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In the Thrall of the Mountain King
A conqueror blessed by the goddess of war. An elvish princess raised among enemies. A passion that could bring an empire to its knees.
Ten years ago, King Magnus and his armies laid waste to the Summer Isle and executed its rulers. In a moment of mercy, he spared their only child, the faerie maiden Celandine, and brought her to live in his castle at the Winter Court. An indifferent guardian at best, he soon returned to the battlefield, leaving her to fend for herself.
Raised among courtiers who scorn her fae blood, and priests who condemn her gods, Celandine has been forced to content herself with small rebellions, taking pleasure wherever she may find it, grateful to be overlooked by the distant warlord who so callously wreaked havoc upon her fate.
For many years, Magnus has ruled alone, caring for nothing but battle and glory. No woman has captured his interest for more than a few fleeting moments, and he doesn’t expect one ever will—least of all his half-forgotten ward.
But when he returns, victorious from his latest conquest, to find she has grown into a wild, untamable beauty, everything changes.
Overnight his disregard becomes obsession. Consumed by unreasonable desire, ignited by jealousy, provoked by her rebellious spirit, Magnus will do anything to make her his.
In the Thrall of the Mountain King is a dark fantasy enemies to lovers romance, suitable for mature audiences.
Ten years ago, King Magnus and his armies laid waste to the Summer Isle and executed its rulers. In a moment of mercy, he spared their only child, the faerie maiden Celandine, and brought her to live in his castle at the Winter Court. An indifferent guardian at best, he soon returned to the battlefield, leaving her to fend for herself.
Raised among courtiers who scorn her fae blood, and priests who condemn her gods, Celandine has been forced to content herself with small rebellions, taking pleasure wherever she may find it, grateful to be overlooked by the distant warlord who so callously wreaked havoc upon her fate.
For many years, Magnus has ruled alone, caring for nothing but battle and glory. No woman has captured his interest for more than a few fleeting moments, and he doesn’t expect one ever will—least of all his half-forgotten ward.
But when he returns, victorious from his latest conquest, to find she has grown into a wild, untamable beauty, everything changes.
Overnight his disregard becomes obsession. Consumed by unreasonable desire, ignited by jealousy, provoked by her rebellious spirit, Magnus will do anything to make her his.
In the Thrall of the Mountain King is a dark fantasy enemies to lovers romance, suitable for mature audiences.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
7 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2025
HOW IS THIS A DEBUT ? AND WHY ISNT EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT IT ?! OMG the age gap forbidden love was chefs kiss! Plot and spice were top tier. I usually don't write reviews, but this book deserved it ! I was sad to see this was the only book from this author. Would love to see more very soon 🥺🥺🥺
August 6, 2025
Part sword and sorcery, part romantasy. What more could I have asked for? Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I’m proud to say I now OWN A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK!!! I can’t wait to eventually reread it. Literally in love.
I’m proud to say I now OWN A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK!!! I can’t wait to eventually reread it. Literally in love.
November 15, 2025
Like other reviews have stated, it was good for a debut novel. It would have been better to have Celandine's growth happen earlier in the novel. I would maybe put it a little closer to a 3 star than a 4 star, but I rounded up because I liked the ending!
January 9, 2026
The book started off strong and promising, and I really liked the overall concept—especially how both characters kept denying their love and attraction to each other. I expected that tension to gradually build and deepen, but instead, everything suddenly changed.
Celandine’s personality shifted so abruptly that it completely threw me off. The dynamic between her and Magnus basically flipped, and… that was it? There was no proper build-up and no real explanation. It all felt rushed and poorly handled, leaving me unsure how to feel about their relationship.
Toward the end, I started losing interest, though I still found myself liking the book to some extent. That said, when I read a romance, I don’t want to see the FMC so easily agreeing to marry—and develop desire for—someone other than the MMC. That choice really bothered me and made me lower my rating.
Another issue for me was Magnus himself. At times, he genuinely felt like an idiot—completely refusing to acknowledge that he literally killed her parents, yet constantly wondering, “Why wouldn’t she love me? Why does she hate me?” I found it frustrating, and honestly a bit unintentionally funny.
One major pet peeve was how easily Celandine was willing to leave Magnus and agree to marry a random knight she barely knew. What made it even worse was that she genuinely accepted the marriage and wanted to leave with him immediately, which made her love for Magnus feel far less real and far less loyal.
Overall, the book does have a HEA, and it’s good enough. I’m still interested in reading more from the author in the future, and I would recommend it.
⭐️ 3/5 stars
Celandine’s personality shifted so abruptly that it completely threw me off. The dynamic between her and Magnus basically flipped, and… that was it? There was no proper build-up and no real explanation. It all felt rushed and poorly handled, leaving me unsure how to feel about their relationship.
Toward the end, I started losing interest, though I still found myself liking the book to some extent. That said, when I read a romance, I don’t want to see the FMC so easily agreeing to marry—and develop desire for—someone other than the MMC. That choice really bothered me and made me lower my rating.
Another issue for me was Magnus himself. At times, he genuinely felt like an idiot—completely refusing to acknowledge that he literally killed her parents, yet constantly wondering, “Why wouldn’t she love me? Why does she hate me?” I found it frustrating, and honestly a bit unintentionally funny.
One major pet peeve was how easily Celandine was willing to leave Magnus and agree to marry a random knight she barely knew. What made it even worse was that she genuinely accepted the marriage and wanted to leave with him immediately, which made her love for Magnus feel far less real and far less loyal.
Overall, the book does have a HEA, and it’s good enough. I’m still interested in reading more from the author in the future, and I would recommend it.
⭐️ 3/5 stars
June 7, 2025
Not bad for a debut novel. It was a bit unfeeling until about 3/4 into the story. I had a hard time liking the characters or feeling any build in the relationship. Still, not bad for a first.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews