Ratings6
Average rating2.9
A damsel in distress takes on the dragon herself in this epic twist on classic fantasy. Based on a screenplay by Dan Mazeau, this is a groundbreaking collaboration between New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Skye and the team behind the upcoming Netflix film Damsel, starring Millie Bobby Brown. A price must be paid. Elodie never dreamed of a lavish palace or a handsome prince. As she grew up in the famine-stricken realm of Inophe, her deepest wish was to help her people survive each winter. So when a representative from a rich, reclusive kingdom offers her family enough wealth to save Inophe in exchange for Elodie’s hand in marriage, she accepts without hesitation. Swept away to the glistening kingdom of Aurea, Elodie is quickly taken in by the beauty of the realm—and of her betrothed, Prince Henry. But as Elodie undertakes the rituals to become an Aurean princess, doubts prick at her mind as cracks in the kingdom’s perfect veneer begin to show: A young woman who appears and vanishes from the castle tower. A parade of torches weaving through the mountains. Markings left behind in a mysterious V. Too late, she discovers that Aurea’s prosperity has been purchased at a heavy cost—each harvest season, the kingdom sacrifices its princesses to a hungry dragon. And Elodie is the next sacrifice. This ancient arrangement has persisted for centuries, leading hundreds of women to their deaths. But the women who came before Elodie did not go quietly. Their blood pulses with power and memory, and their experiences hold the key to Elodie’s survival. Forced to fight for her life, this damsel must use her wits to defeat a dragon, uncover Aurea’s past, and save not only herself but the future of her new kingdom as well.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)
Overall feelings? Meh. It was easy to breeze though but it didn't feel like much happened. Not a whole lot of character growth and the world building just like.. stopped after the beginning.
Having seen the movie beforehand I knew what I was going to read and it came through. Fun read overall.
Elodie tidak pernah memimpikan istana mewah atau pangeran tampan. Besar di tengah lingkungan yang kelaparan, membantu rakyat Inophe bertahan hidup setiap musim dingin adalah keinginan terdalamnya. Ketika sebuah lamaran yang ditukar dengan kekayaan untuk menyelamatkan Inophe ditawarkan, dia menerima tanpa ragu. Menjejakkan kaki di Kerajaan Aurea yang berkilauan, Elodie dengan cepat terpesona oleh keindahan alam—dan tunangannya, Pangeran Henry.
Keraguan mulai menusuk pikiran Elodie saat keganjilan demi keganjilan terlihat di setiap sudut Aurea: Seorang wanita muda muncul dan menghilang dari menara kastil. Parade obor berkelok-kelok melintasi pegunungan—berikut tanda yang tertinggal di sudut kerajaan. Terlambat, dia menemukan bahwa kemakmuran Aurea dibeli dengan harga mahal—setiap musim panen, kerajaan mengorbankan putri-putrinya untuk naga yang lapar. Tentu saja Elodie adalah pengorbanan selanjutnya!
Ratusan wanita dikorbankan selama berabad-abad. Meski begitu, darah mereka berdenyut dengan kekuatan dan ingatan, pengalaman mereka adalah kunci kelangsungan hidup Elodie. Terpaksa berjuang, Elodie menggunakan akalnya untuk mengalahkan naga, mengungkap masa lalu Aurea, dan menyelamatkan masa depan kerajaan barunya.
Ini pertama kalinya membaca karya Evelyn Skye. Menurutku ada begitu banyak plothole pada alur waktu dan rancang bangun dunianya. Belum termasuk sistem magis yang menurutku kurang jelas. Namun untuk penggemar fantasi petualangan, buku ini layak dicoba.