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Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #4
Queen of Flames
In a kingdom of shadows and ruin, I dared to love a cursed king.
We’ve come to Irridain Court in disguise, clinging to a final thread of hope: a talisman that can break the curse before it kills Lore. Without it, he dies. No more stolen nights. No more whispered vows. No more us.
The talisman dangles from the princess’s throat like a challenge. To claim it, we must outwit ruthless fae in games where beauty is a blade, truth is twisted, and losing means more than defeat. It means death.
As rivals circle and secrets unravel, Lore burns brighter and darker by the hour. I see it in his eyes. The fear he won’t speak of. The hunger he barely hides. The curse is tightening, and we have only six days left before it kills him.
I didn’t defy the fates, survive a labyrinth, plus battle a mad wizard to lose him now.
He’s my only ever after. I’ll burn the world to ashes to save him.
Queen of Flames, Book 4 and the last book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series, is a romantic fantasy/romantasy with dark secrets. Expect a gothic world full of tricks and danger, a touch-her-and-face-his-fury hero and heroine, banter, all the yearning, he will adore her forever, and a sweet pet, because everyone loves a fluffy friend.
Trigger Warnings: pri*mal play, bi*ting/marking, blood, gore, injuries, violence, grief, death, mourning the loss of a prior love, references to trauma, killing attacking creatures and people. HEA guaranteed.
We’ve come to Irridain Court in disguise, clinging to a final thread of hope: a talisman that can break the curse before it kills Lore. Without it, he dies. No more stolen nights. No more whispered vows. No more us.
The talisman dangles from the princess’s throat like a challenge. To claim it, we must outwit ruthless fae in games where beauty is a blade, truth is twisted, and losing means more than defeat. It means death.
As rivals circle and secrets unravel, Lore burns brighter and darker by the hour. I see it in his eyes. The fear he won’t speak of. The hunger he barely hides. The curse is tightening, and we have only six days left before it kills him.
I didn’t defy the fates, survive a labyrinth, plus battle a mad wizard to lose him now.
He’s my only ever after. I’ll burn the world to ashes to save him.
Queen of Flames, Book 4 and the last book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series, is a romantic fantasy/romantasy with dark secrets. Expect a gothic world full of tricks and danger, a touch-her-and-face-his-fury hero and heroine, banter, all the yearning, he will adore her forever, and a sweet pet, because everyone loves a fluffy friend.
Trigger Warnings: pri*mal play, bi*ting/marking, blood, gore, injuries, violence, grief, death, mourning the loss of a prior love, references to trauma, killing attacking creatures and people. HEA guaranteed.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 9, 2025
**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔉𝔩𝔞𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔟𝔶 𝔄𝔩𝔞𝔶𝔞 𝔚𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔰 (𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 𝔬𝔣 𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℜ𝔲𝔦𝔫 𝔖𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰 #4)
Release Date: December 1, 2025
3.75⭐️4🌶
I'm not going to lie. The last book in this series was NOT my favorite. However, this one really starts to pick up again.
Lore and Reyla, King and Queen of Evergorne Court, continue to travel from court to court in a frantic bit to break the curse on Lore and his bloodline. There is only a matter of days until Lore's thirtieth birthday, and the culmination of the curse.
In this book, they're attempting to acquire a brooch from a rival royal family, and of course, said royal family is having a competition to see who can win the brooch. So, Lore, Reyla, and Dorian friend all enter the competition in the hopes that one of them will win the competition and in so doing they will break the next portion of the curse.
I will say the last book in this series was too "theoretical" for me. In the sense that, they were in a maze that is constantly changing with illusions, and you never know what is real and what is pretend. In a book, it's all pretend, so for me the reader, it kind of makes it feel somewhat useless. Because what if the whole chapter I'm reading is an illusion? Then what was the point of reading it? Yes, they reaffirm their love and commitment to each other as a married couple every time they "overcome" an illusion, but it got a little tedious by the 4th or 5th illusion.
This book was much more "solid" in the sense that there were "real" challenges and not illusions. I appreciated that, and I'm hoping the next book in the series will conclude Lore and Reyla's storyline. While I adore them as characters, I'm hoping that the curse is FINALLY broken for good and Reyla and Lore can have some peace. I'm also thinking that Dorian may be the next royal MMC in this series. *fingers crossed*
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Arranged Marriage
🍁Body guard romance
🍁Enemies to lovers
🍁Class Systems
🍁Shadow Daddy
🍁Finding love after death
🍁Dragon riders
TW:
✨Violence
✨Poverty/hunger
✨Grief
✨Mourning the loss of prior love
✨Explicit spicy content
✨Power hungry courtiers who attempt killing each other and the royals
Release Date: December 1, 2025
3.75⭐️4🌶
I'm not going to lie. The last book in this series was NOT my favorite. However, this one really starts to pick up again.
Lore and Reyla, King and Queen of Evergorne Court, continue to travel from court to court in a frantic bit to break the curse on Lore and his bloodline. There is only a matter of days until Lore's thirtieth birthday, and the culmination of the curse.
In this book, they're attempting to acquire a brooch from a rival royal family, and of course, said royal family is having a competition to see who can win the brooch. So, Lore, Reyla, and Dorian friend all enter the competition in the hopes that one of them will win the competition and in so doing they will break the next portion of the curse.
I will say the last book in this series was too "theoretical" for me. In the sense that, they were in a maze that is constantly changing with illusions, and you never know what is real and what is pretend. In a book, it's all pretend, so for me the reader, it kind of makes it feel somewhat useless. Because what if the whole chapter I'm reading is an illusion? Then what was the point of reading it? Yes, they reaffirm their love and commitment to each other as a married couple every time they "overcome" an illusion, but it got a little tedious by the 4th or 5th illusion.
This book was much more "solid" in the sense that there were "real" challenges and not illusions. I appreciated that, and I'm hoping the next book in the series will conclude Lore and Reyla's storyline. While I adore them as characters, I'm hoping that the curse is FINALLY broken for good and Reyla and Lore can have some peace. I'm also thinking that Dorian may be the next royal MMC in this series. *fingers crossed*
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Arranged Marriage
🍁Body guard romance
🍁Enemies to lovers
🍁Class Systems
🍁Shadow Daddy
🍁Finding love after death
🍁Dragon riders
TW:
✨Violence
✨Poverty/hunger
✨Grief
✨Mourning the loss of prior love
✨Explicit spicy content
✨Power hungry courtiers who attempt killing each other and the royals
Read
July 3, 2026🔥👑 Queen of Flames 👑🔥
📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full ARC Review to come!
❤️🔥 What to Expect
• Romantasy
• Cursed King
• Fae Court
• Touch Her & Die
• Quest Adventure
• Deadly Trials
• Hidden Identity
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
Full ARC Review to come!
❤️🔥 What to Expect
• Romantasy
• Cursed King
• Fae Court
• Touch Her & Die
• Quest Adventure
• Deadly Trials
• Hidden Identity
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
July 3, 2026
Netgalley ALC.
Ive really enjoyed this series! I’ve loved the magic, the romance, the world has been a really interesting read. The first book was so good & as much as I enjoyed the others it was more so just continuing with the story. There wasn’t as much of a dramatic ending as I was expecting. It was just a nice ending, which was really predictable. But it was well written, a simple fantasy plot line & really fun to listen to! I think it’s the type of series that’s easier to read rather than listen to. But they’re all on KU & I’d definitely recommend it for a simple fantasy!
Ive really enjoyed this series! I’ve loved the magic, the romance, the world has been a really interesting read. The first book was so good & as much as I enjoyed the others it was more so just continuing with the story. There wasn’t as much of a dramatic ending as I was expecting. It was just a nice ending, which was really predictable. But it was well written, a simple fantasy plot line & really fun to listen to! I think it’s the type of series that’s easier to read rather than listen to. But they’re all on KU & I’d definitely recommend it for a simple fantasy!
November 2, 2025
An amazing fantasy romance! A whirlwind of magic, mayhem, passion, and sacrifice.. Real, emotional characters..
Want to Read
June 7, 2025Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin Series :
❌ 1. Bride of Ashes (March 1, 2025)
❌ 2. Lady of Cinders (June 1, 2025)
❌ 3. Warrior of Embers (September 1, 2025)
❌ 4. Queen of Flames (December 1, 2025)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG991S1M?...
❌ 1. Bride of Ashes (March 1, 2025)
❌ 2. Lady of Cinders (June 1, 2025)
❌ 3. Warrior of Embers (September 1, 2025)
❌ 4. Queen of Flames (December 1, 2025)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG991S1M?...
June 26, 2026
Queen of Flames ends on an emotional high, delivering a finale that was impossible for me to put down. Watching Lore and Reyla's journey finally come to its conclusion after everything they endured was incredibly satisfying, and saying goodbye to the Evergorne Court was much harder than I expected.
The story begins exactly where the previous book ends, with Lore, Reyla, and Dorion escaping the labyrinth after claiming the second talisman. Their final destination is Irridain, where the last talisman awaits. With Lore's time quickly running out, every decision carries weight, forcing them into a dangerous kingdom where deception, deadly games, and an unpredictable queen stand between them and their only chance to break the curse.
Alaya once again creates a setting that feels rich and immersive. Irridain is haunting, mysterious, and filled with an atmosphere of decay that perfectly matches the growing tension. Every clue, secret, and piece of the prophecy gradually comes together, making the mystery just as captivating as the romance. The trials and constant uncertainty kept me guessing until the very end.
What continues to make this series special is Lore and Reyla themselves. Neither of them is perfect, and that's exactly why they're so easy to love. They're scarred by their pasts, burdened by powerful families, and constantly forced into impossible choices, yet they never lose sight of what matters most—their love for each other. Even with only days left, they treasure every stolen moment together, making their relationship feel heartfelt, genuine, and incredibly emotional. Lore remains one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends.
This book takes readers through every possible emotion. There are heartwarming moments, passionate romance, heartbreaking scenes, shocking twists, suspense, supernatural elements, dangerous encounters, and villains you'll genuinely despise. The pacing rarely slows, beginning with immediate urgency and maintaining that intensity throughout the adventure.
While I still think the third and fourth books occasionally linger on certain scenes longer than necessary, with a few moments that felt repetitive, it never took away from how invested I was in these characters or their journey. If anything, combining parts of the final two installments may have made the story even tighter, but the payoff was still worth every page.
This is absolutely not a series to jump into midway. The emotional impact of this finale comes from everything built across the previous books, so starting with book one is essential. Alaya has crafted a memorable fantasy romance filled with unforgettable characters, immersive world-building, and a love story that feels worth rooting for from beginning to end.
The story begins exactly where the previous book ends, with Lore, Reyla, and Dorion escaping the labyrinth after claiming the second talisman. Their final destination is Irridain, where the last talisman awaits. With Lore's time quickly running out, every decision carries weight, forcing them into a dangerous kingdom where deception, deadly games, and an unpredictable queen stand between them and their only chance to break the curse.
Alaya once again creates a setting that feels rich and immersive. Irridain is haunting, mysterious, and filled with an atmosphere of decay that perfectly matches the growing tension. Every clue, secret, and piece of the prophecy gradually comes together, making the mystery just as captivating as the romance. The trials and constant uncertainty kept me guessing until the very end.
What continues to make this series special is Lore and Reyla themselves. Neither of them is perfect, and that's exactly why they're so easy to love. They're scarred by their pasts, burdened by powerful families, and constantly forced into impossible choices, yet they never lose sight of what matters most—their love for each other. Even with only days left, they treasure every stolen moment together, making their relationship feel heartfelt, genuine, and incredibly emotional. Lore remains one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends.
This book takes readers through every possible emotion. There are heartwarming moments, passionate romance, heartbreaking scenes, shocking twists, suspense, supernatural elements, dangerous encounters, and villains you'll genuinely despise. The pacing rarely slows, beginning with immediate urgency and maintaining that intensity throughout the adventure.
While I still think the third and fourth books occasionally linger on certain scenes longer than necessary, with a few moments that felt repetitive, it never took away from how invested I was in these characters or their journey. If anything, combining parts of the final two installments may have made the story even tighter, but the payoff was still worth every page.
This is absolutely not a series to jump into midway. The emotional impact of this finale comes from everything built across the previous books, so starting with book one is essential. Alaya has crafted a memorable fantasy romance filled with unforgettable characters, immersive world-building, and a love story that feels worth rooting for from beginning to end.
November 9, 2025
Fantastic ending
I loved, loved this final installment of Lore and Reyla’s dark romantic fantasy and the final unraveling of the Evergorne Court’s curse. The world building was once again phenomenal, woven together scene by scene, layer by layer until it became a living breathing place full of three dimensional beings. Plus, the story will have you feeling all the deep emotions - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, knuckle biting, raging, and cheering. I was right there with Reyla and Lore feeling all the things as time ticked down faster and faster. This novel full of suspense, mysteries and secrets will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure stuff out. It was definitely unputdownable. Expect a roller coaster of a story because instead of a slow ratcheting up of all the things, this part of the story again starts with intensity and just never lets up. The book picked up right where the last book left off immediately after the second part of the curse is broken and Reyla, Lore, and Dorion have emerged from the labyrinth with the second talisman. They just need to go to the Irridain kingdom to retrieve the third and final talisman and then try to merge them and break Lore’s curse. With only a handful of days left, they’ll have to arrive in Irridain in disguise and they’ll need all their skills along with some luck in order to “compete” in the fete planned in that kingdom all while trying to steal the talisman. I loved that Reyla and Lore’s characters, despite their painful pasts, powerful families, and the task they have taken on, are portrayed as flawed and scarred people. They are kind, self-deprecating, and at times resentful which makes them very likeable and relatable heroes. They value love above all else including power. The story has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, spice, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, supernatural creatures, secrets, plot twists, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. This is book four in a continuing story which includes an overarching story arc woven throughout so to get the most enjoyment, start with book one. I have loved this series and am sad to leave Evergorne Court behind. 4.5 stars.
I loved, loved this final installment of Lore and Reyla’s dark romantic fantasy and the final unraveling of the Evergorne Court’s curse. The world building was once again phenomenal, woven together scene by scene, layer by layer until it became a living breathing place full of three dimensional beings. Plus, the story will have you feeling all the deep emotions - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, knuckle biting, raging, and cheering. I was right there with Reyla and Lore feeling all the things as time ticked down faster and faster. This novel full of suspense, mysteries and secrets will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure stuff out. It was definitely unputdownable. Expect a roller coaster of a story because instead of a slow ratcheting up of all the things, this part of the story again starts with intensity and just never lets up. The book picked up right where the last book left off immediately after the second part of the curse is broken and Reyla, Lore, and Dorion have emerged from the labyrinth with the second talisman. They just need to go to the Irridain kingdom to retrieve the third and final talisman and then try to merge them and break Lore’s curse. With only a handful of days left, they’ll have to arrive in Irridain in disguise and they’ll need all their skills along with some luck in order to “compete” in the fete planned in that kingdom all while trying to steal the talisman. I loved that Reyla and Lore’s characters, despite their painful pasts, powerful families, and the task they have taken on, are portrayed as flawed and scarred people. They are kind, self-deprecating, and at times resentful which makes them very likeable and relatable heroes. They value love above all else including power. The story has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, spice, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, supernatural creatures, secrets, plot twists, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. This is book four in a continuing story which includes an overarching story arc woven throughout so to get the most enjoyment, start with book one. I have loved this series and am sad to leave Evergorne Court behind. 4.5 stars.
June 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Queen of Flames is book 4 of the “Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin” series and I read the entire series in preparation for this book.
I want to preface this review by stating that I didn’t love the first three books, and many of my issues with the earlier books continued over to this book as well. I didn’t hate it enough to DNF, but I was glad to see it finished. I wanted so badly to love this book and the series as a whole because it was full of tropes I normally couldn’t get enough of.
Tropes:
- Arranged Marriage
- Enemies to Lovers
- Love Triangle
- Dragon Riders
- Fated Mates
- Love After Loss
I wanted to start off my review by saying something positive, but the only real positive thing about this book (and the series as a whole) was that the plot was really good. My desire to know what happened next was the only thing that kept me reading. Unfortunately this was the only saving grace I could think of.
I feel like the four books of this series (which are about 500 pages EACH) could have all been edited into a single standalone book. Two books, max. The books were filled with so much unnecessary detail that I found myself spacing out on numerous occasions and when I came back, I wasn’t confused at all because literally nothing had happened in the time I was spaced.
The romance between the main couple felt awkward and forced. From the beginning of the book to the end was less than two months. During this time, the two went from complete strangers to a couple that obnoxiously declared their love to each other every time they opened their mouths. Mind you, in the beginning of book 1, the FMC was also grieving the loss of the supposed love of her life. It’s hard to believe the romance, given the circumstances and timeline.
I wanted to see more dragons in these books! Reyla, the FMC, is constantly bragging about being a dragon rider and warrior but we rarely see her fight (unless she’s fighting her lady’s maids who try to ask her to wear a dress). We see even less of actual dragons. I’m not even sure why they were mentioned in the books at all with how rare they were in the story.
All in all, I will not be recommending this series to my friends. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, but since this was an ARC I felt like I needed to review.
Queen of Flames is book 4 of the “Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin” series and I read the entire series in preparation for this book.
I want to preface this review by stating that I didn’t love the first three books, and many of my issues with the earlier books continued over to this book as well. I didn’t hate it enough to DNF, but I was glad to see it finished. I wanted so badly to love this book and the series as a whole because it was full of tropes I normally couldn’t get enough of.
Tropes:
- Arranged Marriage
- Enemies to Lovers
- Love Triangle
- Dragon Riders
- Fated Mates
- Love After Loss
I wanted to start off my review by saying something positive, but the only real positive thing about this book (and the series as a whole) was that the plot was really good. My desire to know what happened next was the only thing that kept me reading. Unfortunately this was the only saving grace I could think of.
I feel like the four books of this series (which are about 500 pages EACH) could have all been edited into a single standalone book. Two books, max. The books were filled with so much unnecessary detail that I found myself spacing out on numerous occasions and when I came back, I wasn’t confused at all because literally nothing had happened in the time I was spaced.
The romance between the main couple felt awkward and forced. From the beginning of the book to the end was less than two months. During this time, the two went from complete strangers to a couple that obnoxiously declared their love to each other every time they opened their mouths. Mind you, in the beginning of book 1, the FMC was also grieving the loss of the supposed love of her life. It’s hard to believe the romance, given the circumstances and timeline.
