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Queen of Spades : 411
While both managing a rocky empire and outsmarting narrow-minded rebels, Lucia Everspears is also desperately searching for a magical relic. Without it, she'll die. With it? No one knows.
"When an enemy assassin attacks her in her rooms, she finds the solution to all her problems. He might be the answer to all her prayers...or he might kill her in her sleep. It's a risk she has to take."
Queen of Spades is a romantic, high fantasy set in Wonderland. As the first book in the standalone series 'A Realm of Wonder', we follow the new Queen of the empire of Spades–Lucia Everspears. Queen of Spades introduces a world of new magical creatures, cultures and its very own mythology. Read the book and fall into the flat-earth world of Wonderland as Lucia battles prophecies, fae and other unearthly creatures in an attempt to stay alive. All the while, she's falling for the one male, who's forced to kill her. She needs his help. He needs her.
“Are you gonna let me go?” She asks, her voice calm and honey-sweet but I hear her heart pounding behind her ribs.
“Afraid not, princess.”
“You sure you wanna kill a harmless woman?”
“I have my orders.” I say, which causes her to push her arms up under her chest and force her breasts up at me. It’s obvious what she’s trying to do. Yet, she is much too nervous to pull it off. I can see her heart beating through her chest now. She’s scared. She should be.
"When an enemy assassin attacks her in her rooms, she finds the solution to all her problems. He might be the answer to all her prayers...or he might kill her in her sleep. It's a risk she has to take."
Queen of Spades is a romantic, high fantasy set in Wonderland. As the first book in the standalone series 'A Realm of Wonder', we follow the new Queen of the empire of Spades–Lucia Everspears. Queen of Spades introduces a world of new magical creatures, cultures and its very own mythology. Read the book and fall into the flat-earth world of Wonderland as Lucia battles prophecies, fae and other unearthly creatures in an attempt to stay alive. All the while, she's falling for the one male, who's forced to kill her. She needs his help. He needs her.
“Are you gonna let me go?” She asks, her voice calm and honey-sweet but I hear her heart pounding behind her ribs.
“Afraid not, princess.”
“You sure you wanna kill a harmless woman?”
“I have my orders.” I say, which causes her to push her arms up under her chest and force her breasts up at me. It’s obvious what she’s trying to do. Yet, she is much too nervous to pull it off. I can see her heart beating through her chest now. She’s scared. She should be.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2025
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Madeline L. Moore
1 book10 followersKinda unhinged–I prefer creative (and if you get this reference, I love you)–but I bake brownies.
Oh, I also write fantasy set in a logical flat-earth universe filled with sexists, pedophiles and badass women (so, you know, just like the real world, except mine has magic and fated mates).
My editor informed me that I should make it clear that I write in BRITISH English
Oh, I also write fantasy set in a logical flat-earth universe filled with sexists, pedophiles and badass women (so, you know, just like the real world, except mine has magic and fated mates).
My editor informed me that I should make it clear that I write in BRITISH English
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 7, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up
ETA: adding after the author updated her bio regarding her use of British English to clarify that I typically read in British English and the following review was judged by that metric.
I finished the book a few days ago, but wanted to sit with my thoughts for a bit so I could write a proper review. I received an ARC copy, which happens to be my first ever ARC, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
This book has a lot of potential, and there’s so much heart in it, but there were a few factors I can’t overlook that drag the rating down. For one, this doesn’t feel like a finished manuscript. I felt more like a beta reader than an ARC reader. There’s a noticeable amount of spelling errors and straight up wrong words, and enough grammar issues I was mildly surprised to see the book had been edited by a third party.
The writing style itself also feels clunky. We’re supposed to be following along with a powerful, confident Queen and a strong, skilled assassin, but their internal monologues and dialogues feel more reminiscent of bickering teenagers. I think the best way of describing the writing is “uncomfortably casual”.
The pacing felt very rushed. Multiple times big events were only mentioned after the fact. The book’s description states of the main character Lucia, “without [a magical relic], she’ll die” but this life-or-death situation isn’t actually mentioned in the book until after it’s nearly resolved, only that she’s looking for the relic at all. Nothing in the book really holds any weight, because every issue is resolved typically within a couple of paragraphs. The two MCs come to a resolution of their differences incredibly quickly and with no real motivation. The plot moves from one point to the next without ever letting anything sit and breathe. Even the ending just sort of…happened. No elaboration, no close up experiencing it, just a distant look at the events before the epilogue. It was a rather disappointing end that could have been so much more engaging if it was internal rather than external.
All of that being said, I would love to have seen the novel fleshed out into a series. Even just a duology would have given it the much needed space to slow the pace down and expand upon the story. The concept of the world is an interesting one that deserves to be explored in far more detail than throwaway lines about carnivorous flowers and venomous bees. It also would have allowed each of the story beats more time than a single chapter to be explored and expanded upon. The novel really just needed to slow down, rather than rushing us from one point to the next.
The novel has very much set up for the next standalone in the same world, and in spite of the aforementioned issues, I’ll be keeping an eye out for its release.
ETA: adding after the author updated her bio regarding her use of British English to clarify that I typically read in British English and the following review was judged by that metric.
I finished the book a few days ago, but wanted to sit with my thoughts for a bit so I could write a proper review. I received an ARC copy, which happens to be my first ever ARC, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
This book has a lot of potential, and there’s so much heart in it, but there were a few factors I can’t overlook that drag the rating down. For one, this doesn’t feel like a finished manuscript. I felt more like a beta reader than an ARC reader. There’s a noticeable amount of spelling errors and straight up wrong words, and enough grammar issues I was mildly surprised to see the book had been edited by a third party.
The writing style itself also feels clunky. We’re supposed to be following along with a powerful, confident Queen and a strong, skilled assassin, but their internal monologues and dialogues feel more reminiscent of bickering teenagers. I think the best way of describing the writing is “uncomfortably casual”.
The pacing felt very rushed. Multiple times big events were only mentioned after the fact. The book’s description states of the main character Lucia, “without [a magical relic], she’ll die” but this life-or-death situation isn’t actually mentioned in the book until after it’s nearly resolved, only that she’s looking for the relic at all. Nothing in the book really holds any weight, because every issue is resolved typically within a couple of paragraphs. The two MCs come to a resolution of their differences incredibly quickly and with no real motivation. The plot moves from one point to the next without ever letting anything sit and breathe. Even the ending just sort of…happened. No elaboration, no close up experiencing it, just a distant look at the events before the epilogue. It was a rather disappointing end that could have been so much more engaging if it was internal rather than external.
All of that being said, I would love to have seen the novel fleshed out into a series. Even just a duology would have given it the much needed space to slow the pace down and expand upon the story. The concept of the world is an interesting one that deserves to be explored in far more detail than throwaway lines about carnivorous flowers and venomous bees. It also would have allowed each of the story beats more time than a single chapter to be explored and expanded upon. The novel really just needed to slow down, rather than rushing us from one point to the next.
The novel has very much set up for the next standalone in the same world, and in spite of the aforementioned issues, I’ll be keeping an eye out for its release.
July 19, 2025
Debut fantasy? Yes!
