Heart of a Royal
4.8
17
5
1
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781946531537 |
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| Publisher: | Whitefire Publishing |
| Publication date: | 10/15/2019 |
| Series: | Daughters of Peverell , #1 |
| Pages: | 308 |
| Sales rank: | 874,483 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.69(d) |
| Age Range: | 13 - 18 Years |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Heart of a Royal
4.8 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
19 reviews.
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She's not royal, but she just may be a princess...
I have to admit that I wasn't exactly sure what I would be in for when I decided to read Heart Of A Royal. I knew that I was in the mood for something different than the usual romantic suspense and historical genres that I usually read, but that was all. Again, I'll be honest, I've never been into princess stories, I liked Disney's animated Robin Hood much better than any of the princess movies. But there was something about this book, maybe the cover appealed to me, maybe it was the blurb, but I did WANT to read this book.
And I was pleasantly, well surprised isn't quite the right word, maybe pleased is, to find that I really enjoyed the book, every bit. Yes, it's a YA novel complete with all of the accompanying tropes, you know, the secret crushes, parties/balls, insecurities, petty jealousy, and the struggles fitting into the adult world. But Hannah Currie managed to pull it all off in a story that even I, as a long past YA reader, could both enjoy and even somewhat relate to. One of the big pluses in my estimation is that, while the story is set in the fictional country of Peverell, the technology, clothing, and scenery could be anywhere, making it familiar and easy to read.
Heart Of A Royal is amusing, entertaining, but with a few surprises up its sleeve. There is romance, of course, and humor, as well as some touching moments, but there is also loss, betrayal, danger, and the villains may not be who or what you might originally have thought them to be. Hannah Currie has penned a charming and delightful story, one that I enjoyed and didn't want to leave. And I can say with all sincerity that I am greatly looking forward to the next book in the Daughters Of Peverell series.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie is the first book in the Daughters of Peverell series and definitely worth reading if you love wonderful fairy tales with perfect happily ever afters.
Mackenna Sparrow's life is about to drastically change. The princess is engaged to be married and after serving as her companion since birth, Mackenna's services are no longer needed and Mackenna is struggling with this life change that has her leaving all that she has ever known and come to appreciate and love.
This change is causing her so much stress and along with it she is finding it difficult to not only trust herself, but also the prince she has fallen in love with.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series and by this new to me author in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
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With a voracious teen reader in my household, I try to read as many young adult books as I can to give her lots of options that I feel I can trust. Hannah Currie's debut novel appealed to me with its story of royalty-like status without being actually royal, so even though WhiteSpark is a publisher I trust for my child without prereading, I was eager to see where the story would go.
Like many older teens, Kenna is facing some upcoming changes to her life, but these changes are a bit more drastic than graduation. She faces a complete change in status, lifestyle, living situation, and even friendships. Seeing how she navigates these adjustments, sometimes well, other times with mistakes and misunderstanding, forms the basis of this novel.
But there is more to it than that: there is also the ever-present threat posed by the Rebels, a group the reader knows little about, but can feel the fear radiating from several of the characters. Their ultimate purpose is largely unclear, but being one of them is reason enough for lifetime exile from Peverell if discovered. This underlying tension adds some urgency to her own journey of discovery.
For me, the best part of this story is watching Kenna begin to understand her heart, to realize what she wants and with whom she wants to experience it. This may seem like something she should have already known at 17, but when her entire life had been scheduled and dictated for her prior to the start of the novel, her inexperience is both unavoidable and understandable.
This is a beautiful coming of age tale that explores how we understand ourselves and those around us, and how we balance the many facets of life like love, duty, honor, loyalty, and relationships. With twists that keep things intriguing, this young adult novel has just a little bit more meat to it without feeling overwhelming or instructional. I think those who have an interest in tales of royalty will really enjoy it; any romance reader will as well, regardless of age.
I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
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Come on!
I wasn’t prepared for this book.
When I read the blurb I already figured out how the story will go in my head. But the author gave me a smackdown with the twists of the book.
I’ve read hundreds of books, I’ve seen how authors weave the story around God and his love for you but never like this book. It knocked me off my feet. It challenged my mind. This book has set a new narrative for Christian fiction and it is more wonderful that it is in the category of Young adult Christian fiction. This has been the most innovative book on how to introduce young adults to God and the realities of life.
It is fiction but it contains eternal lessons for everyone.
In the pages of this book you’d meet Mackenna and Thoraben whose lives were thrown together by a fate, faith and plan bigger than life itself. I love the stories God writes because they are always the best. The story revolving around the life of Kenna and Ben is one of those stories.
When I saw the word Rebel in the book for the first time, I immediately give a sinister meaning to it like everyone would at the mention of the word Rebel but as I read on I got to know that we all as children of God who have chosen to take a stand for God are viewed as rebels in the eyes of the world. And that’s okay because the only rule and kingdom that matters is that of God.
You should get this book and read it. It will be a wonderful gift to your young adult, teens.
“What made someone choose to believe in something they couldn’t see, especially when doing do could have them punished and throw out of the kingdom”?
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
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I just loved this book! From the mesmerizing cover to the beautiful realm within, this book is a treasure. For a debut author, I was super impressed with Hannah Currie's ability to pen such believable characters with a layered plot in a modern fairy-tale setting.
Although Kenna had been raised with all the privileges of a princess, she knew her place and was not spoiled. She loved the people of the kingdom and did what she could to help the poor. This book was written in the first person, and it was interesting as a reader to compare Mackenna's thoughts with the reality of what was happening around her.
The setting of the kingdom and of palace life was sumptuous, as was the plot, which was revealed in layers that led to a very satisfying conclusion. Readers will appreciate the moral and spiritual themes that are presented very naturally.
I love a good princess story, and I highly recommend this one. Fans of Lori Wick's The Princess or Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding series will be thrilled with this book. It is a Young Adult novel, so you can read it and pass it on to your daughter.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, WhiteSpark, through Celebrate Lit, for review purposes. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
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Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie is the first book in her Daughters of Peverell series. Mackenna Sparrow was brought to the palace as a newborn. She was to grow up as a companion to the Princess Alina. Now, that Alina is engaged Mackenna is no longer needed and is sent away from the only life that she has ever known. Now, she must adjust to living as a commoner. Even though this is a young adult fiction I really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a fan of the rags to riches princess story. The love and compassion of Mackenna shines through her every move. The way the Prince treats her is so sweet. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.
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My Thoughts on Heart of a Royal:
I love a good romance! And who doesn’t love a good royal book? Let’s admit that most young girls fantasize about becoming a princess at some point or another. I’m not really sure we grow out of that as we get older. We still wonder and fall in love with the royalty of our world.
Royalty in books is nothing different. We still fall in love with them and want to see what their life is like. They still make us wonder and hope and dream about living in a castle.
But what if life as a royal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? What if you don’t want to have the spotlight and just want to be able to curl up in a corner with a good book instead?
I would probably be one of those royals that wanted to be a hermit in my room where no one could see me and would dread all those royal engagements where I was in the public eye. So enter this fun book!
You’re going to love getting to know Kenna and her role in the royal family. She’s real and she’s honest and she’s going to steal your heart. You won’t be able to put the book down.
Is it a mystery or suspense or something that’s going to make you keep the lights on? No. No, it’s not that at all. It’s more of a feel-good romance with a few plot twists along the way.
The author has an amazing voice and you’ll love reading this book. You’ll become one of the characters and won’t want it to end. That’s the best you can ever hope for in reading a book.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
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Many little girls dream of being a princess. Mackenna received that opportunity when she was little. But when she gets older she faces the reality of being sent back to the common roots she was from originally. Falling in love with a prince does suit the personal plans of the king.
Trying decide who’s to trust and what to believe can be hard. Mackenna faces that decision. Her struggle is worth reading about.
The characters are interesting and the story is captivating. This first book in this series is definitely worth reading. Check it out for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
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I have found a new author I LOVE!!!This book tugged at my heart like the first book I read my Melanie Dickerson. My heart ached throughout this book.
I had to keep reminding myself this is a young adult book and that Kenna was only seventeen (the same age as my daughter) because I kept picturing her older.
I did wonder throughout the book where God was? But then I got a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. Loved it.
At times I did wonder how Kenna could be so blind to obvious things but again, she is only seventeen, so that is realistic.
I can not wait for the next book in this series!!!
A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.
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“Having a heart that cared was nothing to apologize for, even if one was a maid.”
Such a surprising and delightful debut novel from Hannah Currie! Yes, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and there is definitely an ethereal romantic element of a country named Peverell ruled by a monarchy and the dazzle and glamour of royalty, but the book is so much more than another sweet YA prince-falls-in-love-with-a-commoner trope. There is a certain layer of politics and intrigue woven into the storyline and the way faith is integrated into the plot and characters is refreshing and fascinating. Kenna’s almost 18 year old voice is fresh, quite mature for a teenager but also peppered with temper tantrums, recognized selfishness, and flighty thoughts to remind us that she is still indeed a teenager. Prince Thoraben is amusing, absolutely adorable, patient and thoughtful. The story is told in Kenna’s first person voice only, which paves way for us to walk in her shoes and feel all the whirlwind of emotions she experiences.
Wow, I could not put this book down. If you enjoy YA novels, you will absolutely love this book. I’d love a sequel (maybe there will be one since the book is subtitled “Daughters of Peverell”....).
I received a copy of the book from WhiteFire Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
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Heart of a Royal by author Hannah Currie is a delightful Young Adult Romance Christian novel. It is not the typical Princess book, and for that reason it captured my attention and held it. I have not read anything by this author before and was pleasantly surprised.
Author Currie has a very nice style of writing. Her story flowed smoothly like hot fudge over ice cream. The characters were relatable and lifelike. I even enjoyed their flaws and wanted to give them advice. They felt like young friends.
The setting was in a place that seemed part Contemporary and part Fairy Tale. The palace was well described and easy to imagine. A lot of young ladies most assuredly dream of living life in a palace. They will love getting lost in this book. It provides some surprises to make the story interesting.
inspiration and faith are woven in expertly. Love is a beautiful theme especially for a YA book. Mackenna and Thoraben made a cute pair and sparks flew off of the pages. This was a sweet romance.
I definitely recommend this book. It would make a well received Christmas gift. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.
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It was a pleasure to have an opportunity to read Hannah Currie’s Heart of a Royal, the first installment from her Daughters of Peverell series. I have not read anything by this author before and it surely will not be the last. I loved this sweet story. What I thought to be just sitting down to read a chapter or two, turned out to be reading the whole book! My chores may have suffered neglect at that time, but it was definitely worth it. Miss Currie has written a beautiful tale of romance with action and adventure that kept me intrigued until the end.
I am giving Heart of a Royal a very well deserved five plus stars. I am eagerly waiting for the next release from the Daughters of Peverell series. I can not wait to see where the author’s imagination will take her readers to next. This one is not to be missed.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
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I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I couldn’t help it! Honestly, the reason I wanted to read this book so bad was because the cover was absolutely beautiful! Anyway, let’s talk about the inside. This story is set in the fictional kingdom of Peverell and the author wrote about it in such vivid details that it made it really easy for me to imagine what the kingdom (especially the marketplace) looked like. A character that stood out to me in this story was the main character, Mackenna (Kenna). She’s a commoner, who has grown up in the palace alongside Prince Thoraben (Ben) and Princess Alina (technically, she was Alina’s companion, but was more like her best friend). Mackenna never saw herself as royalty and although she knew she was blessed to live in the palace, she always considered herself a commoner – that is, she did until she was forced out of the palace and realized just how hard it was. I also really liked the friendship between Ben and Mackenna (even if it was a tiny bit predictable). Overall, the entire story has a “modern day fairy tale” feel and it keeps you entertained and engaged until the very last page (I was thrilled when I saw that this book was the beginning of a series, because I didn’t want the story to end!). I really liked the friendship between Ben and Mackenna – even if it was a tiny bit predictable; however, there are several twists in the story that are totally unexpected and help balance the predictable. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars****
I want to thank Celebrate Lit and Hannah Currie for letting me read and review this book - all opinions are my own.
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OPENING LINE:
If mortification could kill, I’d be six feet under.
Don’t you just love that opening?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
To truly share my first impression, I need you to read the rest of the first paragraph:
And Nurse Kristiann over in the corner would probably still be trying to hide her laughter at the funeral. Some help she was. A word, a jerk of the head, even a cough would have been enough to warn me the three of us were no longer alone.
