Queen to the Sunless Court

Brides of Myth #2

by Avie Adams

The divine trials are meant to break them. Their forbidden love could save them.

Calliste never expected to fall in love with a godless king. When her jealous patron god discovers her secret, he vows to have her at any cost—even if that means stranding her in the Underworld. It’s there that she learns Theron’s own dark past has come for his son.

Theron never dreamed the beautiful priestess was involved with the same Underworld gods he despises. But when her efforts to heal his son leave her near death, he realizes he’s fallen harder than he could ever imagine. As his harrowing past and cruel gods threaten Calliste and his son, Theron is ready to defy the Underworld itself.

But Calliste’s return to the mortal realm is just the first step.
A vengeful goddess is poised to spark a war between the Underworld and Olympus using the prince—and her trials are designed to break both heart and soul.

Can their love withstand the worst the gods have to offer, or is it as doomed as the kingdom they’re trying to save?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Mythology

458 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

Cozied up in her windswept corner of southeast England and lost in the depths of Greek mythology, Avie writes adult fantasy romances, featuring scarred but fearless heroines and brooding, tormented heroes ready to set the world on fire for them.

Reviews

[nala 🪽 · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 65%.
Cause:
- The MCs are compelling enough separately, especially in Book 1, but as soon as they get together they turned into heterosexual fantasy couple #58. I got hetero fatigue
- Sometimes the characters speak in a distinctly modern voice that removes a lot of the setting's believability
- The plot & pacing could've been tighter, because there's absolutely no reason why this is nearly 500 pages with the amount of smut (cringe. stop calling her nymph) and general laying around the characters did. There were far too many moments where I was just hoping that the author would finally get to the point but NOPE! It started to get aggravating
- Speaking of the plot, it got sooooo predictable it felt anticlimactic. I mean, what was the point of getting all riled up when you knew everything was going to get resolved in a couple of chapters? I wish the stakes were higher and the story took more risks


Final Opinion: better in concept than execution

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the nerve-racking cliffhanger of book one, Healer to the Broken King, I was very eager to find out how everything would continue for Calliste and Theron in Queen to the Sunless Court, which is both the sequel and last book. They did get reunited eventually and oh I was so glad when that moment arrived. I’ll admit, getting to that part took longer than I’d have liked. I get why, but it still made me a little impatient. The author did not disappoint with their reunion, however. And I'm also glad to say that the slow-burn from book one ignited into a blazing inferno in book two.

Queen to the Sunless Court was as magical as the first book and maybe even a little bit more. Calliste was shining like a bright star in this book and really came to her own. She may have doubted some things about herself but I could see the confidence coming to the surface within. And Theron? He was the steadfast rock that Calliste needed as well as the shelter and the calm in the chaos of her world. I really loved watching them grow together and fall in love.

I also adored all the secondary characters (except maybe Hypnos, if you know you know...). Especially Lykos (whom I still love very much, just like in book one!). I'm also glad to have read and learn a little bit more about Eumelia. I can't wait to (hopefully) read about their own story in the future because there were definitely hints about them. I'm already excited!

Queen to the Sunless Court is the second and final book in the Brides of Myth duology. Avie Adams delivered an epic and heartfelt conclusion to an amazing story where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The lyrical writing combined with Greek mythological elements and the romance made it such a wonderful read.

[Fedythereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me !!!

“This is what you are to me, Calliste. Sunlight. And only a fool would let you go and drown in darkness”

“Don’t hold back, pretty nymph. Let me hear how you can’t help yourself”

This book was … marvellously beautiful. I wouldn’t even know which kind of words to use to express just how profoundly I loved it and how obsessed with it I was. When I was reading book one, I fell in love with these complicated and intricate Greek mythology inspired world, full of magic, gods and dark powers. I fell in love with a brooding king who stole my heart and I loved a healing priestess who is trying to heal herself while healing the world around her. I fell in love with their love. And when I started reading this book… it all came rushing back to me in full force. I saw Theron again and I fell head over heels in love again. I saw Calliste and I saw her power, her dedication and her strength. I saw new characters and old ones and I saw how they were both trying to navigate the truth beyond the terrible sleeping curse of Theron’s son and how intertwined with it, the dark powers of the Underworld were. This second book has more magic, more darkness, more light and even more romance. Complicated, sometimes impossible, tension filled and spicy romance !!! And yes, this time the spice hits full force and Theron … damn, that man knows what he is doing !!! I loved it. I loved it. I loved it. I cannot wait for people to experience this love as intense as mine was !!!

“In the court of law or in love, to decide is to pick one thread out of many and cut off the rest. Allow that choice to be what the Fates whisper in your heart and do not hesitate to bring down your blade”

“Resilient yet Fragole.
A priestess and a nymph.
… the only woman to reign in his life”

[Enelyae Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW…….just wow…..I have no words. I actually forgot how much I have enjoyed Calliste and Theron. This book and duology is everything! Seriously one of the best books/duology I have read! The characters, the plot, the spice….all of it, is just 🤌. The way everything connects together is just brilliant.

So first of all, I have to say Hypnos is such an asshole, UGH on him. But I seriously am in love with the death boys (and yes they are like a little boy band group for me now! 😉) They were great additions to the story and I highly enjoyed all the time spent with them. (I’m also still in love with Lykos cause he’s such a shit disturber and I love how much he annoys the king!)

Calliste…….Man she is something else! All her history and trauma has created a woman who is fierce and beautiful and selfless. Like I am in awe of her. And there’s not much I can say about Theron other than 🫦! Like damn, he’s just so yum and I love his growth! I also cannot forget to mention the tension and heat that continues between the two of them….like Oh…My…God……I can seriously just melt into the floor.

Avie…..all I can say is 👏👏👏👏!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️.5

[Caitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the goddess-of-no-editor was this?

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was obsessed with book 1, which felt so unique and special. Then I read…whatever this is.

The main problem for me was that the couple got very weird and boring in a way that’s hard to explain. I was feeling the slow burn and the forbidden love aspect in book 1 but it somehow turned into insta-love in this book. The forbidden part was more or less forgotten. And then there’s the way Theron started talking to Calliste when they were intimate with each other. It grossed me out how he turned boastful and hyper confident like he’d been reading an Ancient Greek pickup artist manual or something. I usually like an alpha but this was something else weird and icky.

The plot also fell apart for me. It turned into a bog standard romantasy “go talk to this person, travel here to obtain this magical object, fight this baddie” with lots of infodumping, which was also odd because it felt like every chapter was an infodump. I think that’s probably a sign that your plot needs some work. There wasn’t a ton of action, the King’s son was forgotten for whole entire chapters, there was heaps of laying around sleeping to recover from magic. Also, 4 magical necklaces is too many magical necklaces.

I really liked Calliste in book 1 but here she turned into such a Mary Sue that I started to dislike her. Like yes, we get it, you’re perfect and calm and modest and sweet to everyone and always say the right thing and everyone wants to make you their queen, including several literal gods.

Overall this was really disappointing, sorry to say. 🥲

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!!!

This book was everything and more that I wanted in this sequel to Healer to the Broken King.

The story starts right where Healer left off and it was perfect from the beginning. Our characters didn't miss a beat, we received massively satisfying answers, and the conflict was deep and glorious!

Calliste continues to be wonderfully strong, insanely smart, humbly vulnerable, and purely magical. I love her with all of my bookish heart.

Theron. Goodness. I need a thousand more book boyfriends like him, because his pining, protectiveness, yet willingness to let Calliste be her own person was absolute perfection

The character building was amazing, the continued world building was amazing, it was all amazing!

Do me a favor....read this book and then come and scream about it with me!

overall: HIGHLY recommend
spice: open door

[Kaitlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not quite as good as the first book but still great! It slowed down a bit at times but picked back up towards the end. I really like the introduction of the side characters’ stories. If the author continues this series with spinoffs, I will definitely be reading!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a satisfying conclusion to the duology. I legit don’t know why these books don’t have WAY MORE hype

[Rena Petroutsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Queen

I had a hunch from the very beginning that this author and her books would be one of a kind for me. There is a Greek poet Cavafis who speaks in his poem Ithaka about the value of the journey and no so it's destination.
This book was a continuation of the journey for Calliste and Theron and consequently for us too. They venture together to the Underworld and Hesperis trying to solve the mystery of Kallias,son of Theron, illness. During that time we see their connection not only grow but blossom through everything they had to face. They did it together staying strong and true to their characters. Except Theron and Calliste  the gods of the Underworld are very present and I'm impressed that the author has done thoroughly her homework about Greek mythology. They stayed true to their origins. The Unseen one Hadis, Morpheus Thanatos even the Fates. I really liked that their domain was not inky dark colorless and depressed but uniquely magnificent, vivid and serene.
The side characters those we came to love such as Lykos Mellita, are there too,ready to support and question giving  helpful insights.
The writing ohh the writing was flowing descriptive flawless imprinting to our minds everything, images and emotions.
I reread a lot of chapters just to stay there a little longer. Understandably I adored these 2 books and I'm not ready to leave. I'm certain that I will come back to them again and again.

[Emily Florence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Healer to the Broken King. It had all the things….tension, great characters, fantastic plot, Greek mythology, brooding MMC, and mystery. I was eagerly anticipating book 2.


I am so bummed. What a disappointment.

Where did the plot go? It’s not that this book was necessarily bad. The writing was great. I loved the characters, but there was way too much sex. (Just my opinion) The romance became the plot with the main conflict and plot taking a backseat. If you are into that, then this book is for you.

Violence- zero
Sexual content- medium high- multiple open door chapters, not overly explicit, focusing more on feelings and love not lust
Language - mildish (few minor curse words)

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this conclusion to the Brides of Myth Duology. If you read Book One, Healer to the Broken King, you know it ended on a heart stopping cliffhanger! To be honest, I wasn't worried, because of course the main character would have to come back for Book Two. :-)

As for Queen to the Sunless Court, the technical quality of the Ms. Adams writing is a cut above. Flawless in every way! The writing is beautiful without being overdone or flowery. With few words, scenes are vivid and evocative. I found myself picturing the world described with no effort. Our introduction to Hades Palace - "The mists part, revealing a glinting, forbidding black and gold palace perched atop a massive hill, rising from a sea of white flowers." The lady knows how to paint a great word picture!

The Gods of Greek Mythology play a big role in this story. A lot of writers use these Gods, but craft the personalities to fit their own narratives, or add their own supposed mythological side characters. I loved that Ms. Adams really stayed true to the characters of the Gods, yet never tells us they are arrogant, or irreverent, or funny or anything else, for that matter. They reveal themselves by their words and actions, and I love that! In fact, that is one of the things I really enjoy about her writing - she doesn't talk down to the audience, explaining or defining everything. Yes, assume we're smart enough to figure things out.

The names of characters are all quite clever. I didn't notice it at first, but once I caught on, I was looking up the meaning and history of all the names. Every name absolutely fits the character and this was so well done, but never spoken of. You just have to notice it. There are so many little things like that sprinkled along the way, such as place names, images on the cover, crests, etc... it makes everything so much more interesting to look for the little symbols and secret meanings.

The story itself is sweeping, epic, full of everything that makes for a grand tale. The hero and heroine are good, brave and true - on a selfless quest, battling great evil, at dire risk. The characters are compelling, the world building riveting, the plot, the pacing, the tension, every aspect is dead on and leads to a fabulous ending! No more cliffhangers.

As for the love story, it was all I could have hoped for. Over two books the relationship built slowly, there is no insta-love or insta-lust. The connection builds at a beautiful pace into something that just squeezed my heart to pieces. When they finally make love, it's not prudish or behind closed doors - but it is beautiful. It's hot and spicy and sexy but it's also intimate and sweet and lovely. Sigh..

From the perspective of fantasy, mythos, legend (some aspects put me in mind of Wheel of Time) QotSQ hits all the right notes. From the perspective of romance - oh my heart. Every woman should have a man who looks at her like Theron looks at Calliste. Best book boyfriend!

