future books so it’s not hard to stomach.

The romance she finds herself in is adorable. It’s not treacly but still sweet and completely understandable … he is a real cutie! The secondary characters in the book are also easy to love, especially the two sisters she meets in Turia. Oh! There is also a family that helps her when she is injured that I find myself inordinately fond of. I don’t think I’ll ever see them in the book again but I just loved them and keep hoping they will show up again. This demonstrates to me the strength of the authors ability to make you feel for and identify with the characters, even background characters.

All in all, I really liked this book and I’m looking forward to more from this author. If I’m not mistaken this is her debut book and it deserves any and all hype it receives. I hope it is very successful!

Song for this book: Hold Me by The Sweeplings

I just read Shielded a couple of days ago and let me tell you it was really great!!!
This book was everything I look for in a fantasy and more. This is such an exciting debut from new author, KayLynn Flanders! 
Overall, Shielded delivered the goods, and I cannot wait to continue with the next installment. Of course there was a bit of a cliffhanger as you would expect, I'm looking forward to seeing Jenna learn how to harness and practice her abilities further as she grows more confident in her power. We've only touched the surface in discovering what she is capable of, and I have a feeling that it's going to be thrilling to see her magic mature. If you're looking for a fantasy that will keep you feverishly turning the pages long into the night, look no further. Your next fantasy read is right here.😁

Shielded is the story of a princess who is on the run from a mysterious force that has attacked her family. It's fairly standard for a YA fantasy but it's got some great elements that set Shielded apart from its counterparts.

The story starts with our main character, Jennesara, a princess with magic despite being the second child. She's hidden it all her life to prevent anyone from trying to challenge her brother's rule. However, when her brother & father are attacked by a mysterious person, with no hope for survival. Jennesara must use every ounce of magic and wit to survive the harsh wilderness and dangerous opponents. I'll be honest, the first half of my book was my favorite part of it. Jennasara's relationship with her family is incredibly strong and Flanders does a good job showing readers how much Jenna cares for her brother and father. When her family is attacked and Jenna can't help them, readers can feel her pain and frustration. You are actively rooting for her to figure out the mystery so that she can get her vengeance.

The strength of these earlier relationships is so strong that there's a huge contrast when the love interest shows up later on in the story. The chemistry between the two was just not as interesting as the chemistry she had while interacting with any other character in the story. Their interactions were fun at first but once it becomes established that there's supposed to be a romantic connection between them, everything else feels slightly forced. There was no spark in their interactions and it left me wishing that the love interest was just a friend because the story is strong enough that Jenna doesn't need a romance. Alternatively, if Jenna was going to have a romance with this character, maybe draw it out until the second book and give it a little more time to grow.

Personally, I think not every YA fantasy needs a romance and this is a great example of one. The world in this story is incredibly interesting and the politics are easy enough for teens to follow but still complex enough to explain the world state. Not to mention the secret history about magic and mages, makes it hard to put down the book when every other chapter is exploring secrets.

I was really hooked during the first half of the book because KayLynn does an incredible job of letting readers explore all aspects of the world she's created. Places aren't just talked about, there are side POVs where characters are actively interacting with elements of the world that the main character is unaware of. It's a great way to let readers experience the world without trying to push a single character POV through all of it.

So when you have a story that's got such a creative world and great platonic & family relationships, there really isn't a need for a romance. It was honestly one of the only points of the book that didn't feel as creative to me. The other aspect that was standard was the plot itself, which follows a fairly typical fantasy plotline. It wasn't bad but it didn't challenge any norms either. I'd say this is an excellent book for teens who are starting fantasy because it's fun and relateable without getting too convoluted and hard to follow.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in response for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I was a bit skeptical at first because with the first chapter I thought we were going to be getting one of those "not like other girls" stories. Honestly it was very little of that and this book had very strong characters. There wasn't insta-love, maybe some insta-feelings, but not love. I really liked how each character seemed fleshed out and thought about rather than put in the book just to be used as a tool for another character.

I also thought the magic in this book was great. It was interesting because it wasn't just one kind of magic and we learned the system as the main character developed her powers. I was ok with being slightly in the dark about how the magic worked because the main POV character was the same. Aaaaannnd, this book had one of my all time favorite tropes, "the hidden royal". I absolutely love when a royal character has to pretend to be someone else. It adds a lot of mystery and the character usually has to show a lot of skills to hide their true identity.

The one thing that did bug me a bit was how the ending seemed to be wrapped up almost too nicely, but no spoilers so I can't get specific .Overall it was a great start to a series and I will definitely continue on when the next one comes out.

I really enjoyed Shielded. The characters, settings, and magic system combined to create an entertaining read. Jennesara is a reliable narrator, and it's fun to see her address the challenges that come her way. I liked her relationship with her love interest (not saying who since spoilers!) though I would have been interested to see it develop a little more through conversations rather than pining after each other. I would categorize their romance as blushing and cute, but no less fulfilling than other types of romance. I don't know why, but I thought more would happen in the first part of the book. It seemed like it took longer than expected to get to the true action, but I do think the beginning set up Jennesara as a character in her original world fairly well. It gave a good starting point to build upon and see Jenna's growth. Once the plot picked up though, I was hooked and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Overall, I am very happy I read Shielded. I'm excited to see where the author's career goes. I would recommend Shielded to readers who like romance, second-world fantasy, strong female narrators, and fights with both magic and swords. :)

Princess Jennesara is hiding her magic abilities from everyone but her brother. As the Heir to the throne he is supposed to be the only successor to the King. With a Battle against mages raging in the north. Jenna’s father, the king, sends her to Talaria, betrothed to the Prince there. All this in hopes that more troops may be negotiated to help in their battle. Along the journey to her new prince something happens that changes all her plans.

I appreciate books that have research in them. I love learning about a worlds history while the characters in it are also learning about their worlds past. I am hoping that the sequel has a little bit more of this aspect in it as they will be trying to decipher a location.

The battles in this book have been phenomenal. The use of language that really portrayed the difficulty of battle physically, and mentally weather it was physical fighting or with magic. I was able to follow these fighting scenes in my mind without having to re-read them for comprehension.

I am absolutely in love with the bond with chosen family that Jennesara has formed. I find it very relatable and inspiring. When you lose your family due to death or personal relationships it is motivating to know that family does not have to be blood. People can love you just as fiercely when you spend the time end effort to build a relationship of love.

I was extremely hooked on this book right from the start. There was never a moment when I felt the energy and suspense lacking. I love the world that has been build and the unique dimensions that this book has brought throughout the story. There are still some things that I feel are unresolved from this book, but I am sure that they will be addressed in the next book. This is keeping me in suspense, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in The Shielded Series.

Oh. MY. GOD! This book was absolutely amazing! I was pulled right in and could not put it down. I am so sad that it is over and I have to wait for a year for the sequel!

Jenna was a strong character without being ridiculously so. I've found so many strong female characters lately refusing help no matter what just on the basis that they can do it themselves. Jenna is not like that. She accepts help from others and trusts people to have her back. She leans hard into the relationships she values and I loved her for that.

I cant say too much as I don't want to give any spoilers but the twists were well done and the action scenes made you feel as though you were there.

The world building was wonderful and the characters felt like friends of mine. I cannot believe that this was Kaylynn Flanders's debut novel! It was so beautifully written and I cannot wait for more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's for this E-ARC.

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Shielded

Author: KayLynn Flanders

Book Series: Shielded Book 1

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: fantasy, ya, magic

Publication Date: July 21, 2020

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (slight romance, violence, slight gore, secrets)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 432

Synopsis: 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.

Review: Overall this book was pretty good. I thought the character development was well done and the book is evenly paced. I liked the author’s interpretation on fantasy set reads and I liked the character descriptions.

However, I did feel like that book is weirdly wrote. Not only did it take me a long time to get into the book, the book has some very weird moments, like when a murderer is on the loose so the royal family leaves… but also leaves two of their family alone. It was very weird! The book also lacked in world building.

Verdict: It was good, just weird.

This book was everything I look for in a fantasy and more. This is such an exciting debut from new author, KayLynn Flanders! I can't get over the quality of the plot and characterization in this novel. I've read many books by seasoned authors that weren't even close to this caliber. I was particularly impressed with Jennesara, the main protagonist, and the way the intricate world was introduced without a dry and boring info dump. As the first in a series, many times you see the pace suffer for a good chunk in the beginning in order to explain the setting and often large groups of characters. That wasn't the case here, as I was engrossed immediately and thoroughly absorbed until turning the last page.