A true 3.75 ⭐️ for me, definitely rounded up!!
Usually, when I read a fantasy book, I feel like we get too much information and it needs to be shorter. I honestly feel like I could’ve gotten a little bit more information throughout this story!
I loved the plot, the slow burn, the tension, and the fact that we didn’t even know the MCs name until 49% of the way through!
The “Alice in Wonderland” spin off for the theme was also very creative - and I liked seeing the little aspects of the original story in this! Which is funny, because I’m not a fan of the OG movie, but I love spin-offs of it when reading!
I think about 2/3 of the way through is where I needed more information; more backstory, more reason for this little excursion, just a little more. But the good thing is, this seems to be book 1 so I’d never dock points for things left unspoken that could be picked up later 🤭
Thank you so much to Madeline L. Moore for this advanced copy! I appreciate it so much!
A true 3.75 ⭐️ for me, definitely rounded up!!
Usually, when I read a fantasy book, I feel like we get too much information and it needs to be shorter. I honestly feel like I could’ve gotten a little bit more information throughout this story!
I loved the plot, the slow burn, the tension, and the fact that we didn’t even know the MCs name until 49% of the way through!
The “Alice in Wonderland” spin off for the theme was also very creative - and I liked seeing the little aspects of the original story in this! Which is funny, because I’m not a fan of the OG movie, but I love spin-offs of it when reading!
I think about 2/3 of the way through is where I needed more information; more backstory, more reason for this little excursion, just a little more. But the good thing is, this seems to be book 1 so I’d never dock points for things left unspoken that could be picked up later 🤭
Thank you so much to Madeline L. Moore for this advanced copy! I appreciate it so much!
July 21, 2025
I rarely write 1-star reviews, but I received Queen of Spades as an ARC and feel like I owe it to myself (and other readers) to be honest: this was a really frustrating read.
I’ve come to realise I’m not a fan of first-person present tense, and this book only reinforced that. The writing feels clunky and overly casual, with odd turns of phrase, awkward sentence structure, and a lot of unnecessary (and sometimes baffling) detail. I often felt like a beta reader rather than someone reviewing an ARC. There are noticeable grammar issues, spelling errors, and incorrect word usage scattered throughout. It honestly didn’t feel like a finished manuscript.
The FMC is… exhausting. Her monologues are whiny and immature, and I found her consistently irritating to the point of being unreadable. There’s just nothing there to make her even remotely likeable or compelling. She's literally so useless. And annoying. The MMC isn’t much better. He’s bland, forgettable, and their dynamic together lacked any real spark or emotional depth.
Which brings me to the romance: suddenly, fated mates! Out of nowhere. With no clear explanation of what it even means in this world. Even the FMC herself is like, “wait, can this happen? Meh. Okay, cool.” It’s hard to invest in a relationship that feels so shoehorned in.
And that’s kind of the theme throughout. This book feels like it tried to cram in every romantasy trope without taking the time to build the foundation for any of them. Sacred lands that no one knows anything about but are apparently deeply meaningful. Magical artefacts we’re told are essential to survival, but only after the conflict is resolved. Pacing that rushes from one moment to the next without letting anything breathe. Plot points are often glossed over or told retrospectively instead of letting the reader experience them. Even the climax felt like a summary, not a scene. I was hoping for something more immersive, more visceral but was left sorely wanting.
The writing was filled with unnecessary or nonsensical details. One line describes Riven (our MMC) unwrapping a sandwich but leaving the paper at the bottom to hold it. Okay... and? That’s just eating a sandwich. Moments like this felt like filler that didn’t serve the world or characters in any meaningful way. The tone also didn’t match the kind of story this wanted to be. We’re supposedly following a powerful Queen - someone who overthrew her father and brothers to take the throne - but her voice reads more like a whiny teenager than a ruler. Even the author's claim that this book features “sexists who get what’s coming to them” falls flat (in a flat-earth world haha, which didn't even get any page time. was just mentioned as a trope). There’s no real discussion around sexism or how Lucia is actively changing things in her kingdom. All we get is her sulking about rebel factions who don’t want a queen instead of a king. And by the time we get to the final battle? All the fighting forces are still men. So much for progress. We’re never told how she managed to kill off her family to claim power in the first place. It just sort of... happened. And based on her characterisation, I honestly don’t understand how she even pulled it off.
There is heart in this book. I could sense the passion behind the story, and I do believe the author had big ideas. But they didn’t land for me. It needed more development, more polish, and a lot more internal consistency.
Not for me.
I’ve come to realise I’m not a fan of first-person present tense, and this book only reinforced that. The writing feels clunky and overly casual, with odd turns of phrase, awkward sentence structure, and a lot of unnecessary (and sometimes baffling) detail. I often felt like a beta reader rather than someone reviewing an ARC. There are noticeable grammar issues, spelling errors, and incorrect word usage scattered throughout. It honestly didn’t feel like a finished manuscript.
The FMC is… exhausting. Her monologues are whiny and immature, and I found her consistently irritating to the point of being unreadable. There’s just nothing there to make her even remotely likeable or compelling. She's literally so useless. And annoying. The MMC isn’t much better. He’s bland, forgettable, and their dynamic together lacked any real spark or emotional depth.
Which brings me to the romance: suddenly, fated mates! Out of nowhere. With no clear explanation of what it even means in this world. Even the FMC herself is like, “wait, can this happen? Meh. Okay, cool.” It’s hard to invest in a relationship that feels so shoehorned in.
And that’s kind of the theme throughout. This book feels like it tried to cram in every romantasy trope without taking the time to build the foundation for any of them. Sacred lands that no one knows anything about but are apparently deeply meaningful. Magical artefacts we’re told are essential to survival, but only after the conflict is resolved. Pacing that rushes from one moment to the next without letting anything breathe. Plot points are often glossed over or told retrospectively instead of letting the reader experience them. Even the climax felt like a summary, not a scene. I was hoping for something more immersive, more visceral but was left sorely wanting.
The writing was filled with unnecessary or nonsensical details. One line describes Riven (our MMC) unwrapping a sandwich but leaving the paper at the bottom to hold it. Okay... and? That’s just eating a sandwich. Moments like this felt like filler that didn’t serve the world or characters in any meaningful way. The tone also didn’t match the kind of story this wanted to be. We’re supposedly following a powerful Queen - someone who overthrew her father and brothers to take the throne - but her voice reads more like a whiny teenager than a ruler. Even the author's claim that this book features “sexists who get what’s coming to them” falls flat (in a flat-earth world haha, which didn't even get any page time. was just mentioned as a trope). There’s no real discussion around sexism or how Lucia is actively changing things in her kingdom. All we get is her sulking about rebel factions who don’t want a queen instead of a king. And by the time we get to the final battle? All the fighting forces are still men. So much for progress. We’re never told how she managed to kill off her family to claim power in the first place. It just sort of... happened. And based on her characterisation, I honestly don’t understand how she even pulled it off.
There is heart in this book. I could sense the passion behind the story, and I do believe the author had big ideas. But they didn’t land for me. It needed more development, more polish, and a lot more internal consistency.
Not for me.
July 12, 2025
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded down to 2 for the moment)
Arc review: I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC, I am grateful for being given the chance.
