The King's Promise

by Christine Kannapel

Some promises are cursed.
Some loves are fated.

The moment Princess Cassandra of Saltz marries Henry, Crown Prince of Linderservia, she is drawn into a twist of fate.

Torn amongst his duties to his kingdom, his love for Cassandra, and his obsession with a legend woven into a series of mysterious tapestries, Henry must choose what is most important for himself and Linderservia.

When the royal pair finally gains sight of reality, it is too late. Hidden turmoil arises and all must pay the price...

Genres: Fantasy

306 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Hi! I'm Christine and I like to write (:

My "official" bio:

Christine Kannapel is a marketer by day, but a writer by night.

She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Utah and an M.A. in Creative Writing from University College Cork. With a passion for poetry, fiction, and fantasy, Kannapel crafts stories and poems that blend concision, emotional depth, and vivid imagery. Her work has been featured in physical and online publications — plus, she has a self-published novel buried deep in its grave. During her undergrad years, she wrote for her college paper, The Daily Utah Chronicle. In 2019, her poem, “On the Edge” was a finalist for the Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband.

Reviews

[Fairytale_tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC! I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this! I’ve been in a book slump the last month and this definitely pulled me out of it. I couldn’t put this down!

This is the PERFECT book for readers looking to break into the fantasy genre. This reads more like a historical fiction then a fantasy but i think we will be seeing more of that as the books continue! Perfect plot vs romance balance! There is moderate world building about the kingdom. The book does come with a map and is really easy for readers to refer back to.

Cassandra is the FMC and is to become the future Queen of Linderservia. Henry is the MMC and crown prince/furure King of Linderservia and is to be married immediately to Cassandra, princess of Salz. The union is to build peace between the two kingdoms. Henry becomes obsessed with these tapestries that he believes are his purpose as king that he must fulfill. Within the tapestries are legends about previous monarchs who were once in search of a hidden continent. We have immaculate tension and yearning between the two in the sweetest and most devastating of ways. The romance is perfect for readers who love open and closed door spice.

The King’s Promise is FULL of twists and turns. Perfect for readers who love political intrigue with betrayal, plotting, scheming, revenge, battles, and the epic traveling and world building throughout the kingdoms!

[Liv Ruppersberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The King’s Promise” was nothing I had expected it to be, but in the best way.

While reading “The King’s Promise”, I felt like I was watching an episode of the tv show “Reign”. I felt like the book was telling a dramatized tale of actual history, when in fact the entire story and plot was fabricated by the author, Christine Kannapel.

The third person perspective was very appropriate for the plot and overall essence of the story, as well as the “Legends of Linderservia” history book interspersed throughout the chapters. “Legends of Linderservia” helps to guide the reader along important facts related to the plot, while the actual chapters themselves tell the present story of Princess Cassandra and Prince Henry.

While the romance was not what I had expected/hoped it to be, I realized that the relationships were very accurate to a medieval/historical context of royal families. There was still yearning, sex, and love, but the conflict and miscommunication seemed very accurate for the time period.

The ending of “The King’s Promise” had me ~ shook ~, and I hope Kannapel writes a sequel set about 20 years later following up on the cliffhangers left for the reader.

[Yaneth Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely hooked me!

The palace setting was fascinating, full of intrigue, shifting alliances, and power plays that kept me turning the pages. The backstabbing, the jealousy, the madness all added to the atmosphere.

Cassandra, my poor girl, truly cannot catch a break. I kept hoping something good would finally happen for her, and I’m crossing my fingers for her in the next book (because ain’t no way this can be a standalone I need answers!).
Henry… let’s just say our relationship is complicated, equal parts love and frustration.

The characters are incredibly well-written; you can’t help but feel strongly about them—whether that’s love, hate, or the urge to jump into the book and throw hands. The plot delivered, and the plot twist completely blindsided me. I was shocked, amused, and honestly impressed.

This is definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoys court intrigue, complex characters, and plots that keep you guessing.

