And the fallen prince makes a come back! I loved in book 1 Aspen forgave giving him another chance, and of course he meets his rival that he will rip the world apart for. Love that fae and elf angle and finally had an example of what happens when a thank you comes up. If continues would love to see next in story.
This is the third book in the Wicked Fae series by Jade McCrary.
This installment felt noticeably stronger in both pacing and character development compared to the previous books. The story flowed more smoothly, and I didn’t experience the same level of abrupt transitions between emotional or plot beats that stood out in earlier entries.
One of the biggest improvements was in the characters themselves. Their backstories felt more naturally woven into the narrative rather than simply referenced, which made their motivations and relationships more grounded and easier to connect with. While there were still a few moments that felt sudden or underexplained, overall the structure felt more cohesive.
The ending does come together fairly quickly, but the stronger character interactions and improved narrative flow made this a more satisfying reading experience overall, earning it a 4-star rating for me.
Overall, book three feels like a step forward for the series, particularly in terms of emotional weight and clarity of character arcs.
Elf Sorcha is desperate to get out from under her debt, so she steals from those she can. One day, she steals from Prince Aethryn, and despite making her escape, he finds her to retrieve what she stole from him. Seeing an opportunity, Sorcha brokers a deal with Aethryn: he will help her travel to a certain lake in Seelie lands, and she will return his ring. Unfortunately even the most simple of plans can be complicated.
While I liked the plotline, I struggled to really buy into the relationship between Sorcha and Aethryn. Initially, Aethryn is still pining for his brother's wife, and his self-pity is rather annoying. When he meets Sorcha he is definitely attracted to her, but he doesn't immediately fall in love, which I liked. However, once he spends a little more time with her, and without really knowing anything about her past or her character, Aethryn seems to just suddenly decide he loves her. Once he decides he loves her, he seems to lose his complexity as a character and spends most of his time spouting off relationship truths like he suddenly is the expert in love.
Sorcha for her part, doesn't even seems to recognize her own feelings for Aethryn, and spends much of her time trying to hold him and her ex at arms length. She cares deeply for those around her, but struggles to forgive. I honestly felt that she should have stayed with her ex, despite his faults; but given her inability to move past what her life had become, I respected her decision to not stay with her ex. Her occasional flirting with Aethryn seemed forced, and more like she was supposed to be with him rather than wanting to be with him. Overall, I loved her as a character, and felt that she deserved to make her own way without having to deal with any man's attention at all.
Of Flame and Suffering continues the Wicked Fae series with a glimpse into the Seelie fae and continuing the dispute with the rebels plaguing the Unseelie king. There is plenty of fun interactions between the two main leads, though the romantic elements were a little harder to believe.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Varis is one of the most infuriating villains I’ve come across in a while — keeping our FMC on his payroll, setting an impossible price for her freedom, AND trying to marry her off? He’s giving Arobynn from Throne of Glass and I hated him immediately. Which means the author did something right.
The romance is where this book earns its stars. The repeated run-ins after she stole from the prince, one horse between them, one cave with shared body heat… all the classics, executed well. And the declarations? “I would burn my kingdom to the ground… and then set the ashes ablaze too.” The yearning was REAL.
The fantasy plot kept me guessing — the prophecy, the star, the suspicious brother situation — though a couple of resolutions came a little too easily for my liking. And Jennifyr? Genuinely gutted. Why is it always the best friend.
My main criticism is that the central relationship between Gwen and Aethryn didn’t always feel as intense as it was described to be. I read this as a standalone so that may be part of it, but I wanted to feel his obsession more than I was told about it.
That said — I finished this wanting to go back and read the rest of the series, which says a lot. A solid romantasy with a villain you’ll love to hate and quotes you’ll want to highlight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
SO let me say first that this book has no spicy spice. The most that was there is kissing. SOOOO just know that if you're expecting spicy spice, that's not this book BUT if you want adventure with a HEA, make sure to grab this book.
So we have this book where book 2 kind ends off. The brother is now having to figure out who is behind attacks. We have our MFC, who is a little thief (but there is a reason behind it). They get "connected" when our little thief steals something from our prince..... Then comes the "retrieval" of the stollen goods and an adventure commences.
I really want to say more but I'm afraid if I say anything more that I will create spoilers and I don't want to do that.... Lets just say, we have a HEA with lots of adventure and lot of "what is going to happen next" scenes.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an early copy of this book. I highly enjoyed it and I think it's my favorite book so far in the series. It kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happens next! The prince is my favorite! but don't tell the other characters. I don't want them to get jealous
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Okay now the important stuff is out of the way. Allow me to fan girl just a tad.
AETHRYNNNNN!!!
Like I said I am going to fangirl a bit. This is my favorite brother and I am so happy Jada did him justice! The banter is a 10/10 imo (I mean he calls her good girl & mine, would very much burn it all to the ground for his woman if ykyk) I can't share to much of the banter or I may spoil the whole story unfortunately.
I will share one out of context quote: “What should I say before I speak to let you know I’ll be speaking?” He pauses, brushing my hair back over my shoulder and pressing his lips to my ear. “Or would this suffice?”
