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The Broken Kingdoms #3
Crown of Blood and Ruin
War begins. But secrets have the power to end...everything.
Fallen princess. Traitor. Queen.
Forsaking her people and her birthright, Elise Lysander takes her place at the side of the new fae king of a broken land. Revered by some, hated by many, Elise’s fight for her love and freedom is only beginning.
As secrets of Castle Ravenspire come to light, Elise and Valen discover their enemies hold more power than they ever imagined.
It will take more than blades to defeat them.
Fulfilling a dangerous request from Valen’s imprisoned brother. Destroying a prophecy of fate kept in the hands of Elise's brutal sister. And an unwilling alliance with a shadowed thief from a neighboring kingdom that might end in victory or more death.
Blood is calling. War will answer.
But for Elise and Valen this fight could be their hard-fought salvation…or a vicious end to everything they love.
Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, this final book in the Northern Kingdom is part Viking, part fairy tale. One-click to start reading today.
*This is the final book in Elise and Valen's love story, however, more tales will continue in the Broken Kingdoms. The romance and heat builds as the series progresses*
Fallen princess. Traitor. Queen.
Forsaking her people and her birthright, Elise Lysander takes her place at the side of the new fae king of a broken land. Revered by some, hated by many, Elise’s fight for her love and freedom is only beginning.
As secrets of Castle Ravenspire come to light, Elise and Valen discover their enemies hold more power than they ever imagined.
It will take more than blades to defeat them.
Fulfilling a dangerous request from Valen’s imprisoned brother. Destroying a prophecy of fate kept in the hands of Elise's brutal sister. And an unwilling alliance with a shadowed thief from a neighboring kingdom that might end in victory or more death.
Blood is calling. War will answer.
But for Elise and Valen this fight could be their hard-fought salvation…or a vicious end to everything they love.
Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, this final book in the Northern Kingdom is part Viking, part fairy tale. One-click to start reading today.
*This is the final book in Elise and Valen's love story, however, more tales will continue in the Broken Kingdoms. The romance and heat builds as the series progresses*
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2022
6025 people are currently reading
25831 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Andrews
69 books7,015 followersWriting is a beautiful thing.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,480 reviews
June 3, 2024
Glad that its over.
February 8, 2026
⭐ 4.5 stars!!! ⭐
Before I dive into this review, I need to get something off my chest… I went into this story expecting a fight with the Ever Folk — the sea fae people — but this is NOT that! 😭 So just a disclaimer for anyone like me! I’m still wondering if we’ll get that in any of the 6 books left 👀 But this is the end of Valen and Elise’s story, so I’m a tiny bit confused??
ANYWAY. Now that that’s out of my system — let’s scream about this book properly!!!
This was the PERFECT ending to this trilogy and this chapter of the story 🥹📚 There was always something happening. Not a single dull moment. The pacing?? Immaculate. The tension?? Constant. I was STRESSED in the best way.
The love between Valen and Elise in this one is at its PEAK. They are EVERYTHING together. Power couple. Soulmates. Obsession. Ride-or-die energy only 💞🔥
And the Alvers finally came — I LOVE THEM SO MUCHHHH 😭❤️ I’ve been waiting!!! I cannot WAIT to start book four about Kase and Malin! I mean… those two gave us JONAS, so naturally my expectations are through the roof 📈
Now let’s talk about Daddy Valen 😮💨🧎♀️
I’m just going to drop some quotes and let that man speak for himself because he does NOT need me hyping him up anymore.
SIR??? 🫠
THE STANDARD. THE DEVOTION. THE DISRESPECT FOR ANYONE ELSE. I LOVE A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS WIFE IS A GODDESS 👑🔥
Elise… I don’t even know what to say about her. She reminded me so many times of Aelin, but a little less self-assured — and somehow that made me love her even more 🥺 She’s strong, but still human, still unsure sometimes, and that just made her feel so real.
And my BABY Torsten 😭💔 I’m just going to leave this here because my heart was BLEEDING:
TELL ME WHY I WAS SMILING THROUGH TEARS RIGHT ALONG WITH HIM 😭 I am SO sad we’re not getting his book. Criminal behavior. I will never recover.
The last 20% of this book? PERFECTION. No notes. Just me clutching the book and emotionally spiraling. And that tease at the end??? The Nightrender chapter??? OH LJ ANDREWS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING 😏🌙
I’m not ready to leave this world, but I’m absolutely running into the next book.
_________________
pre-read
I better see my baby Tor smile in this one or I’m going to lose it!!!
Before I dive into this review, I need to get something off my chest… I went into this story expecting a fight with the Ever Folk — the sea fae people — but this is NOT that! 😭 So just a disclaimer for anyone like me! I’m still wondering if we’ll get that in any of the 6 books left 👀 But this is the end of Valen and Elise’s story, so I’m a tiny bit confused??
ANYWAY. Now that that’s out of my system — let’s scream about this book properly!!!
This was the PERFECT ending to this trilogy and this chapter of the story 🥹📚 There was always something happening. Not a single dull moment. The pacing?? Immaculate. The tension?? Constant. I was STRESSED in the best way.
The love between Valen and Elise in this one is at its PEAK. They are EVERYTHING together. Power couple. Soulmates. Obsession. Ride-or-die energy only 💞🔥
And the Alvers finally came — I LOVE THEM SO MUCHHHH 😭❤️ I’ve been waiting!!! I cannot WAIT to start book four about Kase and Malin! I mean… those two gave us JONAS, so naturally my expectations are through the roof 📈
Now let’s talk about Daddy Valen 😮💨🧎♀️
I’m just going to drop some quotes and let that man speak for himself because he does NOT need me hyping him up anymore.
“Hells, woman,” Valen muttered under his breath, drawing me into his side. “I have many plans to show you every improper thought rushing through my head the second we are alone. Prepare yourself.”
SIR??? 🫠
“Address my wife properly,” I said through a sneer. “Majesty, My Queen, Goddess — whatever you wish, but you will address her as she deserves, Raven.”
THE STANDARD. THE DEVOTION. THE DISRESPECT FOR ANYONE ELSE. I LOVE A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS WIFE IS A GODDESS 👑🔥
Elise… I don’t even know what to say about her. She reminded me so many times of Aelin, but a little less self-assured — and somehow that made me love her even more 🥺 She’s strong, but still human, still unsure sometimes, and that just made her feel so real.
And my BABY Torsten 😭💔 I’m just going to leave this here because my heart was BLEEDING:
“Torsten,” I said, tilting my head. “Let us speak of moods, my friend. The first time I saw you smile, I’m almost certain, was yesterday.”
TELL ME WHY I WAS SMILING THROUGH TEARS RIGHT ALONG WITH HIM 😭 I am SO sad we’re not getting his book. Criminal behavior. I will never recover.
The last 20% of this book? PERFECTION. No notes. Just me clutching the book and emotionally spiraling. And that tease at the end??? The Nightrender chapter??? OH LJ ANDREWS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING 😏🌙
I’m not ready to leave this world, but I’m absolutely running into the next book.
_________________
pre-read
I better see my baby Tor smile in this one or I’m going to lose it!!!
March 15, 2025
✅ More action and politics
✅ New characters
✅ Faes and magic
✅ 2 POVs
✅ Engaging ending
✅ Found family
✅ Romance and some smut
✅🆗 Some parts of the plot were too easy/convenient
✅🆗 Predictable plot
✅🆗 Cheesy HEA (everything is too perfect for everyone)
This is a good book, but it is not extraordinary, and it felt like many other romantasies I’ve read before. This series as a whole is a good example of a series with good ideas, but a lack of execution. Overall, I still enjoyed it though.
I do not often say this, but this book would have been better if it had been 100 or even 200 pages longer. This way, the author would have had the time to better elaborate and develop the different parts of the plot, and things wouldn’t have felt so easy and convenient. Once again, while the plot in general is good, some aspects of it are too easy or convenient. As an example, Elise and Valen are looking for information on someone and almost immediately, Junie sends them a letter telling them she knows about such a person. Later, Elise infiltrates a brothel, looking for information about another person of interest and she learns almost everything she needs by simply asking a bunch of not-that-subtle questions to another girl only minutes after she arrives. Valen and Sol are later looking for a super secret hidden door and manage to find it in a few minutes only…
Some parts of the plot felt repetitive. I was tired of hearing about the Black Tomb, and it felt that half the series consisted of Valen or Elise being abducted by Jarl or the fake King and needing to be rescued. It was good at first but became repetitive and also predictable after a while.
Valen and Elise continue to be a strong, united unit, and I like how they trust each other and let each other be a part of the action. They were afraid for each other and fiercely protective of each other, but they didn’t try to prevent the other from being a part of the fighting and planning, and I liked the respect and equality between them.
Elise and Valen’s chapters felt more distinct this time. I said in my review of the second book that their inner voice felt very similar at times, but it was better this time around. Their chapters had a different feel to them, and we could see and feel who was talking or thinking, without confusion. It is a minor detail maybe, but it made a difference in my overall appreciation of the book.
We are introduced to a few new characters in this book, and I would have loved for them to arrive sooner in the adventure. It was nice to see Junie again and Niklas is a rakish and unapologetic sassy flirt that is impossible not to like. The Nightrender is intriguing and has a lot of potential to become a great main character in his series. Sadly though, Siv and Mattis were almost absent from this final book, we only saw them quickly here and there, but I didn’t feel that they were truly a part of the adventure, contrary to the previous books. The planning and action were done mostly by Elise, Valen, Tor, Halvar, Ari, and Sol even, but not Siv or Mattis, which is sad since Elise started this whole adventure with them. Also, thankfully, Ari was much more likable in this book than in the previous one, he felt better developed and less shallow.
This trilogy is over, but the ending sets the table for the next trilogy in this series, which will follow the Nightrender and Gunnar I assume. While I liked the Nightrender and I am intrigued by him, I do not know yet if I will give the next book a try. I liked this series overall, but it was nothing extraordinary or particularly original and gripping, and I am not sure I have the patience for 6 more “good but not great” books set in the same universe. I will give the spinoff series a try though eventually since it seems to have more of a pirate vibe and that is always interesting.
1.Curse of Shadows and Thorns ⭐⭐⭐
2.Court of Ice and Ash ⭐⭐⭐.5
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✅ New characters
✅ Faes and magic
✅ 2 POVs
✅ Engaging ending
✅ Found family
✅ Romance and some smut
✅🆗 Some parts of the plot were too easy/convenient
✅🆗 Predictable plot
✅🆗 Cheesy HEA (everything is too perfect for everyone)
This is a good book, but it is not extraordinary, and it felt like many other romantasies I’ve read before. This series as a whole is a good example of a series with good ideas, but a lack of execution. Overall, I still enjoyed it though.
I do not often say this, but this book would have been better if it had been 100 or even 200 pages longer. This way, the author would have had the time to better elaborate and develop the different parts of the plot, and things wouldn’t have felt so easy and convenient. Once again, while the plot in general is good, some aspects of it are too easy or convenient. As an example, Elise and Valen are looking for information on someone and almost immediately, Junie sends them a letter telling them she knows about such a person. Later, Elise infiltrates a brothel, looking for information about another person of interest and she learns almost everything she needs by simply asking a bunch of not-that-subtle questions to another girl only minutes after she arrives. Valen and Sol are later looking for a super secret hidden door and manage to find it in a few minutes only…
Some parts of the plot felt repetitive. I was tired of hearing about the Black Tomb, and it felt that half the series consisted of Valen or Elise being abducted by Jarl or the fake King and needing to be rescued. It was good at first but became repetitive and also predictable after a while.
Valen and Elise continue to be a strong, united unit, and I like how they trust each other and let each other be a part of the action. They were afraid for each other and fiercely protective of each other, but they didn’t try to prevent the other from being a part of the fighting and planning, and I liked the respect and equality between them.
Elise and Valen’s chapters felt more distinct this time. I said in my review of the second book that their inner voice felt very similar at times, but it was better this time around. Their chapters had a different feel to them, and we could see and feel who was talking or thinking, without confusion. It is a minor detail maybe, but it made a difference in my overall appreciation of the book.
We are introduced to a few new characters in this book, and I would have loved for them to arrive sooner in the adventure. It was nice to see Junie again and Niklas is a rakish and unapologetic sassy flirt that is impossible not to like. The Nightrender is intriguing and has a lot of potential to become a great main character in his series. Sadly though, Siv and Mattis were almost absent from this final book, we only saw them quickly here and there, but I didn’t feel that they were truly a part of the adventure, contrary to the previous books. The planning and action were done mostly by Elise, Valen, Tor, Halvar, Ari, and Sol even, but not Siv or Mattis, which is sad since Elise started this whole adventure with them. Also, thankfully, Ari was much more likable in this book than in the previous one, he felt better developed and less shallow.
This trilogy is over, but the ending sets the table for the next trilogy in this series, which will follow the Nightrender and Gunnar I assume. While I liked the Nightrender and I am intrigued by him, I do not know yet if I will give the next book a try. I liked this series overall, but it was nothing extraordinary or particularly original and gripping, and I am not sure I have the patience for 6 more “good but not great” books set in the same universe. I will give the spinoff series a try though eventually since it seems to have more of a pirate vibe and that is always interesting.
1.Curse of Shadows and Thorns ⭐⭐⭐
2.Court of Ice and Ash ⭐⭐⭐.5
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December 27, 2022
3 bloody palm stars ⭐️
This is the third book in the series so please expect spoilers, and since I am wholly irritated by the book, I am to lazy to mark everything with spoiler tags…
It feels so good, finally knowing what the title of book 2 means while reading book 3😑
If you couldn’t sense that was sarcasm, please note that was meant to be highly sarcastic 🙃
I’m quite two minded about what I feel about this book. On the one hand the writing is really good. It’s easy to read, it’s clean, not overly descriptive but pretty imaginative and carried a unique style that I enjoyed. However, the plot of this book felt repetitive, recycled and quite unoriginal. It put me in a strange situation where I had to grit my teeth while reading the HIGHLY PREDICTABLE plot, but enjoying the writing. It was a weird rollercoaster of verging on a DNF but wanting to actually see it through at the same time cause the words were cool.
Whilst I rated book one higher, I do think this is the best book out of the three at this point. This is due to the fact that you can see it’s a little bit more polished. The editing is cleaner. The thoughts are more concise and the internal narrative in the different POV’s felt better as the distinction between Valen and Elise can clearly be determined (I didn’t get as confused between POV’s this time round).
The main characters are also pretty much fully developed by the start of this book so you get a little bit more backstory and development of the new side characters and quite frankly, the side characters made the book interesting. But the original side characters from book one were just “missing”. Their presence felt lacking and for them to carry so much weight previously, to be nothing more than a few sentences delegated to the background felt like a big disservice to them.
Let me come back to the plot, and why I didn’t like it and why it felt repetitive.
1. The Black Tomb:
Book one culminated in going to the black tomb, and ending Valen’s curse in so doing they fought guardians and touched the stone with blood. Oh lookie lookie book two had our heroes, at the black tomb fighting guardians and touching the stone with blood. And lo and behold book 3 has our heroes again at the Black tomb fighting guardians to break a curse that needed to touch the stone with blood…I feel like I’ve read this before…more than once.
2. Kidnapping and trades:
How many times do I have to read about Jarl, the Fake Royals or Elise’s father, trying to get her back, a battle ensues and ends with either Elise or Valen taken back to Ravenspire me needing to be rescued. This was done in book 2, WHY IS IT ALSO BEING DONE IN BOOK 3???
3. How do they get there!?!?!?
I failed to understand how any action scene somehow has one of the antagonists just miraculously appearing a few seconds after any sort of fight occurs. Are they just waiting around the corner is the world? Is this world so small that it takes five minutes for character to call reinforcements who just happen to be Jarl or the Fake Royals or does teleportation exist, and it wasn’t explained? Because those are the only reasons to explain how Jarl or the Fake Royals were always there when there was a fight when the heroes used stealth and secret planning…
What was a breath of air what is that the love interest from book 4-6 was introduced - The Nightrender. This has me at a little catch 22 because this intriguing enigma of a man does make me curious for the next series, but given how this series went downhill, I might have to push it to the back of my TBR for awhile.
Overall, the premise of this book showed promise, really the epitome of “great idea but lacking in execution”. It tried to be an epic fantasy but didn’t quite get there! It does have a unique magic system and I don’t think we have seen the full extent of the world building since there are different realms (where the other stories take place). In the end I did enjoy the series but it became less and less striking as I went on.
I’d recommend this if you do like fantasy romance, as a lot of people do seem to enjoy this and if you have the ability overlook my peeves in the predictable plot - this might actually be really good for you!
This is the third book in the series so please expect spoilers, and since I am wholly irritated by the book, I am to lazy to mark everything with spoiler tags…
It feels so good, finally knowing what the title of book 2 means while reading book 3😑
If you couldn’t sense that was sarcasm, please note that was meant to be highly sarcastic 🙃
I’m quite two minded about what I feel about this book. On the one hand the writing is really good. It’s easy to read, it’s clean, not overly descriptive but pretty imaginative and carried a unique style that I enjoyed. However, the plot of this book felt repetitive, recycled and quite unoriginal. It put me in a strange situation where I had to grit my teeth while reading the HIGHLY PREDICTABLE plot, but enjoying the writing. It was a weird rollercoaster of verging on a DNF but wanting to actually see it through at the same time cause the words were cool.
Whilst I rated book one higher, I do think this is the best book out of the three at this point. This is due to the fact that you can see it’s a little bit more polished. The editing is cleaner. The thoughts are more concise and the internal narrative in the different POV’s felt better as the distinction between Valen and Elise can clearly be determined (I didn’t get as confused between POV’s this time round).
The main characters are also pretty much fully developed by the start of this book so you get a little bit more backstory and development of the new side characters and quite frankly, the side characters made the book interesting. But the original side characters from book one were just “missing”. Their presence felt lacking and for them to carry so much weight previously, to be nothing more than a few sentences delegated to the background felt like a big disservice to them.
Let me come back to the plot, and why I didn’t like it and why it felt repetitive.
1. The Black Tomb:
Book one culminated in going to the black tomb, and ending Valen’s curse in so doing they fought guardians and touched the stone with blood. Oh lookie lookie book two had our heroes, at the black tomb fighting guardians and touching the stone with blood. And lo and behold book 3 has our heroes again at the Black tomb fighting guardians to break a curse that needed to touch the stone with blood…I feel like I’ve read this before…more than once.
2. Kidnapping and trades:
How many times do I have to read about Jarl, the Fake Royals or Elise’s father, trying to get her back, a battle ensues and ends with either Elise or Valen taken back to Ravenspire me needing to be rescued. This was done in book 2, WHY IS IT ALSO BEING DONE IN BOOK 3???
3. How do they get there!?!?!?
I failed to understand how any action scene somehow has one of the antagonists just miraculously appearing a few seconds after any sort of fight occurs. Are they just waiting around the corner is the world? Is this world so small that it takes five minutes for character to call reinforcements who just happen to be Jarl or the Fake Royals or does teleportation exist, and it wasn’t explained? Because those are the only reasons to explain how Jarl or the Fake Royals were always there when there was a fight when the heroes used stealth and secret planning…
What was a breath of air what is that the love interest from book 4-6 was introduced - The Nightrender. This has me at a little catch 22 because this intriguing enigma of a man does make me curious for the next series, but given how this series went downhill, I might have to push it to the back of my TBR for awhile.
Overall, the premise of this book showed promise, really the epitome of “great idea but lacking in execution”. It tried to be an epic fantasy but didn’t quite get there! It does have a unique magic system and I don’t think we have seen the full extent of the world building since there are different realms (where the other stories take place). In the end I did enjoy the series but it became less and less striking as I went on.
I’d recommend this if you do like fantasy romance, as a lot of people do seem to enjoy this and if you have the ability overlook my peeves in the predictable plot - this might actually be really good for you!
January 19, 2026
4.25 stars
This was a decent end to this trilogy, and the last 20/25% was 🤌
This series definitely improved over time, and there were a lot of great characters here. Tor and Sol were so great and I wish we could have had a book with the two of them.
And the new characters! Niklas: awesome. Herja: awesome. Nightrender: marry me. Cannot wait to start his series ❤️
I think this first trilogy was OK but it's setting up even better books and I always like to have previous books under my belt before starting a new related series.
Definitely recommend for romantasy lovers.
This was a decent end to this trilogy, and the last 20/25% was 🤌
This series definitely improved over time, and there were a lot of great characters here. Tor and Sol were so great and I wish we could have had a book with the two of them.
And the new characters! Niklas: awesome. Herja: awesome. Nightrender: marry me. Cannot wait to start his series ❤️
I think this first trilogy was OK but it's setting up even better books and I always like to have previous books under my belt before starting a new related series.
Definitely recommend for romantasy lovers.
September 1, 2024
Auch der dritte Teil der Reihe hat mir wieder sehr gut gefallen!
Es wird hier nahtlos an Band 2 mit der Handlung angeschlossen und es war für mich wieder durchweg spannend zu lesen. Es gab Entwicklungen, mit denen ich so keinesfalls gerechnet hätte, auch wenn sich mir hier manches doch ein wenig zu einfach gefügt hat, um wirklich episch zu sein. Genau das ist eigentlich auch mein einziger Kritikpunkt an dem Buch. Einen gewissen Handlungsstrang am Ende fand ich ein bisschen zu gewollt, als dass er sich organisch in die vorherige Geschichte eingebunden hätte. Allerdings fand ich davon abgesehen wirklich super, wie sich alles am Ende zu einem sinnvollen Ganzen zusammengefügt hat.
Ich muss auch sagen, dass hier stellenweise überraschend brutale Szenen enthalten waren! Damit hatte ich so gar nicht gerechnet und das hat mich auf positive Art schockiert. Auch die neuen Charaktere, die hier alle noch in die Geschichte geworfen wurden fand ich mega spannend, auch wenn dadurch der Fokus hier für mich nicht mehr allzu sehr auf Elise und Legion lag, was ich wiederum etwas schade fand.
Zusammengefasst: spannende Charaktere, super Plot, tolles Worldbuilding und Magiesystem, was auch wirklich Lust auf die nächsten Bände der Reihe macht, auch wenn wir hier an sich erstmal eine Art Abschluss mit unseren Protagonisten Elise und Legion gefunden haben. Ich bin gespannt ob die folgende Teile auch noch übersetzt werden.
Es wird hier nahtlos an Band 2 mit der Handlung angeschlossen und es war für mich wieder durchweg spannend zu lesen. Es gab Entwicklungen, mit denen ich so keinesfalls gerechnet hätte, auch wenn sich mir hier manches doch ein wenig zu einfach gefügt hat, um wirklich episch zu sein. Genau das ist eigentlich auch mein einziger Kritikpunkt an dem Buch. Einen gewissen Handlungsstrang am Ende fand ich ein bisschen zu gewollt, als dass er sich organisch in die vorherige Geschichte eingebunden hätte. Allerdings fand ich davon abgesehen wirklich super, wie sich alles am Ende zu einem sinnvollen Ganzen zusammengefügt hat.
Ich muss auch sagen, dass hier stellenweise überraschend brutale Szenen enthalten waren! Damit hatte ich so gar nicht gerechnet und das hat mich auf positive Art schockiert. Auch die neuen Charaktere, die hier alle noch in die Geschichte geworfen wurden fand ich mega spannend, auch wenn dadurch der Fokus hier für mich nicht mehr allzu sehr auf Elise und Legion lag, was ich wiederum etwas schade fand.
Zusammengefasst: spannende Charaktere, super Plot, tolles Worldbuilding und Magiesystem, was auch wirklich Lust auf die nächsten Bände der Reihe macht, auch wenn wir hier an sich erstmal eine Art Abschluss mit unseren Protagonisten Elise und Legion gefunden haben. Ich bin gespannt ob die folgende Teile auch noch übersetzt werden.
May 19, 2022
Ah man this book just didn't do it for me. I'm so sad because I loved this series so much but this one just wasn't what i wanted it to be.
My biggest complaint is just a me issue. I hate when books end too happy. Like I want a book to end well but sometimes if the ending is too good to be true it makes me cranky. I could deal with Sol being alive. In fact, I sort of loved it! Mostly because I wanted Tor to get his lover back. (Which there was not enough of this book dedicated to those two and their reunion.) But then the sister was alive too. Like, what? Okay fine. I guess we can make that work. But then the parents are some how alive??? And the explanation for why the parents had to go into their magic sleep was so glossed over I'm still not sure how they pulled it off. And how the kingdom was over thrown in the first place is never really explained. The whole history was really brushed over and made me very frustrated. Oh and lets not forget they magically cursed an ENTIRE FUCKING ARMY to be ready to fight when they awoke. Like how freaking convenient for everyone.
There also wasn't enough time dedicated to the logistics of freaking raising an army. They never mentioned finding allies, weapons, horses, ect. I always pictured their numbers pretty small but I guess I was mistaken because they thought they had enough of an army to go against a well established, well trained military unit! Like Valen gets kidnapped and they're magically ready to go to war! Without the magical cursed army returning they would've lost! So what had been the plan???? The steps to the ending battle felt very rushed.
I was very pleased that Elise and Valen ended up as King and Queen. When the parents were gonna be crowned I was a little irked. So I was very very glad when they abdicated the thrown. Though that whole scene felt very corny as well.
I wanted Elise to kill Jarl so badly. I was disappointed she wasn't even witness to it. That was one bad dude and his end was too swift and easy. All the freaking villains of this book died way too easy to be fair. No one had an epic death or battle. They kind of just got killed off like fish in a barrel.
Then the battle ends and everything is just hunky dory. They literally spent no time campaigning or making alliances with the people of the land but everyone just rolls over and happy to serve the new king?
I don't know. This just didn't' do it for me. Not even Elise and Valen's love story wasn't enough to save this book for me. Especially because they were separated for most of it. I also never really got the Queen feel from Elise. There was a lot of talk about her being equal but she always seemed to be second guessing herself or turning to others rather than being a true leader. She felt more like a figure head. Which was disappointing.
My biggest complaint is just a me issue. I hate when books end too happy. Like I want a book to end well but sometimes if the ending is too good to be true it makes me cranky. I could deal with Sol being alive. In fact, I sort of loved it! Mostly because I wanted Tor to get his lover back. (Which there was not enough of this book dedicated to those two and their reunion.) But then the sister was alive too. Like, what? Okay fine. I guess we can make that work. But then the parents are some how alive??? And the explanation for why the parents had to go into their magic sleep was so glossed over I'm still not sure how they pulled it off. And how the kingdom was over thrown in the first place is never really explained. The whole history was really brushed over and made me very frustrated. Oh and lets not forget they magically cursed an ENTIRE FUCKING ARMY to be ready to fight when they awoke. Like how freaking convenient for everyone.
There also wasn't enough time dedicated to the logistics of freaking raising an army. They never mentioned finding allies, weapons, horses, ect. I always pictured their numbers pretty small but I guess I was mistaken because they thought they had enough of an army to go against a well established, well trained military unit! Like Valen gets kidnapped and they're magically ready to go to war! Without the magical cursed army returning they would've lost! So what had been the plan???? The steps to the ending battle felt very rushed.
I was very pleased that Elise and Valen ended up as King and Queen. When the parents were gonna be crowned I was a little irked. So I was very very glad when they abdicated the thrown. Though that whole scene felt very corny as well.
I wanted Elise to kill Jarl so badly. I was disappointed she wasn't even witness to it. That was one bad dude and his end was too swift and easy. All the freaking villains of this book died way too easy to be fair. No one had an epic death or battle. They kind of just got killed off like fish in a barrel.
Then the battle ends and everything is just hunky dory. They literally spent no time campaigning or making alliances with the people of the land but everyone just rolls over and happy to serve the new king?
I don't know. This just didn't' do it for me. Not even Elise and Valen's love story wasn't enough to save this book for me. Especially because they were separated for most of it. I also never really got the Queen feel from Elise. There was a lot of talk about her being equal but she always seemed to be second guessing herself or turning to others rather than being a true leader. She felt more like a figure head. Which was disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2024
“Etta rises against the people of Timoran. They fight at Ravenspire now! Take up your arms, we go to war.”
“No death talks until our innards are spilling out on the battlefield. It is more poetic and meaningful.”
The final book of the first trilogy.
After in the last book Valen finally came to his senses and declared he's the king and told Elise he wants her, they're now working together with his guild to take back the kingdom. With new and ols allies they're looking for refuges and making plans. The most important one, to find a way to save Sol. Valen's older brother who's apparently still alive and was held captive all this time.
Elise is now officially the king's consort. At the beginning of the book I didn't like it. Up until now she fought right beside them. She had her own name and title, and now they're reducing to the king's consort who's waiting for him comfortably while he goes on mission? I wasn't sure about that.
But then again, it Elise. Our girl isn't like being told what to do. She still fight and scheme and work like any other.
“You never were for Timoran or Etta, Elise. You were always for fairness, for people.
She lifted her chin, but a tremble lived in her voice. One only her husband might notice. Because only her husband knew how often brutality and compassion collided in her heart.
She may be with the king, she supports him. But that doesn't mean she's not strong on her own. She still has a family to defeat.
I liked seeing her grow even closed to the guild and Valen's family.
Yes, I liked them. I loved the entire Guild of Shade like I would a family, like I would true brothers.
“You are brave, My Queen,” Sol whispered.
“I am not a queen. I am your brother’s consort.”
“For now.” Sol’s grin was as mischievous as Valen’s.
Side note: if Elise would get money for every time she was asked what she was reading throughout the trilogy, she would've been rich. Why no one's is ever interested in what I'M reading that way?🥲
Valen, now as a king, is facing and leaning how to handle more responsibilities. But he knows it's only temporary. He'll get Sol back.
Parted for turns and he still knew how to reprimand me better than anyone.
“All the words he could’ve said to me this morning, and what he wanted me to know was that he bested you in everything.”
I rolled my eyes. “He said that? While an entire unit of Ravens held blades to his neck, that was what he chose to say?”
“He was quite adamant about it too.”
Hells, I missed my brother.
Meanwhile, he and Elise are making up for lost time. He finally admits openly that he loves her. He'll do anything for her and her safety.
I didn’t need vows to know I loved Elise and wanted her at my side until my final breath. But I did want her as queen. A thought I couldn’t shake, as if it had been planted inside my chest by a power outside of myself.
After and encounter with Sol where he delivered encrypted words, they now have new ideas and new missions on taking the kingdom. Of course, things complicates and they find things they didn't expect on finding.
I enjoyed the conclusion for the northern kingdom so much. The battles, the action, the plot twists, the found family, all so great. I cried, I laughed. I sat up abruptly when things got intense.
The only thing I'm upset about is the side characters. I love them all, but because there are so many, we don't get much from them. We get snippets from each one of them. I wish I could've seen how Halvar and Kari started and evolved. And many other characters and their loved one. Not to mention Siv, who was totally got lost in so many characters, she's supposed to be Elise's best friend. But we barely saw her and Mattis. Just a few mentions here and there.
I absolutely loved how Ari and Valen became close!! Last book they kept fighting and in the end Ari was frightened by being next to the king, and now they're teasing each other constantly.
“King Valen.” Ari’s voice rang out through the longhouse.
I groaned and flopped onto my back. “No one pestered him this much when he wore the crown. He does this on purpose.”
“I do,”
The Ferus line stood to inherit the throne, but I still considered Ari Sekundӓr a leader here. Perhaps we did not begin as allies, but now, I trusted him as much as the Guild of Shade.
Ari raced after Valen. Once adversaries, now they were practically inseparable.
“Go away,” I said to the others.
“Rather unkingly of you,” Ari said. “You could dismiss us better. Perhaps, say: be gone with you. Or we may adjourn, or—”
I pulled back from Elise to glare at Ari. “I could take your head if you prefer.”
I'm definitely going to continue the series. Excited to learn more of the Nightrender story!!
“No death talks until our innards are spilling out on the battlefield. It is more poetic and meaningful.”
The final book of the first trilogy.
After in the last book Valen finally came to his senses and declared he's the king and told Elise he wants her, they're now working together with his guild to take back the kingdom. With new and ols allies they're looking for refuges and making plans. The most important one, to find a way to save Sol. Valen's older brother who's apparently still alive and was held captive all this time.
Elise is now officially the king's consort. At the beginning of the book I didn't like it. Up until now she fought right beside them. She had her own name and title, and now they're reducing to the king's consort who's waiting for him comfortably while he goes on mission? I wasn't sure about that.
But then again, it Elise. Our girl isn't like being told what to do. She still fight and scheme and work like any other.
“You never were for Timoran or Etta, Elise. You were always for fairness, for people.
She lifted her chin, but a tremble lived in her voice. One only her husband might notice. Because only her husband knew how often brutality and compassion collided in her heart.
She may be with the king, she supports him. But that doesn't mean she's not strong on her own. She still has a family to defeat.
I liked seeing her grow even closed to the guild and Valen's family.
Yes, I liked them. I loved the entire Guild of Shade like I would a family, like I would true brothers.
“You are brave, My Queen,” Sol whispered.
“I am not a queen. I am your brother’s consort.”
“For now.” Sol’s grin was as mischievous as Valen’s.
Side note: if Elise would get money for every time she was asked what she was reading throughout the trilogy, she would've been rich. Why no one's is ever interested in what I'M reading that way?🥲
Valen, now as a king, is facing and leaning how to handle more responsibilities. But he knows it's only temporary. He'll get Sol back.
Parted for turns and he still knew how to reprimand me better than anyone.
“All the words he could’ve said to me this morning, and what he wanted me to know was that he bested you in everything.”
I rolled my eyes. “He said that? While an entire unit of Ravens held blades to his neck, that was what he chose to say?”
“He was quite adamant about it too.”
Hells, I missed my brother.
Meanwhile, he and Elise are making up for lost time. He finally admits openly that he loves her. He'll do anything for her and her safety.
I didn’t need vows to know I loved Elise and wanted her at my side until my final breath. But I did want her as queen. A thought I couldn’t shake, as if it had been planted inside my chest by a power outside of myself.
After and encounter with Sol where he delivered encrypted words, they now have new ideas and new missions on taking the kingdom. Of course, things complicates and they find things they didn't expect on finding.
I enjoyed the conclusion for the northern kingdom so much. The battles, the action, the plot twists, the found family, all so great. I cried, I laughed. I sat up abruptly when things got intense.
The only thing I'm upset about is the side characters. I love them all, but because there are so many, we don't get much from them. We get snippets from each one of them. I wish I could've seen how Halvar and Kari started and evolved. And many other characters and their loved one. Not to mention Siv, who was totally got lost in so many characters, she's supposed to be Elise's best friend. But we barely saw her and Mattis. Just a few mentions here and there.
I absolutely loved how Ari and Valen became close!! Last book they kept fighting and in the end Ari was frightened by being next to the king, and now they're teasing each other constantly.
“King Valen.” Ari’s voice rang out through the longhouse.
I groaned and flopped onto my back. “No one pestered him this much when he wore the crown. He does this on purpose.”
“I do,”
The Ferus line stood to inherit the throne, but I still considered Ari Sekundӓr a leader here. Perhaps we did not begin as allies, but now, I trusted him as much as the Guild of Shade.
Ari raced after Valen. Once adversaries, now they were practically inseparable.
“Go away,” I said to the others.
“Rather unkingly of you,” Ari said. “You could dismiss us better. Perhaps, say: be gone with you. Or we may adjourn, or—”
I pulled back from Elise to glare at Ari. “I could take your head if you prefer.”
I'm definitely going to continue the series. Excited to learn more of the Nightrender story!!
Read
December 15, 2024DNF at 16%. I’m just so bored with this story….
March 28, 2022
4 Stars
Really enjoyed this series and I'm definitely looking forward to more in this world. There were some slight issues I had such as how everything happened just a little too cleanly for it to be epic for me, but it was overall a great story.
Really enjoyed this series and I'm definitely looking forward to more in this world. There were some slight issues I had such as how everything happened just a little too cleanly for it to be epic for me, but it was overall a great story.
January 11, 2023
⭐: 4.5/5
🌶️: 1/5
I am wholly and utterly taken by the Kingdom of the North and am reeling for what's in store for the rest of the lands. The East. The South. The West.
Eager to know each of the four fated queens. 🗡️👑
🌶️: 1/5
I am wholly and utterly taken by the Kingdom of the North and am reeling for what's in store for the rest of the lands. The East. The South. The West.
Eager to know each of the four fated queens. 🗡️👑
April 7, 2025
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
La guerra ha comenzado, y ahora, Elise, tras renegar de su pueblo y de lo que le correspondía por nacimiento, ocupa su lugar junto al nuevo rey feérico en una tierra dividida; así, la batalla que tendrá que librar por su amor y su libertad no ha hecho más que empezar. Los enemigos de Elise y Valen tienen en sus manos más poder del que imaginaban, y ambos tendrán que cumplir la peligrosa petición del hermano encarcelado de Valen, destruir una profecía del destino que custodia la terrible hermana de Elise y establecer una alianza indeseada con un misterioso ladrón de un reino vecino.
Pues... bien. Ha estado bien, es lo primero que me sale decir, la verdad. Ha sido un libro que he leído rápido pues, al igual que los anteriores, resulta muy ágil y ligerito, con mucha acción, capítulos cortos y momentos emocionantes. Pero también he sentido, desgraciadamente, en esta tercera y última (porque la historia cierra perfectamente aquí, aunque haya más libros, entiendo que serán spin offs?), me ha parecido que flojeaba un tanto.
La guerra ha comenzado, y ahora, Elise, tras renegar de su pueblo y de lo que le correspondía por nacimiento, ocupa su lugar junto al nuevo rey feérico en una tierra dividida; así, la batalla que tendrá que librar por su amor y su libertad no ha hecho más que empezar. Los enemigos de Elise y Valen tienen en sus manos más poder del que imaginaban, y ambos tendrán que cumplir la peligrosa petición del hermano encarcelado de Valen, destruir una profecía del destino que custodia la terrible hermana de Elise y establecer una alianza indeseada con un misterioso ladrón de un reino vecino.
Pues... bien. Ha estado bien, es lo primero que me sale decir, la verdad. Ha sido un libro que he leído rápido pues, al igual que los anteriores, resulta muy ágil y ligerito, con mucha acción, capítulos cortos y momentos emocionantes. Pero también he sentido, desgraciadamente, en esta tercera y última (porque la historia cierra perfectamente aquí, aunque haya más libros, entiendo que serán spin offs?), me ha parecido que flojeaba un tanto.
May 15, 2022
2.5/ 5
After reading the first three books within the space of 2 weeks I did have really high hopes for this series, especially after enjoying the first one. However, I feel like the relationship between Valen and Elise is sometimes rushed and stopped developing after book one. There was never any more back and forth or learning about each other after the first book, and the books solely turned to focus on the war. Even with the war plot, at times it felt like there was no end goal and repetitive with what the characters were saying and doing. With the introduction of more new characters, I also feel like we lost the development between those relationships and also the older characters we met in the beginning. I think overall some parts of the books could have been developed further in more detail as a lot of the larger, more important sections felt very rushed.
After reading the first three books within the space of 2 weeks I did have really high hopes for this series, especially after enjoying the first one. However, I feel like the relationship between Valen and Elise is sometimes rushed and stopped developing after book one. There was never any more back and forth or learning about each other after the first book, and the books solely turned to focus on the war. Even with the war plot, at times it felt like there was no end goal and repetitive with what the characters were saying and doing. With the introduction of more new characters, I also feel like we lost the development between those relationships and also the older characters we met in the beginning. I think overall some parts of the books could have been developed further in more detail as a lot of the larger, more important sections felt very rushed.
