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City of Lost Kings
Welcome to the desert kingdom of Vargah where in order to live, someone must die.
For fans of the dark and gritty world of Serpent and the Wings of Night and the scorching romance and adventure of The Mummy.
Her job is to uphold the law, his is to break it.
The kingdom of Vargah has been a stronghold for years, tucked safely behind the wall that separates them from the monsters that roam the west. All that threatens them is the rival kingdom of Novaria. But, with a new king on the throne, a peace treaty by marriage has been arranged and now Vargah sits as the most powerful kingdom in the continent. With their fill of water and astra, gifts from the goddess Celestria, and their enemy kingdom now merged as one, there is nothing Vargah can’t do.
Until their revered leader, King Desmond Orathka, goes missing. The thin thread that holds peace between the rival kingdoms begins to unravel.
Aesira Zeliath, Commander of the Red Order of knights, is strict and rigid, a soldier through and through. When her sister Kamari, the newly appointed queen of Vargah, finds a clue to her missing husband's whereabouts, Aesira will lead a mission through the uncharted west to find the king. Nothing will stand in her way of finding Desmond and helping her sister. Until a walking distraction joins the crew…
Stone Odega, ex-convict and current operations specialist of the Boneyard District, spends his days on parole fixing the flying ships that are used to transport goods over the wall. While Aesira finds him untrustworthy, he also holds the record for most miles flown in Vargah, making him the perfect pilot for the mission. By nature, he is wary of the law, despite the beauty of one looming commander, and is hesitant to accept the queen’s offer of payment until he stumbles upon a curious entry in the king’s journal…
This single clue may be the answer to an age old puzzle Stone never thought he’d complete. One that would lead them to the doorstep of an ancient city full of myths and magic. The discovery could change his, and the lives of his crew, forever. But solving this puzzle would alter the world as they know it and with a kindling attraction growing between him and the commander, he isn’t sure that’s a risk he’s willing to take.
For fans of the dark and gritty world of Serpent and the Wings of Night and the scorching romance and adventure of The Mummy.
Her job is to uphold the law, his is to break it.
The kingdom of Vargah has been a stronghold for years, tucked safely behind the wall that separates them from the monsters that roam the west. All that threatens them is the rival kingdom of Novaria. But, with a new king on the throne, a peace treaty by marriage has been arranged and now Vargah sits as the most powerful kingdom in the continent. With their fill of water and astra, gifts from the goddess Celestria, and their enemy kingdom now merged as one, there is nothing Vargah can’t do.
Until their revered leader, King Desmond Orathka, goes missing. The thin thread that holds peace between the rival kingdoms begins to unravel.
Aesira Zeliath, Commander of the Red Order of knights, is strict and rigid, a soldier through and through. When her sister Kamari, the newly appointed queen of Vargah, finds a clue to her missing husband's whereabouts, Aesira will lead a mission through the uncharted west to find the king. Nothing will stand in her way of finding Desmond and helping her sister. Until a walking distraction joins the crew…
Stone Odega, ex-convict and current operations specialist of the Boneyard District, spends his days on parole fixing the flying ships that are used to transport goods over the wall. While Aesira finds him untrustworthy, he also holds the record for most miles flown in Vargah, making him the perfect pilot for the mission. By nature, he is wary of the law, despite the beauty of one looming commander, and is hesitant to accept the queen’s offer of payment until he stumbles upon a curious entry in the king’s journal…
This single clue may be the answer to an age old puzzle Stone never thought he’d complete. One that would lead them to the doorstep of an ancient city full of myths and magic. The discovery could change his, and the lives of his crew, forever. But solving this puzzle would alter the world as they know it and with a kindling attraction growing between him and the commander, he isn’t sure that’s a risk he’s willing to take.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2025
27 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Kristen R. Moore
4 books80 followersHi everyone! I'm Kristen, a fantasy romance writer from the Pacific Northwest. I've always had a passion for writing and reading and in 2023 I took a leap and published my first book, Through the Wicked Wood.
If you love action packed adventure, forbidden love, and a touch of scary, the City of Lost Kings Duology is perfect for you!
If you love cozy settings, mental health rep, with swoon worthy romance and heartbreaking character arcs, I think you'll love the Enchantress Awakens Duology!
Keep up to date by following my author journey on Instagram: @authorkristenmoore
If you love action packed adventure, forbidden love, and a touch of scary, the City of Lost Kings Duology is perfect for you!
If you love cozy settings, mental health rep, with swoon worthy romance and heartbreaking character arcs, I think you'll love the Enchantress Awakens Duology!
Keep up to date by following my author journey on Instagram: @authorkristenmoore
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 11, 2025
I went into this book knowing 3 thing:
1. Kristen Moore wrote it. (If she writes I’m gonna read it.)
2. The vibes were Mummy/ Treasure Planet/ Atlantis/ Six of Crows/ Bridge Kingdom.
3. Epic + dark fantasy (high stakes with creepy monsters).
And oh did this story DELIVER! All the stars!
This cast of characters was everything! I found myself completely emotionally invested. Each POV gripped me. There is so much at play… politics, religion, history, myths… the characters all from opposing sides in many ways, but they fit so beautifully together in a found family that undeniably and naturally took root as the story unfolded.
The romances! I love that the main romantic relationships were deep and true and abiding but started in very unlikely scenarios: one forced (political arrangement), one forbidden (she’s commander, he’s a criminal).
The setting absolutely swept me away. Kristen’s writing transported me. It was vivid and visceral. A few of the monster scenes were like, ope, don’t read that before bed (the perfect amount of scary… brief snatches, but it really set the tone for the world the characters were navigating). I love that there were sketches of the creatures throughout the book as well (I didn’t have to wonder what they actually looked like).
The ending!! AHHH. I literally messaged Kristen, “what do I do now?!” Book 2 can’t come soon enough for me! I’m so glad that it’s a duology!
Thank you to the author for the chance to read an advance copy.
1. Kristen Moore wrote it. (If she writes I’m gonna read it.)
2. The vibes were Mummy/ Treasure Planet/ Atlantis/ Six of Crows/ Bridge Kingdom.
3. Epic + dark fantasy (high stakes with creepy monsters).
And oh did this story DELIVER! All the stars!
This cast of characters was everything! I found myself completely emotionally invested. Each POV gripped me. There is so much at play… politics, religion, history, myths… the characters all from opposing sides in many ways, but they fit so beautifully together in a found family that undeniably and naturally took root as the story unfolded.
The romances! I love that the main romantic relationships were deep and true and abiding but started in very unlikely scenarios: one forced (political arrangement), one forbidden (she’s commander, he’s a criminal).
The setting absolutely swept me away. Kristen’s writing transported me. It was vivid and visceral. A few of the monster scenes were like, ope, don’t read that before bed (the perfect amount of scary… brief snatches, but it really set the tone for the world the characters were navigating). I love that there were sketches of the creatures throughout the book as well (I didn’t have to wonder what they actually looked like).
The ending!! AHHH. I literally messaged Kristen, “what do I do now?!” Book 2 can’t come soon enough for me! I’m so glad that it’s a duology!
Thank you to the author for the chance to read an advance copy.
November 23, 2025
A smuggler with a heart of gold and a good-girl knight go in search of a lost city, fighting monsters, uncovering a conspiracy, and slowly falling in love. It’s just about the perfect adventure romantasy.
October 5, 2025
✨City of Lost Kings✨
I LOVED Kristen’s previous series, which was a beautiful and unique Robin Hood like retelling. And I equally LOVE this new series she’s giving us that gives me total Atlantis x The Mummy with nightmarish monsters vibes.
