Review of Born of Blood

I finished reading Born of Blood (The Valdir Chronicles Book 3) by RA Lewis.📚

In the last book of the series, Kalina has entered a new part of her life. She is now Queen Kalina and holds both the Valdir and Ethean thrones.

But there is no peace for her as old enemies resurface, and a journey to a foreign court soon turns into a trap. How will she be able to survive surrounded by enemies on all sides?

Opinion

Please note that from here on out, the text can contain spoilers of the book.

I’ve started this series in 2019 and never got around to finish it. I can no longer remember why I never read the last book. I know from my previous review that I was not so happy with the second issue. But is still have this works positively in mind. So I want to give the last book a chance.

Overall I liked the book. The book had some slow parts and scenes discussing their clothes which I found a bit unneeded. But the plot is exciting, and I think the story gets a good ending. The most significant change we have is that Kalina is now the queen of two countries and no longer an orphan out for an adventure.

For me, the book’s best scene was when they traveled by ship, and Kalina got introduced to the water dragon. This part had something mystical and also is a bit of foreshadowing. I also liked it as this part of the book went back to being more fantasy and fewer court intrigues.

While reading, I wondered if the author takes the route to make the arranged political marriage work out. This decision would have made the book more unique, but it does not happen, as the story keeps in the traditional tracks.

Although the resolution still did surprise me. We got an unknown ally out of nowhere. I’m torn about this solution – I conceptually like the new group, and it fits into the worldbuilding – but I found it strange to introduce a significant political player into the story at such a late stage. It felt like cheating by the author to me.

• /review
• /queen
• /dragons
• /valdir-chronicles
• /book-3