I am literally obsessed at this point. If you want a high banter high stakes fantasy romance then definitely read this series.
Trigger warnings: Human trafficking/ slavery Depression/ suicidal thoughts Mental health rep/ PTSD Abuse/ abusive relationships (not among main characters) Pregnancy of a side character. (without complications)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I went into Of Flame and Suffering expecting tension and banter, but I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally sharp this story would feel. It has that addictive “just one more chapter” pull, with a romance that balances heat, conflict, and real vulnerability.
The dynamic between Sorcha and Aethryn was my favorite part. Sorcha’s bold, no nonsense energy made me smile constantly, and Aethryn’s tortured, guarded presence gave the story a darker edge that worked so well. Their connection builds in a way that felt earned, full of push-and-pull, charged moments, and the kind of forced proximity that turns every scene into a spark waiting to catch.
The pacing stayed strong for me, and I loved the combination of action, court tension, and emotional stakes. Also: the banter? Absolutely delivered.
If you like your romantasy with personality, bite, and feelings underneath the fire, this one hits.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
In this edition of the Wicked Fae Series, we are with Prince Aethryn, who is finding it more and more difficult to be around his brother and the woman he loves, who just happens to be married to his brother. To make matters even worse, she’s expecting. So when Aspen offers Aethryn a chance to leave the castle, Aethryn leaves without a second thought. Unfortunately, he ends up with an elf stealing not only his money, but his signet ring as well. In our fantasy, we have a quest—Aethryn wants his signet ring back and has to help the elf to get it—we have a mix of species, Unseelie and Seelie Fae, elves and even a dragon. And of course, there is plenty of danger. But, at heart, this is a romance, so of course there is love and no romance is complete without the heartfelt sigh at the end, which this story definitely has. I really enjoyed this story and hope the series continues!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So happy that Aethryn, got his own book and slow burn love story, He went from being the twin still tormented by his past pining for Gwen, having feelings of never measuring up to the expectations of the royal court and the subjects of Aspens kingdom to spending most of his time trying to thwart the rebels’ plans.
When he encounters Sorcha, an elf who robs him of a couple of very important items that he definitely needs to get back, he feels the pull to find out more about her. Encountering her dressed like she belongs to court herself intrigues him even more. It will be a little while longer before he gets to interact with her more, though. There are so many twists and turns that make this story as engaging as the previous ones. I am so glad Jada gave Aethryn his own story – it was worth every minute.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This one is perfect if you’re looking for a fun, easy read that pulls you in right away. The pacing is super fast, which kept me fully engaged from start to finish—though I do wish a few moments had slowed down a bit to let certain scenes really breathe and unfold. It has darker fantasy elements like violence, high-stakes conflict, and emotional turmoil so just keep that in mind before diving in.
I also really like w getting new character perspectives! Some familiar side characters stepped into the spotlight, along with new ones who brought intriguing backstories that instantly hooked me.
Overall, it's a quick, entertaining read that delivers on banter, character dynamics, and momentum perfect for when you want something engaging without being too heavy, even with its darker undertones.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the eARC, this is my honest review.
Of Flame and Suffering is Book 3 in the Wicked Far Series by Jack McCrary. Book 3 is Aethryn story. I really liked the way the author used Aethryn memories to bring the reader up to what happened in Book 2. Aethryn is sent on mission to find the rebels in elf land. Sorchs and her ex, Nox, want to steal from the fae. She does steal from Prince Aethryn and the search is on. I thought that this was such a well written book. The characters are black and white and I found so much excitement in the story. I really thought that the author put everything back together expertly. Of Flame and Suffering if excellent. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
I received this book as an arc and read it as a standalone and it had me captivated from the start. Its not my usual kind of book as I prefer more spice but once I started reading I just could not put it down. The detail of each character and the story behind them allowed me to understand what was going on without starting from the first book but I will 100% be going and reading the first two. The overall storyline and plot was fantastic and I have to admit I was not expecting the ending especially with everyone being so open and accepting of Sorcha and for the king to be so forgiving of Aethryn. I will 100% be recommending this to others.
I devoured this book! This story starts off from where book 2 left off and it was just so good. Aethryn is trying to find out about some attacks and meets our FMC. Sorcha steals from Aethryn and then she goes with him on the adventure. Their banter and tension was the best! He was instantly intrigued by her and wanted to be near her. They get very close during their time together and definitely form a bond. Jada really knows how to write a story that you get so engrossed with. Aethryn is my favorite character out of this series, he just has a great personality and treats Sorcha so well. It is a HEA so that is definitely a plus!!
I was so happy that Aethryn finally got his own love story. He has such a kind heart that it really wasn’t fair he couldn’t find love. And then it happened. Or rather, she happened. And what a spitfire Sorcha was. She’s had so much trauma in her life that it really is amazing that she was able to connect with Aethryn at all. I loved how patient he was with her even as she was pushing him away. But he wasn’t going to give up on her. Talk about a dedicated man! Loved the loyalty. No spoilers here; I won’t give away the ending. Loved the book! So looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 ⭐️s I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book! Overall, I did enjoy this book! The vibes and the banter were great! That being said, I did have some issues with the plot. The beginning of the story felt rushed and there were some inconsistencies, but you got to the meat of the story these issues went away, but I would’ve liked to have seen the main adventure be set up better. This didn’t detract too much from the story, as I had a great time reading it! I also loved the happy ending! Thank you to all who made it possible for me to be an ARC reader for this book!
