by Alex Aster
4.0 · 5 reviewsWelcome to the Centennial. Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play.
Welcome to the Centennial. Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray… even as love complicates everything.
5 reviews
That's roughly the shape of it with a fantasy skin, and it scratched the itch nicely.
Both love interests are actually interesting, which is rare. The deadly trials structure keeps things moving.
The worldbuilding gets explained rather than shown and the prose is workmanlike. That said, I read the whole thing in a weekend, so it's doing something right.
The last fifty pages completely rearranged the book for me. Isla is frustrating in places but that turns out to be the point.
The premise is great — six rulers, six curses, one island, one winner. Aster's pacing is relentless and the twists come fast. Fun, propulsive YA fantasy.