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Royal
Becoming queen may cost her life.
Nineteen-year-old Lily is struggling to figure out what to do with her life when the decision is suddenly taken from her. Thrust into another dimension and told she is to be queen, Lily thinks her troubles are over.
But not everyone is happy that the heir to the throne has returned and Lily’s claim is swiftly challenged by a prime minister who is not ready to hand over his newly found power.
Finding herself surrounded by secrets and lies, Lily struggles to know who to trust. And trusting the wrong person may cost her her life - just as it did her family.
Trapped with no way home, Lily must learn to use the magical powers she never knew she had if she has any hope of stopping those who would see her country at war.
Can she master her powers in time to save the nation, and her own life?
If you like magic, political intrigue and the occasional fantastical creature, you’ll love Royal, the first book in the captivating new series by author K. T. Holder.
Nineteen-year-old Lily is struggling to figure out what to do with her life when the decision is suddenly taken from her. Thrust into another dimension and told she is to be queen, Lily thinks her troubles are over.
But not everyone is happy that the heir to the throne has returned and Lily’s claim is swiftly challenged by a prime minister who is not ready to hand over his newly found power.
Finding herself surrounded by secrets and lies, Lily struggles to know who to trust. And trusting the wrong person may cost her her life - just as it did her family.
Trapped with no way home, Lily must learn to use the magical powers she never knew she had if she has any hope of stopping those who would see her country at war.
Can she master her powers in time to save the nation, and her own life?
If you like magic, political intrigue and the occasional fantastical creature, you’ll love Royal, the first book in the captivating new series by author K. T. Holder.
- GenresFantasyMagicHigh Fantasy
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
152 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
K.T. Holder
5Ìýbooks9ÌýfollowersK.T. Holder is a Taswegian who currently lives in Texas with her wife and three small fluffy dogs. When she’s not writing (or pretending to) she enjoys reading, watching documentaries (mainly true crime), watching “documentariesâ€� (ie reality tv), and fulfilling the needs of her fluffy overlords.
A fifteen year army veteran, K.T. decided that she’d much prefer to make things up for a living, and so rekindled her love of writing.
Though pairing a foray into writing with quitting her job and moving internationally may not have been smartest thing she has ever done, she loves writing (not as much as her amazing, supportive and understanding wife) and is excited about this next chapter (see what she did there?)
Get the free prequel novella to the Royal series, Regent, over at her website () and don't forget to drop her a line while you're there!
A fifteen year army veteran, K.T. decided that she’d much prefer to make things up for a living, and so rekindled her love of writing.
Though pairing a foray into writing with quitting her job and moving internationally may not have been smartest thing she has ever done, she loves writing (not as much as her amazing, supportive and understanding wife) and is excited about this next chapter (see what she did there?)
Get the free prequel novella to the Royal series, Regent, over at her website () and don't forget to drop her a line while you're there!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 14, 2023
Abruptly spirited away into another dimension, 19-year-old Lily finds herself heir to a throne in a realm she never knew existed, thrust into a role she never even dreamed of, and with no way home. Her only choice is to try to navigate this strange and dangerous new world, surrounded by danger and potential traitors, not knowing whom to trust.
Entertaining though unpolished, this portal fantasy reads like what it is: a debut novel that shows promise, but is not quite all it could be. It's one of those cases where I really wish for half star ratings - it's not quite a four for me, but nor did its minor flaws bother me sufficiently to warrant giving only three stars.
The premise is fun (who doesn't like a good portal fantasy?), tales of magic-flavoured political intrigue are right up my alley, and I very much love the fact that for once, there's no annoying predictable romance taking the focus off the plot, which easily kept me turning pages.
On the other hand, the pacing is a bit uneven, the worldbuilding feels a bit slapdash at times (e.g. the inclusion of exactly the same modern technology our world produces, with the exact same names and functionality etc. feels very much at odds with the idea of this being an entirely different dimension - yes, "our" world was chosen for Lily to be raised in due to its similarities, but this was a little too similar in some regards to give off the presumably desired "MC thrust into a magical new world" vibe), some plot threads (e.g. the mysterious anonymous letter writer, to whom Lily gives strangely little thought on the whole) just disappeared from the narrative as though they'd been forgotten, Lily's apparently amazing magical powers came just a little too easily and conveniently at just the right moment to feel like satisfying pay-off for her training, the high stakes suspense feeling was never quite there for me... and yes, I admit, the moment the phrase "chosen one" came up, I may have sighed deeply and muttered "Must we? Must we really?" because it's such a tired trope. There were also a few things an editor really ought to have spotted. ("Moddycoddle"?)
For all those minor gripes, though, I was invested in the story and am interested in finding out what comes next. (3.5/5)
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
Entertaining though unpolished, this portal fantasy reads like what it is: a debut novel that shows promise, but is not quite all it could be. It's one of those cases where I really wish for half star ratings - it's not quite a four for me, but nor did its minor flaws bother me sufficiently to warrant giving only three stars.
The premise is fun (who doesn't like a good portal fantasy?), tales of magic-flavoured political intrigue are right up my alley, and I very much love the fact that for once, there's no annoying predictable romance taking the focus off the plot, which easily kept me turning pages.
On the other hand, the pacing is a bit uneven, the worldbuilding feels a bit slapdash at times (e.g. the inclusion of exactly the same modern technology our world produces, with the exact same names and functionality etc. feels very much at odds with the idea of this being an entirely different dimension - yes, "our" world was chosen for Lily to be raised in due to its similarities, but this was a little too similar in some regards to give off the presumably desired "MC thrust into a magical new world" vibe), some plot threads (e.g. the mysterious anonymous letter writer, to whom Lily gives strangely little thought on the whole) just disappeared from the narrative as though they'd been forgotten, Lily's apparently amazing magical powers came just a little too easily and conveniently at just the right moment to feel like satisfying pay-off for her training, the high stakes suspense feeling was never quite there for me... and yes, I admit, the moment the phrase "chosen one" came up, I may have sighed deeply and muttered "Must we? Must we really?" because it's such a tired trope. There were also a few things an editor really ought to have spotted. ("Moddycoddle"?)
For all those minor gripes, though, I was invested in the story and am interested in finding out what comes next. (3.5/5)
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
January 27, 2024
“In youth, you look for a cause. A purpose, the thing that will be your contribution to the world. But the more you dedicate yourself to that cause, the more you focus on being the one to see the outcome realised� the truth is that any cause worth serving will have longevity that far surpasses our tiny lives. The cause will always outlive its servants, but the servants rarely realise this until the end. The result is that we never achieve the version of success we chase.�
“Royal,� by K. T. Holder
Nineteen-year-old Lily is drowning in her life jumping from one job to another without knowing what she wants. One day she is whisked away through a portal to another dimension and told she is a princess, princess of a kingdom that has magic. Her birth parents and siblings have been assassinated and now she must step up and be what she needs to be for her kingdom and find the killer of her parents.
I really liked the book. The whole thing is a who-done-it murder mystery but with magic and royalty. I loved her pet dog that can get big and hope to see it in the next book. My favorite thing about the book is Lily’s character. She is so lost and feels unwanted in her life until she finds the truth of her lineage. As the book progressed, I saw he grow into a stronger, more competent person who could fit into this new role, something that could give her direction. My only dislike was that she had such trouble using her magic and then bam she learned her magic really quickly, I would have preferred it to be a slower growth to that. 4 out of 5 stars, can’t wait to read the next book.
-Magic
-Portals
-Royalty
-Political Intrigue
-Supernatural Creatures
-Found Family
-Adopted
Thank you for the free copy, Booksirens.
“Royal,� by K. T. Holder
Nineteen-year-old Lily is drowning in her life jumping from one job to another without knowing what she wants. One day she is whisked away through a portal to another dimension and told she is a princess, princess of a kingdom that has magic. Her birth parents and siblings have been assassinated and now she must step up and be what she needs to be for her kingdom and find the killer of her parents.
I really liked the book. The whole thing is a who-done-it murder mystery but with magic and royalty. I loved her pet dog that can get big and hope to see it in the next book. My favorite thing about the book is Lily’s character. She is so lost and feels unwanted in her life until she finds the truth of her lineage. As the book progressed, I saw he grow into a stronger, more competent person who could fit into this new role, something that could give her direction. My only dislike was that she had such trouble using her magic and then bam she learned her magic really quickly, I would have preferred it to be a slower growth to that. 4 out of 5 stars, can’t wait to read the next book.
-Magic
-Portals
-Royalty
-Political Intrigue
-Supernatural Creatures
-Found Family
-Adopted
Thank you for the free copy, Booksirens.
January 12, 2024
mysterious and wonderful
Wow just finished read K.T. Holders Book “Royal� I have got to say it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time and had me thinking who is it,who done it, and who is involved with the disappearances of important people. Lily can’t trust anyone around her, and her pet Kevin is so adorable. I can’t wait to see what happens with Kevin “does he get angry and grows gigantic and who is he going to stomp! lol . But now I’m About to get the next book in the series “Return�. I’m so excited!
Wow just finished read K.T. Holders Book “Royal� I have got to say it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time and had me thinking who is it,who done it, and who is involved with the disappearances of important people. Lily can’t trust anyone around her, and her pet Kevin is so adorable. I can’t wait to see what happens with Kevin “does he get angry and grows gigantic and who is he going to stomp! lol . But now I’m About to get the next book in the series “Return�. I’m so excited!
March 17, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I love this world, and am excited to continue this series. The world building was fantastic, and I was unable to put this book down once I started reading.
December 5, 2023
Royal is book 1 in a fantastic hew fantasy series by
K T Holder. Royal is an exceptional fantasy with characters that I enjoy reading about. When Lily is pulled into a different dimension, well� she isn't in Kansas anymore! There is political turmoil and Lily does not know who to trust and that can mean death! Royal kept my interest from page 1 until "the end". If you enjoy outstanding fantasy books, Royal should be on your TBR list. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
K T Holder. Royal is an exceptional fantasy with characters that I enjoy reading about. When Lily is pulled into a different dimension, well� she isn't in Kansas anymore! There is political turmoil and Lily does not know who to trust and that can mean death! Royal kept my interest from page 1 until "the end". If you enjoy outstanding fantasy books, Royal should be on your TBR list. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 15, 2024
why are we writing books about insecure young women who don't seem very bright instead of giving girls strong smart role models? This was painful to read & i had to stop about quarter of the way. Skipped to the last few pages and it didn't get better. I hope no girls or young women i know read such drivel.
January 16, 2025
A fantastic start to a new series. I really enjoyed reading this book. I was hooked from the first. The characters, Lily,Jason, Addison, Giles and all the rest were well developed and engaging. And the world building was smoothly and beautifully woven into the story! I can't wait to start the next book!
March 28, 2024
DNF 23%
October 10, 2024
33% DNF
December 25, 2024
When I was reading Royal, I felt I had a severe case of whiplash throughout that I never really recovered from.
The idea of the narrative certainly appealed to me: a young woman who is unaware of how much power she does hold suddenly being placed in her rightful world and world. However, this read like a cut and drop writing exercise. Why are we not seeing this new world through Lily's eyes? Why have we been placed in this new world when all this political fighting is going on? How does she feel about being removed from her rightful home? And what exactly were her magical powers? (Although admittedly, I might not have been paying attention at that last point)
The idea of the narrative certainly appealed to me: a young woman who is unaware of how much power she does hold suddenly being placed in her rightful world and world. However, this read like a cut and drop writing exercise. Why are we not seeing this new world through Lily's eyes? Why have we been placed in this new world when all this political fighting is going on? How does she feel about being removed from her rightful home? And what exactly were her magical powers? (Although admittedly, I might not have been paying attention at that last point)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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