Anastasia is a young healer with a rare and powerful gift that her people, the Maini, possess. But when Queen Neikena—a ruthless ruler who took Keidonia’s throne by force—demands Anastasia's help, she has no choice but to comply. The queen's son, Prince Ilias, is on the verge of death from an illness only Anastasia's magic can cure. But there's a twist: her magic doesn’t work on Kori, the queen’s island. Held captive and desperate, Anastasia has just five days to do the impossible. Without her powers, she must rely on her wits and her heart as she navigates the intrigues of the palace. She soon meets the enigmatic Prince Ilias, whose kindness begins to break down her guard, and Zekai, the brooding, handsome spare prince, who sees her as a threat to his plans. With only days to save Ilias, Anastasia faces a harrowing choice: betray her heart or risk everything for a kingdom that once destroyed her people.

Requirements & Requests

For feedback on Forged, I’d love your thoughts on how engaging the story felt overall, and any impressions on Anastasia and the two princes—were their personalities and relationships compelling? Let me know if the world-building, especially the magic system and setting, was clear and immersive or if some areas felt confusing. Any feedback on the pacing, the tension created by the five-day time limit, and the stakes would be valuable—were there slow or rushed parts? Lastly, please share your thoughts on the ending and any suggestions for improving character depth, themes, or clarity in the writing.

Comparable Stories:

~ The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black ~ Girls of Paper and Fire" by Natasha Ngan ~ Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Trigger Warnings:

Blood, Violence, Death or Loss of Loved Ones. (Not a lot)