#BookReview: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

  Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children.

At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children.

Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness.

Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery.

The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . . 

Andrew Shvarts is an author of novels and video games. He has a BA in English Literature and Russian from Vassar College. He works for Pixelberry Studios as a designer, making mobile games like High School Story, Choices, and more. Andrew lives in San Jose, California, with his wife, toddler, and two kittens. Find him on Twitter @Shvartacus.

Ok, so this book was WONDERFUL! OMG, It grabbed me by the very first pages and I couldn't put it down. The author did a wonderful job creating this world and the societies that live within it.  I really loved having the map as well as it helped when it came to wondering about the kid's journey.  The pacing in this one worked out well and we only had one POV which made the story flow very well.  The story and plot were great and I didn't see it coming. As for the characters, I really loved Zell and would love a prequel story about him and his people and his fall from grace.  Everyone else was created wonderfully and I think if this would have had multi POVs we would have known each and every one of these people.  I do wish that a certain something hadn't happened towards the end as it made me cry horrible tears. 

As for the plot, I really didn't see what happened to come!  I was totally WTF OMG WHAT!!!! And it was stellar!! Love that plot twist!  So this one has two of these. One early on in the book to get it moving along and one towards the end!  Both blew me away! 

The ending worked out well although this is a series the ending ended without killing me and without a real cliffhanger.  If you love stories about magic and the little guys check this one out!  Becuase this book was a great one about friendships, first loves, loss, betrayal, and one killer war that is looming on the horizon! 

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Posted in: 5 Stars, Disney-Hyperion, Jessica P., Middle Grade, Netgalley, Young Adult