The Twisted Throne by Danielle L. Jensen is the fifth book in The Bridge Kingdom series. Each set of two in the series follows a different duo of characters that are all pieces of the overarching story, so this book begins an entirely new plot with the focus on a different set of characters. This series thus far has been filled with dramatic schemes and beautiful enemies-to-lovers plots that take the trope to a whole new level, so I was incredibly excited to read what comes next.
Ahnna Kertell has been promised as a bride to the crown prince of Harendell for years, under the terms of the peace treaty her parents arranged before they died. The time has come, and for the sake of Ithicana, her country, and her brother, Ithicana’s king, she will go to Harendell and fulfill the terms of the treaty.
Ahnna is used to shark-infested waters, but the stiff formality and vicious scheming of the Harendellian court presents a whole new kind of challenge for a wild, battle-tested girl like her. Where betrayal and danger run rampant, Ahnna must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her people safe.
To avoid spoilers, I will keep the discussion of the characters brief. These characters are an utter delight to read. They have layers and depth in orders of magnitude, and a great deal of strength in treacherous situations. While we know Ahnna is our heroine, everyone else could be a friend or a foe, but even her plentiful enemies are written to be interesting and complex.
The author hooks her readers immediately with both captivating interpersonal drama in Ahnna’s life and political action. Throughout the book, the balance between emotions and battles remains a heady combination. The first plot twist comes within the first few chapters, and The Twisted Throne continues to keep readers on their toes throughout the book.
The romance element to this book is a very slow burn, with these characters in the kind of impossible situation this series is famous for. As a result, the spice is minimal and not the focal point of the story, but that doesn’t at all take away from the depth of emotion between Ahnna and her love interest.
The Twisted Throne is a very grounded fantasy, with just a hint of magic and sparing moments of spice that are filled with forbidden longing. This book feels like the stuff of old legends, in the best way possible. It is gorgeously crafted and exciting to read from the first page to the last. I can’t wait to read what comes next in this fantasy realm.
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