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Rivenwilde #3
Upon the Riven Throne
The prince of Rivenwilde is about to meet his match.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a cursed prince must be in want of a wife... to break his curse. But when a princess on the run bargains her way into his palace, he discovers he's not the only one who guards a secret.
Princess Mireille is in trouble.
Her kingdom is under siege by a cruel and powerful fae, and Mireille’s only chance to save it lies beyond the filigree wall, in the kingdom of another fae. The prince of Rivenwilde vows to protect her and their deal is struck, but the bargain only buys Mireille one month. At the turn of the moon, she must become his bride or his prisoner.
Prince Alder is prickly at best.
Between dark and ancient secrets, meddling palace staff, and vicious fae courtiers, a princess would be hard-pressed to win him over. But he wants nothing more than to break the curse that binds him, and Mireille might be the only way to see it done.
Grumpy x Sunshine. Forced Proximity. Fae Curse. Upon the Riven Throne is the final title in the now complete Rivenwilde gaslamp fantasy series (blending magical and historical), but each can be read as a standalone.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a cursed prince must be in want of a wife... to break his curse. But when a princess on the run bargains her way into his palace, he discovers he's not the only one who guards a secret.
Princess Mireille is in trouble.
Her kingdom is under siege by a cruel and powerful fae, and Mireille’s only chance to save it lies beyond the filigree wall, in the kingdom of another fae. The prince of Rivenwilde vows to protect her and their deal is struck, but the bargain only buys Mireille one month. At the turn of the moon, she must become his bride or his prisoner.
Prince Alder is prickly at best.
Between dark and ancient secrets, meddling palace staff, and vicious fae courtiers, a princess would be hard-pressed to win him over. But he wants nothing more than to break the curse that binds him, and Mireille might be the only way to see it done.
Grumpy x Sunshine. Forced Proximity. Fae Curse. Upon the Riven Throne is the final title in the now complete Rivenwilde gaslamp fantasy series (blending magical and historical), but each can be read as a standalone.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
About the author
Melissa Wright
53 books1,542 followersMelissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking with an author friend about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic. Stay updated on works in progress at Instagram. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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August 17, 2025This book has many of the things I enjoyed about the other two in this loosely interconnected series of no-spice magical romances. Fairy tale references that sneak up on you, fae bargains/curses that require legal thinking and personal integrity to get out of, and banter between friends as well as romantic pairs.
These are very light and fluffy—a nice weekend read or sick read.
These are very light and fluffy—a nice weekend read or sick read.
May 9, 2026
WOW. When I tell you, I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with everyone and THE WORLD idk it was jsut amazing ✋😭😭😭
Also...ALDER?!?! cmonnnnn he was so cuteeeeeee AND MIREILLE IS A QUEEN shes litearlly awesome and not to mention gorgeous?? Like we all already know Alder fell for her the first moment he saw her
BUT OFC he's gotta pretend he's not in love. UGH perfect trope; I can eat this book with a knife and a fork and enjoy every bite 😭😭😫😫😫😫😫
10/10 One of my favs!!! Def the best book from the last two (I did like the last two BUT this one outshines them like 100000%!!!!!!!)
Also...ALDER?!?! cmonnnnn he was so cuteeeeeee AND MIREILLE IS A QUEEN shes litearlly awesome and not to mention gorgeous?? Like we all already know Alder fell for her the first moment he saw her
BUT OFC he's gotta pretend he's not in love. UGH perfect trope; I can eat this book with a knife and a fork and enjoy every bite 😭😭😫😫😫😫😫
10/10 One of my favs!!! Def the best book from the last two (I did like the last two BUT this one outshines them like 100000%!!!!!!!)
January 2, 2026
Now THIS felt like a passion project.
The other two books in this “standalone” trilogy were good… but this!?
Welcome, finally, to the fae court! (How’d we get here? Read books 1 & 2.) We have a fae prince who is in need of a princess bride, ushering in a princess who has come to the wall hoping to escape a threat, and to bargain for help and her freedom.
