What do you think?
Book of Arden #2
Kingdom of Today
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a hauntingly beautiful dystopian fantasy, where ancient powers rise and a fearless young woman must choose between the ruthless prince who tempts her heart—and a destiny that could cost her soul.
When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.
But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.
When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.
But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2025
About the author
Gena Showalter
318 books28k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
September 18, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for an ARC of this book!
To sum this up the best, this is a MUST READ for fans of The War of Lost Hearts series. Like an absolute M.U.S.T. This is definitely going to leave wondering how Max & Tisaanah are doing. While simultaneously falling head over heals for an entirety new cast of characters.
If you're like me. And are getting to a point where you love fantasy, but they're starting to feel as if they're all blending together.. And you probably should take a fantasy break but you really don't want to.. This is the series you need in your life, STAT!!
To sum this up the best, this is a MUST READ for fans of The War of Lost Hearts series. Like an absolute M.U.S.T. This is definitely going to leave wondering how Max & Tisaanah are doing. While simultaneously falling head over heals for an entirety new cast of characters.
If you're like me. And are getting to a point where you love fantasy, but they're starting to feel as if they're all blending together.. And you probably should take a fantasy break but you really don't want to.. This is the series you need in your life, STAT!!
December 12, 2025
This was a hot mess of a book. There was so much extra writing that I skimmed pages at a time. This series had such a promising start. This book just made the whole storyline way too complicated. It was not an enjoyable read but the entire story was still good. Do I want to read the next book? I don’t know. If you have already started the series, maybe go ahead and read this and hope for a better book 3.
December 22, 2025
This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was so bored reading this book. Even after reading book 1, I couldn’t get attached to the characters. Arden was too naive; she missed so many signs. And her relationship with Cyrus was dull. I couldn’t enjoy their moments together because I knew something was up.
The pacing was uneven; too many things were packed in some chapters.
I was so bored reading this book. Even after reading book 1, I couldn’t get attached to the characters. Arden was too naive; she missed so many signs. And her relationship with Cyrus was dull. I couldn’t enjoy their moments together because I knew something was up.
The pacing was uneven; too many things were packed in some chapters.
December 30, 2025
**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 𝔬𝔣 𝔗𝔬𝔡𝔞𝔶 𝔟𝔶 𝔊𝔢𝔫𝔞 𝔖𝔥𝔬𝔴𝔞𝔩𝔱𝔢𝔯 (𝔅𝔬𝔬𝔨 𝔬𝔣 𝔄𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫 #2)
Release Date: December 2, 2025
4.5⭐️2🌶
Song: Me and the Devil by Soap & Skin
Arden and Cyrus are both secretly working against the Curians, and they recently killed Cyrus's father the King Tregan Dulion, in order to save Arden from execution and keep their secret safe that they're both working for the enemy, Solians.
In a country where each person is on the brink of madness, where one breaks and kills any and all people around, even beloved family and friends, Arden and Cryus seek a way to overthrow the Curians that control and manipulate everyone in Ourland.
After Arden secretly joined the Solian's cause at the end of the first book, she has returned to Fort Bala Royal Academy to continue her training as a Lady-in-Training to kill the Maddened. Since King Tagin's death, Cyrus is now one of seven high princes now competing to become the next King of Ourland. Can he keep his soul and sanity and still become King in order to help Solian's gain control and reduce/eliminate the Maddened that currently run amok in Ourland?
I throughly enjoyed this book. Plus, it is definately a slow burn between Arden and Cyrus, and you're never quite sure what they're going to do to keep their cover with either side. It's a very tense and political read.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Slow Burn
🍁Dystopian Fantasy World
🍁Red Rising Vibes
🍁Hunger Games Vibes
🍁Zombies/Maddened Hordes of people
🍁Two worlds clash together and fight against each other.
🍁Political Intrigue
🍁Training to fight the Maddened
TW:
✨Madness that induces a killing rage
✨Training sequences
✨Graphic attacks on humans
Thank you to @NetGalley for this ARC read!
Release Date: December 2, 2025
4.5⭐️2🌶
Song: Me and the Devil by Soap & Skin
Arden and Cyrus are both secretly working against the Curians, and they recently killed Cyrus's father the King Tregan Dulion, in order to save Arden from execution and keep their secret safe that they're both working for the enemy, Solians.
In a country where each person is on the brink of madness, where one breaks and kills any and all people around, even beloved family and friends, Arden and Cryus seek a way to overthrow the Curians that control and manipulate everyone in Ourland.
After Arden secretly joined the Solian's cause at the end of the first book, she has returned to Fort Bala Royal Academy to continue her training as a Lady-in-Training to kill the Maddened. Since King Tagin's death, Cyrus is now one of seven high princes now competing to become the next King of Ourland. Can he keep his soul and sanity and still become King in order to help Solian's gain control and reduce/eliminate the Maddened that currently run amok in Ourland?
I throughly enjoyed this book. Plus, it is definately a slow burn between Arden and Cyrus, and you're never quite sure what they're going to do to keep their cover with either side. It's a very tense and political read.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Slow Burn
🍁Dystopian Fantasy World
🍁Red Rising Vibes
🍁Hunger Games Vibes
🍁Zombies/Maddened Hordes of people
🍁Two worlds clash together and fight against each other.
🍁Political Intrigue
🍁Training to fight the Maddened
TW:
✨Madness that induces a killing rage
✨Training sequences
✨Graphic attacks on humans
Thank you to @NetGalley for this ARC read!
January 2, 2026
Book of Arden, Part 2: Kingdom of Today had all the setup to go deeper—and instead stayed painfully surface-level.
After the ending of Book 1, I expected secrets to crack open once Arden and Cyrus returned to the academy pretending to be cured. Its very obvious this is a bridge book and that a Book 3 is coming, but even bridge books should move something. This one barely did.
Very little actually happens. Outside of Arden being shot in the field and Ember saving her, there’s no real tension or momentum. I deeply missed the key players from Book 1, especially the academy dynamics and the library scenes that gave the first book its intrigue and atmosphere. Those elements were the soul of Arden’s world—and without them, this book felt hollow.
The cast shrank instead of expanded. The story focused almost exclusively on Arden, Cyrus, and her connection to the librarian Domino, which made everything feel isolated and flat. The new characters didn’t leave much of an impression, Roman was painfully one-dimensional (his fate didn’t move me at all), and the one “surprising” character reveal lost its impact the moment their allegiance was clear. Once that happened, they contributed almost nothing—so what was the point?
What disappointed me most was Arden herself. In Book 1, she had backbone. She had purpose. Her drive felt rooted in saving herself, for herself. In this installment, that agency faded. The story leaned heavily into romance, and Arden’s motivations felt increasingly centered around Cyrus rather than her own survival, power, or choices. I didn’t see meaningful growth—just emotional circling.
There were a lot of moving parts on paper, but no real drama. No reveals that mattered. No stakes that landed. It felt like the story was holding its breath for an entire book.
I’ll read Book 3 at some point when it comes out, because the world still has potential and Book 1 proved that this series can be compelling—but Kingdom of Today was a letdown. It stripped away the very elements that made Arden compelling in the first place and replaced them with a quieter, flatter, romance-heavy story.
After the ending of Book 1, I expected secrets to crack open once Arden and Cyrus returned to the academy pretending to be cured. Its very obvious this is a bridge book and that a Book 3 is coming, but even bridge books should move something. This one barely did.
Very little actually happens. Outside of Arden being shot in the field and Ember saving her, there’s no real tension or momentum. I deeply missed the key players from Book 1, especially the academy dynamics and the library scenes that gave the first book its intrigue and atmosphere. Those elements were the soul of Arden’s world—and without them, this book felt hollow.
The cast shrank instead of expanded. The story focused almost exclusively on Arden, Cyrus, and her connection to the librarian Domino, which made everything feel isolated and flat. The new characters didn’t leave much of an impression, Roman was painfully one-dimensional (his fate didn’t move me at all), and the one “surprising” character reveal lost its impact the moment their allegiance was clear. Once that happened, they contributed almost nothing—so what was the point?
What disappointed me most was Arden herself. In Book 1, she had backbone. She had purpose. Her drive felt rooted in saving herself, for herself. In this installment, that agency faded. The story leaned heavily into romance, and Arden’s motivations felt increasingly centered around Cyrus rather than her own survival, power, or choices. I didn’t see meaningful growth—just emotional circling.
There were a lot of moving parts on paper, but no real drama. No reveals that mattered. No stakes that landed. It felt like the story was holding its breath for an entire book.
I’ll read Book 3 at some point when it comes out, because the world still has potential and Book 1 proved that this series can be compelling—but Kingdom of Today was a letdown. It stripped away the very elements that made Arden compelling in the first place and replaced them with a quieter, flatter, romance-heavy story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2025
This book will definitely keep you on your toes. I’m surprised by how much happened and yet there’s way more to go and I have no idea how Arden is going to save Cyrus. If he even needs saving. With what I’ve read so far, I know I can’t predict which it will be. I love when an author can do that. It makes for a more interesting read. My only warning I’ll give is don’t love any of these characters too much because not all survive. That’s all I’m going to reveal because spoilers would ruin this book. Just jump in!
