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In the Amaru Empire, it’s supposed to be an honor to be a child chosen for the annual harvest and raised to serve the empire. But years ago, when guards stole away Nina’s brother, it devastated her family. They’ve come again for Nina’s younger sister, but instead of letting her be taken, Nina trades places with her. She’s taken immediately to the acllahuasi, a gilded cage where women are trained to become servants or wives to the noble class. But not all is as it seems, and Nina is determined to escape.
Meanwhile, Kasik, an obedient lieutenant in Amaru’s army, has been sent to the acllahuasi to retrieve the emperor’s new wife.
Nina has no reason to trust Kasik, but their journey through the jungle will be long. If she goes along with him peaceably, at least for now, surely the chance to escape will present itself. But amid the dangerous jungle, Nina cannot ignore the unexpected draw she feels toward Kasik. Even harder to ignore is the awakening magic in her chest, which only ignites more questions about her people’s history, her own powers, and the fate that awaits her in a city rife with danger.
I wanted to like Their Will Undone. I was intrigued by the world, the culture, and the myths. It’s rare to find a fantasy inspired by an Incan setting, making this story instantly unique. While the author does a decent job portraying that tantalizing world and its magic, the book quickly fell flat for me. The story relies heavily on a method of telling versus showing — not just with back story or action sequences, but with the characters’ relationships, their emotions, and their motives. Readers are told why we should care. Instead, I couldn’t shake a sense of disconnect. I was further confused by the inconsistency of the characters’ motives, their choices and unfounded loyalties, and the convenient appearance of magic and its ease of use.
Overall, Their Will Undone has potential. It’s being praised for its political machinations, feminine rage, and singular world, and it will likely appeal to readers who love a fast, forbidden romance. Unfortunately, this story just wasn’t for me.
Rated: Mild. There is no language. Sexual content includes a failed attempt at seduction. A girl is stripped and washed by other women. Characters kiss. Violence, while not graphic or gory, plays a large part of the plot. It includes injury, several bloody executions, murder, magical killings, a sacrificial suicide, and the intention of having a human sacrifice to appease the gods.
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*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
