In the North of Malvea, the Farn have rebuffed the Grey King's reach so far; with his Dread Queen finally by his side, Erqis sets his sights on Norpav.
Princess Mielle's coronation is crashed by the Grey King's forces – before the crown can touch her head, it disappears into a sack of loot. The king's feared huntsman, Qavor, abducts her south, where she is to ensure her people's submission as a royal hostage.
A talented poisoner, Mielle quickly attracts the Dread Queen's attention and joins her court, thoughts filled with the man who unwittingly saved her from a savage fate.
Qavor, for the life of him, cannot understand why the stolen princess is so keen to remain stolen - or so eager to keep his company, even after he dropped her into Neira's care.
But Mielle's abduction tore apart a delicate, unknown balance that can't be mended - only taken in stride.
I'm so grateful for the arc that puts me right back into Malvea where we get to know Qavor a bit now and are introduced to Mielle. We have another stubborn mmc and a willful fmc that keeps him on his toes. I love that Niera is so protective of Mielle and how Erqis saw the growing feelings from the start and pushed Qavor to acknowledge it. If you love a fmc that can take care of herself but isn't afraid to accept help and a mmc that is vulnerable for his fmc look no further then this series.
I absolutely devoured The Fell Queen, Book 1 of Camille's As Cold As Glass series, in a single day. Who needs sleep when you’ve got Erqis’s crass humor, Neira’s icy bravery, and Qavor’s silent approval of every jab Neira sent my poor Erqis’s way? But he took it like a champ, I assure you.
So when I got the ARC of The Never Queen, Book 2 of the series, focused on Qavor, our stoic Huntsman, I knew another sleepless night was waiting for me. And, oh, it was glorious! Camille can confirm just how unhinged I was, bombarding her with manic thoughts, delighting in every twist, and throwing out wild theories. Like Erqis, she endured it all like a true champion, making my experience even better.
The Never Queen is every bit as perfect as The Fell Queen. Just as Neira was one of the most remarkable FMCs out there, the same can be said for Mielle. These two may seem different at first, which shouldn't surprise us, given their different upbringings, but trust me, you don't want to underestimate Mielle. Not for a second. She is a force to be reckoned with, albeit a hidden one. Oh, she may seem demure and naive at first; she is anything but! Watching her unfold is half the thrill.
And just like my Erqis had to "suffer" in The Fell Queen, Qavor had his fair share of troubles to endure, too. The teasing, the flirting, the quips; poor Qavor didn't stand a chance. Stoic and prim, he held out as long as he could, until the inevitable happened... But it wouldn't be fair for me to uncover everything, right? This is something you need to experience for yourself, trust me.
Still, don't mistake The Never Queen for a simple love story, filled with unlimited yearning and burning passion. No, it is a story of female empowerment, of carving out your own place in the world, and of breaking free from the chains of oppression.
It is all that and more, ready for you to devour just as I did. Thank you, Camille, for having me and allowing me to join you on this wild ride. Please, never stop being yourself and writing these utterly delicious and addictive stories!
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “The Never Queen” is available now!
I do so love when the sequel is just as wonderful as the original.
It’s been six years since Neira and Erqis launched their joint venture to take over Malvea, and they’ve set their sights on the last hold out on the continent: Norpav, home of the Farn. Neira sends Qavor to kidnap the princess before her coronation, and he does so efficiently. Except, for some reason, Princess Mielle really doesn’t seem that upset about being stolen away.
This book is unhinged in the most delightful ways and I’m in love. First of all, Erqis is every bit as obsessed with his wife as he was in book 1, and it’s the cutest thing ever. They aren’t even the main characters, yet their presence made everything better (they do have an important role in this book, of course, it’s just that the focus and POVs are on Qavor and Mielle instead). Both Erqis and Mielle are absolutely little shits (affectionate), and I lost track of how much the two made me laugh with their respective shenanigans. Qavor (and Neira, though to a lesser degree) reads as the long-suffering and ever-graying keeper of the fools, and literally everything about the dynamics here are too cute.
If you read “The Fell Queen” (which you should definitely do before this book or you’re going to be very confused), then you already know the plot is going to be twisty in unexpected ways. This was a wild ride from start to finish, and I had the most difficult time putting it down. It’s so easy to lose track of all things outside this story and I’m not even sorry about it. It’s hilarious, it’s just a little dark, it’s sweet, it’s spicy. It’s perfection in a stabby (or, in Mielle’s case, poisonous) little package.
I could go on, at great length, about this book. I adore the characters, I couldn’t get enough of the plot, and the magic and world-building that sets the scene for everything is absolutely lovely. Far and away my favorite aspect, though, is how besotted by and terrified of their respective love interests both Erqis and Qavor are (as all men should be). Literally everything about this book brought me joy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the main characters be completely willing to do terrible things with very little regret, this entire series is for you.
