What do you think?
Rate this book
Amid Clouds and Bones
A princess determined to survive an arranged marriage to a heartless faerie prince is saved by a twist of fate that could destroy their world in this all-new standalone fantasy romance.
As the half faerie daughter of a human king, my days were spent tucked out of sight—until the Seelie Fae sought an alliance with our kingdom. In exchange for my father’s help in defeating their Unseelie enemies, I would wed Atakan the heartless.
The Seelie prince loathed everyone, but none more than me. Throughout the years leading to our nuptials, each encounter grew more terrifying than the last as he demonstrated how he’d earned his infamous reputation.
Fear would only doom me faster. So I learned to hide it with games I soon became happy to play. I wasn’t supposed to crave a monster. But just when I’d thought I might tame the untameable, fate intervened.
And delivered me straight to his enemy.
This fast-paced standalone features true enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, high heat, and a cast of morally grey and villainous characters.
As the half faerie daughter of a human king, my days were spent tucked out of sight—until the Seelie Fae sought an alliance with our kingdom. In exchange for my father’s help in defeating their Unseelie enemies, I would wed Atakan the heartless.
The Seelie prince loathed everyone, but none more than me. Throughout the years leading to our nuptials, each encounter grew more terrifying than the last as he demonstrated how he’d earned his infamous reputation.
Fear would only doom me faster. So I learned to hide it with games I soon became happy to play. I wasn’t supposed to crave a monster. But just when I’d thought I might tame the untameable, fate intervened.
And delivered me straight to his enemy.
This fast-paced standalone features true enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, high heat, and a cast of morally grey and villainous characters.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2024
4872 people are currently reading
51546 people want to read
About the author
Ella Fields
31 books5,989 followersUSA Today and international bestselling author, Ella Fields, resides in Australia with her husband, two children, and furry critters.
A lover of chocolate, magic, and words—she enjoys exploring the sharper sides of love in varying genres of romance.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellafieldsa...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authorellafields/
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Amt3FL
A lover of chocolate, magic, and words—she enjoys exploring the sharper sides of love in varying genres of romance.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellafieldsa...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authorellafields/
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Amt3FL
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,092 reviews
August 17, 2024
The writing style left me confused and I found myself having to re-read pages to try and make sense of what was happening which really wrecked it for me. This book also lacked world building and character development. The story telling felt rushed, yet I somehow still found myself skimming at times because I just wanted to be done with it. I didn’t build any connection to this book or the characters within in, cute premise though just executed poorly.
December 28, 2024
4.5 stars
YOU GUYYYYYYYSSSS!!! I wanted a good romantasy standalone, and a GREAT romantasy standalone is what I got!!! The banter, the tension, the twists!!!! I loved every second of this book.
So we follow Mildred, she is half faerie/half human and is the daughter of the human kingdom's king. There is a war going on between the Seelie and Unseelie kingdoms, and the Seelie make an alliance with the human kingdom in order to survive. The terms, you may ask? Mildred is to marry the Seelie Prince in return for the human kingdom helping them. They're engaged to be married from ages 11 and 15, and they LOATHE each other. But, war never really ends, and things aren't always what they seem.
I knew I was going to love this book when I wasn't even 100 pages in and they had already tried to poison each other twice. THE DRAMA. But, I knew I was going to rate it over 4 stars when NEW characters were introduced, and my brain was spinning with the new direction this book was taking.
I loved it. I loved the characters, I loved the banter, I loved the twists, I loved feeling torn. If you want an AMAZING fantasy romance standalone and need something not as heavy as a full series, definitely pick this up.
YOU GUYYYYYYYSSSS!!! I wanted a good romantasy standalone, and a GREAT romantasy standalone is what I got!!! The banter, the tension, the twists!!!! I loved every second of this book.
So we follow Mildred, she is half faerie/half human and is the daughter of the human kingdom's king. There is a war going on between the Seelie and Unseelie kingdoms, and the Seelie make an alliance with the human kingdom in order to survive. The terms, you may ask? Mildred is to marry the Seelie Prince in return for the human kingdom helping them. They're engaged to be married from ages 11 and 15, and they LOATHE each other. But, war never really ends, and things aren't always what they seem.
I knew I was going to love this book when I wasn't even 100 pages in and they had already tried to poison each other twice. THE DRAMA. But, I knew I was going to rate it over 4 stars when NEW characters were introduced, and my brain was spinning with the new direction this book was taking.
I loved it. I loved the characters, I loved the banter, I loved the twists, I loved feeling torn. If you want an AMAZING fantasy romance standalone and need something not as heavy as a full series, definitely pick this up.
February 21, 2025
Anybody who tells you that this book is:
- Slow-burn
-good banter/back and forth between enemies
-not insta-lust
They are lying to you and you should not trust their recommendations of "slow burn" and "good banter" cause what the fuck?
If slow burn is the characters not getting together till the end of the book but they do everything else in the mean time then yeah this is slow burn. This is INSTA-LUST TO THE FUCKING CORE.
Enemies to lovers??? They're not. He has no apparent reason for hating her besides the fact that she is half human half fae. Which like, so??? They are so aroused every time they are around each other and they just say some bullshit like "I loathe you".... bitch how???? You just SAY it!!!!! You'd be ashamed and repulsed to be attracted to someone you hate so you'd AT LEAST KEEP YOUR FUCKING DISTANCE???? Which brings me to another point....
THIS ISNT TENSION BUILDING AT ALL!!!! Tension is in the small moments, the moments that are unexpected but cause an electrifying feeling! One that they don't want to pull away from but they do because they loathe that they feel that way??? Or banter that fucking flows and gets too personal before they realise they don't actually like each other and are supposed to hate each other?? I'm sorry but putting your fingers on the bed and telling the other to sit on them as some sort of a 'challenge' does not build sexual tension. It's sexual period. NO TENSION. They have had two steamy scenes before page 100 out of 400 page book! Like...
If you're looking for half of what I am looking for, then this book sucks. If you are in for just smut (which is completely OK but not what I was promised when getting this recommended) and 'enemies' for the sake of it, and the mmc being mean for the fucking sake of it, then yeah this book is absolutely amazing.
- Slow-burn
-good banter/back and forth between enemies
-not insta-lust
They are lying to you and you should not trust their recommendations of "slow burn" and "good banter" cause what the fuck?
If slow burn is the characters not getting together till the end of the book but they do everything else in the mean time then yeah this is slow burn. This is INSTA-LUST TO THE FUCKING CORE.
Enemies to lovers??? They're not. He has no apparent reason for hating her besides the fact that she is half human half fae. Which like, so??? They are so aroused every time they are around each other and they just say some bullshit like "I loathe you".... bitch how???? You just SAY it!!!!! You'd be ashamed and repulsed to be attracted to someone you hate so you'd AT LEAST KEEP YOUR FUCKING DISTANCE???? Which brings me to another point....
THIS ISNT TENSION BUILDING AT ALL!!!! Tension is in the small moments, the moments that are unexpected but cause an electrifying feeling! One that they don't want to pull away from but they do because they loathe that they feel that way??? Or banter that fucking flows and gets too personal before they realise they don't actually like each other and are supposed to hate each other?? I'm sorry but putting your fingers on the bed and telling the other to sit on them as some sort of a 'challenge' does not build sexual tension. It's sexual period. NO TENSION. They have had two steamy scenes before page 100 out of 400 page book! Like...
If you're looking for half of what I am looking for, then this book sucks. If you are in for just smut (which is completely OK but not what I was promised when getting this recommended) and 'enemies' for the sake of it, and the mmc being mean for the fucking sake of it, then yeah this book is absolutely amazing.
July 22, 2024
calling all villain-loving, toxic-romance, enemies-to-lovers, smutty romantasy fans to the front — run, don’t walk, straight to kindle unlimited for this one, y’all.
i have loved quite literally every single ella fields romantasy i’ve ever read — and this one is no different. it has all of the staples of an ella classic — unbearably sexy villain, FMC who can give as good as she gets, god-tier smut, and a plot twist that’ll make you so mad that you’ll get a hand cramp from how hard you clench your fist.
the (spoiler free) concept is that our FMC — mildred, or dread, depending on who’s talking — is betrothed as a child to a boy prince, known even from a young age for his villainy and heartlessness. what happens when you’re in an arranged marriage to someone you hate, who hates you back with equal, if not more, fervor? …..amid clouds and bones. that’s what.
AND IT’S SO, SO GOOD. this one was an unputdownable blast for me, rife with evil, teasing banter, oneupmanship that’ll make you rage and cackle in equal measure, a kingdom at war (headed by an equally hot faerie king), and all of the smut you could want.
how ella manages to write stories that are so full, fun, and captivating in the span of a single book is beyond me, but she does it every time.
pick this up if you’re looking for your next toxic, smutty romantasy fix. evil, hot faeries will never disappoint, and neither does ella.
thank you SO MUCH to ella for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this one! all feral, passionate opinions are my own.
i have loved quite literally every single ella fields romantasy i’ve ever read — and this one is no different. it has all of the staples of an ella classic — unbearably sexy villain, FMC who can give as good as she gets, god-tier smut, and a plot twist that’ll make you so mad that you’ll get a hand cramp from how hard you clench your fist.
the (spoiler free) concept is that our FMC — mildred, or dread, depending on who’s talking — is betrothed as a child to a boy prince, known even from a young age for his villainy and heartlessness. what happens when you’re in an arranged marriage to someone you hate, who hates you back with equal, if not more, fervor? …..amid clouds and bones. that’s what.
AND IT’S SO, SO GOOD. this one was an unputdownable blast for me, rife with evil, teasing banter, oneupmanship that’ll make you rage and cackle in equal measure, a kingdom at war (headed by an equally hot faerie king), and all of the smut you could want.
how ella manages to write stories that are so full, fun, and captivating in the span of a single book is beyond me, but she does it every time.
pick this up if you’re looking for your next toxic, smutty romantasy fix. evil, hot faeries will never disappoint, and neither does ella.
thank you SO MUCH to ella for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this one! all feral, passionate opinions are my own.
August 25, 2025
🐋🐚☾⋆⁺₊ PRE-READ ♡ | I'm just looking for a quick romantasy standalone because I feel a huge reading slump coming y'all, I haven't been motivated to read for so long 😭 Hoping this delivers 🤞🏻💗
July 24, 2025
3.75⭐️ for a short & spicy romantasy standalone i was pleasantly surprised with how much world building the author managed to include in this! Mildred (aka 💕 Dread 💕) our FMC was cunning, defiant and brave. Our MMC was cruel, calculated and secretive. the dynamic between these two was very reminiscent of Jude & Cardan (which i loved) it was giving bully romance which can be so hit or miss for me but the cat and mouse/push and pull between these two was so entertaining!! there is a love triangle element but i didn’t connect much at all with the other potential love interest so that was the only part that didn’t do it for me.
February 18, 2025
4/5 ⭐️ for the vibes.
Were there things that I didn’t enjoy in this book? Absolutely yes. Like the excessive licking, parts of the plot, and the romance. Was it the best romantasy? No. But I could not put this book down. I legit DEVOURED this story. And honestly that addictive feeling I had while reading Amid Clouds and Bones makes it a 4/5 ⭐️
Were there things that I didn’t enjoy in this book? Absolutely yes. Like the excessive licking, parts of the plot, and the romance. Was it the best romantasy? No. But I could not put this book down. I legit DEVOURED this story. And honestly that addictive feeling I had while reading Amid Clouds and Bones makes it a 4/5 ⭐️
January 11, 2025
I am so disappointed 😭 I truly think I need to stop just randomly picking up books I see on booktok because I am always so let down.
I was so bored in this. A few parts would pick up but then I would start to get bored again. I just could not get into it at all. I had a very hard time painting a picture in my head of what this world even looked like. The world building was definitely lacking and that could be because this is a 400 page Romantasy standalone?
This is romance HEAVY with very little fantasy, which is okay.. but it's described as enemies to lovers and I just needed more angst. It felt very insta-lovey but they were pretending to hate each other? So, the romance aspect wasn't even my favorite 😭
Idk.. in theory, this just wasn't for me. If you're looking for a Romantasy (70% romance) that has spice, a love triangle, and very light world building maybe pick this up? But, I still think there are much better options.
I was so bored in this. A few parts would pick up but then I would start to get bored again. I just could not get into it at all. I had a very hard time painting a picture in my head of what this world even looked like. The world building was definitely lacking and that could be because this is a 400 page Romantasy standalone?
This is romance HEAVY with very little fantasy, which is okay.. but it's described as enemies to lovers and I just needed more angst. It felt very insta-lovey but they were pretending to hate each other? So, the romance aspect wasn't even my favorite 😭
Idk.. in theory, this just wasn't for me. If you're looking for a Romantasy (70% romance) that has spice, a love triangle, and very light world building maybe pick this up? But, I still think there are much better options.
May 10, 2025
the only way to survive atakan the heartless was to play this game of hunter versus prey—even if it drew blood.
it has been one hot minute since my last ella fields romance.
amid clouds and bones was such a cute delight to devour! featuring toxic romance between enemies turned lovers; an arranged marriage for a fae prince and half-fae princess to alleviate tensions and strengthen two kingdoms; numerous villainous characters with self-serving agendas and delicious smut that renders you a hot mess—it ticked all of the boxes. this heated enemies to lovers romantasy did not let me down whatsoever.
“what isn’t fair is your existence,” atakan seethed, his mouth leaving my forehead and moving closer to mine. “the way you make me crave and loathe you in equal measure.”
atakan ethermore is such an exasperating asshole, but he was unapologetically himself. a heartless and ruthless male fae, he was full of sheer arrogance and alluring cunningness. sometimes his motivations were unclear, or his emotions (or lack thereof) oftentimes uncertain, however if there's something i appreciate, it's a character who has reasons behind his decisions. i've always been that reader who thirsts for the mean, villainous character who has “touch her and die” vibes and atakan, my sweet tortured villain delivered 🤌
sometimes mildred nephryn was a lil dense at times but she was not a wholly foolish doormat. if atakan taunted her, she’d taunt back without hesitation. she did not bend over backwards to appease her wretched betrothed, nor did she relent in her torments. she’s been humiliated and mistreated but her resilience is admirable. the slow burn obsession, the humorous banter and the charming verbal sparring between mildred and atakan was titillating, it left me kicking my feet in excitement and giggling with eagerness.
“i want you. i want you as much as i loathe you—so much, it feels like i can’t breathe.” his parted lips dragged across my cheek, his whisper scathing near my ear. “give me back my fucking breath.”
the writing was jarring sometimes. i found myself either re-reading sentences, sometimes full paragraphs, or reading at a slower pace than normal to make sure i understood the narrative. that aside, the world building was enthralling—the seelie kingdom sounds like an absolute dream with its lush forests and the castle made of expansive tree trunks/branches. based on hints and certain bits of information ella fields revealed, the end was not unexpected; however it remains an equally pleasant surprise!
☁⋆⁺₊ if you love: seelie vs unseelie fae and shifters. fated mates/bonds. villainous characters. an arranged/forced marriage between two kingdoms. slow burn and enemies to lovers romance.
“you were mine.” his eyes returned to me, ablaze with the anger roughening his voice. “i knew then that i would rather remain trapped for eternity than let anyone think you’re theirs.”
────────────────────
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙ nothing excites me more than an enemies to lovers romantasy featuring an arranged marriage and villainous characters. i haven’t read an ella fields romance in such a long time and the arc just landed on my kindle 🥹
i woke naked but not alone.
on his side, head perched on his hand, atakan watched me. “i can't decide if looking at your body makes me happier than the thought of watching you die.”
follow me on: instagram
October 23, 2024
The main characters were essentially locked in a relentless ‘game’ of dares, each testing the other’s limits. It wasn’t just about personal survival, but if they could survive each other. In the end, the stakes remained the same throughout, their pride, their kingdoms, their families and the continued denial of their feelings for each other…
The plot revolves around an arranged marriage between a fae and a half-fae/ human, devised to strengthen the fragile alliance between their two kingdoms. The FMC and MMC crossed paths over the years, starting when they were just 10 and 15, and continuing through pivotal moments in their lives until they reached 19 and 24.
I loved watching their relationship develop, and when I say "develop," I don’t mean in a positive way😶. It was a constant power struggle. He’d torment her, and she’d retaliate just as fiercely, determined to beat him at his own game. I.e. He’d cause her to be bitten by a venomous snake, and she’d track down that exact venom just to poison him in return. You know, that kind of playful banter 😅
This one was pretty dark. The MMC was cruel, spiteful and brutally honest. He knew how to cut deep with his words, but there were brief flashes of another side to him. You just have to hold out for those moments.
Now I’m not going to spoil it, but there was an unconventional love triangle in the mix. For a moment, I thought it might turn into an MFM situation, but in this instance, it wasn’t. I was glad for it. If you've read ACOTAR, the MMCs gave off a twisted Cassian and Tamlin vibe. This was the only part I didn’t enjoy as much, probably because I wasn’t expecting it.
There was frequent OW drama, mostly with women sitting on the MMC's lap or vying for his attention, but it never went beyond that once she arrived. It was all part of their twisted game. However, when she received the same kind of attention, his reaction was far from pleasant.
This was a standalone and a long one, but I didn’t really notice until it was over. The story was mostly told from the FMC’s POV, except for the final chapter. This was one of those books that I read (last week) and haven’t stopped thinking about since.
Don’t let the candy-floss cover fool you (though I love it!). This isn’t a light read and some of the characters' actions will definitely make you want to throw your Kindle. They’ll frustrate the sh*t out of you, but trust me, hang in there 😅.
I did feel a weird sense of relief when their ‘game’ finally finished.…
The plot revolves around an arranged marriage between a fae and a half-fae/ human, devised to strengthen the fragile alliance between their two kingdoms. The FMC and MMC crossed paths over the years, starting when they were just 10 and 15, and continuing through pivotal moments in their lives until they reached 19 and 24.
I loved watching their relationship develop, and when I say "develop," I don’t mean in a positive way😶. It was a constant power struggle. He’d torment her, and she’d retaliate just as fiercely, determined to beat him at his own game. I.e. He’d cause her to be bitten by a venomous snake, and she’d track down that exact venom just to poison him in return. You know, that kind of playful banter 😅
This one was pretty dark. The MMC was cruel, spiteful and brutally honest. He knew how to cut deep with his words, but there were brief flashes of another side to him. You just have to hold out for those moments.
Now I’m not going to spoil it, but there was an unconventional love triangle in the mix. For a moment, I thought it might turn into an MFM situation, but in this instance, it wasn’t. I was glad for it. If you've read ACOTAR, the MMCs gave off a twisted Cassian and Tamlin vibe. This was the only part I didn’t enjoy as much, probably because I wasn’t expecting it.
There was frequent OW drama, mostly with women sitting on the MMC's lap or vying for his attention, but it never went beyond that once she arrived. It was all part of their twisted game. However, when she received the same kind of attention, his reaction was far from pleasant.
This was a standalone and a long one, but I didn’t really notice until it was over. The story was mostly told from the FMC’s POV, except for the final chapter. This was one of those books that I read (last week) and haven’t stopped thinking about since.
Don’t let the candy-floss cover fool you (though I love it!). This isn’t a light read and some of the characters' actions will definitely make you want to throw your Kindle. They’ll frustrate the sh*t out of you, but trust me, hang in there 😅.
I did feel a weird sense of relief when their ‘game’ finally finished.…
August 7, 2024
2.75 - 3.0 ⭐️
This book was confusing…
Let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed the push and pull dynamic Atakan and Mildred had going on at the beginning, but from the moment Vane was introduced it kinda went downhill for me.
I fully expected this to turn into an ACOTAR type of situation because I struggled to figure out who the love interest was supposed to be.
Both Atakan and Vane already had side chicks and seemed more interested in using Mildred for their own agenda than actually romancing her.
The side characters at both courts where pretty aloof and not really likable, which gave the impression that Mildred didn’t really fit in either realm.
On top of that Mildred lost all her initial fire and became such a helpless pawn.
All she did all day was eat, sleep and read… don’t need to read a book to experience that.
Her falling for Vane and then being heartbroken by his betrayal even though she only had her own stupidity to blame for that was the nail in the coffin for me.
But even without the completely unnecessary love triangle, the plot was simply confusing. Atakan explaining his motivations in the end didn’t really help to clear things up either.
I guess if you enjoy bully romances or liked the Cruel Prince you‘ll probably like this book though.
This book was confusing…
Let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed the push and pull dynamic Atakan and Mildred had going on at the beginning, but from the moment Vane was introduced it kinda went downhill for me.
I fully expected this to turn into an ACOTAR type of situation because I struggled to figure out who the love interest was supposed to be.
Both Atakan and Vane already had side chicks and seemed more interested in using Mildred for their own agenda than actually romancing her.
The side characters at both courts where pretty aloof and not really likable, which gave the impression that Mildred didn’t really fit in either realm.
On top of that Mildred lost all her initial fire and became such a helpless pawn.
All she did all day was eat, sleep and read… don’t need to read a book to experience that.
Her falling for Vane and then being heartbroken by his betrayal even though she only had her own stupidity to blame for that was the nail in the coffin for me.
But even without the completely unnecessary love triangle, the plot was simply confusing. Atakan explaining his motivations in the end didn’t really help to clear things up either.
I guess if you enjoy bully romances or liked the Cruel Prince you‘ll probably like this book though.
July 24, 2024
3.5/5 - Ella Fields has long been one of my favorite fantasy authors!! And while I do really like her writing and creativity - I read this on Kindle Unlimited and I think it was a little choppy.
Something I always look for when I read fantasy is the world building - and that was a little bit lacking here. I loved the concepts of the plot and what had to be done to create this story... but have you ever heard of the 'white room' concept for writers? It's where you can't really picture the room because there isn't enough detail in the writing... that happened to me this time.
As with all Ella Fields books - very spicy!! Def more of an adult read!
Something I always look for when I read fantasy is the world building - and that was a little bit lacking here. I loved the concepts of the plot and what had to be done to create this story... but have you ever heard of the 'white room' concept for writers? It's where you can't really picture the room because there isn't enough detail in the writing... that happened to me this time.
As with all Ella Fields books - very spicy!! Def more of an adult read!
July 27, 2025
DNF at 77%
Bully romance isn’t my cup of tea ☕️
Bully romance isn’t my cup of tea ☕️
August 5, 2025
soft dnf @ 47%
Instalust, poor world building, not entirely sure on the magic system? Do not care about these characters at all😅 or what they’re trying to achieve
May come back to it and finish the last half at the end of the month
Instalust, poor world building, not entirely sure on the magic system? Do not care about these characters at all😅 or what they’re trying to achieve
May come back to it and finish the last half at the end of the month
February 14, 2025
"YOU ARE NOT READY for this STANDALONE medieval fantasy, but make it darker, sexier, and add some actual magic and terrifying beast”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Audio performance : 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Series Type: Standalone
Genre: Fantasy Romance with Dark themes
Tropes:
- Arranged marriage
- Bully romance
- TRUE Enemies to Lovers
- Love triangle
- Morally Black MMC
- Plot twists
- She doesn’t need weapons to be a bad ass
OTHER:
- Fantasy Species: Dragon, Fae, Humans
- Format: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
- Plot/Character Driven: Both
- Pacing: Fast
- POV: Single POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Character gender : F/M
- Spicy chapters: sorry I forgot hah
- Narrator names : Summer Roberts
- Comparison titles: Acotar x reign (tv show)
- Popular boyfriend comparison: Vane (Rhysand) & Atakan (Draco x Rowan) - she only picks one but I cannot tell you which ah
👨👧 CHARACTERS
ABSOLUTELY. FKN. SPECTACULAR. Every single character had a touch of villain in them, and I ADORED it. Mildred?? QUEEN. She is sassy, witty, morally questionable (as she should be), and does NOT give a single fkn damn about anything but herself. And you know what? POP OFF, BABE. She’s dirty, ruthless, incredibly smart, and refuses to take SHIT from ANYONE, especially not these men. And THESE MEN??? I won’t spoil SHIT, but just know I loved and hated them in equal measure.
🌎 WORLD-BUILDING & MAGIC
The magic and setting had me fully immersed! it felt like I was dropped straight into a medieval drama (Reign tv show vibes to the MAX), but with deadly creatures and magic! Could the world building have been a tad more in-depth? YESS! but what do you want when it’s a standalone that’s under 500 pages! Don’t be greedy!!!
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
This book took me by SURPRISE in the best way. The writing? Solid. The world-building? For a standalone, it was IMPRESSIVE. But the enemies-to-lovers????? LORD HAVE MERCY. When I say this was true enemies-to-lovers, I mean they wanted to MURDER each other, and that is exactly the level of unhinged I needed. Also, the plot twists??? WHAT. THE. FK. I did not see them coming, and even in the final pages, I was STILL unsure where this was going. This book is villain-core perfection but still manages to be fun and bingeable.
💔 WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
If I HAD TO say something bad it would be ….WHY WAS THIS NOT A DUOLOGY?! I needed more—more world, more character depth, more time to soak in the absolute chaos. That’s literally my only complaint.
📝 FINAL THOUGHTS
I ADORED this book. It just set the bar SO HIGH for fantasy romance standalones, and now every book has to live up to this level of addictiveness. This author?? Consider me a lifelong reader. If they write it, I’m fkn buying it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Audio performance : 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Series Type: Standalone
Genre: Fantasy Romance with Dark themes
Tropes:
- Arranged marriage
- Bully romance
- TRUE Enemies to Lovers
- Love triangle
- Morally Black MMC
- Plot twists
- She doesn’t need weapons to be a bad ass
OTHER:
- Fantasy Species: Dragon, Fae, Humans
- Format: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
- Plot/Character Driven: Both
- Pacing: Fast
- POV: Single POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Character gender : F/M
- Spicy chapters: sorry I forgot hah
- Narrator names : Summer Roberts
- Comparison titles: Acotar x reign (tv show)
- Popular boyfriend comparison: Vane (Rhysand) & Atakan (Draco x Rowan) - she only picks one but I cannot tell you which ah
👨👧 CHARACTERS
ABSOLUTELY. FKN. SPECTACULAR. Every single character had a touch of villain in them, and I ADORED it. Mildred?? QUEEN. She is sassy, witty, morally questionable (as she should be), and does NOT give a single fkn damn about anything but herself. And you know what? POP OFF, BABE. She’s dirty, ruthless, incredibly smart, and refuses to take SHIT from ANYONE, especially not these men. And THESE MEN??? I won’t spoil SHIT, but just know I loved and hated them in equal measure.
🌎 WORLD-BUILDING & MAGIC
The magic and setting had me fully immersed! it felt like I was dropped straight into a medieval drama (Reign tv show vibes to the MAX), but with deadly creatures and magic! Could the world building have been a tad more in-depth? YESS! but what do you want when it’s a standalone that’s under 500 pages! Don’t be greedy!!!
♥️ WHAT I LOVED
This book took me by SURPRISE in the best way. The writing? Solid. The world-building? For a standalone, it was IMPRESSIVE. But the enemies-to-lovers????? LORD HAVE MERCY. When I say this was true enemies-to-lovers, I mean they wanted to MURDER each other, and that is exactly the level of unhinged I needed. Also, the plot twists??? WHAT. THE. FK. I did not see them coming, and even in the final pages, I was STILL unsure where this was going. This book is villain-core perfection but still manages to be fun and bingeable.
💔 WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
If I HAD TO say something bad it would be ….WHY WAS THIS NOT A DUOLOGY?! I needed more—more world, more character depth, more time to soak in the absolute chaos. That’s literally my only complaint.
📝 FINAL THOUGHTS
I ADORED this book. It just set the bar SO HIGH for fantasy romance standalones, and now every book has to live up to this level of addictiveness. This author?? Consider me a lifelong reader. If they write it, I’m fkn buying it.
June 8, 2025
I was today years old when I learned you can, in fact, go wrong with a fae romance. Oops. I mean, I know someone will read this and love it, but as hard as I tried, I just couldn't.
It felt very generic, even cringy in parts, maybe because I chose the audiobook, maybe not, but still.
The worldbuilding was virtually nonexistent, I was 40% in when I realised I didn't even know what the world was supposed to look like (nor did I care, to be fair), because there was so little info about it.
The main focus of the story was absolutely the romance, but I didn't even like that. It went from 0-100 in the first few chapters, there was no build up, no tension, no yearning, just constant horniness from both of the MCs.
Which is fine, if you're here for the smut, but if you like a little bit of plot with it, then you'll be left wanting.
And honestly, the constant misogyny in the beginning bugged me to no end. There wasn't a single male character who was alright, they were all awful.
With that said, she had a lot more chemistry with Vane than with Atakan. I believe that this book would've been a bit more fun if he was the main love interest.
The second half of the book did get better, but marginally. It almost earned a 3 star rating but not quite. It slowed down on the constant steam and tried to introduce some plot, but it wasn't enough to save it as a whole.
I also wasn't fully vibing with the writing style, but I would be open to trying another book by this author.
2.5
It felt very generic, even cringy in parts, maybe because I chose the audiobook, maybe not, but still.
The worldbuilding was virtually nonexistent, I was 40% in when I realised I didn't even know what the world was supposed to look like (nor did I care, to be fair), because there was so little info about it.
The main focus of the story was absolutely the romance, but I didn't even like that. It went from 0-100 in the first few chapters, there was no build up, no tension, no yearning, just constant horniness from both of the MCs.
Which is fine, if you're here for the smut, but if you like a little bit of plot with it, then you'll be left wanting.
And honestly, the constant misogyny in the beginning bugged me to no end. There wasn't a single male character who was alright, they were all awful.
With that said, she had a lot more chemistry with Vane than with Atakan. I believe that this book would've been a bit more fun if he was the main love interest.
The second half of the book did get better, but marginally. It almost earned a 3 star rating but not quite. It slowed down on the constant steam and tried to introduce some plot, but it wasn't enough to save it as a whole.
I also wasn't fully vibing with the writing style, but I would be open to trying another book by this author.
2.5
September 3, 2025
Woahhh yeah I ate this book up.
The romance? Messy, chaotic, enemies-to-lovers perfection. That push-and-pull, the banter, the tension it was done sooo well.
I legit couldn’t put it down. The story works as a standalone, but honestly? It could’ve been a duology or even a trilogy because the characters deserved more room to breathe. Some of the development felt a little rushed, and I wanted more time with them.
Now, let’s talk worldbuilding . This was light, and I mean that in the best way. No 600 pages of lore-dumping just enough to set the stage while keeping the focus on the plot and the romance. Omg, THANK YOU. I’ve been dying for a romantasy that’s not drowning me in endless history lessons before I even get to the characters I love. This was like a breath of fresh air.
The MFC Mildred? Not annoying. The MMC Akanka yummy not easy to love not predictable.
The writing isn’t super complex which I actually loved. Sometimes you don’t want to go through ten paragraphs of reshuffled info. You just want a story that flows, and this gave me that. My only little gripe is that some scene transitions felt too quick, like “wait, how we get here?” A bit more detail would’ve made it perfect.
But listen… the romance? 5 stars.
The spice? 5 stars.
The characters? 5stars.
The unputdownable factor? 5 stars.
💌 Verdict: Ella Fields, you wrecked me girl. I’m obsessed. This book was everything I’ve been wanting in romantasy. Fun, spicy, addictive, and not weighed down by too much worldbuilding. I would read it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone who wants pure entertainment and romance without the complex storyline.
The romance? Messy, chaotic, enemies-to-lovers perfection. That push-and-pull, the banter, the tension it was done sooo well.
I legit couldn’t put it down. The story works as a standalone, but honestly? It could’ve been a duology or even a trilogy because the characters deserved more room to breathe. Some of the development felt a little rushed, and I wanted more time with them.
Now, let’s talk worldbuilding . This was light, and I mean that in the best way. No 600 pages of lore-dumping just enough to set the stage while keeping the focus on the plot and the romance. Omg, THANK YOU. I’ve been dying for a romantasy that’s not drowning me in endless history lessons before I even get to the characters I love. This was like a breath of fresh air.
The MFC Mildred? Not annoying. The MMC Akanka yummy not easy to love not predictable.
The writing isn’t super complex which I actually loved. Sometimes you don’t want to go through ten paragraphs of reshuffled info. You just want a story that flows, and this gave me that. My only little gripe is that some scene transitions felt too quick, like “wait, how we get here?” A bit more detail would’ve made it perfect.
But listen… the romance? 5 stars.
The spice? 5 stars.
The characters? 5stars.
The unputdownable factor? 5 stars.
💌 Verdict: Ella Fields, you wrecked me girl. I’m obsessed. This book was everything I’ve been wanting in romantasy. Fun, spicy, addictive, and not weighed down by too much worldbuilding. I would read it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone who wants pure entertainment and romance without the complex storyline.
February 15, 2025
i’ll readily admit that this 5 stars is 100% due to the fact that i had such a good time reading this and because i’m obsessed with atakan. i saw someone describe this as the cruel prince vibes but if it was adult w spice and they were so right. thank you to this book for curing my slump🙏
i guess i like my mmcs a little mean?? i don’t even wanna discuss why i liked this so much, i just did. atakan is a walking red flag but that’s my man and imma stick beside him. he’s giving me draco in a dramione fic vibes and that’s always a plus in my books. (and he’s got white blonde hair?! i’m sat.) like honestly maybe (definitely) one of my new favorite mmcs?
the plot twists!! i couldn’t catch my breath. i was entertained from start to finish. i love a good stand alone but i would’ve been so happy to get more books out of this world. my only minor issue is the sentences were cut off weirdly in the middle which made it a bit difficult to read at times.
‼️ POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️
something is wrong w me tho bc why do i fall for the manipulative asshole every single time? i’m not even kidding. any time there’s a love triangle or something of the sort i ALWAYS fall for the one who turns out to be the dickhead that was just manipulating and gaslighting the fmc every. single. time. it’s seriously a disease. the way my heart hurt like the betrayal was actually happening to me. i should’ve seen it coming but i trusted vane!
i guess i like my mmcs a little mean?? i don’t even wanna discuss why i liked this so much, i just did. atakan is a walking red flag but that’s my man and imma stick beside him. he’s giving me draco in a dramione fic vibes and that’s always a plus in my books. (and he’s got white blonde hair?! i’m sat.) like honestly maybe (definitely) one of my new favorite mmcs?
the plot twists!! i couldn’t catch my breath. i was entertained from start to finish. i love a good stand alone but i would’ve been so happy to get more books out of this world. my only minor issue is the sentences were cut off weirdly in the middle which made it a bit difficult to read at times.
‼️ POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️
something is wrong w me tho bc why do i fall for the manipulative asshole every single time? i’m not even kidding. any time there’s a love triangle or something of the sort i ALWAYS fall for the one who turns out to be the dickhead that was just manipulating and gaslighting the fmc every. single. time. it’s seriously a disease. the way my heart hurt like the betrayal was actually happening to me. i should’ve seen it coming but i trusted vane!
July 25, 2025
I loved Atakan, honestly, from the very beginning.
The games they played, I lapped that up!
My girl Mildred, though, she was just a pawn. Her life wasn't even her own.
I was hoping her character would develop into a badass, but dare I say she was just ordinary.
It still made for such an entertaining read.
The things that came out of Atakan's mouth were 🥵
No big world building, in-depth storytelling, just good vibes, and a fun read.
The games they played, I lapped that up!
My girl Mildred, though, she was just a pawn. Her life wasn't even her own.
I was hoping her character would develop into a badass, but dare I say she was just ordinary.
It still made for such an entertaining read.
The things that came out of Atakan's mouth were 🥵
No big world building, in-depth storytelling, just good vibes, and a fun read.
March 1, 2025
This book is the true definition of enemies to lovers. These two were at each other’s throats until the very end, and honestly? I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I absolutely loved their relationship and the mind games they played with each other. THE PUSH AND PULL WAS INSANE, who could get under each other's skin the deepest? The banter? Top-tier, next-level chef's kiss.
So, I went into this book pretty blind, which made the middle portion totally take me by surprise. After I finished I get why it happened, and it definitely added to the plot, but in the moment? I wasn’t loving the direction it took, and that’s why it didn’t get a perfect five stars.
