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Thorns of the Crown
A forgotten princess. A stolen throne. A bond that could shatter her heart—or heal it.
As firstborn, Princess Khalyla Lumen should have inherited the throne but her father’s cruelty meant her younger brother was named heir and groomed to rule. Denied the throne and subjected to years of mistreatment, Khalyla’s life was a cage of torment—until the day her uncle seized the kingdom and usurped the throne.
Declared dead to the world, she saw an opportunity to disappear and become The Rogue—a fierce huntress of beasts plaguing the land. No longer a princess, no longer a pawn, Khalyla vowed to protect the innocent and never again be bound by the chains of her royal blood.
She crosses paths with Luc, a mysterious huntsman with secrets of his own. Charming, dangerous, and impossible to ignore, Luc is everything Khalyla wants to avoid. He’s a skilled fighter, but there’s more to him than meets the eye—and the pull between them is electric, volatile. Every mission together is a battleground of tension, her disdain turning into something far more dangerous; far more tempting.
Enemies loom, dark magic rises, and the bond between them could be her salvation—or her undoing.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance, royal intrigue, and forbidden fates, this spellbinding romantasy will leave you breathless.
As firstborn, Princess Khalyla Lumen should have inherited the throne but her father’s cruelty meant her younger brother was named heir and groomed to rule. Denied the throne and subjected to years of mistreatment, Khalyla’s life was a cage of torment—until the day her uncle seized the kingdom and usurped the throne.
Declared dead to the world, she saw an opportunity to disappear and become The Rogue—a fierce huntress of beasts plaguing the land. No longer a princess, no longer a pawn, Khalyla vowed to protect the innocent and never again be bound by the chains of her royal blood.
She crosses paths with Luc, a mysterious huntsman with secrets of his own. Charming, dangerous, and impossible to ignore, Luc is everything Khalyla wants to avoid. He’s a skilled fighter, but there’s more to him than meets the eye—and the pull between them is electric, volatile. Every mission together is a battleground of tension, her disdain turning into something far more dangerous; far more tempting.
Enemies loom, dark magic rises, and the bond between them could be her salvation—or her undoing.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance, royal intrigue, and forbidden fates, this spellbinding romantasy will leave you breathless.
- GenresFantasy
489 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2024
20 people are currently reading
2092 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 13, 2025
4.5 🌟
goodreads giveaway!
this book really surprised me in the end. my only real critique is that it got very redundant at parts. I think a solid 50 pages could've been cut, BUT it also felt more human that way, so it's a half critique I suppose. they spun in circles at points, reluctant and terrified to share their traumas, their back stories, their truths. so maybe 30 pages could've been cut. I will say the whole [redacted] thing with the big plot twist reveal was...idk I didn't love it at first, but I didn't hate it at the end. I loved how we start the book with just her, gung ho that she can fix the world alone, but as the book progresses, she picks up more people and realizes that, although, maybe, she could do it alone, there's no reason to. that letting people in isn't a sin. to this point, the sex scenes were excellent in pushing this part of the story forward. the way, as we get deeper into the story, the more their connection grows, the more intimate the scenes are. I think people forget that sex scenes can be plot too! lol. it also does a good job of not letting anyone just miraculously get over their trauma. and up to the last page our heroine is still haunted and reluctant. to the last page they're all still hesitant to trust each other and about what's to come next. the next comes out in June and I will be reading it. I'm attached to these characters now, especially Kallie, our iconic FMC. so yeah, my giveaways are slaying rn! go cats!
goodreads giveaway!
this book really surprised me in the end. my only real critique is that it got very redundant at parts. I think a solid 50 pages could've been cut, BUT it also felt more human that way, so it's a half critique I suppose. they spun in circles at points, reluctant and terrified to share their traumas, their back stories, their truths. so maybe 30 pages could've been cut. I will say the whole [redacted] thing with the big plot twist reveal was...idk I didn't love it at first, but I didn't hate it at the end. I loved how we start the book with just her, gung ho that she can fix the world alone, but as the book progresses, she picks up more people and realizes that, although, maybe, she could do it alone, there's no reason to. that letting people in isn't a sin. to this point, the sex scenes were excellent in pushing this part of the story forward. the way, as we get deeper into the story, the more their connection grows, the more intimate the scenes are. I think people forget that sex scenes can be plot too! lol. it also does a good job of not letting anyone just miraculously get over their trauma. and up to the last page our heroine is still haunted and reluctant. to the last page they're all still hesitant to trust each other and about what's to come next. the next comes out in June and I will be reading it. I'm attached to these characters now, especially Kallie, our iconic FMC. so yeah, my giveaways are slaying rn! go cats!
January 18, 2025
Wow. What a ride. I need the next one, like, yesterday.
Kallie is thaaaat character. I like how it was written as a mixture of present day and flashback chapters. Really helped to give a glimpse into understanding why she is the way she is. She’s messy in the most real way. But don’t think I wasn’t also side-eyeing her like, girl, what are you doing? Then there’s Luc, just as complex and let’s just say I don’t think I’ll be forgetting him any time soon…
I also loveeeeddd Kallie’s relationship with Jurem and seeing them bond in the flashback chapters were some of my favourite. At its core, what caught me the most were those found-family elements and the passion that every character has for whatever it is that they’re thinking and feeling in the moment. Also, it pains me to admit it, but the twist really did catch me off guard.
Lays the ground work for sure. What a great opening to what is hopefully going to be a multi-book series!!!
Kallie is thaaaat character. I like how it was written as a mixture of present day and flashback chapters. Really helped to give a glimpse into understanding why she is the way she is. She’s messy in the most real way. But don’t think I wasn’t also side-eyeing her like, girl, what are you doing? Then there’s Luc, just as complex and let’s just say I don’t think I’ll be forgetting him any time soon…
I also loveeeeddd Kallie’s relationship with Jurem and seeing them bond in the flashback chapters were some of my favourite. At its core, what caught me the most were those found-family elements and the passion that every character has for whatever it is that they’re thinking and feeling in the moment. Also, it pains me to admit it, but the twist really did catch me off guard.
Lays the ground work for sure. What a great opening to what is hopefully going to be a multi-book series!!!
June 20, 2025
This was not good. The plot of very cliche, characters very boring and the book itself needed a lot of editing. The book is full of repetitions and typos. The characters do not say things once but 5 different ways in one conversation, until you feel like feelings and thought are shoved down your throat and you are left with indifference. In the end you don't care about anybody because you are sick of things being told to you (not shown) and so many times. Please stop with the rising one eyebrows in every page!
The plot is done thousand times. It starts promising, hunting monsters together and banter. But it changes quite fast to the most boring ending and tone shift. The MMC is too perfect that he is the most boring thing. The FMC is like any other fantasy FMC, tortured, badass, snarky - so boring, no originality. There is no character development or even plot development. Long discussions that you just want it to end.
The plot is done thousand times. It starts promising, hunting monsters together and banter. But it changes quite fast to the most boring ending and tone shift. The MMC is too perfect that he is the most boring thing. The FMC is like any other fantasy FMC, tortured, badass, snarky - so boring, no originality. There is no character development or even plot development. Long discussions that you just want it to end.
June 18, 2025
I don't like to shit on books because I know what a labor it is to write one. But... this one should have stayed in the drafts. It is one of the most two-dimensional and shallow pieces I have ever read. There's no motivation to care about the characters because the characters are literally as interesting as printer paper. Facts are told to us about their backstories that seem to exist just to make us feel sympathy for the MCs but for no other reason. The 'plot twists' are predictable but not interesting and honestly super cringey. An editor was sorely needed as there were typos galore. Overall this reads as an incredibly poor retelling of The Witcher. DNF
May 12, 2025
The plot is always the same even though writers may change. The FMC is always a princess bound to be queen and the MMC is always a prince of somewhere about to be king. The MMC's cock is always huge and thick and he will die for the FMC in any circumstance. The FMC always claims that she does not need saving but wil be in such position soon and the he will be willing to give up everything and die if needed. This book was no exception and the story dragged along until the end and many pages could have been shaved out, I disliked the back and forth between younger Kallie and older. Writer could have been more creative. Regardless of the title, spice is quite minimum in the book.
May 28, 2025
Goodreads giveaway win!
"His eyes softened".
If I have to read that sentence one more time I will rip my hair out. There are other ways to describe affection.
The first half of the book is great! S Cruel royal family, a girl learning she has more strength than she thinks, and an awakening and growth.
The second half of the book reads as a Mashup of all the author's notes. No finesse, no editing.
The last 3 chapters read as though the author has forgotten which character's perspective we're reading.
Overall this book had a lot of potential but fell flat in the end.
"His eyes softened".
If I have to read that sentence one more time I will rip my hair out. There are other ways to describe affection.
The first half of the book is great! S Cruel royal family, a girl learning she has more strength than she thinks, and an awakening and growth.
The second half of the book reads as a Mashup of all the author's notes. No finesse, no editing.
The last 3 chapters read as though the author has forgotten which character's perspective we're reading.
Overall this book had a lot of potential but fell flat in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
🌹 Review: Thorns of the Crown by Lara Loche
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so addictive, full of secrets, betrayal, and slow-burn tension. The main character isn't your typical fantasy heroine, and I loved watching her navigate all the messy court politics.
The writing is lush, a little dark, and full of emotion. Some parts dragged a bit in the middle, and a few characters could’ve been fleshed out more, but overall, I couldn’t put it down.
If you’re into morally grey choices, dangerous romance, and power plays, add this to your TBR ASAP.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so addictive, full of secrets, betrayal, and slow-burn tension. The main character isn't your typical fantasy heroine, and I loved watching her navigate all the messy court politics.
The writing is lush, a little dark, and full of emotion. Some parts dragged a bit in the middle, and a few characters could’ve been fleshed out more, but overall, I couldn’t put it down.
If you’re into morally grey choices, dangerous romance, and power plays, add this to your TBR ASAP.
March 30, 2025
#goodreadsgiveaway
I loved this story. Great characters, especially FMC. She's strong and not the least bit whiny. Occasionally questions herself but that makes her relatable. Definitely recommend.
I loved this story. Great characters, especially FMC. She's strong and not the least bit whiny. Occasionally questions herself but that makes her relatable. Definitely recommend.
May 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!
I hadn’t expected much just given its a debut author, but the description sucked me in and AM I GLAD THAT IT DID!? Wow. Loved. Can’t wait for the next one next month.
I hadn’t expected much just given its a debut author, but the description sucked me in and AM I GLAD THAT IT DID!? Wow. Loved. Can’t wait for the next one next month.
dnf
November 7, 2025DNF @ 51%
February 24, 2025
My next ACOTAR!!
Let me start by saying: Thorns of the Crown is the kind of book that stays with you. Like, I finished it a few days ago, and I’m still spiraling.
Khalyla Lumen is just one of those characters who grabs you by the throat (metaphorically) and drags you through her world of chaos, pain, and defiance. She’s flawed and fierce in a way that makes you root for her even when you don’t agree with her choices… and there are so many choices…
Mostly, the stakes feel real.
Now let’s address the Luc of it all, because, wow. I wouldn’t describe the spice as slow burn (when it happens, it happens and pretty early on in my opinion), but the romance? Absolutely. Their dynamic is tense, raw, and emotional in a way that had me flipping pages at 3 a.m. They push and pull in the best way, and when it gets there, it feels earned. It’s less a “perfect fairy tale” and more “these two have obviously independently been through hell, but they’ve found something worth holding onto.”
The world-building? Chef’s kiss. The Forest of Nightmares, for example, isn’t just a setting; it’s a character in its own right, and every time it’s mentioned, I could feel its sinister weight. The cursed landscape, the layered magic systems - it’s all so immersive without being overwhelming.
This isn’t just a story about saving kingdoms or toppling thrones. It’s about Khalyla figuring out who she is, what she is and isn’t willing to fight for, and what it means to trust someone when your walls are sky-high. It’s messy, emotional, and full of moments that make you question everyone’s motives (in the best way).
If you’re into morally grey characters, political intrigue, and romance that feels as much about survival as it does love, this book will own you in the best way.
Let me start by saying: Thorns of the Crown is the kind of book that stays with you. Like, I finished it a few days ago, and I’m still spiraling.
Khalyla Lumen is just one of those characters who grabs you by the throat (metaphorically) and drags you through her world of chaos, pain, and defiance. She’s flawed and fierce in a way that makes you root for her even when you don’t agree with her choices… and there are so many choices…
Mostly, the stakes feel real.
Now let’s address the Luc of it all, because, wow. I wouldn’t describe the spice as slow burn (when it happens, it happens and pretty early on in my opinion), but the romance? Absolutely. Their dynamic is tense, raw, and emotional in a way that had me flipping pages at 3 a.m. They push and pull in the best way, and when it gets there, it feels earned. It’s less a “perfect fairy tale” and more “these two have obviously independently been through hell, but they’ve found something worth holding onto.”
The world-building? Chef’s kiss. The Forest of Nightmares, for example, isn’t just a setting; it’s a character in its own right, and every time it’s mentioned, I could feel its sinister weight. The cursed landscape, the layered magic systems - it’s all so immersive without being overwhelming.
This isn’t just a story about saving kingdoms or toppling thrones. It’s about Khalyla figuring out who she is, what she is and isn’t willing to fight for, and what it means to trust someone when your walls are sky-high. It’s messy, emotional, and full of moments that make you question everyone’s motives (in the best way).
If you’re into morally grey characters, political intrigue, and romance that feels as much about survival as it does love, this book will own you in the best way.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews