Cover Image: Of Cages and Crowns

Of Cages and Crowns

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Member Reviews

Of Cages and Crowns surprised me. I read a lot of fantasy, about a book a week. This is one of the best I’ve ever read. It saw me through a long wait in an airport, a cramped airline flight, and still I read it late into the night.

There is nothing formulaic about this book. The characters are fresh; the plot works as a whole even as it turns into hidden corners and finds new directions throughout. I lost a night of sleep to it with no regrets.

Brianna Joy Crump is an author to watch. I can’t wait to read what comes next.

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The Game of Cages and Crowns – it was familiar. The object of the game was to protect your goddess-touched card at all costs. There was only one prince card in the draw pile, and you wanted to get it, since it would ‘unlock’ the cage card that sat between the players and the crown card.

Of Cages and Crowns is the debut work of Brianna Joy Crump. This Teen/YA work is a fantasy experience that melds or draws from elements of series like The Selection, The Hunger Games, and The Red Queen. It’s The Bachelor experience for the contestants, who are given goddess-touched special magical abilities at birth, with victory in one on one contests the only way of survival. The MC, Monroe, wins the attention of both Prince Cohen and his younger sister, Uri, as she is forced to participate in a competition that she has spent her whole life hiding from. As Monroe trains and competes she grows not only personally but in her understanding of the bigger picture of the monarchy as well as a metastisizing rebellion that is about the reach a point of no return, which will pit Monroe’s two brothers against each other and make her choose a side.


As a first novel, Of Cages and Crowns demonstrates Brianna’s potential as a solid fantasy writer. Her style is clear, engaging, and makes it easy to be drawn into the world she is creating. Her characters are solid, varied, and have a depth to them. Even though her story uses established tropes she puts her own twists to them. The book concludes with an ending that I didn’t see coming which leaves open the possibility for more of Monroe’s story in the future. Having said all this I just couldn’t get past my fatigue with the continual attempts to mix and match the different series that have been highly successful. While not necessarily a bad idea it just loses it unique flavor and ability to captivate a me. At least in the case of Of Cages and Crowns, it was not marketed to be the next Selection or Hunger Games, which I appreciated. The romance between Monroe and Cohen also had too much of an Instalove feel to it. Since the whole competition is revolves around winning a relationship with the Prince, even though its totally based on the one on one battles between the girls, the relationship and connection between them is a lynch pin in the plot. This story is more of a YA than Teen book in my view because it includes almost sex scenes and highly descriptive violence. I view it as more appropriate for older teens.

While not listed as part of a series, the ending and number of unfinished plot lines, for the main character and a few of the supporting cast, leads me to think there is going to be another book. I will be game to read it if it comes out and I encourage you to experience Brianna’s work for yourself.

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unfortunately this one just jive with my reading when i picked it up. the writing fell a little flat for me and i was a little bored throughout the story.

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In short this story follows a girl who had been blessed by the goddesses and can wield fire, she must compete in an old competition that will determine the next queen of the lands but she does not want the crown. She also become drawn close to the Crown Prince but his dedication to his crown stands in the way.

This was a really fun read, was it the best written? No. BUT that didn't bother me too much because I was enthralled in the story and could hardly put it down! The story has a good ratio of world building/info dumping and plot which leaves the reader able to enjoy what's happening without having to focus too hard on the setting and understanding the world. I really liked how the characters were written and the relationship development between the two main and there were many moments of both joy and heartbreak as I read. In the last third of the book we see total chaos unravelling and a lot of eventful moments which really help keep you engaged.

I would best describe the story and a mix between the hunger games, the selection and throne of glass. All in the best possible ways.

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I love the dystopian genre and this book fit right in. Great setting and world building. The Culling is a fascinating concept and reminiscent of the Hunger Games but the prize is a marriage to a prince - so combine The Selection with fighting and magic. Awesome story! Loved it! Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book!

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

The Selection meets The Hunger Games. We follow Monroe’s journey of being a goddess-touched girl. This is the one thing that she hates most about herself. Monroe wishes more than anything for The Culling to end and to never end up in the arena. What risks are worth taking and when do you feel it’s acceptable to become a traitor? Monroe must decide what is most important to her but what happens if you fall in love with the Prince? Overall, this was a compelling story. Some parts felt overly exaggerated and longer than necessary. It needed a good editing review as well. I will definitely read the next book!

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I received this book for free for an honest review.

Fun read. Not normal what I read but I was happy with it.

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Unable to review at this time. Will review at a later date. I'm cleaning up my netgalley in order to review 2023 books. This book sounds delightful and will read once fully caught up on my account. Thank you for this opportunity! I look forward to reading this book!

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4/5

10 girls from around the country have either been born or throughout their childhood have gained a special power given to them by the ancient Goddesses. These 10 girls must now fight to the death to become Queen once the Crown Prince turned 18 in what’s known as the Culling. Unluckily for Monroe, she never wanted to join the culling and her and her family try everything to keep her safe. But when Monroe meets the handsome, mysterious prince, maybe it would be worth becoming Queen. Too bad 9 girls stand in her way.

Super solid YA novel featuring all of your favourite tropes. Think Hunger Games meets Bachelor meets Graceling.

This book took a while for me to really get into it, but by halfway I was hooked and ready for more. Brianna Joy Crump writes action scenes very well and I couldn’t put down the book when they came. The overall world building was so well thought out and well executed. I appreciated the prologue even though I was confused at first.

I’m verrrry excited to read the second instalment.

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This is the perfect book if you miss the Hunger Game! Think the Selection but add in magic and a fight to the death to win the crown. The whole time reading I couldn’t put the books down I loved all the character and it kept me wanting more. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!!!

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I was immersed in this book within the first five pages. A dystopian world, filled with religious fanaticism and zealotry. The setting is vaguely reminiscent of The Hunger Games or The Selection, but is totally unique. The concept of the Culling is so intriguing and full of strategy, secrets, action, and sacrifice. I was so drawn to Monroe and identified with her deep distrust of the royals and the rest of the government and questioning of the rituals and the temple leadership. Not having any say in your future and being forced into a life or death situation is unimaginable. Everyone loves an underdog. I seriously hope that this world lives on and there are more books to devour.

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Unfortunately, this was a miss and a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into this one - neither the characters nor the plot were intriguing me enough to continue.

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A fantastic start to a new trilogy with a very Hunger Games meets high fantasy vibe.

In "The Culling", Monroe Benson is born with a goddess-touched mark and the ability to summon fire, which means she must participate in the Culling, a competition to determine the next queen of Erydia. However, Monroe hasn't trained her whole life for this and doesn't want the crown, making her unprepared for the fight to the death. A rebellion is brewing in the kingdom as the Culled group tries to overthrow the monarchy, and Monroe finds herself on the front lines of the rebellion's inner circle. She grows close to Cohen, the queen's son and future king, but their different opinions on duty, family, and tradition create tension between them. The choices Monroe makes will affect the kingdom and her heart.

Very action-packed, with lots of romance and twists and turns. This series has a lot of promise, and it was pretty good for a debut book. I love discovering new authors and am excited to see what else happens in this series.

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*I recieved a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

I really loved this book, but at first I was a little afraid that it was going to be very similar to Hunger Games, with the outcome being our protagonist killing some of the other girls in order to get the crown. I really liked that Monroe was constantly pointing out how unfair this competition was and kept trying to convince others that it didn't make any sense (especially given the Queen's viciousness). I also enjoyed that all the other girls seemed to have their own attitudes and motivations, and conflicting feelings about being a part of this queen-making process. I loved that there were emotional consequences to the things that were happening, and that the girls didn't all just brush aside the deaths that were happening around them. I did find Monroe to be a bit of a whiner at times but given the situation she was in it was absolutely understandable. I enjoyed having an ending that I didn't expect, and that came at a cost instead of everything being cleaned up nicely with a bow.

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WHO IS BRIANNA JOY CRUMP AND WHERE HAS SHE BEEN?!

This book was fantastic. I could not put it down. It was like Hunger Games meets Three Dark Crowns meets The Selection. I was so into this world, the competition, the different types of magic, and the fact that these girls were forced into the competition because they were goddess-touched. I can hear my book club laughing at me now because this is the kind of crap that I lap up, BUT IT WASN'T CRAP, I SWEAR, YOU GUYS, SO STOP LAUGHING.

I loved Monroe, Uriel, Nadia, Juno... the list goes on. There were so many characters that I was very invested in. Even the ones that hardcore sucked like Viera, Larkin, and Kace. I thought the pacing was perfection and I liked that the stakes were very real and that Monroe was not a golden child to be saved from participating in The Culling.

I am so excited and honestly, very nervous, for the next one. This has the potential to fall into a bad second book slump and I will be hoping and praying that is not the case.

Oh. My. God. I loved this.

It's quite possible that I just read my favorite book of 2023 in the first 3 days of the year.

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Book Summary:

Monroe Benson was born with a mark on her hand. That, coupled with her unique ability to create fire, told the world exactly who she is. Goddess-touched. She is one of ten such girls born in this generation, and they are all expected to compete in the Culling. The winner will become the new queen of Erydia.

Before you ask – no, it doesn't matter much how they feel about this. Entry into the Culling isn't optional. Otherwise, Monroe would have gotten out of this already. Perhaps it's her willingness to avoid all of this that puts her in the center of a Culling-based rebellion.

My Review:

If you promise me a fantasy novel with Hunger Games elements, you just know I will read it! In truth, Of Cages and Crowns ended up being even better than I expected. It stands on its own – no need for comparisons to be made. It's magical, dark, and full of politics.

