Crowned Light

The Fate of Azala #2

by M.K. Ahearn

Rae and Prince Gavriel, alongside their friends, were able to work together to find the long lost crown, Enya. But in doing so they narrowly escaped from Erix and his Shadows. Discovering that not only is Rae a part of a long fated prophecy but so is her sister, Seren, whom she had thought to be dead.

Back in Veena now, the group must work fast to uncover what the prophecy means and how it might help save their kingdom. As more pieces fall into place, Rae must journey to the Northern Tundra in hopes of learning what the group is missing. While she’s gone, Gavriel works to find what his father is hiding, and how it relates to the darkness threatening the kingdom.

Genres: Fantasy

Paperback

About the author

MK Ahearn grew up in Massachusetts as one of three sisters. She now lives in Maryland with her husband and their three cats. She received her bachelor of arts in international relations and is now completing a master of professional studies in homeland security. When not writing or studying she can be found planning her next travel adventure.

Reviews

[Ashley Book.markedbyash · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.5 🌶️

I received an ARC for Crowned Light. These are my honest opinions.

I absolutely loved Crowned Light. The dynamics between the characters have changed since the first book which I loved. New characters were introduced. I am very curious about one in particular. (lightning) I feel this characters magic and attitude are what this book needed now that Rae and Gavriel no longer hate each other.

Instead of trying to find the shadow crown, the group is now trying to make a plan to over thrown the the king.

Gathering unlikely allies, magical creatures, and magical stones; the group is on their most dangerous mission yet!

I don’t want to spoil the book! I will say that Crowned Light ends in a heartbreaking cliffhanger. I’ll be patiently crying in a corner from the ending waiting for the next.

[Jules Just Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowned Light is the second book in YA fantasy series filled with a host of new characters, vast world building, action, and adventure. It's told from multiple 3rd person POVs, and you'll get glimpses of their thoughts and actions as they go about their varying journeys. This is the part that got a tad complicated for me. I got a little confused trying to keep up with everyone's storylines and switching of POVs. (Although that might be partly because I'm a mood reader and tried to juggle too much at once.) The pacing was a bit slower at first but picked up towards the last half of the book (especially after the 80-ish% mark). I'll say that I totally didn't expect that ending! 😱 It was crazy, intense, and heartbreaking! I don't want to give anything away, but OMG! What's going to happen now?! Poor Rae! I'm really intrigued to find out where she's going to go in the next book.

Thanks so much for the ARC!

Overall, I rated this a 3.5⭐️. I may do a re-read later and see if this needs an adjustment. I don't want to sound negative, but I just struggled with this one a bit. I'm kind of in a slump, and it's hard to keep my attention.

[Rieka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to love the push and pull between characters in this series! The opposite sides of the horrible circumstances in this kingdom come together for one end goal....overthrow the King. Just as you would expect though M.K. Ahearn proves that it's not as easy as it would seem to be. This book had my feelings all over the place from proud moments of certain characters to a devastating part that you'll have to read to find out. This one does end on a cliffhanger that makes you wanna scream.

Rae is still head strong and just as stubborn as ever but we continue to see the same traits in Seren. We got to meet new characters in this book and one in particular...(lighting powers)....had my attention and I can't wait to see how the dynamic changes in the group. Gavriel and Rae deserved so much more than the hard heartbreaking path they traveled. Gavriel and Rory are forced into situations by the King that really throws them for a loop. River, Benji, and Ezra are still just the best side characters ever.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story although it's book 2 and I haven't read book 1 yet. It's full of love, evil, betrayel and magic. There are some great characters and the world building was fantastic. I think after I read book 1 I will read it again.
We follow Rae, Prince Gavriel, River and the rest of the group as the evil king enters some into betrothels they don't want. If they refuse to go a long with them then they will face his evil wrath. In order to get out of this mess they must find the lost crown of Enya. The group also discovers that Rae and her long lost sister Seren are part of a prophecy. Before they can figure out the prophecy they must find Seren who was thought to be dead. They must also try to avoid Erix and his shadows. While Rae is finding her sister Gavriel must try to figure out what his evil father the king has in store for his sister and himself. He knows that his parents are keeping something from them and they must learn what it is if they are to stop it. Full of twists and turns.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel. As much as I loved Promised Shadows, this book had me hooked.

