The Third Daughter

It's a dual-pov with slight appearances by the youngest sister, Brianne, who's under the sleeping curse (slight here meaning like 3? chapters at the most). So not a true multi-pov which makes sense as to why everyone's saying dual-pov. I liked both main characters but I probably would say I preferred Sabine's chapters more. Not to say that I didn't like Elodie – I did. I just didn't agree with her thoughts and actions all the time. Also (and obviously this is the whole royal vs. commoner differences) she was a bit naive now and then? She's hasty in her decisions – which isn't really her fault. The book is very fast-paced. Mom dies a few days before the book starts and then the youngest sister is crowned and then boom she goes to sleep. So it's hard to fault her for making rash decisions when there are deadlines on various matters. Even though I was keeping that in mind it didn't help me in forgiving her carelessness all that much.

This further showed in how she treated Sabine and acted around her (more of the royal vs. commoner differences). I won't say anything really about the end of the book, obviously, but it will be interesting to see how the sequel changes in these terms. I related more so to Sabine than Elodie. Interestingly enough, even though both had siblings, I felt Elodie's relationships with hers is more believable. Nothing entirely wrong with Sabine's relationships with her brother and sister, it just didn't feel as real as Elodie's did.

I really liked how Tooley took the church and made us look at the darker side of it. Like it or not, whatever feelings you have on the church; unfortunately there is a darker side. The Chaplain in here definitely represents that. I sussed him out the first time we meet him on page and I wanted to go inside the book and just punch his annoying face. He knows exactly what to say to get what he wants and he has no problem in manipulating everyone to get his way. I wanted to drag his greasy hands away from Brianne and throw them into the ocean or something. And then, you know, might as well carry on with throwing the rest of his body in the ocean.

It's a fast-paced book and the action is well mixed up with the silent moments. Tooley did a good job in writing and balancing them. I think a lot of writers are usually focused on the action scenes and creating a believable romance, adding witty banter (if they choose). I think they forget that you can have silent moments and it can be good. There's sadness in both girls – sadness that actually is the same when you look at the heart of it all. I hope Tooley carries that into the sequel. If her other books also have it that definitely makes me want to read it more.