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The Ascension Series: A Royal Rise

K.A. Linde

The Ascension Series: A Royal Rise

K.A. LindeRoyal Roses #1
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A young woman begins her ascension in a world of supernatural politics and dark magic, discovering powers she didn't know she had. She rises through danger and betrayal, forming alliances with people who could either save or destroy her. Her royal rise begins with a single choice that sets everything in motion.

4
🌶️🌶️Warm
384p · Nov 2017

Everything You Need to Know About The Ascension Series: A Royal Rise

Ella starts as a slave in the palace gardens with no memory of her past. When the king's mysterious curse takes hold and threatens the kingdom, she discovers she has the power to break it. Her journey from servitude to royalty becomes tangled with court politics, forbidden magic, and a dangerous attraction to a prince who shouldn't want her.

The slow-burn romance between Ella and Prince Rowen is genuinely sweet. Ella's found family bonds with the other enslaved palace workers ground the story emotionally. The magic system feels earned rather than handed to her, she has to learn and struggle. The writing is accessible and pacy without being rushed.

Slavery and abuse of enslaved people (context of the setting). Emotional manipulation. Mild violence. No sexual content in book 1.

Ella's identity is revealed partway through, tying her to the original curse in an unexpected way. Prince Rowen's loyalty to the crown gets tested when he has to choose between family duty and helping Ella. The curse's origin connects to a queen from generations back, setting up series conflict.

If you loved Cinderella retellings with actual stakes (like Swordheart by T. Kingfisher) or romantasy with courtly intrigue, this works. Not for you if you want graphic action sequences or grimdark themes. The tone is hopeful, not cynical.

Book 1 of 5. The Ascension Series follows Ella through political ascension and romance across five installments. Each book introduces new challenges to the stability she builds. This is very much a first book, the ending resolves the immediate conflict but opens larger mysteries.

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