December 24, 2025
One step forward, two steps back. Plenty of decisive actions punctuate this thrilling drama but bring us no closer (yet) to the ending we all desire.
This book left me feeling frustrated, but also slightly hopeful. I think. The action was vivid, gory, and fast-paced. It had me at the edge of my seat and second guessing everything. Arden and Cyrus were walking a very dangerous line between discovery, treachery, and hope. Throughout the story there were plenty of allusions to the future, with every difficult decision herding our heroes to a specific outcome.
As Arden became more entrenched in Saol's army, tensions and actions escalated fast. This book ended on a doozy of a cliffhanger and I definitely want to see this wild ride through to the end. It is best to read these books in order. This second book won't make much sense without the first one.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This review is also on Hooked By That Book.
This book left me feeling frustrated, but also slightly hopeful. I think. The action was vivid, gory, and fast-paced. It had me at the edge of my seat and second guessing everything. Arden and Cyrus were walking a very dangerous line between discovery, treachery, and hope. Throughout the story there were plenty of allusions to the future, with every difficult decision herding our heroes to a specific outcome.
As Arden became more entrenched in Saol's army, tensions and actions escalated fast. This book ended on a doozy of a cliffhanger and I definitely want to see this wild ride through to the end. It is best to read these books in order. This second book won't make much sense without the first one.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This review is also on Hooked By That Book.
December 1, 2025
This is the second book in this series book of Arden
Blurb
When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.
But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.
Blurb
When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.
But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.
December 24, 2025
Second in series. Did not like the way the story went. Way too many deaths. I will not continue the series. Just too much for me.
December 3, 2025
First and foremost I’d like thank NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for gifting me the Audio Edition of this book. Book 1 was one of my surprise favorite books of this year and the sequel turns up the volume up to a 100.
We come back to Arden & Cyrus in a war that will change the course of their world forever. Gods, monsters & romance turn into a tornado of a book.
Fiona Hardingham was the best choice of a narrator for this story. She brought the world Gena has created to life’s
The action, the romance and the war were all consuming.
For sure a series that I’m so happy I started and would recommend to any who loves dystopian novels with a main character you can’t help but root for.
We come back to Arden & Cyrus in a war that will change the course of their world forever. Gods, monsters & romance turn into a tornado of a book.
Fiona Hardingham was the best choice of a narrator for this story. She brought the world Gena has created to life’s
The action, the romance and the war were all consuming.
For sure a series that I’m so happy I started and would recommend to any who loves dystopian novels with a main character you can’t help but root for.
October 20, 2025
Wow the story took an unexpected turn in this second part of the series, but that's good. Action, different powers and brutal intrigue, I'll miss more of them until the next part is released.
One additional attraction of the series is the Soalians, who seem to me to be superior in their powers and it's still a mystery to me how they can be on the losing side.
Thanks to publisher Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early review copy!
One additional attraction of the series is the Soalians, who seem to me to be superior in their powers and it's still a mystery to me how they can be on the losing side.
Thanks to publisher Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early review copy!
October 15, 2025
I read Kingdom of Today despite struggling with its predecessor only because I had already received the ARC for it and therefore wanted to at least give it a fair go. I'd hoped this second volume might be an improvement on the first, but unfortunately all the things I'd struggled with in book one I found equally irritating in this one, and that feeling only intensified as I approach the end of the volume and realised it wasn't even going to conclude but was going to be drawn out into a third installment. Out of interest, I glanced at other reviews of volume one (which is not something I tend to do) to see how others felt. I spotted a number of reviews where people cited the same issues I had raised in my review; however, there were also a number of positive ratings, so where this series is concerned, I think readers will need to try for themselves to see if the writing and story are to their taste or not. For me, though, this second volume is 2.5 stars, the same as the first. Needless to say I will not be requesting an ARC when book three releases, as this series is clearly not for me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2026
I probably shouldn't have expected any better given how I felt about the first book, but somehow I was still disappointed. I wouldn't read this unless it's free (it's on KU for now at least) and you actually liked the first book.
The few things I liked about the first book were absent from this one - there was very little of the military academy trope (Arden does go to class in the first half of the book, but for the most part she gets special treatment due to her relationship with Cyrus, and nearly every class she attends has a random exception to just allow the regime to f*k with the students). There is no longer any real dystopian element with state secrets and lies to uncover - the only secrets that are revealed are related to the gods and the war origin myths (which... frankly are quite flimsy).
It was impossible to care about or even feel outrage for any of the secondary characters - Arden's classmates, Cyrus's fellow royals, even the key Soalians. Arden's mother gets mostly a cursory appearance in a single scene, and Arden very easily dismisses her from her mind in favor of constantly going back to her Cyrus addiction. It feels like there are no connections at all to Arden's former life in the "real" civilian world.
The story itself stays very superficial, focused mostly on the push/pull between Cyrus and Arden, and their relationship continues to feel cringey and icky. Arden seems to have lost all of her personal agency and is driven only by her desire to preserve her relationship with Cyrus. The book introduces way too many tropes along the way that really don't serve to do anything except confuse the plot. As a result, this book continues the habit of the first book in having the characters behave in completely nonsensical ways in order to poorly tie things together. (For example, Arden gains the ability to wander around in spirit form, invisible and unheard, in this book... yet when it comes time for the climax, she goes wandering in her corporeal body, where of course she is discovered where she's not supposed to be, creating the ability for a major physical conflict. This whole scene wouldn't have happened if she'd simply wandered around as a spirit to do what she needed to do.) I was also annoyed by Arden's frequent juvenile interjections into her narration - such as "Wow wow wow" when someone says something mildly surprising that the author wants us to read as shocking.
I read this because I thought it was the conclusion to a duology, and figured I'd just knock it out since I started it. Unfortunately, it looks like it's intended to be a trilogy - this book cut off just as the main conflict was getting set up, and the ending felt very rushed and sloppy. Somehow despite my low expectations, I was still disappointed.
The few things I liked about the first book were absent from this one - there was very little of the military academy trope (Arden does go to class in the first half of the book, but for the most part she gets special treatment due to her relationship with Cyrus, and nearly every class she attends has a random exception to just allow the regime to f*k with the students). There is no longer any real dystopian element with state secrets and lies to uncover - the only secrets that are revealed are related to the gods and the war origin myths (which... frankly are quite flimsy).
It was impossible to care about or even feel outrage for any of the secondary characters - Arden's classmates, Cyrus's fellow royals, even the key Soalians. Arden's mother gets mostly a cursory appearance in a single scene, and Arden very easily dismisses her from her mind in favor of constantly going back to her Cyrus addiction. It feels like there are no connections at all to Arden's former life in the "real" civilian world.
The story itself stays very superficial, focused mostly on the push/pull between Cyrus and Arden, and their relationship continues to feel cringey and icky. Arden seems to have lost all of her personal agency and is driven only by her desire to preserve her relationship with Cyrus. The book introduces way too many tropes along the way that really don't serve to do anything except confuse the plot. As a result, this book continues the habit of the first book in having the characters behave in completely nonsensical ways in order to poorly tie things together. (For example, Arden gains the ability to wander around in spirit form, invisible and unheard, in this book... yet when it comes time for the climax, she goes wandering in her corporeal body, where of course she is discovered where she's not supposed to be, creating the ability for a major physical conflict. This whole scene wouldn't have happened if she'd simply wandered around as a spirit to do what she needed to do.) I was also annoyed by Arden's frequent juvenile interjections into her narration - such as "Wow wow wow" when someone says something mildly surprising that the author wants us to read as shocking.
I read this because I thought it was the conclusion to a duology, and figured I'd just knock it out since I started it. Unfortunately, it looks like it's intended to be a trilogy - this book cut off just as the main conflict was getting set up, and the ending felt very rushed and sloppy. Somehow despite my low expectations, I was still disappointed.
September 26, 2025
This is a mixed bag of tricks. Plenty of characters, all of which are well written and well planned. Focusing of the main characters throughout the triangle pulls you through. The three characters give you action, love, tug of war and heart break. You want Arden to find her true love and rule the world but of course that's not how it goes.
The plot is very intricate in places and fast moving so you need to pay attention. The details give the plot depth and you really get the feeling the author planned everything down to the last detail. I was rooting for Arden and Cyrus then for Arden and Domino, the author really does mix things up for you. Also, I cannot express my hate for Lolli!!! She brings out the worst in me.
The setting is beautiful and mystical with lots of mystery to keep you interested. A great read but a lot of concentration needed.
The plot is very intricate in places and fast moving so you need to pay attention. The details give the plot depth and you really get the feeling the author planned everything down to the last detail. I was rooting for Arden and Cyrus then for Arden and Domino, the author really does mix things up for you. Also, I cannot express my hate for Lolli!!! She brings out the worst in me.
The setting is beautiful and mystical with lots of mystery to keep you interested. A great read but a lot of concentration needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
I just finished an advanced reader copy of Kingdom of Today, book 2 in the Book of Arden series.
Let me be honest with y’all—it’s truly amazing! I give it six out of five stars. I found it everything a sequel should be and more. I was thrilled, I was shocked, I was angered, I was laughing as much as I was crying, and I was left chomping at the bit for book 3.
As a longtime reader of Gena’s books, and a lifelong reader in general, I feel confident when I say this series is something special. The sheer brilliance of the story, how woven together the themes and characters, shines so righteously. There’s something everyone can glean from the pages of Arden’s book.
Let me be honest with y’all—it’s truly amazing! I give it six out of five stars. I found it everything a sequel should be and more. I was thrilled, I was shocked, I was angered, I was laughing as much as I was crying, and I was left chomping at the bit for book 3.
As a longtime reader of Gena’s books, and a lifelong reader in general, I feel confident when I say this series is something special. The sheer brilliance of the story, how woven together the themes and characters, shines so righteously. There’s something everyone can glean from the pages of Arden’s book.
January 1, 2026
okay so what the heck!!!? it can't just end like that!!! I NEED another one there's no way this story is over it can't be
I gotta say one thing that surprised me about this one is the Biblical parallels and language ? it was just really interesting to see and something I wasn't expecting
I gotta say one thing that surprised me about this one is the Biblical parallels and language ? it was just really interesting to see and something I wasn't expecting
June 16, 2026
This is what sequels should be. Fast-paced, emotionally raw, and a phenomenally written jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next one which apparently comes only in November. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
December 18, 2025
very good
I love the first and this one is no different. The twist and turns are good but I’m in it for the love story. Fingers crossed it goes my way!
I love the first and this one is no different. The twist and turns are good but I’m in it for the love story. Fingers crossed it goes my way!
January 25, 2026
Arden just seems super whiny in this book and it feels like there’s a lot a repetition. Cyrus’ character did not seem well rounded in this book and there’s no character I can say I 100% like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2026
After finishing this, I am now going to be impatiently waiting for the third book. This one was a bit confusing at times, but dang it has me in a chokehold. Really enjoying it.
April 21, 2026
WHEN DOES BOOK 3 COME OUT? I need it ASAP. This was just as good as the first.
May 15, 2026
This one kind of lost me, I felt like the book was longer than it should’ve been.
September 22, 2026
So. Good. The plot twists, the characters, I’m obsessed. Pre-ordering the third book asap
September 27, 2025
arc received in exchange for honest review. so caviat lector or whatever i forgot how to spell it.
i'm kinda dying for book 3 though. i feel like this series will be 4 books total so i hope book 3 ramps up the stakes more. maybe kill someone for realsies. something big and dramatic and terrible for the good guys.
i'm kinda dying for book 3 though. i feel like this series will be 4 books total so i hope book 3 ramps up the stakes more. maybe kill someone for realsies. something big and dramatic and terrible for the good guys.
December 1, 2025
*Source* Publisher via NetGalley
*Genre* Romance / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kingdom of Today is the second installment in author Gena Showalter's Book of Arden series. The story resumes shortly after the explosive events of Kingdom of Tomorrow, with protagonist Arden Roosa returning to the fortified enclave of Fort Bala. This sprawling, high-tech bastion hides a labyrinth of arcane secrets beneath its gleaming surface. Arden, the "sunshine girl with anxiety" who stole hearts in book one, is no longer the wide-eyed newcomer navigating combat trials and forbidden attractions.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Romance / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kingdom of Today is the second installment in author Gena Showalter's Book of Arden series. The story resumes shortly after the explosive events of Kingdom of Tomorrow, with protagonist Arden Roosa returning to the fortified enclave of Fort Bala. This sprawling, high-tech bastion hides a labyrinth of arcane secrets beneath its gleaming surface. Arden, the "sunshine girl with anxiety" who stole hearts in book one, is no longer the wide-eyed newcomer navigating combat trials and forbidden attractions.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
December 6, 2025
(3.5/5)
First, big thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!
I really enjoyed book one; it had tension, intensity and left me excited for what was coming next. Sooo I went into this one hoping for more Cyrus, more bonding, more “let’s take on the world together.” And honestly? I came out feeling kinda meh and half disappointed.