And Jared needs to be protected at all costs!!

[Mom Needs Magic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★.75 (Rounded Up to 4/5)

I really enjoyed this one. The pacing leaned a little on the slow side (IMO), but honestly? .. It worked perfectly for setting the tone and diving into the realm of ✨Linderservia✨

Now, character-wise…
Henry and Cassandra were interesting but I wanted just a bit more, I didn’t feel as connected with them as I would like and … (don’t judge me 👀) I actually caught myself rooting for the other side a few time .. 🏃🏻‍♀️

That said … I COULDN’T put this book down!! 🔥 Even without spice (which I didn’t mind at all), the writing was absolutely captivating, the political intrigue and dynamics were chef’s kiss 🤌🏻, and the low fantasy + low romance balance really worked for this story.

Overall, this was an engaging read, full of clever politics, and beautiful writing 🥹 I just needed a little more to feel fully invested..

P.S. Let’s hope there’s more to come in the future🤞🏻

With Love,
MnM✨

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story and characters were great.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Great characters. Loved it! ❤️

[Madison quinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC Reader Review**
Not gonna lie, it took me a minute to get into this, not because it is not an awesome book, because it is, but because it is different than my usual read.
Let me say, if my husband knows the ending of a book then you know that it was absolutely SHOCKING to me.
Okay but truly, as I was messaging Christine and knowing this is a standalone, I have been kept up at night! Messaging other ARC readers too. This is a 6/5 stars for me the first time in a LONG time.
The world building, the character development, the plot points, the insane twist all of it is a chef kiss from me!
Can’t wait to see what else Christine has up her sleeve.

[Nicole Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

** ARC copy **
It was a good book I just feel like I need to be in a specific mood to enjoy it and I wasn't in that mood when I was reading it.

I did love that attention to detail in this book. The tapestries both described and the actual art of them are amazing and I am so thankful for the art of them because I struggle picturing things.

I felt like the romance was a little lacking but I suppose that's the challenge of writing a stoic character in an arranged marriage. The plot itself and the intricate lore definitely made up for that.

[Christine Kannapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unashamedly, I'm giving my debut a 4/5 because of the required work and because I don't think it's an average ol' read.

The King's Promise was born on a train climbing the mountain pass between Durango and Silverton, CO, when I was sixteen. By the time I was eighteen, it was self-published on CreateSpace (RIP). I took it off the market immediately because one doesn't actually publish the first real book they write in their teens. Right??

I reread it during Christmas 2024. To my surprise, it wasn't as terrible as I remembered. It had promise (pun intended).

Between the lines, my obsessions with Shakespeare's heroes, antiheroes, and scheming villains, fraught romance, tragic endings, and love for European history were threaded together--if a bit clumsily.

Out of a need to kick myself out of a slight depression and because of a life-threatening accident that made me rethink almost everything, I decided 2025 was the year to dive back into writing.

And why not start by resurrecting something that was good to begin with?

With two degrees in writing, ten years of writing and editing experience, and a career in marketing, I plunged ahead.

And I've done it. I've revamped The King's Promise without, I hope, taking away the charm my teenage self wove into it--there's no way to get that back once it's gone!

I am so happy to share The King's Promise, flaws and all, with the world.

On that note, I am so grateful for my ARC reviewers, current readers, and everyone who has supported me (even if the book is/was not for you, because that's how this works :) ).

Thank you! <3

[OKreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC of this book! I had such a fun time! If you’re in the mood for a romantasy/ low-fantasy without getting into a whole series… this standalone is for you! I was invested in Cassandra and Henry’s story from the beginning and am always interested in prophecies and legends and curses and how they play a part in the fate of a main character, but make those legends revealed via ancient tapestries?! (As someone who thoroughly loves art and antiques and has a tapestry of Manon and Abraxos hanging above my bed… I fear I absolutely ate this up.)

There is romance, court politics, legends, sailing across the seas, foreign lands, and a medieval setting perfect for a fall release! If you love love, castles, magic, and fate, I believe you’ll have a great time with this read.

Also, you loved historical fiction but are looking to get into the magic of fantasy this would be great for you! It felt like a historical drama on tv at some points (again, as someone who named my dog after Lola from Queen Mary’s court in the show Reign, I loved this!)

The third person perspective was done the right way here! I’ve been really turned off by a lot of books POVs not making sense for the set up and the plot of their respective stories for the last few months, but this worked. Again, the historical piece and the excerpts throughout all worked to make sense and enhance the experience, in my opinion.

Spice- 🌶️🌶️/5

This releases next week, pick it up where you get your books on October 7th!

[lizette franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book absolutely scratched my itch for a rich, medieval fantasy read. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The world-building was immersive, the character development was strong, and the stakes kept rising with every twist.

The plot was packed with unexpected turns and emotional turmoil that had me glued to the page. And that ending… seriously, what just happened?! I’m still reeling in the best way possible.

If you're into fantasy with a medieval vibe, political intrigue, and layered characters, definitely keep your eye on this one. I can’t wait to see if there will be more to this story!

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 (just leaning this more towards 4 since there isn't a .5 option)

As I read the story, I was first a little concerned about the pacing of the first half of it, but once the story slowly progressed, that's when all of the fun came in. I think I went in expecting there to be some dramatic romance and was lowkey kind of pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as romance driven between Cassandra and Henry as other fantasy novels have read lately with their protagonists.

Cassandra was genuinely an interesting FMC to me and I liked that she really showed how femininity isn't all dainty and in distress, but genuinely was well-spoken and was confident, but also admitted when she did want to be cared for. I think it's so easy nowadays to forget little lessons like that so I liked that she was straight to the point. I think another highlight is honestly the friendships and allies that you see within the story -- it's easy to forget this part but I think the dynamics that Cassandra and Henry had with their respective friends/allies were necessary to their growth as both royals and just people, period.

Overall, it's honestly a pretty fun read and has a lot of potential to grow into something even stronger if the storyline continues, so I'd definitely look forward to a continuation!

**NOTE: Thank you to Christine for letting me be a part of the ARC team for the story!

[Maria Mieling · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

The King’s Promise was nothing like I expected. I genuinely liked the story and the concept but kept getting lost or confused. This had multiple POVs and would have been easier to read if there was a break or marking of a new POV rather than going from one POV to the next in the next paragraph. I sympathized for the FMC and her hardships. It was encouraging to watch her find her own strengths and family. I wasn’t in love with the MMC based on his actions but did enjoy reading his “story” and reading how he keeps trying to do or be better. The actual ending was unexpected and I loved it. This is a story of grief, betrayal, marital conflict, sickness, illness, death, “war” and depression. Please be aware before starting the book.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and I am voluntarily writing an honest review.

[Beth Murnane · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

📖  The King's Promise
✍️ Christine Kannaple
📱 E-ARC

The King's Promise has beautiful prose that is both approachable and awe-inspiring. It follows two royals (prince and princess of neighboring lands) as they come of age, set to marry one another for political influence, though there is certainly romance within the pairing.

The prince is obsessed with a legend that he learned of while visiting the princess as children. He found royal tapestries that depicted this while their marriage was being arranged, and it became an all-consuming obsession. We see him fight for the Promise he feels he can make come to fruition, at times while being at odds with his family and relationships. The princess is centered and her life and struggles are also depicted on page with this multi-POV third-person story.

This is a great book for anyone who loves royal court intrigue, Game of Thrones-type dynamics, and who love the exploration of legend and lore. While the story is complete, it also has left me wishing for more insight into the coming years within this world.

[Enrichment Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Christine Kannapel for providing me with an advanced copy of The Kings Promise.

I feel like this was a brilliantly written, accurate description of relationships, politics and society status in the time period it was set in.

The writing does a great job at showing the relationships, jealousies and miscommunications between the characters. Set amidst a backdrop of political marriages and alliances, a legend woven into tapestries and hidden within a run down library.

The reader gets to watch how the story develops differently through each character and how they could do easily save themselves so much hurt and work if they would be honest. But I think it's a real testament to the writing as it comes across as very genuine for such a medieval setting.

I really enjoyed this and I agree with some of the other reviews I've seen, I'd love a little sneak peek 20yrs into the future to see how things resolve (or not!) for our characters.

Thank you again to Christina Kannapel for the ARC of The Kings Promise.

[The Crummy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, this debut had me swept into a whirlwind of emotions. Christine Kannapel delivers a richly woven tale full of courtly intrigue, shifting loyalties, and the kind of tension that keeps you glued to the page.

The characters are messy, complicated, and all too human—sometimes frustrating, sometimes endearing, always unforgettable. The worldbuilding carries that classic epic-fantasy feel, with political maneuvering, betrayals, and moments of tenderness that catch you off guard. One moment I was swooning, the next I was reeling.

This story doesn’t shy away from heartbreak, sacrifice, and the sharp edges of love tangled with power. If you’re a fan of character-driven fantasy where no one feels entirely safe and emotions run high, this debut is absolutely worth picking up.

Christine Kannapel has firmly placed herself on my “authors to watch” list—I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

[Kaitlyn Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King’s Promise immediately captured my attention with a strong introduction to its characters and their internal conflicts. One of the most engaging features of the book was the inclusion of Legends of Linderservia before each chapter. These glimpses into the history and lore of the world not only enriched the narrative but also made the story feel layered and alive. While the descriptive writing was be a little heavy at times and difficulty to visualize or follow, it didn’t take away from being immersed into the story. What stood out the most about The King’s Promise was the tension and excitement throughout the book. I often found myself on the edge of my seat, eager to know what would happen next!

[Michelle Peery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I was going to enjoy this book within the first 5 minutes of starting it. It felt like watching a dramatic retelling of a royal family and their struggles.

The characters all felt very realistic of the time and setting. I feel like I had mixed emotions for everyone depending on the situation. Especially between the brothers Henry and Phillip.

I liked that Cassandra was strong and confident in her role and not written as a damsel in distress who needs saving.

I do wish there as more about the tapestries and the lore behind the Kings Promise. I definitely feel like I could have gotten enjoyably lost in that ‘fable’. Although the ending was *chefs kiss*.

Thank you to the author Christine Kannapel for an ARC of this book. Book to be available for purchase on October 7th 2025 🖤

[enchantedmelreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 🌶️
👑Arrange marriage
🌹Fraught romance
👑Court intrigue
🌹Reluctant royalty
👑Ancient prophecy & lost secrets
🌹Found family
👑Scheming villain

This book took me on a journey, transporting me to a time when kings and queens reigned. The characters and the intricate details really kept me rooted into the time period of the story. I loved how the tapestries were the key to figuring out the prophecies and secrets.

The last 15% of the book had a lot going on and really left me thinking.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous historical fiction novel is set to release this coming October! I have been pumped to read this arc ever since I signed up to be on the launch team! I will say I was not disappointed in what I read and was very impressed. The setting and political intrigue was spot on. The characters were very well played out! Although the cliffhanger at the end of the story had me begging for more. I hope that is a sign for the author to publish more books!

We are introduced to Princess Cassandra who leaves her homeland to marry Prince Henry. It seems like the moment she marries him there is one conflict after another but she manages to overcome with courage and grace. Prince Henry is consumed with his own troubles and one of those being an ancient propecy that was enacted years ago that he so desperately wants to fulfill. Meanwhile there is much evil plotting going around the Kingdom orchestrated by those wanting to fulfill their own greed.

[Giana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 unfortunately rounded down

This book actually really engaged me for the most part. It's pretty well written, and the court politics were pretty entertaining. Somewhat contradictory, however, I found the conflicts to be rather flat. This book honestly would've benefited from another 50-100 pages minimum- this easily could've been an epic fantasy. Especially to draw out the romance and make it an angsty slow burn- that would've been absolutely delicious. Easy 4.5 star, likely. Instead, this book felt almost rushed and surface level. It had so much potential, but I'll definitely read whatever Kannapel comes up with next.

Thank you to the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review

[Booksbubblesbiceps · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Princess Bride vibes meet Tudor-era plots•

The King’s Promise opens with Princess Bride vibes, drawing the reader into a historical world where we meet two young royals that seem destined for one another. Throw in an ancient legend, political intrigue and cunning plans and you get a rich storyline that reads almost like a screenplay, with multi-faceted characters both young and old. Imagine something like the Tudors (but little or no spice). I was not ready for the conclusion of this book- it definitely kept me guessing!

I thank the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me. What a treat!

[Nik Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

I really loved this book. The writing style is very descriptive which I loved. I felt like I was in a movie with lots of twists and turns and that was fun. A little slow at the beginning but I felt with a box of this nature that’s necessary. If you’re looking for a book that’s rich in plot and world building you will really enjoy this. I also enjoyed learning about the history of this world and the different families. I rated four stars only because I was wanting more st the end. I hope there’s a second book as this one did not feel complete. Thank you again for the opportunity to read early!

[Lauren Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting story about a legend that some believe while others don’t. I was shouting at the characters trying to tell them of the other characters plans but of course they didn’t hear me! I was on edge reading this and seeing how it was going to plan out.


One of the main characters, the crown princess, not only has to deal with issues with a new kingdom but she has her own family issues that follow her to this kingdom. It was amazing to watch her grow into a confident person and not let things just happen to her without her opinion being heard.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book, however, I fear I am not in the right headspace to read or review this. There is pregnancy in this book. While it’s not a surprise/unplanned pregnancy trope, any mention of it sets me off. It would have been nice to know that it was part of the plot before I started reading it. Yes, I should have just stopped reading, but wanted to see how the story ended, and it was actually good. Very much gave me Game of Thrones drama and medieval fantasy vibes. I’ve never read anything like it—blurbs from a history book within a book, which also correlates to the events in the story. While it is a standalone (for now), I was left wanting more from the overall plot and romance between the FMC and MMC.

[Stacey Sharpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this historical fiction piece. Although the book is interesting and i love the characters, i was left wanting more. I felt there is more that can be developed with the characters and storyline. I did enjoy the writing and was invested in Cassandra’s and Henry’s story. If you enjoy court politics, and romance this book is for you.

[Keila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me at the edge of my seat! I've never read a royals type of book so it was out of my normal realm. That being said I was missing out! There were so many times I was yelling at characters!!! I won't go into too many details but I'm hoping there is a sequel??? There was some unfinished business to take care of at the end and I would like to see some characters have revenge! THANK YOU Christine Kannapel for this ARC.

[Mybookish.odyssey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star read!! I was in a trance reading this book from the very beginning. I would also be remised if I didn’t say I was heartbroken as well. The descriptive writing style brought me into the pages!

If you enjoy ….
Ancient prophecies
Arrange royal marriage
Sibling rivalry
Family secrets
Betrayal
Found family
I strongly recommended adding this one to your TBR!
A Huge Thank you to Christine Kannapel for this amazing eARC.

[Esmeralda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Cassandra feel destined to be together but that doesn't mean they can escape the past. While Henry chases clues that he believes are going to keep the king's promise, Cassandra starts to wonder if she will always be alone. Christine writes a tale with a tapestry of betrayal, lies, romance and death leaving the reader wanting more.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for the ARC!!

I enjoyed following Cassandra and Henry’s story. Bi th showed signs of good character development and the plot of court politics was well layer out.

I do feel like I am missing something with the ending and there could’ve been a bit more “adventure” but overall a fun read!