Burning Crowns

Twin Crowns #3

by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber

Bestselling authors and real-life sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber join forces on a compelling YA fantasy bursting with high-stakes adventure, romance and humour. Two queens, one throne. What can possibly go wrong . . .? Wren and Rose rule the kingdom of Eana. But an ancient, powerful enemy moves in the shadows. Oonagh, the twins’ evil undead ancestor, is creating a terrifying army, and she is determined to fight for the throne. Rose must gather support from the four corners of the kingdom whilst she wrestles with what the future holds for her and her beloved Shen. Meanwhile, Wren and Alarik set out to destroy the curse that both unites and weakens them. Caught between the King of Gevra and his Captain of the Guard, Tor, Wren must decide where her heart truly lies . . . When Oonagh's true plans are revealed and Rose's life hangs in the balance, the stage for the final battle is set. Sacrifices will be made, blood will be spilled. Who will survive to rule the kingdom of Eana? The epic, breathtaking conclusion to this bestselling romantasy trilogy!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Audiobook, Witches

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2024

About the author

Catherine Doyle grew up in the West of Ireland. She holds a first-class BA in Psychology and a first-class MA in Publishing. She is the author of the Young Adult Blood for Blood trilogy (Vendetta, Inferno and Mafiosa), which is often described as Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather. It was inspired by her love of modern cinema. Her debut Middle Grade novel, The Storm Keeper's Island (Bloomsbury, 2018), is an adventure story about family, bravery and self-discovery. It is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up, and is inspired by her ancestors' real life daring sea rescues.

​Aside from more conventional interests in movies, running and travelling, Catherine also enjoys writing about herself in the third-person.

Reviews

[Clace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75!

I loved both Twin Crowns and Cursed Crowns...to the point where I even rated both of them 5 stars here and I was beyond excited for the conclusion because the stakes were so high both in terms of plot and the romance and I was just itching to see how these two authors would conclude and I honestly had no idea that they were going to disappoint me :( I had such high expectations, and then one day I was just scrolling Goodreads and I got hit with this spoiler-filled review (which was not marked, btw), which said something about the romance and ughh, I was so put off by that I put this book away for 2 years 🧍 but this year I finally found the courage to pick this book up and get done with this series and I said to myself that it's fine if the romance took a different turn maybe the plot and the characters will make up for it or maybe the direction the romance took would be made understandable and boyyy was I wrong 😭

Wren, Her perspective was the only thing that kept me driving. The first 200 pages were good and I enjoyed them so much which was a relief but as soon as I moved past that point everything changed, the romance took a turn and I hated it and I hated Wren's perspective too 🫥 and I was so pissed because she was the saving grace of this book and that was literally taken away from us!!! Ugh, I hated it because I had zero motivation to read her perspectives. Alarik, you deserve better and I love + these two stars are for you babe. Shen, he was so meh in this one, like, all the charm that the first two books gave him was taken away by this book. Rose, She literally did nothing in this book! Like, I was so baffled by her whole arc; she served no purpose, and her perspective was boring. I miss book 1, where I preferred her POV.

The romance, dont even make me start on this because Shen and Rose gave me nothing and the two character who had mind-blowing chemistry, mind-blowing tension, the ones who would've been perfect were sideline and instead the authors took a turn where the boring guy got coupled up who had zero personality like zerooo we had 10x more development for the ship I wanted than the ship that happened and ugh I hate this book for that.

Overall, disappointed to see this trilogy ending like this despite loving the first two. I'll be sat for Alariks, yet I have no interest in Marino.
___
I have been putting this off since it got released because this book got spoiled for me, and I know my intended ship is not happening, which is pissing me off because who else is there?!? 🙄 it better not be that guard. Hoping Shen and Rose redeem this book because I know I won't like Wren's story 🤸🏻

[Benny · Rating 3 out of 5]

SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE ENDED UP WITH HIM, ARE YOU BLIND??????????????

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus}]

The twins in this cover are literally giving the exact same vibes as Jude and Taryn.

[Jordan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jail for the ship choice. I’m actually baffled. If you know, you know.

[styx · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an AlarikxWren Shipper: Disappointed but Alarik deserves better so i suppose it’s alright with how it ended. I don’t really like Wren anymore, Tor is so annoying and I never found anything interesting about RosexShen-very basic and I just skipped them.Every.Time.Can’t wait for Alariks book.

[Flora (Helia's version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am fuming rn!! that build up was for what??? fuck this shit

[anika🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

choosing the boring, no-personality man over the sarcastic, pained ICE KING? I feel betrayed, it’s a crime

[Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright i was originally gonna give this 4 stars beore realizing that the second book, which i gave 4 stars, was superior, hence the 3 stars for this one. i won't say much, but that love triangle was SO unnecessary, especially just to toy with my emotions bro.

i have NEVER ended up choosing the losing guy in these love triangles until now

anyways rtc 😝

<><><><><><>
edit 3/29 (after reading the second book): thank goodness this book is coming out next month or else i'd start freaking out. but the synopsis is making me worried for what's gonna happen (mainly shen and rose)

also, i am SO team alarik, this is the one time i hope there's a love triangle so that he can be an option

<><><><><><>
THAT COVER IS GORGEOUS. i really need to get to the second book omg

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Choosing Tor over Alarick???

[adey౨ৎ &#x1fad0;&#x1f506; · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright ya'll im gonna keep this short and sweet. I was really disappointed with this one. As we all know by now, I am NOT happy with how the love triangle ended. like not in the slightest. like I hate the winner. like this book would have been better of with out him.

but along with the love triangle there was a whole lot of nothing going on in this book, like it was 500 pages and yet I don't really feel like I know that much more about the characters. idk it just felt like we were going in circles.

anyways I still reccomend this series as a whole, it prolly would have been better of as a duology, but I cant ever truly hate it because it was my second fantasy ever, and it introduced me to the genre that I love so much today.


✶ ࿐ ˚ . ✦
3 stars. I would give it a 3.5 but im pissed of with the love triangle (rtc. (hopefully))
✶ ࿐ ˚ . ✦
I love this series so much, it was my first/second ever fantasy reads so im super excited to read the third (and final?) book! ❤️‍🩹

[phoenix]

If Wren and Tor don’t get together officially in this book I’m gonna cry.

[Maeghan &#x1f98b; · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so disappointed with this ending 😭 this trilogy should’ve been a duology.

Spoiler-ish??? Not sure if my review is a spoiler so skip if anything.

I don’t get the authors decisions about the romance in this book. I dislike love triangles but the character they introduced in book 2 was THE BEST love match for Wren 😭
If you wanted her to end with the initial man, why even introduce someone else?? It just defies the whole point of book 2!

And don’t even get me started on Rose and Shen. They’re both so childish they’d never last more than their first year of marriage. I said what I said.

[Georgia Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

LADIES. You have some explaining to do





Where is my Alarik & Wren endgame? It all felt a little rushed 😭

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

TORRRRRRRRRR??????
We are gonna choose Tor over Alarik?????
Forget Burning Crowns, how about Burning Book???

My therapist is gonna hear about this 😤

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m at a point where I feel kind of bad ragging on this series, partly because it’s YA, but mainly because I didn’t like it from the start and masochistically continued on. I got to 80% completion with this book and just had no will to go on. I almost never DNF and even so close to the end, I really considered it. Shen was the only character I really liked and the author wrote the cheesiest lines for him that made him feel like a romance robot and the plot was way too obvious. I want to avoid spoilers, but the one thing the author did that wasn’t exactly what I expected was the worst possible change in my opinion. It kind of negated all that was good about book two and took us right back to the same old boring overly simplistic plot.

This series is pretty clean which is totally fine. I personally even prefer that for YA books, but there was a lot of alluding to sex. There were several instances where it really didn’t make sense for the characters to separate and the author would make one of the characters leave abruptly to avoid them being intimate with each other. I think it would have been better just to keep things more innocent and have them cuddle or something. I just felt like the author teased things too much to the point where it really didn’t make sense for them not to just follow through if they were so keen. For whatever reason these scenes really bothered me, but maybe it’s just me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I really wanted to love this series but in the end it was a major let down. I don’t even think I would recommend it to teens. There are just so many good books out there, why waste your time on something so average.
______________________________________________

Let’s see if these two dummies can fix the mess they created. I have no doubt they’ll muck it up a bit more first. I really can’t with these gals. 🙄

#TeamAlarik

[Mimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

the authors deserve to go to jail for making wren end up with tor

[Delta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wren ended up with the wrong guy and ruined the whole series.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justice for Alarik