This is how I wish the other two were written. The characters are much more fleshed out, and their connection is better executed. You can follow along easier as you learn along with Mireille what the fae are hoping for and hiding.
What to expect:
Persistent heroine (sunshine) and standoffish ML (grumpy)
Cursed characters and fae bargains
Danger around the corner
Gradual connection
A palace to explore
Dream walking
What I loved:
Beauty x Beast beats in this retelling, and the nod to a couple other fairytales
Thomas, loyal, funny, and helpful; some of the best dialogue
Mireille knows how to sign
Alder, because he’s cool; you finally understand his perspective and his “*sigh* I’m done” attitude alluded to in previous books
Hints as to Mireille’s curse… and the moment you realize 😱
The vibes are light/fluffy/fuzzy, sprinkled with mystery. Perfect for a snowy day. Also, it affords them the ease of re-readability.
The other two books in this “standalone” trilogy were good… but this!?
Welcome, finally, to the fae court! (How’d we get here? Read books 1 & 2.) We have a fae prince who is in need of a princess bride, ushering in a princess who has come to the wall hoping to escape a threat, and to bargain for help and her freedom.
This is how I wish the other two were written. The characters are much more fleshed out, and their connection is better executed. You can follow along easier as you learn along with Mireille what the fae are hoping for and hiding.
What to expect:
Persistent heroine (sunshine) and standoffish ML (grumpy)
Cursed characters and fae bargains
Danger around the corner
Gradual connection
A palace to explore
Dream walking
What I loved:
Beauty x Beast beats in this retelling, and the nod to a couple other fairytales
Thomas, loyal, funny, and helpful; some of the best dialogue
Mireille knows how to sign
Alder, because he’s cool; you finally understand his perspective and his “*sigh* I’m done” attitude alluded to in previous books
Hints as to Mireille’s curse… and the moment you realize 😱
The vibes are light/fluffy/fuzzy, sprinkled with mystery. Perfect for a snowy day. Also, it affords them the ease of re-readability.
July 30, 2026
Once again... I would recommend against the audiobook. It's narrated by the same lady who narrated Beyond the Filigree Wall. There were times where she spoke so quietly that it was hard to hear. I had to turn the volume all the way up just to make out what she said sometimes. Other times it was too loud. And most frustrating of all is the voice she used for the male characters. It's always the same voice and it's so snobby and stuck up that it makes the character unlikable, regardless of how they are described.
This was a nice little read after I finished Beyond the Filigree Wall. I remember telling my friend about Antonetta's story, but my friend was actually more interested in hearing the Fae Prince's story. It was nice to see that fleshed out as well.
In Beyond the Filigree Wall, the Fae prince is portrayed as a cruel man, but we get to see the truth of his story and actions in this book, which definitely made him more redeemable.
The romance felt a little... stilted. But it was alright. Once again, it was just a short little read. It's not going to make it into any Top 10 lists, but it was a sweet little fluffy story.
This was a nice little read after I finished Beyond the Filigree Wall. I remember telling my friend about Antonetta's story, but my friend was actually more interested in hearing the Fae Prince's story. It was nice to see that fleshed out as well.
In Beyond the Filigree Wall, the Fae prince is portrayed as a cruel man, but we get to see the truth of his story and actions in this book, which definitely made him more redeemable.
The romance felt a little... stilted. But it was alright. Once again, it was just a short little read. It's not going to make it into any Top 10 lists, but it was a sweet little fluffy story.
August 18, 2025
In my opinion, this is the best book in the Rivenwilde series.
The world building was better here. We get more explanation of how curses work and learn more about the villains motivations. You’re still not going to get as much world building as you would in a longer fantasy book, but it was definitely an improvement. It probably helps that the story in this book was actually set in the fae part of the world, rather than where the humans live, for most of the book. Also, this is the third book in this series of standalones all set in the same world, so if you have read the previous books, you already start out with some context.
The characters in this book were charming, just like in the last book. I feel like this book had more side characters and the author did a good job at making them endearing enough to care about even though the book is so short.
