Forged by Malice – Schattengeschmiedet: Roman

Beasts of the Briar #3

by Elizabeth Helen, Nele Boysen (translator), Diana Marloh (translator)

Vier Fae-Prinzen.
Ein tödlicher Fluch.
Eine Welt voller Gefahren, Magie und dunkler Liebe.Endlich hat Rosalina im verwunschenen Tal der Fae-Prinzen ein neues Zuhause gefunden. Doch ihr Glück ist nicht von Dauer, denn aus dem Reich des Frühlingsprinzen Ezryn dringen beunruhigende Eine alte Feindin aus der Unterwelt will ihm den Thron streitig machen und droht Frühling mit Krieg zu überziehen. Rosalina steht ihrem Prinzen zur Seite, auch wenn das bedeutet, dass sie sich selbst in der Dunkelheit verliert …

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fae, Why Choose, Fantasy Romance, Magic

737 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2023

About the author

Elizabeth Helen is the combined pen name of sister writing duo, Elizabeth and Helen. Elizabeth and Helen write fantasy romance and love creating enchanting adventures for their characters. When they’re not writing, you can find them snuggling their cats, exploring their rainforest home in British Columbia, Canada, or rolling the dice for a game of Dungeons & Dragons. You can connect with them on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.

Visit us at:

Website: https://elizabethhelen.carrd.co

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorelizabe...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.eliz...

Facebook Reader's Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58300...

Reviews

[Suirene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I CANNOT WAIT!!!
golden retriever and tin man deserve to bond.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can’t wait for more Caspian, please and thank you

UPDATE, post-read: My original thoughts still stand. Caspian is easily the most intriguing character in the series, and I’m hopeful for even more page time.

I have A LOT of thoughts about this book. The first is in reflection of the recently found knowledge that this series will be SEVEN books. I am a little concerned this is going to be a stretch, given the pacing of this book. This one seemed a lot darker to the characters, and felt brutal at times. I feel like Farron hit a kind of growth and conclusion at the end of the last book, something I don’t think we got to see with Ezryn in this one.

I will definitely read the next one when it comes out, but I’m hoping for improved pacing overall. There were also reveals that weren’t really surprising, and a twist I don’t buy for a second. We’ll see.

[Caroline]

Reading this series feels like watching a dog endlessly chase its tail without ever quite catching it.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m conflicted about this one. On the one hand, there was some interesting world development. We also FINALLY got some answers about the whole Kel/Caspian bargain.

But… I don’t know. I really think one mate per book is dragging this out too much. The first third of the book was mostly the characters in different places, so different things. It dragged. Then the action went a little nuts. Ezryn’s story is pretty bleak. He’s incredibly self-involved due to his sense of honor, and damn the consequences. He is riddled with guilt and remorse and it all feels overly indulgent. Refusing to release the curse made no sense to me. And I genuinely don’t care about his brother.

Some of the revelations weren’t that surprising and other set ups were painfully obvious (The Nightingale as Rose’s sister, for one). But I don’t really like the revelation that Dayton’s mate is someone else. While I would expect the authors have a plan (either Wrenley joins the crew or this was some sort of trick designed to get him to address the reason he was cursed), it didn’t sit right and left a sour taste in my mouth. We had three full books of build up that suggested Dayton was Rose’s mate too, and then this grenade comes out? It honestly makes me want to skip the rest of the books because I don’t know I trust the authors to deliver the HEA I expected. Looking at the series description, it does say the beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between four sexy fae princes. So I guess technically Caspian as her mate would fulfill this. But if Dayton is the only one she isn’t mated with, then I don’t get this set up with Rose and Farron at all. At the same time, I’m fairly convinced that Wrenley is also the Nightingale. And if that’s true, I have to believe this is part of her grand plan and may not be a true mate situation.

So will I read the next book? Eh, maybe. My interest is definitely waning and I’m not convinced this story is going in a direction I will enjoy.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly frustrated and disappointed by this addition to the series.

Wrenley pissed me off from her first appearance, I truly do not trust her as a character and her being Day’s mate makes no sense and genuinely gave me an icky feeling in my stomach.

Will someone kill ANYONE in this universe?? Like there were so many opportunities for any of the bad guys to die and we just keep giving them endless chances?? Bffr.

I loved the first two books in this series but this one just felt too long, too wishy washy, too Blegh.

**ADDING because I've had some time to stew**

This series doesn't need to be 7 books!!!!! The first 3 could have easily been made into 1 with decent editing. Especially this book. Like cut out all the elements of the main characters being separated (which is about 1/3), cut to the chase a bit more.

I really feel like the authors think their reader are idiots because some of the "reveals" here were things that could be predicted from book 1.

- the queen being Rose's mom
- Caspian being one of Rose's mate
- the queen not actually being dead

It was all glaringly obvious.

Also... we get it... you drew inspo from the Mandolorian. damn.

[Emmy Rosam · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ Sigh… a solid 70% of this book could have been edited down. It was too long with nothing really happening. I enjoyed the big plot points but feel like this book could have been email. It was giving extra cringe (and not in the good way 😭)

I’ll be reading on though because the endings always get me. I just wish there was more of that energy in the rest of the story

[Lanae (findmeonsmutlane) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, I went into this book excited. I loved the first two, and was counting down the days to this book. And I am SO disappointed.

First things, this series is dragging. I don't feel like it needs to be 7 books. And we don't need a book per prince. It's just too much. There is too much going on, too many different backstories, too many side plot lines (a lot of which have gone nowhere) and it's taking way too long to get answers. Like why did it take THREE books to finally reveal the Kel/Cassian bargain? And it was painfully obvious what it was? Like nothing was really shocking, it was just a confirmation of what had been hinted at.

The first 35% of this book was just an info dump. And I found myself putting it down multiple times and just walking away cause it was too much, nothing was getting answered, and I was just getting confused. Then finally we started getting some action and answers and it did keep me interested and reading.

So many things seem glaringly obvious in this book that I'm just so frustrated with the characters for not noticing. It's been so obvious that the Queen was Rosie's mom. Literally since book one. But I hate how no one ever considered it, or even if they were related somehow. Like HOW. Also the bonds. Everyone is always so shocked that they're bonded to Rosie, but again, it's been right there in the pages. I hate when authors make things so obvious but the characters are absolutely clueless.

Also, I truly believe the nightingale and wren are the same person. At the very least, working together. Too many similarities and too many coincidences. And I hate that red flags have been going up to Rosie about wren and she just ignores them. Why? WHY?

And then the fucking ending, of Dayton supposedly being mated to wren? BULLSHIT. Absolute garbage. You spend three books building this connection and relationship with Farron and Rosie and Dayton and then all of a sudden do this as a cliffhanger? BULLSHIT. I refuse to accept it. And if this isn't some kind of potion bullshit fake out set up by the nightingale I will fucking throw this book.

Oh and the reveal that Cassian and Rosie are mates? Again, something that's been GLARINGLY obvious for literally three books, but takes three books for clarification. Just so much draggingggg. Like if you're going to drag out certain plot points, throw in something unexpected!

And Ezyrn's storyline? I was really looking forward to it and I feel like it was just, I dunno. I didn't like it. We all knew his honor would be his fault and undoing. But like, it was just too much. I was so angry with him but also like, how come we didn't get a decent conclusion of him like we did with Farron in his books. Like now his main plot points in his book aren't even going to get finished?

Also, on that thought, I know the author is inspired by other characters and books with her characters. But this book really makes me feel like she is drawing too many similarities and making things too close instead of taking "light" inspiration and making things her own. We have the very obvious mandalorian inspo, but it's not just the character. Even the aspects of spring, and the wording. Just too similar. And Kel is like a mixture of the Witcher, and game of thrones. Like the place he went to where his uncle was? Like so obviously the wall in game of thrones. I get being inspired and maybe molding some characters after others, but this is just hitting too on the nose in some ways where I wish it didn't and was more original.

All in all, this book infuriated me and really questions whether I want to continue the series. I really don't want to read four more books to get a conclusion. And with so many plot points being glaringly obvious, and then others just fully pissing me off? I don't know. I don't know man.

[Davina Herondale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was everything predictable from the start? Yeah
Did I eat it up? YES MA’AM

but dude I’m so mad I have to wait till summer

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't do this anymore... and it's sad. Because I love the premise of the story, I love the characters and the writing style. But I just can't do it. This series is not a 7 book series. It should have been done in max 4. I was 1/3 into this one and just had to give up, because it's so obviously dragged out, and when I skipped to the last few chapters and read the twist they put in? Heeeeeeell no, I get that it's probably going to turn out to be a trick (at least I fucking hope so) but it was unnecessary, and the last chapter and all that was revealed? Ugh, no. No.no.no.no.nooo. I DNF'd it. I'll most likely just read spoiler reviews for what happened in the other books just to see where it goes, but I won't continue with this series. It's not worth the it.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very fortunate to be on Helen & Elizabeth’s beta team and get the opportunity to read an arc of this book so early. I will obviously be coming back with the official release/final copy to do a re read and give an official review, but right now I had to come on here and let the world know it was SO good. They’ve crafted an amazing fantasy world and I truly don’t know what I’m going to do waiting for the next book in this series.

[Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5/5 stars

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, exciting, and with enough answers to keep me satisfied and enough questions to bring me back. I’m all in on this series.

Recommendation:
The first book was good, the second was great, but I absolutely LOVED the third. I like that each book since the first has focused primarily on one prince and their realm. This one focused on Ezryn and the Spring realm.

Characters:
Rosalina O’Connell: I knew it.

Keldarion, Prince of Winter: Kel makes so much more sense after the events of this book. I knew he had good reason for not accepting his mating bond with Rosalina, but he loses a few points from me for making a foolish bargain. Even if you love someone, never make a vow that potentially makes another pay for your sins.

Ezryn, Prince of Spring: Who would have thought Ezryn’s story would be so compelling?? The dynamics of the Spring Court, their customs, and his family helped me to better understand how Ezryn became the person he is. His character is on an arc I didn't predict but I've really enjoyed. Can't wait to see how the events of this book play out in future books.

Dayton, Prince of Summer: What a journey Dayton has been on! He's gone from complete rake to someone who wants something deeper and more meaningful. Dayton's character growth has been the most significant of the series so far.

Farron, Prince of Autumn: I just can't get into Farron. He does very little for me. He's supposed to be the cinnamon roll MMC but there's just something about him I don't vibe with.

Caspian, Prince of Thorns: Finally! Caspian became a proper POV character in this book and it feels overdue. Every book, I love Caspian more. I've know he was destined to be my favorite prince because I am powerless to resist the dark, damaged antihero that is saved through love.

Nightingale/Wrenly: This. Bitch.

Thoughts:
• There’s no way Rosalina is mates with every other prince including Caspian and poor Dayton is the odd man out.
• Kairyn’s betrayal was next level brutal. Great villain. Terrible brother.
• There’s just no way that Wrenly isn’t Nightingale. There are tons of context clues in the book that support this.

- The authors call out Wrenly and Nightingale's striking blue eyes and short dark hair.
- Nightingale's lab had shells and wisps in it (Forged by Malice, Ch. 40).
- The wisps can be tricked by a flower called Friar's Lantern (Woven by Gold, Ch. 40).
- There is a moment Caspian is talking to Nightingale and he says "Wr–wait." like he was about to call her Wrenly (Forged by Malice, Ch. 86).
- Nightingale and Rosalina are sisters, and Rosalina mentioned that her mother's favorite animal was the Pacific Wren (Forged by Malice, Ch. 9).

• The Queen must have been pregnant when she was taken and imprisoned by Sira.
• What is Wrenly/Nightingale going to do if Dayton tries to claim her, and it doesn’t break the curse? This plan seems short-sighted but she’s not dumb. She must have something up her sleeve.

Book Details:
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Narration Type: 1st Person Multi-POV (Rosalina, Keldarion, Ezryn, Dayton, Farron, Caspian)
Steam: 4/5
Literary Tropes: Age Gap, Alpha Hero, Cliffhanger Ending, Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Retelling, Reverse Harem
Reading Age: 18+
Trigger warnings: Abuse, Death, Torture

Spicy Chapters: 2, 11, 22, 46, 64, 66, 68, 78, 98

Plot Summary: FULL SPOILERS - for a refresher before heading into the next book...😉
PART 1: Absolution
Picking up 6 weeks after the events of book two, Farron is helping his father adjust to being steward. Ezryn makes plans to return to Spring to check on his ailing father. Keldarion plans to return to winter to name a new steward, but he privately reveals to Ezryn he wants to abdicate his position and pass the Winter Blessing on to his uncle. Dayton trains Rosalina to protect herself. She is most comfortable with a bow.

Rosalina discovers goblins have infiltrated Castletree. She and Dayton determine the goblins are looking for Kel’s sword as the protector of the realm. They retrieve the sword and kill the goblins. While heading back to Castletree they notice one of the goblin’s weapons was spring steel, recently forged. They decide to go to the spring realm to warn Ezryn of possible danger.

Ezryn returns to the spring realm to find his brother Kairyn has ended his own banishment and is acting as steward in place of their sick father. Kairyn was banished when he challenged Ezryn’s rule after the death of their mother. His banishment is considered by most to have been a mercy as Ezryn could have killed or unhelmed him. However, Kairyn holds deep contempt and anger toward Ezryn.

Ezryn confronts Kairyn, accusing him of being a usurper to the throne. Kairyn angrily rejects the assertion saying that Ezryn abandoned the realm, and he has been protecting the Spring against increasing attacks from below.

PART 2: Enshrined Memories
Caspian and Nightingale meet Kairyn in the monastery he was banished to, which sits atop a mountain in the Spring realm. Nightingale has been manipulating Kairyn as part of her plan. Kairyn has taken control of the monastery and the acolytes within it are loyal to him. Kairyn also reveals that the Queen’s Army – an army of elite warriors ready to defend the queen – are loyal to him. They have given up hope of her return after 500 years and the ones that hadn’t were disposed of.

Keldarion visits his uncle Irahn, who oversees The Great Chasm - a huge ravine that Caspian created when Kel betrayed the realm. It must be guarded because monsters from the Below escape from it regularly. Kel wants Irahn to become the new Prince of Winter and to take his place overseeing the Great Chasm. Irahn refuses.

Farron joins Dayton, Ezryn, and Rosalina in the Spring realm. They go to investigate the main forge that makes weapons to determine if any have recently gone missing. They are greeted by Tilla, the woman Keldarion left at the alter on their wedding day. Tilla reveals that an unusual number of weapons have been sent to the monastery lately.

They are on their way to the monastery when they come across an acolyte being threatened by goblins. She falls into a river and hits her head. Dayton jumps in and saves her. Dayton takes the acolyte, Wrenly, down the mountain for medical attention while Farron and Rosalina continue to the monastery. Ezryn is there, expected to pass judgment on his brother.

Kairyn gives Rosalina a tour of the monastery. She learns about five divine weapons that the queen crafted before she disappeared. They are held at the monastery for safe keeping. Anyone who uses a divine weapon without a token (the necklaces each prince wears) will slowly be poisoned by it. Touching the queen’s bow results in immediate death.

Farron finds Ezryn and tells him what they learned. Ezryn is torn because he has seen firsthand the good his brother has done in protecting their people. Ezryn tells Kairyn he is absolving him and ending his banishment, but he will not name him steward of the realm.

PART 3: Springs Awakening
Ezryn, Rosalina, Farron and Dayton attend a jubilee being held in Ezryn’s honor. Rosalina encourages Dayton to dance with Wrenly, who appears interested in him.

Farron summons Caspian and asks about his connection to Rosalina. Caspian reveals he wants to become human which should render his bargain with Keldarion void. He won’t reveal to Farron why he wants to be human.

Ezryn takes Rosalina to the place where his mother transferred Spring’s blessing to him. While there they encounter the pollen of a plant that causes a shared hallucination. In the hallucination, Rosalina sees what happened when Ezryn accepted Spring’s blessing from his mother. He was overwhelmed by the magic and his mother was accidentally killed during the transfer. Kairyn blames Ezryn for her death and Ezryn carries immense guilt over it. Rosalina senses something is wrong, she throws herself into a nearby lake, washing away the pollen, and stops hallucinating. While trying to get Ezryn to the lake, Nightingale appears.

Rosalina calls out for help through her mating bonds. Nightingale attacks Rosalina, revealing a deep resentment of her. Caspian and Kel arrive and together to help Rosalina. Caspian kills Nightingale’s Dreadknights and goblins, to her dismay. Sira arrives and takes all of them down to the Below.

PART 4: Everlasting Vow
Once in the Below, Sira has Caspian take all four prince’s tokens. He takes Rosalina’s too but hides that fact. Sira knows Rosalina is Keldarion’s mate and realizes she is unaware of the nature of the bargain he made with Caspian.

Caspian reveals the full extent of the bargain: “Let me take no other but you. If one day, my vow shall prove false and I lie with another, let them serve you in repentance until you tire of them as I did your heart. And if ever there is no love between us, let this bargain melt away like snow under rain.”

Kel’s POV reveals he once loved Caspian. He spoke those words as a vow of love between them before he was cursed and before he knew he had a mate. Sira tells Keldarion that Caspian had visited the Fates and saw that Kel had a mate. Caspian lets everyone believe that he saw the Fates before he made the bargain.

Rosalina summons briars to bring them back to the surface. She decides to bring Caspian with her. She asks Caspian more about the bargain. Caspian admits he had not seen the Fates before making the bargain with Kel and that the bargain was made out of love. Rosalina believes they still have love for each other or else the bargain would be void. Caspian kisses Rosalina and says that he will keep her safe. He leaves her before she returns to the surface.

Back at Castletree, everyone is angry at each other and the events that have unfolded. They all go to bed angry with each other. The next morning, Kel visits Rosalina. She forgives him for not telling her about the bargain, stating the shame he felt was like the shame she felt about Lucas’s name carved into her arm. She suggests he accept the bond. She doesn’t believe Caspian would harm her, but Kel is unwilling to risk her safety.

Rosalina asks Kel for the story of him and Caspian. Kel is honest with her about how they fell in love, his willingness to give up everything for Caspian, and Ezryn marching the winter army upon the Below. Kel let Caspian believe he betrayed him, and that Ezryn marched on his orders. He did this to prevent Caspian from harming Ezryn. Ezryn comes to Rosalina’s room while she is talking to Kel. Ezryn and Kel speak, stating they both now know each other’s greatest shames, but they are brothers and will stand by each other.

Rosalina visits Farron and Dayton, and they reconcile. Rosalina returns to the spring realm with Ezryn because her father is sick and supposed to be brought to the healers in the Spring Realm. Once in the spring realm, Ezryn tells Kairyn he intends to make him his steward.

Rosalina goes back to her room to visit with Astrid and Marigold. They come under a trance, compelling them to go up the mountain. Rosalina fights the trance, recognizing the similarities between what she feels and the pollen that caused her and Ezryn to hallucinate. She throws herself into nearby water. Coming out of the trance, she sees the others preparing to throw themselves from the top of the mountain. She rescues them but is pulled out by the current of the river, in danger of drowning.

Ezyrn gets a terrible feeling that Rosalina is in danger and somehow innately knows how to find her. He finds Rosalina before she is about to go over a waterfall. He dives for Rosalina. They go over the waterfall. Ezryn uses his magic to create a giant lily pad that catches them and lowers them to safety.

The mate bond awakens between them, and Ezryn accepts the bond. After accepting the bond, Ezryn (who is unhelmed) begins to panic when the curse starts to lift. Mate bonds amplify magic. Ezryn accidentally killed his mother when accepting Spring’s blessing and fears if he grows more powerful, he will harm Rosalina, so he fights the curse’s lifting.

Ezryn’s fighting against the curse causes destruction, drawing the attention of guards who see his face. He accidentally kills the guards. His magic is draining life from the land and those around him, including Rosalina. Farron and Keldarion begin to panic, realizing Rosalina is in danger through the bond. They arrive in the Spring Court and find Ezryn and Rosalina. Farron and Dayton attempt to revive Rosalina which is only accomplished when Farron taps into Dayton’s magic to share their life force with her. Kel goes to Ezryn and calms him to prevent further destruction. Ezryn is arrested by Kairyn for breaking his creed and showing his face.

At Ezryn’s trial, Kairyn strips Ezryn of his title and demands the Spring blessing be passed to him immediately. Once the blessing has been passed, he banishes Ezryn from the spring court. He removes Ezryn’s helm in front of everyone and bestows the names Creedbreaker, Traitor Prince, and Matronslayer upon him.
Rosalina and the other princes follow Ezryn as he is escorted to the city gates. There they are greeted by Nightingale who taunts Ezryn with the reveal that Kairyn had been working with the Below and Ezryn just handed him everything he needed. They physically attack Ezryn. Kel and Dayton are taken back to Kairyn. Nightingale takes Rosalina. Ezryn is left outside the city gates to die.