So - I got to read this early, because I offered to be an advance reader. That was because I loved the first book and I didn't want to wait any longer for Book Two! I've never gotten an ARC before, but I wanted this book!! My review isn't required, but how could I not share? I am more than happy to tell you 100% honestly that this is absolutely a 5 star read! Highly recommended. And, bonus! It's going to be on Kindle Unlimited.

[Lea Bookjoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇫🇷French & English reviews🇬🇧


*Cette chronique est basée sur un ARC en échange d'un avis neutre et honnête*

📖Genre & Tropes📖 : romantasy x greek mythology x fantasy world x royalty x single father x spicy x happy end

Le deuxième tome de cette duologie de romantasy que j’ai adoré !!

Malheureusement comme j’ai reçu cet ARC entre deux voyages, j’ai du attendre pour me plonger dans ce deuxième tome … Mais une fois dedans je l’ai DEVORE !!

On reprend l’histoire où s’était arrêté le tome 1 (Theron découvre Calliste qui est gravement blessée après avoir découvert quelques indices sur ce qui se passe dans l’autre monde !) et petit à petit les différents secrets de l’intrigue se révèlent au fil des pages !

J’ai adoré la façon dont l’intrigue se déroule avec les secrets qui sont révélés petit à petit mais aussi découvrir les différentes divinités ! Et l’évolution de la romance entre les deux personnages, quasiment slow-burn était PARFAITE ! J’ai adoré la façon dont Calliste et Theron apprennent peu à peu à révéler à se faire confiance et à révéler leurs secrets !

ET CETTE FIN !! Tellement de stress et d’angst !!

J’ai hâte d’avoir l’histoire d’amour entre Lykos et la musicienne & amie de Theron qui semble avoir plein de secrets !

Bref, une romantasy originale et bien écrite que j’ai lu avec grand plaisir ! Pour les fans de mythologie grecque et de romantasy style les Accords corrompus de Kelly St-Clare, je recommande !

PS : merci beaucoup Avie Adams pour cet ARC !!

Pour plus de jolies chroniques 😘 : Mon Bujo tout en couleurs et en livres


⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐


*This review is based on an ARC in exchange for a neutral and honest opinion*

The second book of this romantasy duology that I absolutely loved !!

Unfortunately, since I received this ARC between two trips, I had to wait to dive into this second volume ... But once I got into it, I DEVOURED IT !!

We pick up where Volume 1 ended (Theron discovers Calliste, who is seriously injured after discovering some clues about what's happening in the Underworld !), and little by little, the various secrets of the plot are revealed throughout the pages !

I loved the way the plot unfolds, with the secrets gradually being revealed, but also the discovery of the different deities ! And the evolution of the romance between the two characters, almost slow-burn, was PERFECT ! I loved the way Calliste and Theron gradually learn to trust each other and reveal their secrets !

AND THAT END !! So much stress and angst !!

I can't wait to hear the love story between Lykos and Theron's musician friend, who seems to have a lot of secrets !

In short, an original and well-written romantasy novel that I read with great pleasure ! For fans of Greek mythology and romance novels like Kelly St. Clare's The Tainted Accords, I recommend it !

PS: Thank you so much, Avie Adams, for this ARC!!

For more pretty reviews 😘: My Bujo, all in color and books

[Nim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't dislike the first one, I thought it was interesting enough in setting the story and the characters were ok and somewhat interesting.
The second book was a disappointment for me. First of all, I don't understand why more than a quarter of the book is spent on the issue with Hypnos. It's anti-climactic, goes nowhere, it serves no purpose and then it's later explained as it being because of Calliste's power, what somehow made it retroactively worse.
Moreover, all that time that was spent on this nonsense with Hypnos could have been used later so the book doesn't end with so many details missing, even an epilogue would have been fine. It ends kind of abruptly "let's go to that pool where we first had a go at each other, I want to talk to you" the end. It's space that could also have been used to flesh-out the side characters more, most of them are left quite superficial.
The main characters were nicer and had more chemistry before they got together, somehow their personalities change after they start the relationship, especially Theron. Why so cringe, so cocky all of a sudden and so much repetition with the "nymph" thing? it didn't even make any sense in the context of Calliste. I would have preferred we got a common term of endearment from ancient Greece, I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure there are some documented ones.

