Review of 'A Thousand Heartbeats'

“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.”

Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain.

Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people.

But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.

Kiera Cass brings her signature sparkling romance to this beautiful story of star-crossed lovers and long-held secrets.

Review

I’m not one for romance, but A Thousand Heartbeats captured my attention, and held onto it with a grip strong enough to hold a lofty sword.

Simply Brilliant

I have said it before and will repeat it: I’m not one for romance books. I don’t mind budding romances between characters, but when it comes to reading, romance-centric stories lack substance. I tend to need more.

And Cass delivered.

A Thousand Heartbeats is no doubt a romance. Warring kingdoms make this tale seem similar to the tale of Tristan and Isolde or Romeo and Juliet. Except they are not as young, and their lives have not been easy.

Lenox is a child of the 7th Clan, a clan wiped from the history books of Kadier, Annika’s kingdom. No one knows they exist, so they bide their time in ruins, building an army to take back what was stolen from them. His life is cold and brutal, and he is asked to do unforgivable things in the name of Kawan, the self-proclaimed chieftain of the Clan.

The inner turmoil he feels makes his personality balance out the quick-witted Annika.

Despite being a princess, Annika’s life has not been easy since the disappearance and murder of her mother. Her father has become emotionally distant and so fearful that he is emotionally, mentally, and at times, physically abusive.

Annika strives for peace. She strives to be like her mother, forgiving. And so her optimism shines. It makes her clever and resilient, making her the perfect balance for Lennox.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes she comes off as too perfect, but her personality and inner turmoil make her more tangible.

When reading, you want these two characters to find one another. You want them to live happily ever after. But given the story, the question is how? Both Tristan and Isolde and Romeo and Juliet end in death; how could they find love when there is so much bloodshed between their kingdoms?

Final Thoughts

The story is engaging from beginning to end. Filled with plot twists and excellent characterization, A Thousand Heartbeats captured my heart from beginning to end with masterful storytelling.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development :9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 10/10
• Intellectual Depth: 9/10
• Originality: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.