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The Sunchosen Chronicles #1
Ballad of Whispers
Iris Virlana lives by two rules:
Never let anyone know who you are.
And never, ever, get yourself into a life debt.
The golden sun inked beneath the base of her neck is the reason for both.
In Altaerra, it meant life as a Sunchosen, one of the twenty children branded by the Goddesses at birth to sit on the council ruling Altaerra. For Iris, it meant a fate confined in a glittering cage, forged and warped by power.
Considered a traitor to the Divine after escaping the Bronze Palace as a child, Iris knows maintaining her new life as an apothecary apprentice to the woman who saved her relies on remaining hidden. But when a life debt forces her to work with an icy prince to uncover answers about a plague ravaging both realms-Iris must navigate maintaining the ruse of who she is, desperately searching for a cure, and a kingdom rife with political scheming.
As the death toll rises, precarious matters of the heart become entangled, and carefully kept secrets begin to unravel...
Will she ever truly escape the power-hungry brutality of the life she fled?
Ballad of Whispers is a debut romantic fantasy novel and the first installment in The Sunchosen Chronicles: a new series full of whimsical world building, intricate magic, deadly secrets, profound journeys of self-discovery, and epic relationships.
Never let anyone know who you are.
And never, ever, get yourself into a life debt.
The golden sun inked beneath the base of her neck is the reason for both.
In Altaerra, it meant life as a Sunchosen, one of the twenty children branded by the Goddesses at birth to sit on the council ruling Altaerra. For Iris, it meant a fate confined in a glittering cage, forged and warped by power.
Considered a traitor to the Divine after escaping the Bronze Palace as a child, Iris knows maintaining her new life as an apothecary apprentice to the woman who saved her relies on remaining hidden. But when a life debt forces her to work with an icy prince to uncover answers about a plague ravaging both realms-Iris must navigate maintaining the ruse of who she is, desperately searching for a cure, and a kingdom rife with political scheming.
As the death toll rises, precarious matters of the heart become entangled, and carefully kept secrets begin to unravel...
Will she ever truly escape the power-hungry brutality of the life she fled?
Ballad of Whispers is a debut romantic fantasy novel and the first installment in The Sunchosen Chronicles: a new series full of whimsical world building, intricate magic, deadly secrets, profound journeys of self-discovery, and epic relationships.
602 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2025
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July 29, 2025
➸ 5 stars
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you SO much to KB Elizabeth for an arc of this book!!!!
🪻 epic romantic fantasy
🪻 whimsical worlds created by goddesses
❄️ reluctant allies to lovers
❄️ intricate lore and magic systems
🪻 found family
🪻 emotional journeys of self discovery
❄️ character driven
❄️ banter and bickering
🪻 hidden identity
🪻 mystical creatures and animal companions
“Books were both a solace and escape for a young girl who had experienced little of either.”
i always try to chase for this otherworldly feeling in fantasy books and rarely do i find a book that makes me feel like this one did. it’s one of my soulbooks.
this is hands down one of my favorite books of the year and easily became one of my favorite books of all time. i feel this book so deeply in my soul. i want to carve a hole in my heart and place this book inside. words will never be able to describe my feelings and reading experience for this. there were many times while i was reading this that i just got teary eyed at the feeling of love for this book. i knew from the very beginning it was going to change something in me and im so glad i took my time reading this book. i felt like i was transported into this world and i imagined everything so vividly. 741 pages felt like nothing and everything at the same time. i could read about this world forever and never get tired and i am so glad this series is far from over; i could live in this world forever. i have 709 highlights for this book…. i practically highlighted the entire thing!
this world is so complex and whimsical at the same time and i am so excited to see how it will expand in future books!! the magic system is so unique and complex. there is so much depth and development to the characters. all i want to do is know MORE. i want to explore this world to its fullest and be with these characters forever!! i can’t wait for the next one as the ending of ballad of whispers had me going crazy!!!!! i need answers. i need more. this is a big series to come and im also hoping we get the side characters a stories because of how curious i am about their stories!!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ summary
in ballad of whispers, we follow iris virlana, an apothecary apprentice trying to find a cure for a mysterious plague taking over the realm… forced into a reluctance alliance with aspen, the cold, icy prince. secrets unravel, tension is high, romance brews and just when you think everything will be okay, the plot thickens even more!!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 first meeting
“Well, who are you, then?”
“Just a simple man who stumbled upon a radiant woman in the woods and couldn’t leave without trying to catch her attention—even if that attention came in the form of a flying stylograph.”
iris and aspens first meeting in the woods is EVERYTHING to me. i was just a few pages into this book, had just met these characters, and they immediately took a place in my heart. i was giggling like crazy upon their first meeting!!! their bickering and banter is beyond addicting. iris throwing the pen at him, the immediate “sunbeam” nickname… ADDICTING.
and as much as i loved their banter, i noticed how THEY noticed each other immediately; they saw right through it all from the very beginning.
and then their little meeting in the woods became more than a one time thing… two strangers often found themselves in the woods, the same spot, reading books and escaping reality in the comfort of each others presence <3 one of my favorite things was iris calling aspen “my boy from the woods” not THE boy… MY boy. it had me grinning on ear to ear!!!
“She was there again. In my spot. In my woods.”
have i mentioned this book is in dual pov? BEST THING EVER. reading chapters from the mmcs pov is one of my favorite things in books because reading their inner thoughts adds SO much more depth to a character!!
“Against the stark white backdrop of the snow, her presence a flare of color, she was impossible to ignore.
Blinding.
A ray of sunlight personified.”
“She fascinated me. I couldn’t pinpoint why, only that I had an inexplicable need to find out.”
and oh was aspen mesmerized from the very beginning ;)
“I don’t trust you.”
“Wonderful. The sentiment is mutual.”
“I could have you tried at court for the way you speak to me,”
“Go on then.”
but those two moths of escapism and comfort couldn’t last forever be shade once they found out who they each were it was like a switch flipped!!! now come the enemies!!!! aspen turned into the cold icy prince who’s reputation we oh so heard of about and iris does not hold back her fire!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ the chaotic found family
chapter 18 is engraved in my brain. THEM!!! just them <3 iykyk
iris, aspen, theon, nadya, ferrin… I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!! i’m a hugeeee fan of found family and im so excited to see more of them!!!!
nadya and ferrin… I CANT WAIT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE TWO IM SO CURIOUS!!!! i neeeeeed a book for them!!! i adore them and iris together!!! a lovely trio <3
nadya and iris’ friendship is BEAUTIFUL!!! they know each other so well and are always there for each other i love it!!!
aspen and theon!!! they are literally brothers i love them so much THEY HAD ME EMOTIONAL!!!
theon and iris… oh how i loved the friendship these two quickly formed!!!
now there was some tension between aspen and ferrin… their jabs at each other had me ROLLING ON THE FLOOR
to put it simply, i’m beyond excited for more chaotic moments and adventures with this group!! the amount of depth to each one and their relationships to each other is insane and i can’t wait to know more!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒚 - 𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒕
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 iris virlana
“It was easy to be unknown.”
iris has lived her whole life hiding who she really is from the world; remaining unknown, in one place, was remaining safe… but my girl here is a dreamer who wishes to experience her life to the fullest; see the world. a girl who wants and wants but doesn’t believe she deserves to. she has my whole heart.
“It was infinitely harder to hold your tongue when a foolish man was involved.”
“My damn neck hurt from whipping back and forth between his moods.”
she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and let those around her know how she feels!! i love characters who stand up for themselves and iris was so fierce!!! her comebacks had me dying of laughter and i’ll always be rooting for my girl!
“I will never understand why the world believes one must lose a gentle heart in order to wield a fierce soul.”
oh how i love fierce characters who have a soft side and aren’t afraid to show it <3 iris is not afraid of vulnerability and i loved that about her. she has the kindest soul and feels everything so deeply. she cares and cares and cares. her determination is truly unmatched, she gave everything in her to find a cure and help everyone she could.
“I was Iris Virlana. Commander of both creation and destruction. I was the convergence of light and wrath—born with the vengeance of the Sun.
And I would not forsake it again.”
her growth with her magic was AMAZING i cheered for my girl and im so excited to see her get stronger as the series goes on!! her confidence and determination is admirable.
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ aspen gavalon
“Solitude was so much fucking easier than this.”
aspen… the cold tortured character oh how i love you. aspen here has his walls so high up that only theon and iris have been able to break through them. who doesn’t believe he can so much as hope for something and thinks he’s forever tied to his kingdom. he is quite literally as cold as ice; who uses his powers to numb all feelings inside I WANT TO GIVE HIM A HUG SO BAD (matter of fact i want to give all the lovely characters in this book a hug)
“She resembled a flower unfurling in the sun, swaying in the wind, and I wondered what it must be like to feel so free.”
iris literally had this man going crazy. she is like nothing he had ever seen and could not wrap his mind around her. she has him questioning everything, desperately trying to get her to simply LOOK AT HIM!!!
“Because what would I fucking do if she looked at me?
What blissful decadence would torture me, if she gave me permission to really look at her?”
this man actually went to get himself checked because of the feeling he felt in his chest when he was around her!!! ARE FUCKING YOU KIDDING ME!!!! preposterous!
“Get your fucking hands off her.”
“I will not allow any disrespect of my future wife.”
and oh was he protective!!!! not to mention what he did to a certain someone in a certain place he promised to stop going to THAT WAS SOOOO HOT IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOWWWWW
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 - 𝒌𝒑𝒅𝒉 (iykyk!!!)
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 iris and aspen
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
MY LOVESSSSSSSS IM CRYING I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. they are everything to me. the girl who doesn’t believe she is worthy and the guy who believes her to be brilliant and exceptional. the guy who numbs his feelings because he doesn’t believe in a future that isn’t already set and the girl who believes he deserves to hope.
“You lack any sense of table manners, Virlana.”
“Oh! How wonderful, another thing we have in common. You lack any manners, Gavalon.”
“I’ve received etiquette lessons since the age of two, I am the picture of decorum.”
“How then, I ponder, did you become such a prat?”
“Divine intervention,”
“Ah, yes. Damn Divine, ruining that pretty little face of yours with petulance.”
“Call me pretty again, Virlana.”
that entire interaction>>>> their banter is TOP TIERRRRRR!!!!! i was actually screaming the entirety of this book and kept rereading everything single time these two got under each others nerves while somehow being absolute flirts for each other I CANTTTTT
“No, I find you—”
“Don’t you dare say what I—”
“Fascinating,”
“Admitting that you watch me, Virlana?”
More than I’d like.
“I couldn’t stop trying to figure her out. I couldn’t stop making excuses to be around her. To rile her up.”
“Sometimes, I can’t decide which I despise more—when you act holier-than-thou and ignore the world around you, or when you open your damn mouth.”
“A mouth you seem fond of staring at.”
the way they’re both so mesmerized by each other is EVERYTHING!!!! iris constantly looking at him, not afraid to admit how beautiful he is and memorizing his features; aspen looking for her emotions and wanting to catalogue everything UGHHHHHH them>>>> how they crave each others presence, those moments that no one else sees but them.
“Tell me everything,” I said, not looking away. I’d never run from her. Not from any piece of herself she chose to show me.
“You don’t have to hide this. You don’t need to hide anything. Not while we’re here, and never from me.”
aspen and iris pay SO much attention to each other it’s insane!!!! the strawberry tarts… her oat clusters… the braids… his sketches… the salve… EVERY LITTLE THING!!!! it was so heartwarming to see how observant, considerate, and thoughtful aspen was towards his sunbeam <3 they ALWAYS knew what the other was thinking without needing the words and there was always so much reassurance I LOVED IT!!!!!! one of my favorite things about them (*cough* everything *cough*) was how they never backed away from their feelings for each other!!! they faced everything head on and it was such a light to read about!!
more banter moments i loved:
“You know, I have never wanted to rip your throat out, Virlana.”
“Sorry, can’t say the same.”
“Tragically, that doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“Goddess above, Virlana. You should come with a warning. ‘Steals blanket with such force it almost rips, will punch you while asleep—feels no remorse.’”
“If you stopped hogging the blanket, I wouldn’t have to steal it back. And I’m sure you did something during the night to deserve it—I just need a moment to figure out what.”
some people (me) love this trope so let me scream it… ONE BED!!!!!! better yet….. ONE BLANKETTTT!!!!!! RAHHHHHHHHHH
another thing i found rly cute was aspen using his ice to dry her hair or clothes and his healing to heal little cuts!! or constantly letting his gaze roam over her looking for any injuries or just making sure she was okay HE IS EVERYTHINGGGGGG l
“And then, there she was. The faintest of smiles hitching at the corner of her mouth. I wanted to brush my thumb over it. To keep it for myself. My Sunbeam.”
“She was laughing, and the sound was so melodic I knew poets would write sonnets on it should they ever witness it.”
the entire time in the tundra felt so intimate, so vulnerable. intimacy and vulnerability that isn’t in a physical way is one of my favorite things in books and will always have me tugging at my chest. i cannot tell you how many times my eyes started to water up simply because of aspen and iris. they’re my everything.
“But he hadn’t flinched. Hadn’t questioned, hadn’t hesitated.
Aspen never looked away.”
as much as i was crying tears of joy, i was also crying tears of PAIN. these two have been through so much and my heart was hurting for them. their stories are so emotional and i felt a knife to my gut as more and more was revealed. throughout it all, aspen and iris had each other. seeing these two understand, open up, and let each other in was beautiful. two tortured souls finding comfort in each other.
“My own words echoed back from what felt like ages ago. It clears my head. I had never mentioned my issue with walls specifically, but somehow, he had known. He always seemed to know.”
aspen gavalon everybody, the man who installed a fucking skylight in his home just in case she needed a place to stay. preposterous, isn’t it? PREPOSTEROUS!!!!
“She’d invaded me, that never-ending spark of warmth melting away every dark, tormented splinter, and melding it anew. Sealing together bits and cracks with a beaming smile, forging me into someone who saw the world differently—because she did. Her unshakable ability to notice the wildflowers, even in the presence of despair, awakened me. And now, I could see it too. That beauty. That perseverance. She shined a light on it all.
My favorites were the wildflowers that bloomed inside her.”
“You see people, Virlana. You see them when they need someone to really look at them.
And I wanted more than anything for you to see me. All of me. And when you did? When you yelled at me for my walls and tore them down, piece by piece? When you—gods, the most glorious, bright, and fierce person I have ever met—looked at me like I was worth seeing? That terrified me. Because for the first time, I felt alive. And I never wanted to let you go.”
“She was infectious. I never wanted to be cured.”
“I couldn’t have looked away, even if I had wanted to. I was so far lost to him.”
“I don’t really like people, Virlana. But I think you’re my favorite.”
okay enough beautiful quotes let’s talk about the lake chapter… chapter 62, WITH 62 highlights for that chapter WHICH IS CRAZY!!! THEY ARE BOTH SOOOOO HOT OH MY GOD I WAS SCREAMINGGGGGGGGG GIGGLING ANS KICKING MY FEET my god
“I will be with you. On every path.”
there is so much more i want to say… but i just don’t have the words for every feeling so to put it simply, i fucking love this book. the ending had my gripping my blankets and clutching at my chest. my jaw just KEPT on dropping and i will be waiting patiently for the next book. i am SAT. i’m so excited and ready for this book to follow me everywhere i go because it has not once left my mind or my heart. i would do anything to read this for the first time again.
“I was a hopeless romantic with a cynic’s heart. I adored the idea of love, found it to be the most precious of gifts. I reveled in the joy of those lost to it, celebrated the intricacies of anyone who had been lucky enough to match their soul with another and dance among the stars.
I just never thought it would be something I would experience.”
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you SO much to KB Elizabeth for an arc of this book!!!!