[Malikha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh tor is cute too but was rooting for alarik 🙄 also rose is always less intrestingto read than wren…and shen lo is just boring boooo gimme shai anydayyy

[Emmy Rosam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I can’t lie the entire time I was shipping the other relationship in the love triangle 3 Still a very cute ending to some very sweet books

[Lucy'sLilLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this is the worst book in the series, but by no means a bad book, but it felt a little an anti-climatic. The previous book is recapped really well, it's not too repetitive and gives the reader all the main points. I do enjoy how childish everyone is, King Alaric and Rose's bickering was good fun but we didn't get enough of it.

For a book with pretty dark topics there is a lot of humour. I like Marino I think he's one of the best side characters, I love it when he asks Wren why he would settle when his true love it out there. This was fast-paced and has plenty of action but it never felt high-stake, the reader knows from the outset that non of the main characters aren't going to be lost, there is something nice about that but I like a little more risk.

So why didn't this one hit as hard as the others for me, well for a start I really didn't enjoy the love triangle it felt so forced. I wish we had more background and lore about the Starcrest's I feel like these books could have been longer, but maybe I am more used to adult fantasy. Everything ended pretty much exactly as everyone would have expected, no risk or big shocks. I feel like this series did go out with a whimper and each book was a little weaker than the last, but overall I did enjoy my time with this series.

[Quill&Queer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why are young adult fantasy series such a let down for me? After an incredible first book, a really solid second book, this finale was so tedious to get through I started daydreaming about DNFing it more than 300 pages in.

Wren, Rose and their partners have really lost their spark in this book. The dialog feels unrealistic and stilted, the romantic scenes forced and overflowing with tedious flowery lines that I've read a hundred times before. Tor's sudden confession of love made little sense either.

Not much happens in this story, both Twins travel around a bit, before coming home. The focus is more on Wren's love triangle, while Rose almost fully faded into the background for me. If you're not going to bother with a poly romance, please. Don't make me sit through THREE books for a love triangle resolution.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very happy that I finally dove into this series and crushed it. I was a little annoyed that Wren picked Tor in the end, but whatever, I hope they are happy.

[Nija (love triangle apologist) · Rating 1 out of 5]

//e once more: to the surprise of absolutely nobody I am here again and seeing this book on my shelf makes me viscerally angry in a way few books have ever managed so I'm committing a mathematical sin and rounding down my 2.25 stars to 1. fwiw I still think the 2.25 is accurate in terms of quality, but just like some books are 5*s based purely on the love they put in my heart, this one would be 0 on the same scale. frankly, 1* is generous. it's been what, almost a year, and I'm STILL thinking about how much I hated this.

though, to everyone who didn't: god I wish that were me, you have all my blessings

——

2.75/5 2.25/5

//e again because apparently this keeps living rent free in my head for all the wrong reasons: as time passes I just start getting more frustrated. demoting it after all. sorry Rose, sorry Alarik, sorry Elske. not sorry to Wren, because what the hell even was her arc in this book? #NotMyWren or something idk I'm annoyed

will this be the last time I change this review? will I now finally shut up? I can make no such promises

(but hey, the disappointment of this book motivated me to write on my own story again. gotta do everything yourself around here. my characters would never let me down like this. so like, it's a net positive …?)

——

//e: actually the more I think about it the more I do think it was the book and not me. so many plot points from CC were left in the dust (what happened with Alarik's mom? what about Wren's power high when using blood magic? barely any mention of Banba after the first chapter or so? the Sunkissed Kingdom was nowhere near as important as I thought it would be?), I'm really pissed off by how the love triangle ended (not even so much Wren ending up with Tor but HOW she ended up with him because sorry but that was bs and felt like badly done damage control after CC went to such lengths to showcase the Wren/Alarik dynamic. my friends have had to hear me rant about this at length now so I will spare you. for now.), parts of the plot felt meandering when really it should have been laser-focused on Wren & Rose's sister dynamic and the very real threat of Oonagh, and there was not enough Elske. that's truly the biggest crime of all.

also Alarik got like … nothing? my man got entirely shafted, goodness. he starts the book at his lowest point and ends it similarly low except he's acquired one (1) friend and isn't dying anymore. if they wanted him out of the way of the Wren/Tor romance I genuinely think it would have been more impactful to kill him off. and he's my favourite character!! I have heard he may get a spin-off at some point but I have no interest in reading it after this, unfortunately. as it stands, his story feels incomplete in a way that doesn't work for me in the finale of a trilogy, even with a spin-off kept in mind. (for something like that done right, may I point you to the Serpent & Dove series and its own spin-off, my most beloved, The Scarlet Veil? just taking the opportunity to shill one of my favourite books.)

the moment-to-moment writing and humour still being as good as ever, an admittedly pretty dang good climax (my gripes with the sisters being separated too much aside), and my love for Rose (doesn't her back hurt from carrying this book?) & Alarik are the only reason I'm not demoting this to a lower score.

so yeah. I'm annoyed. I was looking forward to this so much too, since (even putting my feelings on the Wren/Alarik romance aside) the first two books were such great fun for a more light-hearted character-driven fantasy. now it just kinda leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

grumble grumble.

——

man … this really isn't a good reading year for me, is it …

and I'm not even talking about the love triangle here (though trust me I have Thoughts about THAT). I really wish this had been the book in which Rose & Wren actually spend more time together onpage, especially with that ending, because the whole "the sisters' love is the most powerful thing" would have hit a lot harder if they'd taken half of the romance screentime and given it to them bonding instead. sighs.

the writing was still super smooth though and the plot reasonably exciting, it's just that the characters (except Rose, who deserves the world, and Alarik when they let him shine) kinda fell flat for me this time. which is weird. of all the things I wasn't expecting …?

honestly, it may just be me and not the book. I seem to be cursed as of late.

(on the bright side, Alarik the Glaceon is the MVP of my current Pokémon Shield run. it's what he deserves!)

——

I can't stop thinking about this book. I can't stop thinking about Wren & Alarik. if they're not endgame I will cry. but also I want Wren & Rose to stay and rule together forever. so how would that work. I'm in shambles please let it be May

[Julia Briggs · Rating 1 out of 5]

You’re actually joking right…..the only good thing about this book was Alaric and wren yet he wasn’t even endgame despite being the only interesting love INTEREST for the readers. Tor and wren had absolutely 0 chemistry I have never been so confused in my entire life

[Sandra (bookishoxygen) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt very annoyed by the immaturity of Wren and Rose throughout the story. They constantly act selfish and in total disregard of Eana. Honestly, Eana deserved better rulers.
Also didn’t like how the love triangle got resolved, felt like an easy fix and very unbelievable.
I really wish that by book three they would’ve matured, I mean they went through enough hardships to have the opportunity to grow. But nah, not these two kiddies.
It still is an easy read though, I’ll give it that. I also still like the world setting.

[Emelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ~ 4.5/5⭐️

"It's a bittersweet goodbye to characters we've grown to love, leaving an indelible
mark long after the last page is turned."

As a die-hard fan of the "Twin Crowns" series, diving into the final installment of
"Burning Crowns" by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber was both thrilling and
bittersweet.
After one year of waiting and thinking about what could possibly happen, I still didn't know what to expect, and the authors did a splendid job to create a plot so unique and surprising, it seriously blew me away with its creativity.
While I appreciated the resolution and the characters' deserved happiness, it was
hard to say goodbye to a series that had become such a big part of my reading life.
The unexpected twists and turns only added to the emotional rollercoaster, leaving me both satisfied and heartbroken.

While I'm sad to see it end, I'|| cherish the memories and adventures shared with
Rose and Wren forever.
In the end, l've also come to realize that the title "Burning Crowns" was never about
destruction, but rather the enduring power of their love, which burned fiercely,
illuminating their lives and the world around them.

__♡____♡___♡___


~Rose~🌹

While l've always had a soft spot for Wren, it was Rose's plot that truly stole the spotlight this time around.
Rose's journey was a whirlwind of excitement, filled with a perfect blend of old and new characters coming together for a common cause. The sheer amount of traveling and exploration throughout the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see where the adventure would take her next.
But perhaps what I found most captivating was Rose's relationship with Shen. Their
dynamic continued to be thrilling, yet refreshingly grounded, allowing the main plot to focus more on the action and suspense leading up to the climax.
Her journey was a testament to the power of resilience, friendship, and the
unwavering pursuit of justice.



