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Golden City #3
Crown So Cruel
Rummy and Jessiah's story coming 2025
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 23, 2025
✨Crown So Cruel✨
Welcome back to Scarlata and the Golden City in this fast-paced spin off with Rummy and Jessiah, who we met in the duet. While these MCs were lovable side characters in the duology, this story can easily be read as a standalone. Although, if you go back to Wings So Wicked, you MAY go with some spoilers in hand.
We follow a dual POV of Jessiah, our Angel commander with a hero-complex, and Rummy, our feral FMC who specializes in self-sabotage, self-hatred, self-deprecation, and extremely poor coping mechanisms. This is set two years after Wings So Wicked’s events where Jessiah and Rummy are both trying to find their place, achieve purpose, and atone for their pasts. After a previous, mysterious falling out, these two HATE each other. They are chock full of ruthless barbs, demeaning insults, power struggles, and sexual tension.
When they’re forced on a mission to the east where their budding kingdom’s assistance has been requested, they find themselves wrapped up in prophecy, dangerous magic, a questionable kingdom state, and so many secrets.
Rummy is a hard character to love and I think can be quite relatable when we allow our darkness to consume us. Her personality is vicious and she’s quick to snap, lie, use her body, and hide. She has survived with a poisoned tongue as protection for years and she’s no stranger to pushing people away. This story encompassed much of her fighting against herself and learning to break down her walls and trust rather than hurt those who love her. I found the story engaging with low stakes and a quick wrap up. I do wish we had had more time with our MCs figuring things out intimately and to see a more organic transition for Rum’s behavior, but overall, I enjoyed my time in these pages.
Tropes you may find in CSC are forced proximity, found family, hate to love, second chance, vampyres x fae, winged MMC, black cat FMC, prophecies, bonds, slow burn to low spice, and a HEA.
Thank you, Emily, for this gifted arc. It was a pleasure to arc read for you again.
Welcome back to Scarlata and the Golden City in this fast-paced spin off with Rummy and Jessiah, who we met in the duet. While these MCs were lovable side characters in the duology, this story can easily be read as a standalone. Although, if you go back to Wings So Wicked, you MAY go with some spoilers in hand.
We follow a dual POV of Jessiah, our Angel commander with a hero-complex, and Rummy, our feral FMC who specializes in self-sabotage, self-hatred, self-deprecation, and extremely poor coping mechanisms. This is set two years after Wings So Wicked’s events where Jessiah and Rummy are both trying to find their place, achieve purpose, and atone for their pasts. After a previous, mysterious falling out, these two HATE each other. They are chock full of ruthless barbs, demeaning insults, power struggles, and sexual tension.
When they’re forced on a mission to the east where their budding kingdom’s assistance has been requested, they find themselves wrapped up in prophecy, dangerous magic, a questionable kingdom state, and so many secrets.
Rummy is a hard character to love and I think can be quite relatable when we allow our darkness to consume us. Her personality is vicious and she’s quick to snap, lie, use her body, and hide. She has survived with a poisoned tongue as protection for years and she’s no stranger to pushing people away. This story encompassed much of her fighting against herself and learning to break down her walls and trust rather than hurt those who love her. I found the story engaging with low stakes and a quick wrap up. I do wish we had had more time with our MCs figuring things out intimately and to see a more organic transition for Rum’s behavior, but overall, I enjoyed my time in these pages.
Tropes you may find in CSC are forced proximity, found family, hate to love, second chance, vampyres x fae, winged MMC, black cat FMC, prophecies, bonds, slow burn to low spice, and a HEA.
Thank you, Emily, for this gifted arc. It was a pleasure to arc read for you again.
December 30, 2025
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved being back in the Golden City world! This time we get to see the world through the eyes of some of our favorite side-characters Rummy and Jessiah, two characters I was very excited to read more about! And oh my goodness was their story fantastic! The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things were going to turn out, and of course as always there was one big moment that left me gasping. And the romance and chemistry was fantastic! And while it took a bit for their chemistry to really spark off the page once it did I was rooting for Rummy and Jessiahs happily ever after! All of that to say that if you’re looking for a slow-burn, second chance, forced proximity, hate to love romance, with plenty of banter, so many twists and turns, that features character growth, a found family, and wraps up in a beautiful happily ever after then be sure to grab a copy of Crown So Cruel today!
I absolutely loved being back in the Golden City world! This time we get to see the world through the eyes of some of our favorite side-characters Rummy and Jessiah, two characters I was very excited to read more about! And oh my goodness was their story fantastic! The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things were going to turn out, and of course as always there was one big moment that left me gasping. And the romance and chemistry was fantastic! And while it took a bit for their chemistry to really spark off the page once it did I was rooting for Rummy and Jessiahs happily ever after! All of that to say that if you’re looking for a slow-burn, second chance, forced proximity, hate to love romance, with plenty of banter, so many twists and turns, that features character growth, a found family, and wraps up in a beautiful happily ever after then be sure to grab a copy of Crown So Cruel today!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so happy to receive an EARC in my e-mail this morning!
I have been waiting to read Jessiah and Rummy's story ever since I met them in Hunt's and Wolf's story. I'm forever grateful to have gotten the chance to read their story early. and I will be honest that I was in a bad reading slump these past few weeks, but this book was so addicting that I finished it in one day! 🤭 so again, thank you, Emily blackwood, for giving me my first ever EARC.
I have been waiting to read Jessiah and Rummy's story ever since I met them in Hunt's and Wolf's story. I'm forever grateful to have gotten the chance to read their story early. and I will be honest that I was in a bad reading slump these past few weeks, but this book was so addicting that I finished it in one day! 🤭 so again, thank you, Emily blackwood, for giving me my first ever EARC.
January 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible!
Crown So Cruel is dark. Like… emotionally heavy, morally messy, sit-with-your-feelings-after kind of dark. This is not a cozy fantasy and it doesn’t pretend to be. From early on, it’s clear that power in this world comes with a cost, and no one walks away untouched.
The main character goes through a lot, and watching how those experiences shape her over time was honestly one of the strongest parts of the book. She’s not perfect, she makes questionable choices, and sometimes those choices hurt but they always make sense in the context of what she’s facing. I really appreciated that nothing felt easy or clean.
The romance is intense and complicated, and that’s all I’m going to say without spoiling anything. There’s real chemistry, but it’s wrapped up in tension, control, and emotional stakes that make every interaction feel loaded. This is very much a romance within a fantasy setting, so if you like morally gray dynamics and relationships that are more “consuming” than comforting, you’ll probably eat this up.
The overall tone stays pretty heavy throughout, with themes of betrayal, manipulation, and power imbalances woven into both the plot and the relationships. A few moments definitely made me pause and stare at the page for a second and even reread the page I was on. The pacing slows a bit in the middle, but the payoff later on made it worth pushing through.
Overall, this is a solid choice for readers who like fantasy, complicated characters, and romance that doesn’t pull its punches. I’m very interested to see where the story goes next and slightly nervous, in a good way.
I was lucky enough to read this as an eARC and ended up binge reading it in about five hours because I couldn’t put it down. Huge thanks to Emily Blackwood for sharing it with me ahead of release, this one definitely stuck with me!
Trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible!
Crown So Cruel is dark. Like… emotionally heavy, morally messy, sit-with-your-feelings-after kind of dark. This is not a cozy fantasy and it doesn’t pretend to be. From early on, it’s clear that power in this world comes with a cost, and no one walks away untouched.
The main character goes through a lot, and watching how those experiences shape her over time was honestly one of the strongest parts of the book. She’s not perfect, she makes questionable choices, and sometimes those choices hurt but they always make sense in the context of what she’s facing. I really appreciated that nothing felt easy or clean.
The romance is intense and complicated, and that’s all I’m going to say without spoiling anything. There’s real chemistry, but it’s wrapped up in tension, control, and emotional stakes that make every interaction feel loaded. This is very much a romance within a fantasy setting, so if you like morally gray dynamics and relationships that are more “consuming” than comforting, you’ll probably eat this up.
The overall tone stays pretty heavy throughout, with themes of betrayal, manipulation, and power imbalances woven into both the plot and the relationships. A few moments definitely made me pause and stare at the page for a second and even reread the page I was on. The pacing slows a bit in the middle, but the payoff later on made it worth pushing through.
Overall, this is a solid choice for readers who like fantasy, complicated characters, and romance that doesn’t pull its punches. I’m very interested to see where the story goes next and slightly nervous, in a good way.
I was lucky enough to read this as an eARC and ended up binge reading it in about five hours because I couldn’t put it down. Huge thanks to Emily Blackwood for sharing it with me ahead of release, this one definitely stuck with me!
December 25, 2025
ahhhhh what a way to be thrown back into this world 😫😭 Being reunited with characters I already loved felt exhilarating, but diving into Jessiah & Rummy’s story? That was everything. The layers, the emotion, the unspoken pain simmering beneath every interaction?! 😭
Rummy’s journey is raw in the most devastatingly beautiful way. Her self loathing, her inner battles, the way she hides behind a mask of indifference while quietly aching for connection, it hurt to read because it felt so real. Watching her struggle to accept love, to trust that she’s worthy of care, had me tearing up more than once. She is fierce, resilient, and aching in a way that stays with you long after the page is turned.
And the angst, THE ANGSTTTT 😫 The tension crackles from the start. Their dynamic is sharp, volatile, and emotionally loaded, making it feel like they can’t stand each other… when in reality, it’s all misunderstanding, buried truths, and feelings too dangerous to acknowledge. Every interaction felt like it could explode at any moment, and I devoured every second of it.
I’m still sitting in my emotions. This story was intense, heartfelt, and addictive. I loved these characters deeply, and this book left me wanting more long after it ended.
this was chefs kiss ✨ Emily is a mastermind, and thank you for the opportunity to read early!
December 29, 2025
Thank you Emily for the ARC!
This is the definition of "Hurt people, hurt people."
...and also a perfect example of JESUS CHRIST JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER FOR 5 MINUTES AND SEE HOW EASILY YOUR PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED!!
I understand *why* Rummy doesn't want to open up, but at the same time....girlfriend...we can't expect people to read our minds and fix things they don't know are broken!!!
With that out of the way--this is definitely a different vibe from Huntyr/Wolf's story. While theirs was very action driven, this is far more character driven until the last 25% of the story. We spend a lot of time in Rummy and Jessiah's heads getting to know them and their motivations vs them fighting a war. Which makes sense, since they're allegedly in a time of peace.
I DO wish we got more into the magic earlier than we did, because it's a super interesting component to the story, and I'm very intrigued by the mechanics of it. (I won't go into details, because it's sort of a spoiler).
For a duololgy, the pacing seemed a little slow to me (due to it being character driven with most of the action packed at the end), but it's also making me want to start the next book IMMEDIATELY. Which is a problem when this one *technically* isn't released yet.
This is the definition of "Hurt people, hurt people."
...and also a perfect example of JESUS CHRIST JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER FOR 5 MINUTES AND SEE HOW EASILY YOUR PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED!!
I understand *why* Rummy doesn't want to open up, but at the same time....girlfriend...we can't expect people to read our minds and fix things they don't know are broken!!!
With that out of the way--this is definitely a different vibe from Huntyr/Wolf's story. While theirs was very action driven, this is far more character driven until the last 25% of the story. We spend a lot of time in Rummy and Jessiah's heads getting to know them and their motivations vs them fighting a war. Which makes sense, since they're allegedly in a time of peace.
I DO wish we got more into the magic earlier than we did, because it's a super interesting component to the story, and I'm very intrigued by the mechanics of it. (I won't go into details, because it's sort of a spoiler).
For a duololgy, the pacing seemed a little slow to me (due to it being character driven with most of the action packed at the end), but it's also making me want to start the next book IMMEDIATELY. Which is a problem when this one *technically* isn't released yet.
January 1, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I read this as a standalone, I felt like the world building was easy and I didn’t miss much! This is my second Emily Blackwood book and I continue to really love her writing style. This was a pretty easy read and I almost read it in a single sitting. I actually had to force myself to pause with 40 pages left to get sleep 🤣
Rummy immediately gave me Nesta from ACOSF vibes. She’s drinking and bedding different men each night to overcome her massive self loathing for reasons unbeknownst to us immediately. Rummy is also best friend to the Queen who I presume we meet in book 1 of the series. Jessiah is the second to the king and his brother, commander of their nations army, and prickles Rummy at any opportunity. Jessiah can be mean and cruel at times but he does it to compensate for his obvious feelings towards Rummy. These two enemies must travel together when a neighboring kingdom requests help from them.
Read this if you like:
🪽 forced proximity
🖤 enemies to lovers
🪽 lots of tension
🖤 jealous MMC
🪽 self healing
🖤 slow burn
🪽 second chance
Thank you to Emily Blackwood for the eARC!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I read this as a standalone, I felt like the world building was easy and I didn’t miss much! This is my second Emily Blackwood book and I continue to really love her writing style. This was a pretty easy read and I almost read it in a single sitting. I actually had to force myself to pause with 40 pages left to get sleep 🤣
Rummy immediately gave me Nesta from ACOSF vibes. She’s drinking and bedding different men each night to overcome her massive self loathing for reasons unbeknownst to us immediately. Rummy is also best friend to the Queen who I presume we meet in book 1 of the series. Jessiah is the second to the king and his brother, commander of their nations army, and prickles Rummy at any opportunity. Jessiah can be mean and cruel at times but he does it to compensate for his obvious feelings towards Rummy. These two enemies must travel together when a neighboring kingdom requests help from them.
Read this if you like:
🪽 forced proximity
🖤 enemies to lovers
🪽 lots of tension
🖤 jealous MMC
🪽 self healing
🖤 slow burn
🪽 second chance
Thank you to Emily Blackwood for the eARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Absolutely loved this interconnected standalone
Where do I begin with this spin off sequel to the golden city duet. This time following Jessiah and Rummy in a dual POV story. While it's not necessary to read the golden city duology, I personally would highly recommend reading it first since you get the meet both Jessiah and Rummy in that story.
Rummy has a secret. That secret is keeping her away from the one person she really wants to be with, leaving a darkness in her that makes her and Jessiah bicker and banter like no other. She's a strong FMC who tries to prove her strength which in turn causes her to get into sticky situations where she can't be the strong one and must rely on the overprotective mmc, Jessiah, who lets me honest will always be there to help her even if it ends in endless bickering and insults.
When a neighboring kingdom asks for help with a rebellion Jessiah Rummy and Xavier go on a adventure to the kingdom to get Intel on what's truly going on. A little forced proximity and a whole lot of bickering ensure and of course some sticky situations that end in possible death and dying. I enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it if you wanted more from these two characters in the golden city duology.
Tropes of forced proximity, banter, strong FMC and MMC, secrets, found family, mysterious prophecy and touch her a die. With some spice for me personally a 1.25/5. A quick read that's fast paced and is a standalone interconnected with the golden city series.
Where do I begin with this spin off sequel to the golden city duet. This time following Jessiah and Rummy in a dual POV story. While it's not necessary to read the golden city duology, I personally would highly recommend reading it first since you get the meet both Jessiah and Rummy in that story.
Rummy has a secret. That secret is keeping her away from the one person she really wants to be with, leaving a darkness in her that makes her and Jessiah bicker and banter like no other. She's a strong FMC who tries to prove her strength which in turn causes her to get into sticky situations where she can't be the strong one and must rely on the overprotective mmc, Jessiah, who lets me honest will always be there to help her even if it ends in endless bickering and insults.
When a neighboring kingdom asks for help with a rebellion Jessiah Rummy and Xavier go on a adventure to the kingdom to get Intel on what's truly going on. A little forced proximity and a whole lot of bickering ensure and of course some sticky situations that end in possible death and dying. I enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it if you wanted more from these two characters in the golden city duology.
Tropes of forced proximity, banter, strong FMC and MMC, secrets, found family, mysterious prophecy and touch her a die. With some spice for me personally a 1.25/5. A quick read that's fast paced and is a standalone interconnected with the golden city series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 🌟
Trust the process! The beginning of this book takes place with a gap in between Blood so Brutal to this which is awesome for the plot but alarming if you are expecting to just pick up where we left off with Jessiah (mmc) and Rummy (fmc). I was surprised by the MC's attitudes and actions at first but as things unfold it becomes clear and very emotional.
Jessiah is still my favorite character of this world! He deserves so much love and to feel like he is more than enough. Rummy grew on me. I was so genuinely surprised by her backstory and secrets that add the best layers to the overall plot.
Overall, this was a fast paced and fun read. It brought me back into a world I loved with the whole gang of found family characters (plus a new one).
Trust the process! The beginning of this book takes place with a gap in between Blood so Brutal to this which is awesome for the plot but alarming if you are expecting to just pick up where we left off with Jessiah (mmc) and Rummy (fmc). I was surprised by the MC's attitudes and actions at first but as things unfold it becomes clear and very emotional.
Jessiah is still my favorite character of this world! He deserves so much love and to feel like he is more than enough. Rummy grew on me. I was so genuinely surprised by her backstory and secrets that add the best layers to the overall plot.
Overall, this was a fast paced and fun read. It brought me back into a world I loved with the whole gang of found family characters (plus a new one).
January 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Crown So Cruel by Emily Blackwood
My first ARC review! 💕
I absolutely loved being back in the Golden City world and was so excited to finally read Jessiah and Rummy’s story after meeting them in the duet. This is a fast-paced romantasy filled with tension, emotion, and gripping moments that kept me hooked.
Rummy took a little while to warm up to—she has that stubborn, self-loathing streak and relies on unhealthy coping mechanisms, but you can feel there’s something deeper driving her behaviour. Jessiah definitely doesn’t make things easier with all the back-and-forth bickering between them! The angst is real, and the slow burn is done so well.
You don’t have to read Wings So Wicked first, but I definitely recommend it to fully appreciate the world and characters.
A great, emotional, and addictive read! 💛
My first ARC review! 💕
I absolutely loved being back in the Golden City world and was so excited to finally read Jessiah and Rummy’s story after meeting them in the duet. This is a fast-paced romantasy filled with tension, emotion, and gripping moments that kept me hooked.
Rummy took a little while to warm up to—she has that stubborn, self-loathing streak and relies on unhealthy coping mechanisms, but you can feel there’s something deeper driving her behaviour. Jessiah definitely doesn’t make things easier with all the back-and-forth bickering between them! The angst is real, and the slow burn is done so well.
You don’t have to read Wings So Wicked first, but I definitely recommend it to fully appreciate the world and characters.
A great, emotional, and addictive read! 💛
December 29, 2025
LOVED the Rummy finally got to have her moment! She deserved it🥹
Being able to finally understand Rummy made this story so good, but even better was understanding her importance to Huntyr in books 1&2.
Emily’s dual POV abilities are top tier because you end up developing such a strong emotional connection to each character. You could feel the darkness from Rummy like a physical weight and you suffer with her and for her. Jessiah’s tension is an ever present feeling throughout the entirety of the story and while it’s unnerving, it’s also warranted when you discover the truth behind it.
Being able to finally understand Rummy made this story so good, but even better was understanding her importance to Huntyr in books 1&2.
Emily’s dual POV abilities are top tier because you end up developing such a strong emotional connection to each character. You could feel the darkness from Rummy like a physical weight and you suffer with her and for her. Jessiah’s tension is an ever present feeling throughout the entirety of the story and while it’s unnerving, it’s also warranted when you discover the truth behind it.
December 26, 2025
I loved to be back in the golden city and Scarlanta. The chemistry between Rummy and Jes were incredible. I love Emily’s writing style ! I love the story line and the characters it’s giving found family !!
January 8, 2026
The tension between Rummy and Jessiah is weaponized. Every shared scene is thick with anger, sparks, and the kind of barely contained loathing that makes you lean closer to the page like, oh this is going to explode.
The magic system feels fresh and intentional dark, layered, and not just vibes for vibes’ sake.
And the whispering caves?? I love a good riddle, and this one had my brain working overtime in the best way, breadcrumbs and all.
Bonus shoutout to Xavier, the ultimate ride-or-die friend! Loyal, steady, and absolutely deserving of his own story because I would devour it without hesitation!
The magic system feels fresh and intentional dark, layered, and not just vibes for vibes’ sake.
And the whispering caves?? I love a good riddle, and this one had my brain working overtime in the best way, breadcrumbs and all.
Bonus shoutout to Xavier, the ultimate ride-or-die friend! Loyal, steady, and absolutely deserving of his own story because I would devour it without hesitation!
January 18, 2026
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Crown So Cruel
Two years after the rise of Scarlata, Rummy is the Queen’s advisor and Jessiah the army commander. Rummy resolves to keep her distance but when their mission takes them across the lands, they must confront long-buried secrets and difficult truths.
Tropes:
✨Dual POV
✨Hate to love
✨Angel MMC
✨Fae FMC
✨Forced proximity
✨Touch her & 💀
✨Magic
✨Slow burn
✨Standalone Spinoff
This story is peak hate to love and opposites attract vibes. Rummy and Jessiah’s tension is palpable and this story brings all the banter and yearning!
The author deeply explores their inner demons, self-imposed feelings of guilt, and drive towards redemption. I was cheering them on to work through every hurdle they face to find a sense of belonging and the love they deserve.
Crown So Cruel is character-driven and emotional standalone filled with magic, intrigue, and an angsty romance!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review
📖: Crown So Cruel
Two years after the rise of Scarlata, Rummy is the Queen’s advisor and Jessiah the army commander. Rummy resolves to keep her distance but when their mission takes them across the lands, they must confront long-buried secrets and difficult truths.
Tropes:
✨Dual POV
✨Hate to love
✨Angel MMC
✨Fae FMC
✨Forced proximity
✨Touch her & 💀
✨Magic
✨Slow burn
✨Standalone Spinoff
This story is peak hate to love and opposites attract vibes. Rummy and Jessiah’s tension is palpable and this story brings all the banter and yearning!
The author deeply explores their inner demons, self-imposed feelings of guilt, and drive towards redemption. I was cheering them on to work through every hurdle they face to find a sense of belonging and the love they deserve.
Crown So Cruel is character-driven and emotional standalone filled with magic, intrigue, and an angsty romance!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review
January 3, 2026
"I'm going to make you forget about every single one of them," I promised. "After tonight, its only ever going to be me."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Friends to Enemies to Lovers
• Angels, Fae and Vampyres
• Slow Burn
• Banter
• Fated Mates
• Archangel MMC
• Sassy Fae FMC
• Secrets
There's something about returning to a fantasy world you know and love when the author graces you with a bonus novella following on from a series that just feels so comfortable and satisfying, like slipping on your comfiest clothes. We slipped back into this world with the characters we know and love like we never left. Having already met Jessiah and Rummy within the Golden City duet I was so excited to dive into their story, where we meet both old faces and new exploring the wider reaches of world within this book outside The Scarlata Empire. I loved the back and forth between Jessiah and Rummy throughout this story, and despite how much they try to hate one another they can't help but feel that undeniable pull. This story was perfectly satisfying with a heartwarming HEA, but don't get me wrong this one was hard fought for and I had an amazing time reading this one from start to finish.
Jessiah has spent two long years working to get a new army of vampyres in shape as their commander, so when a neighbouring kingdom threatens the peace he feels that The Scarlata Empire is ready to strike. However, the King and Queen are not ready to dive headfirst into another war so they sent Jessiah on a mission to investigate the threat, but much to his dismay they insist that he takes Rummy with him. Rummy is the blood Queen's personal advisor, her best friend and the one person Jessiah cannot stand ever since their close friendship ended abruptly. When these two are forced into an unexpected alliance in order to travel across the kingdom and find answers, they encounter more challenges than they bargained for. The question quickly becomes whether they can put their mutual dislike of one another aside for the sake of the kingdom or if the new threats will unveil their secrets and ultimately lead to their homes destruction.
Rummy is on a self destructive spiral, she views herself as being useless, as not being worthy of the love or attention of anyone around her. Losing herself in ale or a handsome man each night is how she is coping with her secrets that she is not willing to share with anyone as she closes herself off. Jessiah is trying so hard to be the person everyone needs him to be, but he is hurting after the events that closed off his close relationship with Rummy, making him lash out at those around him and make rash decisions which are so out of character. Their constant pushing of one another makes for some serious banter but also some quits that cut deep with their need to keep one another at arms distance. I loved the slow burn between these two, how their history makes their relationship intricate and something that makes the story even more gripping.
I did hit about ninety percent and I was worried if we were going to get the happy ending I was hoping for, Emily kept me on my toes until the very end but I was super satisfied by the ending we were given. The yearning between Rummy and Jessiah was everything I hoped for, and this was one main thread of the story that ran alongside the characters and their mission to save the Scarlata Empire and protect people that don't have the means to do so themselves. Having this story be set two years on from the events at the end of the golden city duology, we find ourselves in a privileged position to see how the characters from the duology are doing, and how life has shifted and changed for them since the time we last visited them. The pacing was what I would say was medium speed, there were enough of those emotional moments between the characters while also propelling us on our journey with these characters. Honestly, even if you haven't read this series I would definitely suggest picking this book up as although their are spoilers for the duology this story stands so strong independently that its worth picking up.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: Emily Blackwood
Series: Golden City Series
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: December 30th, 2025
Pages: 326
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Friends to Enemies to Lovers
• Angels, Fae and Vampyres
• Slow Burn
• Banter
• Fated Mates
• Archangel MMC
• Sassy Fae FMC
• Secrets
There's something about returning to a fantasy world you know and love when the author graces you with a bonus novella following on from a series that just feels so comfortable and satisfying, like slipping on your comfiest clothes. We slipped back into this world with the characters we know and love like we never left. Having already met Jessiah and Rummy within the Golden City duet I was so excited to dive into their story, where we meet both old faces and new exploring the wider reaches of world within this book outside The Scarlata Empire. I loved the back and forth between Jessiah and Rummy throughout this story, and despite how much they try to hate one another they can't help but feel that undeniable pull. This story was perfectly satisfying with a heartwarming HEA, but don't get me wrong this one was hard fought for and I had an amazing time reading this one from start to finish.
Jessiah has spent two long years working to get a new army of vampyres in shape as their commander, so when a neighbouring kingdom threatens the peace he feels that The Scarlata Empire is ready to strike. However, the King and Queen are not ready to dive headfirst into another war so they sent Jessiah on a mission to investigate the threat, but much to his dismay they insist that he takes Rummy with him. Rummy is the blood Queen's personal advisor, her best friend and the one person Jessiah cannot stand ever since their close friendship ended abruptly. When these two are forced into an unexpected alliance in order to travel across the kingdom and find answers, they encounter more challenges than they bargained for. The question quickly becomes whether they can put their mutual dislike of one another aside for the sake of the kingdom or if the new threats will unveil their secrets and ultimately lead to their homes destruction.
Rummy is on a self destructive spiral, she views herself as being useless, as not being worthy of the love or attention of anyone around her. Losing herself in ale or a handsome man each night is how she is coping with her secrets that she is not willing to share with anyone as she closes herself off. Jessiah is trying so hard to be the person everyone needs him to be, but he is hurting after the events that closed off his close relationship with Rummy, making him lash out at those around him and make rash decisions which are so out of character. Their constant pushing of one another makes for some serious banter but also some quits that cut deep with their need to keep one another at arms distance. I loved the slow burn between these two, how their history makes their relationship intricate and something that makes the story even more gripping.
I did hit about ninety percent and I was worried if we were going to get the happy ending I was hoping for, Emily kept me on my toes until the very end but I was super satisfied by the ending we were given. The yearning between Rummy and Jessiah was everything I hoped for, and this was one main thread of the story that ran alongside the characters and their mission to save the Scarlata Empire and protect people that don't have the means to do so themselves. Having this story be set two years on from the events at the end of the golden city duology, we find ourselves in a privileged position to see how the characters from the duology are doing, and how life has shifted and changed for them since the time we last visited them. The pacing was what I would say was medium speed, there were enough of those emotional moments between the characters while also propelling us on our journey with these characters. Honestly, even if you haven't read this series I would definitely suggest picking this book up as although their are spoilers for the duology this story stands so strong independently that its worth picking up.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: Emily Blackwood
Series: Golden City Series
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: December 30th, 2025
Pages: 326
January 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
N/A - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Rummy & Jessiah
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕enemies to lovers
📕second chance
📕vampyres & fae
📕slow burn to low spice
📕forced proximity
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Rummy. I’m not the kind of man you can tease all evening.”
First of all, Crown So Cruel is connected to the Golden City series (which if you haven’t read it yet, you should get on that) but you won’t have to have read that to get into this little novella. I can tell you truthfully, even without knowing anything about the characters, you will get sucked into the plot so easily like a hot knife slicing through butter. I have sunk into the realm of romantasy and this was just another reason for me to continue with my deep dive of the genre. Blackwood gives us another banger that will have you wanting to get into the series it’s connected to.
*spoilers*
Rummy is a little firecracker fae who tends to be more independent, down for a one-night stand as long as they don’t become attached. As part of the vampyres of Scarlata who have been living in peace after the war ended two years prior, she lives a quiet life with the same nightly routine of tossing back drinks at the local tavern with her partner, Jessiah. Jessiah’s bestie Huntyr is Queen of Scarlata while his brother, Wolf, has taken his place by her side.
They are called to an immediate meeting to discuss their actions towards word of another land needing help in their war from neighboring lands. In one choice, they may make an alliance with the people they would be helping. On the other hand, it may take them out from being a place of peace. Jessiah wants to rush in and help them, ignoring how nobody helped them when they were in need of assistance. Rummy decides to offer to check out the situation before they make a choice, as the message was vague when asking for their help.
With the help of a foreigner who arrives for help, Jessiah, Xavier, and Rummy -with a little push from Hunt- make their travels through the haunted Whispering Caves to the land of Pericius to meet King Cornelius in order to find out why they had asked for their help. Along the way, Rummy is attacked by a beast that awakens a dark magic inside of her that slowly takes over her using her darkest secrets against her. Upon reaching Pericius, they are greeted by King Cornelius who is egotistical and feels off to them. Especially when meeting Rummy. But that’s exactly why Cornelius has been getting closer to her. He can feel the magic growing inside her. Because he has his own dark secrets that involve her unlocked chaos magic she has unlocked.
I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers story that dives into the realm of vampyres and fae. The pacing was riveting and has you invested from the beginning. Even without reading the other Golden City novels, it makes for an adventurous and thrilling read, even though it is a slow burn. There’s very minimal spice but the development of the relationship between the main characters unravels for the reader in a nice pace that builds up the chemistry they had lost before. I loved how possessive Jessiah was towards Rummy consciously because he refused to show his true feelings for her. A must-read of 2026 already.
🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
N/A - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Rummy & Jessiah
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕enemies to lovers
📕second chance
📕vampyres & fae
📕slow burn to low spice
📕forced proximity
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Rummy. I’m not the kind of man you can tease all evening.”
First of all, Crown So Cruel is connected to the Golden City series (which if you haven’t read it yet, you should get on that) but you won’t have to have read that to get into this little novella. I can tell you truthfully, even without knowing anything about the characters, you will get sucked into the plot so easily like a hot knife slicing through butter. I have sunk into the realm of romantasy and this was just another reason for me to continue with my deep dive of the genre. Blackwood gives us another banger that will have you wanting to get into the series it’s connected to.
*spoilers*
Rummy is a little firecracker fae who tends to be more independent, down for a one-night stand as long as they don’t become attached. As part of the vampyres of Scarlata who have been living in peace after the war ended two years prior, she lives a quiet life with the same nightly routine of tossing back drinks at the local tavern with her partner, Jessiah. Jessiah’s bestie Huntyr is Queen of Scarlata while his brother, Wolf, has taken his place by her side.
They are called to an immediate meeting to discuss their actions towards word of another land needing help in their war from neighboring lands. In one choice, they may make an alliance with the people they would be helping. On the other hand, it may take them out from being a place of peace. Jessiah wants to rush in and help them, ignoring how nobody helped them when they were in need of assistance. Rummy decides to offer to check out the situation before they make a choice, as the message was vague when asking for their help.
With the help of a foreigner who arrives for help, Jessiah, Xavier, and Rummy -with a little push from Hunt- make their travels through the haunted Whispering Caves to the land of Pericius to meet King Cornelius in order to find out why they had asked for their help. Along the way, Rummy is attacked by a beast that awakens a dark magic inside of her that slowly takes over her using her darkest secrets against her. Upon reaching Pericius, they are greeted by King Cornelius who is egotistical and feels off to them. Especially when meeting Rummy. But that’s exactly why Cornelius has been getting closer to her. He can feel the magic growing inside her. Because he has his own dark secrets that involve her unlocked chaos magic she has unlocked.
I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers story that dives into the realm of vampyres and fae. The pacing was riveting and has you invested from the beginning. Even without reading the other Golden City novels, it makes for an adventurous and thrilling read, even though it is a slow burn. There’s very minimal spice but the development of the relationship between the main characters unravels for the reader in a nice pace that builds up the chemistry they had lost before. I loved how possessive Jessiah was towards Rummy consciously because he refused to show his true feelings for her. A must-read of 2026 already.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third book of the Golden City series and is based on a separate couple than the first two books. This book can be read as a standalone, however you will have some spoilers from the first two books if you have not read those prior.
I was very excited to read about Rummy and Jessiah based on the first two books, Wings so Wicked and Blood so Brutal. We had small glimpses of Rummy but knew she was tough in her own way and fiercely loyal to Huntyr. Jessiah is the brother to Wolf, and a kind hearted Angel despite growing up with a vicious father. Jessiah is loyal to a fault and respects those whom he cares about. In the end of the second book, we see Jessiah becoming very protective of Huntyr, so when we start off this book with bitter resentment for one another, I kept questioning what went wrong.
This was a much different vibe from the first two books based on the hurt and sense of guilt/self loathing from Rummy. It almost became overwhelming to read at times but I knew there had to be some reason as to why she was feeling this way and faking her emotions towards everyone. She felt she couldn’t trust anyone, including her best friend Huntyr. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it’s okay to ask for help and she can open her heart to those who care for her. But Rummy is stubborn as a bull and no matter how many times Jessiah tried to get through to her, both ended up with their feelings hurt. No matter what transpired, vicious words would be spoken despite longing for each other.
The only time Rummy felt she could trust someone, was by a man whose plan was to control her. Despite everyone warning her away, she refused to listen to their truths. How could she trust anyone when she couldn’t trust herself? But knew this man saw her darkness and wasn’t afraid.
I was getting very frustrated with Rummy and wanted her to realize Jessiah and her friends weren’t there to hurt her. It wasn’t until a forced situation towards the end of the book that we see a change in Rummy. I almost wished she was able to open up and trust on her own versus what was forced upon her. I will say I’m happy she opened her eyes to the evil lurking behind closed doors, because if she’d have fallen for that trap I’d have thrown the book screaming.
I am happy that we got the ending we deserved, but I also felt it was a bit rushed. I wasn’t a fan of the decision Jessiah made but saw the reasoning behind it, making Rummy see both sides of her power. I do wish we had more time with Rummy and Jessiah’s relationship after the fact once the love was established, I wish we could have read more of their story post all the chaos they endured.
I was very excited to read about Rummy and Jessiah based on the first two books, Wings so Wicked and Blood so Brutal. We had small glimpses of Rummy but knew she was tough in her own way and fiercely loyal to Huntyr. Jessiah is the brother to Wolf, and a kind hearted Angel despite growing up with a vicious father. Jessiah is loyal to a fault and respects those whom he cares about. In the end of the second book, we see Jessiah becoming very protective of Huntyr, so when we start off this book with bitter resentment for one another, I kept questioning what went wrong.
This was a much different vibe from the first two books based on the hurt and sense of guilt/self loathing from Rummy. It almost became overwhelming to read at times but I knew there had to be some reason as to why she was feeling this way and faking her emotions towards everyone. She felt she couldn’t trust anyone, including her best friend Huntyr. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it’s okay to ask for help and she can open her heart to those who care for her. But Rummy is stubborn as a bull and no matter how many times Jessiah tried to get through to her, both ended up with their feelings hurt. No matter what transpired, vicious words would be spoken despite longing for each other.
The only time Rummy felt she could trust someone, was by a man whose plan was to control her. Despite everyone warning her away, she refused to listen to their truths. How could she trust anyone when she couldn’t trust herself? But knew this man saw her darkness and wasn’t afraid.
I was getting very frustrated with Rummy and wanted her to realize Jessiah and her friends weren’t there to hurt her. It wasn’t until a forced situation towards the end of the book that we see a change in Rummy. I almost wished she was able to open up and trust on her own versus what was forced upon her. I will say I’m happy she opened her eyes to the evil lurking behind closed doors, because if she’d have fallen for that trap I’d have thrown the book screaming.
I am happy that we got the ending we deserved, but I also felt it was a bit rushed. I wasn’t a fan of the decision Jessiah made but saw the reasoning behind it, making Rummy see both sides of her power. I do wish we had more time with Rummy and Jessiah’s relationship after the fact once the love was established, I wish we could have read more of their story post all the chaos they endured.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book! It had me feeling ALL the feels. It follows Rummy and Jessiah two years after Blood So Brutal. One would think they were going to be deep into a loving relationship after the ending of book two but oh contraire. Not so much. They actually hate each other, can’t be in the same room as each other, and are downright cruel with what they say when they are forced to interact. Rummy seems to be struggling with her place in this new kingdom built by Huntyr and Wolf, and despite their support and kindness, she still feels like she is useless and is dragging everyone down. Jessiah is in complete denial about his feelings for Rummy but he’s protecting his heart from their past. Just when you think their relationship couldn’t get any more awkward, they, along with Xavier, are forced to go to a neighboring kingdom to investigate a request for troops to address a rebel issue. The request seems suspicious so the three of them go to see what the deal is. The trip ends up revealing prophecies, hidden magic, magic stealing, betrayal, and so much more. Rummy and Jessiah are forced to deal with their problems due to being around each other but also potentially to protect those they love the most. Will they be able to push their anger and hatred aside and come together to protect those in need?
I was pissed at Rummy SO much in this book. She was so stubborn and self-deprecating I just wanted to slap her. Jessiah didn’t help. They were both protecting themselves but digging themselves into this huge hole that was totally unnecessary (of course I knew this because I knew what they were both thinking….) They are both so good and so good for each other that it just killed me every time they spewed such hatred toward each other. Spoiler alert- it doesn’t happen forever. There is a time when they don’t hate each otherZ There was some HARD work to get there though. Emily knows how to DRAG out the slow burn. I absolutely loved the dynamics “after” and I loved how the story evolved during this journey that Rummy and Jessiah were on. The story line was interesting, unpredictable and at times devastating for them because of what happened after their relationship changed. Of course I would have loved more of the story to include the evolution of the two do them figuring things out as well as more of the “after” because these two definitely deserved it! Thank you Emily for the eARC and for the reading privilege!
I was pissed at Rummy SO much in this book. She was so stubborn and self-deprecating I just wanted to slap her. Jessiah didn’t help. They were both protecting themselves but digging themselves into this huge hole that was totally unnecessary (of course I knew this because I knew what they were both thinking….) They are both so good and so good for each other that it just killed me every time they spewed such hatred toward each other. Spoiler alert- it doesn’t happen forever. There is a time when they don’t hate each otherZ There was some HARD work to get there though. Emily knows how to DRAG out the slow burn. I absolutely loved the dynamics “after” and I loved how the story evolved during this journey that Rummy and Jessiah were on. The story line was interesting, unpredictable and at times devastating for them because of what happened after their relationship changed. Of course I would have loved more of the story to include the evolution of the two do them figuring things out as well as more of the “after” because these two definitely deserved it! Thank you Emily for the eARC and for the reading privilege!
December 30, 2025
i had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for another one of Emily’s books and as always she did not disappoint. this was a fast paced witty book that is heavy on the plot with little to no spice. but the tension is THERE! so don’t let the lack of spice send you away!buckle up peeps cause this is a long one.
Rummy and Jessiah were introduced in Hunt and Wolf’s books and I remember being excited to see what was in store for them. there is very MILD spoilers for previous books, but this absolutely can be read as a standalone!!
Rummy is SPICY. and a girl after my own heart with her love of ale. she is bitter and is definitely set in her ways. being attacked by docile animals? same girl. feeling the crippling weight of the world being against you? PREACH. Jessiah definitely had me not loving him at points with some comments and had me being like mmm no give me Xavier instead. but the devotion to still protecting Rummy even if it was in fear of the wrath of Huntyr (which is completely valid) and determination to be there for his kingdom eventually won me over. and grumpy growly male? yup sold. i am a weak woman what can i say? give me a growly winged male and i will fold like an old lawn chair. 🤤
now this was not my favorite book BUT it was fun, it was engaging, and i found myself pulled to come back to it so that is why i am rating it high. i hate miscommunication and lack of communication and this book definitely could have been resolved much quicker if there had just been some good solid conversations. however it added suspense to the book. i kept shaking it being like “what happened why do they hate each other so much” “why are we constantly bickering” “why is Jessiah being so rude let the girl live” 😂 and then the build up and finding out why was enough to have me cry a little. the ANGST ugh.
i did enjoy the bickering. i love me some tension and this book delivered on that for sure. could it have been broken up into two books and flushed out a bit more with some love triangles and deeper betrayal? maybe? but i think this was exactly what we needed from these characters. i think much longer and i would’ve been bored. did it end rather quickly? absolutely. do i still have questions? sure. but i have a sneaky suspicion this won’t be the last we see of this world and i will be here to gladly read the next 😎
Rummy and Jessiah were introduced in Hunt and Wolf’s books and I remember being excited to see what was in store for them. there is very MILD spoilers for previous books, but this absolutely can be read as a standalone!!
Rummy is SPICY. and a girl after my own heart with her love of ale. she is bitter and is definitely set in her ways. being attacked by docile animals? same girl. feeling the crippling weight of the world being against you? PREACH. Jessiah definitely had me not loving him at points with some comments and had me being like mmm no give me Xavier instead. but the devotion to still protecting Rummy even if it was in fear of the wrath of Huntyr (which is completely valid) and determination to be there for his kingdom eventually won me over. and grumpy growly male? yup sold. i am a weak woman what can i say? give me a growly winged male and i will fold like an old lawn chair. 🤤
now this was not my favorite book BUT it was fun, it was engaging, and i found myself pulled to come back to it so that is why i am rating it high. i hate miscommunication and lack of communication and this book definitely could have been resolved much quicker if there had just been some good solid conversations. however it added suspense to the book. i kept shaking it being like “what happened why do they hate each other so much” “why are we constantly bickering” “why is Jessiah being so rude let the girl live” 😂 and then the build up and finding out why was enough to have me cry a little. the ANGST ugh.
i did enjoy the bickering. i love me some tension and this book delivered on that for sure. could it have been broken up into two books and flushed out a bit more with some love triangles and deeper betrayal? maybe? but i think this was exactly what we needed from these characters. i think much longer and i would’ve been bored. did it end rather quickly? absolutely. do i still have questions? sure. but i have a sneaky suspicion this won’t be the last we see of this world and i will be here to gladly read the next 😎
December 27, 2025
5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🪶Interconnected Worlds
🪽Grumpy, STRONG Willed FMC
🖤Broody, Protective MMC
🪶Angels, Fae, Vampyres at War
🪽Slow Burn
🖤ANGSTTT!!!!
🪶ACTION PACKED!
🪽Fast Paced
Being thrown back into this world felt both exhilarating and emotionally brutal in ALL THE BEST WAYS!!! Reuniting with familiar faces had me reeling from the start, but watching the story shift to Rummy and Jessiah completely captivated me and kept me reaching for more. Their history is heavy with unspoken truths, misunderstandings, and wounds that never seemed to fully heal, and that 100% forced that delicious tension to hum beneath every interaction. The mission that forces them together is layered with all the delicious danger… while angels, fae, and vampyres circle closer to the impending war. Every chapter felt urgent, fast-paced, and completely impossible to put down (I mean come on, of course I started this the day before Christmas…), especially as I watched the slow burn between them… stretching deliciously tight on page.
Rummy’s arc hit me the hardest. Her sharp tongue and indifference are 100% the armor many of us have ourselves, and beneath it is deep self-loathing, fear, and a longing for connection she doesn’t believe she deserves (also something many of us live with!) Watching her battle that internally was raw, relatable, and 100% painfully real. Jessiah, on the other hand, is fiercely protective, learning how to love her without trying to change her… something I LOVE to see… and their dynamic is explosive, angsty, and emotionally charged from start to finish. This story was beyond addictive, heartbreaking, and having an interconnected series along with it, has to scream READ me to everyone. 5/5 ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!!
A HUGE thank you to Emily Blackwood for sending this over. I absolutely love the entire series, and cannot wait for more!!! Thank you again SOOO MUCH!!!
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🪶Interconnected Worlds
🪽Grumpy, STRONG Willed FMC
🖤Broody, Protective MMC
🪶Angels, Fae, Vampyres at War
🪽Slow Burn
🖤ANGSTTT!!!!
🪶ACTION PACKED!
🪽Fast Paced
Being thrown back into this world felt both exhilarating and emotionally brutal in ALL THE BEST WAYS!!! Reuniting with familiar faces had me reeling from the start, but watching the story shift to Rummy and Jessiah completely captivated me and kept me reaching for more. Their history is heavy with unspoken truths, misunderstandings, and wounds that never seemed to fully heal, and that 100% forced that delicious tension to hum beneath every interaction. The mission that forces them together is layered with all the delicious danger… while angels, fae, and vampyres circle closer to the impending war. Every chapter felt urgent, fast-paced, and completely impossible to put down (I mean come on, of course I started this the day before Christmas…), especially as I watched the slow burn between them… stretching deliciously tight on page.
Rummy’s arc hit me the hardest. Her sharp tongue and indifference are 100% the armor many of us have ourselves, and beneath it is deep self-loathing, fear, and a longing for connection she doesn’t believe she deserves (also something many of us live with!) Watching her battle that internally was raw, relatable, and 100% painfully real. Jessiah, on the other hand, is fiercely protective, learning how to love her without trying to change her… something I LOVE to see… and their dynamic is explosive, angsty, and emotionally charged from start to finish. This story was beyond addictive, heartbreaking, and having an interconnected series along with it, has to scream READ me to everyone. 5/5 ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!!
A HUGE thank you to Emily Blackwood for sending this over. I absolutely love the entire series, and cannot wait for more!!! Thank you again SOOO MUCH!!!
January 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5🌟
This fast-paced Romantasy is a spin off from the original duology. I read this book without reading the original duology first and I didn’t have any trouble keeping up. I’m also one of those people that don’t mind going back and reading someone else’s story as a backstory, even if it may be a bit spoilery. I think if I had read the duology first then I would’ve had a lot more character development already and that may have helped me like our FMC more. As it is, it took me a bit to warm up to her. She’s very self-sabotaging and I realize that’s a thing but sometimes it can feel a bit like a miscommunication trope. However, I felt like the ending of this book really was a great payoff! Go through the mild frustration because the author is doing it on purpose! There is descriptive open door spice towards the end, but only 1 or 2 scenes. I would rate 1/5 🌶️ spice. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I think you’ll like this book if you like an MMC with a hero complex (hello he’s the son of an archangel!) and a black-cat-energy-FMC; “it’s always been you”; mate bonds; hate to love vibes; fantasy worlds with vampyres, fae, and angels; and a fast-paced read. There’s not pages and pages of world building so don’t expect that going into this book and you’ll appreciate it for what it is!
Quotes:
“You don’t know what it’s been like for me. I’ve had to live with all you perfect people and your perfect gifts, knowing all the while that I'm cursed.”
“I wanted her to show me the darkest parts of her. And I wanted to love them all the same.”
“You have the power to choose death, my child, and you cannot choose death just yet. There is more to be done.”
“You see your power as darkness, my love, but you are missing the light.”
4/5🌟
This fast-paced Romantasy is a spin off from the original duology. I read this book without reading the original duology first and I didn’t have any trouble keeping up. I’m also one of those people that don’t mind going back and reading someone else’s story as a backstory, even if it may be a bit spoilery. I think if I had read the duology first then I would’ve had a lot more character development already and that may have helped me like our FMC more. As it is, it took me a bit to warm up to her. She’s very self-sabotaging and I realize that’s a thing but sometimes it can feel a bit like a miscommunication trope. However, I felt like the ending of this book really was a great payoff! Go through the mild frustration because the author is doing it on purpose! There is descriptive open door spice towards the end, but only 1 or 2 scenes. I would rate 1/5 🌶️ spice. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I think you’ll like this book if you like an MMC with a hero complex (hello he’s the son of an archangel!) and a black-cat-energy-FMC; “it’s always been you”; mate bonds; hate to love vibes; fantasy worlds with vampyres, fae, and angels; and a fast-paced read. There’s not pages and pages of world building so don’t expect that going into this book and you’ll appreciate it for what it is!
Quotes:
“You don’t know what it’s been like for me. I’ve had to live with all you perfect people and your perfect gifts, knowing all the while that I'm cursed.”
“I wanted her to show me the darkest parts of her. And I wanted to love them all the same.”
“You have the power to choose death, my child, and you cannot choose death just yet. There is more to be done.”
“You see your power as darkness, my love, but you are missing the light.”
December 30, 2025
ARC Review
"Darkness becomes the chain that binds
Love discovers the thread that unwinds"
Crown So Cruel is an emotionally charged, character-driven fantasy romance that leans into angst, tension, and slow-burn conflict. Set in the aftermath of war, the story follows Rummy and Jessiah, two characters bound by duty, resentment, and an undeniable pull neither wants to confront.
Rummy is a deeply flawed heroine. She is self-destructive, guarded, and painfully aware of her place as a magicless fae in a kingdom built for powerful beings. Her internal struggle is raw and uncomfortable at times, though it occasionally lingers longer than necessary. Her coping mechanisms are not romanticized, and her pain is not brushed aside. Jessiah, on the other hand, is defined by restraint and responsibility, carrying the weight of leadership while battling his instinct to protect everyone around him, especially Rummy.
The tension between them is sharp and often volatile, driven more by unresolved emotions than outright romance. While the overall pace of the story is good, some parts feel rushed, which creates moments that seem slightly underdeveloped or leave small plot holes. Additionally, some internal monologues become repetitive, occasionally slowing the pacing. Still, the emotional payoff remains satisfying.
On a personal note, Emily Blackwood was the author of the very first ARC I ever read (I only started this year), and it feels fitting that I will be ending the year with one of her books being my last ARC I’m reading this year.
Recommended for readers who enjoy slow-burn fantasy romance, high emotional tension, flawed characters, and post-war worlds where healing is messy, and progress is not always linear.
"Darkness becomes the chain that binds
Love discovers the thread that unwinds"
Crown So Cruel is an emotionally charged, character-driven fantasy romance that leans into angst, tension, and slow-burn conflict. Set in the aftermath of war, the story follows Rummy and Jessiah, two characters bound by duty, resentment, and an undeniable pull neither wants to confront.
Rummy is a deeply flawed heroine. She is self-destructive, guarded, and painfully aware of her place as a magicless fae in a kingdom built for powerful beings. Her internal struggle is raw and uncomfortable at times, though it occasionally lingers longer than necessary. Her coping mechanisms are not romanticized, and her pain is not brushed aside. Jessiah, on the other hand, is defined by restraint and responsibility, carrying the weight of leadership while battling his instinct to protect everyone around him, especially Rummy.
The tension between them is sharp and often volatile, driven more by unresolved emotions than outright romance. While the overall pace of the story is good, some parts feel rushed, which creates moments that seem slightly underdeveloped or leave small plot holes. Additionally, some internal monologues become repetitive, occasionally slowing the pacing. Still, the emotional payoff remains satisfying.
On a personal note, Emily Blackwood was the author of the very first ARC I ever read (I only started this year), and it feels fitting that I will be ending the year with one of her books being my last ARC I’m reading this year.
Recommended for readers who enjoy slow-burn fantasy romance, high emotional tension, flawed characters, and post-war worlds where healing is messy, and progress is not always linear.
December 24, 2025
I loved being back in the world of Scarlata and the Golden City! This time we follow Rummy and Jessiah in a fast paced spinoff taking place two years after the events of the main duology. Rummy and Jessiah are both trying to find their place and purpose in a now peaceful Scarlata. After an unseen fall out between the pair we start the story with snarky comments, lots of targeted barbs, hurtful insults, competition, and of course lots of tension.
When they’re forced to go on a mission together to a neighboring kingdom they must try and put aside their differences to figure out the truth of the supposed rebellion in the east. However, nothing is as it seems and when lots of secrets come to light Rummy and Jessiah find themselves at the center of prophecy, dangerous magic, and a new enemy. Through this all their relationship slowly changes and we begin to find out what happened between them.
Overall I enjoyed this one! It’s shorter and fast paced with everything wrapped up in the end. I wish we had a bit more time to see Rummy and Jessiah really flesh things out between them more but ultimately I enjoyed how their relationship developed. Rummy is a strong willed fmc who constantly uses lies and barbed words to protect herself. For me my favorite part was seeing her walls slowly come down throughout the book. Plus I loved getting more of Jessiah’s backstory while he and Rummy come together.
This book is perfect if you love low to medium stakes, forced proximity, slow burn second chance romance, magic, vampires x fae, and so much more! I absolutely loved being back in this world and would highly recommend to others!
Thank you Emily for the gifted eARC!
When they’re forced to go on a mission together to a neighboring kingdom they must try and put aside their differences to figure out the truth of the supposed rebellion in the east. However, nothing is as it seems and when lots of secrets come to light Rummy and Jessiah find themselves at the center of prophecy, dangerous magic, and a new enemy. Through this all their relationship slowly changes and we begin to find out what happened between them.
Overall I enjoyed this one! It’s shorter and fast paced with everything wrapped up in the end. I wish we had a bit more time to see Rummy and Jessiah really flesh things out between them more but ultimately I enjoyed how their relationship developed. Rummy is a strong willed fmc who constantly uses lies and barbed words to protect herself. For me my favorite part was seeing her walls slowly come down throughout the book. Plus I loved getting more of Jessiah’s backstory while he and Rummy come together.
This book is perfect if you love low to medium stakes, forced proximity, slow burn second chance romance, magic, vampires x fae, and so much more! I absolutely loved being back in this world and would highly recommend to others!
Thank you Emily for the gifted eARC!
January 17, 2026
Okay I was 186% here for Jessiah and Rummy and dang Emily, you did NOT disappoint! It was everything I hoped it would be and more and I loved every second of it! So much so I ended up staying up until 4am to finish it when I had to get up for a flight at 5am but hey, who needs sleep 🤷🏼♀️. It’s got forced proximity, hate to love, vampyres, fae, angels, destinies like hello? How could you not love that?! 💖
What I liked:
✨ Characters - I loved the characters, they were really well written and they were strong and really likeable! (Except Cornelius cause… ew) they weren’t little snowflakes which is always a win.
✨ Character Development - expertly done, you could see the characters working out their issues and actually realising that maybe communication isn’t actually so bad after all. Rummy especially, she learned lying to protect yourself only causes more damage and hurt.
✨ Plot Twists - all imma say is, SLAY.
What I didn’t like:
✨ My only gripe is sometimes the chapters were a bit too long but that’s just my personal preference cause I’m weird.
Everytime Emily brings out another book it just absolutely SLAPS and this one was absolutely worth the wait. She has never written a bad book and I don’t even think she could if she tried! I will forever recommend her to everyone and anyone! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this masterpiece 👌🏻
💕I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!💕
What I liked:
✨ Characters - I loved the characters, they were really well written and they were strong and really likeable! (Except Cornelius cause… ew) they weren’t little snowflakes which is always a win.
✨ Character Development - expertly done, you could see the characters working out their issues and actually realising that maybe communication isn’t actually so bad after all. Rummy especially, she learned lying to protect yourself only causes more damage and hurt.
✨ Plot Twists - all imma say is, SLAY.
What I didn’t like:
✨ My only gripe is sometimes the chapters were a bit too long but that’s just my personal preference cause I’m weird.
Everytime Emily brings out another book it just absolutely SLAPS and this one was absolutely worth the wait. She has never written a bad book and I don’t even think she could if she tried! I will forever recommend her to everyone and anyone! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this masterpiece 👌🏻
💕I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!💕
December 30, 2025
Crown So Cruel by Emily Blackwood is a spinoff of Wings So Wicked. You don’t have to read Wings So Wicked first, but I highly recommend it it’s an incredible story and one you really don’t want to miss.
Rummy and Jessiah deliver one of the best frenemies to lovers arcs I’ve read in a long time. ♥️
Rummy is a headstrong FMC who secretly loathes herself and struggles to believe she’s worthy of love or even the friendships surrounding her. Jessiah, on the other hand, is our angel MMC fiercely loyal and willing to do anything to protect the people and land he loves. He’s made a promise to safeguard their kingdom, and he fully intends to keep it.
When Scarlata is asked to send aid to a neighboring kingdom facing uprisings, Rummy and Jessiah are sent to uncover the truth only to find conflicting stories, a new king with questionable motives, and dangers far deeper than expected. Along the way, Rummy discovers people and a place where she might finally belong.
As secrets Rummy has carried her entire life come to light, she’s forced to confront the cruel thoughts she’s held about herself. Can they stop the growing threat before it destroys their own kingdom?
You get all the answers and then some, and I honestly wish this wasn’t a standalone because I would happily read so much more of these two.
Rummy and Jessiah deliver one of the best frenemies to lovers arcs I’ve read in a long time. ♥️
Rummy is a headstrong FMC who secretly loathes herself and struggles to believe she’s worthy of love or even the friendships surrounding her. Jessiah, on the other hand, is our angel MMC fiercely loyal and willing to do anything to protect the people and land he loves. He’s made a promise to safeguard their kingdom, and he fully intends to keep it.
When Scarlata is asked to send aid to a neighboring kingdom facing uprisings, Rummy and Jessiah are sent to uncover the truth only to find conflicting stories, a new king with questionable motives, and dangers far deeper than expected. Along the way, Rummy discovers people and a place where she might finally belong.
As secrets Rummy has carried her entire life come to light, she’s forced to confront the cruel thoughts she’s held about herself. Can they stop the growing threat before it destroys their own kingdom?
You get all the answers and then some, and I honestly wish this wasn’t a standalone because I would happily read so much more of these two.
December 31, 2025
This standalone spinoff of the the Golden City duet tells the story of Jessiah, an angel and commander of the new army of vampires in the Scarlata Empire, and Rummy, Scarlata’s blood queen’s best friend, as they travel across the kingdom to investigate a request to send military support for a neighboring empire’s war.
Jessiah and Rummy hate each other, and it’s a hatred born from a special friendship that fell apart. Their sarcasm and banter fuel the tension in the novel, and I couldn’t get enough of their verbal battles! When they finally give in to their true feelings, the spice is explosive. Both of these characters carry deep wounds and as they work through their trauma and open their hearts, I got all the feels. The character development built throughout the book and made me fall in love with these two and all their flaws!
The plot is full of suspense, and it builds to such a crescendo I was beginning to panic as I approached the end that something terrible was about to happen at any moment. The ending had me sweating, cursing and then celebrating. I loved letting these two side characters from Blood So Brutal and Wings So Wicked have their own story. If you love romantasy with well developed characters, a riveting plot, plenty of suspense and delicious spice, then add this to your TBR now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Jessiah and Rummy hate each other, and it’s a hatred born from a special friendship that fell apart. Their sarcasm and banter fuel the tension in the novel, and I couldn’t get enough of their verbal battles! When they finally give in to their true feelings, the spice is explosive. Both of these characters carry deep wounds and as they work through their trauma and open their hearts, I got all the feels. The character development built throughout the book and made me fall in love with these two and all their flaws!
The plot is full of suspense, and it builds to such a crescendo I was beginning to panic as I approached the end that something terrible was about to happen at any moment. The ending had me sweating, cursing and then celebrating. I loved letting these two side characters from Blood So Brutal and Wings So Wicked have their own story. If you love romantasy with well developed characters, a riveting plot, plenty of suspense and delicious spice, then add this to your TBR now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 12, 2026
Emily Blackwood’s “Crown So Cruel” is the third book in the fantasy romance “Golden City” series. Although it is the third, you don’t need to read books one and two to read this one!
It’s been two years since Huntyr and Wolf took control of Scarlata as the Blood Queen and her King. Since then, Jessiah and Rummy have been at each other’s throats, spewing venom at every turn. When delegates come to Scarlata for aid, they are forced to investigate together. Will they make it out alive, or will the darkness between them mark their downfall?
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Healing/Redemption
This book was very much enemies-to-lovers. They eviscerated each other at every turn, despite no one understanding why. Between betrayals and secrets, there were moments when I had to remind myself that it was a romance, which felt like a good indicator of enemies-to-lovers. I’ll also add that the lovers component was oh so very gooey sweet. In terms of spice, it’s a lower spice at 🌶️.5, but it was romantic and very cathartic for them.
At the core of this story was the idea that “hurt people hurt people.” Both MCs, Rummy and Jessiah, are hurt in more ways than one. They hurt from their past and from each other.
Angry and hurt, Rummy pushed people away. Refusing to let people close, especially Jessiah, she barked and clawed whenever she could.
Rummy’s healing journey was not easy, but necessary. There is a part where she is telling Huntyr, “I don’t belong here,” and she responds with something close to, “You never let yourself belong here,” and that hit HARD. Her romance with Jessiah could only begin once she allowed herself to heal.
It’s been two years since Huntyr and Wolf took control of Scarlata as the Blood Queen and her King. Since then, Jessiah and Rummy have been at each other’s throats, spewing venom at every turn. When delegates come to Scarlata for aid, they are forced to investigate together. Will they make it out alive, or will the darkness between them mark their downfall?
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Healing/Redemption
This book was very much enemies-to-lovers. They eviscerated each other at every turn, despite no one understanding why. Between betrayals and secrets, there were moments when I had to remind myself that it was a romance, which felt like a good indicator of enemies-to-lovers. I’ll also add that the lovers component was oh so very gooey sweet. In terms of spice, it’s a lower spice at 🌶️.5, but it was romantic and very cathartic for them.
At the core of this story was the idea that “hurt people hurt people.” Both MCs, Rummy and Jessiah, are hurt in more ways than one. They hurt from their past and from each other.
Angry and hurt, Rummy pushed people away. Refusing to let people close, especially Jessiah, she barked and clawed whenever she could.
Rummy’s healing journey was not easy, but necessary. There is a part where she is telling Huntyr, “I don’t belong here,” and she responds with something close to, “You never let yourself belong here,” and that hit HARD. Her romance with Jessiah could only begin once she allowed herself to heal.
January 18, 2026
This surprised me. Because I was a little worried I would not like because I haven’t read the two books before this, even tho I know you don’t need to. I felt that maybe I would be confused. But I didn’t, the characters in the other books are of course mentioned, but they are mentioned enough and explained enough around that I didn’t feel confused. Which I really appreciated 😅☺️
This story was interesting and didn’t necessarily go the way I thought. But it surprised me in a good way. It made me even more interested in the first two books, and I can’t wait for them to come(because of Christmas and delays they are at least a month and a half to late 🙈).
Jessiah and Rummy are complex characters. So much emotions and feelings all over the place. Two people that struggle with expressing themself, and to a point I got a little upset at Rummy because she just couldn’t tell the whole truth. But good on Jessiah for seeing that (wink wink powers 😉) and still sticking around.
Rummy fully saying she wanting to stay with Cornelius because he understood her I felt. For me that was a new turn. The girl wanting to stay with the bad guy because he genuinely understands her, but she knows he’s the bad guy. And she then discussing with herself about it.
Matthias! I knew it! I said it the second he appeared. I was right!
This story was interesting and didn’t necessarily go the way I thought. But it surprised me in a good way. It made me even more interested in the first two books, and I can’t wait for them to come(because of Christmas and delays they are at least a month and a half to late 🙈).
Jessiah and Rummy are complex characters. So much emotions and feelings all over the place. Two people that struggle with expressing themself, and to a point I got a little upset at Rummy because she just couldn’t tell the whole truth. But good on Jessiah for seeing that (wink wink powers 😉) and still sticking around.
Rummy fully saying she wanting to stay with Cornelius because he understood her I felt. For me that was a new turn. The girl wanting to stay with the bad guy because he genuinely understands her, but she knows he’s the bad guy. And she then discussing with herself about it.
Matthias! I knew it! I said it the second he appeared. I was right!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It feels good to be back in the Kingdom of Scarlata and to be reunited with all the characters we've known and loved. The Golden City series is one I cherish, so you can imagine just how excited I was to return, this time for Jessiah and Rummy’s story.
I loved Hunt and Wolf's story, which concluded in Blood So Brutal, the second book in the series. I cried, I laughed, and I cherished every moment we spent with these characters. I was devastated to say goodbye to Huntyr and Wolf, and it felt as though Emily shared our pain and decided to reward us with another story set in the same world.
Crown So Cruel can be read as a standalone, but I strongly urge you to read the first two books to experience the full power of the story. Rummy and Jessiah have their own path, complex as it may be, yet still intertwined with Wolf, Hunt, and everyone else.
And their road to a HEA is anything but simple. Complex, complicated, and devastating at some points. These are characters haunted by their own demons and pasts. They suffer in silence, yet they process and endure their personal traumas in very different ways.
Rummy broke my heart so many times. You could feel the self-hatred and self-deprecation emanating from her, and yet there was nothing you could do to help her. You could only stand by and witness her drown in it, slowly self-destructing. And she nearly self-destructed. She was on the verge of a rift, ready to jump. But she didn't. It took everything in her, and everything in Jessiah. Together, they stepped off the cliff and finally broke free of their chains.
It took a voyage into the unknown, the whispers of destiny, a kingdom on the verge of collapsing, and hidden powers. It took an immense love and devotion, hidden under layers and layers of trauma. It took all that and more, but they finally reached the place where they belong.
Thank you, Emily, for having me as your ARC reader once again. It's always an immense pleasure.
I loved Hunt and Wolf's story, which concluded in Blood So Brutal, the second book in the series. I cried, I laughed, and I cherished every moment we spent with these characters. I was devastated to say goodbye to Huntyr and Wolf, and it felt as though Emily shared our pain and decided to reward us with another story set in the same world.
Crown So Cruel can be read as a standalone, but I strongly urge you to read the first two books to experience the full power of the story. Rummy and Jessiah have their own path, complex as it may be, yet still intertwined with Wolf, Hunt, and everyone else.
And their road to a HEA is anything but simple. Complex, complicated, and devastating at some points. These are characters haunted by their own demons and pasts. They suffer in silence, yet they process and endure their personal traumas in very different ways.
Rummy broke my heart so many times. You could feel the self-hatred and self-deprecation emanating from her, and yet there was nothing you could do to help her. You could only stand by and witness her drown in it, slowly self-destructing. And she nearly self-destructed. She was on the verge of a rift, ready to jump. But she didn't. It took everything in her, and everything in Jessiah. Together, they stepped off the cliff and finally broke free of their chains.
It took a voyage into the unknown, the whispers of destiny, a kingdom on the verge of collapsing, and hidden powers. It took an immense love and devotion, hidden under layers and layers of trauma. It took all that and more, but they finally reached the place where they belong.
Thank you, Emily, for having me as your ARC reader once again. It's always an immense pleasure.
December 26, 2025
When I say this book was full of angst, I most definitely mean it! The chemistry between Rummy and Jessiah was epic.
We join both a few years after the events of the previous two books in the series. Rummy and Jessiah have both established themselves as the support network for the newly appointed Royals. After a sequence of events their once close relationship has completely deteriorated, which causes them both obvious pain while they’re forced to journey together to a neighbouring kingdom.
I found Rummy quite a hard character to like initially. Prickly doesn’t begin to describe her. However from the journey she goes through, you really begin to understand why she pushes everyone away. I have to say I completely changed my opinion of her.
Jessiah, once he finally goes after what he wants is the strong, takes no prisoners MMC which we all adore. The wings too are an added bonus!
This was a great addition to the series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC which I was so grateful for.
If you love Romantasy with a bit of fae, angel, vampire mix then this is definitely a book for you!
We join both a few years after the events of the previous two books in the series. Rummy and Jessiah have both established themselves as the support network for the newly appointed Royals. After a sequence of events their once close relationship has completely deteriorated, which causes them both obvious pain while they’re forced to journey together to a neighbouring kingdom.
I found Rummy quite a hard character to like initially. Prickly doesn’t begin to describe her. However from the journey she goes through, you really begin to understand why she pushes everyone away. I have to say I completely changed my opinion of her.
Jessiah, once he finally goes after what he wants is the strong, takes no prisoners MMC which we all adore. The wings too are an added bonus!
This was a great addition to the series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC which I was so grateful for.
If you love Romantasy with a bit of fae, angel, vampire mix then this is definitely a book for you!
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