The Bridge Kingdom

A frustrating book. The plot is engaging and the narrative well-paced. The writing style, however is a clumsy melange of cliche and the hackneyed. I want to know what happens in the sequels but not enough to brave the style.

🎧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 by⁣
Danielle L Jensen ⁣
⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⁣
⁣
I’ll just get this out of the way before we dive in. I officially have a new favorite book and it’s The Bridge Kingdom. ⁣
⁣
All I can say is wow, I’m blown away. This book was so good. The dual POV added so much depth and emotion to this book filling in holes and a story line we otherwise wouldn’t have. The two different perspectives of this book between two characters who seemingly loathe one another gives us so much tension, emotion and suspense building the story and the plot making you bite your nails waiting for everything to come out into the open. I haven’t always gotten this kind show more of tension from multi-POVs and as it progressed it drew me in further and further. Added bonus, at the start of each chapter it was clearly labeled who’s POV you were reading from and the audiobook was performed by both male and female voice actors which really helped. ⁣
⁣
I chose to mainly listen to the audiobook which is free on audible (it’s also free on KU) and although I wasn’t a fan of the male voice actor at first, he quickly grew on me. Also, just something to note is that if the chapter is from the FMC POV, then the female voice actor would read all parts within the chapter (even the MMC’s lines) instead of it jumping back and forth between the two actors which I wasn’t expecting. ⁣
⁣
Our fearless FMC, Lara steals the show. She was raised with one mission: marry the king of Ithacana and learn all of his secrets by any means necessary to take control of the bridge and his country making her a morally grey female badass! I was so excited about this trip because we don’t get to see very often and I love watching her struggle with the tough decisions she has to make for the good of her people. ⁣
⁣
I have a hard time calling this fantasy because when I typically think of fantasy it usually involves fae, vampires or even just a magic system and this book has none of that. All our characters are human and the book is set in a wonderfully and beautifully depicted world that is similar to our own making it easy to picture and fall in love with the setting. ⁣
⁣
Our moody MMC, Aren, is a wonderful companion along for the ride of this incredible journey and his banter between him and Lara is one of my favorite parts of the book. Enemies to lovers is my fave trope and this book did a beautiful job at it. ⁣
⁣
Reading The Bridge Kingdom has made me slightly apprehensive in picking up any other series. I know I’ll compare the two and I’m not sure how it can trump how I’m feeling after finishing TBK. So my next book will be The Traitor Queen and hopefully I won’t end up in a reading slump after! ⁣
⁣
I know I’m hyping this book up a ton but it deserves every bit of it. ⁣
⁣
If you’re interested in getting into fantasy but aren’t ready for magical worlds then I 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐘 recommend starting with this one. 👌🏻 show less

🎧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 by⁣
Danielle L Jensen ⁣
⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⁣
⁣
I’ll just get this out of the way before we dive in. I officially have a new favorite book and it’s The Bridge Kingdom. ⁣
⁣
All I can say is wow, I’m blown away. This book was so good. The dual POV added so much depth and emotion to this book filling in holes and a story line we otherwise wouldn’t have. The two different perspectives of this book between two characters who seemingly loathe one another gives us so much tension, emotion and suspense building the story and the plot making you bite your nails waiting for everything to come out into the open. I haven’t always gotten this kind show more of tension from multi-POVs and as it progressed it drew me in further and further. Added bonus, at the start of each chapter it was clearly labeled who’s POV you were reading from and the audiobook was performed by both male and female voice actors which really helped. ⁣
⁣
I chose to mainly listen to the audiobook which is free on audible (it’s also free on KU) and although I wasn’t a fan of the male voice actor at first, he quickly grew on me. Also, just something to note is that if the chapter is from the FMC POV, then the female voice actor would read all parts within the chapter (even the MMC’s lines) instead of it jumping back and forth between the two actors which I wasn’t expecting. ⁣
⁣
Our fearless FMC, Lara steals the show. She was raised with one mission: marry the king of Ithacana and learn all of his secrets by any means necessary to take control of the bridge and his country making her a morally grey female badass! I was so excited about this trip because we don’t get to see very often and I love watching her struggle with the tough decisions she has to make for the good of her people. ⁣
⁣
I have a hard time calling this fantasy because when I typically think of fantasy it usually involves fae, vampires or even just a magic system and this book has none of that. All our characters are human and the book is set in a wonderfully and beautifully depicted world that is similar to our own making it easy to picture and fall in love with the setting. ⁣
⁣
Our moody MMC, Aren, is a wonderful companion along for the ride of this incredible journey and his banter between him and Lara is one of my favorite parts of the book. Enemies to lovers is my fave trope and this book did a beautiful job at it. ⁣
⁣
Reading The Bridge Kingdom has made me slightly apprehensive in picking up any other series. I know I’ll compare the two and I’m not sure how it can trump how I’m feeling after finishing TBK. So my next book will be The Traitor Queen and hopefully I won’t end up in a reading slump after! ⁣
⁣
I know I’m hyping this book up a ton but it deserves every bit of it. ⁣
⁣
If you’re interested in getting into fantasy but aren’t ready for magical worlds then I 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐘 recommend starting with this one. 👌🏻 show less