We follow the third person POV of three characters: Aesira, Kamari, and Stone. Sisters in a new kingdom, Kamari is facing the new revelation of her missing king and the dirty politics that go with it, while Aesira is sent on a mission across the sands to find the missing king. Following the king’s map of myths, Aesira sails the skies with a band of released criminals -one who is quite familiar. As Kamari navigates the snakes within her palace’s walls, Stone and Aesira battle not only mythical monsters but their own personal views on how they were raised, what they were taught to believe, and the walls they built around each other. With so many lies and myths found alive, impending war soon becomes the least of their concerns.
Stone reminds me so much of Milo from Atlantis. His adorable glasses, wit, and intelligence are complimented with the fact that he isn’t the “biggest and baddest warrior” but he’s a chemist and I loved that he was different in this way. Watching him assist Aesira in her identity crisis was so precious and the slow burn is so slow! Full or interruptions, doesn’t hit until near the end, and so worth it! And the found family was so good- I am excited to see the separate found families converge!! I thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of this story and, as always, I just simply enjoy the way Kristen writes! And I’m dying for book two after that ending! 😱
Tropes you may find in COLK are forced proximity, she’s the warrior, he wears glasses, flying ships, yearning, comfort and wound tending, slow burn medium spice, creepy monsters, myths and mystery, best friend sisters and found family, plot twists, and a cliffy!
Kristen, I am so thankful to get to arc read for you again. I LOVE this series so much already and can’t wait for what comes next!
I LOVED Kristen’s previous series, which was a beautiful and unique Robin Hood like retelling. And I equally LOVE this new series she’s giving us that gives me total Atlantis x The Mummy with nightmarish monsters vibes.
We follow the third person POV of three characters: Aesira, Kamari, and Stone. Sisters in a new kingdom, Kamari is facing the new revelation of her missing king and the dirty politics that go with it, while Aesira is sent on a mission across the sands to find the missing king. Following the king’s map of myths, Aesira sails the skies with a band of released criminals -one who is quite familiar. As Kamari navigates the snakes within her palace’s walls, Stone and Aesira battle not only mythical monsters but their own personal views on how they were raised, what they were taught to believe, and the walls they built around each other. With so many lies and myths found alive, impending war soon becomes the least of their concerns.
Stone reminds me so much of Milo from Atlantis. His adorable glasses, wit, and intelligence are complimented with the fact that he isn’t the “biggest and baddest warrior” but he’s a chemist and I loved that he was different in this way. Watching him assist Aesira in her identity crisis was so precious and the slow burn is so slow! Full or interruptions, doesn’t hit until near the end, and so worth it! And the found family was so good- I am excited to see the separate found families converge!! I thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of this story and, as always, I just simply enjoy the way Kristen writes! And I’m dying for book two after that ending! 😱
Tropes you may find in COLK are forced proximity, she’s the warrior, he wears glasses, flying ships, yearning, comfort and wound tending, slow burn medium spice, creepy monsters, myths and mystery, best friend sisters and found family, plot twists, and a cliffy!
Kristen, I am so thankful to get to arc read for you again. I LOVE this series so much already and can’t wait for what comes next!
December 15, 2025
The description for CITY OF LOST KINGS immediately caught my attention so I jumped right in and while the beginning was engaging and interesting, it slowly started to fall apart as I read more. I went back and forth a bit on what I would rate this and while it didn't hit for me I do think there's some potential here for other readers. The writing flowed nicely and the story jumped right into the plot and adventure so that was nice; I also liked that this was basically a story about regular humans trying to survive in a world of monsters. So much of fantasy right now is saturated with magical beings, fae, sexy monsters and demons, etc. that it was nice to read about humans just being badass.
However, I felt like the magic system was never really fleshed out fully; we're told there's a magical flower, astra, given to them by the goddess but how is the magical flower powering their airships, their cooling systems, etc? How does Bird make a flamethrower? What's powering it because it's never explained. There was a lot of commentary on blind religious faith and I loved that but I can't have blind faith in the world-building, things have to be explained. One of the other areas where things didn't make sense was Aesira and Stone's secret kiss they shared prior to the start of the book. This moment is hinted at frequently, to the point that I felt like I missed a prequel, but never really explained until almost two-thirds into the book and in my opinion it didn't make sense for the characters. It's clear that Aesira hates everything about what Stone represents as a smuggler and criminal and their chemistry was not strong enough for her to throw all of that away for a kiss in a seedy bar.
To bring in some good, I did like the adventuring parts and the mystery surrounding the missing city of Ravki; this is definitely where The Mummy vibes came in. The monsters were interesting and varied and there was even some monster art sprinkled throughout the book which was really cool. However, the romance between Stone and Aesira never quiet lived up to the initial interactions and banter. In fact, I was more invested in Desmond and Kamari being reunited than the actual main couple. A big factor in that was the way the slow burn was lacking tension; there were several times where Aesira and Stone start to have a moment and it gets interrupted by a monster attack (which also got too repetitive) and instead of ramping up the unresolved sexual tension between them, they just moved on. Each time felt like the beginning again rather than building and building until the reader was ready to smash their faces together to get them to kiss.
I don't mean for this review to come across overly negative, there were certainly parts of CITY OF LOST KINGS that I enjoyed and I did read it in two days because it was fast paced and engaging. There were some great new ideas here that made this feel fresh in an already oversaturated genre so I can certainly appreciate that. I think if you're looking primarily for an adventurous read with some eventual spice then you'll like this but if you're looking for deep world-building and a strong romance then this might be one to skip.
Content Warning: religious repression; past death of a sibling and guilt over it; references to past abuse as a means of training
However, I felt like the magic system was never really fleshed out fully; we're told there's a magical flower, astra, given to them by the goddess but how is the magical flower powering their airships, their cooling systems, etc? How does Bird make a flamethrower? What's powering it because it's never explained. There was a lot of commentary on blind religious faith and I loved that but I can't have blind faith in the world-building, things have to be explained. One of the other areas where things didn't make sense was Aesira and Stone's secret kiss they shared prior to the start of the book. This moment is hinted at frequently, to the point that I felt like I missed a prequel, but never really explained until almost two-thirds into the book and in my opinion it didn't make sense for the characters. It's clear that Aesira hates everything about what Stone represents as a smuggler and criminal and their chemistry was not strong enough for her to throw all of that away for a kiss in a seedy bar.
To bring in some good, I did like the adventuring parts and the mystery surrounding the missing city of Ravki; this is definitely where The Mummy vibes came in. The monsters were interesting and varied and there was even some monster art sprinkled throughout the book which was really cool. However, the romance between Stone and Aesira never quiet lived up to the initial interactions and banter. In fact, I was more invested in Desmond and Kamari being reunited than the actual main couple. A big factor in that was the way the slow burn was lacking tension; there were several times where Aesira and Stone start to have a moment and it gets interrupted by a monster attack (which also got too repetitive) and instead of ramping up the unresolved sexual tension between them, they just moved on. Each time felt like the beginning again rather than building and building until the reader was ready to smash their faces together to get them to kiss.
I don't mean for this review to come across overly negative, there were certainly parts of CITY OF LOST KINGS that I enjoyed and I did read it in two days because it was fast paced and engaging. There were some great new ideas here that made this feel fresh in an already oversaturated genre so I can certainly appreciate that. I think if you're looking primarily for an adventurous read with some eventual spice then you'll like this but if you're looking for deep world-building and a strong romance then this might be one to skip.
Content Warning: religious repression; past death of a sibling and guilt over it; references to past abuse as a means of training
December 22, 2025
Definitely 4.5 or a little higher! Still digesting all the twists and turns the plot took towards the end and am waiting with baited breath for the sequel.
October 11, 2025
I was pretty excited to sign up for this ARC because I love romantasy and adventure. Growing up with The Mummy and Atlantis and knowing those were points of inspiration - I was sold immediately! And this did not disappoint.
I loved the sense of adventure, flying ships, lost city/ruins, and the push-and-pull between Aesira and Stone. This story is told from multiple POVs which adds to the experience. The characters were likeable (I'm a sucker for a band of good-hearted criminals), offering so much love, loyalty, and witty banter. And although Aesira and Stone were the main couple, we also got to see other relationships build/unfold. The universe was unique and even had some religious undertones, challenging their faith in their goddess.
The ending had me reeeeeelling and now I'm hooked; I absolutely need the second one asap 😩
I loved the sense of adventure, flying ships, lost city/ruins, and the push-and-pull between Aesira and Stone. This story is told from multiple POVs which adds to the experience. The characters were likeable (I'm a sucker for a band of good-hearted criminals), offering so much love, loyalty, and witty banter. And although Aesira and Stone were the main couple, we also got to see other relationships build/unfold. The universe was unique and even had some religious undertones, challenging their faith in their goddess.
The ending had me reeeeeelling and now I'm hooked; I absolutely need the second one asap 😩
July 16, 2025
*this is a review post Beta reading*
I can’t even begin to tell you guys how much I loved this book. I have been on a pretty big fantasy book burn out, this book reminded me of the reason I have always loved fantasy books. It’s not a 15,000 chapter book but still the right amount needed to give you all the feels of a great fantasy story.
My commentary while reading this story to Moore included “I am swooning” to “I’m freaking the eff out and my skin is itchy with suspense”. Moore has a way with words that captivate me and enthralled me to want to gobble up this story! I’m now ready for her to give me book two like yesterday mmkay
I am so proud of you Kristen and the story you have written I can’t wait to re-read this in its final form because I know it’s only going to shine more!
Troupes you’ll find in this book:
🫶🏼Found family
🫶🏼Arranged Marriage
🫶🏼She’s grumpy/he’s not
🫶🏼struggling to find yourself with loosing the guilt
🫶🏼adventure
🫶🏼a fan-freaking-tastic time!
Vibes this book reminded me of:
✨The Mummy
✨Indiana Jones
✨Star Wars
✨Steam-punk
I can’t even begin to tell you guys how much I loved this book. I have been on a pretty big fantasy book burn out, this book reminded me of the reason I have always loved fantasy books. It’s not a 15,000 chapter book but still the right amount needed to give you all the feels of a great fantasy story.
My commentary while reading this story to Moore included “I am swooning” to “I’m freaking the eff out and my skin is itchy with suspense”. Moore has a way with words that captivate me and enthralled me to want to gobble up this story! I’m now ready for her to give me book two like yesterday mmkay
I am so proud of you Kristen and the story you have written I can’t wait to re-read this in its final form because I know it’s only going to shine more!
Troupes you’ll find in this book:
🫶🏼Found family
🫶🏼Arranged Marriage
🫶🏼She’s grumpy/he’s not
🫶🏼struggling to find yourself with loosing the guilt
🫶🏼adventure
🫶🏼a fan-freaking-tastic time!
Vibes this book reminded me of:
✨The Mummy
✨Indiana Jones
✨Star Wars
✨Steam-punk
November 13, 2025
I just finished this book and absolutely cannot wait for the next! I feel like so many things were revealed in the last 20% and I am JONESING for answers! It really took a wild turn and I just know the second book is going to be exciting and angsty.
The story gave me Atlantis X Treasure Island vibes. I absolutely loved how sweet the MMC, Stone, was. From the very beginning this man gave off major golden retriever vibes and I adored him! Aesira is this strong and brave Commander, made to be so after a tragic past and harsh upbringing. They complemented each other so perfectly and I need to see how they get themselves out of their present circumstances!! 🥺
The monsters they came across on their adventure to find King Desmond were all so unique and terrifying! At times the story felt light and low-stakes, but then the monsters would come out and all sorts of hell would break loose…oh, and the G0re! Gah, it had my heart pounding and the author did such an amazing job at setting the scene. It was easy to get lost in these pages, only to blink and realize you read 200 pages straight through without stopping to breathe. 🔥 🙌🏻
If you love a story with adventure, monsters, political intrigue, betrayal, star-crossed lovers, mystery, yearning, she’s the bad*ss with the blades, he wears glasses and reads her to sleep…then this is for you!
The story gave me Atlantis X Treasure Island vibes. I absolutely loved how sweet the MMC, Stone, was. From the very beginning this man gave off major golden retriever vibes and I adored him! Aesira is this strong and brave Commander, made to be so after a tragic past and harsh upbringing. They complemented each other so perfectly and I need to see how they get themselves out of their present circumstances!! 🥺
The monsters they came across on their adventure to find King Desmond were all so unique and terrifying! At times the story felt light and low-stakes, but then the monsters would come out and all sorts of hell would break loose…oh, and the G0re! Gah, it had my heart pounding and the author did such an amazing job at setting the scene. It was easy to get lost in these pages, only to blink and realize you read 200 pages straight through without stopping to breathe. 🔥 🙌🏻
If you love a story with adventure, monsters, political intrigue, betrayal, star-crossed lovers, mystery, yearning, she’s the bad*ss with the blades, he wears glasses and reads her to sleep…then this is for you!
November 13, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Tropes: Yearning, Mythical Creatures, Perilous Quest
So use me. Lie to me. Break my fucking heart I should be so lucky.
City of Lost Kings we meet Aesira (FMC) a princess & knight bound by duty trying to prove herself against a backdrop of corrupt kingdoms and the oppression installed by a false Goddess. She goes on a mission to not only find her sister's husband but also to prove to herself she is worthy of something more than titles. She joins a band of smugglers who are searching for freedom and redemption which opens then all to the truth about the lies they have been feed by those who hold power. One smuggler Stone (MMC) is devoted to his found family and is driven to seeing if the stories of the utopia Ravki actually exist. They face monsters human & mystical along the way and our MC's endure a slow burn like no other.
Its hard not to fall for this story, with the way the characters bare their souls desperate for more than what they were born into and what they have been molded to become. We readers watch a love story unfold with such delicious and agonizing pacing. The cliffhanger was unexpected and I'm eagerly waiting to find out what happens to our star crossed lovers.
Tropes: Yearning, Mythical Creatures, Perilous Quest
So use me. Lie to me. Break my fucking heart I should be so lucky.
City of Lost Kings we meet Aesira (FMC) a princess & knight bound by duty trying to prove herself against a backdrop of corrupt kingdoms and the oppression installed by a false Goddess. She goes on a mission to not only find her sister's husband but also to prove to herself she is worthy of something more than titles. She joins a band of smugglers who are searching for freedom and redemption which opens then all to the truth about the lies they have been feed by those who hold power. One smuggler Stone (MMC) is devoted to his found family and is driven to seeing if the stories of the utopia Ravki actually exist. They face monsters human & mystical along the way and our MC's endure a slow burn like no other.
Its hard not to fall for this story, with the way the characters bare their souls desperate for more than what they were born into and what they have been molded to become. We readers watch a love story unfold with such delicious and agonizing pacing. The cliffhanger was unexpected and I'm eagerly waiting to find out what happens to our star crossed lovers.
November 15, 2025
Don't sleep on City of Lost Kings! Kristen R. Moore delivers a unique epic adventure fantasy that you do not want to miss!
When the her brother in law, the King, goes missing her sister begs Aesira to find him and bring him back to the kingdom of Vargah. But the season is filled with dangerous weather and other monsters that live beyond the wall. So she has to team with Stone Odega, an ex-convict who now fixes the flying ships used for supplies and transport. Aesira is less than thrilled when he has his team of convicts join them. But she has little choice but to agree in order to help her sister. Meanwhile, Kamari, Queen of Vargah, will fight of challenges to her rule and her demand that she remarry so a new king can lead (cause heaven forbid she be able to lead).
The book is a whirlwind adventure of fantastical monsters and dangerous cities. I loved the unique monsters that were present and the found family bond that started to form between the crew. I also loved loved loved the emotional back and forth between Aesira and Stone (did I mention their awkward one night stand that is the elephant in the room?)
Kristen R. Moore had me fully invested in this quest to find the king. Though I will say she ended the book on such an unique and fun spin that I am so ready for book 2!
When the her brother in law, the King, goes missing her sister begs Aesira to find him and bring him back to the kingdom of Vargah. But the season is filled with dangerous weather and other monsters that live beyond the wall. So she has to team with Stone Odega, an ex-convict who now fixes the flying ships used for supplies and transport. Aesira is less than thrilled when he has his team of convicts join them. But she has little choice but to agree in order to help her sister. Meanwhile, Kamari, Queen of Vargah, will fight of challenges to her rule and her demand that she remarry so a new king can lead (cause heaven forbid she be able to lead).
The book is a whirlwind adventure of fantastical monsters and dangerous cities. I loved the unique monsters that were present and the found family bond that started to form between the crew. I also loved loved loved the emotional back and forth between Aesira and Stone (did I mention their awkward one night stand that is the elephant in the room?)
Kristen R. Moore had me fully invested in this quest to find the king. Though I will say she ended the book on such an unique and fun spin that I am so ready for book 2!
November 3, 2025
This book delivers on the backdrop of the Mummy, the adventure of Six of Crows and the mystery of Atlantis with a sprinkle of Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. There's flying ships, a rag tag band of loveable criminals, an array of creepy AF monsters and a duo of sisters that are both so different but both so relatable. Moore's stories always have heart and swooning, tragedy and mystery, and though this is something fresh and new from her, the voice of her storytelling stays true, providing cheeky banter and characters you care deeply about. Absolutely bingeable! I didn't want to put it down and the cliffhangers have me frothing for what's next. Unsolved Mysteries by Kristen Moore is one of my favorite genres!
October 7, 2025
What an incredible journey this book is. I fell in love with every character and the world she created. Multiple pov gives you rare insight into each characters thoughts and struggles. action without being daunting... passion and friendship that transcends the boxes the characters start with. I am completely blown away by this story, and I am aching for more. if I could describe the feeling of this book in one word or one sentence... it be Hope, hope is what spurs every belief and also shatters it.
to the author...
thank you for writing a world that I yearn to be a part of. For creating a space I could get lost in and forget about my life. You created something magical, and I am grateful to authors like you. I can't wait to see what comes next.
to the author...
thank you for writing a world that I yearn to be a part of. For creating a space I could get lost in and forget about my life. You created something magical, and I am grateful to authors like you. I can't wait to see what comes next.
October 20, 2025
I just finished my ARC of City of Lost Kings by Kristen R. Moore, and wow—this book reminded me exactly why I love fantasy. 💜
If you’ve ever wanted fantasy with Treasure Planet, Atlantis, Mummy, Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean and some Indiana Jones vibes, all wrapped in royal intrigue and heart-clenching emotion—this is it.
Flying ships, a smuggler with too much charm, a princess who can handle herself, and a story that builds layer after layer until that cliffhanger hits. (I may have audibly gasped.)
This wasn’t a “have to review” read—it was a couldn’t-put-down one.
✨ Add City of Lost Kings (out 11/13/25) to your TBR and thank me later.
#CityOfLostKings #KristenRMoore #FantasyBooks #ARCReview #BookTok #FantasyAdventure #BroncosAndBooks
If you’ve ever wanted fantasy with Treasure Planet, Atlantis, Mummy, Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean and some Indiana Jones vibes, all wrapped in royal intrigue and heart-clenching emotion—this is it.
Flying ships, a smuggler with too much charm, a princess who can handle herself, and a story that builds layer after layer until that cliffhanger hits. (I may have audibly gasped.)
This wasn’t a “have to review” read—it was a couldn’t-put-down one.
✨ Add City of Lost Kings (out 11/13/25) to your TBR and thank me later.
#CityOfLostKings #KristenRMoore #FantasyBooks #ARCReview #BookTok #FantasyAdventure #BroncosAndBooks
November 11, 2025
This book kept me up past my bedtime. It was just so good, I didn't want to put it down. It has monsters, action, and a perilous journey that brings characters who should despise one another, together. Our FMC is a commander of the law and our MMC is a book loving, adventure seeking ex-smuggler.
Aesire and Stone must work together to find the King who has gone missing. Along the way they fight monsters, discover secrets that the ruling Kingdom has tried to keep buried, and try to resist the chemistry that is sparking between them.
The yearning and banter in this book was top tier and the ending has me desperately waiting for the second book. Did I mention there are flying ships and sandstorms?
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Aesire and Stone must work together to find the King who has gone missing. Along the way they fight monsters, discover secrets that the ruling Kingdom has tried to keep buried, and try to resist the chemistry that is sparking between them.
The yearning and banter in this book was top tier and the ending has me desperately waiting for the second book. Did I mention there are flying ships and sandstorms?
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
November 12, 2025
Wow! This book has it all! Adventure, slow burn, forbidden love - witty bantering! If you like adventure mixed with fantasy and archeology you’ll love this. From Atlantis vibes to dragons to exploring ancient ruins and mythology you’ll be taken on a whirl wind of a ride as the main characters not only try to find thier place in the world but figure out who they truly are themselves. Cannot wait for book 2.
Spice level: 2/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing was amazing perfectly paced and well descripted throughout
Spice level: 2/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing was amazing perfectly paced and well descripted throughout
October 5, 2025
WOW—what a ride!
If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with a good slow burn, you’ll want to add COLK to your TBR immediately.
Every time I read one of Kristen’s books, I fall in love with her characters. I won’t share too many details (no spoilers here!), but I will say this: it usually takes me a few chapters to really settle into a new story. With COLK, I was hooked from page one. The pacing, the worldbuilding, the emotional pull—it all worked. I was so immersed I didn’t even realize I was on the last page. I kept swiping, convinced there had to be one more chapter!
This book is the perfect blend of mystery, adventure, monsters/creatures, banter, and romance. The way it explores belief and doubt hit me right in the heart—it added so much depth to the story.
Now I’m just sitting here, dying to find out what happens next. Highly recommend!
If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with a good slow burn, you’ll want to add COLK to your TBR immediately.
Every time I read one of Kristen’s books, I fall in love with her characters. I won’t share too many details (no spoilers here!), but I will say this: it usually takes me a few chapters to really settle into a new story. With COLK, I was hooked from page one. The pacing, the worldbuilding, the emotional pull—it all worked. I was so immersed I didn’t even realize I was on the last page. I kept swiping, convinced there had to be one more chapter!
This book is the perfect blend of mystery, adventure, monsters/creatures, banter, and romance. The way it explores belief and doubt hit me right in the heart—it added so much depth to the story.
Now I’m just sitting here, dying to find out what happens next. Highly recommend!
December 17, 2025
'City of Lost Kings' is a whole adventure-soaked experience. It grabbed me from the start, and I was glued to it till I was screaming at the cliffhanger ending. Aesira is a fiery, take-no-nonsense FMC with hidden trauma; Stone is the charming MMC who had me kicking my feet; and yes, his glasses absolutely count as a sexy side character.
Moore has done a fantastic job of creating the world of Vargah through rich, immersive storytelling that pulled me right in.
The intrigue, the suspense, the nonstop chaos… and the yearning. Oh my god, the yearning. Every time these two were about to have a moment, some random creature would interrupt, and I'd be internally shrieking, "Can someone give them literally ONE minute alone?" I was way too emotionally invested.
Stone and Aesira's slow-burn chemistry was pure fire, and their dynamic only got more addictive as things unfolded. We also get a third POV from Queen Kamira, who walks in and steals the scenes. The side characters were fun too and I kinda wanted to know more about them. They are quirky and unique and, would like to see more of their story in the upcoming book.
A must-read for romance lovers. Can't wait for Book 2!
Moore has done a fantastic job of creating the world of Vargah through rich, immersive storytelling that pulled me right in.
The intrigue, the suspense, the nonstop chaos… and the yearning. Oh my god, the yearning. Every time these two were about to have a moment, some random creature would interrupt, and I'd be internally shrieking, "Can someone give them literally ONE minute alone?" I was way too emotionally invested.
Stone and Aesira's slow-burn chemistry was pure fire, and their dynamic only got more addictive as things unfolded. We also get a third POV from Queen Kamira, who walks in and steals the scenes. The side characters were fun too and I kinda wanted to know more about them. They are quirky and unique and, would like to see more of their story in the upcoming book.
A must-read for romance lovers. Can't wait for Book 2!
December 28, 2025
A book that almost made me ‘lose’ my will to live
October 19, 2025
I try not to sign up for an ARC unless I truly believe it’ll be a good one, I signed up for this one because Kristen’s Enchantress series is one of my favorites and I just couldn’t wait for release day.
Kristen has a unique talent for crafting characters with so much depth that their thoughts and heartache touch your soul. Her stories also take you to new places with vastly different settings without making it feel exhausting or overwhelming.
This story was so different from anything I’ve read, with flying ships, a female knighthood, and magic that comes from an outside source rather than being inherently present in special people in a society. At no point did I know where this story was going, I was just along for the ride and loved every minute of it, starting from the perfect opening line and all the creepy art.
I can’t wait for book 2!
Kristen has a unique talent for crafting characters with so much depth that their thoughts and heartache touch your soul. Her stories also take you to new places with vastly different settings without making it feel exhausting or overwhelming.
This story was so different from anything I’ve read, with flying ships, a female knighthood, and magic that comes from an outside source rather than being inherently present in special people in a society. At no point did I know where this story was going, I was just along for the ride and loved every minute of it, starting from the perfect opening line and all the creepy art.
I can’t wait for book 2!
October 30, 2025
Five freaking stars.
Are you sick of the same fantasy romance books? Broody dark hair male? Girl with hidden powers? Let me introduce you to what you need - City of Lost Kings!
This book blew me away. I already knew I loved Moore’s writing as I have read her first series, but this book completely sucked me in. The pacing, perfect. The characters, layered and relatable. The action, INTENSE. Seriously, the monsters were creepy yet awesome. This truly is felt unique and fresh and I am so grateful I was able to get an advanced copy to review.
I can’t wait for book two!
Are you sick of the same fantasy romance books? Broody dark hair male? Girl with hidden powers? Let me introduce you to what you need - City of Lost Kings!
This book blew me away. I already knew I loved Moore’s writing as I have read her first series, but this book completely sucked me in. The pacing, perfect. The characters, layered and relatable. The action, INTENSE. Seriously, the monsters were creepy yet awesome. This truly is felt unique and fresh and I am so grateful I was able to get an advanced copy to review.
I can’t wait for book two!
November 11, 2025
ARC REVIEW -
Reading Kristen’s books feels like coming home. A safe space to land. A lifeline of hope. This time around I found myself in a world full of magic, quests & unearthly monsters. But it was the monsters battled within the MCs that won my heart. The found family that felt like safety. The tending to each other’s internal wounds that gave me hope. Kristen writes stories that you’ve probably lived and worlds you can only imagine living in. So if you want a book that has The Mummy vibes, a MMC that channels Milo from Atlantis and a FMC who wields a sword all while holding your emotions hostage, The City Of Lost Kings is for you.
A big thank you to Kristen for the privilege of being on your ARC team.
This is book one in a duology and ends on a cliffhanger. Please read CWs before diving in.
Reading Kristen’s books feels like coming home. A safe space to land. A lifeline of hope. This time around I found myself in a world full of magic, quests & unearthly monsters. But it was the monsters battled within the MCs that won my heart. The found family that felt like safety. The tending to each other’s internal wounds that gave me hope. Kristen writes stories that you’ve probably lived and worlds you can only imagine living in. So if you want a book that has The Mummy vibes, a MMC that channels Milo from Atlantis and a FMC who wields a sword all while holding your emotions hostage, The City Of Lost Kings is for you.
A big thank you to Kristen for the privilege of being on your ARC team.
This is book one in a duology and ends on a cliffhanger. Please read CWs before diving in.
December 8, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
Such a fun and different read! It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I really loved the world and the vibe – from the ships flying over the sand to the MMC with his slutty little glasses. And I think Stone and Aesira were such a good match and complemented each other in both their differences and similarities. The dutyfull lady knight and the rebellious criminal was such a fun mix and I really enjoyed seeing them both grow and learn to trust each other. I also think adding the POV of Kamari worked really well for the story and I'm so excited to see her journey moving forward.
There did end up being a few minor inconsistencies and unexplained things throughout, like when Aesira mentions that something happened "a few weeks ago" but it was actually just a few days. Or the way Stone seems to not know the color of astra despite using it for his ship. I don't know if he uses a processed version where you don't actually see the flower itself – but they talk about fuel in terms of the number of flowers they need, so it sounds like they use them in their natural form. I would have liked some more details there, because it ended up feeling like a mistake when in reality maybe it just needed to be explained more.
There were also some instances where things seemed a bit convenient (for both the good and the bad guys) and the problems ended up being quite easy/quick to solve when it seemed impossible a second ago. It wasn't a big deal, but I just noticed it a few times throughout.
But it was such a great and fun book, and I'm really intrigued and excited for the next installment. I think there's a lot of potential here and I can't wait to see what direction the story will go in.
The review itself will have any potential spoilers hidden. However, the following quotes will be fully visible and quite possibly full of spoilers, so read those at your own risk.
✨"But I’ll remind you, that while the idea of being tied up by you is tempting, I’m afraid I’ll need both of my hands to do my job well."✨
✨Stone reeled back. "I’d rather choke." She laughed into her mug. "We can make that happen." "Oh?" Stone leaned forward. "Is that a promise or a threat, Commander?"✨
✨"Isn’t this the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?" When Stone didn’t answer, she turned to him, a flush rising to her cheeks when his eyes were already on her. "It’s a very close second," he said.✨
✨"I’m at your mercy." A small scrape of teeth against her throat followed by another kiss. "So use me. Lie to me. Break my fucking heart. I should be so lucky."✨
Such a fun and different read! It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I really loved the world and the vibe – from the ships flying over the sand to the MMC with his slutty little glasses. And I think Stone and Aesira were such a good match and complemented each other in both their differences and similarities. The dutyfull lady knight and the rebellious criminal was such a fun mix and I really enjoyed seeing them both grow and learn to trust each other. I also think adding the POV of Kamari worked really well for the story and I'm so excited to see her journey moving forward.
There did end up being a few minor inconsistencies and unexplained things throughout, like when Aesira mentions that something happened "a few weeks ago" but it was actually just a few days. Or the way Stone seems to not know the color of astra despite using it for his ship. I don't know if he uses a processed version where you don't actually see the flower itself – but they talk about fuel in terms of the number of flowers they need, so it sounds like they use them in their natural form. I would have liked some more details there, because it ended up feeling like a mistake when in reality maybe it just needed to be explained more.
There were also some instances where things seemed a bit convenient (for both the good and the bad guys) and the problems ended up being quite easy/quick to solve when it seemed impossible a second ago. It wasn't a big deal, but I just noticed it a few times throughout.
But it was such a great and fun book, and I'm really intrigued and excited for the next installment. I think there's a lot of potential here and I can't wait to see what direction the story will go in.
The review itself will have any potential spoilers hidden. However, the following quotes will be fully visible and quite possibly full of spoilers, so read those at your own risk.
✨"But I’ll remind you, that while the idea of being tied up by you is tempting, I’m afraid I’ll need both of my hands to do my job well."✨
✨Stone reeled back. "I’d rather choke." She laughed into her mug. "We can make that happen." "Oh?" Stone leaned forward. "Is that a promise or a threat, Commander?"✨
✨"Isn’t this the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?" When Stone didn’t answer, she turned to him, a flush rising to her cheeks when his eyes were already on her. "It’s a very close second," he said.✨
✨"I’m at your mercy." A small scrape of teeth against her throat followed by another kiss. "So use me. Lie to me. Break my fucking heart. I should be so lucky."✨
November 13, 2025
“I care because you care”
“Kiss me until our lips are bruised and our lungs are burning. Kiss me until we are nothing but bone and dust. If you keep kissing me, I won’t lose you”
Aesira was raised to become an enforcer of the law while her sister Kamari was taught etiquette to one day rule over it. Aesira who is a knight of the Order and sworn to duty and Stone Odega who is an ex convicted smuggler with a crew band together on behest of the Queen Kamari when her husband the King of Vargah suddenly goes missing. Their journey together through the dangerous desert routes on a flying ship takes them West as they follow the rantings in a journal of the missing King and old stories overheard. If they don’t succeed in bringing him back then the treaty by marriage between the King and Queen will be threatened and all peace could be lost between the kingdoms of Vargah and Novaria. As the trek goes on, Aesira and Stone not only battle their personal inner struggles along the way, but they also battle the wills of their hearts towards each other. Queen Kamari has been left with her own battles within the Kingdom to keep the peace from falling apart and political tensions at bay.
I truly enjoy the way Kristen creates her stories. She writes with a purpose, for the plot, for the characters and everything in between. Her world building is so immersive that while reading, you can feel the beating of the sandstorm along your own skin and feel the flying ship beneath your feet as you are miles above the land. Your heart races alongside the characters as they journey to find their lost king through a perilous desert with monsters. You feel the mental growth the characters do as they reflect inward on who they really are and who they want to become. You gain the strength they do, the love and the trust. You feel the emotions as they try to unravel lies and hidden secrets to discover the truths.
My favorite parts are the different POV’s throughout the book, the way that each character has their own story within the story that you get to experience. All of the characters have their own depth to them and relatability. I loved the desert appeal of the book, but I also might be slightly biased as my family and I have now lived in the desert a few years now and it’s grown on me significantly. I am also always all for things that are creepy and Kristen did an outstanding job with the horrifically detailed depictions of the monsters within the story and the illustrations of those monsters displayed on pages throughout. I’m obsessed and slightly terrified. The writing was smooth and consistent and the pace was great and kept me constantly reading until the book was finished. The slow burn, I’m a sucker for a good slow burn and this had it. Also found family is a favorite of mine and you get that and all of its goodness as well. I loved it, plain and simple! Thank you so much to the author who gave me an early copy of the book!
“Kiss me until our lips are bruised and our lungs are burning. Kiss me until we are nothing but bone and dust. If you keep kissing me, I won’t lose you”
Aesira was raised to become an enforcer of the law while her sister Kamari was taught etiquette to one day rule over it. Aesira who is a knight of the Order and sworn to duty and Stone Odega who is an ex convicted smuggler with a crew band together on behest of the Queen Kamari when her husband the King of Vargah suddenly goes missing. Their journey together through the dangerous desert routes on a flying ship takes them West as they follow the rantings in a journal of the missing King and old stories overheard. If they don’t succeed in bringing him back then the treaty by marriage between the King and Queen will be threatened and all peace could be lost between the kingdoms of Vargah and Novaria. As the trek goes on, Aesira and Stone not only battle their personal inner struggles along the way, but they also battle the wills of their hearts towards each other. Queen Kamari has been left with her own battles within the Kingdom to keep the peace from falling apart and political tensions at bay.
I truly enjoy the way Kristen creates her stories. She writes with a purpose, for the plot, for the characters and everything in between. Her world building is so immersive that while reading, you can feel the beating of the sandstorm along your own skin and feel the flying ship beneath your feet as you are miles above the land. Your heart races alongside the characters as they journey to find their lost king through a perilous desert with monsters. You feel the mental growth the characters do as they reflect inward on who they really are and who they want to become. You gain the strength they do, the love and the trust. You feel the emotions as they try to unravel lies and hidden secrets to discover the truths.
My favorite parts are the different POV’s throughout the book, the way that each character has their own story within the story that you get to experience. All of the characters have their own depth to them and relatability. I loved the desert appeal of the book, but I also might be slightly biased as my family and I have now lived in the desert a few years now and it’s grown on me significantly. I am also always all for things that are creepy and Kristen did an outstanding job with the horrifically detailed depictions of the monsters within the story and the illustrations of those monsters displayed on pages throughout. I’m obsessed and slightly terrified. The writing was smooth and consistent and the pace was great and kept me constantly reading until the book was finished. The slow burn, I’m a sucker for a good slow burn and this had it. Also found family is a favorite of mine and you get that and all of its goodness as well. I loved it, plain and simple! Thank you so much to the author who gave me an early copy of the book!
October 2, 2025
***ARC read
OHMYGOSH this book had me on my knees!!!! I was HOOKED from the prologue. So addicting. It is exactly what I want in a darkish fantasy romance. Check Trigger Warnings. The characters, the world, the tension, the creature/monsters, and add lots of mystery in.... ALL of it was absolutely spot on! Moore's writing is so atmospherically done well. She can transport you into a world and have you grasping for every crumb. She knows how to pace a fantasy that has you on the edge constantly. It grips ya and never lets go. I for one could NOT set this arc down!!! And that is the best feeling ever especially for a very anticipated read for me for the year. And it lived up to that anticipation and THEN SOME!
I was hooked instantly. But what kept me going even more was the mystery of it all. I NEEDED answers for so many things that surrounded the storyline.
Stone and Aesira's tension, banter and moments EPIC!!! SOOOOOOO GOOD!
I loved Kamira and Dresmond's story. I definitely want more of them stat.
The gory yet so fascinating creatures/monters.
The quests and how they got through them. Especially as a group of misfits. Gawd I loved this group. They are some side characters that leave a lasting impression on ya.
I don't want to go too into detail with this one since it isn't out until November. But wow everyone needs to get this on on their TBR asap. It is fantastic and also I am now fiending for book 2 now. How this ended AHHHHHHH I just know book 2 is gonna be a rideeeeeee, to say the least!
Slowwwwwwburn
Tension, banter, rekindling a flame
Gore, monsters
Dragons
Quests and so much mystery
World ran by a god
Ex-criminal that has a past MMC & he wears glasses
A FMC that is a knight fighting for hat she knows
Flying ships that run on the coolest energy source I have ever read
Lots of desert and sand storms
Found Family vibes
Side characters that are TOP TIER (including ex criminals)
Mythology woven in
So much adventure and MORE!
This book gave me vibes of:
The Mummy
National Treasure
Maybe a dash of A Quiet Place
All in all it was spectacular and I am so thankful to Kristen for letting me get my hands on it early!! Perfect way to start out my October!!! I knew this one would be a hit for me being how much I adored Enchantress Awakens series by Kristen but danggggggg she out did herself with this one. Truly epic and I have no idea what I will now do with myself. My mind is left in Vargah!
OHMYGOSH this book had me on my knees!!!! I was HOOKED from the prologue. So addicting. It is exactly what I want in a darkish fantasy romance. Check Trigger Warnings. The characters, the world, the tension, the creature/monsters, and add lots of mystery in.... ALL of it was absolutely spot on! Moore's writing is so atmospherically done well. She can transport you into a world and have you grasping for every crumb. She knows how to pace a fantasy that has you on the edge constantly. It grips ya and never lets go. I for one could NOT set this arc down!!! And that is the best feeling ever especially for a very anticipated read for me for the year. And it lived up to that anticipation and THEN SOME!
I was hooked instantly. But what kept me going even more was the mystery of it all. I NEEDED answers for so many things that surrounded the storyline.
Stone and Aesira's tension, banter and moments EPIC!!! SOOOOOOO GOOD!
I loved Kamira and Dresmond's story. I definitely want more of them stat.
The gory yet so fascinating creatures/monters.
The quests and how they got through them. Especially as a group of misfits. Gawd I loved this group. They are some side characters that leave a lasting impression on ya.
I don't want to go too into detail with this one since it isn't out until November. But wow everyone needs to get this on on their TBR asap. It is fantastic and also I am now fiending for book 2 now. How this ended AHHHHHHH I just know book 2 is gonna be a rideeeeeee, to say the least!
Slowwwwwwburn
Tension, banter, rekindling a flame
Gore, monsters
Dragons
Quests and so much mystery
World ran by a god
Ex-criminal that has a past MMC & he wears glasses
A FMC that is a knight fighting for hat she knows
Flying ships that run on the coolest energy source I have ever read
Lots of desert and sand storms
Found Family vibes
Side characters that are TOP TIER (including ex criminals)
Mythology woven in
So much adventure and MORE!
This book gave me vibes of:
The Mummy
National Treasure
Maybe a dash of A Quiet Place
All in all it was spectacular and I am so thankful to Kristen for letting me get my hands on it early!! Perfect way to start out my October!!! I knew this one would be a hit for me being how much I adored Enchantress Awakens series by Kristen but danggggggg she out did herself with this one. Truly epic and I have no idea what I will now do with myself. My mind is left in Vargah!
October 27, 2025
Her job is to instill the law. His is to find ways around it. She is a knight bound to the Order. He is an ex-convict on parole. Hers are the ways of justice and obedience, no matter the cost. His are the ways of reading, exploring, and solving mysteries.
And yes, it may seem as if Aesira and Stone couldn't be further apart in terms of life circumstances. Yet when you dig deeper, you soon realize that while their paths differ, their inner demons are far more alike than you might have initially thought.
These are two scarred souls, haunted by their pasts and their choices, forever trying to outrun them, yet never quite succeeding. Perhaps the only times when the ghosts fall silent are when Aesira and Stone lower their walls and truly let each other in. Those moments may be rare, but they are worth every ounce of pain.
When the two embark on a perilous quest to find their missing king, the world as they know it begins to crumble before their eyes. All the preconceived truths, all the beliefs, all the sacrifices... What were they all for?
Aesira and Stone will both question their lives, but it is Aesira whose foundations will shatter the most. She has spent her entire life trying to become someone else, someone who would please the Order, her parents, her people. And for what? Where was she in all of that? And will she be able to break those chains and claim her freedom, to choose who she is and how she will live her life?
"And for what it's worth, I don't want you tame," he said. "I want you wild and fierce and terrifying."
And I wish that for Aesira, too. For her, for Stone, and for their chosen family.
So, if your heart yearns for an adventure of epic proportions, one filled with puzzles and mysteries worthy of Indiana Jones and The Mummy; a tale of forbidden love brimming with yearning and passion; and a band of perfectly imperfect misfits, then City of Lost Kings is the book for you. I know it was the right one for me.
Thank you, Kristen, for letting me accompany you on this quest. I truly felt like one of the cadre.
And yes, it may seem as if Aesira and Stone couldn't be further apart in terms of life circumstances. Yet when you dig deeper, you soon realize that while their paths differ, their inner demons are far more alike than you might have initially thought.
These are two scarred souls, haunted by their pasts and their choices, forever trying to outrun them, yet never quite succeeding. Perhaps the only times when the ghosts fall silent are when Aesira and Stone lower their walls and truly let each other in. Those moments may be rare, but they are worth every ounce of pain.
When the two embark on a perilous quest to find their missing king, the world as they know it begins to crumble before their eyes. All the preconceived truths, all the beliefs, all the sacrifices... What were they all for?
Aesira and Stone will both question their lives, but it is Aesira whose foundations will shatter the most. She has spent her entire life trying to become someone else, someone who would please the Order, her parents, her people. And for what? Where was she in all of that? And will she be able to break those chains and claim her freedom, to choose who she is and how she will live her life?
"And for what it's worth, I don't want you tame," he said. "I want you wild and fierce and terrifying."
And I wish that for Aesira, too. For her, for Stone, and for their chosen family.
So, if your heart yearns for an adventure of epic proportions, one filled with puzzles and mysteries worthy of Indiana Jones and The Mummy; a tale of forbidden love brimming with yearning and passion; and a band of perfectly imperfect misfits, then City of Lost Kings is the book for you. I know it was the right one for me.
Thank you, Kristen, for letting me accompany you on this quest. I truly felt like one of the cadre.
November 7, 2025
Thank you to Kristen R. Moore for choosing me to be an ARC reader for City of Lost Kings.
I had such a great time with this book!
This story follows two sisters (Kamari & Aesira) and one smuggler (Stone) through their POVs. Kamari is the Queen and her husband disappears. She sends a search committee out for him and her sister, Aesira and Stone are part of the search party. The search group also includes three other criminals Stone, has freed as part of his deal with Queen Kamari. Aesira and Stone aren’t the traditional soldier and partner duo. The soldier is Aesira, the Queen’s sister and Stone is an ex-smuggler and chemist. Their banter is cute. The other two couples in the book are adorable as well. The story mainly follows Aesira and Stone on their mission to find the king. The crew encounters many scary creatures and uncovers lots of secrets. It was a wild ride and I loved all of it!
One of the ways I determine a five star read is if I crave picking the book up to see what happens next. I craved picking this story up to see what our characters would get into next. There wasn't a single POV I disliked. The side characters are wonderful and add to the story. I could see the following book(s) containing more of the other characters' POVs. The fantasy elements were incredible and I really felt like I was a member of the crew.
I LOVED the ending and I CANNOT wait for the next book. If I'm lucky, I'll be an arc reader again.
I had such a great time with this book!
This story follows two sisters (Kamari & Aesira) and one smuggler (Stone) through their POVs. Kamari is the Queen and her husband disappears. She sends a search committee out for him and her sister, Aesira and Stone are part of the search party. The search group also includes three other criminals Stone, has freed as part of his deal with Queen Kamari. Aesira and Stone aren’t the traditional soldier and partner duo. The soldier is Aesira, the Queen’s sister and Stone is an ex-smuggler and chemist. Their banter is cute. The other two couples in the book are adorable as well. The story mainly follows Aesira and Stone on their mission to find the king. The crew encounters many scary creatures and uncovers lots of secrets. It was a wild ride and I loved all of it!
One of the ways I determine a five star read is if I crave picking the book up to see what happens next. I craved picking this story up to see what our characters would get into next. There wasn't a single POV I disliked. The side characters are wonderful and add to the story. I could see the following book(s) containing more of the other characters' POVs. The fantasy elements were incredible and I really felt like I was a member of the crew.
I LOVED the ending and I CANNOT wait for the next book. If I'm lucky, I'll be an arc reader again.
November 6, 2025
If you tell me your book has Mummy with Atlantis vibes and the MMC wears glasses?!! I am all in! This book is an absolute adventure!
Aesira is the Queens Knight who also happens to be her sister. When her brother in law goes missing, she is put on a quest to find him. Only it has to be done discreetly, the Queen hires an ex-smuggler, who is infamous for making dangerous runs, to help find the lost King. The handsome bespectacled criminal and the commander have a rocky start but is determined to keep things professional between them, however her heart has other plans.
Stone Odega is trying to lay low but when he is approached by the Queen to help find her beloved, he strikes a bargain that will send him across dangerous territories with the straight laced, beautiful commander by his side and his band of misfits. The trek they embark is dangerous, and while Stone is prepared to face any obstacle, he didn't count on his heart being in danger.
This book has slow burn, monsters, political intrigue, magic, found family, hope, twist and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final chapters of this gorgeous book. I was enthralled by the first chapter as it has the perfect set up and creep factor to transport you into Kristen's beautiful world of monsters and hope. A fantastic book beginning to end!
Aesira is the Queens Knight who also happens to be her sister. When her brother in law goes missing, she is put on a quest to find him. Only it has to be done discreetly, the Queen hires an ex-smuggler, who is infamous for making dangerous runs, to help find the lost King. The handsome bespectacled criminal and the commander have a rocky start but is determined to keep things professional between them, however her heart has other plans.
Stone Odega is trying to lay low but when he is approached by the Queen to help find her beloved, he strikes a bargain that will send him across dangerous territories with the straight laced, beautiful commander by his side and his band of misfits. The trek they embark is dangerous, and while Stone is prepared to face any obstacle, he didn't count on his heart being in danger.
This book has slow burn, monsters, political intrigue, magic, found family, hope, twist and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final chapters of this gorgeous book. I was enthralled by the first chapter as it has the perfect set up and creep factor to transport you into Kristen's beautiful world of monsters and hope. A fantastic book beginning to end!
October 30, 2025
Oh my god that ending! So many twists and turns in the past few pages has me reeling and ready for the next book like ASAP!!
If you’re looking for a romantasy book to pick up with multiple POVs that follows a set of sister princesses, one left to run a kingdom while the other joins a band of outlaws trying to find the missing king, check this book out. I loved how the story flowed back and forth between the two plot lines, one out adventuring to places unknown and discovering long hidden secrets while the other has to do political maneuvering back in their kingdom to keep their hold on the throne had me enthralled in the book unable to put it down! I really enjoyed the banter between Aesira (the sister on the adventure) and Stone, the man she can’t help but be drawn to even though he goes against everything she stands for as both a royal and commander and for him she is everything he could never live up to being.
Overall, the plot kept me on the edge of my feet with plenty of battles, adventure quest scenes and of course plenty of romance between several of the characters, and my rating is 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author and FaRo Society for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own
If you’re looking for a romantasy book to pick up with multiple POVs that follows a set of sister princesses, one left to run a kingdom while the other joins a band of outlaws trying to find the missing king, check this book out. I loved how the story flowed back and forth between the two plot lines, one out adventuring to places unknown and discovering long hidden secrets while the other has to do political maneuvering back in their kingdom to keep their hold on the throne had me enthralled in the book unable to put it down! I really enjoyed the banter between Aesira (the sister on the adventure) and Stone, the man she can’t help but be drawn to even though he goes against everything she stands for as both a royal and commander and for him she is everything he could never live up to being.
Overall, the plot kept me on the edge of my feet with plenty of battles, adventure quest scenes and of course plenty of romance between several of the characters, and my rating is 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author and FaRo Society for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own
October 20, 2025
First, I want to thank Kristen Moore for sending me the ARC for this story.
I really enjoyed this story, as it is different from others that I’ve read in the genre. I was hooked from the first page and was curious to see how the story unfolded. The main characters were relatable and I was happy we got to see beneath some of their layers to better understand why they are the way they are and their motivations. The side characters were excellent as well, and I hope we get to know more about each of their backgrounds as well.
I’m curious to see what the ties are between Desmond and Stone. I knew there was something more to it with Stone’s reaction to the astra and his scars. I’m also interested to see how Aesira and Kamari develop with their roles somewhat swapped at the end of book one. Also looking forward to the collaboration of Stone and Nev and how they work together.
I cannot wait to see where this story takes us and how the journey unfolds, and I will eagerly await the next installment. In the meantime, I will definitely be reading more books by Kristen Moore and hope to have more opportunities for receiving ARCs in the future.
I really enjoyed this story, as it is different from others that I’ve read in the genre. I was hooked from the first page and was curious to see how the story unfolded. The main characters were relatable and I was happy we got to see beneath some of their layers to better understand why they are the way they are and their motivations. The side characters were excellent as well, and I hope we get to know more about each of their backgrounds as well.
I’m curious to see what the ties are between Desmond and Stone. I knew there was something more to it with Stone’s reaction to the astra and his scars. I’m also interested to see how Aesira and Kamari develop with their roles somewhat swapped at the end of book one. Also looking forward to the collaboration of Stone and Nev and how they work together.
I cannot wait to see where this story takes us and how the journey unfolds, and I will eagerly await the next installment. In the meantime, I will definitely be reading more books by Kristen Moore and hope to have more opportunities for receiving ARCs in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
When I see a Kristen R. Moore book, I know I will be going on quite an adventure and this book did not disappoint!
I loved this story so much. Its starts with a mystery and it had me immediately wanting to dive in. The world. The magic. The politics. All of it drama and I just wanted to be right in the middle of it all! There is still so much I want to continue to explore about this world.
I also loved that it was nonstop action. It isn’t safe beyond the city of Vargah for a reason and the characters learn about that quick. I really enjoyed how high the stakes were. The minute I thought maybe they were in the clear, something would come crawling out of the shadows.
One thing Moore does exceptionally well, is creating flawed real characters. Aesira, Stone, and Kamari each go through quite a journey and its not even close to being over. I loved being with all three of them as they traversed through unknown. I was always delighted to see whose POV chapter would appear next.
Our three MCs would not have made it as far as they did if it wasn’t for all the side characters. The Odega cadre was so chaotic, I loved every second they were on the page. The love they have for each other is so obvious. It gave big Crows vibes (from Six of Crows) and I could not get enough. And I know we have not seen the last of our favorite knights!
Moore has created something really special here. The setting is so rich and well thought out. The characters are complex and flawed, leaving room for continued growth. I truly can’t get enough and I have not stopped thinking about it.
This one does end on an oddly satisfying cliff hanger so, back your climbing gear. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this story so much. Its starts with a mystery and it had me immediately wanting to dive in. The world. The magic. The politics. All of it drama and I just wanted to be right in the middle of it all! There is still so much I want to continue to explore about this world.
I also loved that it was nonstop action. It isn’t safe beyond the city of Vargah for a reason and the characters learn about that quick. I really enjoyed how high the stakes were. The minute I thought maybe they were in the clear, something would come crawling out of the shadows.
One thing Moore does exceptionally well, is creating flawed real characters. Aesira, Stone, and Kamari each go through quite a journey and its not even close to being over. I loved being with all three of them as they traversed through unknown. I was always delighted to see whose POV chapter would appear next.
Our three MCs would not have made it as far as they did if it wasn’t for all the side characters. The Odega cadre was so chaotic, I loved every second they were on the page. The love they have for each other is so obvious. It gave big Crows vibes (from Six of Crows) and I could not get enough. And I know we have not seen the last of our favorite knights!
Moore has created something really special here. The setting is so rich and well thought out. The characters are complex and flawed, leaving room for continued growth. I truly can’t get enough and I have not stopped thinking about it.
This one does end on an oddly satisfying cliff hanger so, back your climbing gear. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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