Theme Week: Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley

---

✦ BLURB ✦

One year ago, Rowenna Harrack, the crown princess of Tashir, left her homeland in a wedding dress of chains—sent away to the enemy nation of Vanzador as a captive bride.

Now, Rowenna is dead. Brought home in a coffin after an alleged fall from a cliff.

Second-born princess, Indira, knows her sister's death was no accident. Desperate for truth and vengeance, Indira agrees to wed the prince so she can infiltrate Vanzador, find Rowenna's murderer, and burn their kingdom to the ground.

Indira's plan is simple, she will make nice until she can find out how to avenge her sister and free her country from the rival nation's stranglehold. But when Indira arrives, nothing is as terrible as Rowenna described. As Indira grows closer to her new husband, Prince Alaric, and uncovers more about Vanzador, the source of its powers, and what happened during Rowenna's final days, she's no longer sure what—and who—to believe. Because everyone, even her sister, has secrets. Deadly ones.

---

Secrets, vengeance, and a kingdom on fire.

Pre-Reading Thoughts:
I’m expecting a tense, clever story full of political intrigue and dangerous secrets. Indira’s quest for truth and vengeance promises a tightrope of deception and strategy, and I’m curious how the courtly world of Vanzador will challenge her plans.

Post-Reading:
As I thought… Addie’s worldbuilding is brilliant—the kingdoms feel lived-in, the politics layered, and even confusing details later fall neatly into place. The cleverness of the story kept me engaged throughout.

It surprised me by… How much the characters leaned into “can’t spit it out itis.” Many withheld information unnecessarily, which frustrated me, but it did create a constant undercurrent of mistrust and tension. Indira’s navigation of secrets—her own and others’—ended up being a central, compelling part of the story.

Music Pairing:
🎵 Featured Song: “Castle” – Halsey (mysterious, vengeful, and dramatic)
🎶 Vibe Album: Badlands – Halsey (a brooding, strategic energy)
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Aurora (ethereal yet cunning, fits Indira’s cunning and emotional depth)

Vibe Check:

• Colour Palette: Deep reds, charcoal, and silver accents

• Soundtrack: Whispered conversations, echoing halls, distant clashing swords

• Season: Winter, crisp and sharp, perfect for plotting and schemes

• Mood: Tense anticipation

• Scent: Candle wax, cold stone, faint smoke

Tarot Pull:

The Queen of Swords – Indira embodies intelligence, strategy, and a sharp mind. She cuts through deception with clarity, but the Queen of Swords also warns that a focus on intellect and justice can distance her from emotion—a perfect mirror for Indira’s cunning, wary heart.

For Fans Of:
Books: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh, Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
TV/Movies: Reign (for political intrigue, courtly scheming, and complex power dynamics)

Burn the Kingdom Down publishes on the 7th April, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

🃏 The deck had opinions: [Card Name] — [Comment about how it fits the book]

✧ ✐ ⋆ ⁂ ❧ ☀ ✺ ☽ ❂ ⸎ ⚡ ☥ 🜃 ♢ ✦ ❁ ❀ 💮 🕹 🛡 🗡 🔮 🐉 🌀 🍭 🐾 🥷 🧹