PART 5: Vengeance
Rosalina wakes up in the monastery on top of the mountain. She attempts to reach out to her mates but finds it blocked. Nightingale explains the different flowers she has experimented on and their uses. One can remove/block magical abilities. One causes hallucinations. One makes those who ingest the pollen compliant symbionts of a chosen person (Kairyn).

Ezryn is saved from death by Astrid, Marigold, Eldy (Spring court’s majordomo). Ezryn goes on a rampage through the monastery, letting women and children live but systemically killing everyone else who stands in his way, floor by floor.

Ezryn reaches Rosalina and Nightingale at the top of the tower. Rosalina notices Nightingale wearing a small white flower that she has seen other followers of Kairyn wear. She concludes the flower must be an antidote to the pollen she ingested. She gets the flower from Nightingale and eats a petal, restoring her magic. She sees that Ezryn is being overpowered and looks for a solution. She sees the Queen’s Bow, the one that kills anyone who touches it.

Rosalina thinks back on Caspian telling her she didn’t need the Queen’s token, that everything she needed was already inside her. Caspian has always called her Princess. She recognizes she must carry the queen’s blood. She grabs the bow and is unharmed. Rosalina aims the bow towards Nightingale, and she flees to the below. Rosalina and Ezryn leave the monastery.

Wrenly finds Dayton and gives him the antidote. She tells him Ezryn showed up at the monastery and slaughtered everyone. She tries to get him to leave but he refuses to without Kel and Farron. They wake Kel and give him the flower’s antidote. Kel goes to find Ezryn and Rosalina. Dayton and Wrenly leave to find Farron, agreeing on a meeting place.

Kel finds Ezryn and Rosalina but Ezryn refuses to leave without his father. They head back to the castle. Dayton and Wrenly find Farron but are cornered by Goblins. They are saved by Tilla who helps them. Tilla shows them proof that Summer is the next target for the Below.

Ezryn confronts Kairyn who overpowers him with the magic he gained through the Spring blessing. Before a death blow can be dealt Ezryn is saved by Caspian. Rosalina uses her briars to send Kel, Ezryn, and Caspian to Castletree. Before she can leave Kairyn incapacitates her. Ezryn tries to kill Caspian once they are back at Castletree, but Kel stops him. Feeling Kel has once again chosen Caspian over him, he leaves stating he will not return.

Farron feels Rosalina is in danger through the mate bond. They trace Rosalina to a flying ship Kairyn made. It is headed for the Summer realm. Wrenly calls for Dayton showing a wisp connecting the two of them, signaling that they are mates.

Queen Aurelia, the missing queen, is visited by Caspian. She has been a prisoner of the Below for 25 years. Caspian alerts her that her husband George is ill because she tied his life force to Castletree which is dying. She asks him about her daughters. Caspian tells her they are both alive. Queen Aurelia tells Caspian that he has always been a worthy mate for Rosalina.


Other Reviews in Series:
Book One - Review
Book Two - Review
Book Three - Review
Book Four - Review

[Pyper · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ honestly I'm probably being dramatic but I'm so utterly disappointed and irritated with this book. Only THIS book. I absolutely loved the other two. What the frick is up with Dayton and Rosie not being mates? Why have all that lead up.... just for *that*? And the whole keldarion, caspian, and ezryn thing at the end? So irritated with that. Caspian is also so rage inducing. It was endearing and now it's honestly just kind of a piss off. I waited SO LONG for this book, only to get what? Nothing? It's evident that Rosie is the queens daughter, the nightingale being one too? A little surprising but not really. I'm just so damn disappointed and immensely irritated.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ew, Dayton.

[MagretFume · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I came for the spice, and I'm staying for the plot.

[Toribetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

We demand vengeance for Ez 😩 my tummy hurts

[Annika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I get to the ending, let me start with the first half: that was really disappointing. The lightheartedness of the other books was gone. Some parts were very boring, others confusing, and others just downright dropped my mood because I just didn't like what was happening in this book. And, this adresses mainly the first half: please tone down the spice. We all love good spice, but not in every other chapter and without fluff. I missed the fluff. Whenever there was a cute moment between the characters, they had sex. I wanted to see the fluff, the love. But no, it was all about sex. And in the second half, Rosalina had two very very traumatic experiences. Seconds after they were over, seconds after nearly dying or worse (you know what I mean if you read the book), she had sex. And I really wish that didn't happen. Because I would have wished for the other person to comfort her, to let her speak about what happened, to hug her, whatever. But not ravage her like she didn't just nearly die (or worse!) ten seconds ago. Please, Elizabeth and Helen, the spice in your books is always great, but I want the tension to build, I want to be able to look forward to it. I actually found myself rolling my eyes when another sex scene came.

