Book Review: The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

“Since the moment I set eyes on you in Southwatch, there's been no one but you. Even if I'm a goddamned fool for it, there will never be anyone but you."

I am a fool too because I fell for the setting of the book and these characters hard. The Bridge Kingdom is SO FREAKING UNIQUE. I have to rant a bit about the setting because honestly it was my favorite part of the whole story. The Bridge Kingdom is told in a very "tropical" island of sorts. Our main character Lara is an assassin sent from her kingdom to marry and kill or destroy the infamous Bridge Kingdom. This kingdom is unlike her own, as it is surrounded by water (and sharks) and they have a bridge which is the main source of income and protection for the people in the country. I freaking loved the way the story was set up around the bridge. The main issue is because in order to survive the people from the Bridge Kingdom control the resources the bridge gives them and is the main trader to the all the other kingdoms. Hence whoever controls the bridge gets all the power. Or that is what Lara was set to believe but when she comes to her new home she discovers her father might have kept some secrets of his own.

Lara's upbringing was also very unique. It reminded me a little of the 12 Dancing Princesses, as she had other sister's who died (or fake died) in order for her to be the "chosen wife" to Aren. She grew up distanced from the world and was taught the art of seduction and destruction. I would have enjoyed more flashbacks to this time in her life, I feel it would have allowed me to emphasize a little more with her and her million mistakes.

Which takes me to my next point, Lara makes so man awful mistakes. She finally learns the truth and she is still unable to see past the rough lies her father and her trainers fed her and obviously it causes Aren's kingdom to suffer which I wasn't very happy about. I obviously understand the reason for the the drama to have occurred because we need the plot to move one way or another, but I just really wanted to hit her on the head.

And the last point goes to Aren, which I am surprised I loved so much. He was unlike other love interests because he is actually the one that wants to make the relationship work. He is seen by many as being the "weaker" of the two because he wears his heart on his sleeve, but I felt that it made him so much more of a stronger character. He fights for Lara even when she doesn't deserve it and I can't wait to see his development on book 2 after Lara's betrayal.

Overall rating: 4 stars