Princess Ballot by Jaymin Eve, Tate James Pages: 252
Published by Amazon Digital Services on December 26, 2019
Series: Royals of Arbon Academy #1
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
You have been chosen.
Those four words change Violet Spencer’s whole life, when against staggering odds, she's selected in the "princess ballot."
Arbon Academy is affectionately known as the school for Royals. Only the rich, powerful, or heir to a throne gain entry ... except for the one scholarship student accepted every five years. It's a worldwide lottery, and one that Violet entered without giving it any serious thought.
But the media got it wrong and Arbon Academy is much more than a simple college for future leaders.
It’s a dark world of politics, intrigue, and dangerous guys who will stop at nothing to get their own way. Despite her best efforts at remaining off the radar, Violet finds herself a pawn between two of the most powerful monarchies in the world.
Prince Rafe of the Switzerlands and Prince Alex of the Australasias are bitter enemies both on the soccer field and in the political arena. Monarchies rule the world now, and every waking breath is a competition for the princes.
Control the ball.Control the world. Control Violet.
Whether it's through love or hate, someone will ultimately win.
*This is book one in a dark college romance. This is not a RH or traditional love triangle story, but it does include a-hole princes, nasty princesses, and one chick who will take none of their shit, all the while doing her best to make it out alive. HEA guaranteed. Eventually. 17+. #darkromance #collegeromance #sportsromance #royals
Princess Ballot is the first book in Royals of Arbon Academy series by author duo Jaymin Eve and Tate James. When I first saw that a series was coming out by these two authors, I was super excited! I have read series by them though kindle unlimited and both of their series were 5 star reads all the way through for me. (Jaymin Eve’s Curse of the Gods series is one of my all time favorites, and I am currently LOVING Tate Jame’s Royal Trials series. Both are sooo good if you have not read them.) To say I was excited about Princess Ballot was an understatement. I knew I was going to be getting something dark and delicious from these two. And they did not disappoint. At all.
The Princess Ballot takes place in a future version of our world. After another world war, the countries and democratic systems we know fell apart, and in their place rose 50 kingdoms, each ruled by a monarch. In this new world, there is a central world academy that is revered above all other schools. The Arbon Academy is where all of the world’s important, rich, famous or royal young adults receive an education. Yes, all of the royal families send their children to Arbon Academy (hence the call out to Royals and Princess in the series and book title). Our main character, Violet is an orphan. At the start of the book, Violet learns she won the Princess Ballot and she is whisked away on scholarship to attend the Arbon Academy. Once every 5 years, the Arbon Academy offers one scholarship from a lottery system. Violet is that one.
The idea behind the Arbon Academy, the new world order, and the concept that Violet is to be the only scholarship student in a sea of privileged rich and royals was the perfect mix of intriguing and improbable that set the stage for a yummy book. I absolutely loved this set up. Yes, it is not super realistic, but I loved the world that these authors created. I love the atmosphere of stuck up brats and royals, of an uber competitive boarding school, and political intrigue, psychological warfare and everything else that takes place in a school for bratty royals. Throw in the fact that because it is a world wide school, there are heirs to kingdoms that are bitter enemies, all in one class. It leads to some explosive encounters, and honestly I gobbled it all up. Tate James and Jaymin Eve know how to write stories that ensnare all of your senses and make you not want to put the book down. I read way past my bedtime for the Princess Ballot, and I am already on the edge of my seat for the next book.
When Violet gets to the Academy, she meets all kinds of people. Some that I loved (like Mattie and Nolan) Some that I hated and some that I loved to hate. ON her first day she captures the attention of not one but two princes. Prince Rafe of the Switzerlands and Prince Alex of the Australasias. Rafe is dark, broody and kind of a jerk right off the bat. Prince Alex is light, fun and flirty from the jump. I am not going to get too much into each of the princes. I will let you see that for yourselves, but these characters gave me so many mixed emotions. They toyed with my feelings throughout the whole story in a way that I completely loved. (even when I hated them.) The ending of the book left my poor heart completely in shreds, and I absolutely positively must have the second book right now, or I just don’t know how I will survive. If you are a fan of dark college romance featuring warring royals, then Princess Ballot is the book for you.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2020 Reading Assignment Challenge
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