Trial of the Sun Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos)

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Endured 12 years under the Aurora King. Lor wants to get free and make him pay for every torment he's done. But then she finds herself kidnapped and enters a deadly contest to win the Sun King's heart. The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games. Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart.

i got major King Midas from the plated prisoner series vibes ngl 👋 You know where he keeps Auren in a cage and manipulates her for years into believing he's only doing that for her love and safety. When it turns out he only kept her for her POWERS? Yehhhh This one was like a weird mix of 'The selection' by Kiera Cass, and 'Throne of Glass' by SJM- that tried to pull an 'A Court of Thornes and Roses' in the end. In theory it sounds like it should work, but this was not what I thought it would be. Atlas, the sun king, is the mmc Lor is trying to win the affections of. I was on the fence about him at first, but then he says stuff like, “You’re mine. You’re going to be mine. Imagine if The Selection was spicier and darker, but with fae and a touch of Plated Prisoner series! 🔥🖤 I’m drawn to this Fae whenever he’s in the room. He’s a flower and I’m a bee searching for nectar.”

However, after who knows how long she's been in the pit for, she is saved mere moments from death and is dropped into the Sun Queen Trials of the warring kingdom of Aphelion (aka the Sun Kingdom). Having no proper training, Lor finds herself leagues behind the other 9 contestants. As one would expect, most of the women competing have been training their whole lives for this opportunity, and don't waste any chance to flaunt their clear superiority in Lor's face. In spite of their snubbing, as Lor navigates the training exercises and trials, she learns slowly but surely that while she was never trained formally, her years in the prison prepared her in different ways. She may not have the technique, but she has the tenacity. Lor is an amazing fmc. She’s intelligent, resilient, and a totally bad ass human in a game full of fae. While she was a little naive, I loved watching her grow and get stronger and stronger throughout this book.

Lor is rescued, or is it kidnapped? You will have to find out! She is forced to participate in the deadly Sun Queens Trials to rule beside the Sun King; Atlas. Her conditions seem to have improved drastically, now she has a chance to save her family and rule with a handsome and charming man beside her...but why does it still feel like a prison? But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. She doesn't understand why she was freed, and she isn't a citizen of the Sun King's court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is wiped off the gameboard, permanently.I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, and truly had high hopes for this, but the more that I read, the more underwhelmed I became.

But, with every answer we get, we end up with more questions along the way. There are hints dropped, clues provided, and easter eggs mentioned and I can only draw my own conclusions about what the author is trying to foreshadow. Some of them seem kind of obvious because they're repetitive, but I'm still not sure where she is going with this. I think it will be a very satisfying story once all of the pieces are put together... I can see the author tried to put the “surprise” aspect at the end with the “twist”🙄 but no it’s so predictable and I’m just so glad I finally finished it😭 The fantasy aspect of the book was the only reason I didn't rate this lower. The general premise behind it, although predictable, was relatively interesting, but just was not fledged out. Nothing really got the time to fully be explained. Writing: The writing was so immersive! The world building was just perfect, the descriptions of their surroundings and the character profiles were amazing. The writing really captures your attention and sinks you into the story. When reading about Lor enduring the trials, I was on the edge of my seat, eyes wide, feeling the panic and the fear with her. A really easy and fast-paced read, short chapters. Just everything you would want from an adult fantasy.Ok I get it it's kind of the point because he's the villain that and I can see it from miles away BUT WHY NOT TRY TO MAKE IT BELIEVABLE?! PUT SOME EFFORT IN?! If you just made him an asshole from the start then what's the point?? He tells me of the forgotten realm of Heart and its fallen queen. Its lost Artefact—a crown with a blood-red stone.” I will keep this original review spoiler free and then update ( 1/9/23 UPDATES NOW POSTED AT THE VERY END OF THE REVIEW) with additional speculations/opinions (and will be hidden in a spoiler tag). I'd hate to spoil this book for anyone because it was such a fun read and should be experienced spoiler-free 😊 BUT I want to be able to discuss with everyone because my god this needs to be talked about!! (and oh my Zerra isn't this cover just STUNNING?!) My thoughts and views: Just. Wow. This has to be one of my favourite books this year. Read in one sitting. I could not get enough. I loved the FMC, she was just the epitome of a strong and tenacious woman. Little details getting leaked just at the right times throughout the story to keep me guessing throughout. I can't wait to read the next in the series! if atlas was master of illusion i wondered if he made his super fancy appearance and in reality he’s very repulsive like his personality (the truth about which we will learn only later🙄🙄🙄 we indeed learned it later). he was sleazy with his complements, they had bad aftertaste.