Now to the second half: What the fuck?

I was SOBBING during the entirety of the last 150 pages. Why did you do that to me? I loooved your first two books. I enjoyed reading them so much that I read them both twice. But this book? What happened in it? I hated every second. I hated new characters, I hated what happened to Ez, to Rosie, to Cas, to Dayton, to Fare, and to Kel. This book, as much as it captured me during the second half, did not bring me an ounce of joy. If I weren't irrevocably in love with your books and your world and your characters, I would end this series right here. But of course I need the next book as soon as it comes out. Which better be soon.

And I beg you two, please make the fourth book at least somewhat enjoyable. Your goal should not be to make the reading experience as miserable as you can. Despite everything, I'm very much looking forward to it, because I NEED for Daytons and Rosalinas bond to awaken.

Helen and Elizabeth, I adore you two, but every time I picked up Forged by Malice, I had to mentally prepare myself for it and at times I didn't want to read on because I knew that I would be miserable after.

I really have high hopes for Daytons book. Please don't crush that.

[Cassidy Chivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved that we really see the plot come together in this one! And I truly think this is when I decided I needed to be rose 😂

[Khepri Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sure to create a stack of pillows on the floor across the room for all the times you'll chuck this book across the room in frustration before running back to pick it up and continue reading. I read this one way too fast and now I'll have to wait until the lovely Elizabeth Helen magically produce book 4 in the next six months (or less, given their track record!)

Forged by Malice continues the story of Rosie and her four fae princes on their journey to break a curse by finding their fated mates. A deep dive into the Spring Realm will leave you suspicious of basically everyone that isn't a protagonist. You laugh, you'll pick up your jaw, and you'll probably scream a few times, too. Be prepared with tissues.

Whatever it is you think it could be, it's so much worse than that, but you won't be able to put it down!

A special thanks to Elizabeth Helen for the honor of being on their beta reading team.

[tayla ♥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh i went into this thinking it was the last book…. and i just find out there’s supposedly SEVEN books? nah fam, you lost me here. i was already hanging on by a thread but this addition to the series just wasn’t it. the plot isn’t plotting the way it used to… and dayton’s suddenly got a mate that isn’t rosie? HUH? it’s unlikely i’d be able to put myself through one more book let alone another four to see this story wrapped up. yall got me fucked up this isn’t acotar 😭 good luck yall.

[Kazhe Akram · Rating 5 out of 5]

ouch, that ending hurt 😭

[Jenny P · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the nicest way possible, if you are mad about Dayton "not" being Rosie's mate(he is) you are a smol baby dingus. False mate is a common trope and Wren is skilled at manipulation and weird magic. I knew this was coming the whole book because it was foreshadowed.
Wrenley is also Birdy/Nightingale.... duh.
I'm willing to put money down on both.

[Eye of Newr · Rating 2 out of 5]

y’all are lying with these high ratings i swear.

[Caitlin Kurtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gobbled up the first two books of this series even though the writing was painful at times. I enjoy reading this type of book because it's predictable and never really challenging to get through.

For the most part that continued in this book. Everything that was revealed was glaringly obvious. As readers, we could have guessed everything that transpired even after just reading the first book of the series.

But what really grinds my gears is the plot points in the story that make no sense and the things that the writers took too much time on. Ezryn felt like he was an entirely different character for the last half of this book. I get that he has such honor and responsibility, but my god, do we need to be reminded of just how noble he is? Do we need to spend so much time in his whiny head as he torments over choices? It was just frustrating to see a chapter with his name on it. His relationship with his brother was annoying. His relationship with Kel because of his brother was annoying and grating.

No one can kill anyone in this book. There were so many opportunities for them to end things once and for all. No one had the spine to do it. It was beyond frustrating watching certain people escape multiple times from the same predicaments.

