Book Summary:

Monroe Benson was born with a mark on her hand. That, coupled with her unique ability to create fire, told the world exactly who she is. Goddess-touched. She is one of ten such girls born in this generation, and they are all expected to compete in the Culling. The winner will become the new queen of Erydia.

Before you ask – no, it doesn't matter much how they feel about this. Entry into the Culling isn't optional. Otherwise, Monroe would have gotten out of this already. Perhaps it's her willingness to avoid all of this that puts her in the center of a Culling-based rebellion.

My Review:

If you promise me a fantasy novel with Hunger Games elements, you just know I will read it! In truth, Of Cages and Crowns ended up being even better than I expected. It stands on its own – no need for comparisons to be made. It's magical, dark, and full of politics.

Okay, there's also a potential romantic subplot, not to mention a rebellion and lots of in-fighting. It's a lot to keep up with, which makes this an intense read that will go by in the blink of an eye. Seriously, it felt like I was sitting down to read it one minute, and the next, I was turning to the last page.

On that note, I should probably mention that Of Cages and Crowns does end with a cliffhanger. The good news is that this is the first of a three-book series, so more will come! The bad news is that we'll have to wait a bit longer to see how that pans out.

Highlights:
First in a trilogy
Fantasy
High Fantasy
Fantasy Romance
Hunger Games vibes, but with magic

Trigger Warnings:
Abuse/bullying/injury
Alcoholism
Anxiety
Classism
Family death
Body shaming

Reader’s Notes:

– this is the first of a series (not sure how many books will be in it)

– this is told from Monroe’s point of view

– there are about 34 curse words

– there is scene where both characters’ shirts are removed and are working on the pants before one of them stops the other before they continue

– there is a bunch of fantasy killing & death (mentions of blood, bones cracking, & screams due to the inflicted hurt)

Review:

I removed a star mainly due to the almost sex scene and because some of the killing/death was a bit too much for my tastes (it wasn’t a lot in terms of description, but some of the characters seemed a bit too gleeful at killing others). I don’t plan on reading more of the series since this book almost had the characters have sex on page and from past experience that tends to mean that it will be in a future book.

This story was a bit of a mix of: The Selection series (a bunch of girls competing to marry a prince); The Hunger Games series (a bunch of people fighting in an arena until only one remains); and the Red Queen series (a bunch of people have powers).

Overall, the story was interesting and it held my attention very well. I liked the storyline and that there were some shocking developments throughout the entire thing! I liked that the girls powers were all different in development and how they could work. I wasn’t ever 100% sure how their powers would end up doing against one another and who would end up coming out on top. I liked that Monroe was being pulled in multiple directions in terms of who she wanted to support and what she wanted to do with her time in the palace. I love Uri’s personality and how she cheekily managed to make some moments entertaining and fun for Monroe and the other people around at the time. I loved when Monroe played the card game with Uri and Cohen and how it grew their relationship together. Some of my favorite scenes included: the card game, Uri attempting to matchmake Monroe & Cohen, trainings, Monroe’s fight plan in the arena, and the twists I didn’t see coming.

Summary:

Monroe has always feared what her powers and mark would come to. The Culling is when the ten goddess-touched girls (those with powers and marked by it) are called to the capitol to compete ’til the death for the right to rule by the soon-to-be-king’s side. Though Monroe tries to escape her fate, she is still found and brought to the capitol for a challenge that she wants no part of. Even after she meets the man she’d marry if she wins and gets to know him better, Monroe doesn’t want to kill or be killed by anyone to have her happily ever after.

When the resistance group offers her the chance to possibly live by helping topple the reign of the royals, Monroe is hesitant due to her love for Prince Cohen and her friendship with Princess Uri. After arranging everything to go well for her the best she can, she begins to spy for the group. But if she’s caught, the Culling won’t be the thing that gets her in the end. Treason is punishable by death, Culled or not. And the vindictive current queen would gladly use her poisonous power to draw out Monroe’s death as long as she wanted…

I could NOT put this one down! Hunger Games, and magic? SOLD. Loved it. I really hope we get more, because it ends on a big cliffhanger.

This was good, but the concept is overdone & it may be a hard sell to students since it is compared to Hunger Games. The romance was more prominent than the action.

Oh I really wish I had read this book sooner, when I was a teenager cause it would have made me dream even more. It is a good mixture between The Selection and Red Queen.

Monroe is goddess touched and it means she can control fire and must compete to become the next queen against innocent girls who have other dangerous powers. Only the last one remaining living will become queen and marry the charming Prince Cohen. It may seem like a fairytale, but when you feel another’s girl life slipping away at your hands, then it becomes a nightmare and someone needs to stop it! The love story is very cute even if a bit naive especially for Prince Cohen, who does see the flaws in this way of ruling but is not ready to stop it before becoming king (“if you die at least we had this” well no boy if I die it’s your fault as well and I’ll hate you from the afterworld’).

It seems very strange that a kingdom has been able to survive with such incompetent guide: the king is always drunk and the queen is like super evil and heartless. I would have loved to know the queen’s thoughts at least to empathize a bit with her, in this way she only comes out at a villain with no sentiments, more like a sociopath.

I loved the friendship between Monroe and the princess, it’s very genuine and gives us something to focus apart from the love story but it is counterbalanced with the hatred another goddess touched girl feels for her. I know this girl has been brainwashed since she was little and her hatred makes sense, but it just feels a bit old school: the rival who is ready to do everything to win the crown vs the heroine who pities her.

In general the story really kept me on edge and I devoured the book even if it’s not flawless. I especially appreciated the prologue where the world building is created, with a completely new and fascinating religion.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book.

4.5/5 Stars

I came into this book knowing nothing other than it somewhat like the Hunger Games, and wow was I hooked. This book nailed down the nostalgia of the Hunger Games. I could not seem to want to put the book down, holding me in anticipation throughout the entire novel. This book has interesting magic system, world-building, and characters. I am excited to see these evolve in the next book, and to explore more of Erydia. I will be picking up a physical copy of this book!

I highly recommend you picking up this novel if you are a fan of the Hunger Games or the Grishaverse. It will bring you right back to the fantasy / dystopian era we all loved.

12 hours removed from finishing this book and I'm still not sure how I feel about it.  I like the premise of the story and the characters were interesting, but there was something with the execution of the story that didn't work for me.  Or maybe it was the relationship between Cohen and Monroe that was the real issue.  Monroe was just a girl who wanted to be herself; not goddess-touched or the next queen.  She didn't want to participate in the Culling, knowing that it mean the demise of 9 girls.  She just wanted to be Monroe.  So it was interesting, the relationship that began to grown between her and Cohen.  He's been treated horribly by his family (talk about a Mommy Dearest) and really can't do much until he inherits the throne.  But from the outside, you could tell that he was never going to get what he wanted:  crown or queen.  I would have thought he and Monroe a bit of kindred spirits and really wanted the relationship to grow.  But where Monroe did think of those around her and would often put herself in a horrible position for the good of someone else, Cohen didn't really do that.  He might got 90% of the way, but it was always that last 10% that made you think he was really looking out for number 1.  Which meant he really isn't the person Monroe should be with.

When the book ended, I wasn't really sure if there was more to the story.  It felt like there was, but there wasn't a mention.  I ended up on the author's Wattpad page to find out there are indeed 3 books to the series.  I'm not sure if I'd want to continue on with the story, it I do end up doing so it would be to see if Monroe does find someone worthy of her...because I'm not sure it's Cohen.

An interesting read a little too much like The Hunger Games. I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I haven’t already read all of The Hunger Games books. Similar to that series a group of young adults and children will compete in an arena to the death. In this series it is between 10 females competing to the death to find who will be the next queen. It is called the culling. There are various groups in this universe. Some who actively work to overthrow the powers that be. Some who believe in the culling. Most just trying to survive. The females who are “chosen” for this fight to the death are born with a mark in their hands and are said to be goddess blessed.