The FMC is likable and her and the MMC have good chemistry. This is another book where there is more focus on the main character’s relationship over anything else, and that’s okay with me. Again, like with the previous books, this reads a lot like a historical romance (specifically regency), even though it is set in a fantasy world. I do think this was intentional as there is even a parodied Pride and Prejudice quote on the back of the book’s cover.
If you are looking for a quick read with a HEA and like sweet historical romances and fantasy, this book is for you!
If you are looking for in-depth world building, complex/elaborate plots, epic-fantasy or spice, this may not be the one for you.
The world building was better here. We get more explanation of how curses work and learn more about the villains motivations. You’re still not going to get as much world building as you would in a longer fantasy book, but it was definitely an improvement. It probably helps that the story in this book was actually set in the fae part of the world, rather than where the humans live, for most of the book. Also, this is the third book in this series of standalones all set in the same world, so if you have read the previous books, you already start out with some context.
The characters in this book were charming, just like in the last book. I feel like this book had more side characters and the author did a good job at making them endearing enough to care about even though the book is so short.
The FMC is likable and her and the MMC have good chemistry. This is another book where there is more focus on the main character’s relationship over anything else, and that’s okay with me. Again, like with the previous books, this reads a lot like a historical romance (specifically regency), even though it is set in a fantasy world. I do think this was intentional as there is even a parodied Pride and Prejudice quote on the back of the book’s cover.
If you are looking for a quick read with a HEA and like sweet historical romances and fantasy, this book is for you!
If you are looking for in-depth world building, complex/elaborate plots, epic-fantasy or spice, this may not be the one for you.
June 3, 2026
Mireille is a total queen (in both senses of the word), and I love her. She keeps her head held high, her wits about her, and never loses heart. None of that sappy "I will only marry for love" nonsense from her. Girl is on a mission for her people and will do anything to see it through. She's peppy and playful, but still reads like a noble, a woman who understands the weight and requirements of her station.
Alder. People. This is how you write a morally gray, prickly man, without making him into a red flag, red pill, jerk. He doesn't trust Mireille, but he is still respectful towards her. He keeps his eyes on her face (even when Mireille deliberately wears something sultry), never growls at her, never pushes her, yanks her, shouts at her. Thank you, author, for writing a tall, dark, handsome, morally gray, fae prince I could actually root for.
Rivenwilde was beautiful, full of life, and fun to explore. I enjoyed the soft magic system based on fae legends, the rules, the bargains, unexplained and vague as is proper for faery magic. These are the elements that pull me to stories of the fae, so I loved that they took center stage in this book.
Not everything made sense. There were some gaps in the plot, contradictions, confusions, but nothing big enough to keep me from enjoying the story.
I think the trilogy as a whole could have used a little deeper worldbuilding and a pass at continuity edits, just to tie everything together, make the story feel more rounded, and the ending complete. I think that these books attempting to be standalones hinders this as they are actually best read as one continuing story. Because they are written as standalones, the ending feels a little stilted as we are only given a satisfying resolution to Mireille's and Aldred’s story, leaving Etta's side of things, in particular, feeling incomplete.
Alder. People. This is how you write a morally gray, prickly man, without making him into a red flag, red pill, jerk. He doesn't trust Mireille, but he is still respectful towards her. He keeps his eyes on her face (even when Mireille deliberately wears something sultry), never growls at her, never pushes her, yanks her, shouts at her. Thank you, author, for writing a tall, dark, handsome, morally gray, fae prince I could actually root for.
Rivenwilde was beautiful, full of life, and fun to explore. I enjoyed the soft magic system based on fae legends, the rules, the bargains, unexplained and vague as is proper for faery magic. These are the elements that pull me to stories of the fae, so I loved that they took center stage in this book.
Not everything made sense. There were some gaps in the plot, contradictions, confusions, but nothing big enough to keep me from enjoying the story.
I think the trilogy as a whole could have used a little deeper worldbuilding and a pass at continuity edits, just to tie everything together, make the story feel more rounded, and the ending complete. I think that these books attempting to be standalones hinders this as they are actually best read as one continuing story. Because they are written as standalones, the ending feels a little stilted as we are only given a satisfying resolution to Mireille's and Aldred’s story, leaving Etta's side of things, in particular, feeling incomplete.
September 14, 2025
*Grumpy/Sunshine
*Forced Proximity
*Fae bargains
Book 3 takes place mostly in the fascinating Fae kingdom of Rivenwilde. Mireille betroths herself to Alder, the Fae Prince in order to try to save her kingdom from the evil Fae Queen. She needs to learn his secrets to ultimately save them both.
I’ve really enjoyed this series! In this book my favorite part was the Fae court setting with its grand rooms and secrets. The plot was a bit more tense and the villain scarier than in the previous books, but the ending was terrific. The narration was also excellent.
August 3, 2025
What a decadent story!
Rating: 3/3.25 star rating (goodreads/storygraph)
It has been so long since I have read the last two books to actually see the third book of the Rivenwilde Fairytales come to life! And safes to say, I really enjoyed it! The magic system was there, the characters were well done, the writing and plot could have been a little more linear but otherwise, wonderful conclusion to this trilogy! I will keep this in my kindle library for a while!
Rating: 3/3.25 star rating (goodreads/storygraph)
It has been so long since I have read the last two books to actually see the third book of the Rivenwilde Fairytales come to life! And safes to say, I really enjoyed it! The magic system was there, the characters were well done, the writing and plot could have been a little more linear but otherwise, wonderful conclusion to this trilogy! I will keep this in my kindle library for a while!
August 14, 2026
Princess Mireille and the Fae Prince of Rivenwilde, Prince Alder both have secrets. They also both need each other's help. This 3rd book in the series gives up more secrets that can combine all 3 books together. Rivenwilde is a wonderfully built world with great characters.
I have very much enjoyed this series especially since I listened to all 3 books in audiobook.
I have very much enjoyed this series especially since I listened to all 3 books in audiobook.
January 14, 2026
Upon the Riven Throne
This was a cute and cozy fantasy. It gave off a little of Beauty and the Beast vibes but was still its own. It was clever and imaginative.
No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language
PG Violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️cute and cozy
This was a cute and cozy fantasy. It gave off a little of Beauty and the Beast vibes but was still its own. It was clever and imaginative.
No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language
PG Violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️cute and cozy
January 13, 2026
oh heck yeah. this was definitely the best out of the trilogy in terms of relationship and plot.
i knew the prince could be fixed 😍
i knew the prince could be fixed 😍
January 27, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
February 8, 2026
Such a fun book! A perfect third in the series. Can’t wait to see where else it will go!
February 20, 2026
I think this is the best of the trilogy. Both characters have motivation and issues they are hiding from each other
May 4, 2026
3.5 Loved the characters on their own but didn’t feel much chemistry or connection between them and the plot was lackluster. Still enjoyed it though
September 13, 2025
A fae/human romance based on Pride & Prejudice AND Beauty & the Beast?! My niche!!!!
March 21, 2026
Thought this book was better than the second in the series and about as good as the first.
I enjoyed getting a peek behind the wall!
It wasn’t specifically mentioned in this series but usually fae live really long, just made me wonder why the prince married a human?
I enjoyed getting a peek behind the wall!
It wasn’t specifically mentioned in this series but usually fae live really long, just made me wonder why the prince married a human?
May 9, 2026
4.0
My favorite book of this series. Hands down.
It felt like there was so much more plot and depth to this installment despite its short length.
The romance was adorable. There was nothing more fun than watching Mirielle innocently (**strategically**) pushing her companionship on Alder.
Maybe the plot was a little simple and predictable but the story was just SO cute and funny. I had an absolutely great time with this book.
My favorite book of this series. Hands down.
It felt like there was so much more plot and depth to this installment despite its short length.
The romance was adorable. There was nothing more fun than watching Mirielle innocently (**strategically**) pushing her companionship on Alder.
Maybe the plot was a little simple and predictable but the story was just SO cute and funny. I had an absolutely great time with this book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews