The Cup and the Prince

Okay wow. This book caught my eye but I didn’t think I would be so immersed in the story that I would finish the book in ~4 hours (over the course of 2 nights). The world building, the romance, the mystery, the magic, the badass feminist main character. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. I could not put this book down!

I sat down and absolutely plowed through this book. It was INCREDIBLE. The characters, the world and the very well done plot drew me almost immediately. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this and I cannot wait until I get my hands on a physical copy!

I simply loved this book. True to the blurb, it really is perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and the Red Queen. It had many similarities with both of these series. It is simply "enchanting" with great characters and a whole lot of intrigue surrounding them. (there's a deliberate pun on enchanting! You'll know when you read it ;)

*An outcast group of society- check
*A strong-willed female character- check (although unlike many other series, it is more realistic, and things don't come easy to her
*Brother rivalry - check
*A deadly competition - check

With all these checks, I sure hope you can understand that it is going to be an amazing series. Book 1 was fast-paced and easy to read without any boring detailing and yet providing with everything around the characters. Also on a side note, it is written in the third person with dual POVs.

"Contrary to what stories told, being petty, revengeful, and deceitful felt amazing." ~ "The Cup and The Prince"


This is the perfect series for fans of the "Poison Study" series and the "Throne of Glass" books. I love how "The Cup and the Prince" has the similar concept of a young girl traveling to a new kingdom and completing dangerous tasks. Just like in "Poison Study" and "Throne of Glass," the main heroine of this novel learns about court intrigue, tries magic spells, and makes important allies. Zora and Griffin's relationship reminds me so much of Yelena and Valek's relationship! If you ship Yelena and Valek, you will fall head over heels for Zora and Griffin. Also, I love that Zora has the same level of sass that Celaena has.


I loved "The Cup and the Prince" because it puts all of my favorite fantasy tropes to great use and abandons all the overrated tropes. For example, yes, the kingdom, knights, and magic trope is overplayed, but Zora breaks tradition by refusing to date any of the princes. She straight out refuses to date anyone until she secures a future for herself. All of the princes are shocked at this turn of events and so was I! I was pleasantly surprised that the author didn't rush to throw the main heroine into a silly romance.


I have few critiques for this book. If anything, I wanted it to be longer! I know there will be a sequel, but this first novel was extremely short and there are quite a few loose ends. THAT CLIFFHANGER TOO! I am dying to know what is wrong with Griffin. I'm okay with not having all the answers, but I have too many questions and no release date for the next book. I'm praying that the sequel is as amazing as this novel.


I was completely swept away into the beauty and sheer ferocity of this story! Zora is smart and strong, kind and sincere, and sensitive but also terrifying when she has to be. She has all my favorite personality traits that I want in a fictional heroine! Also, her friendship with Mauro is to die for. I love them! I can't wait for this book to premiere on October 15th so I can discuss it with other readers.

I couldn't stop turning page after page, at first I thought it was just a matter of ex-boyfriend and revenge, but then I got lost in the plot. I got deep into the story with the court, the competition and every prejudice that Zora had to face, the injustices or ideas formed towards women from the point of view of someone who never before thought about her gender differences, give this novel for young adults an authentic touch. As I read it, I was thinking about what an excellent book and I was afraid it would be finish so soon, luckily it leaves the door open for a second book. It is the first book that I read by Day Leitao and I really liked it, it intrigued me and it kept me pending until the end.
A good novel that has magic, action, curses, and romance, everything that only good a fantasy history has to have.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #SaprklyWave for letting me read it. I will be looking forward to the next coming Book of this "Kindoms of Curses and Shadows" saga.

Such a fun book ! I could not put this book down. It is a very easy going and addictive read with a feminist main character that I loved.
Do not hesitate... just pick it up !

I was a little doubtful about this one when I for at started because it seemed like it would be similar to so many other YA novels out there. However, I was quickly drawn in and unable to put this one down. I love that Zoe is such a strong female character that doesn't need romance and is able to deal well being a pawn in some royal game. It starts off with her sneaking out out town to join the royal games in place of the chosen champion once she finds out about his true character. She's quickly found out by one of the princes and becomes a pawn between the two princess and the king. Not only does she have to survive and win a competition where all odds are stacked against her, but she has to play the games of the court, and survive assassination attempts. I also liked the hints that there may be more to prince Griffin than we initially thought. The only thing that I really hated was the cliffhanger at the end and the fact that book two doesn't come out for a few months.