We once again follow Rae, Prince Gavriel, and their group of friends and family on a journey to uncover the truth, learn more secrets, and come out on top (hopefully). The dynamics between the characters change throughout the book, but you'll see each person grow further into who they are meant or need to be.

We continue seeing the characters from book 1, but we are also introduced to new characters. I'm completely interested to see how everything works out between all of the characters. The side characters are the best and give so much more depth to the story. I feel like some other characters deserved life to be so much better and not what they were dealt.

This book is full of plot twists and surprises, so buckle up and be ready for an emotional but eventful ride. I can't wait to see what happens next for this group.

[Taylor Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book instantly draws you in, the world building is insane, it feels like you’re there experiencing it all with the characters. M K ahearns imagination is crazy coming up with all this books ideas and plot twists. I have never read a fantasy book with a female character as strong as Rae. I love the friendship the whole group has with each other they all bond so well together. The last 100 ish pages flew by as the plot picks up your constantly turning the pages to quickly find out what happens next it’s amazing. The plot twists at the end?! Didn’t see that coming. My heart was broken right at the very end and I’m not sure if it will ever be fixed. I need the third book like last week.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as part of an arc read and will try to keep out spoilers. I throughly enjoyed this book and loved all the twist and turns MK put into her book especially the ones at the end of the book with the stones. I especially liked that there were many instances where I changed my opinion of the characters as I went from loving to hating and back with a few of them. This book does end on a cliffhanger and boy is it one! Overall this is more of a slow burn and I thought MK did a great job with character/ story building.

[Bre - justbookvibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting the chance to follow the story that started in the first book. So much happens and the plot thicken in this one. Character growth is evident throughout this book. New characters were introduced and not gonna lie there is one in particular I am intrigued by and have a feeling will be making more of an appearance later on.
Don’t get me started on the ending… why??
I cannot wait to read the next book to see where this story goes!
i received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Allyn Hamrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible sequel !!! This book was action packed with sweet, slow moments. It was filled with cozy descriptions and beautiful blooming relationships. At the center of it all is the strength of found family, the stunning portrayal of fighting for what is right, and defying fate.

I absolutely loved getting to be back in this world once again and watch these characters grow individually and together. Plus there are some awesome new characters that I am absolutely in love with!

AND THAT ENDING?! I need book 3 now !!!

[Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my arc copy!

SO, this one things really start coming together from the first book! We see that our two mains (and loveysss) no longer hate each other so we can really focus on that sweet tension. I loved how she brought the other characters into this and really built a solid foundation in this fantasy world. I think it somehow might be better than the first one! I loved the little moments we were given when we’re shown it’s not going to be a piece of cake to overthrow a King. AND THE CLIFFHANGER. I died.

[Jordan Tillinghast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been such a lovely fall read. It has been stellar to cozy up an be immersed in the adventure that MK Ahearn has created. Rae's story really begins to unwind in Crowned Light, the second book in this series. There is never a boring moment for the reader, as MK draws you in even with the sub plots of secondary characters. MK Ahearn is one to keep an eye on, as it is obvious she is dedicated to improving as an author. This young author's growth is so evident in this book. This reader, for one, cannot wait to see what she has coming in the next few years.

[Lili Barba · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book I got this one the second it was available, and I read it in just over a day. This book had so much to it and I could barely put it down! Im going to be waiting very impatiently for the next book!!

[Caitlin Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY!!!?!?!

So good it hurts. I’m not ok. I need the final book like yesterday. This author is a top author for me now, even though the ending broke me.

[izzy 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

UHM EXCUSE ME?!?! WHAT WAS THAT ENDING. I SPENT THE LAST 20% OF THE BOOK CRYING AND THAT WAS THE ENDING I AM GOBSMACKED RN.


anyways


I absolutely LOVED this book!! I fell in love with the characters and MK in Promised Shadows so was extremely excited when the ARC hit my mailbox!! I feel like everyone went through some serious character development here and that was really important. All the relationships were tested and I think this is what made me feel so connected to the characters. The first few chapters of the book felt really formal, like it took a while to get into the flow of everything again but once we got past that it was just incredible.

I can’t wait to read the next one because I NEED to know what happens. Fair warning that this book has a massive cliffhanger so if you are a fan of Crescent City 2-esque endings this is the perfect book for you. I have a few theories which I won’t delve into right now because I don’t want to give spoilers away but let me just say this:

I AM SO HERE FOR THE REPRESENTATION IN THIS BOOK.


Thank you again MK xx