~Wren~🐦

My little bird, my Queen.
Wren has always had a special place in my heart, and while her storyline may have
been outshined by Rose's this time around, her character remains one of my all-
time favorites. Throughout the series, her resilience and growth are still something
greatly admire.
In this book, Wren's storyline features a more intimate cast of characters compared
to her sister's, placing her relationships with Tor and Alarik squarely in the spotlight.
While the romance made it challenging to find moments solely focused on her, the
ones she did have were truly amazing. Seeing Wren and Shen Lo share some best
friend moments and witnessing her pivotal role in the final battle was truly epic.
I couldn't help but feel happy for her as she found her way through the trials and
emerged victorious in the end.

However, while I appreciated seeing her mature throughout the series, I couldn't help but feel a bit thrown off by the direction her growth took in this final book.
Deep down, I fear that the complications of the love triangle may have undermined
her character development and personality, leaving me with mixed feelings about the conclusion of her story.
While it wasn't the ending I envisioned, it was still satisfying in its own way.
So, despite the whirlwind of emotions as we say goodbye, I can wholeheartedly
accept the path her story has taken and wish for nothing but her happiness.
In the end, she still remains one of my most treasured characters. That will never
change.



~Anika & Celeste~❄️🌼

Celeste had already proven herself with important roles in the previous books,so I
was eager to see what new heights her character would reach this time around. True to form, she didn't disappoint, but what truly took me by surprise, was the return of Anika into the storyline. Her entrance was nothing short of spectacular, adding a fresh layer of intrigue to the already action-packed plot.
The dynamic between Anika and Celeste was electric, and witnessing their
blossoming romance amidst the chaos of the main plot was both heartwarming and
delightful.
Anika and Celeste's presence in the final book brought a sense of vitality and charm
to the story, leaving a lasting impression that I'Il carry with me long after the series
concludes.




~Kai & Marino~🏜🌊

While Kai had a significant role in the second book, I'Il admit he wasn't exactly a
favorite of mine back then. However, his redemption arc in the third book helped me
see his potential in a new light. Witnessing his growth and development throughout
the series was a rewarding experience, and by the end, I found myself appreciating
him more than I ever thought possible
As for Marino, even though he didn't have as much time in the spotlight in the second
book, I was immediately drawn to his charm and personality. Seeing him return in the third book brought a smile to my face, and his interactions with the other characters added a delightful touch of humor and levity to the story. His chemistry with everyone around him was palpable, making him a joy to read about.
Both Kai and Marino grew on me in the third book, and I was very happy whenever they appeared on page.




~Shen Lo~☀️

It was heartwarming to witness the development of Rose and Shen's romance
throughout the series, and in this book, their dynamic continued to evolve in a
natural and organic way. What truly delighted me, though, was seeing Shen engage with other characters beyond just Rose. This allowed for a richer exploration of his character and made me appreciate him even more.
One aspect that particularly stood out to me was Shen's interactions with Wren,
something I truly wanted to see more of. These moments reignited my love for his
character, reminding me of what drew me to him in the first place. His presence in the
story was magnetic, and his moments were so captivating that they left me eager to revisit the entire series and focus on him once more.
Shen's character arc in the final book was a delightful journey of rediscovery for me
as a fan.



~Alarik~❄️🐻‍❄

Alarik, oh Alarik. Where do I even begin?
From the moment he appeared on the pages of "Cursed Crowns" he had me
completely enamored. He wasn't just a character; he was a force of nature, stealing the spotlight effortlessly. Throughout the third book, my admiration for him only grew stronger. His magnetic personality, the chemistry he shared with every character, coupled with his depth and complexity, made every scene he was in a highlight that never failed to leave me breathless.
However, even the most beloved characters must grapple with their journey's outcome. And while the way Alarik's story concluded broke my heart into a million pieces, I still choose to focus on the beauty of his journey.
His presence in the series alone, will forever be a source of joy and inspiration for me.
Deep down, I hold onto a quiet longing, wishing I could have experienced more of
him, for he is the kind of character you don't easily forget.
In the end, I'm glad I got to experience Alarik's journey and the impact he had on
the story. He came to be my all-time favorite book character, and for that, I'm truly grateful.



~Tor~🐺

Tor was once a character I wholeheartedly supported, his initial chemistry with Wren
captivated me, yet as the series progressed, he faded into the background, losing thespark that initially drew me to him. Despite still having moments with Wren, the spark I once felt between them dimmed as well.
In this book, however, we learn a bit more about Tor's character and abilities, and
witness his interactions with characters beyond Wren. I'm confident that all the Tor
fans out there will be thrilled by the new insights they gain from him this time around.
Tor was given ample spotlight by the authors, yet no matter how hard I tried to
rekindle the same affection I once had for him, some of his redeeming actions only
served to further diminish my respect for him. A stark contrast to the admiration I
once held for him in the beginning.
So, despite Tor's sweet and logical development throughout the series, his character receded far away from reclaiming a place in my heart.
But, I've come to respect and enjoy his relevance and journey throughout the books and am genuinely happy for him in the end.




~Love Triangle: Wren, Alarik & Tor~💔


Surprisingly, this trio brought a truly unexpected but welcoming friendship I never thought could be so much fun to read about.
But unfortunately, love triangles bring complications and heartbreak.
I told myself not to get too worked up over the endgame, since I once held great
affection for both gevrans, and it was Wren's call after all, because she knows her
heart best.
Overall, I'm trying to find the silver lining and wish Wren and her lover a happy life,
but I can't help feeling like this whole love triangle situation messed with Wren's
whole character and personality.
Parts of Wren's growth were shaped through Tor & Alarik, and now that she's chosen one of them and the other got cast aside, it feels like some of that progress was just tossed away. It's like a big part of her character development was treated as if it never happened, and I feel disheartened for feeling this way about her story now, especially since I never imagined I'd have such conflicting emotions about it.
And it's not just Wren - my admiration for Tor and even Alarik suffered a little as well.
But I suppose that's the nature of love triangles; they come with risks like these.

And the most troublesome part is, her relations with Tor & Alarik is so deeply
woven into Wren's plot that it's impossible to separate it from her own journey. The
ambivalent feelings about the love triangle dragged down her entire storyline for me.
As someone who was hooked on Wren's story from the start, it hurts. It really does
Which is why, in my opinion, her story was clearly outshined by Rose's story this time.


_________________________________

WARNING!!! SPOILERS!!!

WREN'S ENDGAME SPOILERS!!!

SPIN-OFF SPOILERS!!!
__________________________________



~Wren's Endgame ~

As a passionate fan deeply invested in Wren's journey, the ending of "Burning Crowns" left me feeling a mixture of disappointment and confusion.
Throughout the series, I found myself rooting for Wren to end up with Alarik, as their dynamic and chemistry seemed to surpass that of Wren and Tor. Alarik's role in Wren's growth and development, coupled with their undeniable connection, led me to believe that they were the perfect match.

So, when Wren ultimately chose Tor over Alarik, I couldn't help but feel let down. Tor seemed too pale in comparison to Alarik, lacking the depth and complexity that made Alarik such a compelling character. It felt like a missed opportunity for Wren to find true happiness with someone who truly understood her.
Tor leaving Gevra to be with Wren, to let her rule alongside Rose, seemed like a noble gesture. On the surface, it provided a fitting conclusion to Wren's arc, aligning her with her destined path and concluding her story with a happy ending.
Yet, I couldn't shake the lingering feeling that an alternate ending, one where Wren and Alarik ruled two kingdoms together like Rose and Shen, might have been a more fulfilling narrative trajectory. It was the ending I had envisioned, one that resonated deeply with my hopes for Wren's character development.

Ultimately, accepting Tor and Wren's ending became a lot easier after I learned some much-needed insight during an online interview of the authors.
Catherine explained that Tor was always meant to be Wren's endgame, because his presence softens Wren and ultimately makes him the person who is better suited for her journey and resulting happiness, which sheds some light on the reasoning behind the choice. She also assured us that once we see the bigger picture and understand each character's individual journey, every ending will make sense. And with Alarik's story yet to come, it's clear Catherine has something epic in store for him that will surpass our expectations.
It's reassuring to know that the authors had a clear vision for the characters' trajectories and that every decision was made with careful consideration, helped me come to terms with the outcome.

