Casters and Crowns by Elizabeth Lowham - ADVISABLE

Casters and Crowns by Elizabeth Lowham, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $21.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In attempting to prove to her father that she, as the crown princess, is ready for more responsibility, Aria (18yo) goes to discuss peace with the Dowager Countess Morton without telling anyone. Their meeting goes well—until the dowager countess reveals that it was all a lie. Aria does all she can to hide the curse placed on her, but how is she supposed to defeat magic when all she knows is to fear it?

Filled with beautiful world-building, life-or-death stakes, magical abilities, and the constant flinging of creative insults between brothers, every page was a delight. Perfectionism haunts several of the characters, highlighting different avenues of dealing with mistakes and consequences. The conclusion is fitting, though I would have loved a promise of another book with these characters I have adored.

The majority of characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mild innuendo, and kissing. The violence rating is for assault, fantasy violence, and mentions of murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen