The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz - Paul's pre-reading

*I received this book as an eARC from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Ring and the Crown
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Year Published: 2014

Synopsis: Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? 

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. 

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. 

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

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Why?: I've heard great things about this book. When it was released, I loved seeing all the pictures on Instagram with the flower crowns. Aside from the hype, the cover and synopsis alone capture me. It sounds like an alternate history England with magic. Everything about that sounds amazing. I am just imagining Downton Abbey with wizards.    

Expectations: I'm expecting a really cool fantasy alternate history. I'm sure there's going to be awesome royal intrigue. The magic element added really gets me excited.   

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is gorgeous. I love the background colors, how the red and blues are marbled together. The flower crown is also spectacular. The light skin of the woman is also very contrasting.  


--PAUL