Book Title: Chasing Down Her Highness
Book Series: Rocky Royal Romance Book 1
Author: Fiona West
Stars: 3.5 out 5

Spoilers Ahead!

Chasing Down Her Highness is the first book in the Rocky Royal Romance series by Fiona West. After running away from home and her royal family, Princess Abbie’s simple life is about to come to a crashing halt. She has been found by the emissary for Prince Edward, the man she contracted to marry as a girl. Despite her attempt to flee the royal life, Prince Edward is determined they should marry and it is not just for the political security an alliance with her Queendom would provide. Attempts to run away are thwarted and Princess Abbie finds herself heading home with assassins on her tail and a talking horse as a new companion. But if Prince Edward thinks she is going to be a willing bride, he is in for a shock. 

This book really had me thinking about how I rank books. There was much about the book I liked. Abbie is a spunky protagonist and Edward is a determined, but sweet man. Stargazer obviously steals all the scenes he is in, after all, who isn’t entertained by a talking horse? The world feels wonderfully original – definitely fantasy and distinctly modern. Yet I would not classify this as an urban fantasy since it doesn’t feel like our world. This is a different place altogether with a mix of modern aspects (poptarts and cell phones) mixed with fantastical elements (dirigibles and magical powered conveniences). That makes it rather appealing, but challenging too. 

For while I didn’t need more explanation about how the world worked in order for me to follow the story. I did feel like I was missing something at the end. I was confused about the countries and who was aligned with whom. Which is something I could easily get over, since I am not a fan of politics. But the Veil and Unveiled was confusing, and this was not something I could easily forgive. I don’t understand how it works, which parts of the land are shrouded in … is it a thick layer of magic? Another dimension? Another realm? I don’t know and for me, I was left feeling unsatisfied at the end. Perhaps it is something that is explored in greater detail in the rest of the series. It is undoubtedly part of the reason this is getting only 3.5 instead of 4 stars. 

The other reason was the writing. It seemed to slip between voices or styles of writing. Perhaps it was intentionally done. Unfortunately it came across as unpolished. While the story is good and the characters are strong and the world is interesting, the writing is fine. It is not terrible, I have certainly read far worse. But it wasn’t the strength of the book either. 

So, after rambling for a few minutes now, I will say that Chasing Down Her Highness is a good read, definitely worth a shot – a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.