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The Blood and Water Saga #4
The Crownless Queen
ANIMA, GODDESS OF LIFE, IS A TRAITOR TO HER KIND.
After losing the kingdom of Nyx to her chaos-hungry brother, Anima has pledged herself wholly to protecting her mortal friends...starting by returning her host's body to its rightful owner. But when she discovers her power wasn't the only thing released during the ritual, she must join forces with the ruling family of Arborius—including its most withdrawn, secretive. prince—to try and halt Tenebrae's vengeful hand before it smothers the life from her beloved island.
SOREN ATLAS IS ENTERING A BATTLEFIELD SHE'S NEVER DARED BREACH BEFORE.
Freed from Anima's influence on her body, the long path to recovery has begun. But to win her Arborian relatives’ support in taking back Atlas's throne, she must brave the heart of a mountain to convince a stone-hearted king, an arrogant prince, and their faithless people to fight alongside an Heir with no crown. Because if they are to have any hope of defeating the god holding her family hostage, the kingdom of Tallis must agree to part with a weapon none have seen since its the fabled god-killer.
ELIAS LOCH IS CARRYING A BURDEN HE WASN'T BUILT TO BEAR.
His best friend has sacrificed himself. His people are scattered and leaderless. His dreams are haunted by chaos's song. And if that wasn't enough, the ring on his battlemate's finger has crowned him with a new, terrifying the future King Consort of Atlas. With his goddess issuing commands that twist his conscience, a potential ally fraying the threads of his belief, and new vows calling the old into question, the time has come to choose which he will the convictions of his heart, or the demands of his faith.
After losing the kingdom of Nyx to her chaos-hungry brother, Anima has pledged herself wholly to protecting her mortal friends...starting by returning her host's body to its rightful owner. But when she discovers her power wasn't the only thing released during the ritual, she must join forces with the ruling family of Arborius—including its most withdrawn, secretive. prince—to try and halt Tenebrae's vengeful hand before it smothers the life from her beloved island.
SOREN ATLAS IS ENTERING A BATTLEFIELD SHE'S NEVER DARED BREACH BEFORE.
Freed from Anima's influence on her body, the long path to recovery has begun. But to win her Arborian relatives’ support in taking back Atlas's throne, she must brave the heart of a mountain to convince a stone-hearted king, an arrogant prince, and their faithless people to fight alongside an Heir with no crown. Because if they are to have any hope of defeating the god holding her family hostage, the kingdom of Tallis must agree to part with a weapon none have seen since its the fabled god-killer.
ELIAS LOCH IS CARRYING A BURDEN HE WASN'T BUILT TO BEAR.
His best friend has sacrificed himself. His people are scattered and leaderless. His dreams are haunted by chaos's song. And if that wasn't enough, the ring on his battlemate's finger has crowned him with a new, terrifying the future King Consort of Atlas. With his goddess issuing commands that twist his conscience, a potential ally fraying the threads of his belief, and new vows calling the old into question, the time has come to choose which he will the convictions of his heart, or the demands of his faith.
- GenresFantasy
845 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Cassidy Clarke
8 books78 followersCassidy Clarke is a college senior about to graduate with her BA in Creative Writing, an aspiring author, and freelance editor. She absolutely loves working together with authors to get their books ready for publication, and considers it a privilege to partner with them on their journeys.
She loves books that are chock-full of magic, sarcasm, and found families. Her debut novel, The Saltwater Heir, is a story about a girl, a broken family, and two best friends who would go the ends of the earth for one another. To learn more, take a peek at her Instagram, @cclarkewriting.
She loves books that are chock-full of magic, sarcasm, and found families. Her debut novel, The Saltwater Heir, is a story about a girl, a broken family, and two best friends who would go the ends of the earth for one another. To learn more, take a peek at her Instagram, @cclarkewriting.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 19, 2025
Listen. When I tell you long, epic fantasy series are my true bookish love, I mean it. And when I tell you this series surpasses them all? That is HIGH praise.
Somehow, Clarke continues to top her best, book after book. More banter, more swoony ships to fall in love with, more characters to love and hate, deeper and richer worldbuilding, higher stakes, more profound and heartstopping romance, and more flawless execution.
THE CROWNLESS QUEEN introduced not one, not two, but THREE relationships that quickly climbed the ranks to my top favorites. At the same time, new characters swept in that slotted into the mix like they'd been there all along. The speed at which I came to care for their nuances, their personal stakes, and their fates made a MESS out of me as Clarke dropped them into peril and forced them to face the depths of themselves over and over again. Moments had me gasping, yelling, crying, recoiling, shaking my fist in Clarke's direction, grinning, swooning, and screaming with joy and disbelief.
You may think that by book 4, a series of this magnitude would start to lose steam. You'd be so wrong - TCQ pushes the saga to newer and better heights, bringing our beloved Soren, Elias, and Anima face-to-face with what they've lost, what they've gained, what they still have to lose - and ultimately, what they're made of.
This series is a miracle in the making and the answer to every star you wished on for that perfect high fantasy epic to fill the hole in your heart left behind by the likes of THRONE OF GLASS and SHADOW & BONE. And if the caliber of this book is anything to judge by...this series is just going to keep getting better and better as it sweeps toward its epic conclusion.
Somehow, Clarke continues to top her best, book after book. More banter, more swoony ships to fall in love with, more characters to love and hate, deeper and richer worldbuilding, higher stakes, more profound and heartstopping romance, and more flawless execution.
THE CROWNLESS QUEEN introduced not one, not two, but THREE relationships that quickly climbed the ranks to my top favorites. At the same time, new characters swept in that slotted into the mix like they'd been there all along. The speed at which I came to care for their nuances, their personal stakes, and their fates made a MESS out of me as Clarke dropped them into peril and forced them to face the depths of themselves over and over again. Moments had me gasping, yelling, crying, recoiling, shaking my fist in Clarke's direction, grinning, swooning, and screaming with joy and disbelief.
You may think that by book 4, a series of this magnitude would start to lose steam. You'd be so wrong - TCQ pushes the saga to newer and better heights, bringing our beloved Soren, Elias, and Anima face-to-face with what they've lost, what they've gained, what they still have to lose - and ultimately, what they're made of.
This series is a miracle in the making and the answer to every star you wished on for that perfect high fantasy epic to fill the hole in your heart left behind by the likes of THRONE OF GLASS and SHADOW & BONE. And if the caliber of this book is anything to judge by...this series is just going to keep getting better and better as it sweeps toward its epic conclusion.
January 14, 2026
Love love love this series and I really enjoyed this installment. The characters are just fantastic with their banter, swoonworthy moments, strength, and softness (Soren and Elias are EVERYTHING), and there were some delightful new characters to love (WOLF!). As much as I loved the action, lore, and high stakes magical adventures, I felt like something was the previous books was missing in this one (FINN! And also Kal!). But I know we get an extra dose of Finn in the next book, so I really can’t complain. This is such a solid fantasy series.
September 21, 2025
I have one big issue with this book but I'm looking forward to the next!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
June 10, 2025
I am obsessed with learning more about Anima, and her relationship dynamics were so interesting in this book! I loved watching her journey, and just how human she often felt despite being a goddess in her own right.
Also SOREN AND ELIAS! I spent the whole book basically kicking my feet and giggling over them. Every time that I think their relationship can't develop further, Clarke throws in something that surprises me. These two really are the beating heart of the story, and I cannot wait to see where their journey takes them next.
We also have a few new characters and one of my favourites is Everin. He really grew on me throughout the book, and some of his choices and the aspects of his personality surprised me. All in all, this was such a fun read and I am very eager for the next installment.
Also SOREN AND ELIAS! I spent the whole book basically kicking my feet and giggling over them. Every time that I think their relationship can't develop further, Clarke throws in something that surprises me. These two really are the beating heart of the story, and I cannot wait to see where their journey takes them next.
We also have a few new characters and one of my favourites is Everin. He really grew on me throughout the book, and some of his choices and the aspects of his personality surprised me. All in all, this was such a fun read and I am very eager for the next installment.
June 15, 2025
worth the wait
I have waiting almost 2 years for book 4, and once I was finished with it, it was WORTH the wait. I’ve come to love Soren and Anima as one soul, and seeing how they have accomplished all they set out to do, was amazing.
Sacrifices, loses, devastation, with a sprinkle of vows and acceptance, all wrapped in a pretty bow by the end. Tears may have been shed, and laughs from the banter was highly entertaining. We met some new characters, who end up just as important as Elias, Soren, and Anima, with just as much or even more sarcasm, jokes, and entertainment and love.
Soren, a princess of two kingdoms, trying to save the world. This book was amazing. Everything I was expecting plus more. Book 5 will be highly anticipated by me, for as many years as I have to wait. Especially if Finn and Kallias are in it.
I have waiting almost 2 years for book 4, and once I was finished with it, it was WORTH the wait. I’ve come to love Soren and Anima as one soul, and seeing how they have accomplished all they set out to do, was amazing.
Sacrifices, loses, devastation, with a sprinkle of vows and acceptance, all wrapped in a pretty bow by the end. Tears may have been shed, and laughs from the banter was highly entertaining. We met some new characters, who end up just as important as Elias, Soren, and Anima, with just as much or even more sarcasm, jokes, and entertainment and love.
Soren, a princess of two kingdoms, trying to save the world. This book was amazing. Everything I was expecting plus more. Book 5 will be highly anticipated by me, for as many years as I have to wait. Especially if Finn and Kallias are in it.
June 27, 2025
3.5 stars. I wanted to like it as much as the previous three books, but a few things bothered me. I feel there were too many things taking me out of the "fantasy" world, too many real world concepts that felt out of place (like s'mores). I also feel this book was leaning a little bit too much into kitsch for me, especially partnering up everyone.
I still like the writing and read through the last third of the book in a day.
I'll read the next book.
Something that probably comes down to finances - but a map would be a good addition.
I still like the writing and read through the last third of the book in a day.
I'll read the next book.
Something that probably comes down to finances - but a map would be a good addition.
August 28, 2025
Overly sappy and a book about the least exciting characters. Still looking forward to the next.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews