Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep

The second book in a new series taking place in Bellonan, a country with shape shifting and magic.  Evie, a poor Cinderella type of relative lives in the palace of her aunt, the queen.   Evie is tested by Morta and the bastard brigade.   Strength of magic determines so much in Bellonan and Evie still appears to have none.   Evie is forced to defend the kingdom that has denied her existence.

Estep has polished her skills since I read her early Spider works.  She has crafted a kingdom and its neighbors and populated them with colorful characters.   She develops the Evie character and shows the success of determination and courage.

Evie’s personality seems to project what it means to be a Winter Queen.   She finds herself trying to find allies against the predations of Morta by visiting Andvari.  The antipathy of Andvari seems over the top considering the fact that all the Blairs but Evie have been killed.   A surprising secret about the powers of a Winter Queen come into play.  That secret and the interplay with Sully, her Andvarian on and off again paramour add zest to the story.  What Prince is being protected and by whom?

I am enjoying the series.

An interesting book, well written and very entertaining.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.