🪻 epic romantic fantasy
🪻 whimsical worlds created by goddesses
❄️ reluctant allies to lovers
❄️ intricate lore and magic systems
🪻 found family
🪻 emotional journeys of self discovery
❄️ character driven
❄️ banter and bickering
🪻 hidden identity
🪻 mystical creatures and animal companions
“Books were both a solace and escape for a young girl who had experienced little of either.”
i always try to chase for this otherworldly feeling in fantasy books and rarely do i find a book that makes me feel like this one did. it’s one of my soulbooks.
this is hands down one of my favorite books of the year and easily became one of my favorite books of all time. i feel this book so deeply in my soul. i want to carve a hole in my heart and place this book inside. words will never be able to describe my feelings and reading experience for this. there were many times while i was reading this that i just got teary eyed at the feeling of love for this book. i knew from the very beginning it was going to change something in me and im so glad i took my time reading this book. i felt like i was transported into this world and i imagined everything so vividly. 741 pages felt like nothing and everything at the same time. i could read about this world forever and never get tired and i am so glad this series is far from over; i could live in this world forever. i have 709 highlights for this book…. i practically highlighted the entire thing!
this world is so complex and whimsical at the same time and i am so excited to see how it will expand in future books!! the magic system is so unique and complex. there is so much depth and development to the characters. all i want to do is know MORE. i want to explore this world to its fullest and be with these characters forever!! i can’t wait for the next one as the ending of ballad of whispers had me going crazy!!!!! i need answers. i need more. this is a big series to come and im also hoping we get the side characters a stories because of how curious i am about their stories!!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ summary
in ballad of whispers, we follow iris virlana, an apothecary apprentice trying to find a cure for a mysterious plague taking over the realm… forced into a reluctance alliance with aspen, the cold, icy prince. secrets unravel, tension is high, romance brews and just when you think everything will be okay, the plot thickens even more!!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 first meeting
“Well, who are you, then?”
“Just a simple man who stumbled upon a radiant woman in the woods and couldn’t leave without trying to catch her attention—even if that attention came in the form of a flying stylograph.”
iris and aspens first meeting in the woods is EVERYTHING to me. i was just a few pages into this book, had just met these characters, and they immediately took a place in my heart. i was giggling like crazy upon their first meeting!!! their bickering and banter is beyond addicting. iris throwing the pen at him, the immediate “sunbeam” nickname… ADDICTING.
and as much as i loved their banter, i noticed how THEY noticed each other immediately; they saw right through it all from the very beginning.
and then their little meeting in the woods became more than a one time thing… two strangers often found themselves in the woods, the same spot, reading books and escaping reality in the comfort of each others presence <3 one of my favorite things was iris calling aspen “my boy from the woods” not THE boy… MY boy. it had me grinning on ear to ear!!!
“She was there again. In my spot. In my woods.”
have i mentioned this book is in dual pov? BEST THING EVER. reading chapters from the mmcs pov is one of my favorite things in books because reading their inner thoughts adds SO much more depth to a character!!
“Against the stark white backdrop of the snow, her presence a flare of color, she was impossible to ignore.
Blinding.
A ray of sunlight personified.”
“She fascinated me. I couldn’t pinpoint why, only that I had an inexplicable need to find out.”
and oh was aspen mesmerized from the very beginning ;)
“I don’t trust you.”
“Wonderful. The sentiment is mutual.”
“I could have you tried at court for the way you speak to me,”
“Go on then.”
but those two moths of escapism and comfort couldn’t last forever be shade once they found out who they each were it was like a switch flipped!!! now come the enemies!!!! aspen turned into the cold icy prince who’s reputation we oh so heard of about and iris does not hold back her fire!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ the chaotic found family
chapter 18 is engraved in my brain. THEM!!! just them <3 iykyk
iris, aspen, theon, nadya, ferrin… I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!! i’m a hugeeee fan of found family and im so excited to see more of them!!!!
nadya and ferrin… I CANT WAIT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE TWO IM SO CURIOUS!!!! i neeeeeed a book for them!!! i adore them and iris together!!! a lovely trio <3
nadya and iris’ friendship is BEAUTIFUL!!! they know each other so well and are always there for each other i love it!!!
aspen and theon!!! they are literally brothers i love them so much THEY HAD ME EMOTIONAL!!!
theon and iris… oh how i loved the friendship these two quickly formed!!!
now there was some tension between aspen and ferrin… their jabs at each other had me ROLLING ON THE FLOOR
to put it simply, i’m beyond excited for more chaotic moments and adventures with this group!! the amount of depth to each one and their relationships to each other is insane and i can’t wait to know more!!
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒚 - 𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒕
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 iris virlana
“It was easy to be unknown.”
iris has lived her whole life hiding who she really is from the world; remaining unknown, in one place, was remaining safe… but my girl here is a dreamer who wishes to experience her life to the fullest; see the world. a girl who wants and wants but doesn’t believe she deserves to. she has my whole heart.
“It was infinitely harder to hold your tongue when a foolish man was involved.”
“My damn neck hurt from whipping back and forth between his moods.”
she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and let those around her know how she feels!! i love characters who stand up for themselves and iris was so fierce!!! her comebacks had me dying of laughter and i’ll always be rooting for my girl!
“I will never understand why the world believes one must lose a gentle heart in order to wield a fierce soul.”
oh how i love fierce characters who have a soft side and aren’t afraid to show it <3 iris is not afraid of vulnerability and i loved that about her. she has the kindest soul and feels everything so deeply. she cares and cares and cares. her determination is truly unmatched, she gave everything in her to find a cure and help everyone she could.
“I was Iris Virlana. Commander of both creation and destruction. I was the convergence of light and wrath—born with the vengeance of the Sun.
And I would not forsake it again.”
her growth with her magic was AMAZING i cheered for my girl and im so excited to see her get stronger as the series goes on!! her confidence and determination is admirable.
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 ❄️ aspen gavalon
“Solitude was so much fucking easier than this.”
aspen… the cold tortured character oh how i love you. aspen here has his walls so high up that only theon and iris have been able to break through them. who doesn’t believe he can so much as hope for something and thinks he’s forever tied to his kingdom. he is quite literally as cold as ice; who uses his powers to numb all feelings inside I WANT TO GIVE HIM A HUG SO BAD (matter of fact i want to give all the lovely characters in this book a hug)
“She resembled a flower unfurling in the sun, swaying in the wind, and I wondered what it must be like to feel so free.”
iris literally had this man going crazy. she is like nothing he had ever seen and could not wrap his mind around her. she has him questioning everything, desperately trying to get her to simply LOOK AT HIM!!!
“Because what would I fucking do if she looked at me?
What blissful decadence would torture me, if she gave me permission to really look at her?”
this man actually went to get himself checked because of the feeling he felt in his chest when he was around her!!! ARE FUCKING YOU KIDDING ME!!!! preposterous!
“Get your fucking hands off her.”
“I will not allow any disrespect of my future wife.”
and oh was he protective!!!! not to mention what he did to a certain someone in a certain place he promised to stop going to THAT WAS SOOOO HOT IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOWWWWW
━━━━━━━━ . ·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:· . ━━━━━━━━
𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 - 𝒌𝒑𝒅𝒉 (iykyk!!!)
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 🪻 iris and aspen
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
MY LOVESSSSSSSS IM CRYING I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. they are everything to me. the girl who doesn’t believe she is worthy and the guy who believes her to be brilliant and exceptional. the guy who numbs his feelings because he doesn’t believe in a future that isn’t already set and the girl who believes he deserves to hope.
“You lack any sense of table manners, Virlana.”
“Oh! How wonderful, another thing we have in common. You lack any manners, Gavalon.”
“I’ve received etiquette lessons since the age of two, I am the picture of decorum.”
“How then, I ponder, did you become such a prat?”
“Divine intervention,”
“Ah, yes. Damn Divine, ruining that pretty little face of yours with petulance.”
“Call me pretty again, Virlana.”
that entire interaction>>>> their banter is TOP TIERRRRRR!!!!! i was actually screaming the entirety of this book and kept rereading everything single time these two got under each others nerves while somehow being absolute flirts for each other I CANTTTTT
“No, I find you—”
“Don’t you dare say what I—”
“Fascinating,”
“Admitting that you watch me, Virlana?”
More than I’d like.
“I couldn’t stop trying to figure her out. I couldn’t stop making excuses to be around her. To rile her up.”
“Sometimes, I can’t decide which I despise more—when you act holier-than-thou and ignore the world around you, or when you open your damn mouth.”
“A mouth you seem fond of staring at.”
the way they’re both so mesmerized by each other is EVERYTHING!!!! iris constantly looking at him, not afraid to admit how beautiful he is and memorizing his features; aspen looking for her emotions and wanting to catalogue everything UGHHHHHH them>>>> how they crave each others presence, those moments that no one else sees but them.
“Tell me everything,” I said, not looking away. I’d never run from her. Not from any piece of herself she chose to show me.
“You don’t have to hide this. You don’t need to hide anything. Not while we’re here, and never from me.”
aspen and iris pay SO much attention to each other it’s insane!!!! the strawberry tarts… her oat clusters… the braids… his sketches… the salve… EVERY LITTLE THING!!!! it was so heartwarming to see how observant, considerate, and thoughtful aspen was towards his sunbeam <3 they ALWAYS knew what the other was thinking without needing the words and there was always so much reassurance I LOVED IT!!!!!! one of my favorite things about them (*cough* everything *cough*) was how they never backed away from their feelings for each other!!! they faced everything head on and it was such a light to read about!!
more banter moments i loved:
“You know, I have never wanted to rip your throat out, Virlana.”
“Sorry, can’t say the same.”
“Tragically, that doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“Goddess above, Virlana. You should come with a warning. ‘Steals blanket with such force it almost rips, will punch you while asleep—feels no remorse.’”
“If you stopped hogging the blanket, I wouldn’t have to steal it back. And I’m sure you did something during the night to deserve it—I just need a moment to figure out what.”
some people (me) love this trope so let me scream it… ONE BED!!!!!! better yet….. ONE BLANKETTTT!!!!!! RAHHHHHHHHHH
another thing i found rly cute was aspen using his ice to dry her hair or clothes and his healing to heal little cuts!! or constantly letting his gaze roam over her looking for any injuries or just making sure she was okay HE IS EVERYTHINGGGGGG l
“And then, there she was. The faintest of smiles hitching at the corner of her mouth. I wanted to brush my thumb over it. To keep it for myself. My Sunbeam.”
“She was laughing, and the sound was so melodic I knew poets would write sonnets on it should they ever witness it.”
the entire time in the tundra felt so intimate, so vulnerable. intimacy and vulnerability that isn’t in a physical way is one of my favorite things in books and will always have me tugging at my chest. i cannot tell you how many times my eyes started to water up simply because of aspen and iris. they’re my everything.
“But he hadn’t flinched. Hadn’t questioned, hadn’t hesitated.
Aspen never looked away.”
as much as i was crying tears of joy, i was also crying tears of PAIN. these two have been through so much and my heart was hurting for them. their stories are so emotional and i felt a knife to my gut as more and more was revealed. throughout it all, aspen and iris had each other. seeing these two understand, open up, and let each other in was beautiful. two tortured souls finding comfort in each other.
“My own words echoed back from what felt like ages ago. It clears my head. I had never mentioned my issue with walls specifically, but somehow, he had known. He always seemed to know.”
aspen gavalon everybody, the man who installed a fucking skylight in his home just in case she needed a place to stay. preposterous, isn’t it? PREPOSTEROUS!!!!
“She’d invaded me, that never-ending spark of warmth melting away every dark, tormented splinter, and melding it anew. Sealing together bits and cracks with a beaming smile, forging me into someone who saw the world differently—because she did. Her unshakable ability to notice the wildflowers, even in the presence of despair, awakened me. And now, I could see it too. That beauty. That perseverance. She shined a light on it all.
My favorites were the wildflowers that bloomed inside her.”
“You see people, Virlana. You see them when they need someone to really look at them.
And I wanted more than anything for you to see me. All of me. And when you did? When you yelled at me for my walls and tore them down, piece by piece? When you—gods, the most glorious, bright, and fierce person I have ever met—looked at me like I was worth seeing? That terrified me. Because for the first time, I felt alive. And I never wanted to let you go.”
“She was infectious. I never wanted to be cured.”
“I couldn’t have looked away, even if I had wanted to. I was so far lost to him.”
“I don’t really like people, Virlana. But I think you’re my favorite.”
okay enough beautiful quotes let’s talk about the lake chapter… chapter 62, WITH 62 highlights for that chapter WHICH IS CRAZY!!! THEY ARE BOTH SOOOOO HOT OH MY GOD I WAS SCREAMINGGGGGGGGG GIGGLING ANS KICKING MY FEET my god
“I will be with you. On every path.”
there is so much more i want to say… but i just don’t have the words for every feeling so to put it simply, i fucking love this book. the ending had my gripping my blankets and clutching at my chest. my jaw just KEPT on dropping and i will be waiting patiently for the next book. i am SAT. i’m so excited and ready for this book to follow me everywhere i go because it has not once left my mind or my heart. i would do anything to read this for the first time again.
Want to read
April 9, 2025⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨୧ ˚┊ #ARCREVIEW : Ballad of Whispers by KB Elizabeth .┊
_ ✰’s
pre-review:
omg i got the arc this one sounds so promising 😖🙂↕️💕
_ ✰’s
pre-review:
omg i got the arc this one sounds so promising 😖🙂↕️💕
November 5, 2025
dnf around page 100
September 15, 2025
FULL DISCLOSURE THE AUTHOR IS MY BEST FRIEND BUT IM STILL GONNA TELL YALL THIS.IS.IT
A quest, the banter, an ICY BLONDE MMC (🥵), a talking arctic fox?!? Say less
I loved this and im so proud of KB for putting this out in the world. You wont regret reading this
A quest, the banter, an ICY BLONDE MMC (🥵), a talking arctic fox?!? Say less
I loved this and im so proud of KB for putting this out in the world. You wont regret reading this
August 20, 2025
Literally couldn’t even force myself to finish this book it’s that bad
April 27, 2025
I want to start off by saying I ADORE Iris and Aspen (and Theon) and I will fight anyone who hurts them.
I very much enjoyed this story. It had me hooked. The premise is super intriguing and I'm already dying for book 2 to see what happens.
While I did very much enjoyed this story, I think this could have done with another round if edits. I think it could have been a little shorter. Also, in some parts the pacing was off or seems like part of a scene had been cut. For example in chapter 43, Iris exits the tent for some fresh air and after a few sentences of her thoughts she looks at Aspen and says something. But when she left the tent he was sleeping and we never see her go back into the tent. But then she says something and "turns to walk back to the tent". There are several instances like this throughout and it made some sections very confusing. I had to reread several passages multiple times.
I very much enjoyed this story. It had me hooked. The premise is super intriguing and I'm already dying for book 2 to see what happens.
While I did very much enjoyed this story, I think this could have done with another round if edits. I think it could have been a little shorter. Also, in some parts the pacing was off or seems like part of a scene had been cut. For example in chapter 43, Iris exits the tent for some fresh air and after a few sentences of her thoughts she looks at Aspen and says something. But when she left the tent he was sleeping and we never see her go back into the tent. But then she says something and "turns to walk back to the tent". There are several instances like this throughout and it made some sections very confusing. I had to reread several passages multiple times.
April 22, 2025
I think this book cured my romantasy slump.
This was such a fun read with so much going on without it feeling like it was over bearing. I loved Iris and Aspen not only together but separate and that character development they went through together. Iris just felt like one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in awhile.
The last quarter of the book ruined me though because I want the sequel in my hands immediately.
I received an arc of this for an honest review.
This was such a fun read with so much going on without it feeling like it was over bearing. I loved Iris and Aspen not only together but separate and that character development they went through together. Iris just felt like one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in awhile.
The last quarter of the book ruined me though because I want the sequel in my hands immediately.
I received an arc of this for an honest review.
April 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do you enjoy having your heart torn out and stomped on? If so, this is the book for you! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This book is everything! I loved the rollercoaster of emotions from "touch her and d*e" and "f*** it" moments to the love, heartbreak, hope, betrayal, and everything in between. The story follows the lost Sunchosen 27-yo FMC, Iris Virlana, and the Frost Prince MMC, Aspen Gavalon, who are both completely broken by their past. Despite all odds they try to mend each other’s wounds until the inevitable is thrust upon them and they must decide their futures. KB Elizabeth’s novel is an epic masterpiece ravaging all emotions leaving me thinking of nothing else. I loved every moment of this book, and of course the "finger water"! I absolutely cannot wait until book 2!!!
