Sword of Lions by TZ Krasner

The Sword of Lions relates the tale of Janet, the Crown Princess of Avanna, and her struggle to free her people from the curse imposed by a vengeful foe from the past. In order to break the curse, she must learn to control her own power, believe in her heart, and rely on both old and new companions.

In addition to teaching Janet how to reverse the family curse, her quest will also enable her to discover who she is as a person and what she really wants out of life. Princess Janet was quite charming. She is courageous and independent, but she is also intelligent and occasionally annoyed by how little control she has over her powers.

At the beginning of the novel, her bond with her six sisters is endearing and believable. It’s delightfully genuine how Janet’s younger sisters tease her about why she hasn’t settled down with a partner. Equally wonderfully written are her exchanges with Malcolm of Bonaparte, her former best friend and protector.

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They have an irresistible tension since Malcolm and Janet both deny that deeper feelings have developed between them. Sometimes all I wanted to do was yell at them both to quit acting like they were in love with each other. When done poorly, it can be annoying to read about characters who are hiding their feelings for one another.

However, the author provides extremely compelling arguments for why Janet and Malcolm are afraid to admit their genuine feelings for one another. In the end, these challenges give their love story more complexity. The larger narrative of the magical curse is skillfully woven into this more romantic plotline.

I enjoyed how the author blended figures from various folktales and legends into the novel, such as Merlin, Robin Hood, and even Arsene Lupin, my favourite gentleman thief! The tale develops quickly, and each new discovery or plot turn kept me intrigued until I was eager to learn whether Janet and her allies would be able to reverse the curse and preserve the country.

A few formatting issues here and there don’t detract from the tale and are simple to ignore. I sincerely hope the author continues to share tales from the kingdom of Avanna, especially those involving Alexis, Janet’s youngest sister, and Andre, the cunning and cheery hero.

About The Book

A princess facing a difficult decision…

Crown Princess Janet has refused every suitor that has come to ask her hand, and not because of Malcolm of Bonaparte! He is a friend and nothing more! She is the future of Avanna, a woman who wields substantial power both through position and her own magic abilities. She must choose carefully.

A warrior determined to protect what matters…

Malcolm will do what he must to protect the woman who has always been his closest friend. Even if that means lying to her- about who he is and what he feels. And when her family falls under a dark curse, he is the only one she can trust to get her to the Forest Tower, home of the ancient wizard, Merlin.

Dangers lie around every turn in the road and a former friend hunts them every step at the behest of a dark enemy. But the greatest danger lies ahead- a confrontation with an evil every bit as ancient and powerful as their salvation. And beyond all that, Janet must contend with something she has spent years denying- her own heart.