Review: Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Fireblood (Fireblood #1) by Trisha Wolfe

To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.
When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father’s capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin.
Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult.
When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart’s twisted world, Zara’s path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara’s hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father’s evil nature, or they will take him out.
But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels’ command and where the prince’s heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she’s truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart.

Publishes in US: December 17th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press
Genre: YA Fantasy/dystopia
Source: Spencer Hill via Netgalley
Series? Fireblood #1

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    Trisha has done it again. Kick ass characters, swoon worthy romance, and an intricate plot with side characters that are fully fleshed out. 

    I loved the setting of this one. It is unlike anything I have read really. It is set in the future, a dystopian society that is based on Camelot, with knights, dresses, older speech patterns, tournaments and the like. Zara is the main character and she is chosen to be the new princess, but she wants no part, because although the society is "peaceful", the king rules harshly, with violent and deadly broadcasted punishments for those who disobey. 

    Zara is such a strong character, but she has and knows her limits, and I really appreciated that about her. She is new to the court, being raised on a farm, and that makes her relatable, because I have no idea what I would do if trusted into politics, it would be out of my league. But I love how easily she learns and adapts to situations whether court girls with their claws out, to learning to ride a horse or be in combat. She has such a pure heart, she wants to see the best in everyone and she brings that out in people. I also appreciate that she gets emotional. She doesn't deny that part of herself, she knows it is a part of her and that showing them isn't a weakness, but a show of strength. 

    As she plots her escape, she gains help learning to ride from the first knight, and her guard Devlan. I loved him from the minute I met him, with his wit, charm, broodiness, and his protective nature. I love their exchanges, and like Zara, I wanted to know the secrets he harbored. And little by little we find them out, and it only makes me want to know more about him and fall for him all the more. 

    The swoon factor is definitely present in this one, and like I have come to expect from Trisha, the romance leaves me breathless, and wanting more. 

     Sebastian, the prince is a story of himself. I go from hating, to thinking that he has a soft side that can be coaxed out, having hope for him shattered, to pity. The whole range of emotions because he really is a complex character, and being raised by a harsh ruler has left him with a mean streak, but there are also traces of wanting more for the kingdom but the two sides battle which is what leaves me so conflicted. 

     The rebels are surprises all around in this one, and they are the beacon of hope, but they also have their problems and people that like Zara, it is hard to trust even though they are against the king for their own reasons. But Devlan is there, and they uncover to her some shocking truths, not only about the depth of the evil from the king, but things about her past, and who she is. 

     The story gives me a good ending, nail biting, and action filled for sure, but it fit the story perfectly, and I am anxious to see how the series will continue. 

Bottom Line: Absolutely amazing, brilliant setting, wonderfully developed characters and heart-pounding romance and action.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are the dresses and apparel of old appealing to you?