R.J. Valldeperas has been on my short list ever since I met the author earlier this year. So you know when I was sent Their Will Undone I had to read it! And the world felt so lush, immersive, and full of emotion! Keep reading this book review of Their Will Undone for my full thoughts.
Summary
When a maiden is selected to marry the emperor, her journey to the palace will see her fighting both a spark of magical power and her growing feelings for her broody escort in this romantic fantasy duology opener, inspired by a true story from the Inca empire.
In the Amaru Empire, it’s considered an honor to be chosen for the annual harvest. But when guards stole Nina’s brother away, it devastated her family. So, when the guards returned for Nina’s sweet sister, she threw herself into their clutches instead. And Nina has spent every moment since then in the acllahuasi, a gilded cage where women are trained to become servants or wives.
When Kasik, an obedient lieutenant in Amaru’s army, is sent to the acllahuasi to retrieve the emperor’s new wife, it’s only the promise of his own command—and a chance to escape his controlling father—that forces him to accept.
Kasik has no reason to trust Nina, nor she to trust him. But, as they begin their journey, their chemistry is hard to ignore. Also hard to ignore? The tugging sensation of magic in Nina’s chest, awakening more questions than she can possibly answer as she travels with a handsome stranger to her unknown fate.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
It’s easy to fall in love with Nina. Ripped from her family, she’s rebellious, fiery, and determined. Even though she’s been picked to be the new wife, and thrown very much in the deep end, she’s determined to escape. In Their Will Undone I loved the combination of the world and Nina’s character. And, to be honest, I was not expecting to like Kasik. He’s very much from the other side, tasked with bringing Nina to the Emperor. But being able to see from his POV allows us to see his own journey. The questions he can’t help but think of at night, the secrets which become shadows, and the growing feelings he has for Nina.
Their Will Undone examines whether love is a form of manipulation. A way to exert our influence on someone. I loved the idea of will magic. It’s one of my niche interests in fantasy stories as we are forced to contend with love and the idea of our will not being our own. Elena Rey & Christian Barillas were fabulous narrators who consistently push you to listen further. There’s this push and pull from them that captivates you. Their Will Undone is full of those classic tropes of the Chosen One and enemies to lovers. While some of the plot twists were predictable, in the classic YA fantasy feels, I loved the way the world sets us apart. I am so intrigued in listening to the sequel! Especially as we see the themes of Empire and the oppression evolve as themes.
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Find Their Will Undone on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.