The Movement of Crowns (Movement of Crowns Series #1) by Nadine C. Keels: A Book Review

The Movement of Crowns (Movement of Crown Series #1)
Author: Nadine C. Keels
Genre: Christian, Fantasy
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: 2013
Pages: 116
Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: At the point when kingdoms’ ideas of humanity differ…

The nation of Diachona is celebrating the twentieth birthday and rite of passage for Constance, the Diachonian king’s daughter and heir. Yet, the pause for festivity doesn’t erase collective doubts about Constance’s aspiration for a place with the men on the National Council, nor does it eliminate fears roused by oppressive threats from a neighboring, powerful empire. Amid increasing rumors of war and personal misgivings about her own future, Constance deems this an inopportune time to be falling in love with one Commander Alexander. Will Providence keep them all through international tensions and the changing of times, or is Diachona watching its territory in vain?

My Review: In a world that is run by kings, the future of Diachona is insecure. For their king has no sons, only a daughter named Constance. Despite the country’s disappointment for the king’s lack of sons, the king is persistent to make his daughter his heir. While the country’s ongoing debate over naming Constance his heir, the king of Munda, a neighboring country, lusts after some of the lush lands of Diachona. Diachona soon find themselves at the brink of war. Could Constance help save Diachona and in the process become the official heir to the throne?

I found Constance to be an amazing woman. It is clear that she is destined to become a great queen. She loves her country. She also loves and respects her father, whom she looks up to as a great king. Constance is a great strategist. She makes many plans and is willing to take many risks. She also researches the customs, situations, and politics of her enemy’s people to understand Munda’s situation. It is because of this that she sees Munda’s weakness which is Diachona’s advantage. Even though Constance is a good politician, she also rules with her heart. She is very emotional. She is in love with Staid, the military leader of Diachona. Yet she knows her family wants her to marry a foreign prince to help strengthen alliances. Constance is determined to be the official heir to the throne, win the war, and to have love.

I didn’t think the world-building was fully developed. I would have liked to known a bit more about Diachona and the neighboring countries surrounding her. I would also have liked to known more about the Diachonian peoples, customs, and culture. Yet, I did come to the conclusion that Diachona had a great military, and that the council members seem to be divided. They were more concerned about their own safety, rather than that of their country because they wanted to Diachona to give themselves up to Munda very easily.

Overall, the book is about love, family, and hope. The message of the book is that God has a plan for all of us and to trust in His plan. We as human beings are called to do what is right. I found the story to be very slow-paced and I was very bored by the politics, which covered half the book. I also thought that the climax was boring for it had no tension, and I think it should be rewritten to heighten its dramatic effect. However, I did like the story for it was light-hearted, sweet, and lovely. I also thought it was a beautiful ending. I recommend this book to fans of Christian, fantasy, and romance genres, and anyone interested in strong heroines and who is looking for an inspiring story about hope.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Guest Post by Elisa DeCarlo: From Corsets to Chemises: Fashion as Liberation

Today's guest writer is Elisa DeCarlo. Elisa DeCarlo has published two novels, Strong Spirits and The Devil You Say as well as The Abortionist's Daughter . Her work is also in a number of anthologies. Elisa has also written and performed a number of solo shows across the country. In 2013, the Exit Press will publish an anthology of her stage work. Elisa was born in Westchester, NY, and grew up there and in New York City. As an actress, she has performed in television, radio and film. In her guest post, Elisa DeCarlo talks women's fashion in the 1910s. Be sure to check out my review of The Abortionist's Daughter soon. Thank you, Mrs. DeCarlo. From Corsets to Chemises: Fashion As Liberation In The Abortionist’s Daughter , which is set in 1916, the evolution of the main character, Melanie Daniels, is not only shown by her thoughts actions, but also her clothes. Since I am an obsessed fashion buff, I had to write about the clothes! Queen Victoria ...

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein: A Book Review

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer Author: Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Religion, Mythology Publisher: Harper Perennial Release Date: 1983 Pages: 256 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: With the long-awaited publication of this book, we have for the first time in any modern literary form one of the most vital and important of ancient myths—that of Inanna, the world’s first goddess of recorded history and the beloved deity of the ancient Sumerians. The stories and hymns of Inanna (known to the Semites as Ishtar) are inscribed on clay tablets which date back to 2,000 B.C. Over the past forty years, these cuneiform tablets have gradually been restored and deciphered by a small group of international scholars. In this groundbreaking book, Samuel Noah Kramer, the preeminent living expert on Sumer, and Diane Wolkstein, a gifted storyteller and folklorist, have retranslated, order...

Blog Tour: Guest Post by Chantal Gadoury: Allerleirauh

Today's guest writer is Chantal Gadoury. She is the author of Allerleirauh , a retelling of the lesser known fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. In this guest post, she explores the history behind the Grimm's fairytale. I have a lifelong passion for fairytales, and I look forward to reviewing Allerleirauh soon! I hope this guest post gives you some insight into her fairytale retelling. Thank you, Mrs. Gadoury! Allerleirauh There’s always a story behind a story, whether we as the readers know that or not. Behind every great fairy tale, there is a place where it made origin; an event or person that influenced the past cultures to create the stories that we all know and love today. Even the untold fairy tales, like “Allerleirauh,” have a place in origin. It’s hard to say, “Yes! This is exactly how this story came to be,” but it can give a general idea of how a story might have been created. ...

History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

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