This was rich in detail and history but the pacing really didn’t work for me. I was drawn in from the beginning but once I hit the halfway mark I found myself losing interest.

I don’t think historical fiction should only revolve around struggle or survival but this didn’t hit like I wanted. The first few chapters were complex and intense with Sarah who at the time was Princess Aina watching the decapitation of her family, becoming enslaved, and searching for her brother who she knew survived the invasion. But once Sarah was given to Queen Victoria we see her conform with her new surroundings which is where my interest began to decline.

The narrative explores Sarah’s personal and emotional struggles as she battles racism and systematic oppression, attempts to preserve the memory of her family, and find where she belongs in society. I did enjoy Sarah’s character she was very smart and brave even from a young age. Her brilliance and various talents is what provided her the royal privilege she’d become accustomed to.

Overall, the book was okay minus the pacing. I think the writing was decent and the author did well capturing the characters life and the era in which events occurred. So, if you’re into historical fiction you might enjoy this. Special thanks to the author and @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy‼️

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️