Before I start - I wish to state, as the author has asserted in their bio that they write in British English, I am a British reader so any comments about language/writing come from the perspective of a British / English speaker. I am aware this is an ARC copy and so isn’t necessarily the final draft but the release date is meant to be this month which is the reason for my comments on the writing and not just plot.
I finished this book the night before writing this, having wanted to sit on my thoughts a little. Overall, I felt like this book had some really great potential but unfortunately just didn’t quite meet what I felt it set itself up as.
One of the biggest issues I personally found with this book was it didn’t feel like it was a finished piece. It had a quite a large amount of spelling error, incorrect language / word choices and general grammar issues (though with the latter, I sometimes struggle with grammar so take that final one with a pinch of salt!). I did go back to check if there had been an external editor or anything and was rather surprised to find there was, and beta readers too.
The writing style in general wasn’t the smoothest, sometimes feeling bitty or weirdly paced. The FMC is meant to be a morally grey character, and an adult Queen at that, yet throughout, she largely came across like a young teen. Her language, actions, and general demeanour felt juxtaposed to the way she was occasionally portrayed as. A woman capable of torture and condemning people to death with great ease yet simultaneously stomps her feet and pouts.
The overall tone of the writing was, at times, rather ‘casual’, with terms like “icky” or “wanna”. For me, this threw me out of the storyline a lot.
There were some really great moments that did have me hooked but they were somewhat short lived. Problems that arose throughout the storyline tended to be resolved rather quickly and so there often didn’t feel like much was at stake or, as the book went on, the tension dwindled because I knew each issue would be sorted within a page or two. The ending also seemed to suddenly just happen and then… it ended. Little explained, not much given to allow the reader to sit back and take it in, it just stopped. Then an epilogue. I feel it made for a rather disappointing finish.
I do fully believe this book has great potential, I just felt that the execution, in its current form, let it slightly down. I believe the book series is meant to be standalone but an interconnected ‘wonderland’ universe (happy to be corrected if my recollection is wrong) but I’d be curious to see where else the stories go. It genuinely is a very interesting concept and I will be keeping an eye out for future books to see how they are.
Arc review: I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC, I am grateful for being given the chance.
Before I start - I wish to state, as the author has asserted in their bio that they write in British English, I am a British reader so any comments about language/writing come from the perspective of a British / English speaker. I am aware this is an ARC copy and so isn’t necessarily the final draft but the release date is meant to be this month which is the reason for my comments on the writing and not just plot.
I finished this book the night before writing this, having wanted to sit on my thoughts a little. Overall, I felt like this book had some really great potential but unfortunately just didn’t quite meet what I felt it set itself up as.
One of the biggest issues I personally found with this book was it didn’t feel like it was a finished piece. It had a quite a large amount of spelling error, incorrect language / word choices and general grammar issues (though with the latter, I sometimes struggle with grammar so take that final one with a pinch of salt!). I did go back to check if there had been an external editor or anything and was rather surprised to find there was, and beta readers too.
The writing style in general wasn’t the smoothest, sometimes feeling bitty or weirdly paced. The FMC is meant to be a morally grey character, and an adult Queen at that, yet throughout, she largely came across like a young teen. Her language, actions, and general demeanour felt juxtaposed to the way she was occasionally portrayed as. A woman capable of torture and condemning people to death with great ease yet simultaneously stomps her feet and pouts.
The overall tone of the writing was, at times, rather ‘casual’, with terms like “icky” or “wanna”. For me, this threw me out of the storyline a lot.
There were some really great moments that did have me hooked but they were somewhat short lived. Problems that arose throughout the storyline tended to be resolved rather quickly and so there often didn’t feel like much was at stake or, as the book went on, the tension dwindled because I knew each issue would be sorted within a page or two. The ending also seemed to suddenly just happen and then… it ended. Little explained, not much given to allow the reader to sit back and take it in, it just stopped. Then an epilogue. I feel it made for a rather disappointing finish.
I do fully believe this book has great potential, I just felt that the execution, in its current form, let it slightly down. I believe the book series is meant to be standalone but an interconnected ‘wonderland’ universe (happy to be corrected if my recollection is wrong) but I’d be curious to see where else the stories go. It genuinely is a very interesting concept and I will be keeping an eye out for future books to see how they are.
August 6, 2025
2.5 Stars
This wasn't exactly bad, but I did expect more...
Personally, I thought the worldbuilding was decent, but that's about it. I felt that the characters could have been fleshed out more especially the MMC and FMC considering they're both adults; one is supposedly a badass young queen who overthrew her father and brothers to be in her position as the ruler of the continent who cares for the people, while the other is a 275 year old fae assassin from another continent!! (I was kinda shocked when he finally said his age, and I was like "bro... you're old.") But that brought me back to the beginning of the book aka the assassination that was supposed to happen, I said to myself: "Wait, if he's 275, a "skilled assassin", why couldn't he easily end her at the start?? 275 years is a long time, and the security of the queen's chamber is so... lax?? Not only that, but he's the same guy who trained the clubs' army 💀
Anyway, about the romance, I wasn't feeling it to be honest. While the attraction is there, but considering their circumstances and positions... it could have been executed better to make me root for the ship. Also, the thing about Lucia's powers that kept being thrown around, it would have been better if we got the explanation of her powers and the relic in the first half rather than before the ending.
Lastly, thank you to the author for gracing me the opportunity to read the ARC, and congratulations on your debut! I wish you further success and I might look forward to the sequel of this wonderful world and its characters or any other works you have planned ❤️
This wasn't exactly bad, but I did expect more...
Personally, I thought the worldbuilding was decent, but that's about it. I felt that the characters could have been fleshed out more especially the MMC and FMC considering they're both adults; one is supposedly a badass young queen who overthrew her father and brothers to be in her position as the ruler of the continent who cares for the people, while the other is a 275 year old fae assassin from another continent!! (I was kinda shocked when he finally said his age, and I was like "bro... you're old.") But that brought me back to the beginning of the book aka the assassination that was supposed to happen, I said to myself: "Wait, if he's 275, a "skilled assassin", why couldn't he easily end her at the start?? 275 years is a long time, and the security of the queen's chamber is so... lax?? Not only that, but he's the same guy who trained the clubs' army 💀
Anyway, about the romance, I wasn't feeling it to be honest. While the attraction is there, but considering their circumstances and positions... it could have been executed better to make me root for the ship. Also, the thing about Lucia's powers that kept being thrown around, it would have been better if we got the explanation of her powers and the relic in the first half rather than before the ending.
Lastly, thank you to the author for gracing me the opportunity to read the ARC, and congratulations on your debut! I wish you further success and I might look forward to the sequel of this wonderful world and its characters or any other works you have planned ❤️
July 31, 2025
This was such an interesting read! I really enjoyed the twisty, whimsical vibe of Alice in Wonderland energy, it was especially fun since I’m rewatching Alice in Borderland right now. At first, I wasn’t too sure about Lucia. I hold grudges, so I was side-eyeing her for a bit, but she definitely grew on me. She was confident, determined, and she totally the Queen of Spades.
Riven… I fell for him instantly. He was patient, protective, and just got Lucia. Their dynamic had that classic enemies-to-lovers tension that I love, and it was done really well. The side characters were a great touch too, each one felt unique and added something fun to the story.
I did wish we got a bit more from their backstories, and the final scene felt a little rushed, but overall, I really enjoyed the story!
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
Riven… I fell for him instantly. He was patient, protective, and just got Lucia. Their dynamic had that classic enemies-to-lovers tension that I love, and it was done really well. The side characters were a great touch too, each one felt unique and added something fun to the story.
I did wish we got a bit more from their backstories, and the final scene felt a little rushed, but overall, I really enjoyed the story!
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
July 29, 2025
This book was really fun to read.The world was interesting and full of magic, and I liked how different it felt from other fantasy books. Lucia and Riven had a strong dynamic, and I enjoyed their tension and moments together. Sometimes the romance moved a bit too fast for my taste, and some parts of the story felt rushed. I also wanted a bit more explanation in some places, but it’s totally a personal opinion. Still, the writing was beautiful, and I could really picture the scenes and characters. I liked it a lot and I’m excited to see what happens in the next book. For me, it was a solid 4 stars. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
July 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I was lucky to be given the chance to review Queen of Spades of my own accord, through being offered an eARC.
I found this book intriguing.
I enjoyed the different points of view narrative.
I didn’t thoroughly enjoy all the characters, but some of them grew on me the further I read.
The world was interesting and I could easily delve into further stories exploring its details.
I was lucky to be given the chance to review Queen of Spades of my own accord, through being offered an eARC.
I found this book intriguing.
I enjoyed the different points of view narrative.
I didn’t thoroughly enjoy all the characters, but some of them grew on me the further I read.
The world was interesting and I could easily delve into further stories exploring its details.
July 21, 2025
I hate, and I truly hate, writing low reviews but here we go ➡️
Queen of Spades…was definitely not made for me. This is a book that I had to push myself to read and this is a book just felt tiring for me to read.
The concept of the book was great! The story was definitely there, and passion and grit was really put into this book but I just can’t get myself to enjoy the book as much as I want too.
The writing was stiff and too thick in my opinion, another reason why i couldn’t dig deep into this book, and the characters weren’t “it”.
The FMC was suppose to be morally grey and an adult…but she was more “childish”, as the character was posed as almost a teen/young adult.
The romance wasn’t it either…the tropes were all over the place and didn’t settle well with me…
Anyways thank you so so much for the ARC and I hope that your future books will be able to grow and you’ll be able to get more experience from this too!
I guess see you for the next review 👍
Queen of Spades…was definitely not made for me. This is a book that I had to push myself to read and this is a book just felt tiring for me to read.
The concept of the book was great! The story was definitely there, and passion and grit was really put into this book but I just can’t get myself to enjoy the book as much as I want too.
The writing was stiff and too thick in my opinion, another reason why i couldn’t dig deep into this book, and the characters weren’t “it”.
The FMC was suppose to be morally grey and an adult…but she was more “childish”, as the character was posed as almost a teen/young adult.
The romance wasn’t it either…the tropes were all over the place and didn’t settle well with me…
Anyways thank you so so much for the ARC and I hope that your future books will be able to grow and you’ll be able to get more experience from this too!
I guess see you for the next review 👍
July 17, 2025
“For once in my life, Lucia -because of you- I have some reason to fight.”
I had so much fun in this twisty, magical reimagining of Wonderland. Madeleine L. Moore didn’t just reinvent the world, we’re talking gods, mythos, fae and demifae. It’s the lore we know and love mixed with a new mind and creativity.
Lucia Everspears “My Queen” She’s sharp, stubborn, soft when it counts (but won’t let anyone know), and a little but wild but she does live in wonderland. Then there’s Riven. Oh Riven. Broody, lethal, loyal, and hot. I’m obsessed with their dynamic the enemies to lovers and so many swoony moments I had to fan myself.
The pacing had some epic highs and emotional depths. Is it perfect? Not quite some sections felt a little rushed, and I definitely could’ve used more reasoning on the magical relic quest. But the creativity and chaotic blend of romance and fantasy did a lot to make up for it. And the epilogue? My heart bloomed, I really am excited for more to some from this world and author.
If you love:
💔 enemies-to-lovers
🗡️ political tension
🧚♂️ fae/human/otherworldly creature lore
❤️🔥 fated (but complicated) mates
👑 a strong queen finding love and power
…then Queen of Spades belongs on your TBR immediately.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★/ 5
Spice: ♥︎/ 5
Thank you to Madeleine L. Moore for letting me be part of the ARC team.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I had so much fun in this twisty, magical reimagining of Wonderland. Madeleine L. Moore didn’t just reinvent the world, we’re talking gods, mythos, fae and demifae. It’s the lore we know and love mixed with a new mind and creativity.
Lucia Everspears “My Queen” She’s sharp, stubborn, soft when it counts (but won’t let anyone know), and a little but wild but she does live in wonderland. Then there’s Riven. Oh Riven. Broody, lethal, loyal, and hot. I’m obsessed with their dynamic the enemies to lovers and so many swoony moments I had to fan myself.
The pacing had some epic highs and emotional depths. Is it perfect? Not quite some sections felt a little rushed, and I definitely could’ve used more reasoning on the magical relic quest. But the creativity and chaotic blend of romance and fantasy did a lot to make up for it. And the epilogue? My heart bloomed, I really am excited for more to some from this world and author.
If you love:
💔 enemies-to-lovers
🗡️ political tension
🧚♂️ fae/human/otherworldly creature lore
❤️🔥 fated (but complicated) mates
👑 a strong queen finding love and power
…then Queen of Spades belongs on your TBR immediately.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★/ 5
Spice: ♥︎/ 5
Thank you to Madeleine L. Moore for letting me be part of the ARC team.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 29, 2025
I discovered this book the first time through Instagram. An artist I was following posted a commission for this book, and I loved the character. It was the main character, Lucia, and I was immediately appealed by her appearance. Once I read the synopsis, I was interested and I immediately wanted to read it ! And I am so glad I did.
The best thing in my opinion is the world building. There is several continents, each which their own particularities that the characters discover, and that is very interesting. It is supposed to be set in Wonderland but we do not really see anything linked to fairytales.
I think the point I liked the less was the relationship between the two main characters, which can be a problem in a book where romance takes such a huge part. We do not learn Riven's name until half of the book, but they already shared a kiss and know that they are attracted to each other and trust each other. Lucia is supposed to be a confident, wise and capable leader, and we see that several times, which is very satisfying. But she trusts him so easily, when their first contact is not even him trying to earn confidence, it's him trying to kill her and finally not doing it.
Riven's storyline is so interesting. The part with his mother and his birth is incredible, and I loved it. But once again, there's no real reason as to why he opens up to Lucia so much. They are attracted to each other, which is great, but he is an assasin, he is older than her, why trusting his instincts more than his brain without question ?
Lucia is interesting too. I loved her aesthetic, with all the violet touch everywhere to describe her kingdom and herself. We can see that despite her young age, she is aware of everything happening in her castle linked to her power, and she was very good as a MC. I liked following her adventures. At the beginning, we can see that she has a 'strange' view of her own body, learning to use it as a sexual tool to defeat men. Over-sexualisation is a very interesting topic, but it was brushed off very quickly.