🎧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 by⁣
Danielle L Jensen ⁣
⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⁣
⁣
I’ll just get this out of the way before we dive in. I officially have a new favorite book and it’s The Bridge Kingdom. ⁣
⁣
All I can say is wow, I’m blown away. This book was so good. The dual POV added so much depth and emotion to this book filling in holes and a story line we otherwise wouldn’t have. The two different perspectives of this book between two characters who seemingly loathe one another gives us so much tension, emotion and suspense building the story and the plot making you bite your nails waiting for everything to come out into the open. I haven’t always gotten this kind show more of tension from multi-POVs and as it progressed it drew me in further and further. Added bonus, at the start of each chapter it was clearly labeled who’s POV you were reading from and the audiobook was performed by both male and female voice actors which really helped. ⁣
⁣
I chose to mainly listen to the audiobook which is free on audible (it’s also free on KU) and although I wasn’t a fan of the male voice actor at first, he quickly grew on me. Also, just something to note is that if the chapter is from the FMC POV, then the female voice actor would read all parts within the chapter (even the MMC’s lines) instead of it jumping back and forth between the two actors which I wasn’t expecting. ⁣
⁣
Our fearless FMC, Lara steals the show. She was raised with one mission: marry the king of Ithacana and learn all of his secrets by any means necessary to take control of the bridge and his country making her a morally grey female badass! I was so excited about this trip because we don’t get to see very often and I love watching her struggle with the tough decisions she has to make for the good of her people. ⁣
⁣
I have a hard time calling this fantasy because when I typically think of fantasy it usually involves fae, vampires or even just a magic system and this book has none of that. All our characters are human and the book is set in a wonderfully and beautifully depicted world that is similar to our own making it easy to picture and fall in love with the setting. ⁣
⁣
Our moody MMC, Aren, is a wonderful companion along for the ride of this incredible journey and his banter between him and Lara is one of my favorite parts of the book. Enemies to lovers is my fave trope and this book did a beautiful job at it. ⁣
⁣
Reading The Bridge Kingdom has made me slightly apprehensive in picking up any other series. I know I’ll compare the two and I’m not sure how it can trump how I’m feeling after finishing TBK. So my next book will be The Traitor Queen and hopefully I won’t end up in a reading slump after! ⁣
⁣
I know I’m hyping this book up a ton but it deserves every bit of it. ⁣
⁣
If you’re interested in getting into fantasy but aren’t ready for magical worlds then I 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐘 recommend starting with this one. 👌🏻 show less

Okay so trade disputes, water worlds and too many fucking snakes may sound like a hard sell. BUT HEAR ME OUT . . .

I really loved the action scenes and I am such a sucker for enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-&-confidants tales. I could def. use more steamy scenes - that't totally a personal preference - BUT the action and intrigue held my attention!

The Bridge Kingdom – Danielle L. Jensen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 🦈🐍

✨ What I loved:
• The banter felt so natural, sharp, and witty that it made the conversations come alive. Nothing felt forced or scripted.
• The connections between characters were genuine and layered, and I found myself caring deeply about every single relationship.
• The political intrigue was rich and full of high stakes, tense negotiations, and moral dilemmas that kept me hooked.
• The world-building was vivid and immersive without ever slowing down the pace.
• The dual POV gave such valuable insight into both Lara and Aren’s thoughts, emotions, and motives.
• Lara’s journey to uncover the truth was perfectly paced, with each reveal landing at just the show more right time.
• The romance was slow-burn in the best way, with believable tension and chemistry in every scene.
• The bursts of action were perfectly timed and kept the tension high.
• Lara is one tough cookie and I loved her strength, determination, and grit.
• And that ending… intense, gut-punching, and unforgettable. show less

THE BRIDGE KINGDOM by Danielle L. Jensen is something of a surprise. It was not on my radar, but I was looking for a new audiobook, and it popped up as available and something the algorithm thought I would enjoy. Knowing I had enjoyed another of Ms. Jensen's novels in the past and always appreciating a lethal heroine, I gave it a chance. While it didn't bowl me over with awe, I enjoyed my time with Lara and Aren and am curious to see what happens to them next.

First off, I have no idea why THE BRIDGE KINGDOM is being marked as romantasy. There is no fantasy to it. No one has magic. The creatures mentioned all exist in real life in some form or another. While it does not take place in the real world, there is nothing to indicate that it show more doesn't either. The Bridge Kingdom and its neighbors may indeed be a part of Earth, just many, many years in the future. You could consider the book part of the action/adventure genre, maybe even a spy novel, but it is not a fantasy.

Despite that irritating bit, I liked what I heard. Lara is suitably vicious enough for my tastes, and her upbringing, while brutal, did not destroy her heart or render her completely brainwashed by her father's claims. She has a brain and uses it to her advantage, up until her intellect tells her to do something she shouldn't. The resulting consequences make it a mistake she will never make again.

Aren is equally likeable, savvier than expected, and just as fiercely loyal to his kingdom as Lara is to hers. It's fun to see him balance protecting his kingdom with allowing his wife any freedom. Watching both of these traumatized people lower their defenses and genuinely get to know each other without any hidden machinations sparks their story.

THE BRIDGE KINGDOM does suffer from being entirely predictable. The one thing that helped me overcome the disappointment that nothing that happens is all that much of a surprise is that THE BRIDGE KINGDOM is almost like an illustration for how not to act in a serious, committed relationship. Lara and Aren aren't guilty of that awful miscommunication trope, thankfully, but they do commit one of the worst things you can do in any relationship. Once that happens, the end is inevitable, and it's just a matter of time before the situation comes to a head.

Ending on a decent cliffhanger, I finished THE BRIDGE KINGDOM knowing I wanted to continue with the series. I like how Ms. Jensen shows the passage of time. I appreciate time passing even more; this story does not occur over a few months but over several years, which we see through the changing seasons. Lara and Aren have plenty of chemistry, but they do not hurry their relationship or force it. Their connection grows naturally, as they learn more about each other and see how each acts in stressful situations. Therein lies the story's charm, and wanting to see more of that will push me onto the sequel. show less