ALA Booklist (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

For Freya, life revolves around her science lab, where she strives to invent something that will gain her the notoriety and resources she needs to travel the world. As a distant cousin of the king, Freya is twenty-third in line for the throne, but court life has never appealed to her, and her chances of actually inheriting the throne are too small for it to matter. But when a mass poisoning occurs at a lavish banquet, the royal family d much of the court wiped out in one fell swoop, leaving Freya the shaken and reluctant new ruler. What's left of the kingdom is shocked and suspicious, and practical scientist Freya finds herself surrounded by people she doesn't know if she can trust. Freya, smart and shy and not ready to be a queen, is a relatable heroine, and her developing relationships with the people around her are a highlight. A clever, absorbing mystery of court intrigue, intense friendships, and newfound courage.

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Almost the entire court of Epria is poisoned at a banquet, leaving socially inept teenage scientist Freya, previously twenty-third in line, as the new queen. Suddenly learning noble decorum is more important than her preferred experiments, although the latter might help her solve the mystery behind the mass murder. Court intrigue, rich world-building, and a relatable heroine comprise this medieval-esque fantasy.

Kirkus Reviews

The mass poisoning of a royal court leaves a girl suddenly queen.Freya is a socially awkward aspiring scientist and the king's fourth cousin once removed. At the king's birthday, her discomfort with society and an idea for an experiment lead her, along with her best (and only) friend, to sneak away. Hours later, her father and royal guards storm her laboratory to secure her—after she left, a mass poisoning at the feast wiped out the king and all those ahead of her in the line of succession. Freya must let go of her dream to travel the world as a scientist, as the surviving royal advisers attempt to force her into the mold of a proper queen. But she knows that whoever killed the court could strike again. There are many with motives: a banned, anti-nobility religious group; the king's illegitimate son; the advisors; and Freya's new heir, a beautiful social butterfly newly returning to court. Moreover, the king's best friend suspects she committed the crime. Freya must untangle motives (and troubles in the kingdom) using intelligence and ingenuity. Although the otherwise tightly plotted mystery's solution may stretch credibility for some, the characters (largely white) and fast pace will keep readers hooked. The most powerful theme that emerges is the complexity of the individual, which helps to support the strong female friendships that balance the exciting romantic storyline. A thoughtful and thrilling tale. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

School Library Journal (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Gr 8 Up-Freya's dream of escaping court life and delving deeper into her scientific studies is almost within reach. After leaving the king's birthday party early to work on a project, she is horrified to learn that most of the court was poisoned, resulting in her being next in succession as queen. Most of Freya's advisers, including her father, want her to continue with the old ways of the court and punish those responsible for the murders. Freya wants to use her intelligence to learn not only how the people were murdered but why. While investigating, Freya first suspects but then befriends court darling Madeline and the charming, not-so-foolish Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of the former king. Thomas's novel focuses on Freya's struggle to embrace who she is, rather than who people want her to be. Although there is a constant threat of danger, this historical fantasy is slow-paced at times. A brief romance and a swift ending may also leave some readers wishing for more, while a few plot threads feel too convenient. Still, the world is richly built, with its own history and godlike heroes who have renounced the decadence of the kingdom. VERDICT A solid purchase with a strong female lead for libraries where fantasies circulate heavily. Suggest to teens who enjoyed Jennifer A. Nielsen's The False Prince or Garth Nix's Sabriel . Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, FL