Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruarnon is the heir of Tarlah, they have lessons in combat, the history of their country and their people, as well as learning how to run the kingdom they will one day inherit, all the while trying to impress the current King, who also happens to be their father who believes that because they are non-binary, they have to work harder than most. When they are not training or studying, they are spending time with their family and close friends, that is until one day the reality of their position comes crashing around them when assassination attempts are foiled and their parents are abducted in the middle of the night.

As they are reeling from the recent events, Ruarnon has to take control of their kingdom and make some tough decisions, they are not sure who to trust within their Royal Council and news comes in that their neighbouring Kingdom is rekindling their brutal nature and renewing their efforts to expand into Tarlah. Meanwhile Linh is on a school trip in Australia when suddenly the environment around her changes from somewhere she knows very well to somewhere completely strange and alien, however, when she tries to return the way she came, she realises that she is stuck in a foreign land fortunately is rescued by a boat who takes her to someone who they believe can help her. This is a lot to take in for Linh and her anxiety tries to get the best of her, however, when she learns that there is an option of a race who live in lands far to the north who may have the knowledge she needs to return home, she will take a risk and journey there.

As Linh starts the journey into an uncertain future and to a destination where she is desperately hoping to get the information she needs, a stop is made at a small island for provisions, however, when she is rushed back to their transport, she sees something which terrifies her, there are monsters attacking the islanders and those who are travelling with her and they do not differentiate between age, gender or race, anything that moves is a target for them and they are ruthless. Unknown to Ruarnon, his Kingdom is in more danger than just the expansionist neighbours, so when Linh arrives with the reinforcements he has requested and she tells him of what she has seen on her travels, the reality sets in, but will they be able to make the decisions they need to in order to keep Tarlah safe, no matter what deals they have to make with their enemies in order to do it?

This is a fantasy adventure which is action packed throughout as you see the devastating affects of rivalry, war and monsters as the main characters race against the clock to save as many of those around them by making decisions based on questionable truths brought by unreliable spies which will keep you on your toes throughout and not wanting to put the book down until you find out how it ends.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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