I thought this book would show more of Cyrus and Arden's relationship, more deep, more awesome, but instead it felt like the opposite. Like Cyrus made up his mind really early on about what path he was choosing and I felt a bit gaslighted half of the book. His love for Arden? He said it, sure. He acted possessive at times. But I felt like Arden was way more invested in them than he was. The imbalance threw me off, especially since I expected them to be a united front.
Also… the Arden and Domino moments? I loved them and hated them at the same time because, like I said before, I expected way more Cyrus and Arden. Domino wasn't bad though, he really supported and guided Arden the best he could. It's possible I felt this way because I’m not much of a love triangle girlie, and this one didn’t convert me either. Just left me feeling unsure about everything.
As for the plot — the trials, the prophecy, the gods — it definitely didn’t fade into the background. There’s a lot happening, and the stakes are high. I just didn’t connect with it the way I hoped. The story had big moments, but it didn’t vibe with my soul the way book one did.
I’ll definitely read book three (because wow, the mess we’re in now 😅), but I’m really hoping for some kind of redemption arc — emotional, magical, romantic, something. Because right now? Things are not looking great for Arden + Cyrus.
Solid 3.5★ from me.
First, big thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!
I really enjoyed book one; it had tension, intensity and left me excited for what was coming next. Sooo I went into this one hoping for more Cyrus, more bonding, more “let’s take on the world together.” And honestly? I came out feeling kinda meh and half disappointed.
I thought this book would show more of Cyrus and Arden's relationship, more deep, more awesome, but instead it felt like the opposite. Like Cyrus made up his mind really early on about what path he was choosing and I felt a bit gaslighted half of the book. His love for Arden? He said it, sure. He acted possessive at times. But I felt like Arden was way more invested in them than he was. The imbalance threw me off, especially since I expected them to be a united front.
Also… the Arden and Domino moments? I loved them and hated them at the same time because, like I said before, I expected way more Cyrus and Arden. Domino wasn't bad though, he really supported and guided Arden the best he could. It's possible I felt this way because I’m not much of a love triangle girlie, and this one didn’t convert me either. Just left me feeling unsure about everything.
As for the plot — the trials, the prophecy, the gods — it definitely didn’t fade into the background. There’s a lot happening, and the stakes are high. I just didn’t connect with it the way I hoped. The story had big moments, but it didn’t vibe with my soul the way book one did.
I’ll definitely read book three (because wow, the mess we’re in now 😅), but I’m really hoping for some kind of redemption arc — emotional, magical, romantic, something. Because right now? Things are not looking great for Arden + Cyrus.
Solid 3.5★ from me.
February 17, 2026
This was worse than the first book. The dialogue was less cheesy, but the plot is just a mess. Rather than explain anything in the storyline, the reader is whisked from one battle scene to the next, without a plausible way of travel between them. I was hoping by sticking with the series it would eventually improve, but the opposite happened. How the hell did this earn an overall 4 star review?
March 25, 2026
This is the book equivalent of Married At First Site, or any other trashy tv show. It’s not great, there are some really cringy parts, your eyes are in danger of rolling out of your head and the acting is wooden. Yet somehow it is still strangely addicting and entertaining in a low-brow, surface level and instantly forgettable way.
Arden is also an idiot and I’m starting to really dislike her.
There is no indication when book 3 will be out, chance are I will have totally forgotten about this bubblegum series so won’t bother to read it.
Arden is also an idiot and I’m starting to really dislike her.
There is no indication when book 3 will be out, chance are I will have totally forgotten about this bubblegum series so won’t bother to read it.
January 30, 2026
UGH.
I don’t even know why I read the second book. I truly enjoy the different world and overall idea. BUT GOD it feels so unbearable to read. Just the whole story feels super forced. Clearly the FMC and the MMC want to be together but also no?? Like what are we DOING. Literally what’s the goal? The gods? The royal family? The resistance?
I’m trying real hard to enjoy this series but holy shit it hurt my head to even get through. Felt like such a chore to finish.
I don’t even know why I read the second book. I truly enjoy the different world and overall idea. BUT GOD it feels so unbearable to read. Just the whole story feels super forced. Clearly the FMC and the MMC want to be together but also no?? Like what are we DOING. Literally what’s the goal? The gods? The royal family? The resistance?
I’m trying real hard to enjoy this series but holy shit it hurt my head to even get through. Felt like such a chore to finish.
January 22, 2026
it's written like a 13 year olds diary and I'm too old for this.
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