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Casters & Crowns #1
Casters and Crowns
Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin?
Foreword Reviews Starred "An enthralling fantasy novel... in which teenagers navigate grief and discord to find love and acceptance."
"Refreshing. Intricate. Slow-burn romance. Rich prose." --Kirkus
When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.
Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows to not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.
Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.
As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.
Foreword Reviews Starred "An enthralling fantasy novel... in which teenagers navigate grief and discord to find love and acceptance."
"Refreshing. Intricate. Slow-burn romance. Rich prose." --Kirkus
When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.
Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows to not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.
Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.
As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
84 people are currently reading
7594 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowham
5 books198 followersElizabeth (Liz) Lowham dreams of a future house that is seventy-percent library with at least three lavish window seats. Her reality is five bookshelves and a rocking chair, which isn’t so bad. She is the author of Beauty Reborn, Astra Remade, and Casters & Crowns. She has a BA in English from BYUI.
Learn more at www.elizabethlowham.com
Learn more at www.elizabethlowham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
September 27, 2025
This book was so insanely well written and well plotted I’m actually blown away. The way that this book was a million times better than any of those viral mediocre fantasy books on tiktok and will probably not reach even an ounce of popularity of those books physically pains me. This is one of my favorite Netgalley arcs I have ever reviewed and I have reviewed a ton of them over the past few years. This one I’m going to remember.
I’m a simple girl. I see the word “princess” in the synopsis and I want to read it. Sure this is not technically a fairytale (which is more of my thing) and is a fantasy, but seeing that this is about a princess made me perk up. Though this is technically a fantasy, it very much felt like a fairytale (that isn’t a retelling) rather than a fantasy EXACTLY WHAT I LOOK FOR as that is the only kind of fantasy I typically like. There are definitely fairytale elements in this (namely sleeping beauty) with a deadly curse that reminded me somewhat of sleeping beauty’s curse. The curse itself is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read in a fairytale or fantasy, where instead of sleeping for 100 years, Princess Aria is cursed to be unable to sleep over the course of 100 days, until she wastes away and dies. Which, after that, it would pass onto her sister and everyone else until her entire family on the King’s side is dead. And worse, the curse forbids she tells anyone so she can’t even ask for help. The story itself was so creative, I had zero clue how she was going to get out of this.
I am really iffy when it comes to fantasy because it’s not my thing, but fairytales 100% are. Yet, I never fully write off fantasy because some fantasy feels like a fairytale does, but it’s like playing Russian roulette trying them sometimes because you never really know for sure from the synopsis, but I had a great feeling about this before starting this one and I was right. From the get go this very felt like a fairytale that just happens to not be a retelling (a fairytale doesn’t have to be a retelling to be considered a fairytale!) I could tell after the first few pages that this book was going to be my sort of thing! The magic is not overly complicated, and you get a taste of royal life of a princess just like you would in a fairytale. The world building is done well and is not overly complicated like some fantasy tends to be.
Princess Aria is so likable, which is refreshing because I have disliked about 80% of all heroines in the fantasy novels I have tried. It just goes back to the fact that to me, this felt more of a fairytale than a fantasy which is why I liked it so much, and that even applies to the characterization of the heroine. I’m so sick of the females in fantasy being all blood thirsty and trained to be violent fighters and “I’ve killed 12 men before the age of 16” with all aggression and bite. Sure that’s ok every now and again but why does almost every mainstream fantasy character have to be that way? It’s not relatable, an old and tired way of writing female characters, and frankly annoying. Bring back soft characters in fantasy like Aria!
Aria felt more like a fairytale princess than a commercial fantasy princess, which is a good thing because it makes her far more likable. She is far more relatable than other heroines in those mainstream fantasy books, because while those characters tend to be overly confident and bulldoze over everyone to have their way, Aria has doubts about her worthiness to be a good ruler and feels like she needs to prove herself. She is timid about standing up for what she thinks is right, but pushes through not because of a “I’m going to do what I want, so fuck off” attitude, but because she wants to prove herself to the council and her father despite her self doubts. Sure it all goes wrong and sets off the events of the curse, but what I like about her is that she struggles with talking herself out of ideas she has to help her people, because like everyone else in the world, she has self doubts. She isn’t all overbearing confidence and physical aggression, aka the most annoying type of character ever. Aria is a character I would actually get along with irl and want to be friends with.
This book rides the line between the fairytale and fantasy genre, so I think people who don’t normally enjoy fantasy could like this one. The magic system is unique but not complicated or overly confusing. This is one of the few fantasy’s that I’ve enjoyed and one of the rare occasions I’ve given one anything above 3 stars. I like Elizabeth Loham’s writing style and I have her books on my radar now. Now can we get a sequel about Princess Eliza?
Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
I’m a simple girl. I see the word “princess” in the synopsis and I want to read it. Sure this is not technically a fairytale (which is more of my thing) and is a fantasy, but seeing that this is about a princess made me perk up. Though this is technically a fantasy, it very much felt like a fairytale (that isn’t a retelling) rather than a fantasy EXACTLY WHAT I LOOK FOR as that is the only kind of fantasy I typically like. There are definitely fairytale elements in this (namely sleeping beauty) with a deadly curse that reminded me somewhat of sleeping beauty’s curse. The curse itself is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read in a fairytale or fantasy, where instead of sleeping for 100 years, Princess Aria is cursed to be unable to sleep over the course of 100 days, until she wastes away and dies. Which, after that, it would pass onto her sister and everyone else until her entire family on the King’s side is dead. And worse, the curse forbids she tells anyone so she can’t even ask for help. The story itself was so creative, I had zero clue how she was going to get out of this.
I am really iffy when it comes to fantasy because it’s not my thing, but fairytales 100% are. Yet, I never fully write off fantasy because some fantasy feels like a fairytale does, but it’s like playing Russian roulette trying them sometimes because you never really know for sure from the synopsis, but I had a great feeling about this before starting this one and I was right. From the get go this very felt like a fairytale that just happens to not be a retelling (a fairytale doesn’t have to be a retelling to be considered a fairytale!) I could tell after the first few pages that this book was going to be my sort of thing! The magic is not overly complicated, and you get a taste of royal life of a princess just like you would in a fairytale. The world building is done well and is not overly complicated like some fantasy tends to be.
Princess Aria is so likable, which is refreshing because I have disliked about 80% of all heroines in the fantasy novels I have tried. It just goes back to the fact that to me, this felt more of a fairytale than a fantasy which is why I liked it so much, and that even applies to the characterization of the heroine. I’m so sick of the females in fantasy being all blood thirsty and trained to be violent fighters and “I’ve killed 12 men before the age of 16” with all aggression and bite. Sure that’s ok every now and again but why does almost every mainstream fantasy character have to be that way? It’s not relatable, an old and tired way of writing female characters, and frankly annoying. Bring back soft characters in fantasy like Aria!
Aria felt more like a fairytale princess than a commercial fantasy princess, which is a good thing because it makes her far more likable. She is far more relatable than other heroines in those mainstream fantasy books, because while those characters tend to be overly confident and bulldoze over everyone to have their way, Aria has doubts about her worthiness to be a good ruler and feels like she needs to prove herself. She is timid about standing up for what she thinks is right, but pushes through not because of a “I’m going to do what I want, so fuck off” attitude, but because she wants to prove herself to the council and her father despite her self doubts. Sure it all goes wrong and sets off the events of the curse, but what I like about her is that she struggles with talking herself out of ideas she has to help her people, because like everyone else in the world, she has self doubts. She isn’t all overbearing confidence and physical aggression, aka the most annoying type of character ever. Aria is a character I would actually get along with irl and want to be friends with.
This book rides the line between the fairytale and fantasy genre, so I think people who don’t normally enjoy fantasy could like this one. The magic system is unique but not complicated or overly confusing. This is one of the few fantasy’s that I’ve enjoyed and one of the rare occasions I’ve given one anything above 3 stars. I like Elizabeth Loham’s writing style and I have her books on my radar now. Now can we get a sequel about Princess Eliza?
Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
October 1, 2024
'I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do.'
Friends, this is THE FANTASY BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!!
I legit cannot get enough of this one. I loved the world building, the characters, the plot, the magic, the spells and the romance!!
This book started off right from the beginning with a curse being cast and a princess determined to save her kingdom. This book had every element that I love in a fantasy read and completely within my comfort zone - if you read a lot of fantasy, you know this is a difficult find.
I easily recommend this book for teens and up! This is a favorite read of the year and will be a forever reread every fall!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Trigger: magic/curses, mention of different types of magic, mention of an off-page execution, loss of a loved one/grief, mention of an illegitimate daughter, romance-kisses only.
Friends, this is THE FANTASY BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!!
I legit cannot get enough of this one. I loved the world building, the characters, the plot, the magic, the spells and the romance!!
This book started off right from the beginning with a curse being cast and a princess determined to save her kingdom. This book had every element that I love in a fantasy read and completely within my comfort zone - if you read a lot of fantasy, you know this is a difficult find.
I easily recommend this book for teens and up! This is a favorite read of the year and will be a forever reread every fall!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Trigger: magic/curses, mention of different types of magic, mention of an off-page execution, loss of a loved one/grief, mention of an illegitimate daughter, romance-kisses only.
October 3, 2024
This book is absolutely epic! Casters and Crowns has to be one of my favorite fantasy/fairytale retellings yet! I loved this uniquely subtle, clever twist on two favorite fairytales! Reading this book reminded me of when I read Harry Potter for the first time. It has fantastic world building, amazing characters you want to cheer for, a lovely heartfelt slow build romance, and a plot that completely drew me in. Part Sleeping Beauty, part 12 Dancing Princesses, I loved the clever nods to these two favorite fairytales while being completely unique.
Crown Princess Aria’s kingdom is on the brink of war between the Casters, those gifted with magical abilities, & the non-magical. To prove her capabilities to her father the King, Aria seeks out the Widow Morton, a powerful Caster who is pushing for war, to try to negotiate peace. But instead of finding a willing ally, she is cursed for the next 100 days to be unable to sleep until she wastes away and dies, then the curse will pass to her sister and so on until the King’s entire family is dead. Not able to tell anyone about the curse, Aria tries to find a powerful Caster to break the spell.
Baron Reeves is a talented Caster whose kind gentleness, and love of his brothers definitely wins Aria over. But can he be trusted? Baron’s hiding a terrible secret of his own. Though he has great abilities, he was unable to save someone he loved & worries he’ll be unable to help the Princess. As they race against time to break the curse, they grow closer together, but will they be able to save the Princess in time & unite the Kingdom.
Elizabeth Lowham has created such a brilliant book with beautiful prose, endearing characters, and a storyline that was impossible to put down. I loved Aria who’s so relatable. She’s a perfectionist who beats herself up for every little mistake. I loved seeing her recognize her capabilities and become more confident in herself. I adored Baron & his mischievous younger brothers. He was such a kind, thoughtful person. I loved the notes he sent & the way he believed in Aria’s mission & goals.
The twists in this story were so good. I enjoy a morally gray villain whose motives are sympathetic even though the way they go about things is completely wrong. I loved the dramatic tension leading up to an exciting magical conclusion.
Highly recommend to romantsy, fantasy, and fairytale lovers. It was such a delightful story. I hope to see this world continue! I can’t wait to see what adventures Aria & Baron will get up to next. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Crown Princess Aria’s kingdom is on the brink of war between the Casters, those gifted with magical abilities, & the non-magical. To prove her capabilities to her father the King, Aria seeks out the Widow Morton, a powerful Caster who is pushing for war, to try to negotiate peace. But instead of finding a willing ally, she is cursed for the next 100 days to be unable to sleep until she wastes away and dies, then the curse will pass to her sister and so on until the King’s entire family is dead. Not able to tell anyone about the curse, Aria tries to find a powerful Caster to break the spell.
