Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Lady Hollis Brite, a charming member of the Coroan royal court, is ordered around by her overbearing parents and attended by her best friend, outcast Delia Grace. Having captured the heart of the handsome young Coroan king, Jameson, Hollis suddenly faces the very real prospect of being Coroa-s next queen, despite her family-s inferior social standing and her own lack of political interest. Jameson is smitten with Hollis-s honest stories and optimism, but the Coroan nobility is not. When the Eastoffe family arrives seeking asylum from the neighboring rival nation of Isolte, Hollis is captivated by the oldest son, Silas, and questions both her feelings for Jameson and her desire to be queen. Cass-s trademark love triangle is set against the fictitious 16th-century kingdom of Coroa and its elaborate customs, and the threat posed by the insidious Isolte king adds some needed danger. Though Hollis begins with an unfortunate deference toward Jameson that at first makes her seem timid, she has found both her voice and her spine by the end of this duology opener, becoming a headstrong heroine whom Cass-s loyal following will champion. Ages 13-up. Agent: Elana Roth Parker, Laura Dail Literary. (May)

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Lady Hollis Brite is destined to be royalty and her family is ready to seal the deal with a proposal from King Jameson. While she enjoys his company, her true love is a commoner named Silas Eastsoffe who comes to Coroa with his family. Silas and Hollis hit it off romantically from the beginning. The action in the story is slow at first with a lot of pages devoted to developing the characters and setting. This pacing helps the story feel regal and devoted to the courtship between Hollis and Jameson. There is no doubt that Jameson intends to make Hollis his queen, even though her heart is drawn to Silas. The action comes later, delivering a cliffhanger as Hollis leaves to question the ruler of another kingdom. Like Cass's previous female protagonists, Hollis is a strong character, and proves to be a good role model with little fear who knows what she wants to accomplish. VERDICT Fans of "The Selection" series will anxiously await the second installment of this duology to learn Hollis's fate. Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

ALA Booklist

Loyal fans of Kiera Cass' Selection series can exhale a sigh of relief as the first in her long-awaited regal duology has at last arrived. When Lady Hollis Brite wins the enviable affection of King Jameson, she believes she's been bestowed with everything any girl in Coroa could ever hope for. But Hollis quickly learns that sometimes being queen only earns one a title and status as the king's ornament, and that an opportune encounter with a handsome foreigner can pave her way to a drastically different future. Cass marks her return with the lure of royal conventions and a character who is charming in her naivete regarding ladylike etiquette. Establishing the authenticity of the sixteenth-century setting through appropriate vernacular is crucial in a period-based novel, so the ill-timed use of contractions creates a flimsy sense of place. Hollis' lack of emotional range as the story progresses is saved by her resilient disposition and humanizing early faux pas. Readers can expect this off-kilter romance tethered to a gut-wrenching conclusion to make them cry: the signature of a Cass book.

Kirkus Reviews

In an imagined setting evoking medieval England, King Jameson of Coroa pursues Hollis Brite.The independent teenager makes Jameson laugh, but she lacks the education and demeanor people expect in a queen. Her friend Delia Grace has more knowledge of history and languages but is shunned due to her illegitimate birth. Hollis gets caught up in a whirl of social activity, especially following an Isolten royal visit. There has been bad blood between the two countries, not fully explained here, and when an exiled Isolten family also comes to court, Jameson generously allows them to stay. Hollis relies on the family to teach her about Isolten customs and secretly falls in love with Silas, the oldest son, even though a relationship with him would mean relinquishing Jameson and the throne. When Hollis learns of political machinations that will affect her future in ways that she abhors, she faces a difficult decision. Romance readers will enjoy the usual descriptions of dresses, jewelry, young love, and discreet kisses, although many characters remain cardboard figures. While the violent climax may be upsetting, the book ends on a hopeful note. Themes related to immigration and young women's taking charge of their lives don't quite lift this awkwardly written volume above other royal romances. There are prejudicial references to Romani people, and whiteness is situated as the norm.Skip this uninspired entry into the world of medieval love and court intrigue. (Historical romance. 13-16)