I really didn’t enjoy this book very much, mainly because this plot has been done before. But many fans of YA and dystopian novels will enjoy it I’m sure.

I really enjoyed this one! The plot was exciting, and it reminded me a lot of Hunger Games and the Selection. I liked the beginning a lot more than the last half of the book, though. Halfway through, it slowed down and got a bit predictable. I also wasn't a fan of how the romance became the main focus of the story. I wanted a bit more action and less of the romance. But other than that, this was a fun read!

I really enjoyed this fast-paced, enthralling YA fantasy! The premise of ladies competing for the hand of the prince may have been done before, but not quite like this! This was definitely darker and grittier as 10 “goddess touched” girls are forced to fight each other to the death.
I really liked the main character Monroe, who had great character growth throughout the book! The other characters were well written and likable too. I loved Uri, who was rebellious and kind hearted. Prince Cohen was also a great character, and I really enjoyed his chemistry with Monroe.
I thought the plot was well written and definitely had me on the edge of my seat at times! There were a couple small plot twists that I did not see coming! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

LATE ARC REVIEW
This started off really slow but eventually it picked up pace, the world building is great and it gave me Red Queen vibes. It ends on a divergent type cliffhanger and im excited for a sequel. This was such a good read.

The ending for this book was phenomenal! I definitely get the like “Hunger Games meets fantasy world” vibes. This will be perfect for my kids who loved Hunger Games and Furyborn!

I thought this novel was good for a debut! It was very reminiscent of “The Selection” and “Red Queen”. There were some differences, but I think it was almost a little too similar. I hope the other books veer into another direction and become more unique.

I do think the characters could have been more developed and that the relationships could have been deeper. The relationships felt a little surface level at times.

I was going to rate “Of Cages and Crowns” a 3, but because of the ending, I’m giving it a 3.5 (rounded up to 4). I will read the next book of the series when it comes out!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: November 22, 2022

A riveting first in a series to come. Fans of The Hunger Games will enjoy this one. This will hook you early and the relationships and drama will keep you turning the pages. Left on a bit of a cliffhanger—this will have you yearning for what comes next!

Monroe has grown up hiding her whole life – the mark on her hand indicates her as goddess-touched, which means she will have to fight to the death in this generation’s Culling. There are always ten girls born with this mark throughout the empire, and all must participate in the Culling to determine who will reign as the next queen. Tensions are also high between neighboring countries, and it appears that war is imminent. But there’s no outrunning fate. Will Monroe be able to navigate the court and survive all that the Culling will entail?

When I first began reading this, I was afraid it was going to be too reminiscent of the Hunger Games for me to enjoy. While there were similarities, this book contained many unique and fresh ideas. I would have preferred a little more information concerning the setting early on – it took a little bit of time to identify what sort of place the setting was (fantasy vs. post-apocalyptic vs. historical fantasy, etc.). But through bits and pieces, the world became clearer. The lore was fantastic – I loved the creation story told at the beginning and how the whole setting revolved around those religious beliefs. The concept of the Videra Priestesses was also quite intriguing – I would have loved to see more of them!

The characters were very well written. Monroe was an engaging protagonist, one that was relatable and had the perfect amount of fear and wherewithal to make a great main character. The secondary characters were also generally well developed; I especially loved that some of the other female contestants got more page time toward the end of the book. Cohen was well written and likeable. I was grateful that the love story wasn’t the typical insta-love. The character even acknowledged that it wasn’t love but more of an attraction and situational thing – I was pleasantly surprised by this.

There were unfortunately many errors and typos in the kindle version that I received. The formatting was also horrible, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the book. If it weren’t for the typos, errors, and formatting issues, I would have given this book a five-star rating. Since I received an ARC of this work, it is possible that the final published work won't have any of these errors.

Y’all need to read this. If you love magic, fights to the death, soft romance, rebellions, and dangerous rulers, this is the book for you. Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this work.

Oh my gosh, I loved this book so much! I cannot wait for the rest in the series to release. It had a Hunger Games vibe to it, but instead of everyone fighting at once, it’s one on one and with powers.

This book has everything you want in a fantasy story. There’s unlikely friendships, outcasts, magic or powers, epic battles, betrayal, longing, love… everything!

I loved that nothing was as straight forward as it seemed and I was kept guessing throughout. I was on the edge of my seat with nerves so much of the time, and then grinning like a fool for a lot of it too. There’s the perfect mix of action and romance, and in a way, a found family.

One of my favourite reads of the year.

The story of ten goddess-touched girls fighting against each other so that one ultimately becomes queen is what intrigued me. There was a lot more going on besides the competition like how imperfect the royal family was, an impeding war, a rebellion group against the royal family, and Monroe who wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Culling. I especially loved Monroe's friendship with Princess Uri and eventually Nadia. The love interest Cohen wasn't that spectacular and the instant love between him and Monroe was a let down. I predicted one reveal but did not see the other one coming and so I will definitely read the next in the series for all the unanswered questions. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

This book is soooo good. It really is a mix of The Hungry Games and The selection. Our main character is super likable and I love the struggle she has as she’s figuring out how to be a girl but also feel comfortable in her own skin. The relationship between her and the prince is super cute. All of the characters are exactly written and all so different from each other. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Let’s start with this: Don’t go into this thinking it’s a standalone novel. Neither Amazon or GoodReads list it as being part of a series, but it ends on what I’d call a semi-cliffhanger, with the story long from resolved, so it’s either part of a series or I’ve misread the book entirely and am very embarrassed. I’d rather not be that embarrassed, so I’m going with it being the first book in a series and the rest of the series just hasn’t been announced yet. So, are we all on the same page now? Good.

So, okay. This book really, really, isn’t original. It was pretty clear from very early on in this book that the plot (of this entry at least) is Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass meets The Selection. That’s a whole lot of YA lore to be whipping into a batter and baking a cake out of, but I just couldn’t help but inhale it greedily, my brain and soul loving the empty calories. This kind of book isn’t like reading some of the books I read where I come away full of feels and needing to take time to contemplate the experience. It’s not even like the romance novels I read on the regular, where I giggle and sigh and swoon. No. Books like “Of Cages and Crowns” are like spending the evening watching rom-coms and eating ice cream: just pure comfort and relaxation. Books like these are enjoyable because they ask nothing of you but to lay back and enjoy the fantasy fluff.

That’s not to say Brianna Joy Crump doesn’t have talent. She really does. Her characters aren’t complete cookie cutter cut-outs. They’re multi-faceted and interesting. Have I read books with a “culling” trope that did better with the characterizations of the females involved? Yes. But I enjoyed Crump’s efforts to bring depth and breadth to the sociopolitical and geopolitical situation for the people and the country in the book as well as the central plot in the book.

It’s not a perfect book, but it’s a lot of fun for us people who gobble up fantasy romances like candy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for granting me access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.

File Under: Fantasy/Dark Fantasy/YA Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Series/Coming of Age/Steamy Romance/YA Fantasy Romance

3.5/5 stars

If you are a fan of the Hunger Games, Red Queen and the Selection, then this is the book for you!

We learn the history of the world in the prologue, which explains to us the reasoning why Erydia uses a battle royal culling to determine their next queen from a group of 10 goddess-touched girls.

The main character Monroe is likable except for anytime she thinks about her love interest. The “but why little old me” trope is fairly annoying and really played out in this book.

My favorite parts were the action scenes, and the twist at the end that I didn’t fully see coming. I will gladly read the sequel as I hope Monroe will continue to gain strength and confidence in her power.