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War of the Four Realms #2
A Curse of Frost and Stone
The gods are coming.
Everything Valeria believes has been a lie: the source of her power, her heritage, and even the secrets she keeps guarded in her heart.
After beheading Empyrean’s king to take up her birthright as the Queen of Empyrean and having her godly gifts unlocked through a needless sacrifice, she has spent the last year restoring her realm. And she has done it all while coming to terms with her newfound identity as a demigoddess, proving that she is someone her people can trust, and surviving the tragic loss of her childhood best friend.
But with a dangerous cult of loyalists terrorizing Empyrean, a mysterious invitation from the Realm of the Divine, and undeniable sizzling tension between her and the two men vying for her heart, the peace Valeria’s worked tirelessly to broker may never come to fruition.
To save Empyrean—and herself—Valeria must navigate realm politics, distrusting gods, and her own selfish desires in the spellbinding, seductive sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow.
Everything Valeria believes has been a lie: the source of her power, her heritage, and even the secrets she keeps guarded in her heart.
After beheading Empyrean’s king to take up her birthright as the Queen of Empyrean and having her godly gifts unlocked through a needless sacrifice, she has spent the last year restoring her realm. And she has done it all while coming to terms with her newfound identity as a demigoddess, proving that she is someone her people can trust, and surviving the tragic loss of her childhood best friend.
But with a dangerous cult of loyalists terrorizing Empyrean, a mysterious invitation from the Realm of the Divine, and undeniable sizzling tension between her and the two men vying for her heart, the peace Valeria’s worked tirelessly to broker may never come to fruition.
To save Empyrean—and herself—Valeria must navigate realm politics, distrusting gods, and her own selfish desires in the spellbinding, seductive sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow.
Paperback
Published December 10, 2024
6 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Lara Buckheit
5 books149 followersLara Buckheit was born and raised on the Eastern Shore. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Wilmington University, is a 2021 WriteMentor Mentee, an avid writer (and reader) of spice, and one time she met Taylor Swift’s dad.
She started writing at a very young age, mostly fanfiction centered around women with swords and men with devilish grins. And she hasn’t stopped since.
When not writing, Lara can be found drinking tea, hustling for her day job, reading from her endless TBR pile, or hanging out on her body confidence Instagram.
Lara currently lives in Charlottesville, VA, with her husband, dog, and thirteen houseplants named after fictional characters.
She started writing at a very young age, mostly fanfiction centered around women with swords and men with devilish grins. And she hasn’t stopped since.
When not writing, Lara can be found drinking tea, hustling for her day job, reading from her endless TBR pile, or hanging out on her body confidence Instagram.
Lara currently lives in Charlottesville, VA, with her husband, dog, and thirteen houseplants named after fictional characters.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 27, 2025
Thank you Lara for letting me be an ARC reader! I was so excited to find out what Val was up against in book two, and I was not disappointed!
A lot of books suffer from a sophomore slump, but this was not one of them! Despite not remembering every little detail from book one, there were enough context clues and reminders to not feel lost in the plot. Val is as messy yet badass as ever, though, and her cohort is there to love and support her through her trials.
ACOFAS definitely sets up some major book three action, and I am so excited to see where this goes–especially after that ending!!
A Curse of Frost and Stone is four stars for me!
A lot of books suffer from a sophomore slump, but this was not one of them! Despite not remembering every little detail from book one, there were enough context clues and reminders to not feel lost in the plot. Val is as messy yet badass as ever, though, and her cohort is there to love and support her through her trials.
ACOFAS definitely sets up some major book three action, and I am so excited to see where this goes–especially after that ending!!
A Curse of Frost and Stone is four stars for me!
November 29, 2024
It was such a brilliant follow up! This definitely felt more grown than the first- same loveable characters but the innocence is gone and I loved that. The slow burning tension turns into spice, but it doesn’t overshadow a very gripping plot! Twists and turns, laughter and almost tears- this is such a good Romantasy series and I’m so here for more!
December 8, 2024
Summary:
A year after Valeria takes the throne of Empyrean, she is still reeling after Mason's death. She has settled into her relationship with Gideon, but can't fully give him her love while she still has unwanted feelings for Vemdour, and continues to lie to him about the truth of his heart. As the ruler of the Realm of the Divine, Nolin, comes into play, Valeria finds herself in the middle of a power struggle that will either mend the rift between realms or start an all out war. And she must do this all while trying to resurrect Mason and figure out all her feelings.
In this sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow, Valeria is thrust into her role as Queen and makes some questionable decisions. I had to keep reminding myself that she is a young heroine still trying to figure things out. However, the payoff at the end was worth the frustration! This one took some twists and turns, and had some heartbreak, and I ate it up. My emotions were all over the place, and I'm curious and excited to see where Valeria's journey takes her (and me!).
A year after Valeria takes the throne of Empyrean, she is still reeling after Mason's death. She has settled into her relationship with Gideon, but can't fully give him her love while she still has unwanted feelings for Vemdour, and continues to lie to him about the truth of his heart. As the ruler of the Realm of the Divine, Nolin, comes into play, Valeria finds herself in the middle of a power struggle that will either mend the rift between realms or start an all out war. And she must do this all while trying to resurrect Mason and figure out all her feelings.
In this sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow, Valeria is thrust into her role as Queen and makes some questionable decisions. I had to keep reminding myself that she is a young heroine still trying to figure things out. However, the payoff at the end was worth the frustration! This one took some twists and turns, and had some heartbreak, and I ate it up. My emotions were all over the place, and I'm curious and excited to see where Valeria's journey takes her (and me!).
December 10, 2024
Lowkey crying
A Curse of Frost and Stone in book 2 in the War of the Four Realms series by Lara Buckheit. This is an epic romantasy with serious world building (literally), realm politics, a coming of age for the FMC, secrets around every corner and so much more. The way these characters are crafted have you feeling like you’re a part of the story, one of their friends. Every time Valeria made a choice that surprised me had me wanting to yell at her from the perspective of a best friend trying to bring sense to her!
Every character in this series is so unique in terms of their origins, the world they are from, their abilities, hardship and position in the realm. This romantasy includes SPICE, which makes the story so much more involved. The heartache I felt alongside Valeria at the end of this second book is leaving me with a book hangover. I truly cannot wait for what comes next in this series.
RIP Gideon, or at least his physical form.
A Curse of Frost and Stone in book 2 in the War of the Four Realms series by Lara Buckheit. This is an epic romantasy with serious world building (literally), realm politics, a coming of age for the FMC, secrets around every corner and so much more. The way these characters are crafted have you feeling like you’re a part of the story, one of their friends. Every time Valeria made a choice that surprised me had me wanting to yell at her from the perspective of a best friend trying to bring sense to her!
Every character in this series is so unique in terms of their origins, the world they are from, their abilities, hardship and position in the realm. This romantasy includes SPICE, which makes the story so much more involved. The heartache I felt alongside Valeria at the end of this second book is leaving me with a book hangover. I truly cannot wait for what comes next in this series.
RIP Gideon, or at least his physical form.
November 24, 2024
Wow! This was an amazing follow up to book 1 in this series! Val, new Queen of Empyrean, navigates protecting her kingdom by battling fiercely, talking with statues, visiting far realms, discovering new depths of her power & relationships, soooo many secrets uncovered & twists included.
The romance is steamy in our love triangle & it gets even better with this book. I really enjoyed seeing the character development in a certain magical being 👀
I pretty much devoured this book!
The romance is steamy in our love triangle & it gets even better with this book. I really enjoyed seeing the character development in a certain magical being 👀
I pretty much devoured this book!
December 19, 2024
4.5 🌟
I've been eagerly awaiting this sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow!! This is one love triangle where I can't decide who I love more!! Lol, it's a good problem to have! And the spice was spicing!!
Queen Val is still learning and growing which sometimes frustrated me when she made stupid choices but I love seeing her character growth!! The world building is so impressive and epic along with the magic system! There's action and twists and turns which make it a fun romantasy read!
I've been eagerly awaiting this sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow!! This is one love triangle where I can't decide who I love more!! Lol, it's a good problem to have! And the spice was spicing!!
Queen Val is still learning and growing which sometimes frustrated me when she made stupid choices but I love seeing her character growth!! The world building is so impressive and epic along with the magic system! There's action and twists and turns which make it a fun romantasy read!
December 10, 2024
A Curse of Frost and Stone is a stunning romantasy brimming with action and intrigue!
This is the second book in the series, and I actually loved this book even *more* than the first one!
The characters I grew to love in book one are back, and somehow there’s even more at stake this time around. Things get messy and intense, and our Queen Valeria makes mistakes…but this somehow just reinforces her humanity and makes her more relatable to me.
There’s also a love triangle, spice, and some serious twists and turns that I did NOT see coming! 4.75⭐️!
Thank you to the author, Lara Buckheit (a queen herself!!!) for an ARC of this book.
This is the second book in the series, and I actually loved this book even *more* than the first one!
The characters I grew to love in book one are back, and somehow there’s even more at stake this time around. Things get messy and intense, and our Queen Valeria makes mistakes…but this somehow just reinforces her humanity and makes her more relatable to me.
There’s also a love triangle, spice, and some serious twists and turns that I did NOT see coming! 4.75⭐️!
Thank you to the author, Lara Buckheit (a queen herself!!!) for an ARC of this book.
December 12, 2024
She's here!! Dropping some content warnings below.
This book contains subject matter that might be difficult for some readers, including sexual content, graphic violence and gore, brief mention of abusive relationships, murder, and profanity.
This book contains subject matter that might be difficult for some readers, including sexual content, graphic violence and gore, brief mention of abusive relationships, murder, and profanity.
March 15, 2024
Let's gooooooooo! I cannot freaking wait!
November 29, 2024
VAL IS MY BABYGIRL
November 29, 2024
The perfect sequel to A Realm of Ash and Shadow. Fun, spicy, and action packed! That ending!!! There's just one problem... now I need book 3!
February 14, 2025
I had great fun with this, and I need the third book ASAP!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews