The Queen’s Gambit & The Ruby Prince Book Review + Giveaway!

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(I was was given The books The Queen’s Gambit and The Ruby Prince by Auther Beth Brower to facilitate my review. However, as always the thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own. This post does include affiliate links which help my blog. You can read my disclosure here)

 

I just finished reading book one and two of the Imirillia: The Queen’s Gambit & The Ruby Prince and I have to admit I LOVED them both!

Seriously, my only complaint is that I now have to wait for book three to come out so I can find out what happens next.

 

The Queen’s Gambit: Book One of Imirillia: Surrender Your Sovereignty or risk certain War.

 

Imagine that you are the young Queen of the small, fertile kingdom of Aemogen. Your kingdom  is almost completely isolated from the outside world.  The biggest concerns you face as Queen is the newly amended constitution of Marion your neighbor (The only kingdom that has access to yours via a small pass through unscalable mountains ) which could affect your long-standing treaty. Your only other concern is preparing your people for the spring planting.

 

Then one day a mysterious traveler arrives in your kingdom seeking hospitality. Shortly afterward, you threatened by the most powerful Empire on the continent with the choice of either surrendering the sovereignty of your country and reducing your people poverty struck slavery (while you remain a figurehead) or facing an impossible war that would mean your death and the death of many if not all of your people. What would you choose?

 

As I read the first book in the Imirillia series (The Queen’s Gambit) I was caught up from the very beginning of the tale. I loved how the characters developed on the page as I read wondering until the very end what Queen Elenore would do to save her people. I loved the vivid imagery Beth Brower invoked as she described her beloved Aemogen as the Queen and her war council including the mysterious traveler (known only as Wil Traveler) journey throughout the kingdom on the traditional battle run set forth generations ago to prepare your people for potential war as she tried to decide if it would even come to that.

 

In the end, the idea of how to potentially save her people came from an interesting source. The question is would it work?

 

The Ruby Prince: BookTwo of Imirillia: How you must negotiate your life. I don’t envy you for it. 

 

After reading, The Queen’s Gambit I couldn’t wait to start reading the Ruby Prince. Thankfully, to facilitate this review I was given a copy of both books to read. I must admit I think I loved the second book even more than the first.

 

Queen Elenor did it! She pulled the Queen’s Gambit and saved her people. Or doomed them. Only time will tell. However, in the process Elenore found herself a Prisoner of the man sent to conquer her people.

 

Wil Traveler, now known now by his true name is in the most precarious position of his life. How can he keep his word to save Queen Elenore and return her to her people without getting them both killed (or worse) As they travel into the heart of the Imirillia Empire. She was taken all the way to the Capital Zardabast, to face the Anger of the Emporer of Imirillia and his sons. Elenore is given a deeper understanding of just who Wil Traveler was and why he had tried to help her people. She would also come to gain a greater understanding of Imirillia itself: it’s culture, it’s people and its stark yet decadent desert beauty.

 

However, throughout her captivity in this strange foreign land, Queen Elenore had to ask herself what would happen if she was able to escape and make it safely back to her people. The Emperor of Imirillia was more obsessed than ever with conquering her small kingdom. Her efforts to save her people only bought them time. There would still be war, and this time, no mercy would be shown. How could her small peace-loving people withstand the brutal force of the Imirillian Empire.

 

My heart went out to the mysterious traveler as the book unfolded with his story.  Will he give in to the tradition and lessons of his Father or will he be influenced by the long lost memory of his beloved mother as well as our heroine Queen Eleanor.  I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to give away the story. You will just have to read yourself to find out what happens.

 

P.S. Isn’t the design work on the cover divine? There were also many design elements (Including a map at the begining of the books) throughout the books that totally added to the overall  old school fantasy feel.

 

In honor of the Release of The Ruby Prince this week, I am excited to announce an opportunity for you to win your own copy of Books One and Two of the Imirillia: The Queen’s Gambit and The Ruby Prince! 

This giveaway will run from today April 18th through Sunday, April 24th at 11:59 PM MST. The Winner will be Announced at 9AM Monday, April 25th. Enter through the giveaway widget.

 

**This giveaway is open to US.  I can’t ask you to “Like” my FB page but, if you see something you like, let me know so I can bring you more of it.  I  LOVE it when you “LIKE” my page.

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Thank you for taking the time out to enter into the giveaway. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me HERE. Winners will receive the  prizes directly from the Author Beth Brower. The Quiet Grove is not responsible for the prize.