Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

SPOILERS AHEAD

4/5 stars

Okay, I need to preface this by saying that at my core, I am a vibes reader. I am not reading to get smarter or trying to critique some master work of literature, I am reading purely to vibe and have a good time. I understand why this book is not everyones favorite, but I am not ashamed to say I had a great time reading it. It was a fast paced read, kept me entertained, and made me want to read the rest of the series. What more can I ask for?

I don't totally understand how people are saying it's a rip of off Throne of Glass because the premises are completely different in my opinion. The only similarity is that they're both rescued from a prison to compete in trials to make a better life for themselves. If we're saying that makes them the same then we have to throw books like The Prison Healer into that copycat category too. To me, they're all different enough and have totally different vibes, that it doesn't matter if there's a similarity here and there. Whatever, if you're looking for a book that's going to totally change your life and be some god-tier level story, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a somewhat predictable combo of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games, you're in the right place.

I think this is a really fun idea for a story. Throwing a girl who's been in prison for the last 12 years into a trial to win the title of Sun Queen with no warning or background information made me feel like I was right along with Lor being confused as fuck. Some people might find it annoying having no real idea what's happening, but I was just riding along with it. Starting off with 10 girls and going through trials until they either die or make it to ~the Mirror~ to determine if they're the next queen really did feel like reading a super high stakes version of The Bachelor.

When I say that it was predictable, it really was pretty predictable. As soon as they started talking about the fallen territory of Heart and the Heart Queen dying with no heir and how Lor has a red gemstone in her locket just like the one in the Heart Queen's throne, I just knew it was Lor. Has not been confirmed, but if I'm wrong I'll eat my words because there's no way I'm wrong. I also had a weird feeling about Atlas from the beginning, which was definitely intentional but it was still fun to wait for him to turn into the bad guy. I love the sunshiney, golden-retreiver, perfect man being the villan, what a fun twist.

While we're talking about Atlas... can we talk about why Atlas wouldn't let her touch his dick after he went down on her? I know she said she felt a big ol dick in there but... maybe he's got something weird and small going on down there. It would explain the whole male manipulator, gaslighting, anger management issues he has going on. If we're being honest, I think every woman knows a guy like this - seems really sweet at first but turns out to be a total fucking psychopath. Just my type... (wish I was kidding, someone help me irl). Definitely a symptom of a lil pocket carrot. Bet he would drive a lifted Ram too just to really drive the point home.

Now Nadir on the other hand... not your typical dark haired love interest like Xaden or Rhys... because he has pretty Aurora lights that he can bend to his will instead of shadows. Cheesy? Sure. But it's different and we're going to roll with it. Kind of a fun juxstaposition of the dark, broody guy having eyes that swirl with a bunch of vivid colors and the Aurora just shimmering around him.

Lor isn't one of my favorite female main characters, but she definitely isn't the worst. I wish I had a way of describing her that sums it up, but she was just kind of meh. Tough, for sure, but a little bit slow to the punch. If I was Gabriel I would have shaken her because man she did not know how to listen to instructions. Speaking of Gabriel, I'm really excited to see what ends up happening with him in the next books becuase I just know he's one of the good guys and he's stuck in some weird deal with Atlas. Or I'm wrong and he just really hated Lor. Could go either way but I feel like I'm right.

The writing wasn't the greatest, but again, I'm just here for the vibes. If I'm reading a book for its incredible, flowery, poetic writing that I'm expecting to be great, then I'll be critical about the writing. But if I'm just reading a book to have a good time, I'm just going to let all the inconsistencies and annoyances slide by. Although I must say, there was an unnecessary amount of winking going on in this book. And a lot of holding back tears, which, fair enough. But the winking was weird. I don't know anyone that winks unironically.

Anyways, a fun read overall. Well paced, kept me interested, and I'm definitely going to read the next one. See you during my review for that one!!!