Baron Reeves is a talented Caster whose kind gentleness, and love of his brothers definitely wins Aria over. But can he be trusted? Baron’s hiding a terrible secret of his own. Though he has great abilities, he was unable to save someone he loved & worries he’ll be unable to help the Princess. As they race against time to break the curse, they grow closer together, but will they be able to save the Princess in time & unite the Kingdom.
Elizabeth Lowham has created such a brilliant book with beautiful prose, endearing characters, and a storyline that was impossible to put down. I loved Aria who’s so relatable. She’s a perfectionist who beats herself up for every little mistake. I loved seeing her recognize her capabilities and become more confident in herself. I adored Baron & his mischievous younger brothers. He was such a kind, thoughtful person. I loved the notes he sent & the way he believed in Aria’s mission & goals.
The twists in this story were so good. I enjoy a morally gray villain whose motives are sympathetic even though the way they go about things is completely wrong. I loved the dramatic tension leading up to an exciting magical conclusion.
Highly recommend to romantsy, fantasy, and fairytale lovers. It was such a delightful story. I hope to see this world continue! I can’t wait to see what adventures Aria & Baron will get up to next. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
January 9, 2025
This was a random pick from the library, and it’s surprisingly SO good! First of all, it’s a standalone so major plus points! It’s a YA romantasy with a unique magic system and a fun twist on a Sleeping Beauty-style curse.
Reasons why I loved this book:
- Epistolary format ... love letters delivered by birds!
- She falls first, he falls harder
- Slow burn, no explicit scenes
- Anxiety rep
- Fascinating magic system/curse
- Sibling bond
- Green flag MMC
- Antics of the MMC's twin younger brothers
- Character arc of the FMC
- A satisfying HEA ending
Casters and Crowns is a delightful read that hits all the right notes for a fantasy lover. It’s the perfect blend of magic, romance, and adventure. Highly recommended!
Reasons why I loved this book:
- Epistolary format ... love letters delivered by birds!
- She falls first, he falls harder
- Slow burn, no explicit scenes
- Anxiety rep
- Fascinating magic system/curse
- Sibling bond
- Green flag MMC
- Antics of the MMC's twin younger brothers
- Character arc of the FMC
- A satisfying HEA ending
"We all get it wrong, so perhaps the answer is simply mercy. Mercy for others, and mercy for ourselves. Besides that, walking forward is an ongoing path that doesn’t end at a mistake. There’s time to mend what can be mended, to improve at the next opportunity. You’re strong enough for that."
Casters and Crowns is a delightful read that hits all the right notes for a fantasy lover. It’s the perfect blend of magic, romance, and adventure. Highly recommended!
October 11, 2024
4 Stars ✨
Clean Romantasy
“'I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do.”
Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin?
Audio Narration 🎧 5/5 ✨
In Casters and Crowns, we have a Kingdom that has strict laws against those with magic, in which they call - Casters. The King had one of the Casters put to death, and Widow Morton has never forgotten. Princess Aria thinks she can change her father’s mind and make peace with the widow, so she takes it upon herself to seek peace. Instead of getting peace, she leaves with a curse to last 100 days, one where she will be unable to sleep- and if she doesn’t break the curse, it will pass to her sister until every member in the kings line is dead. Unable to break the curse on her own, and with little knowledge of magic, she must seek help from another Caster- the Charming Baron Reeves. The only question is, can a magic user be trusted?
While things were a little shaky for me at the start due to some pacing, , I ended up really enjoying this cute romance. Some aspects of the story reminded me a little of a Sleeping Beauty retelling. The writing was simple and sweet and I really liked the characters- Barons brothers in particular. Even though the magic system itself wasn’t anything new- the author did have unique elements that were presented, which gave it a fresh feel. I liked how the main focus of the book seemed to be Aria finding herself and gaining confidence in who she is outside of her fathers shadow. Overall, this was a clean, wholesome, feel good romatasy and I would recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Casters and Crowns, in exchange for an honest review.
Clean Romantasy
“'I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do.”
Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin?
Audio Narration 🎧 5/5 ✨
In Casters and Crowns, we have a Kingdom that has strict laws against those with magic, in which they call - Casters. The King had one of the Casters put to death, and Widow Morton has never forgotten. Princess Aria thinks she can change her father’s mind and make peace with the widow, so she takes it upon herself to seek peace. Instead of getting peace, she leaves with a curse to last 100 days, one where she will be unable to sleep- and if she doesn’t break the curse, it will pass to her sister until every member in the kings line is dead. Unable to break the curse on her own, and with little knowledge of magic, she must seek help from another Caster- the Charming Baron Reeves. The only question is, can a magic user be trusted?
While things were a little shaky for me at the start due to some pacing, , I ended up really enjoying this cute romance. Some aspects of the story reminded me a little of a Sleeping Beauty retelling. The writing was simple and sweet and I really liked the characters- Barons brothers in particular. Even though the magic system itself wasn’t anything new- the author did have unique elements that were presented, which gave it a fresh feel. I liked how the main focus of the book seemed to be Aria finding herself and gaining confidence in who she is outside of her fathers shadow. Overall, this was a clean, wholesome, feel good romatasy and I would recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Casters and Crowns, in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2024
Honestly… honestly… this book blew me away. This magic system is straightforward but original. The heroine undergoes an authentic change of heart. The villain is stubborn pride itself. The hero was once a coward but like is it ever our fault if trauma freezes us to the spot? I know none of this makes sense. My mind is still freezing over how much I enjoyed this.
One of my favorite things to experience in reading is a well established magic system that anyone can eventually understand. If I have to have a phd in hard times and isolation to understand what’s going on in a fantasy novel, I’ll just abandon it. This was one of the most unique magical systems I’ve read, and it’s simple enough to be understood. I LOVE that it obviously has layers of history to it that are revealed slowly, and that are still being revealed. I need this to be a series.
This is found family and a healed existing one. Or one running toward healing. It’s just a really well fleshed out narrative in a thoughtfully constructed world.
