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The Fae Dynasty #1
Mortal Queens
They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night . . .
Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.
The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.
When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.
Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.
The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.
When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2024
38 people are currently reading
2620 people want to read
About the author
Victoria McCombs
15 books687 followersBest-selling author of Oathbound and Mortal Queens from Enclave Publishing.
Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series, The Royal Rose Chronicles, and the fae dynasty duology, with hopefully many more to come. She survives on hazelnut coffee, 20-minute naps, and a healthy fear of her deadlines, all while raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska.
Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series, The Royal Rose Chronicles, and the fae dynasty duology, with hopefully many more to come. She survives on hazelnut coffee, 20-minute naps, and a healthy fear of her deadlines, all while raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
August 30, 2023
I am the author so this is biased!
I staged a more elaborate world than I've ever created before when designing Mortal Queens. Pieces came slowly, first the glass hearts, then the masks because 'it's dangerous to know one's true face.' Then how each year, a new mortal girl is taken to be queen of the fae.
I planned to wait until my pirate trilogy was finished to write this one, but it couldn't wait. I finished it in two months, and have been in love with the plot ever since.
It's fast, it's decadent, and it's high stakes. If you like the fantasy worlds that Stephanie Garber creates, or the intricacies of switching alliances and how fates are decided by chess matches, then this book was written for you. This is the first in a duology.
Content: There is no smut or cursing. School teachers, this is one you can recommend to students!
I staged a more elaborate world than I've ever created before when designing Mortal Queens. Pieces came slowly, first the glass hearts, then the masks because 'it's dangerous to know one's true face.' Then how each year, a new mortal girl is taken to be queen of the fae.
I planned to wait until my pirate trilogy was finished to write this one, but it couldn't wait. I finished it in two months, and have been in love with the plot ever since.
It's fast, it's decadent, and it's high stakes. If you like the fantasy worlds that Stephanie Garber creates, or the intricacies of switching alliances and how fates are decided by chess matches, then this book was written for you. This is the first in a duology.
Content: There is no smut or cursing. School teachers, this is one you can recommend to students!
April 27, 2025
"‘No matter how many games we play with our queens, we still love them more than we love ourselves. We will not lose you to the mortals.’"
**2.5 stars**
🩸 General Thoughts: 🩸
🌟 Mortal Queens was a decent read. I don't know, I didn't really care for it. I feel like the FMC, Althea was super boring, and kind of selfish sometimes. Obviously she didn't want to die, but completely ok with forsaking her family??... 🫥
🌟 This book never really gripped me until, like, the last five chapters. I never got pulled into it. The worldbuilding was really cool; the mortal realm contrasted so differently from the fae realm, which was the picture of facades, secret, glittering mystery, royalty, wealth, power and political intrigue. I thought this book had some very cool ideas/elements, like the masks that concealed the fae, how one's true face could be one's hold on power and another's demise, the never-ending night fae realm, trading, chess matches, art... it was very diverse in regards to the settings, and for once, it was nice to see the queens having some power and actually rule, not just be some figureheads. I liked the tattooed crowns and piercings; it was different from what fantasy I normally read!
_________________________________
🌌 Characters: 🌌
👑 𝓐𝓵𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓪: I HATE BORING MCs! Althea had the personality of a dried walnut, and she could be sooo selfish sometimes. Obviously she didn't want to die, but completely ok with forsaking her family??... 🫥 I do appreciate her wit with the coded paintings, but like... she had no character whatsoever. Sure, she tried to help the other mortal queen, (I forget her name), but... ackkk, I just did not like her. Excuse me, but GIRL WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GONNA HAPPEN IF YOU JUMPED OFF A CLIFF A WHOLE STINKINGREALM AWAY? That you’d survive? Land on your feet? *palmface* And then calculating the arrow, so it wouldn’t hit her heart? There’s NO wWAYay she made it. She’s so rash omg. Someone smack some sense into her before I do, smh. Also, the PETTINESS: the way she wanted make Bash jealous so she flirted with that other King? -_-
👑 𝓑𝓪𝓼𝓱: So cold-hearted. His heart cracked long ago, but his mask never did. I don't know what Althea saw in him. He never was kind to her. He was... tolerable, but at the same time, just screamed "I'm mysterious and cold and super suspicious." And then
👑 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓷: Finallyyy, someone likeable in this book! His banter and friendship with Althea was so wholesome. He was selfless, loyal, and so, so kind. I don't care that he's a thief, he's my favorite character 😭 Poor guy got his heart cracked... awee *sniffles*
👑 𝓞𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮: A true friend! She was the true picture of beauty, brains AND kindess. Gosh, I loved her, and I reallyy hope her and Talen get together in the next book!
_________________________________
Though this book definitely isn't one of my favorites, I still would recommend it, because it has such a unique premise. It contains the following elements:
🗡️ idolized, lethal fae
🗡️ eternal night realm
🗡️ humans chose to rule
🗡️ chess matches & power plays
🗡️ illusions & trickery
🗡️ kings & queens
🗡️ luxurious paradise?!
🗡️ dark secrets
🗡️ brooding love interest
_________________________________
🌑 Concluding Thoughts: 🌑
This book had great elements and sooo much potential, but honestly, I expected more. It unfortunalt did not live up to the hype others made it out to be (I know, I'm sorry 😭). It was mediocre, lacked a hook, and did not intrigue me until the very, very ending, which was it's only saving grace for me. However, I will applaud McCombs for that endings, because it sure did set up Lethal Kings quite nicely. All in all, I will read the next book because I want to see how the series ends, but I personally will not reread it :(
**2.5 stars**
🩸 General Thoughts: 🩸
🌟 Mortal Queens was a decent read. I don't know, I didn't really care for it. I feel like the FMC, Althea was super boring, and kind of selfish sometimes. Obviously she didn't want to die, but completely ok with forsaking her family??... 🫥
🌟 This book never really gripped me until, like, the last five chapters. I never got pulled into it. The worldbuilding was really cool; the mortal realm contrasted so differently from the fae realm, which was the picture of facades, secret, glittering mystery, royalty, wealth, power and political intrigue. I thought this book had some very cool ideas/elements, like the masks that concealed the fae, how one's true face could be one's hold on power and another's demise, the never-ending night fae realm, trading, chess matches, art... it was very diverse in regards to the settings, and for once, it was nice to see the queens having some power and actually rule, not just be some figureheads. I liked the tattooed crowns and piercings; it was different from what fantasy I normally read!
_________________________________
🌌 Characters: 🌌
👑 𝓐𝓵𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓪: I HATE BORING MCs! Althea had the personality of a dried walnut, and she could be sooo selfish sometimes. Obviously she didn't want to die, but completely ok with forsaking her family??... 🫥 I do appreciate her wit with the coded paintings, but like... she had no character whatsoever. Sure, she tried to help the other mortal queen, (I forget her name), but... ackkk, I just did not like her. Excuse me, but GIRL WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GONNA HAPPEN IF YOU JUMPED OFF A CLIFF A WHOLE STINKINGREALM AWAY? That you’d survive? Land on your feet? *palmface* And then calculating the arrow, so it wouldn’t hit her heart? There’s NO wWAYay she made it. She’s so rash omg. Someone smack some sense into her before I do, smh. Also, the PETTINESS: the way she wanted make Bash jealous so she flirted with that other King? -_-
👑 𝓑𝓪𝓼𝓱: So cold-hearted. His heart cracked long ago, but his mask never did. I don't know what Althea saw in him. He never was kind to her. He was... tolerable, but at the same time, just screamed "I'm mysterious and cold and super suspicious." And then
👑 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓷: Finallyyy, someone likeable in this book! His banter and friendship with Althea was so wholesome. He was selfless, loyal, and so, so kind. I don't care that he's a thief, he's my favorite character 😭 Poor guy got his heart cracked... awee *sniffles*
👑 𝓞𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮: A true friend! She was the true picture of beauty, brains AND kindess. Gosh, I loved her, and I reallyy hope her and Talen get together in the next book!
