~ #Bookvent 2021 – Top Reads Countdown Day 18 ~

This annual countdown goes from December 1st until Christmas with one share per day. In the original challenge, the “rules” were (1)published in 2021 and (2)five-star read with “Red Hot Reads” titles automatically making the list. I kept the 2021 publish year “rule” as I have a lot of recent releases that were amazing. Since I already do my top novels of the year (5 star and sometimes 4.75 stars), I decided to highlight some of my 4.5 star reads as they are still amazing, but often get passed over in my countdowns. The choices are in a semi-random order with some novels that I enjoyed a little more making it a little higher in the countdown.

---

#Bookvent DAY 18

The Wayward Tower (The Twin Kingdoms #3) by Nancy O’Toole

Trapped in a tower

Aria knows how to escape imprisonment. All she needs to do is to lead Prince Victor to his death. But she has no desire to become a murderer or assist the man that holds her captive. Instead, Aria discovers a possible solution in unfamiliar magic. The Wayward Paths may lead her to freedom, but they will require her to come face to face with the shadows of her past.

The foolish prince

Victor’s life is in danger. After barely escaping a deadly masquerade, he finds himself a target of The Mage King, an ancient being who requires royal blood. Not that Victor takes that too seriously. He’d rather think about Aria, the beautiful and mysterious woman that visits him in his dreams. Aria’s past holds the key to the identity of The Mage King, but will their encounters provide him with answers or result in his demise?

What dangers lie on The Wayward Paths?

MY REVIEW

---

While the length of each book in the series is on the shorter side, it still reads well. The characters are well-done and the world-building is excellent. This book brings together events and characters from the first two novels to set up the series for the final addition, The Starlight Blade, which will be published in February 2022. Prince Victor is a character that is introduced in the second novel, A Dance with Magic, and Aria, who is also introduced in the second. The two characters end up meeting through a third character, Rebecca, who is introduced in the first book, The Rose and the Claw. I love this type of set-up as the bigs up the overall arcing story that makes this a series while allowing each character to shine in their own story.

---

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!