Joy Guardian

Joyless Kingdom #2

by Marina Simcoe

I am his joy.
The shadow fae have snatched me from my world to serve as a Joy Vessel in the court of their queen. But all my joy has long been stolen by the man I once loved. My husband didn’t kill me, but he destroyed so many pieces of me that it feels like there’s nothing left, like I’m dead inside.
A sad, somber Joy Vessel is useless, yet the fae of the queen’s court believe a Joy Guardian can “fix” me.
What they don’t know is that Kurai carries a dangerous secret, one that, if revealed, would lead to his execution. To him, I’m a threat, and my kind has no place in Alveari Kingdom. His mission is to rid his world from us, even if it means killing us all.
He was raised to see me as his sin, but does he have the wisdom to recognize me as his blessing?
Does he have what it takes to protect me, love me, and cherish me?
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Joy Guardian is a contemporary romantic fantasy set in a secondary world with a fantasy romance between a shadow fae and a human (MF) set in Marina Simcoe's world of the River of Mists.

Each book of the trilogy contains a complete love story of a separate couple.
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Books in the world of the River of Mists
Joyless Kingdom
Somber Prince, book 1
Joy Guardian, book 2

Wingless Crow Duet
Fire in Stone Duet
Serpent's Touch Duet

Madame Tan's Freakshow
Call of Water, book 1
Madness of the, book 2
Moon Power of Rage, book 3

All duets and trilogies in the River of Mists can be read independently.

Genres: Fantasy

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

About the author

Deep, heartfelt romance with a generous sprinkle of spice and a tad of magic.

Newsletter Signup is on www.MarinaSimcoe.com

For illustrations of her books, early access ebooks, bonus stories, and signed paperbacks, please visit the author's Patreon: https://patreon.com/MarinaSimcoe

Reviews

[Jannie Cv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoking hot romance!
I’m trying to imagine an existence without joy; even the simplest ones such as enjoying a delicious meal. Most of the people in this realm do not have the privilege to experience any joy. It’s amazing, the changes that come about with the introduction of humans. Kurai’s transformation is wonderful to see as he discovers more about Ciana. I love that, at the same time, Ciana has her own epiphanies. Theirs is a fascinating love story. Don’t miss it, I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with it, too!

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series it fire.

Perfect for romantasy fans in a hangover after Fourth Wing or Throne of Glass. It's spicy and full of adventure.

[GoldenEyeOfHorus · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

This started with an interesting concept even though the cult-like rhetoric about joy was annoying. It went downhill after that.

Though the dialogue between the MCs was awkward sometimes, I liked the sexual tension and the friends to lovers situation they had going on.

But as the story went on the romance didn't really develop like I hoped and then they were separated for a bit, came together again, and were separated. So there was a lot of time lost where sexy times could have been had and the relationship could have been strengthened. There was much more conspiracy and drama than romance later in the book.

I was still waiting on a spicy scene where they fully get it in, not just foreplay, at 82% in. I don't even know if he has genitals as this point, since the shadow fae are described as looking like a Ken doll downstairs. What is going on?

Finally at 89% in they have sex and it was underwhelming. Also, I never in my life want to hear a MMC's crotch described as a "chrysanthemum of tentacles" ever again. 🤢

[Maggie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fantasy world. Good characterization. The romance was a little rocky. I think romantasy fans will like this story. I haven’t read the first book but didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this wonderful stand alone story. I liked the world building, the twists and especially the surprises. There is even humor . Action packed with steam to the eventual romance.
Ciana had a special way of seeing Kurai's world. I loved how her memories helped him with his. How her view of life changed his blind faith in what he believed and was taught since he entered the Temple of the First Priestess and started protecting the Joy. Who or what really was the Joy? His realization of the real world away from the temple. His view of her and what humans really were. His patience and devotion to her.
We also get to visit with Dawn , her cousin and Prince Rha. (They were from Somber Prince the first book). Plus a cryptic message from Dawn's sister Melanie.
A wonderful HEA for them.
I was given an ARC copy of the book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[LizKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED the first book in this series and I must have missed when this one came out because I was just notified the 3rd is out. This one is slow- there is no way around it. It didn't hold my interest and I returned it to KU because I don't want to waste my limited free reading time on books that have me falling asleep.

So while I DNF this one, I'm excited about the 3rd one and hoping that one has the magic of the 1st one.

[Leyns]

DNF @59%
It was a bit too slow paced and lacked excitement.