Hetzel, Katherine. Kingstone. Fairfield, CA: Bedazzled Ink Publishing, 2017.

Guide to categories: YA Review – review of books for teens

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Summary

Temple novice Katia wants nothing more than to become a priest in the Temple of the Triple Gods. She tries hard to do the right thing, but she’s running out of ways to convince Elder Sevanya, the King’s Priest, that she can do the job. While she’s belatedly setting up the incense to prove that she’s a competent acolyte, Katia overhears the king’s brother plotting to kill the king. She steals the Kingstone to protect it and to deliver it to the true heir with a warning: the killer is after him too. Not knowing who to trust, Katia keeps her mission secret. Her theft of the precious stone puts a price on her head and she disguises herself as a boy to undertake the dangerous journey across sea and land to the true heir’s palace. Doing the right thing just got a lot harder. Will the Triple Gods forgive her?

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My YA Review

Katherine Hetzel has written an interesting young adult fantasy. Kingstone tells the tale of a novice for the priesthood who uncovers a plot to murder the king. Not knowing who to trust, she takes matters into her own hands. Knowing there is nothing she can do to save the king, she takes the kingstone in order to deliver it to his son rather than let the murderers get their hands on it. Katia decides to trust a person she just met, but is that the right decision?

As an American Evangelical, I  was offended by the language in the book. The author uses the word gods repeatedly in a way that seems like swearing. She also uses “goddammit” excessively in places. Not all Christians are offended by this type of language but I want to mention it to give a heads up to those who are. If it weren’t for this language, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the book. Kingstone is well-written, the story is compelling, and the main character is very likable. 

Christian school librarians will also want to be aware that one of the gods in the story is female and there are female priests. Again, I know this is not a problem for some Christian groups but it is for others, so I mention it. K-12 Christian school librarians need to decide if this book is appropriate for their audience. 

I received a complimentary copy of Kingstone. This is my honest review.

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