The other thing that bothered me so much that I had to put my kindle down before a large chunk of drywall was suddenly missing from my bedroom, was the whole complication of Wrenly. Where the heck did she come from? We just spent over 1,000 pages over three books setting up Rose and Dayton and we're just going to throw in some random character nearly at the end and think that's ok? IF she had been set up and foreshadowed and properly written, IF she had been an enjoyable character, IF she had any redeeming qualities it MIGHT have been ok for her to be a mate with Dayton. It makes me mad that she's complicating the plot. For sure she's got something dark to her that might be manipulating the bond, but if she doesn't and she actually is Dayton's mate? Forgot that. I don't want to read that. That's not what we signed up for when we read book one's synopsis.

Speaking of reading other books, since when is this supposed to be such a large series!? It is DEFINITELY not needed. Three would have been a fine number. Four would have been acceptable. With the quality of writing, the pacing, and the unnecessary character twists and plot turns I think the authors are overestimating their appeal. I plan on at least trying the fourth book, but I'm not going to have the day set aside for devouring it like I did in excitement for this one. Certainly if things are not sorted out right away in the next one I don't see myself having the patience to finish the next book or the series.

[Mel Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOOO good. The spice, the relationships, the gut punches ahhh. I had the best time with this and I'm so ready to be destroyed next book

[Auudreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I’ll write the review tomorrow cause I’m sick as guck

[Maxine · Rating 2 out of 5]

please be serious

Spoilers ahead or whatever.

This was 500 pages of donkey. Dayton is the mate of some priest chick. Rosalina gets kidnapped at the end. Ezryn loses his powers bc he trusted his traitorous brother…like he KNEW his brother was a traitor and still trusted him????? Keldarion still hasn’t said he loves Rosalina (well i skipped some chapters so maybe he did) & Caspian even rubs that in her face like he literally says that.

Rosalina’s character has been completely butchered in this. She argues against the men she “loves” that Caspian is a good person bc they don’t know him like she does….girl he’s k#lled their people! Get a grip!

What was the point of leaving pretty much EVERYTHING unresolved. She still can’t control her power. One of her mates doesn’t even love her. Actually TWO of them. And one of them is mates with someone else……like I’m actually so upset I read this. I thought some things would get resolved like…why does she still suck at her powers?

This series didn’t have to be 4 books. The author is just dragging it at this point.

Also the guyxguy pairings love each more than they love her. They treat her like a side piece. It’s sad. Only one of them is only for her fr.

[hailey🥀🦢✮˖°. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

this is the equivalent of a CW show. like, it’s not good but it totally is? addicting in the worst way. kind of love everything about it but also kind of hate everything about it.

i love these characters but they put me through the RINGER! they make me so angry i just want to take them by the shoulders, shake them, and tell them to use their damn brains for once. so many dumb decisions were made. like there’s no way all of you can be this oblivious to everything ! the “plot twists” had so much foreshadowing (perhaps a little too much) that i knew everything that was going to happen hundreds of pages (and sometimes even book(s)) before it was revealed.

i spent a lot of time while reading this book rearranging my ranking of the love interests. giving me whiplash left and right. (except for my angel baby dayton. been my fav since the start. kind of in shambles over him rn.) ezryn, i’m looking at you🤨

the last 100 or so pages were crazy and overdramatic but i’m hooked and will be immediately diving into the next book. so glad i waited to read these bc i would’ve been so anxious waiting for the next book. like i’m pretty sure the series isn’t complete BUT so far book 3 is the only one that has an awful cliffhanger that leaves me needing to know what happens next.

[Chelsea (thatbookishteach) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series really just lives rent free in my head. This book was the hardest to get through this far simply because of how much crappy stuff our main characters go through and lord knows I want my little beasts and villain and Rose to get all the love. But, you can’t have a 7 book series without a little drama/trauma (or in this case a lot) 🤣 Daddy Ez and Kel have my heart, but man do I love me some Caspian even if he is the so called villain. Ez’s brother and the Nightingale came go straight down to the Below and stay there forever 👎 the spice definitelyyyy picked up in Forged and all I can say is 🥵
This series has my heart ❤️
Soooo many theories I can’t write down without spoiling things for everyone!

[Kalinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I read the first 2 really exited to find a good rh book but this feels like wattpad, there can only be so many complications before it gets boring and frustrating.
The characters are meant to be intelligent hundreds of years old fae and this is how they're being portrayed, so yeah didn't even get through the whole book.

The whole set up for dayton and Rosie was perfect and I would have been happier if this book was about them, this whole other mate thing is pissing me off.