Calliste spends a big part of this book just sleeping or talking to someone or another in the underworld. The baddie was extremely chiché and boring, and Erebus was pointless. The whole thing was frustrating anyway because I always find very nonsensical when you have a mortal or human having to deal with something while the gods are at the side just looking because we have to make a hero of the main character when she didn't need to be, or at least give me a reeeeally good reason why she has to. The gods not being able to be in that place was lazy and boring in my opinion. It was equally cliché and boring that Theron then also gets a necklace and powers just so he can be there.
The amount of mythology elements that could have been added to this story... we only got to see the harpies in the first one and that was it. It was there as a gimmick, most of the plot is Calliste walking back and forth from Kalias room and sleeping the whole day, and we only see the two same places of the Underworld.

The thing about her infertility was also stretched and not tackled in the best way to me (funny how Leontia insisted without proof she was fertile). I think the end in that respect was predictable, but because of that I feel that it shouldn't have been repeated so much nor should have Calliste dwelt so much on her "barrenness". Funny enough, we don't even know how she felt or feels about it, we don't even get to know if she wanted children. We have to assume yes but we don't know if it's because it's expected in society or because she really wants to. Theron is clearly thrilled so I guess that's what counts?
I seriously disliked Theron in the second book compared with the first and overall I feel that their romance didn't have the intensity I expected or wanted for what I thought was going to be a slow-burn kind of romance. Overall his cockiness and weird confidence and weird choice in term of endearment repeated at nauseam killed the mood completely.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 2nd book in a duology is amazing, it kept me riveted till the very end. This is the story of Calliste, beloved of the goddess Epione, a priestess and a healer who had suffered great pain throughout her life both as an orphan, then as a servant in the temple, and as a married woman to an evil drunkard of a husband, who beat her and abused her scarring her very soul. Then she met Theron, the King himself who also was an empty shell of a man, having lost a wife he never loved during childbirth, and now feared for his son prince Kalius who had fallen into a coma. He came demanding the services of a healer, and thus these two met, not so cordially at first but things changed between them. They discovered that Kalius was being held captive in a come because of the gods of the underworld, and that only by going to the underworld themselves could they maybe solve his problem. Theron hated the gods, whilst she thoroughly believed in their powers. I love that Calliste is so kind and courageous, even going so far as to negotiate with Erebus who everyone feared, including the gods of the underworld. I love the strength as well as the vulnerability Theron shows were Calliste is concerned. Their love is amazing and served to heal all their old wounds at least those of their hearts, she who had never been appreciated became the sun which shone on his mighty court. The heat in this book is exciting and very delicately described at the most opportune times. This is a beautiful book for adults who love romance, hot sex scenes, and enjoy Greek mythology.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and thrilling conclusion to this duology!

And quite honestly this may be one of my favorite last lines of a book I’ve ever read.

If you haven’t read the first book - what are you waiting for? Go! Read Healer to the Broken King and then come back for more of this amazing world in Queen to the Sunless Court.

Book one ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger and thank goodness this book picks up right where the first left off. The court politics of the the Greek immortals play heavily in our FMC’s story, in her race to save the king’s son and ultimately the entire world. Don’t worry though if you’re unfamiliar with the gods and goddess of Ancient Greece - the characters and plot are well written and there was no confusion for this reader. The pace of the story was thrilling and the twists and turns had me on the edge. I did NOT want to put this one down!

The slow-burn yearning and tension carried over from the first book were delicious! The MMC, King Theron, has some lines that will make you swoon and kick your feet! And while this story has come to a very satisfying conclusion, I would really LOVE to see a sequel (or two!) that gives my beloved side characters their shot at their own HEA.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful story. Add Healer to the Broken King and Queen to the Sunless Court to your TBR today!

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah ⟡ Tea & Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Avie Adams for the free gift!