I wanted to see more dragons in these books! Reyla, the FMC, is constantly bragging about being a dragon rider and warrior but we rarely see her fight (unless she’s fighting her lady’s maids who try to ask her to wear a dress). We see even less of actual dragons. I’m not even sure why they were mentioned in the books at all with how rare they were in the story.
All in all, I will not be recommending this series to my friends. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, but since this was an ARC I felt like I needed to review.
November 7, 2025
An era is over. Oh, and what a marvellous era it was! An era of eternal love and devotion. An era of self-loathing and self-healing. An era of resisting and fighting back. An era of forgiveness.
Another Alaya Wells era has come to an end, and I still don't know how to feel about it. Bittersweet, perhaps. Happy that the characters found closure, yet heartbroken to say goodbye. I love Reyla and Lore. I love their story to bits.
I loved and savoured every single moment of this atmospheric, gothic world filled with dangers, secrets, and mysteries. I loved every bit of their chase to finally break the curse and free the world. Every minute of searching for clues and finding the answers buried deep inside their minds and souls. Every heart-shattering moment. Every tear I cried. Every emotion I've felt. I loved it all.
And Farris, my sweet fur baby, Farris, how I will miss you. He is the sweetest, bravest boy. His struggle was just as difficult as Reyla's, yet he carried it with love and devotion. His heart is pure gold.
"Anything, Wildfire. Everything. For all our days and beyond."
"Evermore," I breathed.
"Evermore", he agreed.
I raise my glass to "evermore". To every obstacle, every test, every labyrinth that was thrown their way and conquered. To Prager, the wizard consumed by her grief, which turned into something wicked and devastating. To love, devotion, and healing. I raise my glass to Reyla, to Lore, and to their chosen family. And finally, I raise my glass to Alaya, the one person who knows how to pull the strings of my heart, and an author who will forever hold a special place there.
Thank you, Alaya, for having me on your ARC team. To the first two series we've shared, and to many more to come. Cheers!
Another Alaya Wells era has come to an end, and I still don't know how to feel about it. Bittersweet, perhaps. Happy that the characters found closure, yet heartbroken to say goodbye. I love Reyla and Lore. I love their story to bits.
I loved and savoured every single moment of this atmospheric, gothic world filled with dangers, secrets, and mysteries. I loved every bit of their chase to finally break the curse and free the world. Every minute of searching for clues and finding the answers buried deep inside their minds and souls. Every heart-shattering moment. Every tear I cried. Every emotion I've felt. I loved it all.
And Farris, my sweet fur baby, Farris, how I will miss you. He is the sweetest, bravest boy. His struggle was just as difficult as Reyla's, yet he carried it with love and devotion. His heart is pure gold.
"Anything, Wildfire. Everything. For all our days and beyond."
"Evermore," I breathed.
"Evermore", he agreed.
I raise my glass to "evermore". To every obstacle, every test, every labyrinth that was thrown their way and conquered. To Prager, the wizard consumed by her grief, which turned into something wicked and devastating. To love, devotion, and healing. I raise my glass to Reyla, to Lore, and to their chosen family. And finally, I raise my glass to Alaya, the one person who knows how to pull the strings of my heart, and an author who will forever hold a special place there.
Thank you, Alaya, for having me on your ARC team. To the first two series we've shared, and to many more to come. Cheers!
November 11, 2025
✨Queen of Flames✨
Alaya knows how to write a book where the romance is one you’d beg for in real life. This finale to her Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin quartet was just that.
After having travelled to new and cursed kingdoms then through a deadly labyrinth, Lore and Reyla are now on the strictest of timelines to save Lore’s life. And to do this, they must endeavor into another kingdom- one that is riddled with death, mystery, and the stench of hopelessness. This creepy castle and all its clues precariously leads us through what’s happening in Irridain as well as the prophecy to break Lore’s curse, l keeping us entertained and intrigued. Not to mention the deadly trials we get to go through for the power hungry queen.
While everything is against them and the clues aren’t cohesive, Lore and Reyla never fail to keep each other’s safety, love, and fleeting moments a priority. Because if a couple days is all they have left, they plan to make them worth it.
I always love Alaya’s writing. The first two books in this series were so phenomenal. This one and the third dragged a bit with some repetition and what felt like filler. I think they would’ve done well to be combined to help keep everything more intense, but I am no author or editor so I trust their processes. That does not deter me from reading Alaya’s work, though, and these characters are SO GOOD you need to meet them. (Lore is one of my favorite book boyfriends.)
Tropes you may find in QOF are elemental magic, dragons, plot twists, found family + pet, medium spice, mystery, forced proximity, deadly trials, prophecy, comfort/wound tending, and a sweet HEA.
Alaya, thank you so much for continuing to allow me to be an arc reader! Two series now and I’m so honored!!
Alaya knows how to write a book where the romance is one you’d beg for in real life. This finale to her Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin quartet was just that.
After having travelled to new and cursed kingdoms then through a deadly labyrinth, Lore and Reyla are now on the strictest of timelines to save Lore’s life. And to do this, they must endeavor into another kingdom- one that is riddled with death, mystery, and the stench of hopelessness. This creepy castle and all its clues precariously leads us through what’s happening in Irridain as well as the prophecy to break Lore’s curse, l keeping us entertained and intrigued. Not to mention the deadly trials we get to go through for the power hungry queen.
While everything is against them and the clues aren’t cohesive, Lore and Reyla never fail to keep each other’s safety, love, and fleeting moments a priority. Because if a couple days is all they have left, they plan to make them worth it.
I always love Alaya’s writing. The first two books in this series were so phenomenal. This one and the third dragged a bit with some repetition and what felt like filler. I think they would’ve done well to be combined to help keep everything more intense, but I am no author or editor so I trust their processes. That does not deter me from reading Alaya’s work, though, and these characters are SO GOOD you need to meet them. (Lore is one of my favorite book boyfriends.)
Tropes you may find in QOF are elemental magic, dragons, plot twists, found family + pet, medium spice, mystery, forced proximity, deadly trials, prophecy, comfort/wound tending, and a sweet HEA.
Alaya, thank you so much for continuing to allow me to be an arc reader! Two series now and I’m so honored!!
December 6, 2025
4⭐️
3🌶️
I love Reyla and Lore ❤️ Honestly, Lore has set the bar pretty high for book husbands for me. That man’s love and devotion to his wife is top tier!
Why this wasn’t a 5⭐️ read for me was I just felt a bit lost throughout and it dragged at points. The whole expanded curse for me got confusing for me for a good chunk of the book.
Alaya did bring it all home though at the end. We travel to the third and final kingdom to find the last piece of talisman. We have games and trials that trust Reyla and Lore’s physical and mental toughness. Time is running out and they only have a few days before Lore’s 30th birthday and death. Nothing will stop Reyla from ending this curse. She will not live without Lore.
I loved the addition of Dorian in book 3 and we continue to have him join the race to end not only Lore’s curse but the curse on them all. And even though we don’t get POV chapters from him, you feel the stakes that are there for him to help them in the kingdom of Irridian. A very personal reason. At the end of the day, this curse is not only about love but connection between all 3 kingdoms and repairing what was broken.
Spice as always 🌶️ was great! And numerous! I mean, what’s a guy to do when he only has days to live right? 😜 we get some primal play in here too, which…whewww 🥵🥵🥵 again, Lore knows how to please his wife 🥵😍
This was a great series. It did lose me a bit at points once we expanded outside of the original curse but overall was a fun read. Again, Lore and Reyla are one of my favorite couples of all time ❤️ the epilogue too 😊😊😊 get a little something in there that I was so happy to read 😊😊😊
3🌶️
I love Reyla and Lore ❤️ Honestly, Lore has set the bar pretty high for book husbands for me. That man’s love and devotion to his wife is top tier!
Why this wasn’t a 5⭐️ read for me was I just felt a bit lost throughout and it dragged at points. The whole expanded curse for me got confusing for me for a good chunk of the book.
Alaya did bring it all home though at the end. We travel to the third and final kingdom to find the last piece of talisman. We have games and trials that trust Reyla and Lore’s physical and mental toughness. Time is running out and they only have a few days before Lore’s 30th birthday and death. Nothing will stop Reyla from ending this curse. She will not live without Lore.
I loved the addition of Dorian in book 3 and we continue to have him join the race to end not only Lore’s curse but the curse on them all. And even though we don’t get POV chapters from him, you feel the stakes that are there for him to help them in the kingdom of Irridian. A very personal reason. At the end of the day, this curse is not only about love but connection between all 3 kingdoms and repairing what was broken.
Spice as always 🌶️ was great! And numerous! I mean, what’s a guy to do when he only has days to live right? 😜 we get some primal play in here too, which…whewww 🥵🥵🥵 again, Lore knows how to please his wife 🥵😍
This was a great series. It did lose me a bit at points once we expanded outside of the original curse but overall was a fun read. Again, Lore and Reyla are one of my favorite couples of all time ❤️ the epilogue too 😊😊😊 get a little something in there that I was so happy to read 😊😊😊
June 29, 2026
Queen of Flames
⭐️ 3.75/5
This series had so much promise, but unfortunately it never quite lived up to my expectations. I spent about 75% of this book feeling bored, which was disappointing considering how much action and intrigue the first two books delivered.
The biggest issue for me was Reyla and Lor's relationship. Their constant declarations of undying love became repetitive and, at times, downright cringey. If I had to hear the word "wildfire" one more time... I found myself wishing more attention had been given to the actual plot(breaking the curse and dealing with Prager) rather than repeatedly reminding us how much they loved each other. I wanted to see them as a powerful team, fighting side by side instead of spending so much time professing their feelings, especially with Lor's fate hanging in the balance.
Another disappointment was the dragons. The series seemed to build toward them from the very beginning, yet they don't really become relevant until Queen of Flames and even then, they felt more like a side quest than a central part of the story.
By the end of the series, Reyla and Lor actually became less compelling to me. Rather than growing stronger, they felt weaker as characters, and I found myself far less invested in their journey than I was at the start.
Overall, this is a generous 3.75 star read for me. I honestly think this story could have been condensed into a strong standalone or, at most, a duology without losing much of its impact.
Thank you to Alaya Wells, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This series had so much promise, but unfortunately it never quite lived up to my expectations. I spent about 75% of this book feeling bored, which was disappointing considering how much action and intrigue the first two books delivered.
The biggest issue for me was Reyla and Lor's relationship. Their constant declarations of undying love became repetitive and, at times, downright cringey. If I had to hear the word "wildfire" one more time... I found myself wishing more attention had been given to the actual plot(breaking the curse and dealing with Prager) rather than repeatedly reminding us how much they loved each other. I wanted to see them as a powerful team, fighting side by side instead of spending so much time professing their feelings, especially with Lor's fate hanging in the balance.
Another disappointment was the dragons. The series seemed to build toward them from the very beginning, yet they don't really become relevant until Queen of Flames and even then, they felt more like a side quest than a central part of the story.
By the end of the series, Reyla and Lor actually became less compelling to me. Rather than growing stronger, they felt weaker as characters, and I found myself far less invested in their journey than I was at the start.
Overall, this is a generous 3.75 star read for me. I honestly think this story could have been condensed into a strong standalone or, at most, a duology without losing much of its impact.
Thank you to Alaya Wells, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2026
I received an ALC of this book. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
Let me jump right in! The beginning of this book, the plot part, felt a little too similar to the previous book, but different details. Once it moved past that, around 25%, things got interesting. There is a great plot twist once you get closer to the end as well.
The whole series is four books, and they're still trying to break the same curse. I feel like the series would have been better condensed, because it felt like there were too many drawn out side quests and every encounter with Prager was THE SAME. The curse is a mystery, but as a reader there is never enough information for you to make your own conclusions and then learn the truth. You are literally told everything and then the characters figure it out almost immediately.
In almost every book the characters seem to face the same struggles. They're fighting against magic/unknown being, they're constantly giving up/sacrificing or being willing to die for their love. It feels overly dramatic and because of that, if comes across as fake or disingenuous, at least to me.
Also, am I the only one who cringes at the "take what you need" line during spicy scenes? Maybe it's just my ick. Almost every action scene results in spicy time, which doesn't really add to the story (IMO), but a few are actually closed door in this book. I firmly belong in the "spice only when it adds to the story, but not in detail" camp, so take that as you will.
Moderate language, moderate frequent spice, added kink-biting.
Let me jump right in! The beginning of this book, the plot part, felt a little too similar to the previous book, but different details. Once it moved past that, around 25%, things got interesting. There is a great plot twist once you get closer to the end as well.
The whole series is four books, and they're still trying to break the same curse. I feel like the series would have been better condensed, because it felt like there were too many drawn out side quests and every encounter with Prager was THE SAME. The curse is a mystery, but as a reader there is never enough information for you to make your own conclusions and then learn the truth. You are literally told everything and then the characters figure it out almost immediately.
In almost every book the characters seem to face the same struggles. They're fighting against magic/unknown being, they're constantly giving up/sacrificing or being willing to die for their love. It feels overly dramatic and because of that, if comes across as fake or disingenuous, at least to me.
Also, am I the only one who cringes at the "take what you need" line during spicy scenes? Maybe it's just my ick. Almost every action scene results in spicy time, which doesn't really add to the story (IMO), but a few are actually closed door in this book. I firmly belong in the "spice only when it adds to the story, but not in detail" camp, so take that as you will.
Moderate language, moderate frequent spice, added kink-biting.
July 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Alaya Wells for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Queen of Flames delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. With Lore's time running out, the stakes feel higher than ever as he, Reyla, and their allies race to break the curse before it's too late. The final adventure brings dangerous trials, long-awaited answers, and an emotional ending that wraps up the series well.
The audiobook was definitely the highlight for me. Reese Grey and Rowan Hayes did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life, and their performances added so much emotion to both the quieter moments and the high-stakes scenes. Their narration kept me engaged from beginning to end and made it easy to stay immersed in the story.
While I felt the pacing slowed in a few places and some scenes could have been tighter, I still enjoyed seeing Lore and Reyla's journey come to its conclusion. Fans who have followed the series from the beginning will appreciate the emotional payoff and the way the major storylines are resolved.
Overall, this was a strong finale and an enjoyable audiobook that fantasy romance fans will want to experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Alaya Wells for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Queen of Flames delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. With Lore's time running out, the stakes feel higher than ever as he, Reyla, and their allies race to break the curse before it's too late. The final adventure brings dangerous trials, long-awaited answers, and an emotional ending that wraps up the series well.
The audiobook was definitely the highlight for me. Reese Grey and Rowan Hayes did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life, and their performances added so much emotion to both the quieter moments and the high-stakes scenes. Their narration kept me engaged from beginning to end and made it easy to stay immersed in the story.
While I felt the pacing slowed in a few places and some scenes could have been tighter, I still enjoyed seeing Lore and Reyla's journey come to its conclusion. Fans who have followed the series from the beginning will appreciate the emotional payoff and the way the major storylines are resolved.
Overall, this was a strong finale and an enjoyable audiobook that fantasy romance fans will want to experience.
July 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ll start by saying that I’ve enjoyed this series overall. Getting to know the world and its magic system has been genuinely interesting, and for the most part I’ve liked the romance. That said, there were several things in this instalment that didn’t work for me.
Lore’s constant commentary on Reyla’s memories was incredibly jarring. Because no one is actually there to interact with him, it ends up feeling like one long, uninterrupted monologue—and it grated on me to the point of a near DNF. This was around the 10% mark, which is not ideal.
His possessiveness also tipped into controlling territory, and he repeatedly dismissed the fact that Reyla is powerful and fully capable of handling herself. He’s been a disappointment for the past two books, which is a shame because I genuinely liked him in books one and two. The constant “pretty little bride” comments were driving me up the wall.
The narrators, once again, did a great job. The ending wasn’t particularly dramatic—more of a neat, predictable conclusion—but overall, I did enjoy the series.
I’ll start by saying that I’ve enjoyed this series overall. Getting to know the world and its magic system has been genuinely interesting, and for the most part I’ve liked the romance. That said, there were several things in this instalment that didn’t work for me.
Lore’s constant commentary on Reyla’s memories was incredibly jarring. Because no one is actually there to interact with him, it ends up feeling like one long, uninterrupted monologue—and it grated on me to the point of a near DNF. This was around the 10% mark, which is not ideal.
His possessiveness also tipped into controlling territory, and he repeatedly dismissed the fact that Reyla is powerful and fully capable of handling herself. He’s been a disappointment for the past two books, which is a shame because I genuinely liked him in books one and two. The constant “pretty little bride” comments were driving me up the wall.
The narrators, once again, did a great job. The ending wasn’t particularly dramatic—more of a neat, predictable conclusion—but overall, I did enjoy the series.
July 3, 2026
I received an ARC of Queen of Flame and leave this review voluntarily.
I am so incredibly disappointed by this book. It is book four in a four book series so I pushed through it to at least see how it ended. However, like book 3, it feels like nothing happens. I could zone out while listening and comeback minutes later and feel like I didn't miss anything. The series started really strong, but the subsequent books are heavily stretched out needlessly. Each of the books are long (which I'm normally fine with) and filled with what feels like nothing. This would have been a much better trilogy with 400 page books instead of a four book series of 500 page book, meaning there is 800 pages that I think could easily have been cut. Also, there are constant sex scenes in this book to the point of excessiveness and boredom, and I like to read smut. There is just no real point to the scenes when that is my expectation when reading a book of this length and this quality of character/relationship development.
I am so incredibly disappointed by this book. It is book four in a four book series so I pushed through it to at least see how it ended. However, like book 3, it feels like nothing happens. I could zone out while listening and comeback minutes later and feel like I didn't miss anything. The series started really strong, but the subsequent books are heavily stretched out needlessly. Each of the books are long (which I'm normally fine with) and filled with what feels like nothing. This would have been a much better trilogy with 400 page books instead of a four book series of 500 page book, meaning there is 800 pages that I think could easily have been cut. Also, there are constant sex scenes in this book to the point of excessiveness and boredom, and I like to read smut. There is just no real point to the scenes when that is my expectation when reading a book of this length and this quality of character/relationship development.
June 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Queen of Flames (Audiobook Review)
Queen of Flames was a captivating audiobook that blended epic fantasy, romance, and high-stakes conflict into an engaging story. The plot kept me invested with its mix of action, emotional revelations, and character-driven moments, while the expanding world continued to feel rich and immersive.
Reese Grey and Rowan Hayes delivered strong performances that elevated the listening experience. They brought the cast to life with plenty of emotion, making it easy to connect with the characters and feel the weight of their victories and struggles.
Although a few chapters felt a bit drawn out, especially during the heavier exposition, the story quickly regained its momentum with exciting twists and satisfying character development.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with memorable characters, compelling relationships, and excellent narration. It’s a great installment for fans of fantasy romance and earns a well-deserved 4 stars.
Queen of Flames was a captivating audiobook that blended epic fantasy, romance, and high-stakes conflict into an engaging story. The plot kept me invested with its mix of action, emotional revelations, and character-driven moments, while the expanding world continued to feel rich and immersive.
Reese Grey and Rowan Hayes delivered strong performances that elevated the listening experience. They brought the cast to life with plenty of emotion, making it easy to connect with the characters and feel the weight of their victories and struggles.
Although a few chapters felt a bit drawn out, especially during the heavier exposition, the story quickly regained its momentum with exciting twists and satisfying character development.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with memorable characters, compelling relationships, and excellent narration. It’s a great installment for fans of fantasy romance and earns a well-deserved 4 stars.
December 1, 2025
What a great finale to The Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series.
Saying goodbye to Rayla and Lore is bittersweet but what a ride!
This book had so much going on. It really kept me on my toes throughout with lots of twists and turns. It’s full of angst, tension, romance, action and magic. I loved the tension of the countdown to unravel the curse - lots of emotional turmoil and personal sacrifices. The world building throughout this series has felt really immersive and multi-layered. The characters have depth and are well developed. So many really likeable characters - Reyla and Lore are great MCs. And of course not forgetting Farris!
Overall a fantastic conclusion to this series. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Alaya.
Huge thanks to Alaya Wells for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
Saying goodbye to Rayla and Lore is bittersweet but what a ride!
This book had so much going on. It really kept me on my toes throughout with lots of twists and turns. It’s full of angst, tension, romance, action and magic. I loved the tension of the countdown to unravel the curse - lots of emotional turmoil and personal sacrifices. The world building throughout this series has felt really immersive and multi-layered. The characters have depth and are well developed. So many really likeable characters - Reyla and Lore are great MCs. And of course not forgetting Farris!
Overall a fantastic conclusion to this series. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Alaya.
Huge thanks to Alaya Wells for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
December 1, 2025
Queen of Flames by author Alaya Wells is the fourth and final book in what has been a fantastic Romantasy which hasn’t finished with it’s readers just yet or lead characters Lore and Reyla.
There is a curse that needs to be broken with Lore’s life hanging in the balance, and Reyla who has been through hell and back for her Lore isn’t about to loose him in a matter of days. Salvation lays around the neck of a princess and so the pieces on the board are again in play.
Another immersive adventure filled with action, danger, twists, surprises, magic, passion, and deceit flowing through the well written pages of a wonderfully built world that will keep you anchored to a story you know must end but wish never would.
HEA… and a well deserved one indeed!
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is a curse that needs to be broken with Lore’s life hanging in the balance, and Reyla who has been through hell and back for her Lore isn’t about to loose him in a matter of days. Salvation lays around the neck of a princess and so the pieces on the board are again in play.
Another immersive adventure filled with action, danger, twists, surprises, magic, passion, and deceit flowing through the well written pages of a wonderfully built world that will keep you anchored to a story you know must end but wish never would.
HEA… and a well deserved one indeed!
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
What an incredible action packed conclusion to the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series!! I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. The journey to get to the end is wrought with trials, mayhem, peril and sacrifice. A curse to unravel through boundless love and devotion!
The world that Alaya has built throughout this series is absolutely amazing! Queen of Flames did not disappoint with its layered immersive and vibrant world. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this story unfold - so much self reflection, self healing, forgiveness, and love!! The characters were all well rounded and so easy to love. And, of course, we have our favorite Nyxin, Ferris, who never ceases to amaze me with his intelligence.
This was a fantastic conclusion to this world!! I look forward to what comes next!!
What an incredible action packed conclusion to the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series!! I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. The journey to get to the end is wrought with trials, mayhem, peril and sacrifice. A curse to unravel through boundless love and devotion!
The world that Alaya has built throughout this series is absolutely amazing! Queen of Flames did not disappoint with its layered immersive and vibrant world. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this story unfold - so much self reflection, self healing, forgiveness, and love!! The characters were all well rounded and so easy to love. And, of course, we have our favorite Nyxin, Ferris, who never ceases to amaze me with his intelligence.
This was a fantastic conclusion to this world!! I look forward to what comes next!!
June 23, 2026
I listened to Queen of Flames as an audio book and enjoyed it very much. The entire series has been my personal favorite so far, and perhaps this one is my favorite one so far!
The entire story was an emotional roller coaster ride with so many exciting moments that kept me hooked to the character development and plot progression of the book. I especially appreciated how much the characters had evolved and grew throughout the series and the takes felt higher than ever.
As for the audiobook, the performance was excellent and made the book even more captivating. I caught myself trying to look for any excuse to listen to it more.
In general, Queen of Flames was a great book and another enjoyable addition to my favorite series.
The entire story was an emotional roller coaster ride with so many exciting moments that kept me hooked to the character development and plot progression of the book. I especially appreciated how much the characters had evolved and grew throughout the series and the takes felt higher than ever.
As for the audiobook, the performance was excellent and made the book even more captivating. I caught myself trying to look for any excuse to listen to it more.
In general, Queen of Flames was a great book and another enjoyable addition to my favorite series.
June 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for an ALC of this book.
Queen of Flames is the fourth and final book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. In this book Lore and Reyla continue their mission to break the curse placed on Lore’s family. They only have days before Lore’s 30th birthday and if they do not break the curse by then, Lore will die. Lore, Reyla, Lore, and Dorion (who joined the cast in book 3) travel to the Irridain Kingdom to get the final talisman needed to merge with the other two pieces and break the curse. There they have to join in on a competition before they get what they need.
I definitely liked this book much better than the last one and it wrapped everything up nicely. It was between a 4 and 5 for me, but I rounded up.
