Review: The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
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Introduction:
A warrior princess trained in isolation, Lara is driven by two certainties. The first is that King Aren of the Bridge Kingdom is her enemy. And the second is that she’ll be the one to bring him to his knees.
The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom enriches itself and deprives its rivals, including Lara’s homeland. So when she’s sent as a bride under the guise of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture its impenetrable defenses. And the defenses of its king.
Yet as she infiltrates her new home and gains a deeper understanding of the war to possess the bridge, Lara begins to question whether she’s the hero or the villain. And as her feelings for Aren transform from frosty hostility to fierce passion, Lara must choose which kingdom she’ll save… and which kingdom she’ll destroy.
Review:
Reviewed by Nethra Deckland
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen was a brilliant start to a great series of it’s namesake. Filled with action, suspense, court politics, drama, romance, spice and morally grey characters with it’s promising premise I couldn’t get enough of it. This was a book which ‘enemies-to-lovers’ trope was done right.
The Bridge Kingdom wasted no time getting into the thick of things, and I loved every second of it. From the first chapter, I was thrown headfirst into the action, and it didn’t let up. I was totally gripped from cover to cover. The author knew exactly when to delve into the nitty-gritty details and when to keep things moving. There was never a dull moment, and I appreciated that kind of storytelling finesse. This book also proved that you don’t need supernatural beings to make a fantasy world captivating. The plot was like a rollercoaster ride—full of unexpected twists and turns. The world building was seriously top notch. Jensen painted such a vivid picture of the setting that it was easy to get lost in the story. And the characters? Total badasses. I loved how they weren’t just one dimensional—they were complex, flawed, and totally relatable. Plus, those plot twists? I was blindsided by some of them, and it made the whole reading experience even more thrilling.
Lara was tough as nails, but deep down, she’s got this huge heart. What I really admired about her was how she was open to changing her mind when faced with the truth. And talk about loyalty—she’d go to the ends of the earth to defend her people, no matter which side of the bridge they were on.
Aren was the kind of leader you wanted to follow into battle. He had respect for his people, and he didn’t just throw himself into danger for the heck of it. I loved how he gave Lara the chance to speak up, recognizing her strengths and limitations.
Lara and Aren were hands down two of the most captivating characters I’ve come across in ages. Seriously, from the moment they stepped onto the page, I was hooked. And together? Oh man, they’re a powerhouse duo. The mistrust between Lara and Aren felt authentic and relatable. I loved how we got to see both sides of the story, diving into their thoughts and feelings. It made their relationship feel so much more authentic. The respect they had for each other? And the way they always there to saved each other? Relationship goals! I found myself cheering them on every step of the way. The sexual tension between them? Off the charts. And the banter? I couldn’t get enough. And that slow burn romance? Pure magic. The way they took the time to really get to know each other made their love feel so genuine. I was rooting for them from page one, and by the end, I was practically swooning.
And let’s talk about the violence and death in this book—it was real, raw, and unapologetic. Some authors shy away from the tough stuff, but not here. You felt every punch, every loss, and every heartbreak right alongside the characters. And you know what? That’s what made it so darn good. Not everything worked out perfectly, and that was okay. It was all part of the journey, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Such an awesome book! Reading Traitor Queen now…
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