I enjoyed this quite a bit though surprisingly it wasn't due to Corene as I would have originally believed. ( )

Princess Corene has made her way to the realm of Malinqua to possibly become the bride of one of the contenders for the throne. She becomes involved with court intrigue and then a murder.
This novel does not deal with Welce and it's interesting spiritual life at all. The romance and mystery are fairly well written but the Elements are what I read this series for and so I was disappointed.

read 6/17/2023 ( )

I've been frustrated in some of my reading lately, picking up books that do not quite suit -- thank goodness for rediscovering Sharon Shinn! The elemental blessings series is a wonderful realm, with intriguing magic and solid romance. There were things about this particular romance that trouble me (power imbalance that was never truly dealt with), but in some ways I find that comforting, in a wouldn't work for me but works for them, go love! kind of way. Also I think we might see it addressed as a footnote further in the series, as their romance solidifies. Also regardless of romance, great political intrigue, murder mystery and worldbuilding, so hey!

I've been frustrated in some of my reading lately, picking up books that do not quite suit -- thank goodness for rediscovering Sharon Shinn! The elemental blessings series is a wonderful realm, with intriguing magic and solid romance. There were things about this particular romance that trouble me (power imbalance that was never truly dealt with), but in some ways I find that comforting, in a wouldn't work for me but works for them, go love! kind of way. Also I think we might see it addressed as a footnote further in the series, as their romance solidifies. Also regardless of romance, great political intrigue, murder mystery and worldbuilding, so hey!

Enjoyed the re-read! ( )

No big magic or mysterious parentage, but court intrigue and character growth. ( )

Princess Corene defies her father and secretly accepts an invitation from the empress of Malinqua to visit. The empress is looking for prospective brides for her nephews, and Corene is looking for a place where she can belong. To her surprise, Corene discovers friendships and uncovers murder -- and realises that if she or one of her new friends ever need to leave suddenly, it is going to planning, subterfuge and teamwork.

Corene was not my favourite character in Royal Airs -- I can’t remember why, probably because fiery and moody seventeen year olds can be annoying. But as a protagonist, I found her very likeable -- I now understand why she can be impulsive and difficult, and I enjoyed watching her grow.

I really enjoyed this. There’s mystery and danger and a gentle romance -- Shinn is good at relationships between people who like to talk to each other. And I was pleased to discover that the secondary POV character, a spy, stars in the sequel.

Most people didn’t care if she was angry or sad. […] But Foley was right. Corene couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t felt both emotions, coiled inside her rib cage like malevolent snakes, hissing through her blood. Oh, she had plenty of days where she could be delighted or amused or astonished; she did not walk the world in some perpetually morose and snarling state. But they were always there, those unattractive serpents, undulating through her thoughts and dreams.
She was not who she wanted to be. And not only did she not know how to make herself over into someone else, she wasn’t even sure who she wanted to become. ( )