The second point that did not really fit for me is that we are not really sure where the characters are going. The ring found in the last chapters is evoqued a few times at the beginning, but it is not described as the main goal, which is a shame because it is such a good story line.
Finally, I liked the reveal of Lucia's god powers. It could have been talked of before, but like for the ring, Riven thinks about it once and then never talk about it again.
In the end, I enjoyed the book, and I am grateful I could receive it in advance as an ARC. It was a lecture I was looking forward to come back to everyday, and I never felt bothered or annoyed or bored by it. We can feel the love this characters and this world was written with, and I am looking forward to see what other people thought of it.
The best thing in my opinion is the world building. There is several continents, each which their own particularities that the characters discover, and that is very interesting. It is supposed to be set in Wonderland but we do not really see anything linked to fairytales.
I think the point I liked the less was the relationship between the two main characters, which can be a problem in a book where romance takes such a huge part. We do not learn Riven's name until half of the book, but they already shared a kiss and know that they are attracted to each other and trust each other. Lucia is supposed to be a confident, wise and capable leader, and we see that several times, which is very satisfying. But she trusts him so easily, when their first contact is not even him trying to earn confidence, it's him trying to kill her and finally not doing it.
Riven's storyline is so interesting. The part with his mother and his birth is incredible, and I loved it. But once again, there's no real reason as to why he opens up to Lucia so much. They are attracted to each other, which is great, but he is an assasin, he is older than her, why trusting his instincts more than his brain without question ?
Lucia is interesting too. I loved her aesthetic, with all the violet touch everywhere to describe her kingdom and herself. We can see that despite her young age, she is aware of everything happening in her castle linked to her power, and she was very good as a MC. I liked following her adventures. At the beginning, we can see that she has a 'strange' view of her own body, learning to use it as a sexual tool to defeat men. Over-sexualisation is a very interesting topic, but it was brushed off very quickly.
The second point that did not really fit for me is that we are not really sure where the characters are going. The ring found in the last chapters is evoqued a few times at the beginning, but it is not described as the main goal, which is a shame because it is such a good story line.
Finally, I liked the reveal of Lucia's god powers. It could have been talked of before, but like for the ring, Riven thinks about it once and then never talk about it again.
In the end, I enjoyed the book, and I am grateful I could receive it in advance as an ARC. It was a lecture I was looking forward to come back to everyday, and I never felt bothered or annoyed or bored by it. We can feel the love this characters and this world was written with, and I am looking forward to see what other people thought of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
Thank you to Madeline L. Moore for allowing me to be one of your ARC readers and receiving an advanced copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
Madeline L. Moore's debut novel Queen of Spades is set in Wonderland, with each land named after a card suit (Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds). We follow Lucia Everspears, Queen of Spades, who tries to manage running her kingdom and political turmoil, both internally and externally. To no ones knowledge, she is in search of a magical relic. Her only hope is R.R., the fae from a different land sent to assassinate her. Together, they venture across the Empire of Spades in search of this relic and answers, all while trying to figure out their undying attraction to one another.
As I was reading, I felt like the different plots weren't as elaborate as I would have like it to be. If anything, it is barely mentioned, and quickly resolved as we move on to the next one. The first half, I was focusing on the political dynamics between Lucia, the young Queen whom not everyone is satisfied with as their ruler. However, as the story continued, the plot shifted and focused on something else without explanation. Lucia is in search for this relic, but we the reader don't understand why it's important for her until towards the end, and even then, it felt rushed. I would've loved it if the author fleshed out the story more so it felt more cohesive.
With that being said, I am intrigued to see where the author will take this series, and am looking forward to when the next novel comes out.
Madeline L. Moore's debut novel Queen of Spades is set in Wonderland, with each land named after a card suit (Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds). We follow Lucia Everspears, Queen of Spades, who tries to manage running her kingdom and political turmoil, both internally and externally. To no ones knowledge, she is in search of a magical relic. Her only hope is R.R., the fae from a different land sent to assassinate her. Together, they venture across the Empire of Spades in search of this relic and answers, all while trying to figure out their undying attraction to one another.
As I was reading, I felt like the different plots weren't as elaborate as I would have like it to be. If anything, it is barely mentioned, and quickly resolved as we move on to the next one. The first half, I was focusing on the political dynamics between Lucia, the young Queen whom not everyone is satisfied with as their ruler. However, as the story continued, the plot shifted and focused on something else without explanation. Lucia is in search for this relic, but we the reader don't understand why it's important for her until towards the end, and even then, it felt rushed. I would've loved it if the author fleshed out the story more so it felt more cohesive.
With that being said, I am intrigued to see where the author will take this series, and am looking forward to when the next novel comes out.
July 30, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up !
I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC and it was so entertaining! The thing about ARCs is, if you're a mood reader, it can be difficult to power through.
I was literally JUST THINKING I wanted something Alice in Wonderland themed and I didn't even realize until a few chapters in, that Queen of Spades was EXACTLY that (I can be a bit slow sometimes).
I loved those first chapters, the description of the characters, Queen Lucia's sheer power and confidence, I really wanted to be her.
The world-building is incredible, so many lovely surprises, a touch of whimsy, waves of magic and so many interesting characters.
The story was entertaining, fast-paced and compels me to read the other books in the series as well.
Stuff I disliked was:
--> obviously there's a huge back story to both Lucia and Riven, and you only gradually got glimmers of it. Of course, that's natural and the story needs to start somewhere, but you did feel 'left out' as a reader for a while.
--> Moore sometimes used very modern words for describing certain actions, which took me out of the story sometimes.
All in all, this is a very strong debut, a LOT of promise and potential and a DEFINITE recommend if you're into Alice in Wonderland.
Thank you so much, Madeline, for this wonderful adventure!
I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC and it was so entertaining! The thing about ARCs is, if you're a mood reader, it can be difficult to power through.
I was literally JUST THINKING I wanted something Alice in Wonderland themed and I didn't even realize until a few chapters in, that Queen of Spades was EXACTLY that (I can be a bit slow sometimes).
I loved those first chapters, the description of the characters, Queen Lucia's sheer power and confidence, I really wanted to be her.
The world-building is incredible, so many lovely surprises, a touch of whimsy, waves of magic and so many interesting characters.
The story was entertaining, fast-paced and compels me to read the other books in the series as well.
Stuff I disliked was:
--> obviously there's a huge back story to both Lucia and Riven, and you only gradually got glimmers of it. Of course, that's natural and the story needs to start somewhere, but you did feel 'left out' as a reader for a while.
--> Moore sometimes used very modern words for describing certain actions, which took me out of the story sometimes.
All in all, this is a very strong debut, a LOT of promise and potential and a DEFINITE recommend if you're into Alice in Wonderland.
Thank you so much, Madeline, for this wonderful adventure!
July 7, 2025
First of all I want to start off with saying a big thank you for allowing me to read this story as an ARC and I am very grateful!
✨3 Stars✨
I feel the heart and passion that was put into this story, that’s very clear when reading this book.
When I read, I am very easily captivated and easy to please. I love fantasy and romantasy more so. I am open to loads of tropes and themes.
This book to me was a little bit of a challenge for me, I felt often that the paragraphs were not constructed to allow the story to flow naturally. I love the use of the British English and that doesn’t bother me.
The story was chunky and I sometimes found myself shaking my head trying to understand what’s going on. I think it just felt a little rushed in parts that I wished were more thorough and explained a bit better.
I also found it challenging to know who was talking at certain points? That could be me, but I don’t love being taken out of the story by being confused by what’s going on.
The theme of the overall story has soooo much potential and if you love a bit of that Alice in wonderland vibe then this might entice you!
I am still very grateful for getting the opportunity to read this book ahead of time:)
✨3 Stars✨
I feel the heart and passion that was put into this story, that’s very clear when reading this book.
When I read, I am very easily captivated and easy to please. I love fantasy and romantasy more so. I am open to loads of tropes and themes.
This book to me was a little bit of a challenge for me, I felt often that the paragraphs were not constructed to allow the story to flow naturally. I love the use of the British English and that doesn’t bother me.
The story was chunky and I sometimes found myself shaking my head trying to understand what’s going on. I think it just felt a little rushed in parts that I wished were more thorough and explained a bit better.
I also found it challenging to know who was talking at certain points? That could be me, but I don’t love being taken out of the story by being confused by what’s going on.
The theme of the overall story has soooo much potential and if you love a bit of that Alice in wonderland vibe then this might entice you!
I am still very grateful for getting the opportunity to read this book ahead of time:)
August 18, 2025
Thank you Madeline L Moore for an advanced copy of this book!!
Pretty cool twist on Wonderland, I don’t wanna say it’s exactly a retelling because it isn’t, it contains aspects of the world of Wonderland but its characters and plot are different!
It’s not overly complicated and pretty easy to follow, the legends and lands were so imaginative! This world has many different beings and of course the iconic flora from Wonderland had its part in there too.
Queen of Spades Lucia and far warrior Riven have an unorthodox beginning, in that he was the assassin sent to kill her. Instead of getting rid of the threat, Lucia sees his potential in helping strengthen her kingdom and gives him an offer which he takes forever to think about! This is definitely a slow burn! And it’s kinda funny to read his POVs and he’s trying to stay away and avoid her then next thing you know he’s right there in front of her 😂 There’s definitely questing in there and hella missions they go on together, for sure an action packed book and surprisingly doesn’t feel like it all moved too quickly, I think the pacing was pretty good!
The spice! There is 1 scene 😂 it is open door and Lucia got her chompers out 😂😬 it’s closer to the middle ish end of the book.
❤️❤️❤️.5
.5🌶️
Pretty cool twist on Wonderland, I don’t wanna say it’s exactly a retelling because it isn’t, it contains aspects of the world of Wonderland but its characters and plot are different!
It’s not overly complicated and pretty easy to follow, the legends and lands were so imaginative! This world has many different beings and of course the iconic flora from Wonderland had its part in there too.
Queen of Spades Lucia and far warrior Riven have an unorthodox beginning, in that he was the assassin sent to kill her. Instead of getting rid of the threat, Lucia sees his potential in helping strengthen her kingdom and gives him an offer which he takes forever to think about! This is definitely a slow burn! And it’s kinda funny to read his POVs and he’s trying to stay away and avoid her then next thing you know he’s right there in front of her 😂 There’s definitely questing in there and hella missions they go on together, for sure an action packed book and surprisingly doesn’t feel like it all moved too quickly, I think the pacing was pretty good!
The spice! There is 1 scene 😂 it is open door and Lucia got her chompers out 😂😬 it’s closer to the middle ish end of the book.
❤️❤️❤️.5
.5🌶️
July 6, 2025
First and foremost I had a really good time reading this, the writing style is so easy to read and I loved the world and the interesting take on wonderland.
The first half of this book with the assassination attempt and the torture were so good! I devoured it. The political intrigue and the rebels creating issues and Lucia having to control her empire by showing up and facing it was spectacular. If the whole book was like that I’d be looking at a 5 star read.
From the middle to about 90% I feel like it lost some steam. The quest didn’t make sense to me because we weren’t given any back story to why she needed the item. It just king of came out of nowhere and took over the story. During the quest a lot happens that isn’t really explained at all and we just have to take it at face value that it’s happening.
The final 10% and the war were good, I really enjoyed the fact that Riven used what he learned during the quest to aid the soldiers in overcoming the fae who were so much stronger than they are. The ending was somewhat convenient but to be expected given the transformation.
Thank you to Madeline Moore for the ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.
The first half of this book with the assassination attempt and the torture were so good! I devoured it. The political intrigue and the rebels creating issues and Lucia having to control her empire by showing up and facing it was spectacular. If the whole book was like that I’d be looking at a 5 star read.
From the middle to about 90% I feel like it lost some steam. The quest didn’t make sense to me because we weren’t given any back story to why she needed the item. It just king of came out of nowhere and took over the story. During the quest a lot happens that isn’t really explained at all and we just have to take it at face value that it’s happening.
The final 10% and the war were good, I really enjoyed the fact that Riven used what he learned during the quest to aid the soldiers in overcoming the fae who were so much stronger than they are. The ending was somewhat convenient but to be expected given the transformation.
Thank you to Madeline Moore for the ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.
July 10, 2025
First I would like to thank the author for providing an advanced copy of her debut novel.
The character descriptions and the world building were outstanding. The author did an amazing job of describing and building an immersive world that was easy for this reader to visualize and imagine.
The characters were dynamic and easy to follow along with, though I did find that enemies became lovers a little quickly (this is a personal preference though - I just really love a slow burn and when it burns a little too fast I don't enjoy it quite as much).
On the down side- I felt that some of the major plot points were a little anti-climatic for what I usually enjoy in a romantsy novel. Some of the main character's problems and battles seemed to resolve a little too easily.
Also, the characters' use of modern colloquialisms, like "wanna" and "gonna", were a little jarring and took me out of the world and the story. They just feel out of place to me in a world that is set in a more classical fantasy setting.
Overall I give this four stars. It was a good debut novel, but I didn't devour it the way I have other books.
The character descriptions and the world building were outstanding. The author did an amazing job of describing and building an immersive world that was easy for this reader to visualize and imagine.
The characters were dynamic and easy to follow along with, though I did find that enemies became lovers a little quickly (this is a personal preference though - I just really love a slow burn and when it burns a little too fast I don't enjoy it quite as much).
On the down side- I felt that some of the major plot points were a little anti-climatic for what I usually enjoy in a romantsy novel. Some of the main character's problems and battles seemed to resolve a little too easily.
Also, the characters' use of modern colloquialisms, like "wanna" and "gonna", were a little jarring and took me out of the world and the story. They just feel out of place to me in a world that is set in a more classical fantasy setting.
Overall I give this four stars. It was a good debut novel, but I didn't devour it the way I have other books.
