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Valdor #3

A Trial of Two Worlds

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Two worlds tied together by one fate.
Only one trial remains. Skylar returns to Solace to challenge the current alpha and claim the final key to the Heart of Valdor. However, tensions between humans and shifters run high, and home is no longer the safe haven she remembers. To succeed, Skylar must trust her heart and summon her inner strength.
Daxton is once again Queen Minaeve’s captive, haunted by visions, the past, and the fear of losing Skylar forever. His only hope lies in her success. But time is running out, and the Silver Shadow’s plan is as bold as it is deadly.
Will they escape the fallout of what’s to come, or be consumed by it?
The Heart of Valdor will ask for what was given before.
Be ready. Be willing.

518 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 24, 2025

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About the author

J.E. Larson

4 books194 followers
"Alaska Grown", with a passion for creating my own worlds... which comes in handy when you live in a uniquely beautiful place such as my home state.

I started writing in middle school with a good old-fashioned pencil and paper. Jotting down ideas of characters, adventures, and different worlds.

In my thirties, with the encouragement of my husband, I began writing... and writing... until I finally created my first trilogy(That story is yet to be told).

After the birth of our two daughters and work, I had to find the quiet 5 am mornings and the secluded nights after bedtime to finally give voice to my ideas. My greatest wish was to write my stories and to have others read and enjoy them with me.

So please enjoy what I have created.

And thank you for taking a leap of faith into my world.

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5 stars
183 (61%)
4 stars
86 (28%)
3 stars
25 (8%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Caitlyn Taylor (Caitlyns_Romantasy).
153 reviews116 followers
October 27, 2025
My favorite book in the series so far!!

Being back in Valdor for the third book was such a treat. Not only did we get a lot of secrets unveiled (uh hummm Skylars Animal!!), but more secrets, the last trial, multiple POV's with another tension filled romance snuck in there, and so many good plot twist.

I was on the edge of my seat through this whole book worrying about the characters and what was going to happen next. I truly loved how immersed we got into the story and how fast paced everything was.

AND I NEED BOOK 4 ASAP!!

Thank you JE Larson for allowing me to ARC read this book, what an absolute honor to be on this journey with you and the Valdor crew.
Profile Image for Krisreadsbookz.
98 reviews6 followers
September 24, 2025
Absolutely FANTASTIC!

I think this is officially my new favourite book in the series ! I couldn’t put it down and practically devoured it in less than 24 hours.

What truly stood out to me was the incredible character development. The main characters grew in such a natural and compelling way, and I loved how we got to reconnect with familiar faces from earlier books — seeing their growth was just as rewarding.

J.E. Larson's writing style? Simply mesmerising! She has this rare gift of storytelling that pulls you in from the very first page. Her books are not just stories — they feel like movies playing out in your mind. The pacing, the emotion, the depth — all perfectly balanced.
If you're already a fan of the series, the third book will blow you away. If you're new to it — what are you waiting for?
Profile Image for Katie.
800 reviews43 followers
August 30, 2025
Fan-effing-tastic! This is one of my top tier favorite series and book three was riveting! I was biting my nails, squirming and having heart palpitations throughout. And thank goodness one of my HUGE questions was finally answered. J E Larson is truly a genius. Her writing is impeccable, beautiful and immersive. It sucks you in and doesn’t let go. I just loved every single minute of this book and I cannot wait for book four!
Profile Image for Kaiti Mills.
62 reviews
December 31, 2025
JE does it again. Book #3 in the Valdor series is nothing short of phenomenal, delivering an emotional, high-stakes ride from start to finish. The story dives even deeper into the lives of our favorite FMC and MMC, pushing them to their limits in ways that feel both heartbreaking and deeply earned. Their growth, their struggles, and the choices they are forced to make kept me completely invested.

What truly elevates this installment, though, is how much care is given to the side characters. Their arcs are not just filler; they are rich, impactful, and sometimes just as gripping as the main storyline. Twists land hard, alliances shift, and the world of Valdor feels more alive and dangerous than ever before.

This book is packed with tension, emotion, and moments that will leave you staring at the page long after you finish a chapter. If you have been following this series, the latest installment is an absolute must-read, and if you have not started yet, this is your sign to dive in.
Profile Image for J.R..
Author 10 books60 followers
December 1, 2025
I’ve been completely blown away by this series. If you love fantasy series with strong female leads, swoon-worthy romance, and found family, go read these books!
Profile Image for Cari Rees.
155 reviews20 followers
September 1, 2025
We ended book two with Dax being taken by the evil queen. While Skylar heads to Solace to get the third key from the Alpha. This book did not disappoint and when I say it had me hooked from the very beginning I am so serious. I love Skylar, she is a literal bad a$$. She is strong and selfless. The torture the Dax had to endure was awful. This story is so amazing. I will always recommend it. I felt every single emotion. At one point i was sobbing and so mad at Je. Like girl. She is an amazing brilliant author. If you love romantasy with shifters, high fae, humans, magic, trials, war, fated mates then you need to read this!
Profile Image for Stefanie H..
170 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2025
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Easily, my favorite book of the series so far.

The emotional rollercoaster J.E. puts you through 🫣. So many secrets unravel. You’re still thrown into the adventurous aspects of the story. You still have SPICE!

But oh man, what really got me in this book was the “full circle” effect you experience as a the reader. You get to see characters from book 1 (A trial of Fate) come back into play. My heart is full with all the emotions from those character interactions. I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!

Honestly, couldn’t put it down and if you love this series, this book won’t disappoint, 💯.

Need book 4 like today!
Profile Image for Bree Keith.
200 reviews17 followers
October 22, 2025
I stay enamored with Skyler's story. Everything she has to fight through in order to save not just her world/lands, but the lands of the fae as well.

I loved seeing how the trials progressed in this book as well as the more in depth scheming that was occurring amongst our inner court. I have become even more attached to our found family of characters and could easily read more stories about some of them, their stories, and their lands.
I'm super excited about a new side love story and definitely need to know how that is going to play out like today please!

WE FIND OUT WHAT SKYLER'S ANIMAL IS!!!!!!! I had a guess and I was so very very close!!!!!!

Pleased so much to arc read this and cannot wait to see how everything ends in book 4!
92 reviews
December 31, 2025
Book 3 of the Valdor series, this a true roller coaster. Read in 4 days. Little house work done, thankfully Christmas break.

Gripping from beginning to end. I could feel the rage, the love and especially the loss.
So many tests and turns. Best yet, even though book 1 & 2 were very good
Can’t wait for author to write the last book, pretty please.
Profile Image for HopesBookCollection.
162 reviews7 followers
October 15, 2025
wow!

if i had the time in my crazy adulting life, I would have devoured this book in a day! No doubt.

I love this series so much, with this book being my favorite so far! This trial, this hardhsip, this everything... was everything. J.E. keeps you craving more from this story and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The twist the turns, the love ... the hate!! Ugh! Just perfect.

The characters alone will have you falling in love with this series! The found family, the made family, and everything in between are perfect. Watching the growth, the power and the love are so beautiful. J.E. did an amazing job writing this story.

🪢Trials
🫂Faited Mates
🐾Shifters
🧝‍♂️Fae
⚔️War
🏹Strong FMC

If you like world building, world saving, war, magic, mates, and everything in between, this is a series for you! you will LOVE it, like so many of us do. I can't wait for the next one!

👏🏻Well done, J.E. Larson!! Well done!
Profile Image for Leanna Streeter.
622 reviews112 followers
August 30, 2025
A Trial of Two Worlds was such a good read, I devoured it in less than 24 hours! As the third book in the series, it gave us a lot of answers and big pieces of information I’d been waiting for, while still leaving enough mystery to set things up for book four.

I really enjoyed seeing Skylar return home to face her final trial, and it was such a treat to reunite with many of the characters I loved from book one. That sense of coming full circle made the story extra satisfying.

My only complaint is that much of the plot felt predictable, I guessed quite a few things before they happened. But honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The journey itself was still exciting, and I loved getting to the ending we’ve been building toward.

Overall, I really love this series and the world the author has created. I can’t wait to see where things go in book four! Thanks to J E Larson for the gifted ARC.
Profile Image for YourNextBookObsession .
60 reviews
October 24, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Loved This!
Wow. J.E. Larson has done it again. The Trial of Two Worlds completely blew me away!
Skylar’s return to Solace had me hooked from the start — the tension, the emotion, the impossible choices. She’s grown so much, and I loved seeing her strength and heart shine through. Diving more into the world of the shifters was amazing too. And Daxton… my poor Daxton. His story with Queen Minaeve was heartbreaking but so beautifully written. The way Larson ties their fates together is pure magic.
The worldbuilding, the twists, the emotional punches — everything just clicked. I couldn’t put it down, and that ending? J.E. Larson has a gift for writing characters that feel real and stories that stick with you long after you’re done. This was easily a 5-star read for me. Im on the edge of my seat waiting for the final book!!
Profile Image for Samantha Sullivan.
330 reviews5 followers
August 29, 2025
What the holy did you put into this book? I devoured this book and didn’t want to put it down! I mean it shouldn’t be as shocking because I did the exact same thing with the previous books. This is a series that just keeps on giving!

We get the next phrase of the adventure that started in Solace and we see Skylar head back home and reunite with her friends and family! I’m not going into more detail because this book needs to be read to be explored.

We get the spice, banter, laughter and Castor! We get to learn new information and more interaction with characters we have only seen a little off. This book just keeps building and I’m honestly so excited about where the next book will lead us.

You’ll be wanting to scream, cry, laugh out loud, and give hugs to the players throughout this book! And I give you my love and strength to power through the last 100 pages, that will have you on the edge of your seats. But this is a must read series! I honestly adore not just this book but the whole world that’s been building since the first book!
Profile Image for Nicole.
87 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2025
So glad to be part of @j.e.larson_author’s team to get the opportunity for this ARC!

This book was…. Wow…. So good. If you haven’t read book 2 I would leave now and come back :)
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The gang is back! All the shifters and fae make an appearance in this one. We pick up right where we left off. Skylar is reeling from Daxton’s sacrifice but has to pull it together to go home and attempt to complete the 3rd trial. Daxton is in a world of hurt in Queen Minaeve’s hands. Castor and the rest of the fae are moving forward on the plans he set in motion before his capture.

This book takes you through all the emotions. What Skylar comes home to is not what she expected. The relationships we see, while all different, are sweet to see. The thing Skylar figures out about the trials? Huge spoiler so sealed lips but wow. And the twist? Did not see that coming. Not even a little.

There is so much more I want to say but I can’t it gets way to spoilery so just go preorder now so you can devour it for yourself in October :)
Profile Image for Michelle Stewart.
598 reviews16 followers
October 6, 2025
Yet another book I gaslit myself into thinking was the last one.lol
I love how each book is better than the last one and it can't wait to see how it all plays out.
We are dropped right back where we were left last time. I forgot how much my heart hurt with the previous books ending.
I can't even say too much because I don't want to spoil it but if you love to have your heart ripped out then stomped on you will love this.
I was truly unprepared for all the information that was uncovered near the end of this book. I'm like wait....what??? really???
I received an advanced reader copy but these thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Jess Bohanick.
415 reviews9 followers
October 27, 2025
I am completely and utterly addicted to this series. I started this one yesterday morning (book three!) and COULD. NOT. STOP. The Trial of the Soul was absolutely heartbreaking for Skylar… and everything Daxton had to endure while she was gone? My heart was in shreds.

And then the last 100 pages??
Okay, I thought I was emotionally stable enough to write this review — clearly I was wrong.

This is a fantasy romance series you NEED to pick up. The writing is incredible, the pacing is addictive, and the characters will have you emotionally invested to the point of obsession. I’m already dying for the next book.
Profile Image for Jen M.
99 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2025
What a wild ride!
The ending of this book revealed so many secrets and answered so many questions that my head is still spinning.
There was a time there that I was a bit scared of what was going to happen but in the end I didn’t need to throw the book across the room or cry into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s so it all worked out.
I can’t wait for the conclusion to this series because I need to know how it all ends but I also don’t want to see it end. The characters are all so complex and you can’t help but love them all and I need to know all of their backstories.
Profile Image for April More.
160 reviews25 followers
October 15, 2025
This book is 5++++⭐️. OMG I loved it. I love the characters (except the evil ones, they need to ☠️) and I the love world. The author did an amazing job telling this story. Castor and Shaw’s character growth and at the end…. Oh I can’t spoil it for people. Oh, this book was ❤️‍🔥. I need the 4th book. This series is one of my top faves. Here’s a quote that I loved. This is Shaw talking to Skyler; “Try describing what something smells like to someone without a nose and tell me how easy it is to explain.”

Profile Image for Zulema BookedNights.
31 reviews8 followers
December 14, 2025
This might be my favorite book in the Valdor Series yet!
A Trial of Two Worlds had me on edge of my seat the entire time, and finally delivered the reveal I was waiting for, and trust me it was worth the wait. 🤐

Skyler will for ever by one of my favorite FMCs ❤️
Daxton is peak romantasy MMC, fiercely loyal, deeply devoted, and absolutely unhinged when it comes to his mate!

What really stood out about book 3 to me is it’s immersive writing, flawless pacing, and unforgettable characters. And while I’m dying to read book 4, I’m not emotionally ready for this series to end!
Profile Image for Lisa Gainers.
282 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2025
Best book of the series. This book had my heart breaking and mending so many times. The character growth in this book is phenomenal.  Skylar the FMC is what every FMC should be! The love shared in this book is magical. The MMC Daxton is chefs kiss. I love the found family in this book. This book keeps you turning the page to find out what happens. You feel like you know these characters personally, you will be absolutely invested! 
Profile Image for Andrea Richmond.
84 reviews
September 14, 2025
Can I just say.... Wow wow wow! JE has done it again! This book will tear you apart and put you back together! After the first part, it jumps right into some major action and you will NOT put it down! This whole series is wonderfully written but each book just keeps getting better. Be prepared to be in all of the feels during this book. If you love an action packed Romantasy, this one is definitely for you!
50 reviews
October 25, 2025
A must read series!

This series has held my interest through all three books which is a feat not easily achieved. Few series has held my interest farther than the second book. With characters who live large on the page whom give life to the engaging storyline with plenty of action and sizzle, I highly recommend to all fantasy romance lovers!
Profile Image for Amber K.
1,391 reviews61 followers
October 26, 2025
If you have not started this series yet, what are you waiting for?!!
This book picks up where we left off, with 'Spitfire on her way to the last trial! Dax's fate seems dire and the danger is getting so intense!!
Huge book hangover, this series is living rent free inside my head!!
Highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Keri M.
516 reviews43 followers
May 27, 2026
This completely pulled me in from the first chapter. The world-building was vivid without feeling overwhelming, and the tension between the characters kept me turning pages way too late into the night. Dax and Sky are a top tier couple! I loved how the story balanced action, emotion, and mystery so naturally. Every twist felt earned, and the chemistry between the characters had me hooked.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Leon.
8 reviews
October 25, 2025
Loved it!!

It's only gotten better though out this series. There is no way to properly describe how much I have loved every book. I have read hundreds of books and this has to be in my top ten series!!!!
Profile Image for Kelley.
2 reviews
January 6, 2026
Wonderful beginning of the end!

I love this story but you are killing me with the suspense of waiting to find out how the story ends! I can’t wait for book number four! When will it be available?
Profile Image for Kerrie Lynne.
38 reviews
March 7, 2026
I absolutely love this series! I'm normally not a reader of romance or fantasy, but this series is AMAZING!
The first half of this book felt a little slower, and some scenes felt like they needed more. But the second half kept me guessing, gasping, and crying (sad and happy tears).
Profile Image for Jennifer Stephens.
12 reviews
September 1, 2025
I absolutely love this book!! I couldn’t put it down!! This is book 3 in the Valdor Series, so if you haven’t read book 1 or 2, go read them. This has shifters, fae, humans, a strong FMC, Trials, dying world, found family, slow burn. The FMC volunteers to be in the deadly trials to try and save her dying world.
Profile Image for Shannon.
258 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
This book is an amazing continuation of the Valdor series! Our FMC Skylar is off to complete the third trial which has her headed back to Solace. From there the action just keeps on giving.
We get POV chapters from multiple different characters which is amazing. There is also a lot of talk about fated mates which you know I love!
Will Daxton be saved? Will they stop the wilt? Can Skylar find the heart of Valdor? You are going to have to read it to find out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews