Royal Decoy (Fate of Eyrinthia, #1)

by Heather Frost

[sstaley]

Royal Decoy is a YA Fantasy that has a wonderful story. The novel has two separate storylines going on but it is so easy to follow. I love a novel that goes along at a fast pace with a lot of mystery, action, and great characters. Clare is a poor peasant that goes from a kitchen worker to living in the palace. She is likable and easy to cheer for as her life is always in danger as the decoy for the princess of her country. In the second storyline and another country, we meet Grayson a son of the King. Believe it or not, this is another wonderful character that I grew to like immediately, even though he is feared by his people as a vicious killer. He is known as the Black Hand. Grayson has a great love that he needs to protect and can only do this by his obedience to his father. There is more violence in his chapters, but it fits the story and circumstances.

This book grabbed me from the first chapter and is easily read. It really is hard to put down. I didn't figure out the person behind the threats until later than I usually do. This first book does a lot of building up of the world and its characters and I can't wait to read more about them in the next book. The romance is beautifully built at a slow pace but it is sweet. I have to say I think Clare and Bennick are so good together, but I also have a soft spot for Venn.

If you are looking for a good read with royalty, mystery, intrigue, spies, war, and romance, this book has it all. Heather Frost certainly delivers a great read with Royal Decoy.