_________________________________
Though this book definitely isn't one of my favorites, I still would recommend it, because it has such a unique premise. It contains the following elements:
🗡️ idolized, lethal fae
🗡️ eternal night realm
🗡️ humans chose to rule
🗡️ chess matches & power plays
🗡️ illusions & trickery
🗡️ kings & queens
🗡️ luxurious paradise?!
🗡️ dark secrets
🗡️ brooding love interest
_________________________________
🌑 Concluding Thoughts: 🌑
This book had great elements and sooo much potential, but honestly, I expected more. It unfortunalt did not live up to the hype others made it out to be (I know, I'm sorry 😭). It was mediocre, lacked a hook, and did not intrigue me until the very, very ending, which was it's only saving grace for me. However, I will applaud McCombs for that endings, because it sure did set up Lethal Kings quite nicely. All in all, I will read the next book because I want to see how the series ends, but I personally will not reread it :(
December 11, 2024
4.5 Stars ✨
"Strategize with your head, never your heart. Your head can save you. Your heart will only lead to him, and ruin lies there."
Reread 12/24
5/5 ✨ Audio 🎧
I just read this for the first time in May of this year. I absolutely loved everything about it! I thought I remembered it well enough to go into Lethal Kings, but I still decided to give it another read before, and I’m so glad I did! This time I did the audio and the narrator did a fabulous job. It was so much fun being back in this world. I can’t wait to see what the final installment has in store. Still highly recommend ❣️
Every year a girl is picked from the center island by the Fae, to be the next Mortal Queen. The mortals are obsessed with the Fae and love everything about them. Althea is a mortal girl who loves the Fae, she has plans to be an artist- until the day she gets picked to be a Mortal Queen. She never thought she’d be chosen. She is the whisked away into a glittering world she only ever dreamed of. A world of luxury, where the Fae hide their faces with masks, power is acquired by trickery and deals. All while 7 Fae Kings are competing for an alliance. It’s not at all what she had expected, but she’s ready to dive in…
Writing this review is a little tricky because I don’t want to give anything away. It’s best, in my opinion- to go into it blind. I enjoyed this one so much! I didn’t want to stop reading it, but I drug it out to savor and enjoy the ride. It’s a clean read and that’s super hard to find these days when it’s a book about the “Fae World.” Parts of It reminded me of the capital from Hunger Games and the imagery from Caraval. So if you liked either of those books, I think you’ll enjoy this.
The world was immersive and as Althea was transported, I felt like I was entering this lavish paradise along with her. My only complaint would be, I wish it would have been longer. Even though it was great, I would have liked to have gone a little deeper with the lore, it seemed surface level at best. I wanted more history and a deeper look into the makings of this world. Regardless, I enjoyed it and had so much fun reading it!! I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out- I have a feeling it’s going to be even better than this one. Highly recommend!
"Strategize with your head, never your heart. Your head can save you. Your heart will only lead to him, and ruin lies there."
Reread 12/24
5/5 ✨ Audio 🎧
I just read this for the first time in May of this year. I absolutely loved everything about it! I thought I remembered it well enough to go into Lethal Kings, but I still decided to give it another read before, and I’m so glad I did! This time I did the audio and the narrator did a fabulous job. It was so much fun being back in this world. I can’t wait to see what the final installment has in store. Still highly recommend ❣️
Every year a girl is picked from the center island by the Fae, to be the next Mortal Queen. The mortals are obsessed with the Fae and love everything about them. Althea is a mortal girl who loves the Fae, she has plans to be an artist- until the day she gets picked to be a Mortal Queen. She never thought she’d be chosen. She is the whisked away into a glittering world she only ever dreamed of. A world of luxury, where the Fae hide their faces with masks, power is acquired by trickery and deals. All while 7 Fae Kings are competing for an alliance. It’s not at all what she had expected, but she’s ready to dive in…
Writing this review is a little tricky because I don’t want to give anything away. It’s best, in my opinion- to go into it blind. I enjoyed this one so much! I didn’t want to stop reading it, but I drug it out to savor and enjoy the ride. It’s a clean read and that’s super hard to find these days when it’s a book about the “Fae World.” Parts of It reminded me of the capital from Hunger Games and the imagery from Caraval. So if you liked either of those books, I think you’ll enjoy this.
The world was immersive and as Althea was transported, I felt like I was entering this lavish paradise along with her. My only complaint would be, I wish it would have been longer. Even though it was great, I would have liked to have gone a little deeper with the lore, it seemed surface level at best. I wanted more history and a deeper look into the makings of this world. Regardless, I enjoyed it and had so much fun reading it!! I cannot wait for the next in the series to come out- I have a feeling it’s going to be even better than this one. Highly recommend!
November 6, 2024
𝐑𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒:
With Lethal Kings releasing this month, I wanted to get a refresher on this story, and it was as fun as the first time I read it! I have updated the content discretions in my initial review as I caught a few things I hadn't listed before. I normally don't like books with fae, and I'm particular about magic in books, but this one worked for me! I never felt uncomfortable and thought the magic was mild.
I would consider this a clean fantasy but not a Christian fantasy. There is no allegory or connection to God, at least none I noticed. Rather, there are a few mentions of worshiping or praying to the fae. So, for any Christian readers, just keep that in mind so you aren't left feeling disappointed. Overall, I think this is a fun fantasy read, and just like the first time I'm left with that cliffhanger, so I'll be eager to read book 2 when it releases next week!
𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒:
This was a fun read! You think you know something, but then the author throws in another twist or turn you don’t see coming… up until and including the ending! I liked the main character, Thea, who was clever, strong, and determined. It was fun to watch her scheme, plan, and forge alliances and friendships. I also enjoyed the strong family bonds and deep care she had for her brothers, including her willingness to sacrifice herself for those she loved most. The best part? No spice or profanity! I can’t wait for book 2!
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: No spice (2 passionate kisses), No language; some violence, deception, trickery, and plotting (stealing/lying to survive), father gambling, drinking wine, prayers to the fae, mention of worshiping the fae, mention of suicide, death (not graphic), mention of infidelity
With Lethal Kings releasing this month, I wanted to get a refresher on this story, and it was as fun as the first time I read it! I have updated the content discretions in my initial review as I caught a few things I hadn't listed before. I normally don't like books with fae, and I'm particular about magic in books, but this one worked for me! I never felt uncomfortable and thought the magic was mild.
I would consider this a clean fantasy but not a Christian fantasy. There is no allegory or connection to God, at least none I noticed. Rather, there are a few mentions of worshiping or praying to the fae. So, for any Christian readers, just keep that in mind so you aren't left feeling disappointed. Overall, I think this is a fun fantasy read, and just like the first time I'm left with that cliffhanger, so I'll be eager to read book 2 when it releases next week!
𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒:
This was a fun read! You think you know something, but then the author throws in another twist or turn you don’t see coming… up until and including the ending! I liked the main character, Thea, who was clever, strong, and determined. It was fun to watch her scheme, plan, and forge alliances and friendships. I also enjoyed the strong family bonds and deep care she had for her brothers, including her willingness to sacrifice herself for those she loved most. The best part? No spice or profanity! I can’t wait for book 2!