A Book So Good, My Sleep Is Officially Canceled I’m pretty sure I inhaled The Fell Queen in one go. Who needs a good night's rest when you’ve got Ergis’s terrible jokes, Neira’s total badassery, and Qavor just sitting there, silently cheering every time Neira roasted my poor Ergis? Honestly, Ergis deserves a medal for taking all those hits. A true champ. So when I got the early copy of The Never Queen, the one with our favorite quiet guy, Qavor, on the cover, I knew my pillow was going to be very lonely. And oh, what a glorious, eye-bag-inducing night it was! The Woman, The Myth, The Legend (a.k.a. Mielle) The Never Queen is just as perfect as the first book. Neira was a legend, and let me tell you, Mielle is a serious contender for her crown. They might seem different at first glance, but don't let Mielle's sweet exterior fool you. She's got a hidden "don't mess with me" button, and watching her finally press it is half the fun. Poor Qavor Never Saw It Coming My boy Ergis had his share of suffering in the first book, but Qavor? He got the full treatment. The teasing, the flirting, the one-liners… let's just say his stoic demeanor didn't stand a chance. He held out for as long as he could, but it was a losing battle. And no, I'm not going to spoil it, because you absolutely need to see this train wreck for yourself. And while the romance is chef's kiss, this book isn't just about two people falling in love. It's a hilarious, heartfelt story about finding your power, telling the world to deal with it, and breaking out of every box society tries to put you in. So yeah, go get your copy and prepare to lose a few hours of your life. Thanks, Camille, for another ridiculously good story. Don't ever stop!
The second instalment in the As Cold As Glass series — and what a brilliant follow-up it is 🤩👌
This time we dive into the story of Mielle, our Never Queen, and Qavor, the Huntsman.
Mielle is one of those characters who feels like a little bit of all of us — relatable, flawed, and, while not human, she embodies emotions and struggles that feel deeply familiar — so much so that it’s hard not to see little pieces of ourselves reflected in her.
Qavor, who first appeared in The Fell Queen, is the silent, serious type… deadly, intense, and magnetic 🔥🔥🔥. In this book, we finally peel back the layers — and wow, I didn’t realise just how much we all needed his story.
While their journey is the heart of this book, Camille also treats us to glimpses of Neira and Erqis (our FMC and MMC from The Fell Queen). Watching their growth while still keeping their hilarious banter was such a joy 😍
And just when you think you’re done, Camille slips in a cheeky tease for Book 3 at the end 👀 — needless to say, I’ll be running to grab it the second it drops 🙌
5⭐️ 3🌶️ I am so excited to have another installment of this series! Camille writes deliciously binge-able romantasy that sucks you in and makes you just love these characters. The small nods to dark fairytale aesthetics is such a signature of this series that is still continued on into this sequel. While Erquis and Neira are still present characters throughout this book we have shifted POVs to follow Qavor as he is sent on a mission to capture the Princess of Norpav, the mysterious kingdom of Farn that no one knows much about, including Qavor who is a Farn but grew up apart from his kind. The two Farn quickly have some intense feelings for each other but Mielle, the Farn-almost-queen, sees him as an enemy who doesn’t care for her, as she is just a means to an end for Erquis to conquer Norpav. This slow burn forbidden romance vibe is brimming with tension and lust from both sides. Qavor is a completely different kind of MMC than Erquis and I love the switch up so much! I think the only thing that Qav and Erquis have in common is they’re both SIMPS at heart. We also dive into both Qav and Mielle’s traumas and past experiences while the characters battle with their self worth and what they want from life. They each have complex pasts and are empathetic to each others struggles, which is a dynamic I don’t see to often in romantasy and just loved the sweetness it created. As they find themselves they also find each other, and I am swoooooooning.
Book two in the Cold as Glass series did not dissapoint, as expected!
Camille has such a great way with words that her stories always come to life in my head so vividly. I was very excited to continue on this journey and see what was in store for the realm.
Our MMC, Quavor, is a total hunk. He is everything you can want in an MMC. Strong, ruthless, but a total sucker for our FMC. He saved the damsel in distress but never once took advantage of her or the situation they were in which was just the icing on the cake for him. Really, just love him! He isn't as sassy or punny as Erqis but Ioved him just as much. Our FMC, Mielle was a level headed princess who opened her eyes and saw her world much different than anyone else. I so appreciated that she went against what may be expected and put her faith in something she couldn't yet understand.
Thanks Camille for always writing beautiful stories that keep me hooked, and for the ARC! 💜
I thought Erqis was unfair? I was unprepared for Qavor. Steady and sure but hanging by a thread, desire and trauma barely buried under his skin...
And Mielle? Chaotic. Impulsive. But so, so calculating; more intelligent than she wants anyone to know, less wise than she thinks.
TNQ delves even deeper into the rich, fascinating world that TFQ brought us into, exposing us to new territories with their traditions and terrors, unearthing more lore, connecting more dots. Once again, I am left with QUESTIONS: but since my main question from TFQ was answered in TNQ, I will leave my curiosity in Camille capable hands.
