Book Description:
All she wanted . . .
Seventeen-year-old Iris Winn loves her quiet life with her father, studying the poisons that fascinate them both. But after his sudden death, Iris is now the ward of her estranged aunt and uncle. In order to claim her inheritance, she must live in the capital city of Lenzen for one year. While there, she must attend parties, balls, and participate in every other vapid thing the elite of Ryden value. Iris doesn’t care about learning their rules or joining their ranks–her only goal is to endure the next year. Then she meets Prince Henri Kaelin.
Everything they demanded . . .
Every young woman in Lenzen wants Henri–except for Iris. Unfortunately, the prince only has eyes for her. The king has decreed that Henri must choose a bride before his birthday, and Iris is determined it won’t be her. Dodging a prince’s focused attention while placating her relatives and the rest of Ryden’s high society is exhausting–and more dangerous than Iris could have ever imagined. She is about to learn that not all games are innocent, and some smiles are more lethal than poison. Luckily, Iris is a quick study, and this is a game she is determined to win.
She would take it all.
Excerpt:
Iris stood on the cushioned pedestal in the center of the dressmaker’s workspace, which was located in the back of the dress shop. Incense burned in the corner, smothering the room with the scent of roses and making Iris’s nose itch.
She’d been in Lenzen for a week now, and already it felt like an eternity. Her first dinner with Lady Griffin went as expected, and though her uncle gave her a sympathetic look, he said nothing as the haughty woman proceeded to pick Iris apart.
Since that night, Iris had had the misfortune of having tea with Lady Griffin, and she was at the dress shop with the woman now. Thank the fates Lady Griffin had wandered to the front of the shop to gossip with some other ladies who had entered. Anora had gone with her, leaving Iris alone with the seamstress.
Lillin had a music lesson, so they’d left her at home. Frankly, Iris was grateful for the break. Her cousin was always close and her smiles were so sharp they hurt to look at. Every night, Iris fell into bed utterly drained. She missed having time alone with her thoughts. She missed her home, and her father’s gardens, and his workroom. She missed Zev.
She missed her father.
Her heart clenched. She must have stiffened, because the seamstress shot her a concerned look. The woman was on her knees before Iris, pinning the hem of a dark blue gown. Something in the submissiveness of the pose reminded Iris of the way the servants at home had always deferred to her, even when she was a child.
She missed that quiet deference. No one at home had ever tried to control her. Her father had raised her with freedom, and she’d never realized what a gift that was. The man may have had his failings—especially when it came to his obsession for his wife—but he had raised Iris to be strong and independent. And, perhaps in some ways, his occasional distant manner had made her even stronger. She had always relied on herself and no other.
In the end, she supposed that was the point of parents; to create children strong enough to survive a harsh world. To set them on the path they were destined to walk, and arm them with the skills they needed to excel.
“Continue,” Iris told the seamstress, who still looked questioningly up at her.
The woman returned to her pinning without a word.
Iris looked beyond the woman, toward her aunt and Lady Griffin. They were too far away to make out their words, but she could hear their tone. They were jovial as they spoke to the other ladies. The only time Anora’s pleasant mask faltered was when she pointed out Iris. Curious eyes raked over Iris, assessing and calculative.
It wasn’t long before the women dismissed themselves and the group parted ways. While Anora and Lady Griffin moved to the corner to inspect more fabrics, the other three women drifted farther into the shop, which brought them closer to Iris.
Their heads were ducked toward each other and their voices were pitched low, but the furtive glances sent Iris’s way made it all too clear they were talking about her.
She strained her ears without looking at them, hoping they would come a little closer.
“. . . such a shame she took after her father. Her mother was so beautiful, and she had a vibrant personality.”
“You knew her mother?”
“Yes, we were childhood friends. But then she left Lenzen and never returned. Some have claimed Thelin Winn locked her up.”
“No!”
“I’ve heard the same,” a new voice chimed in. “I also heard Verity was a troubled child.”
“She had her moods, certainly,” the first woman said at once. “But she was always a good friend to me.”
“It’s a shame she died so young,” the second woman whispered. “She didn’t have time to raise her own child. And you heard Lady Griffin—the girl isn’t prepared for entering society. It wasn’t right of her father to keep her locked up in Rew, with no proper education, and no woman’s attention.”
Iris’s hands fisted at her sides. She wanted to say something—defend her father, and denounce any kind thing they tried to say about her mother—but she held her tongue. Better to listen and learn what sorts of people she would be living around for the next year, and know what they thought about her.
“It is a shame,” the first woman agreed. “Iris Winn won’t survive long in court. Not if she’s as bad off as Lady Griffin said.”
“She certainly looks severe, doesn’t she? I’ve never seen a young woman look so somber.”
“She did just bury her father,” the one with the deepest voice said. She hadn’t spoken as much, but Iris didn’t consider her any sort of ally.
“Of course,” the first woman was quick to acknowledge. “But that won’t give her an excuse at her first ball when she’s unable to dance properly.”
“If she’s even asked,” the second one snorted. “She’s nothing like the girls the young men here are used to. She’s . . . odd. I can see it at a glance, and the young men will, too.”
“Well, at least we can tell Lady Rine not to worry; her twins are of age, and when she heard Iris was coming to Lenzen, she feared none of the young men in court would look at her girls because of the novelty of someone new.”
“Oh yes, I don’t think Lady Rine—or anyone else—should worry on that score. Iris Winn won’t be stealing any eligible young man’s attention.”
Review:
Possible slight spoiler alert for this review, so just be aware...
I have to admit, when I started this book, I was kind of hesitant, because I really didn't want to feel bad for Iris, or find out that she is the way she is because of how she was treated as a child. She is completely psychotic, and I didn't want my feelings for her to change. Well, I'm happy to say that my feelings are still the same. She is still the same ruthless, evil person we love to hate. But I did enjoy getting to know her back story. And I was, in a little way, rooting for things to go her way. (In the beginning.) But that would have completely changed this entire series, and we can't have that, because this series is excellent! So, if you love to hate Iris and Henri like I do, don't be afraid to read this book. It is just as captivating as all the other books in the series, and the author does a great job at bringing all of the characters to life, even the minor ones.
Giveaway:
To celebrate Crown & Serpent coming out, Heather is giving away a signed paperback of Royal Decoy + collectible bookmarks and postcard!
Get all the details and enter here: https://www.instagram.com/heather.frost.author/
Tour Schedule:
https://www.heatherfrost.com/post/crown-serpent-media-tour-schedule
Title: Crown and Serpent
Author: Heather Frost
Publisher: Self Published
Published: August 2023
ASIN: B0C4NM5J7K
Source: I received an e-copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Purchase: Here
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