Spice: 🫑 kisses only
CW: it’s fantasy, so—- murder, mayhem, etc
One of my favorite things to experience in reading is a well established magic system that anyone can eventually understand. If I have to have a phd in hard times and isolation to understand what’s going on in a fantasy novel, I’ll just abandon it. This was one of the most unique magical systems I’ve read, and it’s simple enough to be understood. I LOVE that it obviously has layers of history to it that are revealed slowly, and that are still being revealed. I need this to be a series.
This is found family and a healed existing one. Or one running toward healing. It’s just a really well fleshed out narrative in a thoughtfully constructed world.
Spice: 🫑 kisses only
CW: it’s fantasy, so—- murder, mayhem, etc
November 21, 2024
This was a great Young Adult Fantasy. The Romance between Aria and Baron was very slow burn, but also so sweet. I loved the unique magic with the Casters and Shifters. Baron’s 13 year old shifter twin brothers were so funny and endearing. I really liked the ending. It felt like it took a little while to pick up but once it did I thought it came together great. Everything wrapped up without a cliffhanger but made me want to know what comes next in their world. I will definitely pick up the companion novel that follows.
((The audio was very well done with great dual narration))
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the Advanced Listeners Copy.
((The audio was very well done with great dual narration))
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the Advanced Listeners Copy.
October 4, 2024
Very cute romantasy! It reads a bit like a classic fairy tale which I loved. The characters were well fleshed out and I couldn't help but fall in love with every one of them. The writing was great! It's a solid fantasy all around!
The audiobook was excellent! I love when we have dual narrators!
thank you netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook for an honest review!
The audiobook was excellent! I love when we have dual narrators!
thank you netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook for an honest review!
July 15, 2025
The story definitely held my attention…although I felt I was more invested at the beginning of the book than I was at the end. Definitely some plot twists I didn’t expect which made this story even more interesting.
On the subject of the characters I’m not sure how I feel about the FMC…there were times I enjoyed her character mainly when it came to her duties as the royal heir. But when it came to the romance aspect I didn’t love her at certain moments. Maybe this has more to do with how I felt about the MMC. He’s a lord/baron/ it’s complicated unless you read the story…when it came to the subject of his character he was honorable and masculine but in my opinion I didn’t love how he handled his relationship with Aria. It felt as if he was letting Aria lead the relationship. She initiated their connection (not always a bad thing) and was the one to be more forward. He just seemed cowardly to me in that one aspect. Along with his trauma regarding his father. I just didn’t expect him to be the more “damaged” one out of the two. I’m just not sure what I thought of that.
Besides that I wish the book had a sequel with the two same characters. The ending felt rushed and so what was interesting and captivating (such as the magic system and the actual conflict of the story) was wrapped up to quickly. Maybe I expected too much but it would have been so epic if the history of the kingdom and magic aspect were focused on more.
I will say I loved seeing Barons brothers and appreciated their relationship. They definitely made me snicker once or twice.
Anyways if you love royalty, magic, and sibling relationships you would most likely enjoy this book 👑✨🪶
On the subject of the characters I’m not sure how I feel about the FMC…there were times I enjoyed her character mainly when it came to her duties as the royal heir. But when it came to the romance aspect I didn’t love her at certain moments. Maybe this has more to do with how I felt about the MMC. He’s a lord/baron/ it’s complicated unless you read the story…when it came to the subject of his character he was honorable and masculine but in my opinion I didn’t love how he handled his relationship with Aria. It felt as if he was letting Aria lead the relationship. She initiated their connection (not always a bad thing) and was the one to be more forward. He just seemed cowardly to me in that one aspect. Along with his trauma regarding his father. I just didn’t expect him to be the more “damaged” one out of the two. I’m just not sure what I thought of that.
Besides that I wish the book had a sequel with the two same characters. The ending felt rushed and so what was interesting and captivating (such as the magic system and the actual conflict of the story) was wrapped up to quickly. Maybe I expected too much but it would have been so epic if the history of the kingdom and magic aspect were focused on more.
I will say I loved seeing Barons brothers and appreciated their relationship. They definitely made me snicker once or twice.
Anyways if you love royalty, magic, and sibling relationships you would most likely enjoy this book 👑✨🪶
January 31, 2025
This book surprised me, in the best way. It was exceptionally well-written and I fell in love with the characters… especially Corvin and Leon. It was sweet and heartfelt and made me happy.
May 22, 2025
Okay. I LOVED this book. This is the kind of book-reading experience that reminds me why I love reading. It is a simple story told really well. There was a sincerity to the storytelling that I've been missing in today's media climate.
Aria and Baron were both great main characters. I love characters falling in love via letter writing! And Aria and Baron's letters were top tier. Then they were relevant to the curse! Baron and Aria's struggles and growth felt authentic. Some parts hit harder than I expected. I might have related too much to Aria's struggle with perfectionism... Who knew that was lurking with all of my other struggles...
Baron's twin brothers are the secret sauce that made everything work exceptionally well. They sent Aria the first letter that kicked off the letter writing. They were great in their interactions with both Baron and Aria. Their chaos added to the mix beautifully.
I've read a lot of books like this where they are trying to change the laws around magic and such and it turns out that the princess is secretly magical. I really appreciate that this book didn't do that. Aria didn't have secret magic. She wanted to make the kingdom better for magic users because she wants what is best for ALL of her subjects. Her motives were love and kindness, not because she had a personal stake in the outcome.
I liked the message. It could have been saccharine, but it came across with perfect earnestness that landed for me. Love and kindness win the day. The treatment of the villains was also great. They weren't evil but acting from a place of pain and fear and grief.
The pacing of this book was near perfect. The author is a true master of her craft. It is not a long book, but it feels like a much longer book (in the best way possible). The writing covers a lot of ground very efficiently and effectively.
And my whole experience with this book was a little magical for me. I found this while wandering in an indie bookstore (no internet recs to lead me astray). It looked interesting, so I bought it. Read it. Loved it. Then two of my friends have read it and loved it as well. This magic is what I've been missing from reading lately.
