I really love a fantasy built on the hope of do positive political change. Here are two young royals thrown into the chaos left by their predecessors and still determined to do better.

And it certainly ends in the high point of that hope

The world this is built around is really fascinating. The ebb and flow of the magic of life and death and the ways it influences the religion and politics of each nation is well done. As the story goes on the magic gains depth. 
The political plot is a little convoluted. And the aspirations of the princes are certainly more hopeful than realistc, but that is the joy of fantasy. I found it perfectly enjoyable.