My brain is still immersed in this story. It took me a bit to get into the first chapter but then I was totally hooked through to the end, gripped by every scene. Please tell me there are bonus chapters somewhere…

You don’t have to be sci-fi fan to read this – the story could take place anywhere and there’s not a lot of time spent world-building, though I did enjoy the glimpses we got – very creative without being heavy handed. Even though it’s only one POV, Roslyn Sinclair gives us everything we need to know about the other character. I loved the MC, Ari. She could seem naïve but we know she’s not – she’s simple but not simple-minded, and I admired her passion for botany. Ari is one of the most consistently and deeply generous characters I’ve read. Meanwhile Assistant is dark and complex and everything I wanted as a counterpoint.

Short Summary: Despite her high station, Ari just wants to be alone with her plants. When her father foists a slave (Assistant) on her, Ari discovers the many joys of companionship. But who is Assistant and what does she really want?

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Lily & The Crown
by Roslyn Sinclair