This single paragraph was all it took for me to know I really liked Mackenna Sparrow. Her sense of humor, her humility and her flawed humanity are all right there, making me want to know more about this young woman. Then, we find out she’s gotten herself into trouble as a result of trying to distract a sick young girl from her misery. How could I not fall in love with this heroine?
And without giving too much away, let’s just say when we meet Prince Thoraben on the very next page, his actions let me know this is going to be a romance worth remembering.
EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT & PACING OF THE STORY:
From the first scene, the characters engaged my heart. By the end of the first chapter, I was well and truly hooked. I had to see what became of these characters and this kingdom. So much was at stake. I couldn’t put the book down.
ELEMENTS I ESPECIALLY LIKED/DISLIKED:
There were several events that I did not see coming and yet they fit the storyworld perfectly. I love being surprised as a reader.
Also, having read many royal romances (including the popular (and general market) Selection series that bears similar-looking covers), before I began reading I was a bit worried that this book would have a too familiar feel to it. Let me assure you right now–it does not. There is no other book like Heart of a Royal. That’s a difficult thing to accomplish in a genre so well covered, but Hannah Curie has managed to write something fresh and wonderful. This is a book I not only loved reading myself and would recommend to friends, but one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to any teenage girl I knew.
THEME:
The theme of this book is about discovering self, God, and purpose. It’s about being brave enough to stand for what’s right and true. It’s about love and loyalty.
ENDING:
I love that the conclusion of this novel was about more than just the love between two people. I can’t say much more without giving too much away, but I will say that this ending with so rich with meaning it deserves a reread, or even two or three. And this novel will definitely provide plenty of rich discussion material for any book club. I am SO glad this isn’t a stand-alone novel (although it could read as one) and that there will be more stories to come involving this vibrant storyworld and engaging characters. I can’t wait to see what Hannah Currie releases next!
NOTE: I received a free digital copy of this book, but I was NOT required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are 100% sincere and 100% my own.
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This book is so enchanting, so beautifully written and so engrossing I didn't want it to end. As I read the book I thought of Lady Dianna and how unsure she was as she became the most photographed woman in the world. Her life changed so drastically the moment she said I do. As little girls many of us dream about marrying a prince and living in a palace. Those dreams sometimes come true but at a cost.
Kenna is a wonderful character who has grown up in a castle where she was given the name Lady Mackenna. Many people hoped one day that she would become queen. In one moment her life was almost perfect and then in the blink of a eye she was exiled from the palace. I disliked the King and how callous he was in his treatment to Kenna. The king was bitter over losing his wife and for some reason had it in for Kenna.
Oh Ben be still my heart. The Prince was everything I hoped for in this story. He is handsome, kind, thoughtful and has a big secret. It was easy for me to see how much he loved Kenna, but she kept denying it in her head. The author has written a book so romantic and entertaining that I kept hoping the story would never end. It was easy to picture the ball and the lovely gown Lady Mackenna wore. Her grace and Ben's charm were nothing short of a fairy tale romance.
I loved reading how an unexpected event draws Ben and Kenna closer together despite his father's demands to stop seeing each other. I liked Ben's ability to follow his heart and not be threatened by his father. Towards the end of the story, the author throws in a wonderful glimpse of God and how much He loves everyone. The ending is touching and the story shows how faith has guided several people in the story. I was captivated by the devotion Ben and others had to something that could possibly get them killed. It is a beautiful story written with such grace, vivid descriptions and the unconditional love of the one true King.
I received a copy of this boo from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
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If I could describe this book in only one word, it would be “intriguing”.
This book grabbed my attention from the very first page. It’s a little hard to put this story in an exact time and place which makes it even more intriguing. At times I thought I was reading a “modern” fairytale, but then something would happen to make me question if it was actually set in a modern time period or a more historical one. The author does a great job describing the palace and the “kingdom” and making it seem as if the country of Peverell could actually exist.
The character of Kenna is compassionate, thoughtful, and has a deep sense of loyalty to the kingdom. She’d make the perfect princess or Queen—except she’s not born to royalty. She’s been raised in the palace from babyhood and treated like a princess and companion to the royal princess Alina; even had palace duties and made public appearances on behalf of the royal family. But Alina is now engaged, and Kenna’s role in the palace is no longer needed. She finds herself now leading the life she was actually born to—that of a commoner. Ben, the oldest royal son and next in line to become King, does not look at Kenna as a “little sister” anymore, although Kenna does not realize this. Their love story has quite a few obstacles to overcome, and that’s what kept me reading until I finished the book. Ben’s a good guy, and wants to be Kenna’s hero.
