This hero story actually starts not in the ordinary world. Kiva begins her journey in a prison, Zalindov, which she must first escape. Her comfort place is outside the prison in a place she eventually calls home, the River Palace. Although, we still do learn Kiva’s motivations and struggles in this place.
Kiva is called to adventure in Zalindov. The Rebel Queen is placed in prison and has to go through the Trial by Ordeals. Kiva realizes that she must endure the Trial by Ordeals for the Rebel Queen because she is unable to do it herself. This calls Kiva to the beginning of her adventure and her eventual escape of Zalindov.
The mentor in the beginning of the story is Kiva’s morals and loyalty. She claims the Rebel Queen’s sentence as her own because of her need to protect her family. However, towards the end of the series her mentor changes. Caldon begins to train Kiva in not only her physical endurance but also in her magical capabilities. Both of these mentors help guide Kiva through her journey.
Kiva commits to helping the rebel Queen even though her true intentions are not revealed in the moment. She begins her journey of trying to steal back the crown from the Vallentis family. Kiva was also faced with the first Trial by Ordeal which signed her off into her new adventure.
Over the course of the book, Kiva faces numerous challenges and enemies. In the first book she faces the Trial by Ordeals and breaking out of Zalindov. She then attempts to steal back the crown from the Vallentis family but realizes that she doesn't want the crown, she wants Jaren. So she has to face her sister, Zuleeka’s dark magic, to get back Jaren’s magic and crown.
Kiva makes several preparations over the course of the series to fight her sister and win back the crown for Jaren. She trains daily with Caldon to build up her physical strength and endurance. She also trains her magic with Caldon to regain strength from suppressing her magic for a decade. Additionally, she rebuilds relationships with people whom are important to her so that she has all the support she needs when the battle comes.