THE HEART TRIALS by J. Elle

5 stars

In this teen romantasy meets dyptopia, Axira finds herself unexpectedly competing in a broadcast dating competition that could easily end her life if she

Axira lives on an island Kingdom that has been dramatically severed into two classes: the lower class who’s subjugated to serve the Skyborn class and is kept in line with a variety of drugs, all called Heartfillers, that induce fake happiness and suppress all emotions. Meanwhile, the Skyborn all strive for love, the ultimate emotion in their society that becomes synonymous for them with currency and power. The ruler of the Kingdom, ironically called the Benevolent as there’s no compassion at all in his heart, only strives to keep both sectors of society under his iron-fisted rule.

Orphaned and struggling both to get buy and to save money to buy a ship that would allow her to escape the island, low born Axira smuggles the low born’s Heartfillers to sell to the Skyborn. But when a Skyborn royal deliberating overdoses on the drugs she sells him, Axira gets arrested and ultimately made to compete in the Tournament of Hearts, a Hunger-Games style survival competition that offers lowborn contestants the opportunity to win Skyborn citizenship if they can both find true love and survive the deadly contest.

Looking to punish his only son, Prince Caelus, the Benevolent has thrown him into this year’s Tournament. The Prince and Axira find themselves joined in fighting off his father, and trying to overthrow his reign.

The world-building is well-done, and you feel both immersed in this strange society and swept up in the intense tension of the contest. The relationship between Axira and the Prince develops depth, they each embody courage and determination, amidst a budding romance.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.