The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz

Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Title: The Ring & The Crown
Series:  The Ring & The Crown #1
Publication: April 4, 2014
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Website

Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? 

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. 

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. 

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

When I began this book, the different perspectives sorta threw me off but once I got into the flow of the story and understood the connections between the characters narratives, I loved it. This story is more than just about two girls contemplating treason but so much back-stabbing,and deceit with a hint of mystery and magic. Marie seems like she a quiet character, who has been sick her whole life. She doesn't want to a leader but would rather live a simple life with the person she loves. Aelwyn is more outspoken and brings her fiery personality to the story, she would love to switch places with the princess and one moment she may get her chance yet there is more going on in their world than the desires of a princess and a magician. I liked how the story moves through each characters' perspective. As events began to escalate, I was continuously guessing trying to figure out who was responsible for what happens. Each character gradually grows and changes throughout the story and the world building is believable and realistic. Overall, this a fantastic read and I'm excited to have discovered a new author.