Aria and Baron were both great main characters. I love characters falling in love via letter writing! And Aria and Baron's letters were top tier. Then they were relevant to the curse! Baron and Aria's struggles and growth felt authentic. Some parts hit harder than I expected. I might have related too much to Aria's struggle with perfectionism... Who knew that was lurking with all of my other struggles...
Baron's twin brothers are the secret sauce that made everything work exceptionally well. They sent Aria the first letter that kicked off the letter writing. They were great in their interactions with both Baron and Aria. Their chaos added to the mix beautifully.
I've read a lot of books like this where they are trying to change the laws around magic and such and it turns out that the princess is secretly magical. I really appreciate that this book didn't do that. Aria didn't have secret magic. She wanted to make the kingdom better for magic users because she wants what is best for ALL of her subjects. Her motives were love and kindness, not because she had a personal stake in the outcome.
I liked the message. It could have been saccharine, but it came across with perfect earnestness that landed for me. Love and kindness win the day. The treatment of the villains was also great. They weren't evil but acting from a place of pain and fear and grief.
The pacing of this book was near perfect. The author is a true master of her craft. It is not a long book, but it feels like a much longer book (in the best way possible). The writing covers a lot of ground very efficiently and effectively.
And my whole experience with this book was a little magical for me. I found this while wandering in an indie bookstore (no internet recs to lead me astray). It looked interesting, so I bought it. Read it. Loved it. Then two of my friends have read it and loved it as well. This magic is what I've been missing from reading lately.
October 18, 2024
Dear Ms. Lowham,
Holy mackerel! This book is phenomenal! It has everything a person could want in a fantasy romance: an interesting magic system, a flawed but good hero, a flawed but determined heroine, a compelling antagonist, and tension in spades. I loved that both protagonists act their age, with the knowledge that they were raised with specific expectations that forced them to grow up a little quicker, but they are t shallow, thoughtless, or selfish. They are both engaging, interesting characters, with depth and fantastic character arcs, that only led me to love them more.
I genuinely love when an author creates a problem I cannot figure out how to solve. And you did just that that! Also, the way you built your magic system and Baron’s brothers was perfection. I loved every minute with the two of them.
Aria is clever! Despite her mistakes, I loved that she tried to make things right and genuinely cared for her people. And she really was smart and open minded, all of which make her even better. I loved her! I also couldn’t help but love Baron right away. His protective nature and desire to stand up for his brothers and for what is right was fantastic. Aria and Baron were so perfect for each other. The forbidden aspect of their romance was very well done, and I loved how their affection and friendship grew before their love did. Also, I adore epistolary romance, so I loved that that trope was included. The fact that it was very uniquely done made it even better.
There were a few twists in this one that really surprised me! And the ending kept me completely on my toes.
I don’t read many fantasies, but I am so, so glad I did with this one, because it was incredible! I’m completely in love, and it is easily going down as a favorite read of the year for me. Brava, Ms. Lowham! I look forward to reading more of your work!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Holy mackerel! This book is phenomenal! It has everything a person could want in a fantasy romance: an interesting magic system, a flawed but good hero, a flawed but determined heroine, a compelling antagonist, and tension in spades. I loved that both protagonists act their age, with the knowledge that they were raised with specific expectations that forced them to grow up a little quicker, but they are t shallow, thoughtless, or selfish. They are both engaging, interesting characters, with depth and fantastic character arcs, that only led me to love them more.
I genuinely love when an author creates a problem I cannot figure out how to solve. And you did just that that! Also, the way you built your magic system and Baron’s brothers was perfection. I loved every minute with the two of them.
Aria is clever! Despite her mistakes, I loved that she tried to make things right and genuinely cared for her people. And she really was smart and open minded, all of which make her even better. I loved her! I also couldn’t help but love Baron right away. His protective nature and desire to stand up for his brothers and for what is right was fantastic. Aria and Baron were so perfect for each other. The forbidden aspect of their romance was very well done, and I loved how their affection and friendship grew before their love did. Also, I adore epistolary romance, so I loved that that trope was included. The fact that it was very uniquely done made it even better.
There were a few twists in this one that really surprised me! And the ending kept me completely on my toes.
I don’t read many fantasies, but I am so, so glad I did with this one, because it was incredible! I’m completely in love, and it is easily going down as a favorite read of the year for me. Brava, Ms. Lowham! I look forward to reading more of your work!
Sincerely,
Jessica
May 1, 2025
4.5, pleasantly surprised by this book! Knew nothing about it going in, as I picked this physical copy up from the library for a “random library book” book club challenge and just thought the cover was pretty. I forget how much I love YA fantasy until I read a great book like this. Aria and Baron were so lovely and I loved the magic and relationships between all the characters and watching Aria stand up for herself and others. I loved Sleeping Beauty growing up, and this was a fun take on the story. I will definitely read the next book!
August 4, 2025
This was a beautiful fantasy/fairy tale retelling! The characters were multifaceted, the plot was fantastic, and I appreciate the overall message of standing for what is right and being strong enough to admit you were wrong. I highly recommend this clean, exciting tale!
"I stand tall, because even though they don't know who I am, I do."
"I stand tall, because even though they don't know who I am, I do."
Read
September 30, 2025A bit of a slow start but I really enjoyed it. 30 second book review here https://www.instagram.com/p/DPFWVsfEnKQ/
August 15, 2025
4 Stars.
🐦⬛ The vibes:
- unique magic
- Slow burn
- Forbidden romance
- YA fantasy
- letters
- Book 1 in interconnected standalones
- Closed door
🐦⬛ My thoughts:
A kingdom. A princess. A caster. A curse.
🐦⬛ This had an enjoyable slow burn romance element, but more than that it felt like a coming of age story. Princess Aria was really trying to figure out how to be an adult and also how to be a good leader. The clashing with her parents felt almost akin to a Disney princess. There were times I could understand both sides, and I was so curious how both sides would find a concession.
🐦⬛ Baron is a magic caster. While he is legally allowed to be a caster, the impact it has to his social standing is devastating. In a kingdom that fears and degrades casters, I found Baron to be so unmarred by it. He was precious. I cannot! 😭😭🫶🏼 What a standup young man. His character was so wholesome and admirable.
🐦⬛ I don’t totally understand the way the curse works but you know what? Sometimes the vibes are just there, and for me- the vibes were THERE. This was a book that felt like a slow avalanche. The further I got, the more I wanted to read it. I got more and more sucked in the farther I got. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Note- closed door
🐦⬛ The vibes:
- unique magic
- Slow burn
- Forbidden romance
- YA fantasy
- letters
- Book 1 in interconnected standalones
- Closed door
🐦⬛ My thoughts:
A kingdom. A princess. A caster. A curse.
🐦⬛ This had an enjoyable slow burn romance element, but more than that it felt like a coming of age story. Princess Aria was really trying to figure out how to be an adult and also how to be a good leader. The clashing with her parents felt almost akin to a Disney princess. There were times I could understand both sides, and I was so curious how both sides would find a concession.
🐦⬛ Baron is a magic caster. While he is legally allowed to be a caster, the impact it has to his social standing is devastating. In a kingdom that fears and degrades casters, I found Baron to be so unmarred by it. He was precious. I cannot! 😭😭🫶🏼 What a standup young man. His character was so wholesome and admirable.
🐦⬛ I don’t totally understand the way the curse works but you know what? Sometimes the vibes are just there, and for me- the vibes were THERE. This was a book that felt like a slow avalanche. The further I got, the more I wanted to read it. I got more and more sucked in the farther I got. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Note- closed door
October 6, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an audiobook arc of this book. This was a great fantasy book with a blossoming romance through tribulations. The story has an almost Sleeping Beauty like quality to it, but in an opposite way, if that makes sense. There is some elemental magic and shape shifting throughout the story, adding to the magical quality of the story. The characters were interesting and likable. It has a good meaning behind it as mistakes can be made throughout history, but as long as we progress and learn from our mistakes, positive changes can come about. The audiobook was great, and I really enjoyed the dual narration. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
May 13, 2024
I love this book. It’s my favorite one she has written so far! Honestly, it was just the right amount of love to adventure to fantasy. I loved the world she created and I loved the magic and can honestly say that there were several “I did not see that coming” moments!! Which I genuinely enjoy in books! Will there be a sequel Elizabeth?!!!!
December 15, 2024
This was really cute! It was very well written and I loved the characters. I believe the faults are more of a “me” problem. Mainly that the stakes/consequences didn’t seem that high. I would describe it more as a cozy fantasy romance which was still very enjoyable, but very much on the softer side of things.
December 16, 2024
PG
So good!!! This book has characters with interesting wounds, deep feelings, and unique personalities. The romance was swooney and perfectly proper. Elizabeth Lowham is quickly becoming a new favorite author.
So good!!! This book has characters with interesting wounds, deep feelings, and unique personalities. The romance was swooney and perfectly proper. Elizabeth Lowham is quickly becoming a new favorite author.
October 31, 2025
A captivating Romeo and Juliet meets Sleeping Beauty romantasy, except the leads are smarter than Romeo and Juliet and the beauty never sleeps.
As someone who has battled with (and continues fighting) perfectionism, I related immensely with Aria. The need to avoid mistakes whilst also trying to impossibly make everyone happy, is one I’m very familiar with. I adored the messaging around accepting that mistakes happen and being willing to learn from them rather than letting them tear you down is more important than perfection. “Practice makes PROGRESS”
The slow burn love story was also incredibly sweet and gave me all the warm fuzzies. A big Baron stan for sure. He’s like if Mr. Darcy had magic but had a warmer personality.
It was a bit of a wind up in the beginning but definitely worth a read.
As someone who has battled with (and continues fighting) perfectionism, I related immensely with Aria. The need to avoid mistakes whilst also trying to impossibly make everyone happy, is one I’m very familiar with. I adored the messaging around accepting that mistakes happen and being willing to learn from them rather than letting them tear you down is more important than perfection. “Practice makes PROGRESS”
The slow burn love story was also incredibly sweet and gave me all the warm fuzzies. A big Baron stan for sure. He’s like if Mr. Darcy had magic but had a warmer personality.
It was a bit of a wind up in the beginning but definitely worth a read.
September 25, 2024
Oh my goodness! What an exciting story and engaging world! This is my first from Ms. Lowham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This fantasy romance is full of character growth and discovery within an amazing fantasy world.
Aria was so relatable! I definitely felt her struggle to do the right thing and to fulfill her role as crown princess. She was a perfectionist and it bled into every aspect of her life. I loved her genuine desire to be what her people needed and her care for them. I also adored her relationship with her sister, as someone with sisters myself that is something I always enjoy. She grew so much over the story. Aria began to discover what she stood for and her own beliefs.
Baron was so sweet! I loved his sense of honor and his care for his brothers. He was so self-sacrificing for them. He was struggling to survive in a kingdom that distrusted him for the abilities he was born with. I admired his hopes for the future and his determination to work for the future he wanted for his family and the other Casters.
Aria and Baron’s friendship and romance grew slowly. I liked how it developed from their friendship and how they supported one another. They were truly able to provide strengths where the other was weaker. As the story continued, both Aria and Baron were challenged to evaluate their views and to strive toward the kingdom they wanted to live in. There were so many surprises along the way and I loved seeing the plot unfold. I loved so many of the side characters, especially their families. They were so full of character and life.
This is a standalone fantasy romance with some fantasy violence and only kissing. I would recommend it to older teens and up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Aria was so relatable! I definitely felt her struggle to do the right thing and to fulfill her role as crown princess. She was a perfectionist and it bled into every aspect of her life. I loved her genuine desire to be what her people needed and her care for them. I also adored her relationship with her sister, as someone with sisters myself that is something I always enjoy. She grew so much over the story. Aria began to discover what she stood for and her own beliefs.
Baron was so sweet! I loved his sense of honor and his care for his brothers. He was so self-sacrificing for them. He was struggling to survive in a kingdom that distrusted him for the abilities he was born with. I admired his hopes for the future and his determination to work for the future he wanted for his family and the other Casters.
