I am not sure if I have missed a book in a series, or Heartless Prince is the first and the set up for a series, but there was something missing for me. I needed a score card to keep track of the names of the characters as they had similar names or had “fantasy” names and that was confusing. The artwork is strong, and expressive, but nothing “popped out” at me. Overall, it is a decent book but not the best. This would probably make a decent animated series, as a darker “The Dragon Prince” or the vein of “Arcane: League of Legends.” And it is set for at least a strong aged 10 and up but would start 12-13 to be on the safe side, as things can be a little sensitive for some readers.
Yet, I am wondering where Angela De Vito wants to go with these characters. Evony is a princess without a kingdom. Ammon is a prince who seems to understand
what his kingdom needs, but at what cost? And there are witches and creatures of magic that have a bit of sarcasm to them. There is adventure, mystery, and pain. Within the first few pages there is a death that seems like it could have important consequences.
I was getting vibes of the Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunter with the look of the artwork. The familiars of Leigh Dragoon’s pen (or whatever medium used) has a Hollywoodize look to them, spooky to being a little scary, but also oddly beautiful as they are pieces of artwork. Things are busy, and not so busy with details at the same time, the colors dark, red pops up and things work for the tone of the story.
I liked this book, did not love it, but do want to find a book two to see how somethings work out as it ends this chapter, but does not close it with a very large “WTF” at the end.