Do you enjoy having your heart torn out and stomped on? If so, this is the book for you! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This book is everything! I loved the rollercoaster of emotions from "touch her and d*e" and "f*** it" moments to the love, heartbreak, hope, betrayal, and everything in between. The story follows the lost Sunchosen 27-yo FMC, Iris Virlana, and the Frost Prince MMC, Aspen Gavalon, who are both completely broken by their past. Despite all odds they try to mend each other’s wounds until the inevitable is thrust upon them and they must decide their futures. KB Elizabeth’s novel is an epic masterpiece ravaging all emotions leaving me thinking of nothing else. I loved every moment of this book, and of course the "finger water"! I absolutely cannot wait until book 2!!!
April 18, 2025
Full disclosure: I read this as an ARC.
I loved this book so much that I will be constantly recommending this book to everyone. It's a very strong contender for best book of the year for me.
This book healed a Nesta adjacent piece of me in a way I didn't know needed to happen. It was absolutely beautiful - the prose, the world, the characters, and the story.
The world building was artfully done. There's such a rich lore in this world that will serve the rest of the story, when we get it, beautifully.
As someone who's dealt with mental illness for more than half my life, Ballad made me feel seen on a level that I don't often receive. The struggles of the characters were so well crafted that I was right there with them every step of the way.
The romance was breathtaking. It was simultaneously a subtle caress of wind and an avalanche of intensity.
I loved this book so much that I will be constantly recommending this book to everyone. It's a very strong contender for best book of the year for me.
This book healed a Nesta adjacent piece of me in a way I didn't know needed to happen. It was absolutely beautiful - the prose, the world, the characters, and the story.
The world building was artfully done. There's such a rich lore in this world that will serve the rest of the story, when we get it, beautifully.
As someone who's dealt with mental illness for more than half my life, Ballad made me feel seen on a level that I don't often receive. The struggles of the characters were so well crafted that I was right there with them every step of the way.
The romance was breathtaking. It was simultaneously a subtle caress of wind and an avalanche of intensity.
April 10, 2025
Utterly intoxicating. The pace of this story was well thought out and the beauty of the world-building drew me in like a moth to a flame. Iris and Aspen were wonderfully written and together, they made my heart fly. A fabulous start to a brand-new romantasy series that I highly recommend to everyone <3
January 4, 2026
The perfect balance of plot, character growth, and slow-burn romance, Ballad Of Whispers was one of my favourite reads so far this month. Even though it was well over 700 pages, i enjoyed it so much the time flew by and i had to make myself put the book down on several occasions.
The world building was SO good. It only took me a few chapters to get the hang of, and i loved how small details and layers of information were added throughout the book. Magic systems based on different classes of magic is not a new concept, but how KB Elizabeth set hers out
What truly made this such a great read for me was the characters, especially Iris. Her feelings of never being strong enough or good enough resonated so deeply with me, i just wanted to hug her. Her development and growth over the course of the book was beautiful to see, and i loved her soft, caring heart just as much as her sharper-clawed, fierce side. Altogether, her vibrant personality and loving nature made her an incredible main character, and one i’ll continue to think about for a while.
Aspen, her love interest, had just as much growth as Iris did, if not more. Some of his POV chapters were my favourites simply because he was so busy denying any kind of feelings for Iris, even when he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The slow burn of the romance was just perfect! Given they had very good reasons not to trust each other early on, it’s no wonder they took so long to succumb to their feelings. How they made excuses to touch each other and later, became a source of such comfort to each other was beyond beautiful, and i adore them. Their banter was amazing, and their little confessions of care even more so.
Additionally, the mental health aspects were something i especially enjoyed and wasn’t expecting—from Iris’s depressive episodes and panic attacks to Aspen’s grief, KB Elizabeth handled it so well, and as someone who does struggle with mental health issues, it was so comforting to see them accept each other in all their fractured pieces.
The ending? I’m in pain. But this book was a fantastic start to a series, and i can’t wait for the next instalment!
The world building was SO good. It only took me a few chapters to get the hang of, and i loved how small details and layers of information were added throughout the book. Magic systems based on different classes of magic is not a new concept, but how KB Elizabeth set hers out
What truly made this such a great read for me was the characters, especially Iris. Her feelings of never being strong enough or good enough resonated so deeply with me, i just wanted to hug her. Her development and growth over the course of the book was beautiful to see, and i loved her soft, caring heart just as much as her sharper-clawed, fierce side. Altogether, her vibrant personality and loving nature made her an incredible main character, and one i’ll continue to think about for a while.
Aspen, her love interest, had just as much growth as Iris did, if not more. Some of his POV chapters were my favourites simply because he was so busy denying any kind of feelings for Iris, even when he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The slow burn of the romance was just perfect! Given they had very good reasons not to trust each other early on, it’s no wonder they took so long to succumb to their feelings. How they made excuses to touch each other and later, became a source of such comfort to each other was beyond beautiful, and i adore them. Their banter was amazing, and their little confessions of care even more so.
Additionally, the mental health aspects were something i especially enjoyed and wasn’t expecting—from Iris’s depressive episodes and panic attacks to Aspen’s grief, KB Elizabeth handled it so well, and as someone who does struggle with mental health issues, it was so comforting to see them accept each other in all their fractured pieces.
The ending? I’m in pain. But this book was a fantastic start to a series, and i can’t wait for the next instalment!
April 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
WHAT A DEBUT!! I am eternally honored that KB chose me to ARC read this book because y'all.. this had everything I wanted for a great romantasy!
We have:
☀️ enemies to lovers
☀️ "fuck it"
☀️ he falls first
☀️ goddesses, magical blessings
☀️ prophetic magic tattoos
☀️ found family
☀️ plot twists that will shatter your heart
☀️ and an adorable furry friend!
I will now be spending the next several days pining over Iris and Aspen.
KB covers trauma in an extremely authentic way. Throughout the book, as we learn more and more about Iris and Aspen's pasts, I genuinely felt their pain and desire to come through on the other side. This is the kind of relationship building that I'm constantly yearning for. The way these two endlessly comfort and support each other, even on the bad days, sets such a beautiful foundation.
The ending of this book remained action packed. There were some plot points the I suspected but didn't guess the full extent of. At the end of the day, this only loses half a star because I definitely spent the first few chapters being entirely confused and it took me a while to really understand and love the world! But otherwise, such a stellar debut from KB!
Now below, out of context quotes I highlighted and loved:
WHAT A DEBUT!! I am eternally honored that KB chose me to ARC read this book because y'all.. this had everything I wanted for a great romantasy!
We have:
☀️ enemies to lovers
☀️ "fuck it"
☀️ he falls first
☀️ goddesses, magical blessings
☀️ prophetic magic tattoos
☀️ found family
☀️ plot twists that will shatter your heart
☀️ and an adorable furry friend!
I will now be spending the next several days pining over Iris and Aspen.
KB covers trauma in an extremely authentic way. Throughout the book, as we learn more and more about Iris and Aspen's pasts, I genuinely felt their pain and desire to come through on the other side. This is the kind of relationship building that I'm constantly yearning for. The way these two endlessly comfort and support each other, even on the bad days, sets such a beautiful foundation.
The ending of this book remained action packed. There were some plot points the I suspected but didn't guess the full extent of. At the end of the day, this only loses half a star because I definitely spent the first few chapters being entirely confused and it took me a while to really understand and love the world! But otherwise, such a stellar debut from KB!
Now below, out of context quotes I highlighted and loved:
"No is a full fucking sentence," ... "Learn it."
Yes, of course. I mean, I'd fucking take a blade through the chest for you. But of course, Virlana. Friends.
"The Frost Prince of Kacidon," ... "Defeated at last by a strawberry tart."
April 25, 2025
🌸Ballad of Whispers🌸
I absolutely loved this book and I need YOU to read it too!
I am a sucker for a great world building when reading fantasy/romantasy books and the world KB Elisabeth made didn’t disappoint😎! The world building was complex, but not difficult to get into. I often miss the complex world building in romantasy books, but this was exactly what I’ve been looking for! I really enjoyed how KB Elisabeth wrote the story while we explored the fantasy world she created at the same time!
The magic system is so unique, and I can’t wait to continue to explore more of it and the world in the next books!
The book was not action packed, but the storyline is so intriguing that you don’t need action to make the book great! But fear not, there is action too! It was like one of SJM’s books where the last 100 pages completely destroys your happy bubble and suddenly you are on a fucking roller coaster ride emotionally 😂
I loved the main characters! Especially Iris, who is perhaps one of the most loving and empathic FMC’s I have read so far! She was also incredibly smart and cunning! Plus, she loves nature, flora and animals ( hehe just like me)! I loved how Iris and Aspen (our ice prince) were so supportive and loving for each other when they talked about their trauma ❤️
I need book 2 like now!!! So excited to continue this journey! And I need a physical copy of the book! The cover is so pretty 🤩
Thank you KB for this ARC!❤️
Release date 📅: 28 April 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book and I need YOU to read it too!
I am a sucker for a great world building when reading fantasy/romantasy books and the world KB Elisabeth made didn’t disappoint😎! The world building was complex, but not difficult to get into. I often miss the complex world building in romantasy books, but this was exactly what I’ve been looking for! I really enjoyed how KB Elisabeth wrote the story while we explored the fantasy world she created at the same time!
The magic system is so unique, and I can’t wait to continue to explore more of it and the world in the next books!
The book was not action packed, but the storyline is so intriguing that you don’t need action to make the book great! But fear not, there is action too! It was like one of SJM’s books where the last 100 pages completely destroys your happy bubble and suddenly you are on a fucking roller coaster ride emotionally 😂
I loved the main characters! Especially Iris, who is perhaps one of the most loving and empathic FMC’s I have read so far! She was also incredibly smart and cunning! Plus, she loves nature, flora and animals ( hehe just like me)! I loved how Iris and Aspen (our ice prince) were so supportive and loving for each other when they talked about their trauma ❤️
I need book 2 like now!!! So excited to continue this journey! And I need a physical copy of the book! The cover is so pretty 🤩
Thank you KB for this ARC!❤️
Release date 📅: 28 April 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 21, 2025
This is the most beautifully written debut romantic fantasy I've ever read! KB explores the depths of emotional healing and dealing with trauma. I think many people will relate to these characters and may even be able to find their own healing through them.
Iris's character growth is phenomenal and she is so relatable. Her and Aspen's relationship is one of the most complex ones out there. I teared up multiple times and laughed multiple times. The side characters are so lovable and relatable as well.
The magic system is so unique and the ending is shocking and heartbreaking!
This is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2025 and I think it will be many other reader's as well.
Iris's character growth is phenomenal and she is so relatable. Her and Aspen's relationship is one of the most complex ones out there. I teared up multiple times and laughed multiple times. The side characters are so lovable and relatable as well.
The magic system is so unique and the ending is shocking and heartbreaking!
This is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2025 and I think it will be many other reader's as well.
April 11, 2025
Thank you for this ARC, I’m grateful for this opportunity but unfortunately I’m DNFing this book at around 50%.
I’m giving it a generous rating of 2.75 ( rounding it to a 3 star rating ) I say generous because normally I give DNF’d books a 1 star rating. I try and give debut indie authors the benefit of the doubt when it comes to my criticism towards their books and writing. The dialogue felt very clunky and clumsy and very NPC like. And the story felt like they were just trying to hit certain tropes instead of making it a cohesive and engaging story.
I felt like the this book needed more editing, being over 700 pages and I went slightly past 50% in and we still haven’t even started the trial portion of the story. it just didn’t add up to what was advertised with the synopsis. I didn’t truly understand how this was going to go into the trial from where the story was already at with the illness storyline and I didn’t know where this illness storyline had anything to add to it.
Overall, I felt like this book just needed editing which could just come from experience since this is a debut author. I’ll definitely keep an eye out and maybe I’ll come back to this author at a later date to see if they have improved.
I’m giving it a generous rating of 2.75 ( rounding it to a 3 star rating ) I say generous because normally I give DNF’d books a 1 star rating. I try and give debut indie authors the benefit of the doubt when it comes to my criticism towards their books and writing. The dialogue felt very clunky and clumsy and very NPC like. And the story felt like they were just trying to hit certain tropes instead of making it a cohesive and engaging story.
I felt like the this book needed more editing, being over 700 pages and I went slightly past 50% in and we still haven’t even started the trial portion of the story. it just didn’t add up to what was advertised with the synopsis. I didn’t truly understand how this was going to go into the trial from where the story was already at with the illness storyline and I didn’t know where this illness storyline had anything to add to it.
Overall, I felt like this book just needed editing which could just come from experience since this is a debut author. I’ll definitely keep an eye out and maybe I’ll come back to this author at a later date to see if they have improved.
May 8, 2025
~ARC review~
Okay, Ballad of Whispers? Totally owned me. It’s not action-packed, but who even needs nonstop battles when the world-building is this rich and the writing this freaking gorgeous? I was hooked from page one—like, take-my-soul captivated. The magic system is unique, the lore is layered, and the dual POV made it all come alive. Iris was strong, resilient, and impossible not to root for. And Aspen? That cold, stoic prince with his cinnamon roll heart absolutely wrecked me—his kindness, his quiet pain, ugh, I adore him (and yes, Mr. Snowman is now canon in my mind). Their banter was everything: sharp, funny, emotional.
I also have to applaud the mental health rep—it was handled with depth and care, and felt genuinely meaningful. I loved the artistic chapter headers—they added an extra touch of magic. This isn’t a book that screams in your face—it whispers, wraps you in silk, and slowly carves out your heart. If you’re here for epic slow-burn vibes, emotional depth, and magical intrigue, buckle up. The Sunchosen trials better bring it, because I need book two yesterday.
Okay, Ballad of Whispers? Totally owned me. It’s not action-packed, but who even needs nonstop battles when the world-building is this rich and the writing this freaking gorgeous? I was hooked from page one—like, take-my-soul captivated. The magic system is unique, the lore is layered, and the dual POV made it all come alive. Iris was strong, resilient, and impossible not to root for. And Aspen? That cold, stoic prince with his cinnamon roll heart absolutely wrecked me—his kindness, his quiet pain, ugh, I adore him (and yes, Mr. Snowman is now canon in my mind). Their banter was everything: sharp, funny, emotional.
I also have to applaud the mental health rep—it was handled with depth and care, and felt genuinely meaningful. I loved the artistic chapter headers—they added an extra touch of magic. This isn’t a book that screams in your face—it whispers, wraps you in silk, and slowly carves out your heart. If you’re here for epic slow-burn vibes, emotional depth, and magical intrigue, buckle up. The Sunchosen trials better bring it, because I need book two yesterday.
May 31, 2025
1. No reason this book needed to be 600 pages. I seriously can’t tell you a single thing about this book because nothing happens of interest or importance.
2. Lots of mentions about a trial but no trial happens.
3. So boring. Characters are one dimensional.
4. Was only able to finish because I had multiple days off from work in a row and nothing else going on.
6. 600 pages.
2. Lots of mentions about a trial but no trial happens.
3. So boring. Characters are one dimensional.
4. Was only able to finish because I had multiple days off from work in a row and nothing else going on.
6. 600 pages.
Currently reading
January 6, 2026Beta read this! Will come back with a rating & review when I reread after it's published <3
September 4, 2025
I felt like I was reading this for months
April 28, 2025
Tropes:
Reluctant allies ✨
Hidden identity ✨
Mythical creatures ✨
Mental health rep ✨
Forced proximity ✨
Found family ✨
Icy prince x soft apothecary FMC ✨
A goddess created world ✨
The day I stumbled upon her page when scrolling, wow I’m forever grateful for finding her and this beautiful, whimsical world! I don’t know what you put into this, well expect for raw talent, but I’m here and addicted so I couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much for the arc opportunity 🤍
KB Elizabeth have this complex world building that’s yet not difficult to get into. The magic system is so well crafted as well the characters that are filled with charisma and their personality are filled to the brim. They became such a family of mine quickly of how easy it was to get a peek into their very soul. That’s exactly how it felt. They’re relatable, funny and deep, and the more I read, the more they unwrap about themselves which is truly indulging through the story line.
Iris have a fate where’s she’s one of the twenty chosen ones, by the goddess Lux. She’s destined to lead the council and watch over Alterra and the five kingdoms, but she’s on the run and is now working to clear a depth by finding a cure for what’s plaguing residents in the kingdom. Iris is really sunshine, bird song and flowers but also hiding a pain through all of that. Kindness is her strength, and I love that so much about her. It’s really ”when two worlds collide” when she meets Aspen, the stoic, icy prince but all the cred to Iris for finding his true cinnamon heart through all his layers! Their banter is everything and builds up to this swoon worthy fit of kicking feet. There’s so much understanding between these two from their traumatic past, which includes healing for them and for us readers. It’s hard and tangled, but so beautiful written my heard is aching for them.
A moment for Theon, Ferrin and Nadya! These side characters are to be protected at any costs! And the animals?! God, this book is just taking all my love in one go.
Reluctant allies ✨
Hidden identity ✨
Mythical creatures ✨
Mental health rep ✨
Forced proximity ✨
Found family ✨
Icy prince x soft apothecary FMC ✨
A goddess created world ✨
The day I stumbled upon her page when scrolling, wow I’m forever grateful for finding her and this beautiful, whimsical world! I don’t know what you put into this, well expect for raw talent, but I’m here and addicted so I couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much for the arc opportunity 🤍
KB Elizabeth have this complex world building that’s yet not difficult to get into. The magic system is so well crafted as well the characters that are filled with charisma and their personality are filled to the brim. They became such a family of mine quickly of how easy it was to get a peek into their very soul. That’s exactly how it felt. They’re relatable, funny and deep, and the more I read, the more they unwrap about themselves which is truly indulging through the story line.
Iris have a fate where’s she’s one of the twenty chosen ones, by the goddess Lux. She’s destined to lead the council and watch over Alterra and the five kingdoms, but she’s on the run and is now working to clear a depth by finding a cure for what’s plaguing residents in the kingdom. Iris is really sunshine, bird song and flowers but also hiding a pain through all of that. Kindness is her strength, and I love that so much about her. It’s really ”when two worlds collide” when she meets Aspen, the stoic, icy prince but all the cred to Iris for finding his true cinnamon heart through all his layers! Their banter is everything and builds up to this swoon worthy fit of kicking feet. There’s so much understanding between these two from their traumatic past, which includes healing for them and for us readers. It’s hard and tangled, but so beautiful written my heard is aching for them.
A moment for Theon, Ferrin and Nadya! These side characters are to be protected at any costs! And the animals?! God, this book is just taking all my love in one go.
April 30, 2025
So if you like whimsical magical romantasy books, with twists and turns and…. for your heart to be filled but then broken, this one is in fact for you.
That was so amazing and this book is a debut novel 👏👏👏. First off, this book has a magical glossary, which I am a big fan of. There is great writing with detail and world building that I could truly imagine this whimsical scenes. This book has a unique magic system, scheming goddesses, hidden identity and secrets. I adore these characters. This book has great banter between the fmc and mmc. So witty, sarcastic, funny and charming, that it is so entertaining to read. The side characters are so entertaining as well with their unique personalities and traits and overall loyalty to the main characters. The found family is chefs kiss.
Iris ( our fmc ) is stubborn, selfless and strong. She goes through so much, but still doesn’t let that dim her light. Aspen is so observant and so obsessed with Iris! The things that man says is like true poetry. He definitely falls first and doesn’t regret a thing. It was so great to read about her being truly seen and loved. They both have experienced things that have stuck with them and brought them down, however they both brightened each other’s world and worked through their pain.
Mochi is just the cutest and best animal companion. The plot definitely kept me intrigued and there was mild spice but I like how it didn’t cheapen the interactions and love between Iris and Aspen. That last 10% is where things truly started going down hill. The reveals were heartbreaking. I desperately can’t wait to read book two.
Tropes included:
- unique magic system
- main character with hidden identity
- trauma and grief ( mental health rep )
- banter
- found family
- forced proximity at times
- mysterious sickness
- magical bonds
- mild spice
That was so amazing and this book is a debut novel 👏👏👏. First off, this book has a magical glossary, which I am a big fan of. There is great writing with detail and world building that I could truly imagine this whimsical scenes. This book has a unique magic system, scheming goddesses, hidden identity and secrets. I adore these characters. This book has great banter between the fmc and mmc. So witty, sarcastic, funny and charming, that it is so entertaining to read. The side characters are so entertaining as well with their unique personalities and traits and overall loyalty to the main characters. The found family is chefs kiss.
Iris ( our fmc ) is stubborn, selfless and strong. She goes through so much, but still doesn’t let that dim her light. Aspen is so observant and so obsessed with Iris! The things that man says is like true poetry. He definitely falls first and doesn’t regret a thing. It was so great to read about her being truly seen and loved. They both have experienced things that have stuck with them and brought them down, however they both brightened each other’s world and worked through their pain.
Mochi is just the cutest and best animal companion. The plot definitely kept me intrigued and there was mild spice but I like how it didn’t cheapen the interactions and love between Iris and Aspen. That last 10% is where things truly started going down hill. The reveals were heartbreaking. I desperately can’t wait to read book two.
Tropes included:
- unique magic system
- main character with hidden identity
- trauma and grief ( mental health rep )
- banter
- found family
- forced proximity at times
- mysterious sickness
- magical bonds
- mild spice
October 13, 2025
"Who we choose to be, what legacy we decide to leave is a far greater measure of character than any gift from some unseen entity."
Tropes:
- Reluctant Allies
- Hidden Identity
- Forced Proximity
- Mythical Creatures
- Mental Health Rep
- Found Family
- Intricate (!!!) Magic System
- A Goddess Crated World
- EPIC Romantic Fantasy
Review:
When I met KB Elizabeth, she described her book as 'Pixie Hollow in a D&D Game'. I bought it immediately and fell in love with her instantly. However, nothing could have prepared me for everything I would feel while reading this book. I took my time with it, annotating, referencing the incredible guide she put in the front of the book, and with every passing day that I spent in this world, the less I wanted to leave it.
The romance between Iris and Aspen was filled with so much banter, yearning and tender moments that made my heart ache. The way they both feel so SEEN with one another, neither of them has to pretend or wear a mask. It's rare to find that in another person, and Elizabeth really wrote the perfect example. Some of the lines from this quite literally knocked the air from my lungs.
"His walls frustrated me endlessly, but even so, I could see them for what they were - the first line of defense for a bruised and tattered heart. I used laughter and a painted smile the same way."
Something I'd hate not to acknowledge is the mental health representation. Never has a book so perfectly represented how I personally experience depression. The exploration of mental health issues was so well done, respectful and added such a beautifully tragic layer to the story.
I truly love this book so much, and I cannot wait for book two because WTF WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??????
Tropes:
- Reluctant Allies
- Hidden Identity
- Forced Proximity
- Mythical Creatures
- Mental Health Rep
- Found Family
- Intricate (!!!) Magic System
- A Goddess Crated World
- EPIC Romantic Fantasy
Review:
When I met KB Elizabeth, she described her book as 'Pixie Hollow in a D&D Game'. I bought it immediately and fell in love with her instantly. However, nothing could have prepared me for everything I would feel while reading this book. I took my time with it, annotating, referencing the incredible guide she put in the front of the book, and with every passing day that I spent in this world, the less I wanted to leave it.
The romance between Iris and Aspen was filled with so much banter, yearning and tender moments that made my heart ache. The way they both feel so SEEN with one another, neither of them has to pretend or wear a mask. It's rare to find that in another person, and Elizabeth really wrote the perfect example. Some of the lines from this quite literally knocked the air from my lungs.
"His walls frustrated me endlessly, but even so, I could see them for what they were - the first line of defense for a bruised and tattered heart. I used laughter and a painted smile the same way."
Something I'd hate not to acknowledge is the mental health representation. Never has a book so perfectly represented how I personally experience depression. The exploration of mental health issues was so well done, respectful and added such a beautifully tragic layer to the story.
I truly love this book so much, and I cannot wait for book two because WTF WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??????
January 11, 2026
I REALLY adored this one!! I had been intrigued in this story ever since I saw the premise of it, and I gotta say it did not disappoint.
If I’m getting romantasy, I want world building. I want lore and extensive characters (that are given enough screen time and personality for me to be invested) and I want twists. I want a badass FMC who is probably (always) a little stabby and an MMC who is snarky and probably has some kind of pet name for her. Ballad of Whispers had all of that, and so much more.
The time and care KB took to build this world and these characters SHOWS in her writing. She loves them all as if they were her own children, and they’re treated with such care and love. And because of that, the found family vibes are OFF THE CHART. And if you know a single thing about me, it’s that found family is my SHIT.
On top of that, the mental health representation is immaculate. Iris as a character has been through so much and truly just perseveres and I respect and love the hell outta her for not letting the circumstances of the world change her heart for the worst. Aspen and the way they fall in love with each other is one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve seen.
This is one of the most eloquently written books I’ve ever read. The prose is so ethereal and magical, it flows and lyrically tells you this beautiful story with one of the most unexpected twists I’ve read in a while! Overall I can’t wait for book 2 and to see where this journey takes us.
If I’m getting romantasy, I want world building. I want lore and extensive characters (that are given enough screen time and personality for me to be invested) and I want twists. I want a badass FMC who is probably (always) a little stabby and an MMC who is snarky and probably has some kind of pet name for her. Ballad of Whispers had all of that, and so much more.
The time and care KB took to build this world and these characters SHOWS in her writing. She loves them all as if they were her own children, and they’re treated with such care and love. And because of that, the found family vibes are OFF THE CHART. And if you know a single thing about me, it’s that found family is my SHIT.
On top of that, the mental health representation is immaculate. Iris as a character has been through so much and truly just perseveres and I respect and love the hell outta her for not letting the circumstances of the world change her heart for the worst. Aspen and the way they fall in love with each other is one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve seen.
This is one of the most eloquently written books I’ve ever read. The prose is so ethereal and magical, it flows and lyrically tells you this beautiful story with one of the most unexpected twists I’ve read in a while! Overall I can’t wait for book 2 and to see where this journey takes us.
October 17, 2025
I honestly wasn't sure about this book for about 70% of it. I thought it had a great start and a great end. The middle is where I'm iffy
I appreciated how long it took for the love interests to get together, but once they got together, the story felt like it was only about them and not about any of the other plots. They all came together in the end, but for a while there I was just wondering when we get back to the whole "people are dying and we don't know why" plot. Or the "I'm a runaway from the government" plot. For being such a big deal, that didn't come up much until the end of the book. Also justice for Deyenira (or however her name is spelled), she was my favorite character.
I will say I enjoyed the world building a lot. I think the book could even do without the breakdown of all the powers in the beginning. The author did a good enough job at presenting things that it wasn't necessary. Sometimes the characters would go a little too in depth on their explanations of how things worked, but when Iris does it, it is a little in character at the very least.
Overall, for a what I believe is a debut novel, very good!
I appreciated how long it took for the love interests to get together, but once they got together, the story felt like it was only about them and not about any of the other plots. They all came together in the end, but for a while there I was just wondering when we get back to the whole "people are dying and we don't know why" plot. Or the "I'm a runaway from the government" plot. For being such a big deal, that didn't come up much until the end of the book. Also justice for Deyenira (or however her name is spelled), she was my favorite character.
I will say I enjoyed the world building a lot. I think the book could even do without the breakdown of all the powers in the beginning. The author did a good enough job at presenting things that it wasn't necessary. Sometimes the characters would go a little too in depth on their explanations of how things worked, but when Iris does it, it is a little in character at the very least.
Overall, for a what I believe is a debut novel, very good!
April 28, 2025
Iris is a new soul character of mine and I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her 💖
Ballad of Whispers features some of my absolute favorite things in fantasy romance books:
- unique magic & worldbuilding
- extremely well rounded characters that feel SO real and make your heart hurt every time they feel any sort of pain
- mental health rep (which in my opinion was incredibly well done)
- a story that builds and builds and builds, everything is laid out so well to bring us to the conclusion at the end which brings me to my next point
- a conclusion that leaves you screaming, begging for book 2 (but not in a cliffhanger way that pisses you off)
I adore this story & this world & these characters, and I can’t wait for more from KB Elizabeth ❤️
Ballad of Whispers features some of my absolute favorite things in fantasy romance books:
- unique magic & worldbuilding
- extremely well rounded characters that feel SO real and make your heart hurt every time they feel any sort of pain
- mental health rep (which in my opinion was incredibly well done)
- a story that builds and builds and builds, everything is laid out so well to bring us to the conclusion at the end which brings me to my next point
- a conclusion that leaves you screaming, begging for book 2 (but not in a cliffhanger way that pisses you off)
I adore this story & this world & these characters, and I can’t wait for more from KB Elizabeth ❤️
April 12, 2025
She's chunky but she's worth it 🤭
For being her debut book, KB Elizabeth does a really good job with the world building and the intricacies of character development.
Iris and Aspen fit so well together, I couldn't wait to see them form a bond and I was happy to see it wasn't a forced one, they grew into it so beautifully, I loved it.
They're both so damn stubborn for their own good, if only they'd worked together properly 😭 (not spoiling this)
Love Nightshade and am really looking forward to learning more about her life and about her bond with Karhu, I'm sure it will be interesting 👀
Love that Iris has found a family in her and the other people she encounters during her life.
I'm sad we had that ending 😭🤣 I need more asap, please!! 😍
For being her debut book, KB Elizabeth does a really good job with the world building and the intricacies of character development.
Iris and Aspen fit so well together, I couldn't wait to see them form a bond and I was happy to see it wasn't a forced one, they grew into it so beautifully, I loved it.
They're both so damn stubborn for their own good, if only they'd worked together properly 😭 (not spoiling this)
Love Nightshade and am really looking forward to learning more about her life and about her bond with Karhu, I'm sure it will be interesting 👀
Love that Iris has found a family in her and the other people she encounters during her life.
I'm sad we had that ending 😭🤣 I need more asap, please!! 😍
April 7, 2025
First off, I am grateful for receiving an ARC of this.I like fantasy, and I like magical trials. The premise sounded interesting. The world building was interesting.
Unfortunately , I'll be officially dnfing this book.
This book felt like a bunch of tropes thrown together and wrapped up in a pretty cover. Zinnia was probably the only character I was interested in. The dialogue felt.....clunky tbh. It was like watching a bunch of NPCs interact.
Honestly, this might just be a case of the book just being not something i might personally enjoy. Someone else might like it though.
Unfortunately , I'll be officially dnfing this book.
This book felt like a bunch of tropes thrown together and wrapped up in a pretty cover. Zinnia was probably the only character I was interested in. The dialogue felt.....clunky tbh. It was like watching a bunch of NPCs interact.
Honestly, this might just be a case of the book just being not something i might personally enjoy. Someone else might like it though.
July 13, 2025
ARE YOU SERIOUS?? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW????
If you don't have this on your TBR, ADD IT. The world building? Magic system? Enemies to lovers? 10/10, no notes.
Seriously, this book is going to blow up all over BookTok. Like, I haven't been this invested in a new book since Fourth Wing. I am waiting for book #2 with baited breath.
If you don't have this on your TBR, ADD IT. The world building? Magic system? Enemies to lovers? 10/10, no notes.
Seriously, this book is going to blow up all over BookTok. Like, I haven't been this invested in a new book since Fourth Wing. I am waiting for book #2 with baited breath.
August 6, 2025
It was pretty good!! I felt it was a bit slow sometimes and honestly felt too long sometimes but I enjoyed it.
I really liked the dual pov aspect and how interesting and unique the magic system is.
I loved both the MCs and and thought they were well developed and very fun to see interact.
Excited to see where it goes!
I really liked the dual pov aspect and how interesting and unique the magic system is.
I loved both the MCs and and thought they were well developed and very fun to see interact.
Excited to see where it goes!
May 26, 2025
i really enjoyed this. it sucked me in really fast and kept me hooked. there was one bit between the 60-75% mark that i felt a small lull in but other then that it was really good.
i cant wait for the 2nd book!! i have so many new questions from that ending!
i cant wait for the 2nd book!! i have so many new questions from that ending!
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