This book was a quick and easy read. Part three in a series, and I would recommend reading the books in order. I read a synopsis of book one and two, which helped with the background. This book felt more YA to me, not an adult romance. The book was short, which meant the story moved a long quite quickly. There were points that felt rushed, but that is the nature of a short story with a large plot.
The banter was really fun, and I enjoyed the different POVs! I loved all of Aethryn's nicknames, for Sorcha.
Another great read with the banter I love, recommend if you are after a nice easy read. Very fast paced again which I do enjoy as it keeps you engaged the entire time, however I would have also loved for it to have slowed down in a few instances and played out the story a little bit more. Very much enjoyed getting the perspectives of new characters, some were side characters from the previous book, and some were new with an interesting background that got me hooked.
I already loved Aethryn but in this book he is even more loveable! And Sorcha, a strong, brave but troubled woman, is just as likeable. The chemistry, the drama, the undeniable trauma and the forbidden love, it's all there. This is closed bedroom, but as with all Jada's books so far, I feel the stories are good enough to stand without it! I read this book within 24 hours!
Thank you for having me on the ARC team yet again Jada, and congratulations on another launch!
This was a fast paced roller-coaster read. Really loved prince Aethryn, he's a sweet, intelligent and funny character with interesting powers. And Sorcha with her witty words and relatable feelings. Their flirting, banters and character growth made this a fun read. Then Nox with all his feelings and opinions visible on his face, and his snappy comebacks. I wish the book was longer as I really liked this story, and would love to read more about all three. Looking forward to the next book!
I got this book for free as I'm an ARC reader, and I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I was very excited for Aethryn to get his own love story. Although this book didn't have any spice, only romantic tension, I did enjoy it. I enjoyed Sorcha's character and I believe that she is a good match for Aethryn. I was not expecting who was causing conflict amongst the realms so it was a good twist. I am curious is Nox will have his own love story in the future.
I was definitely curious about Aethryn's story after his betrayal of both Aspen and Gwyn in Of Thrones and Savage Things, plus Aspen's quick forgiveness of him. I was definitely yelling at him quite a lot during the beginning of this story.
And poor Sorcha. She's in an enchanted contract with a Fae and she spends soooo much time thinking that she can get out of it if she just pays enough money. Like girl, he's never gonna let you go. Though this being her motivation for stealing from Aethryn definitely makes sense. And then silly Aethryn, being strung along with whatever she says to try to get his ring back. What a meet-cute though! Her threatening him with her dagger, with him leaning into it! **swoon
Given how much I liked Aspen in Of Fae and Wicked Kings and then in Of Thrones and Savage Things, Aethryn trying to behave a bit like him gave him a few points. But mostly seeing him soften towards Sorcha, even with her being a spitfire and stubborn was great! Also seeing him move on from Gwyn and finally realize that he will not ever be with her was done well. And the storming the surprise wedding at the end to save Sorcha was sooo good! I hope we get to see more of them as cameos through the rest of this series of interconnected standalones, especially given they are a fae and an elf trying to make a relationship work. Like will they ever be accepted by the people?!
Some favorite quotes: "I can forgive you, but I don't have to let you back in." I find myself yearning for a certain elf who can't stand me over these women who only wish to use me. They think they hate each other. But hate isn't what I see. These men are monsters who don't deserve to live, and I will play the executioner. "It's those who choose you that are family in the end."
If you like romantasy with a black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC, touch him/her and d!e, banter, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, and forbidden love, then you have to check out Of Flame and Suffering and the rest of the Wicked Fae series.
I received an advanced review copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The world's of fae and elf collide. What starts as thievery begins a journey of discovery. Two creatures that have never felt loved or belonging have finally met the one to complete them.
The characters are done very well and the world building is wonderful. The return of characters from the previous book intertwine the books very nicely.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a great series, I am so happy I found it. The world is vast and magical. I love that i feel apart of it as opposed to viewing it from the outside. The banter and the characters are so likable… I hope the next book is about Nox! Love that Sorcha and Aethryn got their happily ever after! Thanks to Jada for trusting me with the story and all opinions are honest and mine!
I love Aethryn’s character. He’s so calming and sensual. He really made the story interesting. His attraction to Sorcha puts the story at a nice pace as it unfolds. I do feel for Nox and hope that he doesn’t fall for the evil one. Can’t mention her name as I don’t want to give it away.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book was a fairly nice read, I had fun as it was an easy plot to get into. But it felt a bit too quick, like I was racing through it and there wasn't enough time for me to immerse myself in the world as things kept just going and going
I love how there was a happily ever after, even though there were some bumps in the road. It just shows that some people, despite their past, deserve some love!
I absolutely loved this book. It was addictive, witty fast paced and kept you guessing the world build was extensive. I fell head over heels for the main characters ! Just what I needed right now.