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: No spice (2 passionate kisses), No language; some violence, deception, trickery, and plotting (stealing/lying to survive), father gambling, drinking wine, prayers to the fae, mention of worshiping the fae, mention of suicide, death (not graphic), mention of infidelity
March 6, 2025
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed this story. (The MC, however, does several stupid things.🤦♀️ She seems to think she, at 17 mortal years, can best the trickery of the centuries-old fae.) The intrigue of knowing who to trust and who not to is high stakes in this story!
On to Lethal Kings to finish the story out!
No content warnings that I can think of except for deceiving fae characters using trickery to bind and sometimes kill others.
On to Lethal Kings to finish the story out!
No content warnings that I can think of except for deceiving fae characters using trickery to bind and sometimes kill others.
February 16, 2024
I have so much to say, yet words are also failing me. I'll do my best.
1: Victoria is a master with words. She crafts so carefully, weaving characters, world, and plot together seamlessly. Within the first 100 pages, I was fully engrossed. I just wanted to binge the entire book (which I did).
2: The world is so good. Intoxicating? That sounds cooler than good. It's so intriguing and mysterious, yet explained enough to keep us going. I love magical worlds that seem to have no limit. It makes the book feel cooler. Again, failing on cool words here.
3: The end of this book was everything. I had to take a break partway through the last fifty pages and it almost killed me. The tension? The twists? Victoria knows how to drag me through a story. She handled this so well. Consider me a fan for life.
Those are my thoughts. I will be screaming into the void until book two comes out.
1: Victoria is a master with words. She crafts so carefully, weaving characters, world, and plot together seamlessly. Within the first 100 pages, I was fully engrossed. I just wanted to binge the entire book (which I did).
2: The world is so good. Intoxicating? That sounds cooler than good. It's so intriguing and mysterious, yet explained enough to keep us going. I love magical worlds that seem to have no limit. It makes the book feel cooler. Again, failing on cool words here.
3: The end of this book was everything. I had to take a break partway through the last fifty pages and it almost killed me. The tension? The twists? Victoria knows how to drag me through a story. She handled this so well. Consider me a fan for life.
Those are my thoughts. I will be screaming into the void until book two comes out.
January 4, 2025
4.5⭐️
My initial review after feeling that 5⭐️ drought-I was desperate for a 5 star……
”Is this my first Fiction 5⭐️ of the year? Why yes, it is!! I ALMOST had to dock points for a twist that threatened the plot at around 86%, but based on the ending, I don’t think that twist is going to come to fruition, so I think it’s safe to give it a 5 star….if the subsequent books prove me wrong I may reduce my star rating 🫣”
——-
Althea lives on an island where everyone basically worships the mysterious Fae that come from the fairy realm once a year to select on young woman as their next Mortal Queen, whisked away to the Fairy Kingdom, forever. Every young lady dreams of being chosen, and this year, Althea is the lucky one.
Or maybe not so lucky, as the fairy realm, though it holds treasures beyond imagining and beautiful sights to behold, it also contains mysteries and dangerous lurking behind every word.
My initial review after feeling that 5⭐️ drought-I was desperate for a 5 star……
”Is this my first Fiction 5⭐️ of the year? Why yes, it is!! I ALMOST had to dock points for a twist that threatened the plot at around 86%, but based on the ending, I don’t think that twist is going to come to fruition, so I think it’s safe to give it a 5 star….if the subsequent books prove me wrong I may reduce my star rating 🫣”
——-
Althea lives on an island where everyone basically worships the mysterious Fae that come from the fairy realm once a year to select on young woman as their next Mortal Queen, whisked away to the Fairy Kingdom, forever. Every young lady dreams of being chosen, and this year, Althea is the lucky one.
Or maybe not so lucky, as the fairy realm, though it holds treasures beyond imagining and beautiful sights to behold, it also contains mysteries and dangerous lurking behind every word.
March 27, 2025
I really waffled between giving this 3 or 4 stars, but when it comes down to it, this was an interesting, easy read that left me wanting book 2, so I’m rounding up.
What I liked:
- The concept was fascinating!
- The plot always kept me on my toes.
- Talen was a fun character.
- The worldbuilding for the fae realm.
What I disliked:
- Thea was too reckless and illogical.
- Bastian was just…there.
- Nothing was resolved by the end of the book.
- The romance did not work for me. Too rushed, and also maybe a little icky when you consider the fact that the fae are drawn to the Mortal Queens whether or not they want to be.
Overall, I feel like this could have been a stronger story if it had been a little longer and more polished, but it definitely reeled me in. I’m eager to see what happens in the sequel!
What I liked:
- The concept was fascinating!
- The plot always kept me on my toes.
- Talen was a fun character.
- The worldbuilding for the fae realm.
What I disliked:
- Thea was too reckless and illogical.
- Bastian was just…there.
- Nothing was resolved by the end of the book.
- The romance did not work for me. Too rushed, and also maybe a little icky when you consider the fact that the fae are drawn to the Mortal Queens whether or not they want to be.
Overall, I feel like this could have been a stronger story if it had been a little longer and more polished, but it definitely reeled me in. I’m eager to see what happens in the sequel!
April 25, 2025
My quick takes:
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️🔥 none/kisses only
- Content 🤔 death, manipulation
*Adult Paris: 4 stars. High School Paris: 5 stars.
Mortal Queens is a true YA, and one I would’ve LOVED in high school. As that is McCombs’ target audience I think this book is very successful!
I thought I went in with no expectations, but this book is not at all what I thought it would be, so I guess I went in with some 😅. Mortal Queens is more strategy, less action, but I’m assuming there is some action coming in the second book.
The world building was straightforward and easy to follow making it a great fantasy for readers that are new to the genre and/or in the targeted age range of the book!
I really enjoyed that the reader was learning about the fae realm along with the female main character. There were a couple twists at the end that I didn’t see coming, and I love being along for the ride in a fantasy book.
I would’ve absolutely loved this as a teen and this is a solid YA that is appropriate for the teen age range! With no spice and no language I definitely recommend it for that audience and any in older age ranges that enjoy YA books.
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️🔥 none/kisses only
- Content 🤔 death, manipulation
*Adult Paris: 4 stars. High School Paris: 5 stars.
Mortal Queens is a true YA, and one I would’ve LOVED in high school. As that is McCombs’ target audience I think this book is very successful!
I thought I went in with no expectations, but this book is not at all what I thought it would be, so I guess I went in with some 😅. Mortal Queens is more strategy, less action, but I’m assuming there is some action coming in the second book.
The world building was straightforward and easy to follow making it a great fantasy for readers that are new to the genre and/or in the targeted age range of the book!
I really enjoyed that the reader was learning about the fae realm along with the female main character. There were a couple twists at the end that I didn’t see coming, and I love being along for the ride in a fantasy book.
I would’ve absolutely loved this as a teen and this is a solid YA that is appropriate for the teen age range! With no spice and no language I definitely recommend it for that audience and any in older age ranges that enjoy YA books.
June 18, 2024
This was fun, and I really enjoyed it. So why only 3 stars? Well, tbh, I think it might be 3.5, but since GR doesn't allow half stars, I don't really have to worry about that. ;)
Anyway, back to the point. This book was quite enjoyable, and I wasn't really expecting it to be any better than it was, so I wasn't at all disappointed. But why not a higher rating?
Well, for one thing, the political intrigue fell a bit flat. I mean, don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't as good as it could have been. And when I have The Folk of the Air to compare it too... it's just not on-par, yk? Even the twist or two that I didn't predict didn't really shock me. But that might just be me.
Another issue is that the romance felt... underdeveloped. But it looks like that might be fixed. *crosses fingers*
The characters were pretty good. Talen was probably my favorite. As for our MC Thea... she certainly needed to learn a lesson about dealing with the Fae, but I did like her. And Bash was a typical mysterious love interest. Which isn't my least favorite thing ever, I just hope he gets more development in book 2.
Speaking of the Fae, I found the world-building very intriguing. For one thing, all the Fae wear masks, and in this world, knowing someone's true face is like knowing someone's true name in most faerie stories. Also, these Fae can apparently lie, but they still tend to play around with wording. and then there's the matter of their hearts...
Also, this book has no spice, which is rare for a Fae story. I've honestly never come across any other Fae books without spice (if you have, let me know in the comments). There isn't any language either.
I know this review was mostly negative, but I actually really enjoyed this, and am looking forward to the next one. So, if you think this looks interesting, I say, give it a shot. Just don't expect such a twisty plot as The Folk of the Air.
Anyway, back to the point. This book was quite enjoyable, and I wasn't really expecting it to be any better than it was, so I wasn't at all disappointed. But why not a higher rating?
Well, for one thing, the political intrigue fell a bit flat. I mean, don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't as good as it could have been. And when I have The Folk of the Air to compare it too... it's just not on-par, yk? Even the twist or two that I didn't predict didn't really shock me. But that might just be me.
Another issue is that the romance felt... underdeveloped. But it looks like that might be fixed. *crosses fingers*
The characters were pretty good. Talen was probably my favorite. As for our MC Thea... she certainly needed to learn a lesson about dealing with the Fae, but I did like her. And Bash was a typical mysterious love interest. Which isn't my least favorite thing ever, I just hope he gets more development in book 2.
Speaking of the Fae, I found the world-building very intriguing. For one thing, all the Fae wear masks, and in this world, knowing someone's true face is like knowing someone's true name in most faerie stories. Also, these Fae can apparently lie, but they still tend to play around with wording. and then there's the matter of their hearts...
Also, this book has no spice, which is rare for a Fae story. I've honestly never come across any other Fae books without spice (if you have, let me know in the comments). There isn't any language either.
I know this review was mostly negative, but I actually really enjoyed this, and am looking forward to the next one. So, if you think this looks interesting, I say, give it a shot. Just don't expect such a twisty plot as The Folk of the Air.
February 21, 2024
"Strategize with your head, never your heart. Your head can save you. Your heart will only lead to him, and ruin lies there."
*4.5 stars
I really liked McCombs' Oathbound trilogy, and I've been looking forward to this one since she first mentioned it. Happy to report, it did not disappoint! I don't read a lot of fae books, so reading this was quite fun! There were times, of course, where I wanted to whack Thea over the head with an empty paper towel roll (STOP telling the fae you'll give them whatever THEY want STOP that) but overall she fared better in this situation than I probably would so I can't be too harsh, haha! Thea was an interesting main character, though, I couldn't help but root for her.
Talen and Odette were my favorite characters 100%. Bash was intriguing in a "brooding angsty love interest" sort of way (not TOO melodramatic, though, which I appreciate). The world of the fae is curious enough that I'm excited to learn more in the next part, but the worldbuilding on the whole is pretty surface-level. I like McCombs writing style a lot.
The whole thing kept my attention but those last 5-or-so chapters?? 🤯 what a WILD ride, I loved it. 4.5 stars from me! I can't wait for the sequel!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
*4.5 stars
I really liked McCombs' Oathbound trilogy, and I've been looking forward to this one since she first mentioned it. Happy to report, it did not disappoint! I don't read a lot of fae books, so reading this was quite fun! There were times, of course, where I wanted to whack Thea over the head with an empty paper towel roll (STOP telling the fae you'll give them whatever THEY want STOP that) but overall she fared better in this situation than I probably would so I can't be too harsh, haha! Thea was an interesting main character, though, I couldn't help but root for her.
Talen and Odette were my favorite characters 100%. Bash was intriguing in a "brooding angsty love interest" sort of way (not TOO melodramatic, though, which I appreciate). The world of the fae is curious enough that I'm excited to learn more in the next part, but the worldbuilding on the whole is pretty surface-level. I like McCombs writing style a lot.
The whole thing kept my attention but those last 5-or-so chapters?? 🤯 what a WILD ride, I loved it. 4.5 stars from me! I can't wait for the sequel!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
November 25, 2025
New and familiar at the same time.
New world, new characters, new power system,
Familiar feelings of excitement and thrill, the exhilarating rush of wondering what happens in the next chapter and wanting to stay up to finish the story even though you know you’ll regret it a tiny bit in the morning, etc…
While there are so many Fae fantasy books out there, this one really stands out for me. It was like Hunger games meets Alice in wonderland
There’s so much mystery and intrigue here and just when you’re figuring some stuff out on your own, you still get hit with something totally unexpected!
I really enjoyed Thea as a protagonist, she is definitely worthy of being one. Not every protagonist comes off as worthy of being the heroine in the story and I’m glad that wasn’t the case here, I’d follow Thea wherever her story goes!
The best part is that this fantasy has all the exciting stuff that you can expect from a YA fantasy and yet it’s free from profanity, sexual content, and extreme violence.
I need book 2 like yesterday!
Disclosure: I was gifted an ARC from the author and was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
New world, new characters, new power system,
Familiar feelings of excitement and thrill, the exhilarating rush of wondering what happens in the next chapter and wanting to stay up to finish the story even though you know you’ll regret it a tiny bit in the morning, etc…
While there are so many Fae fantasy books out there, this one really stands out for me. It was like Hunger games meets Alice in wonderland
There’s so much mystery and intrigue here and just when you’re figuring some stuff out on your own, you still get hit with something totally unexpected!
I really enjoyed Thea as a protagonist, she is definitely worthy of being one. Not every protagonist comes off as worthy of being the heroine in the story and I’m glad that wasn’t the case here, I’d follow Thea wherever her story goes!
The best part is that this fantasy has all the exciting stuff that you can expect from a YA fantasy and yet it’s free from profanity, sexual content, and extreme violence.
I need book 2 like yesterday!
Disclosure: I was gifted an ARC from the author and was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
September 25, 2024
Mortal Queens reminded me of Caraval--a glittery, captivating world; high stakes games; and characters you aren't sure you can trust.
As the readers are told, the realm of the fae is indeed captivating. I don't want to say too much and give away the fun of discovering it, but McComb's creativity was on display in the worldbuilding. I look forward to exploring more of the fae realm in the next book.
As is typical with fae, you never know which characters you can trust. Thea was a great main character. Talen and Odette were also very fun side characters. The plot holds a few surprises along the way, with more than one twist at the ending (you've been forewarned 😉).
Mortal Queens is an excellent beginning to this new fae duology.
Cautions: moderate romance; two kisses
*I received an ARC from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
As the readers are told, the realm of the fae is indeed captivating. I don't want to say too much and give away the fun of discovering it, but McComb's creativity was on display in the worldbuilding. I look forward to exploring more of the fae realm in the next book.
As is typical with fae, you never know which characters you can trust. Thea was a great main character. Talen and Odette were also very fun side characters. The plot holds a few surprises along the way, with more than one twist at the ending (you've been forewarned 😉).
Mortal Queens is an excellent beginning to this new fae duology.
Cautions: moderate romance; two kisses
*I received an ARC from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
August 31, 2025
Me as I was reading: 😯😲😏😩😡🫣😅😄🤭😍🤩😳😱😱😱😱😱 🤣🤣
Oh. My. GOODNESS!! What did I just read!?!?
I was not prepared for how much I would love this book!! The characters, the description, the tension, the banter, the PLOT TWIST.
