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The kingdom of Hálendi is losing the war at its borders, and there are rumors of an even deadlier threat approaching. Princess Jennesara desperately wants to use her skills on the battlefield and fight for her country, but her father has other plans. She’s to be betrothed to the prince of the neighboring country of Turia in exchange for resources for Hálendi.
Jenna knows accepting the betrothal and going along with her father’s wishes is the only way to give her people a chance at peace, but she’s never left her kingdom — never even dreamed she would — and traveling to Turia means crossing dangerous land filled with wild magic. But Jenna has a secret. As the second-born to the throne, she’s not supposed to have magic, but she does. That not only makes her a viable option for the Hálendi throne, but it also makes her a threat to her own brother’s rule. And how will her betrothed and his family react when they discover her closely guarded secret?
When the royal caravan is ambushed on the journey to reach her betrothed and her new home, Jenna realizes this new threat is worse than she could have ever imagined, and her magic might be the only thing that can keep her kingdom from crumbling.
Shielded is a simplistic, but charming, read set in a world almost reminiscent of Arthurian tales, full of magic and mages and misty, unknown territory. Despite featuring your average YA kick-butt heroine and a romance rooted in insta-love, I found myself enjoying the romance, the political intrigue, and the themes of found family. The pace can be a little cat-and-mouse with explosive action scenes pocketed between characters traveling or hiding, but overall, it’s a strong debut from author Kaylynn Flanders.
Rated: Mild, for violence, which plays a strong part in the plot without being graphic. There are also a few instances of blood, death, war, and poisoning.