Queen of Flames is the fourth and final book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. In this book Lore and Reyla continue their mission to break the curse placed on Lore’s family. They only have days before Lore’s 30th birthday and if they do not break the curse by then, Lore will die. Lore, Reyla, Lore, and Dorion (who joined the cast in book 3) travel to the Irridain Kingdom to get the final talisman needed to merge with the other two pieces and break the curse. There they have to join in on a competition before they get what they need.
I definitely liked this book much better than the last one and it wrapped everything up nicely. It was between a 4 and 5 for me, but I rounded up.
June 24, 2026
“There’s nothing you can say or do that would make me flinch. I will kneel before every broken part of you and swear my love to it. You are my beginning and my undoing, and I choose you anyway”
Alaya Wells is capable of writing a man I’d swoon for in real life. This book is full of magic, adventure, intrigue, and twists and turns. I listened to the audio version and thought the dual narration was perfect as the voice actors fit the characters so well in my opinion. The pacing of this book is slower but I always listen to my audiobooks a little fast so the change of pace let me really sink into the romance and world building.
Alaya Wells is capable of writing a man I’d swoon for in real life. This book is full of magic, adventure, intrigue, and twists and turns. I listened to the audio version and thought the dual narration was perfect as the voice actors fit the characters so well in my opinion. The pacing of this book is slower but I always listen to my audiobooks a little fast so the change of pace let me really sink into the romance and world building.
June 25, 2026
This is the final book in the series and...wow...finishing the trials, learning how to break the curse or if it's possible. Learning even MORE about Reyla. Watching Lor fall even MORE in love with her. THESE SIDE CHARACTERS....And just the ending...the happily ever after...These characters went through so much and love. love. love. love. I wish it weren't over. Maybe we can have some spinoffs of the side characters with special appearances by Lor, Reyla and Fenis?! I cried. A little. Beautifully, beautifully written.
AND THESE NARRATORS. LET'S GIVE THESE GUYS A FREAKING HAND CLAP. STANDING OVATION. KUDOS!
AND THESE NARRATORS. LET'S GIVE THESE GUYS A FREAKING HAND CLAP. STANDING OVATION. KUDOS!
June 27, 2026
The final installment of Reyla and Lore.
I feel like I need to state I didn’t love the first three books and I had all the same issues with this. I liked it enough to read the entire series but it’s not outstanding for me. I stand by it the pacing is weird. I wanted Reyla to be a badass not just tell us she is. I hoped by this book all her warrior dragon riding experience would come into play but it still didn’t. Overall the games and trials felt a bit stale after 4 books.
*I got this as a free ALC through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to everyone who made this happen❤️*
I feel like I need to state I didn’t love the first three books and I had all the same issues with this. I liked it enough to read the entire series but it’s not outstanding for me. I stand by it the pacing is weird. I wanted Reyla to be a badass not just tell us she is. I hoped by this book all her warrior dragon riding experience would come into play but it still didn’t. Overall the games and trials felt a bit stale after 4 books.
*I got this as a free ALC through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to everyone who made this happen❤️*
September 30, 2026
Queen of Flames is the fourth book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. Reyla and Lore continue their journey to break the curse on Lore.
They figure out where the third talisman is and must obtain it. In order to do so, they must travel to Irridain Court but can't let anyone know who they are. They must participate in the games and trials and win to gain access to the talisman.
I enjoyed the puzzle aspect of these games and trials in this book. There are high stakes and high emotions as Lore's time draws near and the clock is ticking to break the curse.
4/5 stars! Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Media for the opportunity to listen to this book as an ARC!
They figure out where the third talisman is and must obtain it. In order to do so, they must travel to Irridain Court but can't let anyone know who they are. They must participate in the games and trials and win to gain access to the talisman.
I enjoyed the puzzle aspect of these games and trials in this book. There are high stakes and high emotions as Lore's time draws near and the clock is ticking to break the curse.
4/5 stars! Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Media for the opportunity to listen to this book as an ARC!
November 16, 2025
This was a thrilling series conclusion. I enjoyed finishing Lore and Reyla's story.
The world and characters were well-rounded and fun to discover. The plot seemed a little repetitive at times and as much as I loved the romance, some of the intimate moments took place at a time that didn't seem realistic to me. However, I assume that is probably because this book had such a short timeline and it wouldn't fit romance expectations without enough of those moments.
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
The world and characters were well-rounded and fun to discover. The plot seemed a little repetitive at times and as much as I loved the romance, some of the intimate moments took place at a time that didn't seem realistic to me. However, I assume that is probably because this book had such a short timeline and it wouldn't fit romance expectations without enough of those moments.
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
December 1, 2025
This is the final book in the Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin series. If you have been following along with this saga, then you know how intense this series has been. This final story though was filled with angst. Counting down the days was unbearable. Despite what this was all leading up to I felt it didn't have the impact I was expecting. It was a good story but didn't have the epic conclusion I was hoping for.
Regardless, this whole series has been amazing and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to read it.
This love story is The Ultimate Love Story !!! 💜💜💜
December 7, 2025
This took me way longer to read than it should have because the 1st half was painfully long and hard for me to get into. But once it picked up I was hooked. My sweet Farris! I just adore him. I like learning more about Dorion and seeing him for most of the book. I felt like the end was rushed and would’ve rather had more details and what not after things were resolved. It just sort of ended and had a very short epilogue. Regardless I really liked this series. I hope there’s another spinoff, although I don’t know who it would be about so I assume it’s probably done:(
June 21, 2026
[Review of the ALC, courtesy of NetGalley and RBmedia]
The fourth book was certainly more interesting and engaging than the previous one! This is also the last book in the series, and the one where we get a few more plot twists and explanations, as well as a HEA.
I had hoped that, at least in this installment, we would get a little more action with the dragons, as for a series about a dragon rider, the books contain a disturbingly low number of mentions of them — and we did (not a lot, but still).
All in all, I'm a little sad to leave this world and its characters behind.
The fourth book was certainly more interesting and engaging than the previous one! This is also the last book in the series, and the one where we get a few more plot twists and explanations, as well as a HEA.
I had hoped that, at least in this installment, we would get a little more action with the dragons, as for a series about a dragon rider, the books contain a disturbingly low number of mentions of them — and we did (not a lot, but still).
All in all, I'm a little sad to leave this world and its characters behind.
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