Okay, there's also a potential romantic subplot, not to mention a rebellion and lots of in-fighting. It's a lot to keep up with, which makes this an intense read that will go by in the blink of an eye. Seriously, it felt like I was sitting down to read it one minute, and the next, I was turning to the last page.

On that note, I should probably mention that Of Cages and Crowns does end with a cliffhanger. The good news is that this is the first of a three-book series, so more will come! The bad news is that we'll have to wait a bit longer to see how that pans out.

Highlights:
First in a trilogy
Fantasy
High Fantasy
Fantasy Romance
Hunger Games vibes, but with magic

Trigger Warnings:
Abuse/bullying/injury
Alcoholism
Anxiety
Classism
Family death
Body shaming

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Reader’s Notes:

– this is the first of a series (not sure how many books will be in it)

– this is told from Monroe’s point of view

– there are about 34 curse words

– there is scene where both characters’ shirts are removed and are working on the pants before one of them stops the other before they continue

– there is a bunch of fantasy killing & death (mentions of blood, bones cracking, & screams due to the inflicted hurt)

Review:

I removed a star mainly due to the almost sex scene and because some of the killing/death was a bit too much for my tastes (it wasn’t a lot in terms of description, but some of the characters seemed a bit too gleeful at killing others). I don’t plan on reading more of the series since this book almost had the characters have sex on page and from past experience that tends to mean that it will be in a future book.

This story was a bit of a mix of: The Selection series (a bunch of girls competing to marry a prince); The Hunger Games series (a bunch of people fighting in an arena until only one remains); and the Red Queen series (a bunch of people have powers).

Overall, the story was interesting and it held my attention very well. I liked the storyline and that there were some shocking developments throughout the entire thing! I liked that the girls powers were all different in development and how they could work. I wasn’t ever 100% sure how their powers would end up doing against one another and who would end up coming out on top. I liked that Monroe was being pulled in multiple directions in terms of who she wanted to support and what she wanted to do with her time in the palace. I love Uri’s personality and how she cheekily managed to make some moments entertaining and fun for Monroe and the other people around at the time. I loved when Monroe played the card game with Uri and Cohen and how it grew their relationship together. Some of my favorite scenes included: the card game, Uri attempting to matchmake Monroe & Cohen, trainings, Monroe’s fight plan in the arena, and the twists I didn’t see coming.

Summary:

Monroe has always feared what her powers and mark would come to. The Culling is when the ten goddess-touched girls (those with powers and marked by it) are called to the capitol to compete ’til the death for the right to rule by the soon-to-be-king’s side. Though Monroe tries to escape her fate, she is still found and brought to the capitol for a challenge that she wants no part of. Even after she meets the man she’d marry if she wins and gets to know him better, Monroe doesn’t want to kill or be killed by anyone to have her happily ever after.

When the resistance group offers her the chance to possibly live by helping topple the reign of the royals, Monroe is hesitant due to her love for Prince Cohen and her friendship with Princess Uri. After arranging everything to go well for her the best she can, she begins to spy for the group. But if she’s caught, the Culling won’t be the thing that gets her in the end. Treason is punishable by death, Culled or not. And the vindictive current queen would gladly use her poisonous power to draw out Monroe’s death as long as she wanted…

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I could NOT put this one down! Hunger Games, and magic? SOLD. Loved it. I really hope we get more, because it ends on a big cliffhanger.

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This was good, but the concept is overdone & it may be a hard sell to students since it is compared to Hunger Games. The romance was more prominent than the action.

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Oh I really wish I had read this book sooner, when I was a teenager cause it would have made me dream even more. It is a good mixture between The Selection and Red Queen.

Monroe is goddess touched and it means she can control fire and must compete to become the next queen against innocent girls who have other dangerous powers. Only the last one remaining living will become queen and marry the charming Prince Cohen. It may seem like a fairytale, but when you feel another’s girl life slipping away at your hands, then it becomes a nightmare and someone needs to stop it! The love story is very cute even if a bit naive especially for Prince Cohen, who does see the flaws in this way of ruling but is not ready to stop it before becoming king (“if you die at least we had this” well no boy if I die it’s your fault as well and I’ll hate you from the afterworld’).

It seems very strange that a kingdom has been able to survive with such incompetent guide: the king is always drunk and the queen is like super evil and heartless. I would have loved to know the queen’s thoughts at least to empathize a bit with her, in this way she only comes out at a villain with no sentiments, more like a sociopath.

I loved the friendship between Monroe and the princess, it’s very genuine and gives us something to focus apart from the love story but it is counterbalanced with the hatred another goddess touched girl feels for her. I know this girl has been brainwashed since she was little and her hatred makes sense, but it just feels a bit old school: the rival who is ready to do everything to win the crown vs the heroine who pities her.

In general the story really kept me on edge and I devoured the book even if it’s not flawless. I especially appreciated the prologue where the world building is created, with a completely new and fascinating religion.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy.

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