Casters and Crowns ~ Review

Casters and Crowns 

by Elizabeth Lowham

In a kingdom divided mistrust and prejudice, Crown Princess Aria seeks to broker a peace to stop a war that could destroy her kingdom forever. But her father's hatred and execution of a young boy have pitted most Casters against the Crown. 

When Aria secretly approaches Widow Morton about an offer of peace she had no idea that she was about to forfeit her own life. Aria speaks the words she feels her father would expect of her. After all as king her father is never wrong and never makes mistakes. But Aria's offer instead brings a curse down upon her and all who live within the castle. 

When Baron Reeves seeks to take his father's place within the nobility he is denied. His crime? He is a Caster and therefore not to be trusted, no matter how loyal he has been to the crown. With a steward put in place the secret Baron is protecting is in danger of being revealed. When Princess Aria reaches out to him requesting help in understanding Casters and their abilities he agrees to share information through letters. 

Aria feels that her father's judgment of Baron was unjust. No crime was committed against the crown and worse no trial with Barron given a chance to plead his case. The king's judgment was swift and permanent. And for Aria to question him is a sign of her insufficiency as the next ruler. Her commitment is questioned and she is chastised for it. 

I really enjoyed this book. There is an overabundance of secrets being held. Some of the secrets are revealed early on, but there are a couple that are revealed near the end of the book and goodness they are kingdom changers. I like Aria, her sister, Baron, and his twin brothers. There are several supporting characters who were just lovely. But the king. Let's just say having power went to his head and he was under the mistaken impression he needed no advisors and that he was perfect because he was king. 

This is a book I would highly recommend. I feel it is appropriate for tweens who are testing the waters of teen fiction and is without all the overblown angst most teen books have that make older readers roll their eyes. There is a definite magic element throughout the book. The romance is there but not taking center stage, though it plays a pivotal roll in several scenes.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. 

Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? 

A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.