Ivy's Review
Pride Wars: The Spinner Prince by Matt Laney follows Leo, a young prince in a kingdom of lion-like, science and fact-focused beings called the Singa. Leo has a rare and dangerous ability called Spinning, which allows his stories, or fictions, to come to life, but this power is feared and forbidden in his community. As tensions grow and enemies threaten the throne, Leo has to decide whether to hide his true self or risk everything to use his gift. The story combines fantasy, adventure, and themes about identity, courage, and leadership.
I really enjoyed this book and would give it 5 out of 5 stars because it kept me interested the whole time and had a lot of exciting moments. It's one of my favorite books because the characters feel real and the story makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next. My favorite character by far is Anjali. She is headstrong, determined, and won't stop for anything (plus, she has a great name). She is kind and loyal and a great warrior.
The most interesting part of the story was the idea of Spinning and how Leo's stories could actually become real. I also thought it was interesting how the book showed the different conflicts in the kingdom and how Leo had to figure out who he really was while dealing with all that pressure. It's very interesting how the gift/curse Leo has is so feared. I think it's pretty intriguing! Later in the story/series, the author shows why the talent/bane of Spinning is so feared and why the Singas go to such...extreme lengths to make sure no Spinners can make history repeat.
The mood of the story is mostly serious, but not too serious, and adventurous, with a lot of tension because there are constant dangers and conflicts. At the same time, there are hopeful moments that show Leo growing stronger and more confident. Readers who enjoy fantasy, science fiction, dystopia, and stories about bravery and leadership would probably like this book a lot. Anyone who likes exciting adventures with a deeper message about being true to yourself would find this story really interesting. I know I did!