Was so not expecting that…. Anyway,
go read this book! (Like, now 😁)
Content: some kissing, some flirting, a woman seduces an evil man on their wedding night to save herself and her lover. A death, with mentions of “neck cracking”
Oh. My. GOODNESS!! What did I just read!?!?
I was not prepared for how much I would love this book!! The characters, the description, the tension, the banter, the PLOT TWIST.
Was so not expecting that…. Anyway,
go read this book! (Like, now 😁)
Content: some kissing, some flirting, a woman seduces an evil man on their wedding night to save herself and her lover. A death, with mentions of “neck cracking”
February 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this one, but it felt like we never got more than skin deep into the story? I love messy Fae lore, but this wasn’t messy enough for my taste. If The Cruel Prince crossed too many lines for you, this book is probably perfect for you, but it didn’t quite do it for me.
January 8, 2025
Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
I don’t even know how to explain my emotions while reading this book. 😭
It was CRAZZZYYYYY!!
Something was happening every chapter and I just kept turning pagesss! I mean, I read it in like 3 days. 😂 It’s also really easy to read, and that helps me because I read fast. lol
I really enjoyed this story, though. (even though I spent like half an hour after I finished saying I hated the book😂) It was interesting and it kept me intrigued every chapter.
Though the world is…HORRIBLE!!! 😭 No, no,1 not really. I mean it is, but in a kinda sorta good way. 😅 It’s just a cruel, unjust, not fair, mean world! (but makes for a great story 😂) I really enjoyed learning about the world and how it worked, though. (which is rare for me😅) It was interesting and there’s so many things about it and how it works, it’s just…wow.
Moving on to the characterssss!
I really liked Althea! She was a strong main character, but she also had her weak points. I also really liked that she didn’t acclimate to the world right away. It took her awhile to understand the basics, and even then she was still learning. (even up until the very end, too!!😭)
Bastian….I still don’t know how I feel bout him. I definitely liked his character, he’s the type I usually end up really liking. 😂 I just….ahh! It’s complicated. 😭
I loved Talen! He was just so nice and so helpful and funny and charming and just great! So I really liked him.
And all the other characters were good, too. I felt like they each had their own personality and were interesting. I will say though that some of the kings didn’t stick out a ton in personality, but it’s also not a super long book and I get we can’t have a ton of character development.
Bash and Thea are great together. I feel like they are the perfect contrast for each other and they just work. However, their relationship is definitely interesting. I would have liked to maybe see a little bit more of them interacting by themselves but, oh well, there is another book.
THE ENDINGGG!!
I can’t say much about it without spoilers but- it completely kiiilllled me! 😭 It’s TERRIBLE!! It’s soooo, infuriating! I felt like crying, yelling, loving the book, and feeling devastated all at once. Literally every aspect of the whole climax and end of the book was just- horrible. 😭😭 I really really dislike the author for writing such a good book and making it so painful. 😭 They’re always so mean. Anywayssss, when I say all this, I really did enjoy the book. It’s just a painful enjoyment, but that makes a good book, right? 🥲
Well, I can’t think of much else to say. It was a roller coaster of emotions and I still can’t describe what I went through with that ending, but all I know is I want that next book and someone has it checked out at the library right now!! 😭😭😭
Welp that’s it, see ya later!
~EllieJellyBean ✌️
I don’t even know how to explain my emotions while reading this book. 😭
It was CRAZZZYYYYY!!
Something was happening every chapter and I just kept turning pagesss! I mean, I read it in like 3 days. 😂 It’s also really easy to read, and that helps me because I read fast. lol
I really enjoyed this story, though. (even though I spent like half an hour after I finished saying I hated the book😂) It was interesting and it kept me intrigued every chapter.
Though the world is…HORRIBLE!!! 😭 No, no,1 not really. I mean it is, but in a kinda sorta good way. 😅 It’s just a cruel, unjust, not fair, mean world! (but makes for a great story 😂) I really enjoyed learning about the world and how it worked, though. (which is rare for me😅) It was interesting and there’s so many things about it and how it works, it’s just…wow.
Moving on to the characterssss!
I really liked Althea! She was a strong main character, but she also had her weak points. I also really liked that she didn’t acclimate to the world right away. It took her awhile to understand the basics, and even then she was still learning. (even up until the very end, too!!😭)
Bastian….I still don’t know how I feel bout him. I definitely liked his character, he’s the type I usually end up really liking. 😂 I just….ahh! It’s complicated. 😭
I loved Talen! He was just so nice and so helpful and funny and charming and just great! So I really liked him.
And all the other characters were good, too. I felt like they each had their own personality and were interesting. I will say though that some of the kings didn’t stick out a ton in personality, but it’s also not a super long book and I get we can’t have a ton of character development.
Bash and Thea are great together. I feel like they are the perfect contrast for each other and they just work. However, their relationship is definitely interesting. I would have liked to maybe see a little bit more of them interacting by themselves but, oh well, there is another book.
THE ENDINGGG!!
I can’t say much about it without spoilers but- it completely kiiilllled me! 😭 It’s TERRIBLE!! It’s soooo, infuriating! I felt like crying, yelling, loving the book, and feeling devastated all at once. Literally every aspect of the whole climax and end of the book was just- horrible. 😭😭 I really really dislike the author for writing such a good book and making it so painful. 😭 They’re always so mean. Anywayssss, when I say all this, I really did enjoy the book. It’s just a painful enjoyment, but that makes a good book, right? 🥲
Well, I can’t think of much else to say. It was a roller coaster of emotions and I still can’t describe what I went through with that ending, but all I know is I want that next book and someone has it checked out at the library right now!! 😭😭😭
Welp that’s it, see ya later!
~EllieJellyBean ✌️
February 10, 2024
I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed trying to break out of the Fae realm and all the twists and turns. Where's the next book?
April 12, 2025
Mortal Queens ~ Book Review ♟️✨🤍
Wowza. I loved this book—seriously, I was blown away by every part of it. The author masterfully blended rich world-building with high-stakes games and a gripping, life-or-death plot. Absolutely phenomenal work by Victoria.
Now, I’ll admit—I used to play chess when I was younger (still my favorite board game), but I wasn’t totally sold on this book at first. Mainly because I haven’t really fallen into the whole fae hype *cue the collective gasp of horrified fantasy lovers*. I know, I know. But let me tell you—this book completely caught me off guard in the best way. It’s actually the first five-star rating I’ve given a new book this year!
Thea is such a genuinely likable main character. I connected with her so deeply and truly cared about what happened to her. I won’t spoil anything, but there’s a certain twist toward the end involving another character that had me furious right alongside her. That’s when I knew—Victoria had done it. She made me care. And lately, that connection has been hard to come by in books, so I’m especially grateful for it.
The character dynamics throughout are so compelling, and I’m crossing my fingers that Thea gets the happy ending she deserves. Although… I have heard the second book ends on a bittersweet note 😅.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves fantasy with serious stakes and stunning world-building. And if my words aren’t enough to convince you—swipe right for my little aesthetic board. Hopefully, it’ll do the trick! 😉
Read if you love:
♟️Chess
🔮 Magical Worlds
🤍 Lovable Characters
📖 Page Turning Plot Twists (PTPT 🤭)
Wowza. I loved this book—seriously, I was blown away by every part of it. The author masterfully blended rich world-building with high-stakes games and a gripping, life-or-death plot. Absolutely phenomenal work by Victoria.
Now, I’ll admit—I used to play chess when I was younger (still my favorite board game), but I wasn’t totally sold on this book at first. Mainly because I haven’t really fallen into the whole fae hype *cue the collective gasp of horrified fantasy lovers*. I know, I know. But let me tell you—this book completely caught me off guard in the best way. It’s actually the first five-star rating I’ve given a new book this year!
Thea is such a genuinely likable main character. I connected with her so deeply and truly cared about what happened to her. I won’t spoil anything, but there’s a certain twist toward the end involving another character that had me furious right alongside her. That’s when I knew—Victoria had done it. She made me care. And lately, that connection has been hard to come by in books, so I’m especially grateful for it.
The character dynamics throughout are so compelling, and I’m crossing my fingers that Thea gets the happy ending she deserves. Although… I have heard the second book ends on a bittersweet note 😅.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves fantasy with serious stakes and stunning world-building. And if my words aren’t enough to convince you—swipe right for my little aesthetic board. Hopefully, it’ll do the trick! 😉
Read if you love:
♟️Chess
🔮 Magical Worlds
🤍 Lovable Characters
📖 Page Turning Plot Twists (PTPT 🤭)
May 23, 2025
This book had an interesting concept and some cool worldbuilding details, but my enjoyment of it was hindered by two things. First, while I understand why all the characters are obsessed with the protagonist, having a good reason for the obsession does not keep this from feeling vaguely like a specific type of self-insert fanfic at times, and the obsession itself kind of overshadows other aspects of their personalities. Second, if you're going to promise me fae in fae the fae country, I want them to be a little more Other than this.
(To be perfectly fair to this book: I probably still would've eaten this up as a teen, but at present . . . it isn't doing it for me, and it's also suffering by comparison with the Bluebeard's Secret series, which I just finished a couple weeks ago.)
Also, I'm marking this as a fairy tale retelling even though it's not marketed as such because this absolutely feels like it started as a Beauty and the Beast retelling (and I'm not convinced it won't absolutely be one by the end of the series . . . though, to be frank, I probably will not keep reading to find out).
(To be perfectly fair to this book: I probably still would've eaten this up as a teen, but at present . . . it isn't doing it for me, and it's also suffering by comparison with the Bluebeard's Secret series, which I just finished a couple weeks ago.)
Also, I'm marking this as a fairy tale retelling even though it's not marketed as such because this absolutely feels like it started as a Beauty and the Beast retelling (and I'm not convinced it won't absolutely be one by the end of the series . . . though, to be frank, I probably will not keep reading to find out).
October 28, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. That was amazing. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!! I can’t deal with the suspense! This book was so twisty and unique. Definitely my favourite from this author.
Now for a more coherent review:
When I first read the synopsis of Mortal Queens, I was skeptical. I’m not a fan of the fae that are portrayed in mainstream books so it was a bit of a turn off for me, but these fae were more like elves than the tailed/winged mainstream portrayal (if elves were more dangerous and delighted in tricking people). Another thing that I was unsure of at first was that a mortal girl was picked to become queen of the fae - I thought this meant that she would have to marry a fae king (which I REALLY didn’t like), but in actuality she was literally picked to become Queen of the Fae… for reasons that I can’t disclose… and ranked about the fae kings.
Now that I’ve clarified that, time for the stuff I loved:
-The Chess parts. Do I have to say more? This is what made me pick up this book, CHESS!!! REALLY HIGH STAKE CHESS!!! (I also picked it up because I liked Oathbound).
-The unique world. Who doesn’t love a unique fantasy world?
-The messages hidden in paintings. Something I find personally intriguing.
-The characters. Some were pretty sketchy (which made them even more fun) and others were completely lovable.
-The twisty-ness. I may have called some of the plot twists, but so many absolutely caught me off guard. -The tricks. Some of them were pretty cruel but they were so intriguing.
-Finally, Thea. I couldn’t help but love Thea. She’s such a well written heroine who keeps on making mistakes (& yes, I got hectic secondhand embarrassment), and she often found herself being pulled between becoming like the Fae (with a heart of glass) and being glamoured by their world, and staying grounded and being her mortal self. In the end, she is a smart, intelligent, and heartfelt character - and I’m nervous for her.
Negatives:
While I hate to end reviews on the negative side, I did feel like I need to explain why this isn’t quite a five star.
-Trickery. Yes, I did say that trickery was one of the parts I liked, but it had a negative side. While it was intriguing, it could also be quite cruel.
-The untrustworthiness and almost superficialness of the Fae. The Fae are dangerous, and because they love to play tricks, they are untrustworthy; consequently, they tend to be superficial, and it made me wish for more wholesome moments (yet, on the flip side, it did make the wholesome moments even more special).
Overall, the parts I loved outweighed the negatives, and I would totally recommend this to the right readers. Let me reiterate, due to the ending I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON THE NEXT BOOK AS SOON AS I CAN!!!!
***the energy for this review is sponsored by my best friend who complimented one of my last reviews; therefore, I had enough motivation to write this - she may or may not have made a monster
[for other Christians out there: there was a taste of Faith content which may or may not expand in the next book]
Now for a more coherent review:
When I first read the synopsis of Mortal Queens, I was skeptical. I’m not a fan of the fae that are portrayed in mainstream books so it was a bit of a turn off for me, but these fae were more like elves than the tailed/winged mainstream portrayal (if elves were more dangerous and delighted in tricking people). Another thing that I was unsure of at first was that a mortal girl was picked to become queen of the fae - I thought this meant that she would have to marry a fae king (which I REALLY didn’t like), but in actuality she was literally picked to become Queen of the Fae… for reasons that I can’t disclose… and ranked about the fae kings.
Now that I’ve clarified that, time for the stuff I loved:
-The Chess parts. Do I have to say more? This is what made me pick up this book, CHESS!!! REALLY HIGH STAKE CHESS!!! (I also picked it up because I liked Oathbound).
-The unique world. Who doesn’t love a unique fantasy world?
-The messages hidden in paintings. Something I find personally intriguing.
-The characters. Some were pretty sketchy (which made them even more fun) and others were completely lovable.
-The twisty-ness. I may have called some of the plot twists, but so many absolutely caught me off guard. -The tricks. Some of them were pretty cruel but they were so intriguing.
-Finally, Thea. I couldn’t help but love Thea. She’s such a well written heroine who keeps on making mistakes (& yes, I got hectic secondhand embarrassment), and she often found herself being pulled between becoming like the Fae (with a heart of glass) and being glamoured by their world, and staying grounded and being her mortal self. In the end, she is a smart, intelligent, and heartfelt character - and I’m nervous for her.
Negatives:
While I hate to end reviews on the negative side, I did feel like I need to explain why this isn’t quite a five star.
-Trickery. Yes, I did say that trickery was one of the parts I liked, but it had a negative side. While it was intriguing, it could also be quite cruel.
-The untrustworthiness and almost superficialness of the Fae. The Fae are dangerous, and because they love to play tricks, they are untrustworthy; consequently, they tend to be superficial, and it made me wish for more wholesome moments (yet, on the flip side, it did make the wholesome moments even more special).
Overall, the parts I loved outweighed the negatives, and I would totally recommend this to the right readers. Let me reiterate, due to the ending I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON THE NEXT BOOK AS SOON AS I CAN!!!!
***the energy for this review is sponsored by my best friend who complimented one of my last reviews; therefore, I had enough motivation to write this - she may or may not have made a monster
[for other Christians out there: there was a taste of Faith content which may or may not expand in the next book]
October 28, 2024
Bottom line - I didn't want to put it down and I need to read the sequel ASAP.
Guys this book is so good. The chess, the gameplay, BASH!! I mean I don't know how McCombs created such an amazing story. Her descriptive writing made the scenes come to life in my mind - as if I was watching a movie. There's layers upon layers, and each time a layer is peeled, McCombs has you on your toes wondering what plot twist will come next. You never know who is truly a good guy, and who is a bad guy.
Speaking of plot twists - that ending! My goodness it's a nail biter, hence the reason I need to read the next book like right now. Which I'm going to do......
This book will make you want to play chess, question why you haven't read it sooner, and make you want to jump in and join Althea and all the "fun" she's having. Might be my favorite fantasy read of the year (at least until I read the next book in the series!). Go read this now!
** I borrowed a copy of this book from my library ***
Guys this book is so good. The chess, the gameplay, BASH!! I mean I don't know how McCombs created such an amazing story. Her descriptive writing made the scenes come to life in my mind - as if I was watching a movie. There's layers upon layers, and each time a layer is peeled, McCombs has you on your toes wondering what plot twist will come next. You never know who is truly a good guy, and who is a bad guy.
Speaking of plot twists - that ending! My goodness it's a nail biter, hence the reason I need to read the next book like right now. Which I'm going to do......
This book will make you want to play chess, question why you haven't read it sooner, and make you want to jump in and join Althea and all the "fun" she's having. Might be my favorite fantasy read of the year (at least until I read the next book in the series!). Go read this now!
** I borrowed a copy of this book from my library ***
March 8, 2024
3.5 stars. RTC. Wasn’t necessary for me but it was a fun concept with some great characters.
January 9, 2024
I've been anticipating this book since participating in the reveal for that glorious cover (just look at it, y'all!)—and what's inside the cover did not disappoint.
The setup of Mortal Queens seems at face value to fit the mold of the many YA fae stories that have come out in recent years—mortal girl is whisked away to a dark, mysterious glitzy fae kingdom full of scheming and handsome fae rulers. I loved how McCombs put her own spin on so many of these elements! The worldbuilding is immersive and unique, and the fae power games had me on the edge of my seat. I also enjoyed the suspense created by Althea's single POV, since the reader is denied access to a ton of information that made the world as a whole feel so much more volatile. The themes of vulnerability and what it means to truly lead made my heart so very happy.
The cast of characters also felt super well rounded. Talen and Odette are absolute dears and I want them as friends quite badly. Gaia felt like she was going to be the stereotypical rival girl, but her arc hit so hard by the end. And major bonus points for the POC fae king!! It wasn't necessary for me to enjoy the story, but having a non-white fae without making a huge deal out of it (i.e. it's just a natural part of the story world rather than made to be his entire personality) was cool. I loved that Bash was a more low-key, intuitive leader who gets things done by smarts (instead of storming around his castle being creepy to the heroine and threatening anyone who stands in his way like a lot of fae male characters out there). The plot twist with his character at the end cut the legs out from under me and I can't wait to see how McCombs resolves the fallout.
My main quibble with this story was actually with Althea's character—maybe it's because the first few chapters were such a whirlwind, but I didn't feel like I had a good sense of who she was as a person until she'd entered the fae realm and started interacting with their culture/customs. By the end of the book I was rooting for her 110%; her pluck and unwillingness to accept injustice came through front and center in the latter half of the story, especially. I just would have loved to have settled into her character a bit more by the end of the first few chapters.
And my only other tiny "thing" were a few places where the dialogue or word choices felt super modern and pulled me out of the world a little bit.
All in all, this book is a stunner and I'm slightly miffed with myself for starting a duology that isn't completed yet, because I'm going to be in pain waiting for Book 2...
The setup of Mortal Queens seems at face value to fit the mold of the many YA fae stories that have come out in recent years—mortal girl is whisked away to a dark, mysterious glitzy fae kingdom full of scheming and handsome fae rulers. I loved how McCombs put her own spin on so many of these elements! The worldbuilding is immersive and unique, and the fae power games had me on the edge of my seat. I also enjoyed the suspense created by Althea's single POV, since the reader is denied access to a ton of information that made the world as a whole feel so much more volatile. The themes of vulnerability and what it means to truly lead made my heart so very happy.
The cast of characters also felt super well rounded. Talen and Odette are absolute dears and I want them as friends quite badly. Gaia felt like she was going to be the stereotypical rival girl, but her arc hit so hard by the end. And major bonus points for the POC fae king!! It wasn't necessary for me to enjoy the story, but having a non-white fae without making a huge deal out of it (i.e. it's just a natural part of the story world rather than made to be his entire personality) was cool. I loved that Bash was a more low-key, intuitive leader who gets things done by smarts (instead of storming around his castle being creepy to the heroine and threatening anyone who stands in his way like a lot of fae male characters out there). The plot twist with his character at the end cut the legs out from under me and I can't wait to see how McCombs resolves the fallout.
My main quibble with this story was actually with Althea's character—maybe it's because the first few chapters were such a whirlwind, but I didn't feel like I had a good sense of who she was as a person until she'd entered the fae realm and started interacting with their culture/customs. By the end of the book I was rooting for her 110%; her pluck and unwillingness to accept injustice came through front and center in the latter half of the story, especially. I just would have loved to have settled into her character a bit more by the end of the first few chapters.
And my only other tiny "thing" were a few places where the dialogue or word choices felt super modern and pulled me out of the world a little bit.
All in all, this book is a stunner and I'm slightly miffed with myself for starting a duology that isn't completed yet, because I'm going to be in pain waiting for Book 2...
January 29, 2024
Althea (Thea) lives in the centre island, each year there is a choosing ceremony in which fae come to their island and choose one girl to be their mortal queen. The previous year’s mortal queen also comes, and that is Gaia.
Thea is chosen and she is to select a mask. She is warned that no one can ever see her without her mask.
They leave to return to the fae realm. Thea is speechless by the beauty of the fae realm, colours brighter, food tastier.
Whilst she is a mortal queen, she must make alliances and become a strong queen, so that the realm rewards them.
But it is not that easy, the fae are full of tricks and deals. Thea must be careful not to fall victim to their trickery.
Thea begins to wonder where all the other mortal queens have gone since they are nowhere to be seen.
This leads Thea on a mission to find out what happened to them and how to not have the same fate, leading her to use trickery herself, form an alliance with a handsome king & send secret messages through her paintings and receive them back!
I cannot say a single bad word about this book.. apart from I need book 2 already 🙈😂
This book is amazing and I was hooked from the very beginning. The storyline is so unique and I haven’t read something like this where there is so much confusion on who is telling the truth and who is lying. All the trickery, deals, alliances and who can you trust?
I couldn’t put this down as I just had to read to find out what was coming next, because there was always something happening. I never knew where the plot of this book was going to go, it had so many twists.
The book was so well written by the author that it completely captivated me and held my interest the whole way through the book. The ending was done beautifully, yes it was a cliffhanger (due to being a series) but it was done at the perfect time and just finished the book on the right note.
I will be recommending this book to everyone and anyone I speak to as it was 10 stars out of 5 😍 I will also be purchasing the hardback as honestly it is worth every single penny 🖤
*I received this book as an ARC, however this review is my own honest opinion*
Thea is chosen and she is to select a mask. She is warned that no one can ever see her without her mask.
They leave to return to the fae realm. Thea is speechless by the beauty of the fae realm, colours brighter, food tastier.
Whilst she is a mortal queen, she must make alliances and become a strong queen, so that the realm rewards them.
But it is not that easy, the fae are full of tricks and deals. Thea must be careful not to fall victim to their trickery.
Thea begins to wonder where all the other mortal queens have gone since they are nowhere to be seen.
This leads Thea on a mission to find out what happened to them and how to not have the same fate, leading her to use trickery herself, form an alliance with a handsome king & send secret messages through her paintings and receive them back!
I cannot say a single bad word about this book.. apart from I need book 2 already 🙈😂
This book is amazing and I was hooked from the very beginning. The storyline is so unique and I haven’t read something like this where there is so much confusion on who is telling the truth and who is lying. All the trickery, deals, alliances and who can you trust?