Queen to the Sunless Court delivers a powerful, emotionally rich conclusion to a beautifully written duology. Avie Adams doesn’t pull any punches here. The stakes are high, the world-building is expansive, and the emotional undercurrents run deep. I was absolutely gripped from start to finish.

What stood out most to me was the emotional maturity of the romance. The tension between Calliste and Theron was palpable, but it never relied on tired miscommunication tropes. Instead, their bond strengthens through honesty and vulnerability, and watching them grow together was so satisfying. Their love feels earned and deeply human, even in a world shaped by gods and curses.

This book doesn’t shy away from the heavier emotional themes either. Shame, guilt, grief, and loneliness are all explored with care, adding a rawness to the story that made it all the more impactful. And yet, hope pulses beneath it all.

Add in vivid Underworld imagery, divine politics, a vengeful goddess on the warpath, and a doomed prince caught in the balance, and you’ve got a finale that’s tense, unpredictable, and unforgettable.

If you love mythic fantasy romance with high stakes and heart, Queen to the Sunless Court is a must-read.

[Emelia (emeliaisreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Queen of the Sunless Court by Avie Adams
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 28, 2025
458 pages

🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶

Meddling Deities
Greek Mythology
Forbidden Love
Priestess Healer
Multiple POV

Review: I was so excited when the author reached out and asked if I'd like to read this one! I absolutely devoured book 1 and instantly knew this duology would be one of my favorites!

In a world of copy and paste fantasy, this duology is refreshing. Inspired by Greek Mythology featuring a beautiful slow burn romance and a journey through the Underworld.

I loved Celeste and Theron, both fighting between their responsibilities and their undeniable chemistry. There were so many twists I wasn't expecting and I loved how beautifully everyone's story seemed to wrap up! I would've loved an epilogue to tell us specifically what happened to a couple of our characters, but that's my only "gripe." This duology was so fun, Celeste and Theron's love story was complicated and beautiful, and I teared up so many times as the book came to an end.

If you're looking for a SUPER slow burn that leads to lots of spice, love meddling dieties, and enjoy some twists in your fantasy, you'll love this duology!

Thank you so much to the author for the digital review copy!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll repeat what I said about the first book:

The plot initially captured my attention (with the first book)— romantasy meets mystery. The King's son is comatose for an unknown reason, and so the King (the MMC) forces a healer (the FMC) to heal his son. There are a lot of secrets between the love interests and so many reasons that they shouldn't(can't) be together, yet their attraction grows. I personally don’t love the “we can’t communicate and so we can’t be together” excuse. Especially when it’s drawn out and it takes until about 70% of the way through the second book for them to finally talk through their secrets and trust each other… oh and the son still isn’t awake!!!

My interest quickly waned once Calliste started to visit the underworld (book one). I think you need a better understanding of mythology than my surface level one. I found myself often confused by the references and oftentimes bored during the underworld visit scenes because lots of them felt unnecessary and weren’t serving the purpose of driving the plot forward. It felt like the author forced fluff into the book, in order to write two books.

[Sadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’m being brutally honest, this one lost me.

I felt like there was a lot of filler parts in it, and when I put it down I didn’t feel eager to pick it back up. The relationship between Calliste and Theron seemed so lustful at points, I didn’t enjoy it. The story played out okay, but it wasn’t anything I considered magnificent. Everything ultimately felt lackluster. The whole purpose of the story was Kallias falling asleep, and honestly I forgot about that due to the lack of attention towards it. Theron also was doing a bit too much, he was making me cringe the way he spoke to her. Also, the conflict was too easily resolved so I don’t think this was angsty enough for my liking either. I found the most compelling part of the story Lykos’ affections for Eumalia!

Overall, it was a decent story but I don’t think it necessarily needed to be divided into two books. Also, I will say I really enjoyed the Greek mythology aspect of it! I don’t regret reading it, but wouldn’t pick it up again, the first book was definitely a lot stronger.

[Helpfish · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a lot of good things going for it: a detailed world with history and multiple locations, mild political intrigue in different courts, all characters had depth even the side characters with little on-page time had clear backstories (Melitta, Lykos, etc).

Unfortunately I only made it 30% through before giving up because I really dislike Theron. Kudos to the author for writing him well enough that every new personality trait became (to me) a grating character flaw. I did not enjoy his POV, and missed Calliste’s perspective. I wanted to know more about her narrative, her history, and maybe more of her own internal analysis and guesses of what could be happening. We learn almost nothing new about her in this book. Once it became apparent that Theron was going to become the new main character, the story wasn’t worth following anymore.

I would have liked to know what happens to Kalias, what’s going on with Hypnos, etc. but I couldn’t enjoy the plot while it was focused on Theron and his inability to think about anything expect how attracted he is to Calliste. No thank you.

[Kim de Ville · Rating 5 out of 5]

👑 Queen to the Sunless Court by Avie Adams
📖 Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOWOWOW. What a BEAUTIFUL story with beautiful twists and turns, and incredible growth and development to the characters!

I’m so awfully sad and empty that Theron and Calliste’s story is over, but I could not be happier at their ending!

I received both copies of this duology as an ARC and I would just like to personally thank Avie for the opportunity to experience this beautiful story, the characters and the world that she has created here. You should be so proud of the success of this project.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series and highly recommend it to anyone who is a Romantasy lover!

[Taylor Disselhorst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the story but the writing felt trite after a while. I don't think it needs to be as long as it is and some of the plot felt like it was inserted for the sake of having an additional plot point (the whole thing with Hypnos - as it was - was unnecessary and boring). I liked the FMC, it really seems like she was the only one using her brain. Every time she said something all the men (which this book is 95% men btw) would go "Oh wow I didn't think of that what a great idea". DUH

I think the makings are all there it just needs to be tightened up a bit. It's not revolutionary but the way the mythology is used is different and nice!

[ranjish_hi_sahih · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was sweet and gentle and hopeful and so full of yearning and devotion that i couldn’t not finish it in half a day. and don’t get me started on theron because what do you mean “it’s her or no one”!?! very rarely do i feel so invested in a character’s journey but calliste pulled me in completely. everything about theron and calliste was soft, aching and so full of heart that i had stars in my eyes

[Vanessa Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start? This was a beautiful conclusion to Calliste and Theron’s story. The yearning and the love these two have, I cried happy and sad tears! The growth these two went through to be with eachother, despite how hard it was letting go of past trauma, and the care they showed for eachother was so beautiful.

I hear there would be a third book following some other characters, and I cannot wait to be back in their world!

[d_uhreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But I wouldn’t leave without you.” .........“Never without you, Calliste. Come, my fearless queen.”

The perfect ending to this AMAZING duology! This world is lush, unforgiving, and absolutely unforgettable!

This picks up right where book one left me dangling (I love a cliffhanger). We are thrust right back into this Greek mythology inspired tale, and between the heartbreaking emotion, the knee buckling tension, and the vast world building, you won't be able to put this book down.

[Iman Edres · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ✨

A tad bit disappointed because I believe this could’ve been a better conclusion to the first book 🥹 While I enjoyed this, I can’t help but think that the author could’ve led us to a better plot y’know.. there were moments that failed to interest me, this wasn’t as page-turning as the first book was.. I expected more court politics and seeing more of the forbidden romance aspect of it.. But, it was still a good read.

[Brujeria Babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I’m excited to read more from this author and I hope she develops additional books involving the supporting characters. My only critique were that I thought books 1 and 2 could have just been combined into 1 book. That said, I loved Theron and Calliste. She was a strong and interesting FMC. And the spicy slow burn element was fun.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

def a bit better than the last one. more interesting stakes and conflicts!! i really rocked with the depictions of greek gods in this, i would say a nice fresh perspective on them from what we normally see. although i do HATE HATE HATE HATE the fmc giving up her power trope

a book you should read if you have platinum blonde inspo on your pinterest

[Lydia Fussell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible, but was disappointed because I liked the first book so much. I expected this book to give me more, but it was slow paced and anticlimactic, leaving me with like, a billion questions. I just think the author could have built more from this story.