That said, the jealousy aspect was fun, and as I mentioned, it made total sense for the story and how everything wrapped up. But I just wanted to get back to my wild, unpredictable silver haired prince to be honest.
I was highlighting literally every line this man said. He's my dream MMC—rude, morally gray, has a way with words that could bring me to my knees, and a dash of possession “MINE” 😮💨🥵. All I know is my future husband better call me “dread” or we’re going to have a problem. There’s this one scene where he drops his head on the pillow, puts his hand between them, looks at her, and says, “Sit on them” I nearly passed out.
“Give me back my fucking breath.”
This is the perfect standalone fantasy, which is so hard to come by, and exactly what I needed. Minimal world-building, an intriguing plot, and just the right amount of spice that had me wishing I could jump straight into the book.
“For you, I would stay on my knees until they bleed your name” ❤️🔥
So, I went into this book pretty blind, which made the middle portion totally take me by surprise. After I finished I get why it happened, and it definitely added to the plot, but in the moment? I wasn’t loving the direction it took, and that’s why it didn’t get a perfect five stars.
That said, the jealousy aspect was fun, and as I mentioned, it made total sense for the story and how everything wrapped up. But I just wanted to get back to my wild, unpredictable silver haired prince to be honest.
I was highlighting literally every line this man said. He's my dream MMC—rude, morally gray, has a way with words that could bring me to my knees, and a dash of possession “MINE” 😮💨🥵. All I know is my future husband better call me “dread” or we’re going to have a problem. There’s this one scene where he drops his head on the pillow, puts his hand between them, looks at her, and says, “Sit on them” I nearly passed out.
“Give me back my fucking breath.”
This is the perfect standalone fantasy, which is so hard to come by, and exactly what I needed. Minimal world-building, an intriguing plot, and just the right amount of spice that had me wishing I could jump straight into the book.
“For you, I would stay on my knees until they bleed your name” ❤️🔥
October 29, 2024
If you like the Folk of the Air trilogy for the enemies to lovers, and the crazy fae, but you wanted spice… This book is for you. I LOVED this book- omg.
I was engaged in this book from the first chapter, and couldn’t put it down. I am so beyond impressed, and not only was the world building sound, but this was a stand alone. I am obsessed with this world, this couple, and I honestly hope we get more from this world in the future because I am literally devastated this book is over.
5 freaking stars, I am OBSESSED.
I was engaged in this book from the first chapter, and couldn’t put it down. I am so beyond impressed, and not only was the world building sound, but this was a stand alone. I am obsessed with this world, this couple, and I honestly hope we get more from this world in the future because I am literally devastated this book is over.
5 freaking stars, I am OBSESSED.
Read
March 16, 2025if ur looking for a: dark fantasy standalone, bully romance, arranged marriage, insta-lust ☁️
but i will be dnf’ing @ 20% ahahah i fearrrrr i am in a reading slump because why is everything icking me out this month 😭
im in the mood for a standalone slow burn fantasy romance … and this was intriguing at first but ended up having insta-lust & hate to love (which as ive said is the worst trope combo)
they started banging 80 pages in and it wasn’t sexy at all. they kept talking about her hymen tearing and it honestly gave me cramps 😖😖😖 no thank u.
but i will be dnf’ing @ 20% ahahah i fearrrrr i am in a reading slump because why is everything icking me out this month 😭
im in the mood for a standalone slow burn fantasy romance … and this was intriguing at first but ended up having insta-lust & hate to love (which as ive said is the worst trope combo)
they started banging 80 pages in and it wasn’t sexy at all. they kept talking about her hymen tearing and it honestly gave me cramps 😖😖😖 no thank u.
August 3, 2024
Maybe my brain does not compute fantasy but I was here for the enemies to lovers.
Even that took a dark turn with Mmc letting her go to fall with s.o else in order to get to throne
And Fmc carring for that other person almost loving him even after he killed her dad.
And then Mmc simply saying " I pretented to loath you while loving you. I pushed toward him but now I took you back and you're mine."
Even that took a dark turn with Mmc letting her go to fall with s.o else in order to get to throne
And Fmc carring for that other person almost loving him even after he killed her dad.
And then Mmc simply saying " I pretented to loath you while loving you. I pushed toward him but now I took you back and you're mine."
February 4, 2025
I just finished this book, and if you asked me what it was about, I’d have to call in a detective, a psychic, and possibly the author to figure it out.
March 18, 2025
DNF at 200 pages because I had finally had enough. I hated every single thing about this book ☺️
August 4, 2024
4.5⭐️ Oh, the games they played! I eat up every romantasy that Ella gives us. I loved the FMC, Princess Mildred. A halfling raised in the human realm. As a child, she was betrothed to the Seelie Prince (don’t worry, he was a child, too!). I loved that the story started with them meeting in their younger years. This is when the games started. The loathing, the banter and the way they taunted, and played with each other—delicious! (I even laughed out loud a few times). And the nicknames!! The middle was a tad slower, but I didn’t mind as it is a stand-alone. It made some other things that much better when we got to them. In true Ella fashion, there was spice and it’s 🤌🏻. I can’t wait for the next EF book!
January 31, 2025
At first, I was absolutely hooked. The enemies-to-lovers trope was on fire here—Ella Fields nailed the tension and chemistry, and I couldn’t get enough. I was obsessed with the push and pull, the sparks flying between the main characters.
However, as the story progressed, particularly by the last 1/3 rolled around, things started to unravel for me. The plot seemed to lose its direction. The supposed betrayals didn’t really feel like betrayals at all. I couldn’t quite figure out the intentions behind a certain character's decisions. His motives felt inconsistent, almost like the narrative wanted to have its cake and eat it too. And when a certain character, who was deeply involved in the "evil plan" from the start, suddenly tried to convince the heroine how awful things were... It didn’t make sense to me since it was essentially his plan to begin with—it just happened to get set in motion by someone else. I think this scene was meant to add drama, but instead, I found it frustrating and nonsensical.
Now, onto the romance. Whew. It was undeniably compelling, but also undeniably toxic. The banter was top-tier, sharp and full of tension, but the smut stuff just wasn't for me, I didn't like how sex was used in this story.
In hindsight, though, I have to give major props to one standout character: Atakan. He was by far the most interesting person in the story. His character arc felt layered and mysterious without being incoherent or shallow. I wish more of the cast had been developed with the same care and complexity. He stood out as someone with depth and intrigue while the others struggled to maintain consistent motivations. This book could've easily been make into a duopoly or trilogy with the amount the author had to work with. She had something going but part of it just didn't pay off.
Overall, Amid Clouds and Bones had a strong start, with a captivating premise and excellent romantic tension. Unfortunately, the final act's convoluted twists and inconsistent character arcs dulled my excitement. If you're here for sharp banter and a morally gray romance, you might still enjoy it, but prepare for some plot and character hiccups along the way.
Sexual Content: heavy
Spice-O-meter: 3-4/5 chili peppers
Violence: moderate
Language: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
LGBTQ: I can't remember.
However, as the story progressed, particularly by the last 1/3 rolled around, things started to unravel for me. The plot seemed to lose its direction. The supposed betrayals didn’t really feel like betrayals at all. I couldn’t quite figure out the intentions behind a certain character's decisions. His motives felt inconsistent, almost like the narrative wanted to have its cake and eat it too. And when a certain character, who was deeply involved in the "evil plan" from the start, suddenly tried to convince the heroine how awful things were... It didn’t make sense to me since it was essentially his plan to begin with—it just happened to get set in motion by someone else. I think this scene was meant to add drama, but instead, I found it frustrating and nonsensical.
Now, onto the romance. Whew. It was undeniably compelling, but also undeniably toxic. The banter was top-tier, sharp and full of tension, but the smut stuff just wasn't for me, I didn't like how sex was used in this story.
In hindsight, though, I have to give major props to one standout character: Atakan. He was by far the most interesting person in the story. His character arc felt layered and mysterious without being incoherent or shallow. I wish more of the cast had been developed with the same care and complexity. He stood out as someone with depth and intrigue while the others struggled to maintain consistent motivations. This book could've easily been make into a duopoly or trilogy with the amount the author had to work with. She had something going but part of it just didn't pay off.
Overall, Amid Clouds and Bones had a strong start, with a captivating premise and excellent romantic tension. Unfortunately, the final act's convoluted twists and inconsistent character arcs dulled my excitement. If you're here for sharp banter and a morally gray romance, you might still enjoy it, but prepare for some plot and character hiccups along the way.
Sexual Content: heavy
Spice-O-meter: 3-4/5 chili peppers
Violence: moderate
Language: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate
LGBTQ: I can't remember.
December 26, 2025
4 stars full of emotional damage.
Half-fae Princess Mildred has been arranged to marry the Seelie fae prince, Atakan, in exchange for military assistance from the princess's human father's kingdom. The two end up in a years-long antagonistic game of slightly homicidal one-upmanship. A true enemies-to-lovers story. This is my second time reading this story since I read it when it originally came out and it was even better the second time. Ella Fields is one of my favorite authors for darker themed romantasy books and this was no exception.
You Get:
Treachery
Betrayals
Politics/war
Arranged marriage
Enemies to lovers
Unwanted attraction and yearning
Some spice
Emotional rollercoasters
Cutthroat fae
Cunning FL
Half-fae Princess Mildred has been arranged to marry the Seelie fae prince, Atakan, in exchange for military assistance from the princess's human father's kingdom. The two end up in a years-long antagonistic game of slightly homicidal one-upmanship. A true enemies-to-lovers story. This is my second time reading this story since I read it when it originally came out and it was even better the second time. Ella Fields is one of my favorite authors for darker themed romantasy books and this was no exception.
You Get:
Treachery
Betrayals
Politics/war
Arranged marriage
Enemies to lovers
Unwanted attraction and yearning
Some spice
Emotional rollercoasters
Cutthroat fae
Cunning FL
August 4, 2025
I gobbled down this fantasy romance - I read it in less than a day. It’s a quick read. The world-building is pretty weak, but the romance is fun. It’s a bit dark at times, and not everyone will like the love interests, but this is a really well done love triangle imo. I’m not usually a big fan of love triangles, but I liked this one. This honestly had me rooting for both love interests at different points of the book depending on what had been revealed. I also didn’t see the plot twists coming at the end of the book and usually I’m pretty good at predicting romantasy endings. If you like arranged marriages, love triangles, enemies to lovers, possessive fae, and fated mates, give this a try! There’s also a kidnapping arc and a rescue arc between the two love interests. I liked it!!
That said, it is definitely not perfect though - the writing leaves something to be desired and it has its moments of being insta-lusty. One of the male main characters is also really awful to the FMC at first (bordering on bully romance), so it’s hard to like him at first, but she holds her own and retaliates pretty well. Give this book a shot!
That said, it is definitely not perfect though - the writing leaves something to be desired and it has its moments of being insta-lusty. One of the male main characters is also really awful to the FMC at first (bordering on bully romance), so it’s hard to like him at first, but she holds her own and retaliates pretty well. Give this book a shot!
September 3, 2024
*4.25 MONSTROUS STARS*
"For you, I would stay on my knees until they bled your name."
I was on the hunt for a good romantasy standalone and started this one on a whim, and let me tell you, this definitely satisfied my craving!
Though I'm still confused about a couple of things (I still don't get how exactly they ended the war lol?), I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers vibes, the constant snark and banter between the main couple, and the twists and turns at the end.
I admit I got confused about who the main love interest was around the middle of the book, but I did like the way the book ended and who Mildred ended up with (even though I secretly also love the other one hehe).
Yes, this review is super vague, but it's best if you go into this blind like I did. This is definitely for all The Cruel Prince lovers out there (but better, imo).
"For you, I would stay on my knees until they bled your name."
I was on the hunt for a good romantasy standalone and started this one on a whim, and let me tell you, this definitely satisfied my craving!
Though I'm still confused about a couple of things (I still don't get how exactly they ended the war lol?), I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers vibes, the constant snark and banter between the main couple, and the twists and turns at the end.
I admit I got confused about who the main love interest was around the middle of the book, but I did like the way the book ended and who Mildred ended up with (even though I secretly also love the other one hehe).
Yes, this review is super vague, but it's best if you go into this blind like I did. This is definitely for all The Cruel Prince lovers out there (but better, imo).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,092 reviews