July 29, 2025
I really liked this story, loved the idea of a Wonderland World with Kings and Queens and would love to know more about it. Thank you Madeline for this ARC ❤️
Queen of Spades is a tale of magical creatures, diverse cultures, and an original mythology with ancient gods. Set into the flat-earth realm of Wonderland, where Queen Lucia Everspears must navigate deadly prophecies, Fae enemies, and otherworldly beings to survive. Amid the chaos, she finds herself drawn to the one man destined to kill her, the commander of the Fae Army, yet he may be her only hope. Riven Rosebleed was sent to kill the Queen of Spades by the evil ancient Fae King of Clubs. But he soon finds her more than just a target and he can't bring himself to destroy her.
Tropes:
❤️ Reluctant Enemies to Lovers
👑 Royalty
❤️🔥 Fae x Human Fated Mates
💎 Wonderland Vibes
🗡️ Inevitable War
✍️ Dual POV in First Person
This is the first book in the standalone series 'A Realm of Wonder'.
Best quote: “ Release the butterflies!” I command and it might just be the most idiotic order I have ever given.
Queen of Spades is a tale of magical creatures, diverse cultures, and an original mythology with ancient gods. Set into the flat-earth realm of Wonderland, where Queen Lucia Everspears must navigate deadly prophecies, Fae enemies, and otherworldly beings to survive. Amid the chaos, she finds herself drawn to the one man destined to kill her, the commander of the Fae Army, yet he may be her only hope. Riven Rosebleed was sent to kill the Queen of Spades by the evil ancient Fae King of Clubs. But he soon finds her more than just a target and he can't bring himself to destroy her.
Tropes:
❤️ Reluctant Enemies to Lovers
👑 Royalty
❤️🔥 Fae x Human Fated Mates
💎 Wonderland Vibes
🗡️ Inevitable War
✍️ Dual POV in First Person
This is the first book in the standalone series 'A Realm of Wonder'.
Best quote: “ Release the butterflies!” I command and it might just be the most idiotic order I have ever given.
August 26, 2025
ARC copy review
This was actually the first ARC book that I’ve enjoyed. I think it was fun and unique with mostly likable characters. I can see that we’re trying to be in Wonderland the use of words or phrases switched from actual English- however, I feel like at a point in the book it stops for a while and picks back up. I think that’s where people are commenting on misspellings throughout the book.
I think there are a few plot points that are under-explained. Like Lucia’s sickness that’s killing her, and them suddenly being mated. I would’ve loved to see more expansion on a few of those things, including how Emile has a clear history/vendetta with Riven. It was refreshing that Lucia didn’t have to go through a huge character arc to become a badass, she just already was- she felt very smart and put together until she had her tantrums about things with Riven. I feel like a 22 year old who has been ruling since she was 18 would probably not be so easily frustrated with very simple things.
This was actually the first ARC book that I’ve enjoyed. I think it was fun and unique with mostly likable characters. I can see that we’re trying to be in Wonderland the use of words or phrases switched from actual English- however, I feel like at a point in the book it stops for a while and picks back up. I think that’s where people are commenting on misspellings throughout the book.
I think there are a few plot points that are under-explained. Like Lucia’s sickness that’s killing her, and them suddenly being mated. I would’ve loved to see more expansion on a few of those things, including how Emile has a clear history/vendetta with Riven. It was refreshing that Lucia didn’t have to go through a huge character arc to become a badass, she just already was- she felt very smart and put together until she had her tantrums about things with Riven. I feel like a 22 year old who has been ruling since she was 18 would probably not be so easily frustrated with very simple things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is a really intriguing concept behind this book, but unfortunately it didn't shine through very well. It has good potential but I found myself having to push through the work, admittedly wanting to skim it.
It had my attention grasped in the first quarter but then it lacked the tension and intrigue to keep me entranced after that. The plot and characters are interesting but I couldn't get into the book after the first quarter.
The author does really well at world-building. However, I feel like the actions were lacking. While she described the settings and character's thoughts and feelings adequately, I didn't think it had a good balance of action to exposition. The actions felt lackluster and dull as it was already so well explained in advance. Maybe its an overabundance of exposition that drained the action and intrigue for me.
Overall, not a bad book just not for me. I would still recommend you check it out because there is a good plot to it so if you are fine with a lot of exposition, it might be perfect for you. Thank you to the author again for the ARC.
There is a really intriguing concept behind this book, but unfortunately it didn't shine through very well. It has good potential but I found myself having to push through the work, admittedly wanting to skim it.
It had my attention grasped in the first quarter but then it lacked the tension and intrigue to keep me entranced after that. The plot and characters are interesting but I couldn't get into the book after the first quarter.
The author does really well at world-building. However, I feel like the actions were lacking. While she described the settings and character's thoughts and feelings adequately, I didn't think it had a good balance of action to exposition. The actions felt lackluster and dull as it was already so well explained in advance. Maybe its an overabundance of exposition that drained the action and intrigue for me.
Overall, not a bad book just not for me. I would still recommend you check it out because there is a good plot to it so if you are fine with a lot of exposition, it might be perfect for you. Thank you to the author again for the ARC.
July 29, 2025
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the enemies to lovers push and pull of Riven and Lucia! I would find myself smiling every time he would call her My Luce 🥹 like swoon! 🖤
The writing style is easy to read and digest and I loved the reimagined Wonderland setting!!
I wish there was more explanation and backstory to things per her father and the leading to her whole family’s demise although you definitely can surmise from what you are given what happened. But also the reasoning she needed to get the ring and the whole quest prior to her putting it on. It all comes together and you understand by the end I just was looking for more during the build up to it.
Lucia is a fun and very likable, very relatable FMC who clearly wants best for her kingdom and will do what it takes and Riven is a the best kind of he falls first broody MMC that you can’t help but love. I mean she really said “bow to me” and he DID no hesitation! 🤩
Thank you Madeline for the ARC to your book I enjoyed it so much! 🩷
The writing style is easy to read and digest and I loved the reimagined Wonderland setting!!
I wish there was more explanation and backstory to things per her father and the leading to her whole family’s demise although you definitely can surmise from what you are given what happened. But also the reasoning she needed to get the ring and the whole quest prior to her putting it on. It all comes together and you understand by the end I just was looking for more during the build up to it.
Lucia is a fun and very likable, very relatable FMC who clearly wants best for her kingdom and will do what it takes and Riven is a the best kind of he falls first broody MMC that you can’t help but love. I mean she really said “bow to me” and he DID no hesitation! 🤩
Thank you Madeline for the ARC to your book I enjoyed it so much! 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
*ARC*
This was a super unique and fun ride. I absolutely loved Lucia and Riven. Their banter was adorable and just the growth they each went through during the book was great!
Lucia is slightly unhinged....and I loved it. Her first meeting with Riven was hilarious. And her need to have men find her attractive is just felt.
Riven is absolutely my favorite character in this book. He is so obsessed and protective of Lucia that it's adorable. Their initial dagger to throat moment just blossoms into something just deeper and it was super fun to read.
Queen of Spades is definitely like nothing I've read before. I loved the concept of Wonderland and The different areas based on the card suits. So cool and interesting!! And the magic concept was super cool too. The plants....were terrifying in such a good way. I cannot wait for more of this series, I'm totally invested now.
This was a super unique and fun ride. I absolutely loved Lucia and Riven. Their banter was adorable and just the growth they each went through during the book was great!
Lucia is slightly unhinged....and I loved it. Her first meeting with Riven was hilarious. And her need to have men find her attractive is just felt.
Riven is absolutely my favorite character in this book. He is so obsessed and protective of Lucia that it's adorable. Their initial dagger to throat moment just blossoms into something just deeper and it was super fun to read.
Queen of Spades is definitely like nothing I've read before. I loved the concept of Wonderland and The different areas based on the card suits. So cool and interesting!! And the magic concept was super cool too. The plants....were terrifying in such a good way. I cannot wait for more of this series, I'm totally invested now.
July 31, 2025
Queen of Spades is a haunting debut fantasy romance with a fated mates, enemies to lovers romance that is set in a reimagined Wonderland. The political tension and reimagined lore of Wonderland made for a very interesting story premise, especially with a dark, neurodivergent coded FMC queen of Wonderland (LOVE the neurodivergent representation). I really enjoyed the banter between the queen and her love interest, despite being unable to really connect with them. I think I was looking for a little more emotional depth in some places and needed more storyline information in other places (sometimes I was confused what was going on).
Overall, a fun dark fantasy with a cool premise and neurodivergent rep! Thank you so much Madeline L. Moore for a copy of this eARC!
Overall, a fun dark fantasy with a cool premise and neurodivergent rep! Thank you so much Madeline L. Moore for a copy of this eARC!
August 7, 2025
Solid 4.5 stars! I loved Madeline’s writing style! I can’t wait to read more from her. This is a big time romantasy (which I’ve been loving lately). Great world building, loved the fmc Lucia(which a lot of people didn’t for some reason?). She’s definitely got the I’m royalty you have to listen to me vibes (which she is). Overall I think she’s a great character. Riven is a pretty common mmc. He’s an assassin and a fae. He’s very closed off and reserved. Definitely getting some grumpy x sunshine vibes. The overall plot was super interesting and pretty fast paced which i LOVED. Also the third act event? Amazing! Riven was so hot fighting for his queen. OBSESSED with the ending. I ate that sh!t upppp! So freaking good
July 17, 2025
This book had a lot of promise and heart, with a creative spin on Wonderland that made it super unique! I felt like the first half was strong, and set the stage for something great, but I did feel like the dialogue felt off, something about the flow of it made it hard for me to attach to the plot.
The momentum also falters in the middle and starts to feel underdeveloped, with little explanation or buildup and I felt like pacing was slightly awkward.
Despite my personal interpretation/opinion of this book, the story does have a solid foundation and definitely some compelling moments!
thank you so much for the opportunity to read early!! 💗
The momentum also falters in the middle and starts to feel underdeveloped, with little explanation or buildup and I felt like pacing was slightly awkward.
Despite my personal interpretation/opinion of this book, the story does have a solid foundation and definitely some compelling moments!
thank you so much for the opportunity to read early!! 💗
July 22, 2025
If a violence-hardened, 200-year-old Fae MMC and an irresistible, mysterious young Empress are your idea of a good time, then this book is for you.
In the middle of the story, we follow our main characters on an adventure through the land of Spades. We encounter unique and wild flora, fauna & humanoid species. This section most accurately reflects the setting of Wonderland.
The last three chapters had me holding my breath!
This hauntingly whimsical story had a distinctly Alice in Wonderland vibe and was a fun read.
Thank you to the author, Madeline L. Moore, for selecting me to be an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reader for the book "Queen of Spades".
In the middle of the story, we follow our main characters on an adventure through the land of Spades. We encounter unique and wild flora, fauna & humanoid species. This section most accurately reflects the setting of Wonderland.
The last three chapters had me holding my breath!
This hauntingly whimsical story had a distinctly Alice in Wonderland vibe and was a fun read.
Thank you to the author, Madeline L. Moore, for selecting me to be an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reader for the book "Queen of Spades".
July 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The storyline was good. Nothing was unclear to me, there was a good amount of world building and I was able to keep track of all the different characters and plot points. Lucia was stubborn, manipulative and controlling but in a way that made sense because she is a queen. I enjoyed her character. I also liked Riven as well. His plans during the main battle were clever. I didn't really feel the love connection between Lucia and Riven, but I appreciated it. I hope there will be more in this world.
July 11, 2025
Oh my dog!!
I was in from the beginning through the epilogue! I love a good enemies to lovers! I love to see feminine rage overrule the evil kings and their followers!
This book has the banter! The lovable and easy to hate characters! Character growth and world building! I love that it takes place in wonderland and the world is alive and you don’t know what to trust, while being surprised to learn who/what you can trust!
I hope there’s more of this world and these characters to get to know!!
I was in from the beginning through the epilogue! I love a good enemies to lovers! I love to see feminine rage overrule the evil kings and their followers!
This book has the banter! The lovable and easy to hate characters! Character growth and world building! I love that it takes place in wonderland and the world is alive and you don’t know what to trust, while being surprised to learn who/what you can trust!
I hope there’s more of this world and these characters to get to know!!
July 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
-Enemies to lovers
-Political intrigue
-Fated mates
-Morally gray MMC
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I gave this book 3.5 stars because I enjoyed the storyline but wished it was longer! It definitely felt rushed in different sections of the book, and I would have loved to have had an elongated ending- the battle felt so fast😭 Overally enjoyed the story!
-Enemies to lovers
-Political intrigue
-Fated mates
-Morally gray MMC
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I gave this book 3.5 stars because I enjoyed the storyline but wished it was longer! It definitely felt rushed in different sections of the book, and I would have loved to have had an elongated ending- the battle felt so fast😭 Overally enjoyed the story!
July 31, 2025
4✨️
I enjoyed this story. Sure, it's not going to blow you away with some crazy, super thought-out complicated plot, but I had fun reading. There was some stuff - mentioned in other reviews as well - which could be made better, such as some plot details which were not mentioned until later on, or the weirdly quick relationship between the MCs which began for no reason considering he tried to kill her. However, I see a lot of potential in this story, and ignoring the slight oversights, it was very enjoyable and fun. It moves quickly and has witty banter not only between the MCs but also between FMC and her friends. I was able to finish this in one day because it reads so quickly and easily (and because I had a bunch of time that day). So, if you're looking for a fast and fun fantasy, where you can just relax and enjoy reading it, this might be the book for you.
Thank you for giving me this ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own and honest.
I enjoyed this story. Sure, it's not going to blow you away with some crazy, super thought-out complicated plot, but I had fun reading. There was some stuff - mentioned in other reviews as well - which could be made better, such as some plot details which were not mentioned until later on, or the weirdly quick relationship between the MCs which began for no reason considering he tried to kill her. However, I see a lot of potential in this story, and ignoring the slight oversights, it was very enjoyable and fun. It moves quickly and has witty banter not only between the MCs but also between FMC and her friends. I was able to finish this in one day because it reads so quickly and easily (and because I had a bunch of time that day). So, if you're looking for a fast and fun fantasy, where you can just relax and enjoy reading it, this might be the book for you.
Thank you for giving me this ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own and honest.
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