The book begins briefly in the heroine's home of Hálenborg as she's on the verge of turning seventeen. Her father has secretly betrothed her the prince of a neighboring kingdom in order to bolster their weakened defenses. There has been unrest at their borders from a mysterious source, and an alliance between Hálenborg and Turian would be beneficial to both kingdoms. Her father isn't cold or uncaring in trading his daughter for the good of his country, but unfortunately Jenna is not given more warning than a day before she must set out for her new home. Knowing how the marriage will not only help her family, but her people, she agrees without protest to do her duty. Her brother Ren sets out on the journey with her with his own mission, both armed with ancient magic artifacts gifted by their father for protection.

I loved the sibling relationship between Ren and Jenna. Her magical ability of feeling her loved ones' emotions through a "tether" gave her a special connection and closeness. The bond they had felt like that of twins and/or best friends. Her magical ability was different from many others I've read before. She could reach out mentally through their link no matter how far away they were to check on them. The downside was that she couldn't communicate her own back, and if the person died, she would feel pain from disconnecting to them. Jenna grew up hiding her ability in order to prevent any disputes over her brother being the rightful heir to the throne. Typically only the firstborn inherits magical powers, and it wasn't explained yet why this occurred. This is one point I'm looking forward to solving, possibly in the next book of the series. (It's unclear if this will be a duology or trilogy at this point.)

On the way to Turia, Jenna comes face to face with the kingdom's mysterious enemy and what she discovers is chilling. Not only does she have the fight of her life in front of her, she's unprepared and untrained to even attempt to take them on. She must escape completely alone, in a deadly, magical forest that plays tricks on your mind. She proves her courage time and again when faced with impossible challenges. All this while suffering hunger, pain, and trying to survive in unfamiliar territory. This is a strong heroine that anyone would find it easy to root for and love.

Throughout the story, you're gradually fed pieces of information about the history of the three kingdoms, their politics and players, and how a surprising power play effects all three. You learn the history of the banished mages, the Black Library, and a revenge plot that's been brewing for centuries. Jenna must keep her identity a secret in order to learn who she can trust in Turia as she hunts down answers about the enemy. Prince Enzo, his sisters, and grandmother have such a close relationship that she can't help but gravitate towards them. She tries to keep her distance emotionally, but she can't help but start to feel at home with them. There's a subtle romance that occurs, but it doesn't overtake the plot at any point. The focus was always on the fantasy while still satisfying this romance reader's heart.

Overall, Shielded delivered the goods, and I cannot wait to continue with the next installment. Of course there was a bit of a cliffhanger as you would expect, but it's not horribly suspenseful. I'm looking forward to seeing Jenna learn how to harness and practice her abilities further as she grows more confident in her power. We've only touched the surface in discovering what she is capable of, and I have a feeling that it's going to be thrilling to see her magic mature. If you're looking for a fantasy that will keep you feverishly turning the pages long into the night, look no further. Your next fantasy read is right here.

3.5 stars

Princess Jennesara's kingdom of Hálendi is at war and is losing.
Jenna longs to use her skills for fighting on the battlefield, but her father, the king, instead announces that Jenna is betrothed to a neighbouring kingdom's heir in exchange for help in the war.
Jenna has long kept her magic - something that only the first born, Jenna's brother, should have - secret, and will have to continue to do so as she leaves her home and family behind to begin her new life in Turia where she will marry the prince.
But when Jenna's procession is attacked, she manages to escape.
Believed to be dead, Jenna must decide who she can trust as she searches for the truth and a way to save her kingdom.

Shielded is pretty much your average YA fantasy, and while it didn't particularly stand out for me, I did enjoy it.
Jenna was a likeable and relatable protagonist. I liked that she would rather wear trousers than a dress or skirt, and that she knew how to fight and was good at it. I thought Jenna was brave to leave her home to marry someone she'd never met. I liked the relationships she made throughout the book, especially the ones with other girls/young women.
The magic was interesting and I enjoyed reading about it.
The romance was quite sweet at times, but it felt a little rushed to me.
The setting was interesting and I would like to find out more about the different kingdoms.
The plot was intriguing and held my attention, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat. I did guess a few plot twists, but not all of them.
The writing style was easy to follow and I read this quite quickly.
I'm unsure if I will continue with this series or not.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.