November 13, 2024
Imagine my surprise when I thought I had 6 more books of these characters that I love, only to find out at the end that we are following a new character to a new land? Give a girl some warning, I wasn't prepared to say goodbye yet.
Boy, oh boy I really loved the characters and the world building in this book. The last 100 pages were kind of insane, I couldn't force my eyes away from the book and cried multiple times.
Do I think things wrapped up a little too conveniently? Yes. Some plot twists whilst I loved reading them, were so entirely unrealistic that it did feel like a little bit of a cop out, but hey! I had a great time.
I'm so glad I finally signed up for kindle unlimited again because these books are pricey and the rate I'm going through them would be way too expensive.
Really intrigued by the character and the story we are following into book 4.
Boy, oh boy I really loved the characters and the world building in this book. The last 100 pages were kind of insane, I couldn't force my eyes away from the book and cried multiple times.
Do I think things wrapped up a little too conveniently? Yes. Some plot twists whilst I loved reading them, were so entirely unrealistic that it did feel like a little bit of a cop out, but hey! I had a great time.
I'm so glad I finally signed up for kindle unlimited again because these books are pricey and the rate I'm going through them would be way too expensive.
Really intrigued by the character and the story we are following into book 4.
February 8, 2022
This book right here is the embodiment of a fairytale ending. I thought it was cute.
August 23, 2025
Full review to come: Love the strong female vibes in this book from this series. The Night Prince is just hot and I love the way he worships Elise. The found family , twists & turns and world building was so much fun to immerse into. Sooo many amazing battles , curses and magic throw around it makes the story sparkle with adventurous excitement. Elise just keeps getting better and better as she comes more into her own. I’m enjoying this ride and can’t wait for more !!!
April 13, 2024
OMG, I don't know why I had such a hard time with this one. I adored the first two and I was looking forward to this one. But now this book got me questioning whether or not I even want to continue the series.
November 11, 2024
THE REVEALS??????
May 4, 2025
Well shit.
5 Stars.
5 Stars.
July 28, 2024
♾️/5⭐ - I will never get over this book as long as I live, never ever ever . . .
“𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.”
- I will no longer just be accepting "I love you" from my husband after this one. 🥹
LJ did it yet again. OMG, I thought I was obsessed with the first two books? No, uh uh, this is my new obsession, I want cremated with this book in my hands. We have Valen still on his hero shit, he needs to stop that IMMEDIATELY, because it never works out the way he thinks it will. 😂 We have Elise, she's even more of a baddie in this one and I LOVED IT, omg I adore her so much. The battles were so intense that I broke one of my favorite bookmarks because I was clutching it so hard. I was scared man. The love between Elise and Valen? They are the new standard. I love everything about their love, especially their banter!!
All of our side characters, who are really main characters that just don't get their own pov, were just as amazing in this one. The Nightrender? AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I can't wait to start the next book, his book. Omg I am already in love.
Oh and the ending? Why did you have to make me UGLY SOB over an HEA? I was so happy for everybody that I was just 😭, all over the place.
Okay, I am now off to buy the next book so I can start it asap. Please read this series, just do it, it is worth every single page. K, happy reading babes! 🫶
“𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.”
- I will no longer just be accepting "I love you" from my husband after this one. 🥹
LJ did it yet again. OMG, I thought I was obsessed with the first two books? No, uh uh, this is my new obsession, I want cremated with this book in my hands. We have Valen still on his hero shit, he needs to stop that IMMEDIATELY, because it never works out the way he thinks it will. 😂 We have Elise, she's even more of a baddie in this one and I LOVED IT, omg I adore her so much. The battles were so intense that I broke one of my favorite bookmarks because I was clutching it so hard. I was scared man. The love between Elise and Valen? They are the new standard. I love everything about their love, especially their banter!!
All of our side characters, who are really main characters that just don't get their own pov, were just as amazing in this one. The Nightrender? AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I can't wait to start the next book, his book. Omg I am already in love.
Oh and the ending? Why did you have to make me UGLY SOB over an HEA? I was so happy for everybody that I was just 😭, all over the place.
Okay, I am now off to buy the next book so I can start it asap. Please read this series, just do it, it is worth every single page. K, happy reading babes! 🫶
February 19, 2022
5 stunning stars for this utterly soft and tender series. It has everything you can wish for, court intrigue, war between kingdoms, fae, a love so soft that there's no way it doesn't do funny things to your heart. I believe this is what a YA story should be at it's core.
I'm so glad I found this series and had the chance to love these characters.
(And whoever said Sol and Tor has no place here are wrong. They're just as precious as Elise and Valen. They deserve to be loved and appreciated because those fools have such a pure love even through everything they had to go through!)
I'm so glad I found this series and had the chance to love these characters.
(And whoever said Sol and Tor has no place here are wrong. They're just as precious as Elise and Valen. They deserve to be loved and appreciated because those fools have such a pure love even through everything they had to go through!)
December 19, 2025
Eine solide Reihe mit einem guten Abschluss für das Paar.
Werde die Reihe aber nicht fortsetzen.
Werde die Reihe aber nicht fortsetzen.
January 22, 2023
great ending to the first arc in the series!
I thought that book 3 ended the first part of the series so well. Loved how the plot tied most pieces together and left some loose ends for the next 3 books!
I thought that book 3 ended the first part of the series so well. Loved how the plot tied most pieces together and left some loose ends for the next 3 books!
December 4, 2023
While I enjoyed Valen and Elise's story, this just felt like so much other romantasy out there - I'm hoping that the next set of characters picks up a bit comparatively. I read these sort of backwards, starting with the Ever King, so I'm hoping as the series continues it will match that.
October 8, 2024
As if all the surprises weren't enough this book had even more! Plus the big final battle! You get a big epic conclusion, lots of characters face off and it's full of twists and turns. This book also sets up the next story in the series with a new set of characters.
November 17, 2025
I really enjoy LJ Andrew’s writing and world building! (This is my 4th read of hers) ❤️
In Crown of Blood and Ruin Elise Lysander and Valen Ferus’s story comes to a fierce and satisfying climax. Elise, once a princess bound by her family’s legacy, now stands shoulder to shoulder with Valen, the rightful heir to a fractured kingdom. Together they navigate war, betrayal, and the toll of leadership in a land begging for renewal.
What stands out is how the bond between Elise and Valen evolves. Elise refuses to be the usual royal figurehead; she takes up arms, learns strategy, and refuses to be sidelined. Valen’s burden of heritage and consequence weighs heavy, and in his vulnerability Andrews gives him more depth than many fantasy heroes. Their partnership feels more equal than in many “hero/painted princess” dynamics.
The world-building and stakes have grown impressively. This is not simply “romance plus fantasy”; it’s a full-on battle for identity, power, and what a future might look like when old regimes crumble. The action swells, the magic threads deepen, and the emotional cost becomes real. However, there are moments when the pace races ahead so fast that I wished for more breath—to sit with the character losses, to linger in the silence after a fight.
That slight rushing cost it the fifth star for me.
Some twists feel familiar (predestined heir, hidden prophecy, final battlefield), and a couple of secondary arcs could’ve used more space. Yet, though the pieces feel recognizable, Andrews still pulls off enough surprises and emotional punches to keep me invested. In the end, the conclusion delivers on heart, hope, and new beginnings.
All in all: if you love a romance-driven epic fantasy with a strong heroine and a hero who earns his place, you’ll enjoy this book a lot. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it spins it very effectively.
In Crown of Blood and Ruin Elise Lysander and Valen Ferus’s story comes to a fierce and satisfying climax. Elise, once a princess bound by her family’s legacy, now stands shoulder to shoulder with Valen, the rightful heir to a fractured kingdom. Together they navigate war, betrayal, and the toll of leadership in a land begging for renewal.
What stands out is how the bond between Elise and Valen evolves. Elise refuses to be the usual royal figurehead; she takes up arms, learns strategy, and refuses to be sidelined. Valen’s burden of heritage and consequence weighs heavy, and in his vulnerability Andrews gives him more depth than many fantasy heroes. Their partnership feels more equal than in many “hero/painted princess” dynamics.
The world-building and stakes have grown impressively. This is not simply “romance plus fantasy”; it’s a full-on battle for identity, power, and what a future might look like when old regimes crumble. The action swells, the magic threads deepen, and the emotional cost becomes real. However, there are moments when the pace races ahead so fast that I wished for more breath—to sit with the character losses, to linger in the silence after a fight.
That slight rushing cost it the fifth star for me.
Some twists feel familiar (predestined heir, hidden prophecy, final battlefield), and a couple of secondary arcs could’ve used more space. Yet, though the pieces feel recognizable, Andrews still pulls off enough surprises and emotional punches to keep me invested. In the end, the conclusion delivers on heart, hope, and new beginnings.
All in all: if you love a romance-driven epic fantasy with a strong heroine and a hero who earns his place, you’ll enjoy this book a lot. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it spins it very effectively.
March 6, 2024
Not much of a spicy book series. But I have to say, loveeee the twists and turns. The Viking premise and the battle scenes I really enjoyed. I liked the ACOTAR series, but always found the action really poorly written and lacking. These battles I really enjoyed. And then love between not just Elise and Valen, but all their close friends and family was really well written. I could tell the storyline of the series was shifting away from Valen and Elise, but I think I’ll keep reading the series! Just hoping when those two come up in future books it’s not immediately into a pregnancy for them lol. Idk, stories written like that feel cliche and lazy.
But anyways, this series has taken me by surprise with the story! I definitely think the author grew as a writer a lot more in this third book. There were still times I would get confused and thought I missed something. Really good story and plot, especially if you need a break from other fantasy and would like a bit of vikings instead!
But anyways, this series has taken me by surprise with the story! I definitely think the author grew as a writer a lot more in this third book. There were still times I would get confused and thought I missed something. Really good story and plot, especially if you need a break from other fantasy and would like a bit of vikings instead!
July 28, 2024
✨Crown of Blood & Ruin✨
Here we are now in BOOK THREE of the Broken Kingdoms series by LJ and the finale of Valen and Elise’s story. And a finale it was!
LJ never fails and her books are always full of humor, swoony Vikings, and fun twists. In this, she takes us to the culmination of everything book 1&2 have led up to. New and returning found family. Plot twists. Prophecies revealed. Hidden identities. All the banter. Leads perfectly in the next character’s story. So good. As usual!!
Tropes you may find in COBAR are plot driven storyline, cracked door spice 2/5, new and unique magics, enlarging cast, swoony males, multiple sweet romances, plot twists, surprises, strong characters, all the laughs.
LJ is an auto buy/read.
Here we are now in BOOK THREE of the Broken Kingdoms series by LJ and the finale of Valen and Elise’s story. And a finale it was!
LJ never fails and her books are always full of humor, swoony Vikings, and fun twists. In this, she takes us to the culmination of everything book 1&2 have led up to. New and returning found family. Plot twists. Prophecies revealed. Hidden identities. All the banter. Leads perfectly in the next character’s story. So good. As usual!!
Tropes you may find in COBAR are plot driven storyline, cracked door spice 2/5, new and unique magics, enlarging cast, swoony males, multiple sweet romances, plot twists, surprises, strong characters, all the laughs.
LJ is an auto buy/read.
February 14, 2025
4.5/5.0
SO… this, the finale of Valen and Elise’s story was AMAZING! Everything one looks for in a fabulous story. It was action filled, romance rich, edge-of-your-seat, heart thumping fun! All wrapped up with a satisfying ending. *sigh*
Yes, I know there were a few (well, just two) glitches along the way. Elise for a minute in book one and Valen for an eternity in book two. BUT, everything wound together to culminate in a truly rich and fabulous conclusion that makes the entire trilogy SO worth it! I would absolutely recommend giving these books a try.
P.S. The series, itself, continues for many more books, but they focus on other characters, so the main characters of this specific story arc is finished here. Am I continuing on? Oh hecka yeah!!
SO… this, the finale of Valen and Elise’s story was AMAZING! Everything one looks for in a fabulous story. It was action filled, romance rich, edge-of-your-seat, heart thumping fun! All wrapped up with a satisfying ending. *sigh*
Yes, I know there were a few (well, just two) glitches along the way. Elise for a minute in book one and Valen for an eternity in book two. BUT, everything wound together to culminate in a truly rich and fabulous conclusion that makes the entire trilogy SO worth it! I would absolutely recommend giving these books a try.
P.S. The series, itself, continues for many more books, but they focus on other characters, so the main characters of this specific story arc is finished here. Am I continuing on? Oh hecka yeah!!
May 15, 2025
3.5 stars 🥲
All of the build up in book 2 was not worth it 🥲
Anticlimactic battle, repetitive, and lack of action.
I’m so sad book 2 set up book 3 perfectly and it just didn’t end the way I thought it would. Onto the next characters! 😵💫
All of the build up in book 2 was not worth it 🥲
Anticlimactic battle, repetitive, and lack of action.
I’m so sad book 2 set up book 3 perfectly and it just didn’t end the way I thought it would. Onto the next characters! 😵💫
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