In Prince of Fortune, a young prince and a lieutenant find themselves falling into a whirlwind romance against a backdrop of war and political intrigue. Edmund and Aubrey’s connection is instant yet deeply loyal, and the way they face separation, battles, and misunderstandings keeps the story engaging. While some tropes felt a bit repetitive, their devotion felt refreshingly genuine, with plenty of tender moments that made their bond believable. The story moves quickly with well-timed time skips, which keep the action flowing, though more world-building might have enriched the standalone format. A charming read.

4 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

The youngest son of a well-to-do but not rich family meets the prince destined to become a great king and sparks fly...or explosions ring out. In the process of falling in love, the two are separated by a terrible war that could determine whether or not the lives they know and love will be destroyed.

I will say, I really liked Aubrey and Edmund; together they were a little too insta-love, but separate they were great characters. I really wish we could have explored Aubrey on intelligence missions a little more. Those scenes were really interesting and well thought-out. Edmund needed to be a little more forceful, but I liked who he became by the end of the novel.

My only gripe with this is that it played a little too much into the trope of "he was seen talking to another person. he must not love me and our relationship is over" without any communication from the partner in question. It's always someone else coming through and being like "hey no, that's now how it is at all." By the 3rd time, it got so incredibly old.

I forgot to give feedback for this one, but I bought a copy of the finished book, and I can't wait to read it when my TBR gets less unwieldy!

With a fantasy romance like this, it’s ambitious to have characters meet, fall in love, go to war, and resolve conflicts in one standalone book. Yet, I have a preference for the standalone novel. I have little patience waiting for sequels, so I was on board to see where this story could take us, and I was content with the story that unfolded. Since I mostly show up for the romance, I enjoyed seeing Aubrey and Edmund fight their way back to each other, through war, politics, and society’s expectations. If the novel had been fleshed out into a series, I would’ve liked to see more world building and character development. There’s one scene towards the end of the war where I briefly question if things really resolve so easily or if something horrible is yet to come. High fantasy fans might find this novel light, but romantasy fans may find something to love. For me, it’s Aubrey’s love letter to Edmund. An enjoyable read.

Prince of Fortune is a fun debut from author Lisa Tirreno. Admittedly, I was sold on the book from the moment it was advertised as being similar to Shades of Magic, which has my entire heart.

A YA romantasy that manages to combine political intrigue, war, and magic into a unique universe, Prince of Fortune is a great read. A young prince, introverted and coming into his powers and hesitantly taking steps into his position as future ruler, Edmund, and a lieutenant who can see the future - they just fit together so well that I can even forgive the near insta-love between the two.

Genuinely, the major downside for me was that the writing just felt... juvenile. And not in a "this is a YA book" kind of way, but rather in a way that you can tell that this is Tirreno's first book. But it was still a fun ride, and I can't wait to see where the author goes next!

i received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review of my own free will :)

WOOF. this was a lovely, if not stressful, read. aubrey and edmund’s relationship is possibly one of my favorites i’ve had the pleasure to read. their devotion to each other never once wavered and i LOVED that. there was even a thought of cheating or anything similar and i can’t begin to express how happy that made me. the happiness they gave each other was just so nice to read, i haven’t read a book that showed such utter adoration between the love interests.
the plot itself was So well done. it’s not a genre i would normally read, politics and wars stressing me out so much but im so so glad that i read this book. was i stressed? oh yeah. i had to take breaks reading, frequently, due to stressing over what might happen and the like but it engaged me. i can easily tell you the plot for the entire novel, something i rarely have due to memory issues. the time skips were very well woven through the story to allow for no lapses in plot and keeping it moving along. however it allowed the reader to feel for aubrey and edmund, for their being apart but also for the war they were in. this novel tugged at my heartstrings a lot and kept me on the edge of my seat. however, the plot was genuinely one of the best i’ve seen in a while. so well done and thought out and the twists always worked so well but weren’t too much or too little. the writing was just so well done i don’t know what to say, im a bit at a loss for words if im completely honest. the ending was such a perfect tie up as well. i can’t recommend this book enough, even if i was stressed out reading it

Prince of Fortune is a captivating romantasy that weaves together themes of love, longing, and the complexities of a world torn apart by war. The romance between the protagonists is adorable! Drawing in readers into their intense desire to be together despite the odds stacked against them.

The humor interspersed throughout the narrative adds a delightful layer, *cough cough* Aubrey in general haha! The love letters exchanged between the characters are beautifully written, providing a glimpse into their innermost thoughts and deepening the reader's connection to their journey. This reminded me so much of Divine Rivals, Hamilton, Captive Prince, and Shadow and Bone.

The fantasy elements are equally impressive, with a unique magic system and a host of intriguing creatures that enrich the world-building. Overall, Prince of Fortune is a mesmerizing tale that combines romance, humor, and a richly crafted fantasy world.

A wonderful fantasy with a sweet romance at its heart. A prince coming into his magic AND his position. A lieutenant whose ability to see the future just might help save his people...and his prince. Tirreno paints a lively world and a true coming-of-age story against the backdrop of a looming war between ancient enemies. The magic system is a fresh take on elemental magic, as well as some fun (or not? lol) with golem creatures! And while our heroes do experience some opposition to their relationship, they are also supported beautifully and wholly by their families and the joy in that is both palpable and beautiful.

"Prince of Fortune" by Lisa Tirreno weaves a captivating tale of adventure and romance set in a richly imagined world. It was such a nice blend of political interest and romance! The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, who navigates complex relationships and challenges. Tirreno’s vivid descriptions bring the settings to life, immersing readers in the story. The plot is engaging, with unexpected twists that keep you turning the pages. Overall, it’s a delightful read for fans of fantasy and adventure, blending heartfelt moments with thrilling escapades.

Lisa Tirreno’s A Prince of Fortune is set in a world that is filled with the misery of war, political intrigue, and an incredibly unique magic system. Yet, somehow, the romance still managed to be the highlight of the story for me. It’s simply an incredibly wholesome and sweet love story that I couldn’t help but feel happy while reading because even in the times of war love is the only thing that keeps people marching forward toward peace. Something many people in the real world unfortunately seem to have forgotten.
And on the topic of romance, Edmund and Aubrey were such a cute couple. They are just so perfect for each other and their characters just fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. I loved reading about them falling in love, growing closer and trying not to miss up like any two teenagers would.
I personally think Tirreno did an incredible job at making me care about the couple and get invested in their love since I was screaming at the book during the debate of whether they should be allowed to get married or not. Not going to get into the specifics to avoid spoilers but I truly believe that the topic was done in a very unique and innovative way in the Prince of Fortune.
The best thing about the book, however, is that, despite all the romance and drama, there is still a fantasy epic happening around the young couple and somehow the two aspects of the story don’t feel separate. Without getting into spoilers, the progression of the war and the resulting political and societal ramifications do impact the couple and their own romantic plot which in turn impacts the war and its politics. Now if that isn’t the sign of an author who has a command on every aspect of storytelling I don’t know what is.
A Prince of Fortune is a delightful read that will leave you feeling fuzzy inside and I can’t recommend it enough.

4.5 stars

Thank you Simon & Schuster Childrens and Netgalley for providing me with an a-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book, oh my goodness. It was the perfect balance of romance and political war story and I loved every minute of it.

Sweet little prince Edmund captured my heart from the start. He’s so shy and awkward and anxious and I just felt for him so much. I understood how exhausting he found his duties and social obligations and how desperately he wanted to do well with the position he had.

I loved how Aubrey instantly put him at ease. It was like he could read him intuitively and just knew all the right things to say. I really loved getting to know Aubrey better as a character during the war. He really shone in the second half of this book and I was on the edge of my seat during some of his more climactic moments.

These two were just so perfect together and the way the whole kingdom rallied around them made my heart full.

The war and politics felt really well handled. There was a small part towards the middle of this book where I grew a bit restless with it and I’m still not sure if it was my mood or something with the book itself. Regardless, it was only a small blip in a fantastic, gripping read.

Aubrey the "lord of nothing" falls for the kingdom's most eligible heir--the crown prince himself. While differences in social stations complicate their love, the greater issue is a long-prophesied war with a rival kingdom that tests the lover's commitment to each other. I loved the inclusive world which included different skin colors, sexual orientations, and gender identities as if they were always a core part of the society. 10/10! I feel like inclusive world building in both fantasy and regency is hard to capture but Tirreno excelled here.

The concept of the book captivated me from the start, and my anticipation was high. However, as I delved into the pages, it seemed that the narrative lacked significant events. The romance was charming, and the characters were engaging. The political intrigue within the story was another highlight, though I felt the plot could have explored more dynamic territories. Despite the lack of thrilling conflicts leading to the conclusion, the book provided a satisfyingly joyful finale. Overall, the reading experience was positive, with characters that were vivid and endearing.

An incredibly sweet teen romance set during a terrible time of war, full of political intrigue and magic. Edmund is the Prince of Fortune, the future king who can control the weather for the benefit of the people and the land. He is shy, withdrawn, and a bit unsure of himself even with the immense power he wields. And falls absolutely head of heels in love with Aubrey, the fourth son of a noble family with less political power but is a seer and a complete cinnamon roll in the parlance of our romance reading times. Watching them fall in love, the angst they feel--especially Edmund--on not getting things right and questioning whether they are loved in return, and their sweet gestures toward each other melted my heart. Lisa Tirreno really wrote some true-to-life teen characters here that I think YA readers will connect with. The pair is split up when war breaks out and there are many fantasy and political elements to follow. With war there is violence on the page and harassment, especially of Aubrey as the people question his role in Edmund's life as everyone from parliament to the papers to the people question whether he can marry the prince. It is harrowing to read and raises many questions for discussion about whether proximity to power protects someone or opens them up to more danger. I'm very much looking forward to listening to this one on audio when it comes out!

The novel's lush descriptions and well-researched setting create an immersive experience, while its dynamic characters and engaging plot deliver both emotional depth and excitement. For readers who enjoy historical romance with a strong sense of place and well-drawn characters, "Prince of Fortune" offers a rewarding escape.

The premise of this book was really interesting, and I was excited to read it. I just didn’t feel like a lot happened in this story. The romance was certainly one of the main focuses and that drew away from the other fantastical elements for me. Could be due my personal preferences for a romance as a subplot instead of as important as the fantasy. The romance was sweet though and the characters were fun. I also loved the politics at play in this story, but again, I just didn’t feel like this book really went anywhere. There was a happy ending, but not much exciting conflict that brought us there. I certainly believe reading this was a net positive experience, and the characters were delightful and fully realized.

I wish I could spend more time in this world and with these characters! Edmund and Aubrey were both wonderfully compelling and fully realized characters; I loved seeing them grow close and fall in love, and also fight to protect their country, one another, and their relationship. The magic, the rich history of the countries in Thasbus, the politics and harsh, grim realities of a magical war are done so well. I really could've happily read this story stretch out over several books, and I hope Tirreno takes us there again in the future.

This was described as red white and royal blue meets a darker shade of magic. I think this was a lot lower fantasy than ADSOM, and I didn't really get the comp to RWARB either since only one is a royal. Also, this is supposed to be a YA book, but I kinda feel like it wanted to be adult? I'd compare it more to Divine Rivals since there's a big war/military aspect that takes up a lot of the middle. I liked the start and the end more. The romance was cute, and I lived the water/seer aspects.