I couldn’t put this down as I just had to read to find out what was coming next, because there was always something happening. I never knew where the plot of this book was going to go, it had so many twists.
The book was so well written by the author that it completely captivated me and held my interest the whole way through the book. The ending was done beautifully, yes it was a cliffhanger (due to being a series) but it was done at the perfect time and just finished the book on the right note.
I will be recommending this book to everyone and anyone I speak to as it was 10 stars out of 5 😍 I will also be purchasing the hardback as honestly it is worth every single penny 🖤
*I received this book as an ARC, however this review is my own honest opinion*
September 5, 2024
“Mortal Queens” by Victoria McCombs (@victoria_mccombs)
5⭐
Genre: Fantasy
Format: eARC
To say that I LOVED this book would be an understatement. I genuinely don’t think that I have the words to describe all of my feelings for this book. So let me put it this way: it’s put me in my first reading slump since December of 2021. (p.s. It was my 98th read of this year, so that’s saying something.)
The world building was PERFECT 🤌🏻 Think Caraval meets The Cruel Prince meets Lightlark. There’s political intrigue, there’s romance, there’s a very large secret puzzle that I was dying to solve.
I love when books jump right into the thick of it, and this one did not disappoint. There’s the perfect amount of backstory that the reader knows exactly what is going on, and Victoria continues to expound on it throughout the book. It’s impossible not to love Thea and Bash together. I mean, he’s a morally gray king, what’s not to love?
I have never wanted to immediately reread a book after finishing it, but I’ve had to stop myself from picking it back up.
Read MQ if you like:
♟ Forbidden romance
♟ Puzzles/secrets
♟ Whimsy settings
♟ Strong family bonds
♟ Clean, dark fantasy
Ps – This book was gifted to me by the author and publisher, but this review is entirely honest and my own opinion.
5⭐
Genre: Fantasy
Format: eARC
To say that I LOVED this book would be an understatement. I genuinely don’t think that I have the words to describe all of my feelings for this book. So let me put it this way: it’s put me in my first reading slump since December of 2021. (p.s. It was my 98th read of this year, so that’s saying something.)
The world building was PERFECT 🤌🏻 Think Caraval meets The Cruel Prince meets Lightlark. There’s political intrigue, there’s romance, there’s a very large secret puzzle that I was dying to solve.
I love when books jump right into the thick of it, and this one did not disappoint. There’s the perfect amount of backstory that the reader knows exactly what is going on, and Victoria continues to expound on it throughout the book. It’s impossible not to love Thea and Bash together. I mean, he’s a morally gray king, what’s not to love?
I have never wanted to immediately reread a book after finishing it, but I’ve had to stop myself from picking it back up.
Read MQ if you like:
♟ Forbidden romance
♟ Puzzles/secrets
♟ Whimsy settings
♟ Strong family bonds
♟ Clean, dark fantasy
Ps – This book was gifted to me by the author and publisher, but this review is entirely honest and my own opinion.
February 11, 2025
Oh Wow!
This was an epic read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.
I am really new to Fae fantasy. So it was fun to discover how Victoria used that culture in this. I thought she did a great job at including descriptions without going over the top.
I loved the mystery, and how strong and independent Thea's character is, while still being feminine.
Definitely will be on my favorites shelf. And have already started book 2. Looking forward to reading the rest of Victoria's backlist.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed door-passionate kissing (not very descriptive)
Violence/gore: Mild-death, neck gets snapped
Substance use: maybe wine drinking (in celebration)
Prejudices: none
Religious Themes: none, other than the mortals borderline worship the fae (a fictional fantasy culture)
Other: magic,
This was an epic read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.
I am really new to Fae fantasy. So it was fun to discover how Victoria used that culture in this. I thought she did a great job at including descriptions without going over the top.
I loved the mystery, and how strong and independent Thea's character is, while still being feminine.
Definitely will be on my favorites shelf. And have already started book 2. Looking forward to reading the rest of Victoria's backlist.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed door-passionate kissing (not very descriptive)
Violence/gore: Mild-death, neck gets snapped
Substance use: maybe wine drinking (in celebration)
Prejudices: none
Religious Themes: none, other than the mortals borderline worship the fae (a fictional fantasy culture)
Other: magic,
May 19, 2024
I need the next book now!! That cliffhanger is a killer. But what an amazing book! I could not put this one down. What a great book about the fae with Gothic vibes. It reminded me of some secular YA books I like, but without the content. I love that it kept me guessing.
⚠️I was so engrossed in the book that I didn’t keep close track of content. It was with either a PG or PG-13. Nothing major content wise.
⚠️I was so engrossed in the book that I didn’t keep close track of content. It was with either a PG or PG-13. Nothing major content wise.
March 18, 2025
This book has sat on my tbr for a long time but wow do I wish I read it sooner! It has fae, magic worlds, puzzles, queens and kings, friendships and betrayal, love and lies: everything you could ask for.
The story is set in a world where every year a girl from the mortal realm is chosen to be the fae realms new queen. It’s an honor to be chosen and exciting for all girls on choosing days to possibly be the one who is taken away to rule over the fae. Little do they know the lies, deceit, betrayal, secrets and multiple agendas that await those chosen.
This story is enticing from page one and all the way till the end (I finished it in one day, that should show you how much I liked it)
No complaints! Oh, also it’s clean, no language or smut.!
The story is set in a world where every year a girl from the mortal realm is chosen to be the fae realms new queen. It’s an honor to be chosen and exciting for all girls on choosing days to possibly be the one who is taken away to rule over the fae. Little do they know the lies, deceit, betrayal, secrets and multiple agendas that await those chosen.
This story is enticing from page one and all the way till the end (I finished it in one day, that should show you how much I liked it)
No complaints! Oh, also it’s clean, no language or smut.!
July 19, 2025
What a fun and unique adventure!
Mortal Queens is the first book in The Fae Dynasty series and I adored it👑
Althea has dreamed all her life of being chosen as the Mortal Queen by the mysterious fae who come to her home island every year to choose their queen. When the awaited day comes, and she is selected as the next Mortal Queen, Althea is thrown into the fae realm and discovers that all is not what it appears. As she learns more about the fae and what happens every year to the Mortal girls who leave and never return, Althea begins to fear for her life.
This book sucked me in! I enjoyed the world building and characters. The deals and tricks Althea is faced with, along with a mysterious fae king, kept me turning the pages. I loved it and can't wait to start the next book❤️
Mortal Queens is the first book in The Fae Dynasty series and I adored it👑
Althea has dreamed all her life of being chosen as the Mortal Queen by the mysterious fae who come to her home island every year to choose their queen. When the awaited day comes, and she is selected as the next Mortal Queen, Althea is thrown into the fae realm and discovers that all is not what it appears. As she learns more about the fae and what happens every year to the Mortal girls who leave and never return, Althea begins to fear for her life.
This book sucked me in! I enjoyed the world building and characters. The deals and tricks Althea is faced with, along with a mysterious fae king, kept me turning the pages. I loved it and can't wait to start the next book❤️
January 3, 2024
I received a precious paperback arc from Enclave and immediately started reading. Finished it so fast! Wow!
Such a sparkling, vivid, and twisty tale. All the double crossing and mystery, really, who can you trust? Mortal Queens was/is my most anticipated book of 2024 and it did not disappoint. Preorder this now!
Such a sparkling, vivid, and twisty tale. All the double crossing and mystery, really, who can you trust? Mortal Queens was/is my most anticipated book of 2024 and it did not disappoint. Preorder this now!
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