Review: Rule (Rule #1)

Title: Rule (Rule #1)
Author: Ellen Goodlett
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Reader
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 11, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.

The king is dying, his heir has just been murdered, and rebellion brews in the east. But the kingdom of Kolonya and the outer Reaches has one last option before it descends into leaderless chaos.

Or rather, three unexpected options.

Zofi has spent her entire life trekking through the outer Reaches with her band of Travelers. She would do anything to protect the band, her family. But no one can ever find out how far she’s already gone.

Akeylah was raised in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by whispers of rebellion and abused by her father. Desperate to escape, she makes a decision that threatens the whole kingdom.

Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a lady’s maid and scheming her way out of the servants’ chambers. But one such plot could get her hung for treason if anyone ever discovers what she’s done.

When the king summons the girls, they arrive expecting arrest or even execution. Instead they learn the truth: they are his illegitimate daughters, and one must become his new heir. But someone in Kolonya knows their secrets, and that someone will stop at nothing to keep the sisters from their destiny… to rule.

Magic, mystery, and blackmail abound in this sensational and striking fantasy debut.

Review:

Three girls with three secrets are summoned to the kingdom, Kolonya, by the King himself. Zofi has spent her life on the run with her mother. Ren has worked as a lady’s maid with her mother in the kingdom. Akeylah was raised by an abusive father who blamed her for her mother’s death. When the three girls arrive at the palace, they’re told that they’re the King’s daughters. He has summoned them because he is dying and must choose one of them as his heir. The problem is that each of these girls has a dark secret. Someone at the palace knows their secrets and will use them to drive the sisters out of the palace.

This was such an intense fantasy story! It alternated between the three sister’s points of view. I liked how quickly the story began. The first chapters were introductions to the girls in their homes, which showed how they were called to the palace. There wasn’t any time wasted in getting right into the story.

I thought I had the story all figured out, but I was wrong. There were lots of dark, twisty turns that kept the story moving at a fast paced. It ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m going to have to go get the sequel to find out what happens next!

Rule is a great suspenseful fantasy!

What to read next:

Other books in the series:

• Rise

Have you read Rule? What did you think of it?