Aria and Baron’s friendship and romance grew slowly. I liked how it developed from their friendship and how they supported one another. They were truly able to provide strengths where the other was weaker. As the story continued, both Aria and Baron were challenged to evaluate their views and to strive toward the kingdom they wanted to live in. There were so many surprises along the way and I loved seeing the plot unfold. I loved so many of the side characters, especially their families. They were so full of character and life.
This is a standalone fantasy romance with some fantasy violence and only kissing. I would recommend it to older teens and up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
January 15, 2025
This was actually pretty cute. Loved the storyline and the characters.
June 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
LOVEDD this book. It was like the perfect mix of intensity and coziness for a fantasy read.
Aria and Guillaume 😭❤️
It was so refreshing to have a clean fantasy with no icky scenes.
The friendships and sibling relationships were so nice to read about!
Highly recommend
LOVEDD this book. It was like the perfect mix of intensity and coziness for a fantasy read.
Aria and Guillaume 😭❤️
It was so refreshing to have a clean fantasy with no icky scenes.
The friendships and sibling relationships were so nice to read about!
Highly recommend
November 27, 2025
A delightfully cozy and miraculously CLEAN romantasy! Perfect for curling up on the couch this thanksgiving break.
September 30, 2024
“The difficult road forward is worth the journey.”
~Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom…
“With you, I can be myself. No, it is more than that - with you, I see the self I want to be.”
-Dear book friends, if you enjoy forbidden love, dual POV, traitorous plots, suspenseful moments, fantasy, a magical curse, love letters, royalty, outlawed magic, she falls first but he falls harder, twists and turns, great character growth, sleeping beauty vibes, and of course, a delightful swoony romance, than you absolutely need to read this captivating and unique story!📚✅ ✨
“Even if they don’t know who I am, I do.”
Casters and Crowns, is unique with its intriguing magic system and with such endearing layered characters that have such heart! While this story is considered fantasy, it feels and reads more like an enchanting fairytale with love sprinkled in along the way so, I would say it is more of a romantasy! You will thoroughly love the clever and creative ways in which this story is written and unfolds. It’s simply magical, delightful, and engaging! Watching dear characters completely risk and navigate their own grief while facing raging conflict with time ticking away, to finding love, unity, and acceptance, truly was the best parts of this story for me! Also, I should mention that while there are no cliffhangers in this story, there are openings for another book and I am really hope that means a sequel. Regardless, this dear story is worth the read, any day!🙌🏻📚💯
“There’s time to mend what can be mended, to improve at the next opportunity. You’re strong enough to do it.”
-Content: some fighting (nothing graphic or overly violent), some talk of character getting hanged and characters getting branded with a mark, no swearing.
#castersandcrowns
#lizlowham
#worththeread
#allaboutthebestreads
“She counted herself lucky that whenever she was falling, he had the strength and willingness to catch her.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
~Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom…
“With you, I can be myself. No, it is more than that - with you, I see the self I want to be.”
-Dear book friends, if you enjoy forbidden love, dual POV, traitorous plots, suspenseful moments, fantasy, a magical curse, love letters, royalty, outlawed magic, she falls first but he falls harder, twists and turns, great character growth, sleeping beauty vibes, and of course, a delightful swoony romance, than you absolutely need to read this captivating and unique story!📚✅ ✨
“Even if they don’t know who I am, I do.”
Casters and Crowns, is unique with its intriguing magic system and with such endearing layered characters that have such heart! While this story is considered fantasy, it feels and reads more like an enchanting fairytale with love sprinkled in along the way so, I would say it is more of a romantasy! You will thoroughly love the clever and creative ways in which this story is written and unfolds. It’s simply magical, delightful, and engaging! Watching dear characters completely risk and navigate their own grief while facing raging conflict with time ticking away, to finding love, unity, and acceptance, truly was the best parts of this story for me! Also, I should mention that while there are no cliffhangers in this story, there are openings for another book and I am really hope that means a sequel. Regardless, this dear story is worth the read, any day!🙌🏻📚💯
“There’s time to mend what can be mended, to improve at the next opportunity. You’re strong enough to do it.”
-Content: some fighting (nothing graphic or overly violent), some talk of character getting hanged and characters getting branded with a mark, no swearing.
#castersandcrowns
#lizlowham
#worththeread
#allaboutthebestreads
“She counted herself lucky that whenever she was falling, he had the strength and willingness to catch her.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
June 6, 2025
I was enthralled by this beautifully written book and now I feel an ache that it’s over. So well done, 5 stars for sure!
September 29, 2024
Wow! What a world, a new world created by Elizabeth Lowham, that I hope we haven’t read the last of. I see (and hope for) several more stories of the characters I am now totally invested in and care about.
Romantasy is the closest I can come to identifying the genre, but it is so much more. It does have a slow burn romantic element, and it is definitely fantasy, but there is so much more. The journey of self-discovery, patience with others and yourself, seeing the best in others despite differences, accepting mistakes and moving forward to correct them, and loving those who may seem unlovable, are just some of the things I learned and felt.
Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin?
DEDICATION: To the Pariahs and the perfectionists-- the difficult road forward is worth the journey."
"There can be no peace between tyrant and oppressed. I did not begin this war; it began three centuries ago with a brand. As you seared your cintempt into us, we at last sear our response into you: no more."
"Every sword ever forged is dangerous. It's a matter of who's wielding it, and I trust you to wield..."
"Regret does not erase foolishness."
"When I was 8, I started tracking my. mistakes. I thought it would help me learn from them. Instead, I 'm more aware of them, more trapped by them. Sometimes I believe they're all I'm capable of."
"Self-pity. Mark. Inability to stop marking. Mark Preferring marking flaws to fixing them. Mark. Mark. Mark."
"Most importantly, I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do. "
"She saw the best version of herself reflected in Baron's eyes."
"We all get it wrong," he said, voice softening, "so perhaps the answer is simply mercy. Mercy for others, and mercy for ourselves. Besides that, walking forward is an ongoing path that doesn't end at a mistake. There's time to mend what can be mended, to improve at the next opportunity. You're strong enough to do it."
"She counted herself lucky that whenever she was falling, he had the strength and willingness to catch her."
Thank you for the arc, the opinions are 100% my own.
Romantasy is the closest I can come to identifying the genre, but it is so much more. It does have a slow burn romantic element, and it is definitely fantasy, but there is so much more. The journey of self-discovery, patience with others and yourself, seeing the best in others despite differences, accepting mistakes and moving forward to correct them, and loving those who may seem unlovable, are just some of the things I learned and felt.
Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin?
DEDICATION: To the Pariahs and the perfectionists-- the difficult road forward is worth the journey."
"There can be no peace between tyrant and oppressed. I did not begin this war; it began three centuries ago with a brand. As you seared your cintempt into us, we at last sear our response into you: no more."
"Every sword ever forged is dangerous. It's a matter of who's wielding it, and I trust you to wield..."
"Regret does not erase foolishness."
"When I was 8, I started tracking my. mistakes. I thought it would help me learn from them. Instead, I 'm more aware of them, more trapped by them. Sometimes I believe they're all I'm capable of."
"Self-pity. Mark. Inability to stop marking. Mark Preferring marking flaws to fixing them. Mark. Mark. Mark."
"Most importantly, I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do. "
"She saw the best version of herself reflected in Baron's eyes."
"We all get it wrong," he said, voice softening, "so perhaps the answer is simply mercy. Mercy for others, and mercy for ourselves. Besides that, walking forward is an ongoing path that doesn't end at a mistake. There's time to mend what can be mended, to improve at the next opportunity. You're strong enough to do it."
"She counted herself lucky that whenever she was falling, he had the strength and willingness to catch her."
Thank you for the arc, the opinions are 100% my own.
October 6, 2024
Calling all Fantasy fans! This book pulled me in completely! Definitely one I recommend if you love a good Fantasy story. I can't wait to have my teens read it. Fabulous characters, captivating storyline, coming of age for several of the characters and a sweet love story that will have you cheering for their happily ever after.
Crown Princess Aria is an endearing character. She's trying to improve herself and trying to care for her people but feels like she just isn't doing it right. I loved watching her journey of self-discovery, in realizing her worth and importance and goodness and powers (not necessarily magical ones). I love how the author wove this throughout the story. And not just for Aria but for many of the characters. This is one of my favorite aspects of reading books. I love seeing characters learning who they are and figuring out how to stay true to themselves but not stay stagnate in their lives. You're going to love this one!
Baron. What can I say about him? So much! And yet, so little. I want you to experience his character for yourself. In a good way! I loved his character just as much as Aria's. They complement each other very well. Especially in their insecurities and shortcomings. But, never fear, they persevere and are wonderful together. *Happy Sigh* Oh, my heart!!! Love them!
There are twists and turns and interesting revelations and things brought to light that I never would have imagined. You won't want to stop turning the pages because there are many great surprises and goodies throughout the book. I love the relationships and the championing of each other! This is one that will leave you very happy and hoping for more!
Content: Clean. This book has nothing more than a couple of kisses. There are mild moments of peril. It is a Fantasy book so there are elements of magic and such.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Crown Princess Aria is an endearing character. She's trying to improve herself and trying to care for her people but feels like she just isn't doing it right. I loved watching her journey of self-discovery, in realizing her worth and importance and goodness and powers (not necessarily magical ones). I love how the author wove this throughout the story. And not just for Aria but for many of the characters. This is one of my favorite aspects of reading books. I love seeing characters learning who they are and figuring out how to stay true to themselves but not stay stagnate in their lives. You're going to love this one!
Baron. What can I say about him? So much! And yet, so little. I want you to experience his character for yourself. In a good way! I loved his character just as much as Aria's. They complement each other very well. Especially in their insecurities and shortcomings. But, never fear, they persevere and are wonderful together. *Happy Sigh* Oh, my heart!!! Love them!
There are twists and turns and interesting revelations and things brought to light that I never would have imagined. You won't want to stop turning the pages because there are many great surprises and goodies throughout the book. I love the relationships and the championing of each other! This is one that will leave you very happy and hoping for more!
Content: Clean. This book has nothing more than a couple of kisses. There are mild moments of peril. It is a Fantasy book so there are elements of magic and such.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
June 20, 2024
Context: I was given an ARC in return for an honest review, and I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to read it because I’d read Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham and loved it! I read mostly high/epic fantasy, thrillers, and some scifi.
Review: I adored this! I found it so relaxing to read and loved the dual POV. I haven’t read much cozy fantasy, and I think this fits those cozy vibes! Aria and Baron were both really engaging main characters, and their siblings were entertaining. Most of all, I loved how Aria and Baron grew and changed throughout the book, and how they mirrored each other. Aria and Baron are both trying to live up to their father’s image, one unyielding and a paragon of order and authority, and the other a supportive leader of his people yet flawed in how he supports his family - both trying to do what they see as best for their people/families. A theme that stood out to me is having mercy with yourself as you learn, and that learning comes with making mistakes and that’s alright. The ending wrapped up Baron and Aria’s story nicely, yet there were delicious hints at what life is like in other kingdoms and I’m hungry for more. If Lowham writes more books in this world, I will jump on them.
Review: I adored this! I found it so relaxing to read and loved the dual POV. I haven’t read much cozy fantasy, and I think this fits those cozy vibes! Aria and Baron were both really engaging main characters, and their siblings were entertaining. Most of all, I loved how Aria and Baron grew and changed throughout the book, and how they mirrored each other. Aria and Baron are both trying to live up to their father’s image, one unyielding and a paragon of order and authority, and the other a supportive leader of his people yet flawed in how he supports his family - both trying to do what they see as best for their people/families. A theme that stood out to me is having mercy with yourself as you learn, and that learning comes with making mistakes and that’s alright. The ending wrapped up Baron and Aria’s story nicely, yet there were delicious hints at what life is like in other kingdoms and I’m hungry for more. If Lowham writes more books in this world, I will jump on them.
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