"Evermore" by Jody Hedlund

 


Seventeen years after the events of Always, it is time for the Lost Princesses to learn their identities and begin the work of reclaiming the throne. 

Lady Adelaide grew up doing everything her male cousins did. She can ride, hunt, and even secretly masquerade as a knight and succeed in tournaments. Benevolent to those who live on her estate, she's quite the catch now that she is entering the age for courtship and marriage. She is shocked when a deathbed confession brings forth the truth: she is the crown princess of Mercia, the rightful heir to the throne that was stolen from her father.

Christopher left Mercia five years ago to serve the king of Norland, unwilling to put up with the loyalist position of his parents. When he learns that those leanings were a ploy to throw off any suspicion that they were raising one of the lost princesses, he begins to rethink everything. His younger cousin has grown into a beautiful woman, already vied over by many men who do not know her true identity.

Events are set in motion that put Adelaide on the run for her life. Is there a way to defeat evil King Ethelwulf and restore peace and harmony to Mercia? How can she find her younger sisters, the twin newborn infants who escaped from the castle the day her parents died? Is Christopher's loyalty to her true, or is it born from his desire to raise his position in the land?

Battles and wits play out in a race to keep Adelaide safe and take the next steps toward gaining the crown. Fans of fairy tales and young adult fiction will especially enjoy this new series from Jody Hedlund.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.