Crown of Crowns

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Rating: 3.5 stars. 

Crown of Crowns is the debut novel of Kenyan-born author, Clara Loveman. Utilising many well known and well loved YA fantasy tropes, such as forbidden love, there are also exciting unique elements; for example the futuristic sci-fi setting and the introduction of spirit dimensions. 

The story follows Kaelyn as she rebels against her royal upbringing by falling for a commoner. As the plot unfolds, Kaelyn faces many obstacles, and has to question everything she believes in.

I enjoyed being able to see Kaelyn's growth, as well as her internal struggles. The author shows a lot of potential in her writing, and is clearly a born storyteller - able to weave an intricate and complex plot within a reasonably short book. 

Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Firstly.. I need to say WOW. I'm still recovering from reading this incredible story. 

Crown of Crowns by Clara Loveman is set in a dystopian world although unlike many Dystopian novels? This world doesn't immediately feel like it is and you could simply be reading about a world set in the future. The Worldbuilding that the author creates to me, is one of the most important aspects for a reader and Crown of Crowns doesn't disappoint in this regard. 

The world is intriguing and relatively easy to imagine. Loveman has created different areas and they’re described so well that one can visualise each one. Whether it be what separates the wealthy areas from the poor, and the cities versus the still very natural almost from the descriptions; jungle-like. 

I was drawn into the story quickly and utterly intrigued by the characters and world as a whole. I had been intrigued by the book when reading the initial description and had hoped to be lost between the pages, but I can honestly say Crown of Crowns was so much more than I could have hoped.

We are initially introduced to Kaelyn and Roki, best friends and lovers as Roki shows her a world that is long gone but re-enacted to remind the citizens (or more accurately the less wealthy and elite) of a world that is more relatable to what we know as normal now. The image of women mimicking being pregnant as they walk together in a park was a scene I found especially haunting as was that of machines made to represent pets.

This romance goes against what Kaelyn’s family want for her as she's a member of a noble family and thus, Roki being a common man is not a suitable partner. From the moment Kaelyn stands up to her Mother over who she loves and his influence upon her; the world Kaelyn has known implodes and her place within it seems endangered.

I don't want to spoil Crown of Crowns for others so I will refrain from telling you more about the story itself. 

I wished there had been more interaction and background given to the friends Kaelyn has around her as they have along with Roki helped shape the intuitive woman she has become. It is so apparent that it is down to them that Kaelyn doesn't want to live a quiet life and longs to make life more equal to everyone and bring back many of the things such as Market Day, that have been stopped for a more regimented way of living. 

Perhaps that will come in book two, as there is so much we don't know. They are all so very different than one another and I really wanted to know more about them. I theorised that Kaelyn is still somewhat entitled when it comes to her relationship with her friends due to her place within the nobility. It shows both her age and the life she has always known even if she sees faults within it.

This book kept me continuously surprised and I didn't see half the plot twists coming which was a pleasant surprise and I was left with a thousand questions and utter shock at what happens. Crown of Crowns is a truly unique novel and I cannot wait to read the sequel when it comes to hopeful answer half the questions and to no doubt be left captivated again by the wonderful world Clara Loveman has created.

The story follows Kaelyn, one of the heirs from a noble family, met Roki, a commoner, from a party in honor of her parents. Through Roki, Kaelyn was able to see what life is outside Nordhaven. How some people still would like to follow old traditions like natural births. How human beings used to do manual works instead of Protectors (robots) doing their jobs. With Roki’s knowledge of the outside world, beyond Decens-Lenitas, Kaelyn started to question everything that was thought to her.

Kaelyn is so in love with Roki that she is willing to defy her parent’s orders of not seeing him again. She believes that anyone should love who they want and do whatever they want. She decided to stay at home during her brother’s homecoming ceremony. The sudden news of death devastated her family with Roki suddenly disappearing from her life.

She decided to build a charity foundation for the “normal” people. There she met Tissa and Nnati. The three of them become the best of friends.

The coronation of a new king and queen happens every forty years where the Crown of Crowns swoops down from the sky and puts the crown on the head of the chosen one. Every heir should be married before the said coronation event.

Due to the present uprising of the Gurnots, a group of rebels who want to overthrow the present system, news of violence and burning activities are spreading across Geniverd Kingdom.

Due to Roki’s absence for over a year and with the reports of unrest happening in the kingdom, Kaelyn decided to date Zawne, one of the princes of the kingdom. 

I love how Kaelyn has developed from a naive girl to a strong and selfless ruler. She’s smart, passionate, independent, and kindhearted.

This novel is fast-paced, thrilling, and very engaging. I love the world-building, the backstory of the main characters and the plot is well-developed.

Some questions were left unanswered for me like do Lordin’s evil plans took place and if the Gurnots were able to achieve their goals. I hope that the author can shed some light on this matter.

Overall, I enjoyed reading it and it’s one of those novels that made me glued on until I finish the last page.

If you love romance, sci-fi, mystery, and dystopia themed novel, I would recommend this book to you.

I’m grateful to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this debut novel. I’ll surely check out the future works of Clara Loveman!

Crown of Crowns
                                                                                   Clara Loveman
                                                                               Pub Date Aug 11 2020
                                                                                       Romance

Kaelyn is a young woman who in love with roki only that she knows it must not happen she going two become queen one day and her mum and dad forbid the romance they say roki is a lowborn and she must marry into the high clan two protect the people of geniverd The kingdom country is owned by protecters they guard the house she lives in. Roki takes her two the market reenactment day  her parents permit the market the people of geniverd set up markets of goods such has fruit vegetables fish stalls clothes home deco kaelyn loved it here she felt alive her roki was full of surprises  he knew allot of everything she loved it. she knew it was time for roki two take her back home that night she argued with her mother over roki and her mother wanted her two go two her brother ceremony he passed two become a warrior he done his training kaelyn  didn't want two go two the ceremony she wanted two be with roki and she told her mother no her mother said you chose romance over your brother ceremony who going two be annoyed. Kaeyln made her mind up she wasn't going she invited roki round two the house   as soon as they all left she was a nice dress for him dressed up well and they'd walk into the garden for hours unto the fish pond they talked about coming king and queen them selves and what it would be liked they'd talked for hours then kaelyn walked him into the bedroom and they kissed she loved that she wanted more of him but then her brother was coming up the stairs panicking in is voice they mother been killed kaelyn fainted couldn't believe what was happening that month was the worst of her life she spent allot of time greeting the people with flowers and cards they left the city was in deeply sorrow she spent that month working on her charity that lording left her before she died she was going two marry zawne but someone killed her now she takes her the charity of helping others. Then her brother  get married and it was a beautiful wedding she spent allot of time with her brother after her mother died he wanted her two marry zawne and she except the offer they got engaged and just before the wedding the three weeks she went two shoil were she discovered another universe the crown of crown they granted her queen and king only if zawne expected the offer she was ordered two tell him and he did they both went two shiol most night uphill the wedding. The wedding was amazing then she moved into the place the place was something two die for the only problem she was tired after going two shoil overnight she had two by the crown of crown order. She had two run the city how they wanted it two run in shiol she saw roki and lording there they were min she learnt everything about becoming a min she kew that she ha two die two become a min and she learnt that roki was a sprit and she could see him she was shocked she learnt that a min could take over a human body any time and do talk for them they dount know anything about it.
One night the pope of tori was starting fires and a war would be going ahead they were fighting causing fires in the city and town they weren't happy over the marriage of her and zawne she could wait zawne he was in shiol 
The next Moment a disease like a virus flu was sweeping across Geniverd she fought only she could stop the virus she phoned her brother Reid told him the lab wouldn't produced the cure he said I sort it he got hold of the lab but they were no good.She went two the crown of crown for help but they were useless they said maybe lording is behind it she knew the only way she find out was two become a min she knew she had two die and she tole every one she loved then and she was strangled and shot and she was a min she went two lordin she knew she was behind it she wanted power over love she wanted two become queen but wanted the power of it instead she brought on the virus that was killing people she had two tell Reid her brother that lording was behind it he arrested the lab and demanded they gave the cure two them they did and people were saved she felt hero after he know she was a min she new now that her and roki could be together. She apologised two him and fought they could be together and in the end he showed her his kingdom and life he made underwater of geniverd and the crown of crown was retiring and asked them both if they were up for the task of crown of crown kaelyn knew she loved roki and that was that.She loved the fought of being with him for the ext hundreds of years and in charge together. Kaelyn is free now even know she knows the truth about her kingdom of the gurnots and min and shill.

The story is told about Kaelyn, a princess who didn't know anything of her kingdom. Also introduced into the story is Roki, a guy who isn't supposed to be with a girl like Kalyn. Against her parent's Kaelyn sneaks out with Roki and explores the kingdom. The romance is kept light in this book, even if the beginning seemed to imply more, but it was a very fascinating tale and an enjoyable read.

Crown of Crowns is truly unlike any other book I have read.

While the usual forbidden love trope is involved, Clara Loveman changes this trope in a way that truly leaves you speechless. Right when you think you have the story figured out, BAM! there goes a plot twist.

The story revolves around Kaelyn, a 15 year old sheltered princess who rarely knows anything of her kingdom. Since page one, we are introduced to Roki, a young, handsome guy who isn't supposed to be with someone like her. Despite her parent's disapproval, Kaelyn sneaks with Roki and explores her kingdom more. Suddenly, her mom dies, and given their last argument was about Roki and her mother's disapproval, she pushes Roki away, leaving him angry and confused. As Kaelyn struggles to move on and marries another man, when her kingdom is threatened by a secret rebel organization, and Roki's entrance into her life... Kaelyn begins to doubt what is true and what isn't, slowly forming into more of a formidable queen. The romance is light in this book, considering that the beginning seemed to imply more, but it was an interesting tale with the fantasy elements, the fancy tech, and characters that really stick with you. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

“”The Crown of Crowns has known all along”, he finished. “You and I are destined to be a team.””

Synopsis: This story is set in a society of monarchs and noble, where there is a small portion of them and a large mass of poor commoners. They follow by a certain code and rules — robots do all the tasks and protecting, rations are given out monthly since food markets are banned, and no one can experience pregnancy. Kaelyn is a progressive young noble-esque who believes that society should be changed. 

Review: I absolutely loved how, even at 15, Kaelyn knew that certain rules should be questioned and society should be progressive. Even when she grew up years later, she still stuck to her morals and beliefs about what a society should act and be like. Kaelyn isn’t a rebel or a delinquent, but rather believes that there should be change. She believes that commoners should be able to hold higher positions, and women should be able to experience pregnancy instead of test tube lab babies. Throughout the story, I could see more and more of how justice oriented Kaelyn was, especially near the end. There were some moments where I thought I knew what was happening, and then the author took me to a completely different outcome. There wasn’t as much physical romance as I would have liked, but enough to keep me engaged throughout the book. There was a hint of forbidden romance, and the amount of discrepancies between the three of them had my jaw dropped multiple times throughout the story. The romance wasn’t steamy, but the emotional aspect was all I needed to keep going.