***I was provided this sneak peak ARC in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Penguin Publishing Group****

This sneak peak was centered around te exciting new series by Amanda Joy. The story is set in a fantasy world resembling north African culture with sprinkles of magic added in. The prolog had intrigued! They mentioned Fae as well as human types!!!! Now This sounds like it is going to be right up my alley! Then you find out that the potential Mc has Magick of marrow and blood ~ Epic Badassery in the making~ but what does that mean? Apparently it means that she is going to annihilate the entire future Queendom! So now I am ready to see how this is about to go down!!!

The author did a fantastic job setting up the dialog, building us a phenomenal new world where Queens seem to battle to the death for the sake of their spot to rule the world! I read this excerpt in like ten minutes- okay, more like devoured! Now I am beyond hooked and cannot wait to see how this series unfurls! BRAVO! i already purchased the book lol

#HereTakeMyMoney!

I received sampler chapters on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The world and the characters are well set-up in the first few chapters. The different races seem very interesting and I love the idea of the magic system! The pacing was quick but focussed, and I'm expecting a thrilling read for YA fans!
We follow princess Eva, rival heir to the throne. As is tradition, she will soon have to fight her sister to the death to decide who will be the next queen. This causes a very interesting family dynamic and I'm really looking forward to see how the sister's relationship will develop further along the book!

I'm very excited about this book. It has elements Leigh Bardugo and Tomi Adeyemi, and while it hits all the expectations for epic fantasy, it feels fresh and new. . . because our main character is tortured but doesn't easily show it. It's nice to read a woman who isn't cowed by her tormenters but finds a way to fight, even when she has to do it through tears.

I just read the excerpt of this that is featured on Netgalley and found it very intriguing and will certainly read more. Two sisters with very different magic and seemingly agendas is an interesting idea and hopefully the finished book will fulfil its potential.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A River of Royal blood sample
By Amanda Joy
A reminder of her strong female heroic saga. Think really sparks the reader to read the whole story. The Characters are dynamic and enduring.

First of all, why the cover change? What intrigued and attracted me was the other amazing cover, this is not as appealing.

But now, on to the plot. These were just a couple of chapters, so nothing big happened, but I believe the characters and the setting and the world-building were all well introduced without info dump. I'm intrigued by the story and curious on how it will go on. I would have liked if the protagonist was a bit more interested in the court intrigues and more willing to fight, but I want to believe that she will develop into a fierce queen. I also hope that eventually the relationship between the two sisters and together they will be able to fix all the problems in the kingdom.
Can't wait to read what comes next!

I only read the sneak preview but this has been added to my TBR list for 2021. I love the premise of the book and I can't wait to read the rest!

I have only read a sneak peek - but what I read was very intriguing and I'm anxious to read the rest of the story!!

So far - 4.5 out of 5 stars.

A River of Royal Blood // by Amanda Joy (Sampler)

The premise for this book sounds very intriguing. I liked how we already learn a lot about the setup of this world in the first couple of chapters. There are two clear sides so far and it's easy to want to root for Princess Eva right from the start. To know that the struggle between her and her sister is looming is exciting but also worrying due to the knowledge we gain about their magicks. While this doesn't have the kind of wordy world-building you expect from fantasy writers like Sanderson and Paolini, it seems to be more focused on action as a faster-paced novel. I am interested to see more of this.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this free sample in exchange for an honest review.

I received a sneak peek of this and I got to say I am really intrigued. Eva is someone I can relate to and I can’t wait to read the rest to tell about my thoughts. But as of now from what I have read, it is looking to be one of the best novels of the year.

The relationship between the sisters is compelling and raw, the world building is actually out of this world, and the plot was well thought out and thourough. Paired with the engaging characters, I would recommend this book to everyone!

I am highly anticipating the sequel!

From the first chapter I was grasped and thrown into this magical world. It was everything I could ever hope for in a first chapter and then I got to the second chapter and I was amazed at the world building and how it was put together. I went to continue reading and realized it was only the first two chapters so now I have to buy it!

I loved the diversity in this, and I was pulled in by the promise of a North African inspired world.

There's definitely a lot of world building in these first couple of chapters, perhaps a bit too much at times because it can get a bit info dumpy.

I did enjoy the descriptions of the different races and I'm interested in knowing more about them! Particularly the bloodkin and the khimaer (also horns are mentioned so I'm excited to meet a race with horns!)

All in all I'd say the first few chapters have me very intrigued and I'm excited to learn more about the two sisters and their eventual fight for the throne!

Many thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for a chance to read this chapter sampler in exchange for some initial impressions.

I enjoy the premise and the concepts of magic. The world already sucks you in, it's a fascinating world and I am eager to know what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this sampler.

I’ll definitely look forward to reading this book when it comes out and the series. It reminded me of the Three Dark Crown series, where the queens rival against each other to become the sole ruler.

I was sucked into this book right from the beginning and loved every page of it! It was different from my normal genres but I loved it. The world of magick that this story encompasses is enthralling and made me want to know more of this history of this land.

The rivalry that is created for the crown between Eva and Isa is part of a tradition that was started a few centuries ago that is meant to have the strongest queen and eliminate a future rivalry. However, it doesn't foster a loving environment for the royal family. With that said, I still loved every part of the story and want more of this story.

I highly recommend this book!

The premise of this is very intriguing, but unfortunately the sample didn't manage to grasp me enough to continue with the book. The writing felt too simplistic and far too 'tell me' instead of 'show me'. I didn't manage to wow me and it didn't seem like anything new or special. The plot, however, seems like a lot of fun. I just wasn't a fan of the writing style so I don't think this is the book for me.

What a great start to a new fantasy series! This is definitely one I will be adding to my collection, it had me in the first paragraph. The world-building and magic was well written and thought out, I can’t wait to read more about Princess Eva. I only wish I had more chapters to read.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, and Netgalley for a free chapter sampler in exchange for an honest feedback.

I will definitely be adding A River of Royal Blood to my collection! Upon reading this chapter sampler, I was fascinated by the world-building and mysterious magic. I absolutely want to read more about Princess Eva and her adventures. It sounds like this will be a very high-stakes and lush fantasy. A River of Royal Blood is out now. Thank you to Amanda Joy, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Netgalley for a free chapter sampler in exchange for honest feedback.

The worldbuilding and atmosphere of this story is rich and compelling, if not a little overwhelming. I thought the characterization was a little weak until the introduction of the MC’s sister, Isadore. She is quite terrifying and I would like to see more of her. The writing could be stronger, but the story has definitely hooked me.