But all is not well in the Kingdom. There’s a challenge to worship and faith. This part of the story raises some interesting questions and I’d love to be in a group discussion about this aspect of the book.
And it’s not often that I think this, but this cover was PERFECT for this story!
This clean, sweet story is great for Young Adults-up. And now I’m waiting to see what happens next in the kingdom of Peverell.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Typically this is not a book I would pick up and read. But since this is a new author and series I thought I would try something out of my normal. Little did I know how much I would LOVE this book! The characters were well written and developed, even the secondary ones. I enjoyed the setting of a royal household and also Peverell. There is a lot more depth to the story than I was expecting and honestly the way it was written just made this a fun book. The ending has a surprising twist and while some parts are predictable it still had me staying up late turning pages. I am ready to read the rest of the series now so I hope Hannah keeps writing her stories! This book I think might land in the top ten books of the year pile. I am so thankful to discover a new author and I highly recommend if you are needing a fun new adventure!
Five stars.
"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
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While most little girls dreamed about being princesses, in the fantasy of my imagination I was a prairie girl—funny, really, because my name is Hebrew for “princess.” I watched all of the Disney movies and read endlessly, so I had a passing familiarity with fairy tales, but the life of royalty never appealed to me as something I would welcome. Too much attention, too many restrictions, having to dress up and entertain…no thanks! Finery and lavish living don’t entice me at all. I will admit that being able to have a gorgeous library for my vast collection of books would be wonderful, though! That aside, however, I gravitate toward frontier fiction and add a few imperial reads for spice. In this case, I’m glad that I did!
As a debut novel, “Heart of a Royal” swept me off my feet. Hannah Currie crafts a beautiful beginning to the Daughters of Peverell series, and I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to. Although it is primarily a romance, there is also plenty of humor as well as some somber scenes. Even the cover evokes uncertainty and refinement. The interplay between the characters was well done, and although the major plotline itself was for the most part predictable, its execution and details did contain several twists. Mackenna (Kenna) Sparrow narrates the tale in the first person, and from the first line, I liked her. As more or less a companion to Princess Alina, she has lived her entire childhood with the same privileges, but that ends with Alina’s engagement: “For almost eighteen years, I’ve lived the life of a princess. It’s time I stopped pretending to be someone I’m not”. Kenna is much more down to earth and sensible than Alina, with an empathetic nature and compassionate heart. In some ways, Prince Thoraben (Ben) seems too good to be true, although more of his disposition becomes clear later in the narrative. Ashe’s roguish yet caring personality makes him shine. I was a bit disappointed that Kenna’s parents did not feature into the story much, especially given the decisions they made in her life.
Intended for a teen and young adult audience, “Heart of a Royal” is suitable for older readers as well. While there is some angst, I did not think that it was overdone, and this is a clean Christian story that promotes faith and traditional values. I will confess that there were many times during the narrative when I wondered how Mackenna could be so blind as to not recognize the love being bestowed upon her, but then I realized that we do the same thing. How often do we not realize God’s love for us, even after we are saved? Sadly, we, too, doubt the One who has never left us and who never will. Yet His arms are always open to welcome us home, and if we will take Him at His word and trust Him, as Kenna learns, “All will be well.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
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This was every bit as delightful as I hoped it would be!! I fell in love with the cover first (it’s gorgeous!), and the description immediately drew my interest. And indeed, the story itself is amazing, and I daresay even surpasses the loveliness of the cover!”Heart of a Royal” is a delightful YA royal read – it reminded me a bit of “The Princess Academy” by Shannon Hale, only better (which I don’t say in disrespect of TPA as that is still one of my favorite stories!).It is written in first person, from main character Kenna’s point of view, and that worked so beautifully. It was extremely easy to become deeply invested in the story, and I didn’t want to leave its pages. :)I LOVED Ben, so much! His kindness, and patience, and over-all character was just amazing. I super loved Kenna too (though sometimes I wanted her to act/say/do differently, but I really liked her character as it was), and their relationship was the best. That ending was so good
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