While it may be challenging to envision a different outcome for Alarik, given the build-up between him and Wren, trusting in the authors' plan and their commitment to giving each character the best fitting ending is key.
Remember, sometimes the wrong person leads us to the right one. The quote, "if I can love the wrong person that much, imagine how much I can love the right person," is a perfect fit that makes me think Alarik's heartbreak will lead to a brighter future and an even more fulfilling love story that's truly meant for him.
Knowing that Catherine has a special affection for writing Alarik's character and is committed to giving him a fulfilling conclusion fills me with excitement. Let's trust her and eagerly anticipate Alarik's well-deserved happy ending, showcasing his growth and finding true love in a way that will satisfy all readers.

Understanding the behind-the-scenes reasoning and the authors' thoughts has made it easier for me to accept Tor and Wren's ending and move forward. While I may have wished for a different outcome, knowing that it was never meant to be allows me to support Alarik's future book with enthusiasm and anticipation.

In the end, it's about embracing the narrative as it unfolds and trusting in the authors' vision for their characters. I'm excited to see where Alarik's journey takes him and eager to witness the resolution that awaits him in his own story.




~Spin-offs/ Twin Crowns Novels~


The Twin Crowns trilogy is officially over. Rose and Wren have found their happily-ever-afters, but there's still a sense of unfinished business lingering in the air, particularly for two intriguing characters:

🌊A certain captain is making waves....🌊

❄️A king's icy heart begins to thaw...❄️

Marino's quest to find his mermaid and Alarik's journey to thaw his icy heart and discover the happiness he deserves are narratives ripe with potential.
Their individual paths toward love and fulfillment creates a sense of excitement and curiosity about the twists and turns that lie ahead.
Will Marino's search lead him to the love he's been yearning for?
Can Alarik find someone who can break through his defenses and show him the warmth of true affection?
With Rose and Wren's stories now concluded, the spotlight is set to shine on Alarik and Marino, promising readers an unforgettable journey filled with romance, intrigue, and ultimately, the fulfillment of their deepest desires.


__♡____♡___♡___

So, in conclusion:
Brace your heart as the story unfolds, because mine is aching after finishing this
series that I held very dear. But we will revisit this world for the two novels in the future!
Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber have crafted a book series that, in my opinion,
reminds me of the power of storytelling to touch our souls.

💕💕💕💕

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deliciously witchy and utterly swoon worthy, high stakes finale that had me on tenterhooks until the very last page— I absolutely loved it!

With evil, witchy ancestors and an army of the undead to contend with, Eana and its Twin Queens (Rose and Wren) must prepare for the greatest fight yet. For war is coming, blood with be spilled and with Wren’s curse (and an alarming prophecy) in play —sacrifices must be made. The only question is, who will survive to rule over it?

Keeping up the pacy, plot twisty rollercoaster of events from the first two instalments (Twin Crowns and Cursed Crowns, respectively); Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber have won me over once again with their utterly compelling characters and gorgeously magical world-building.

Firstly, Tor is back!!! I was a bit disappointed by how little he appeared in Cursed Crowns, so was pretty excited to finally see him again. And he didn’t let me down! His dynamics with Wren were just as deliciously swoon-worthy as before.

But with the reappearance of our favourite grumpy King, Alarik (in all his brooding intensity) we see a bit of a love triangle beginning to form. I confess I was a little conflicted myself as I’ve come to love both Alaric and Tor, but felt Wren made the right decision (for her.)

Wren’s inner turmoil was very interesting to explore, as her feelings for the Gevran King and his Beast Master wasn’t the only thing keeping the conflicted. The events that took place in Gevra still weigh heavily on her conscience (not least because she still hasn’t told Rose.)

For all the strife Wren and Rose have had the weather since finding one another, their sisterly bond hasn’t taken that many hits. So I was equal parts nervous and eager to see how the pair overcame this new dilemma, and see whether their still developing bond could withstand the storm that secrets and lies can cause.

I won’t spoil things on that front, but I will say after pursuing different leads in an effort to thwart the danger their Queendom is in— their reunion was edge of your seat worthy. Shen, Rose’s love interest as in top form too (as was the rest of the ensemble cast.)

Overall, a satisfyingly thrilling conclusion that has eager to get my hands on the two spin off novels Webber and Doyle are currently working on.

Also a huge thank you to Rachel Quinn and Electric Monkey for the finished copy.

[_booktique2_ D Amora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bye YALL are not ready for this book.

[ellora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

wren should've ended up with alarik bye

overall the book was pretty good though!