These books are astoundingly good. I feel blessed to have come across them. They're perfect for me, as a reader: politics, lore, magic, characters that are endlessly entertaining, conflicts that swing between the small + mundane and the massive + world-defining. I'm in this for the long haul, now.
I loved this book! The dynamic between Qavor and Mielle is totally different from Niera and Erquis in book one, and it was so fun seeing the lovers from The Fell Queen through someone else's eyes. The slow burn? Delicious. And when it finally hits the spicy part — chef's kiss. Erquis still had me giggling to myself like an idiot, and Qavor finally getting his happily-ever-after? My heart. 🥹 (Mild spoiler, but worth it!) I did miss some of the enemies to lovers energy from the first book (because Qavor is too damn sweet to have enemies... I said what I said), but honestly... it just made me want to pick up The Fell Queen and reread it immediately. Overall, this sequel hit exactly the way I wanted it to-fresh dynamic, heart-tugging moments, and a romance that pays off in the best way. If you loved book one, this follow-up feels like slipping right back into a world you never want to leave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ughhh I loved this! If there’s something I can count on it’s Camille Dwight writing characters that absolutely engross me in their story.
Mielle was such a breath of fresh air, I loved how she was soft but capable. Her obsession with Qavor was so valid. I’m also down bad girl 😂
Qavors fuck it moment gave me liffeeeeee. My reading slump has been kicking my ass but I absolutely flew through this book. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.
Thank you to Camille for the eARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.
I devoured The Fell Queen, the first book in Camille Dwight’s As Cold As Glass series, in a single day—and honestly, who needs sleep when you’ve got Erqis’s hilariously crass humor, Neira’s icy bravery, and Qavor quietly nodding along as Neira roasted poor Erqis? He endured it all like a champ, and I was completely hooked from page one. So when I finally got my hands on The Never Queen, the second book focusing on Qavor, our stoic Huntsman, I knew another sleepless night was inevitable—and it absolutely delivered! This installment dives deep into the story of Mielle, our Never Queen, and Qavor, revealing layers of both characters I didn’t even know I was waiting for. Mielle is relatable, flawed, and utterly compelling—her emotions and struggles hit so close to home that it’s impossible not to see parts of ourselves in her. Don’t be fooled by her seemingly gentle exterior—she is a force of nature, and watching her step into her own power is one of the book’s greatest thrills. Qavor, the silent, serious type from the first book, finally faces his own challenges, and the result is both heartbreaking and hilarious. The teasing, the flirting, the witty one-liners—his stoicism didn’t stand a chance, and seeing him open up in ways we’ve all been waiting for is incredibly satisfying. While Mielle and Qavor’s journey is at the heart of the story, Camille also treats us to glimpses of Neira and Erqis, letting us revisit their signature humor and watch their growth since the first book. And just when you think the story is over, there’s a cheeky tease for Book 3 that has you counting the days until it drops. But don’t mistake this for just a romance. The Never Queen is a hilarious, heartfelt, and empowering story about discovering your strength, breaking free from expectations, and carving out your own place in the world. It’s perfectly paced, utterly addictive, and yes—you will happily sacrifice a few hours of sleep to read it. Camille, thank you for crafting another beautifully immersive story. Please never stop writing these unforgettable, utterly addictive books! I'm grateful for Camille for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review!
Absolutely blew my mind. Camille had us going in The fell queen; with Neira and Erqis, but when I say I was so excited for Qavors book it doesn’t even cover it.
Qavor and Mielle are two of my favorite characters and I love their sass and banter and just how they act together. I love this book and literally love that we were just thrown back in as if we never left.
It was so good to read Qavor's story as well as get some answers to questions I had at the end of the first book. Knowing this wouldn't be a continuation of Niera and Erqis' story, I wasn't sure what to expect, but ended up loving Qavor and Mielle's story.
I absolutely fell in love with these characters and did not want to see the book end. The MMC did not try to overtake the FMC. The banter was amazing. Such an enjoyable read.
I thought Erqis was unfair? I was unprepared for Qavor. Steady and sure but hanging by a thread, desire and trauma barely buried under his skin...
And Mielle? Chaotic. Impulsive. But so, so calculating; more intelligent than she wants anyone to know, less wise than she thinks.
TNQ delves even deeper into the rich, fascinating world that TFQ brought us into, exposing us to new territories with their traditions and terrors, unearthing more lore, connecting more dots. Once again, I am left with QUESTIONS: but since my main question from TFQ was answered in TNQ, I will leave my curiosity in Camille capable hands.
These books are astoundingly good. I feel blessed to have come across them. They're perfect for me, as a reader: politics, lore, magic, characters that are endlessly entertaining, conflicts that swing between the small + mundane and the massive + world-defining. I'm in this for the long haul, now.