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Midlife Fairy Tale #3
The Cloud Kingdom
Queen Sparrow’s goal of reuniting the Radiant fae with the Grym fae isn’t going the way she’d hoped. Brokering peace is hard to do when Queen Anyka, the woman who sits on the Grym throne, believes both kingdoms should be hers to rule.
Ro isn’t about to let that happen. Since recovering an ancient grimoire filled with dangerous dark magic, she understands better who and what she’s up against. Anyka craves possession of the grimoire and Ro knows why. Anyka wants to use the magic inside to take control of Ro’s kingdom. And eliminate Ro.
Ro seeks the help and possible alliance with the fire-breathing citizens of the Cloud Kingdom, but they might be as dangerous as the book she’d hidden from Anyka. If she can win them over, it would be a major victory.
The real question is can she get to the Cloud Kingdom alive? Someone is out to get her. And it might not be Anyka.
Ro isn’t about to let that happen. Since recovering an ancient grimoire filled with dangerous dark magic, she understands better who and what she’s up against. Anyka craves possession of the grimoire and Ro knows why. Anyka wants to use the magic inside to take control of Ro’s kingdom. And eliminate Ro.
Ro seeks the help and possible alliance with the fire-breathing citizens of the Cloud Kingdom, but they might be as dangerous as the book she’d hidden from Anyka. If she can win them over, it would be a major victory.
The real question is can she get to the Cloud Kingdom alive? Someone is out to get her. And it might not be Anyka.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2024
138 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Painter
187 books3,416 followersKristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes award-winning paranormal romance, paranormal women's fiction, and cozy mysteries. The former college English teacher can often be found on twitter @Kristen_Painter, Facebook at www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor where she loves to interact with readers and her blog: http://kristenpainter.com/blog/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 1, 2024
The Cloud Kingdom by Kristen Painter
Midlife Fairytale series #3. Paranormal women’s fiction. Best read in series order. Not yet a complete series.
Queen Sparrow has a goal of reuniting the Radiant fae with the Grym fae, but Queen Anyka thinks both kingdoms should be hers. Anyka thinks the answer is in the dark magic grimoire and she’ll do anything to get her hands on it.
War or peace?
🎧 I alternated reading between an ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by B J Harrison who does the full series. The voice is deep and varies per character as expected but with that, I had to increase the volume. I also listened to this narrator at 1.6 and could easily go higher. This speed at least matches my reading speed and regular conversation. There are specific voices for the two queens, the narrator voice, and characters that surround the scenes that make the whole entertaining. Emotions such as surprise and rage came through clearly. I enjoyed the audiobook version and highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys them.
Fascinating how two powerful women look at a situation from completely opposing sides and each had their own conclusion very different from the other. Two truths.
I’m not a fan of political manipulation and maneuvering but these two ruling Queens have the kingdoms and their lands and they must protect their people.
Definitely an adventure and advancing the storyline. Chilling cliffhanger of what’s to come.
4.5
Midlife Fairytale series #3. Paranormal women’s fiction. Best read in series order. Not yet a complete series.
Queen Sparrow has a goal of reuniting the Radiant fae with the Grym fae, but Queen Anyka thinks both kingdoms should be hers. Anyka thinks the answer is in the dark magic grimoire and she’ll do anything to get her hands on it.
War or peace?
🎧 I alternated reading between an ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by B J Harrison who does the full series. The voice is deep and varies per character as expected but with that, I had to increase the volume. I also listened to this narrator at 1.6 and could easily go higher. This speed at least matches my reading speed and regular conversation. There are specific voices for the two queens, the narrator voice, and characters that surround the scenes that make the whole entertaining. Emotions such as surprise and rage came through clearly. I enjoyed the audiobook version and highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys them.
Fascinating how two powerful women look at a situation from completely opposing sides and each had their own conclusion very different from the other. Two truths.
I’m not a fan of political manipulation and maneuvering but these two ruling Queens have the kingdoms and their lands and they must protect their people.
Definitely an adventure and advancing the storyline. Chilling cliffhanger of what’s to come.
4.5
February 11, 2025
Nice to see older women with power
Anyka's descent from a lonely sympathetic figure into one of paranoia and schemes has been fascinating to read. I thought this series would be all about how perfect and wonderful Sparrow's life is now that she is queen of a fae kingdom. But the delve into Anyka's schemes and power trips has been amazing! An older woman wielding power as queen and allowed to be flawed and sympathetic at the same time! She keeps teetering on juust this side of madness...I can't wait to see how her story concludes! I really keep hoping that she will somehow kick the tropes and not descend purely into madness or pure goodness but will find her way into realizing how toxic she is. Also, one day, I'm hoping she will thank her poor maid who does such fantastic work of keeping her looking good!
Anyka's descent from a lonely sympathetic figure into one of paranoia and schemes has been fascinating to read. I thought this series would be all about how perfect and wonderful Sparrow's life is now that she is queen of a fae kingdom. But the delve into Anyka's schemes and power trips has been amazing! An older woman wielding power as queen and allowed to be flawed and sympathetic at the same time! She keeps teetering on juust this side of madness...I can't wait to see how her story concludes! I really keep hoping that she will somehow kick the tropes and not descend purely into madness or pure goodness but will find her way into realizing how toxic she is. Also, one day, I'm hoping she will thank her poor maid who does such fantastic work of keeping her looking good!
September 14, 2024
I liked the story. It is very enjoyable and interesting. I am looking forward to the next one to see what happens. Hopefully there will be more involvement with Beatrice and I do wish all of those people would stop enabling Anyka who clearly has a problem with her sanity but I guess there wouldn't be a story if they had stopped her craziness right from the beginning.
September 21, 2024
Welcome back to the adventures of Queen Sparrow. Queen Sparrow’s goal of reuniting the Radiant fae with the Grym fae isn’t going the way she’d hoped. Brokering peace is hard to do when Queen Anyka, the woman who sits on the Grym throne, believes both kingdoms should be hers to rule.
Ro isn’t about to let that happen. Since recovering an ancient grimoire filled with dangerous dark magic, she understands better who and what she’s up against. Anyka craves possession of the grimoire, and Ro knows why. Anyka wants to use the magic inside to take control of Ro’s kingdom. And eliminate Ro.
Ro seeks help and a possible alliance with the fire-breathing citizens of the Cloud Kingdom, but they might be as dangerous as the book she’d hidden from Anyka. If she can win them over, it would be a major victory.
The real question is, can she get to the Cloud Kingdom alive? Someone is out to get her, and it might not be Anyka.
I love this series. There are always some new and exciting things going on, and I love that we are following two queens who are totally different from each other. Queen Sparrow has a heart of gold and strives to do the right thing. Then there is Queen Anyka, who just wants to be the queen she thinks she should be. The more she tries to make Queen Sparrow look bad, the worse and harder her life gets. If you haven't started this series, you should, and if you haven't read any book by Kristen Painter, you are truly missing out on great reads!
Ro isn’t about to let that happen. Since recovering an ancient grimoire filled with dangerous dark magic, she understands better who and what she’s up against. Anyka craves possession of the grimoire, and Ro knows why. Anyka wants to use the magic inside to take control of Ro’s kingdom. And eliminate Ro.
Ro seeks help and a possible alliance with the fire-breathing citizens of the Cloud Kingdom, but they might be as dangerous as the book she’d hidden from Anyka. If she can win them over, it would be a major victory.
The real question is, can she get to the Cloud Kingdom alive? Someone is out to get her, and it might not be Anyka.
I love this series. There are always some new and exciting things going on, and I love that we are following two queens who are totally different from each other. Queen Sparrow has a heart of gold and strives to do the right thing. Then there is Queen Anyka, who just wants to be the queen she thinks she should be. The more she tries to make Queen Sparrow look bad, the worse and harder her life gets. If you haven't started this series, you should, and if you haven't read any book by Kristen Painter, you are truly missing out on great reads!
September 1, 2024
Queen Sparrow (Ro) and Queen Anyka continue their battle between Peace or Possession of the kingdoms and the grimoire of dark magic. Each one has its own reasons to possess the book. There's a lot of twist and changes on some of the characters. I love it when great characters and places are introduced in the plot like the fire breathing citizens of the Cloud Kingdom. There's also some emotions not typically of the character. At times I felt bad for Anika, I won't give specifics so I don't reveal spoils. Also the romantic relationships in both kingdoms are displayed. The sad thing of all of this is having to wait for the next book/audio. "Dios te bendiga Kristen" so you continue enlightening our lifes.
January 9, 2025
I love the story
The villain in the story is completely off her rocker, and seems to be going insane. And yet, the psychology makes sense. Magic or propaganda alone, a ruler who wants power more than anything, and sees everyone as a threat, is the real threat. This villain wants her subjects terrified and helpless. And unfortunately, there are many who help her for their own reasons, be it fear or greed. Then there is the good Queen, Ro, who just keeps trying to make the world better for all. Hoping Ro can deal well with the latest lies from the baddies, and bring hope, honesty, and sanity to the realms.
The villain in the story is completely off her rocker, and seems to be going insane. And yet, the psychology makes sense. Magic or propaganda alone, a ruler who wants power more than anything, and sees everyone as a threat, is the real threat. This villain wants her subjects terrified and helpless. And unfortunately, there are many who help her for their own reasons, be it fear or greed. Then there is the good Queen, Ro, who just keeps trying to make the world better for all. Hoping Ro can deal well with the latest lies from the baddies, and bring hope, honesty, and sanity to the realms.
September 2, 2024
This was SO good. I loved seeing all the characters again. The new wyvren (spelling?) were an added bonus. It does sort of end on a cliffhanger. I'm curious about the daughter Beatrice. She wasn't around much and I felt like she could've helped to control her mother maybe? Well, she probably has tried her whole life. It's wishful thinking. I loved that the diary was finally opened. This is definitely a series you should start with the first book.
The narration was perfect. BJ Harrison is my favorite narrator.
The narration was perfect. BJ Harrison is my favorite narrator.
August 31, 2024
I believe Ro has come to find that while kindness is not a weakness some people will take advantage of it and I think her kindness and patience have run out for some.
I find both queens equally intriguing and at times equally clever. I was excited about the characters we met from the Cloud Kingdom and look forward to more of them. It's really amping up and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I find both queens equally intriguing and at times equally clever. I was excited about the characters we met from the Cloud Kingdom and look forward to more of them. It's really amping up and I can't wait to see what happens next.
September 28, 2024
A fun plot with plenty of new arcs.
This book in the series sees Ro settling into her role a little more. There are a few new characters to add to the dimensions of the world and some fun new plot points that get added.
Anyka has some interesting developments not all of them good. I kept expecting someone to "betray" her.
It does end in a semi-cliffhanger but nothing that you would be upset over. It sets up the next book well.
This book in the series sees Ro settling into her role a little more. There are a few new characters to add to the dimensions of the world and some fun new plot points that get added.
Anyka has some interesting developments not all of them good. I kept expecting someone to "betray" her.
It does end in a semi-cliffhanger but nothing that you would be upset over. It sets up the next book well.
October 22, 2024
Too much unknown
All three books from a Midlife Fairy Tale, have been wonderful books that I didn't want to put down until I had read every word. However the last book, The Cloud Kingdom, have left me wanting more, sadly no more even seems to be in the works. The book leaves you to think that no other book are even in the works. I would have liked a least a peek of what was going to happened. Very disappointing.
All three books from a Midlife Fairy Tale, have been wonderful books that I didn't want to put down until I had read every word. However the last book, The Cloud Kingdom, have left me wanting more, sadly no more even seems to be in the works. The book leaves you to think that no other book are even in the works. I would have liked a least a peek of what was going to happened. Very disappointing.
January 1, 2025
This was so amazing to get to listen to! Queen Sparrow is one of my favorite characters and this world that Kristen Painter built is such an interesting and unique place! I am always thrilled when a new book comes out!! This one was full of danger, conflict, adventures and new friends. I was so caught up in it that I was not ready for it to end! I will be waiting anxiously for the next book! I highly recommend this and all the other Kristen Painter books! I have loved every one!!
January 16, 2025
This was a good read. I love this series. This book does end on a cliffhanger. But it’s full of palace intrigue and plots against each other. I’m hoping and expecting that Nazyr will turn his back on Anyka at some point and join Sparrow’s court. Just speculation on my part. Sparrow journeys in secret to the Cloud Kingdom to meet with the wyverns. To try and attain a treaty with them. So much happening in this book. If you’ve enjoyed the rest of this series you will enjoy this book as well.
April 28, 2025
Let the sun shine
This 3rd book of a fun to read romantic fantasy was enjoyable as the 1st two in this series.Who doesn't want to be a Queen? Many would argue that its not
"Deep" enough but if you just need a rainy weekend get away from heavy reading ( like me) this and the first two can be a good choice.
I would love a continuation of the series!
Kristen Painter makes reading a fun time!
This 3rd book of a fun to read romantic fantasy was enjoyable as the 1st two in this series.Who doesn't want to be a Queen? Many would argue that its not
"Deep" enough but if you just need a rainy weekend get away from heavy reading ( like me) this and the first two can be a good choice.
I would love a continuation of the series!
Kristen Painter makes reading a fun time!
December 28, 2025
I have been excited to read this series. It is always interesting to find a heroine that is not just a girl but a woman in the middle of her life. I have loved reading about the division between the fae and the chaos that has ensued but I was looking forward to seeing the story conclude here. It does not and we are left with quite the cliffhanger. I'm dying for the next book and to see how things will change now that the sun is shining!
September 14, 2024
Queen Sparrow and the Radiant fae are still at the Summer palace along with Queen Anyka and the Grimm fae, picking up right where we left off in the last book. Danger is escalating, and the plot is starting to thicken. It seems that these 2 kingdoms are on the brink of war!!
Terrific story and very addicting series. Fantastic audio narration. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
Terrific story and very addicting series. Fantastic audio narration. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
February 20, 2025
I can’t get enough Kristen Painter’s books !!
So this was another fantastic series ! As always, the characters or so lovable , even the bad ones are interesting. lol ..I am literally hooked on every book that I have read from her. She is amazing. I can’t wait to read more. I have not read one book I do not like and I am so excited to read more soon !
So this was another fantastic series ! As always, the characters or so lovable , even the bad ones are interesting. lol ..I am literally hooked on every book that I have read from her. She is amazing. I can’t wait to read more. I have not read one book I do not like and I am so excited to read more soon !
September 26, 2024
Good fairy queen Ro is opposed by insane evil queen Anyka. Both plot to get the upper hand. There's some romance for both queens.
Typos: horses have reins, not "reigns." Jaws tic, not tick. People aren't "laying" on a bed, they are lying.
Typos: horses have reins, not "reigns." Jaws tic, not tick. People aren't "laying" on a bed, they are lying.
October 1, 2024
Entertaining Read
Ro is still being attacked by her rival Queen, and risks war by calling her out on her shenanigans. However, Queen Ro has aces up her sleeve with her new allies and new magic. I look forward to another book.
Ro is still being attacked by her rival Queen, and risks war by calling her out on her shenanigans. However, Queen Ro has aces up her sleeve with her new allies and new magic. I look forward to another book.
December 3, 2024
Another great read! This is the third book in this series fast paced with great characters and an interesting storyline kept my attention always fun reading this authors books looking forward to the next !
January 28, 2025
Cannot WAIT for the sequel....
Was told this would be a cliff hanger.....but read it anyway. Hope the next one comes out soon! Can't wait! Each book sends to get better and better...
Was told this would be a cliff hanger.....but read it anyway. Hope the next one comes out soon! Can't wait! Each book sends to get better and better...
February 13, 2025
great a great read
Kristen Painter know how to keep you interested in a story the characters are amazing and story is so fascinating I couldn’t put it down I can’t wait to see what happens next
Kristen Painter know how to keep you interested in a story the characters are amazing and story is so fascinating I couldn’t put it down I can’t wait to see what happens next
March 15, 2025
What dark magic -
Anyka throws her Queenly greed for power into full force! Destroying the people who live under her rule. The Summerton Queen Ro will still have a battle of wills to contend with!
Anyka throws her Queenly greed for power into full force! Destroying the people who live under her rule. The Summerton Queen Ro will still have a battle of wills to contend with!
June 3, 2025
fun fun fun
Well what will Anyka do next ? More twists , more turns . But, I have every confidence Queen Sparrow will succeed in her quest for peace . Anxiously awaiting the next book . This is a must read, must read book
Well what will Anyka do next ? More twists , more turns . But, I have every confidence Queen Sparrow will succeed in her quest for peace . Anxiously awaiting the next book . This is a must read, must read book
August 7, 2024
This book picks up where the Summer Palace left off. I devoured this book - can't say enough. Sooo good! great worldbuilding, intrigue, etc. Highly recommend not just this book but the whole series!!
August 31, 2024
This book picks up where The Summer Palace stopped. Be prepared to hang on for a wild ride! Great world building, and intriguing characters make this a must read.
October 17, 2024
Another fantastic listen.
December 19, 2024
GREAT STORY!!
I like this series, however, it seem that every time Sparrow does something good Anyka does something bad. Tit for tat over and over again
I like this series, however, it seem that every time Sparrow does something good Anyka does something bad. Tit for tat over and over again
January 5, 2025
Another Treat From Kristen Painter!
Another treat from Kristen Painter. Her plot kept me guessing until the end, which I really appreciate. Please keep writing Ms. Painter!
Another treat from Kristen Painter. Her plot kept me guessing until the end, which I really appreciate. Please keep writing Ms. Painter!
May 1, 2025
well written!
Another great installment of this series. Lots of action and an interesting ending. I’m interested to see how the next book goes
Another great installment of this series. Lots of action and an interesting ending. I’m interested to see how the next book goes
June 26, 2025
I enjoyed visiting Ro and her family again. I liked the addition of the Wyvern. The only thing I didn't like was that it ended. I can't wait for the next installment to find out what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews