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The Isles #2
The Queens and the Kings
A dragul keeper unraveling ancient mysteries. A soldat driven by his past. A world on the brink of chaos.
Britt Helsing is determined to wade through arcane and mayhem to keep her word and find Henrik’s long-lost mother, Selma, on the distant mainland. Henrik is just as resolved to find Selma while keeping Britt, and the Isles, safe. Their shared journey becomes far more dangerous—and personal—than either of them expected.
Accompanied by pirate Burning Beard on his arcane-infused ship, Britt and Henrik sail to the mainland where rebellion stirs, wyverns awaken, and an enigmatic leader promises aid in exchange for their help.
As Britt spies on wyverns, she discovers a chilling ancient beings are regaining their arcane power. Meanwhile, Henrik avoids his growing feelings for Britt to plan an invasion of his old home. Unlikely allies help him out.
With secrets to unwind, curses to break, and alliances to forge, they must navigate dangerous waters that could set their lives, and their hearts, adrift. The price of peace may cost them more than they’re willing to pay.
In a world where love and loyalty are tested by war and arcane, will Britt and Henrik find the strength to face the storms ahead together—or be swept away by them?
Britt Helsing is determined to wade through arcane and mayhem to keep her word and find Henrik’s long-lost mother, Selma, on the distant mainland. Henrik is just as resolved to find Selma while keeping Britt, and the Isles, safe. Their shared journey becomes far more dangerous—and personal—than either of them expected.
Accompanied by pirate Burning Beard on his arcane-infused ship, Britt and Henrik sail to the mainland where rebellion stirs, wyverns awaken, and an enigmatic leader promises aid in exchange for their help.
As Britt spies on wyverns, she discovers a chilling ancient beings are regaining their arcane power. Meanwhile, Henrik avoids his growing feelings for Britt to plan an invasion of his old home. Unlikely allies help him out.
With secrets to unwind, curses to break, and alliances to forge, they must navigate dangerous waters that could set their lives, and their hearts, adrift. The price of peace may cost them more than they’re willing to pay.
In a world where love and loyalty are tested by war and arcane, will Britt and Henrik find the strength to face the storms ahead together—or be swept away by them?
- GenresFantasy
568 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
About the author
Katie Cross
181 books825 followersMy world revolves around my husband (who is a major hottie), my precious kids, my Vizsla’s who act like children, and the mountains.
I wear hiking boots instead of heels when I need to feel powerful, and on a bad day, I love a weightlifting workout. Actually, I love it on a good day.
I don’t eat bread because my thyroid doesn’t like it, although there are days I miss it. Especially ciabatta. Sweet potatoes are kind of my thing. Cookies too.
I write because I never stopped.
Author of The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Coffee Shop Series.
Email me at kcrosswriting@gmail.com
I wear hiking boots instead of heels when I need to feel powerful, and on a bad day, I love a weightlifting workout. Actually, I love it on a good day.
I don’t eat bread because my thyroid doesn’t like it, although there are days I miss it. Especially ciabatta. Sweet potatoes are kind of my thing. Cookies too.
I write because I never stopped.
Author of The Network Series, The Dragonmaster Trilogy, and The Coffee Shop Series.
Email me at kcrosswriting@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2025
This next installment continues with more adventure, mysteries, and problems to deal with. They travel to the mainland in search of Henrik’s mother only to find that they must deal with a new leader and discover new issues that need to be dealt with. And there is a rebellion that is happening with soldats of Stenberg. As if that isn’t enough to deal with, the wyverns are becoming aware and ready to reclaim their land from the Siren Queens. All the while, Pedr is trying to deal with his curse and help in any way he can. All of new challenges, discoveries, missions, and relationships make this story truly worth reading. Enjoy!
September 5, 2025
The mystery deepens and the world expands as the adventures escalate - The Isles are so much more than we thought.
Ms. Cross has brought an incredibly vivid and deep world to life in her new series. What we initially thought was a simple quest on Britt's part to save her butterfly-sized dragul and find her missing brother has grown to include a war and power struggle thousands of years in the making and a chain of curses that reverberate across the land and through the Helsing family. My favorite part of the book was getting to know Pedr better, and now my heart is broken for him!
The adventures are bigger, the stakes higher. And it feels like the story is just getting started.
Ms. Cross has brought an incredibly vivid and deep world to life in her new series. What we initially thought was a simple quest on Britt's part to save her butterfly-sized dragul and find her missing brother has grown to include a war and power struggle thousands of years in the making and a chain of curses that reverberate across the land and through the Helsing family. My favorite part of the book was getting to know Pedr better, and now my heart is broken for him!
The adventures are bigger, the stakes higher. And it feels like the story is just getting started.
October 2, 2025
Wow!!! The way Katie creates fantastic worlds, magical creatures and emotional and dangerous adventures is amazing. Henrik and Britt are going to the mainland to find Selma, his mother, and to find a way to defeat his Glory and help his people. With the help of loyal friends, family, and powerful and mysterious forces will they achieve their goal or will they died trying? The audiobook with Katie Cross as narrator is incredible. Looking forward to listen to the final book in the series.
September 4, 2025
Katie Cross has created another fascinating world. I actually read this over the weekend and got grumpy when I had to stop reading in order to do grown-up stuff!
I love the new world and characters. The little Draguls are a fun addition to “Katie Lore”.
Now, I get to impatiently wait for the next book in this series.
I love the new world and characters. The little Draguls are a fun addition to “Katie Lore”.
Now, I get to impatiently wait for the next book in this series.
October 28, 2025
these books are such a great surprise! found them in kindle unlimited, and I'm a big fan of dragon books that date to bring a different kind of dragon to the table 😃
turns out to be so much better than I anticipated, with a much more complex world building and great characters. I will definitely be recommending in my readers pages and reading the rest of the books in the series
turns out to be so much better than I anticipated, with a much more complex world building and great characters. I will definitely be recommending in my readers pages and reading the rest of the books in the series
July 24, 2026
This series lost its luster for me. Not really interested in reading the rest of the series after this one, although there was nothing wrong with it. I feel like it just petered out for me and drugnout some things I didn't care about.
November 22, 2025
The Queens and the Kings is an engaging blend of romantic fantasy and swashbuckling adventure that showcases Katie Cross’s flair for imaginative worldbuilding and heartfelt character dynamics. Set in a richly crafted archipelago known as the Isles, this novel follows dragul keeper Britt Helsing and soldat Henrik as they embark on a perilous journey to uncover ancient mysteries and protect everything they hold dear.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of momentum. From wyverns stirring on the mainland to political tensions and burgeoning romance aboard pirate ships, every chapter is charged with a sense of discovery and rising stakes. Cross balances action with emotional depth, giving readers both thrilling battles and quieter moments that deepen the connection between Britt and Henrik.
The worldbuilding stands out for its creativity. The Isles feel like a vibrant, living place full of hidden lore and arcane power, and the mix of magic, rebellion, and seafaring lends the narrative a cinematic quality. Cross also does a nice job of weaving themes of loyalty, love, and sacrifice throughout the story, making the protagonists’ struggles feel meaningful beyond the surface adventure.
If you enjoy fantasy with heart, strong interpersonal dynamics, and a world that rewards exploration, The Queens and the Kings delivers a compelling and immersive reading experience that leaves you eager for more of the Isles.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of momentum. From wyverns stirring on the mainland to political tensions and burgeoning romance aboard pirate ships, every chapter is charged with a sense of discovery and rising stakes. Cross balances action with emotional depth, giving readers both thrilling battles and quieter moments that deepen the connection between Britt and Henrik.
The worldbuilding stands out for its creativity. The Isles feel like a vibrant, living place full of hidden lore and arcane power, and the mix of magic, rebellion, and seafaring lends the narrative a cinematic quality. Cross also does a nice job of weaving themes of loyalty, love, and sacrifice throughout the story, making the protagonists’ struggles feel meaningful beyond the surface adventure.
If you enjoy fantasy with heart, strong interpersonal dynamics, and a world that rewards exploration, The Queens and the Kings delivers a compelling and immersive reading experience that leaves you eager for more of the Isles.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews