The novel defines love as a "sound" like "a thousand heartbeats," suggesting it is an overwhelming force that can break through even the deepest social and political divides. Character Profiles Review: A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass
Lennox fights to reclaim a stolen throne, while Annika struggles with the legacy of her cold father and the memory of her missing mother.
The central conflict for both Annika and Lennox is the clash between their responsibilities to their people and their blossoming feelings for each other.