Book Review: The Affiliate (Ascension #1) by K.A. Linde

Title: The Affiliate (Ascension #1)
Author: K.A. Linde
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Pages: 339
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy

               

On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm's lifelong plans come to fruition when she's chosen for one of the most prestigious positions in her homeland—an Affiliate to the Queen.
Or so she thinks.
When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene's position only grows more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have...
King Edric himself.
Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of freedom. Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new Ascension series.

So...this book pretty much knocked my socks off.

Let me first begin by saying that I am so lucky that K.A. Linde was at Apollycon selling this wonderful book. Not only did I get to meet her and have her sign my book, but she was so gracious and beautiful!

I completely fell in love with the main character Cyrene right from the beginning. She comes from a very prestigious family with many connections and she knows exactly how her Presenting will go. Of course it is no surprise when she is selected for the highest position available to females, an Affiliate to the Queen.

However, what sets her apart from every other females at the castle, including the queen, is the passion and fire that she possess. She burns so bright that it cannot be contained. You see this right from the start when she has the audacity to smirk at the king himself and dares to wear red, a color most inappropriate for young ladies to wear. When the king challenges her on both, she daringly remarks that she always smirks like that and she will be sure to order a new wardrobe filled with red since he seems to like it so much. And that was all in just the first 17 pages!

There is something to be said about a female who is confidant, knows her worth, and is not scared to show it.

The Affiliate is filled with court and political intrigue. Everyone is constantly maneuvering in order to advance their own agendas, most especially the queen. Magic, murder, mystery and mayhem are all contained within the pages of this book, and Cyrene must navigate it all in order to discover the magical destiny that awaits her.