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The Celestia Trilogy #3
Queen of Blood
The epic conclusion to the LGBTQ fantasy series.
King Anden of Vindra stands against High Queen Telmaine, a clash of crowns that will determine the fate of the continent. The Berossian Empire launches its forces in a great crusade, but an unexpected voice rises in the form of a barefoot priestess, whose messages of peace spread like wildfire, threatening to derail the empire’s war effort and shake its very foundations.
Cities will burn. Generals will fall. History repeats itself as Anden finds himself at sea, torn between saving his kingdom and the man he loves.
The final book of the CELESTIA trilogy is a breathtaking tale of love and sacrifice, choices and destiny. When Celestia is drawn for the last time, who will shape the world to come?
Grab your copy today before the price changes!
King Anden of Vindra stands against High Queen Telmaine, a clash of crowns that will determine the fate of the continent. The Berossian Empire launches its forces in a great crusade, but an unexpected voice rises in the form of a barefoot priestess, whose messages of peace spread like wildfire, threatening to derail the empire’s war effort and shake its very foundations.
Cities will burn. Generals will fall. History repeats itself as Anden finds himself at sea, torn between saving his kingdom and the man he loves.
The final book of the CELESTIA trilogy is a breathtaking tale of love and sacrifice, choices and destiny. When Celestia is drawn for the last time, who will shape the world to come?
Grab your copy today before the price changes!
- GenresFantasy
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
About the author
Nicola Zhang
6 books20 followersNicola Zhang writes award-winning low-magic fantasy inspired by real-world history, with a focus on found family and queer representation.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 7, 2025
Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. As someone who loves supporting indie authors, I always aim to share thoughtful, fair feedback. While I have personal reading preferences like a love for fantasy, horses, or specific tropes, I never let that impact my rating unless it is relevant to the book’s intent or audience. I review with the genre and readership in mind.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: Closed door MM Romance
Darkness/Bloodiness: 🩸🩸🩸 Please check content warning!
I have been reading the series since book one and I got hooked by the characters, the incredible details of medieval fantasy battles, the heart-squeezing queer romance and so much more. Book two almost broke my soul and I needed book three right away, so here we are.
I love how Nicola, the author advertises the book with political intrigue, difficult choices and Duty vs Desire. You, dear book friend reading this review have no idea just how deep those tropes go. You can find PTSD and LGBTQ+ representation woven beautifully into the plot through all the three books. My mind went feral for the Social and Sociopolitical issues that are the backbone of the plot.
- Generational Problems (passing the lead to younger experts in a time of change)
- Dehumanized ruling figures (especially what society expects of royals)
- All about duty and royal ascension (to what limit do we sacrifice in the name of war)
That is just a short, spoiler free snippet there, reader friend. When your favorite characters have to go through all those, it really makes you think and reflect what is your opinion on the matter? The thought “there are no winners in war” kept coming and going in my mind and when the idea of female leadership and second born leadership came in, it just went right to my heart. As a female in tech and last born, much younger sibling those topics come up in my life again and again. I am not exaggerating when I had moments when I could feel for the evil villain of the story.
Right, the villain. Do you miss having an actual dark, made into villain character in stories? Pick up this book. Actually, pick up from the first book since it is not a standalone. You will love and hate Telmaine at the same time. Her character becomes so deep and layered in book three. I ate it all up in two days because I just couldn’t stop reading. How, could I when my favorite characters were fighting for their life and it just kept coming. I absolutely thought Nicola just thought about her worst but realistic nightmares and threw them all on the characters, absolutely evil, but I loved it so much!
A small little reflection on my book two review. How dare I feel bad for Collette, shame on me. I hated her in book three and even if most will forgive her, I do not. Mark my words, she needs to grow up.
Let me quickly summarize it all. People who enjoy deep plot, detailed phenomenal battles and action scenes, will really enjoy the series, especially if they are looking for more diverse stories to add to their reading list. I really hope you will give the books a chance, I genuinely don’t think you will regret it.
My favorite quote (but know I made an annotation hedgehog from my ebook):
“He didn’t stop. He barely saw them. The world had narrowed to a heartbeat, a single prayer pounding against his ribcage. Let him be alive.“
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: Closed door MM Romance
Darkness/Bloodiness: 🩸🩸🩸 Please check content warning!
I have been reading the series since book one and I got hooked by the characters, the incredible details of medieval fantasy battles, the heart-squeezing queer romance and so much more. Book two almost broke my soul and I needed book three right away, so here we are.
I love how Nicola, the author advertises the book with political intrigue, difficult choices and Duty vs Desire. You, dear book friend reading this review have no idea just how deep those tropes go. You can find PTSD and LGBTQ+ representation woven beautifully into the plot through all the three books. My mind went feral for the Social and Sociopolitical issues that are the backbone of the plot.
- Generational Problems (passing the lead to younger experts in a time of change)
- Dehumanized ruling figures (especially what society expects of royals)
- All about duty and royal ascension (to what limit do we sacrifice in the name of war)
That is just a short, spoiler free snippet there, reader friend. When your favorite characters have to go through all those, it really makes you think and reflect what is your opinion on the matter? The thought “there are no winners in war” kept coming and going in my mind and when the idea of female leadership and second born leadership came in, it just went right to my heart. As a female in tech and last born, much younger sibling those topics come up in my life again and again. I am not exaggerating when I had moments when I could feel for the evil villain of the story.
Right, the villain. Do you miss having an actual dark, made into villain character in stories? Pick up this book. Actually, pick up from the first book since it is not a standalone. You will love and hate Telmaine at the same time. Her character becomes so deep and layered in book three. I ate it all up in two days because I just couldn’t stop reading. How, could I when my favorite characters were fighting for their life and it just kept coming. I absolutely thought Nicola just thought about her worst but realistic nightmares and threw them all on the characters, absolutely evil, but I loved it so much!
A small little reflection on my book two review. How dare I feel bad for Collette, shame on me. I hated her in book three and even if most will forgive her, I do not. Mark my words, she needs to grow up.
Let me quickly summarize it all. People who enjoy deep plot, detailed phenomenal battles and action scenes, will really enjoy the series, especially if they are looking for more diverse stories to add to their reading list. I really hope you will give the books a chance, I genuinely don’t think you will regret it.
My favorite quote (but know I made an annotation hedgehog from my ebook):
“He didn’t stop. He barely saw them. The world had narrowed to a heartbeat, a single prayer pounding against his ribcage. Let him be alive.“
September 9, 2025
I loved this book. Oh my goodness.
The series certainly ended with a bang and the entire book was so action filled I wasn't bored for a second. I loved the additional POV we got, and also that we lost a POV in return. Not something I thought I'd celebrate, but not knowing this character's inner monologue just made their story more interesting. And almost a punishment for the character by the end? A deserved one, sorrynotsorry.
The sheer loss of life absolutely floored me, but it made the stakes so much higher and the way the POVs were written made me really feel the losses. Even when people were nameless, I was hurting for them right alongside the main characters.
Anden's story coming full circle in the way it did was so poetic and well done.
And Colleen 😭 Still love her. Dont want to spoil but yeah she is the best.
The deaths... they hurt. But that means the characters were well written.
Literally my only complaint is this black bird. Where did he come from??
Thanks for the journey Nicola, I've loved being a part of it ❤️
The series certainly ended with a bang and the entire book was so action filled I wasn't bored for a second. I loved the additional POV we got, and also that we lost a POV in return. Not something I thought I'd celebrate, but not knowing this character's inner monologue just made their story more interesting. And almost a punishment for the character by the end? A deserved one, sorrynotsorry.
The sheer loss of life absolutely floored me, but it made the stakes so much higher and the way the POVs were written made me really feel the losses. Even when people were nameless, I was hurting for them right alongside the main characters.
Anden's story coming full circle in the way it did was so poetic and well done.
And Colleen 😭 Still love her. Dont want to spoil but yeah she is the best.
The deaths... they hurt. But that means the characters were well written.
Literally my only complaint is this black bird. Where did he come from??
Thanks for the journey Nicola, I've loved being a part of it ❤️
April 19, 2026
This series finished as I'd hoped, with the Berossian Queen of practically everything [in her mind anyhoo] . This last story was full of death unfortunately...but isn't that what war is about?
October 11, 2025
OKAY, so I just finished this trilogy over the course of like four days, and I have some Thoughts.
So first of all, the writing is incredible. Like really, really good. I feel like it's rare to find well-written fantasy with both an interesting cast of characters and politics that are sufficiently satisfying (or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places). Either way, I absolutely loved the writing of all three of these books and give that a 5 star rating on its own.
I find that very few books compel me to think about them after the final page; most I just forget immediately after finishing, and the very few I think a lot about afterward usually end up being my favorites, so it's noteworthy in itself that I have things to say about this trilogy.
Okay so getting right into it, my first thought is that the stakes were simply not high enough by the end of the third book. Even with nothing going to plan, none of main characters suffer much (River literally resurrects Anden with some sort of blood oath?? with no cost/repercussions?? And it works twice??) The book certainly didn't shy away from the macabre yet this felt like such a cop out; River should've been cursed or something (tbh he should’ve died in exchange for Anden living or something crazy like that). It didn't end up being any sort of sacrifice on his part, why wouldn't he trade getting a big ol' cut on his arm for the ability to literally bring someone back from the dead (TWICE). The last battle was cool and all but it certainly had a different flavor knowing that there was no way Anden or River was going to die even in the face of the odds they were up against.
Which also reminds me, the first book/two books put such emphasis on priestesses and their prophecies. Colleen constantly thinks about her prophecy, but misses the part about an army marching across sand and doesn't think to warn anyone about it? It literally wasn't even a riddle it just straight up spelled it out.
All three books felt like separate plots rather than a buildup to one dramatic ending - which on it's face is fine, but I didn't feel the reader was sufficiently fed signs of what was to come (big battle against big queen) in the third book with the much more minor plot lines of the first two books. I'll admit I wasn't super invested in the politics, I was more interested in the characters - which is another part of my critique.
Not enough time was spent building the relationships/romance between the characters. Especially between Anden and River; the reader was told they love each other but I didn't feel it at all from any of their interactions. In fact in the second book I thought them breaking up was gonna be a plot point. When they weren't fuckin they were disagreeing or fighting or River's feelings were hurt (at least in the second book; in the third book when they weren't fuckin, their few on-page interactions were them... smiling at each other?) I just didn't get a sense of why their relationship was so strong AT ALL. Also Anden was really dumb, he should've at least been a competent leader despite lacking confidence. And now that I think of it he wasn't nice either, he treated both Colleen and River really poorly. I just kind of had no reason to believe either of them would've been in as in love with him and I wish the reader got to see more into that.
Speaking of characters, COLLEEN HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. She was immediately one of the characters I found most interesting. The position she was in, her feeling of just being a pawn in someone else's game, her desire to forge her own path in life, she was literally tee'd up to be such a badass. Unfortunately, she got steamrolled by Anden into being his broodmare and didn't even clap back from that by the end of the story. Ultimately the dynamic between the two of them could've been so much more compelling. Just because Anden wasn't romantically interested in her doesn't mean he wouldn't have platonic love for her!!! If they had been best friends since childhood, and they married out of political necessity, that wouldn't mean that Anden had to be an asshole to her. In fact, his platonic love for her could've added a unique complexity to his relationship with River. Not to mention the dynamic between Kal and Colleen also could've been way more interesting. Like a "if he's getting his, I'll get mine" sort of revenge on Anden, even though she really does love Kal.
Ultimately in fantasy books like this (and Game of Thrones; I honestly felt like this book was GoT Lite at some points) I feel like the interpersonal "politics" are just as important as the politics of the plot. I think if this book would've dedicated more time to on-page development of characters' relationships it would've been easily a 5 star read. A lot of big events that would've really helped develop the characters happened off-page (Anden telling River that Colleen was pregnant, Anden meeting his son, Anden and Colleen's wedding, most of Anden's and River's hellos and goodbyes, and that's only from book three) were all things I was looking forward to reading about, and then I'd start the next chapter and they had already happened.
Okay my last Thought is, I feel like River should’ve actually been the high queen's son. I thought that’s what was happening when she glancing over at him?? That she was recognizing him? That would’ve gone CRAZY
So first of all, the writing is incredible. Like really, really good. I feel like it's rare to find well-written fantasy with both an interesting cast of characters and politics that are sufficiently satisfying (or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places). Either way, I absolutely loved the writing of all three of these books and give that a 5 star rating on its own.
I find that very few books compel me to think about them after the final page; most I just forget immediately after finishing, and the very few I think a lot about afterward usually end up being my favorites, so it's noteworthy in itself that I have things to say about this trilogy.
Okay so getting right into it, my first thought is that the stakes were simply not high enough by the end of the third book. Even with nothing going to plan, none of main characters suffer much (River literally resurrects Anden with some sort of blood oath?? with no cost/repercussions?? And it works twice??) The book certainly didn't shy away from the macabre yet this felt like such a cop out; River should've been cursed or something (tbh he should’ve died in exchange for Anden living or something crazy like that). It didn't end up being any sort of sacrifice on his part, why wouldn't he trade getting a big ol' cut on his arm for the ability to literally bring someone back from the dead (TWICE). The last battle was cool and all but it certainly had a different flavor knowing that there was no way Anden or River was going to die even in the face of the odds they were up against.
Which also reminds me, the first book/two books put such emphasis on priestesses and their prophecies. Colleen constantly thinks about her prophecy, but misses the part about an army marching across sand and doesn't think to warn anyone about it? It literally wasn't even a riddle it just straight up spelled it out.
All three books felt like separate plots rather than a buildup to one dramatic ending - which on it's face is fine, but I didn't feel the reader was sufficiently fed signs of what was to come (big battle against big queen) in the third book with the much more minor plot lines of the first two books. I'll admit I wasn't super invested in the politics, I was more interested in the characters - which is another part of my critique.
Not enough time was spent building the relationships/romance between the characters. Especially between Anden and River; the reader was told they love each other but I didn't feel it at all from any of their interactions. In fact in the second book I thought them breaking up was gonna be a plot point. When they weren't fuckin they were disagreeing or fighting or River's feelings were hurt (at least in the second book; in the third book when they weren't fuckin, their few on-page interactions were them... smiling at each other?) I just didn't get a sense of why their relationship was so strong AT ALL. Also Anden was really dumb, he should've at least been a competent leader despite lacking confidence. And now that I think of it he wasn't nice either, he treated both Colleen and River really poorly. I just kind of had no reason to believe either of them would've been in as in love with him and I wish the reader got to see more into that.
Speaking of characters, COLLEEN HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. She was immediately one of the characters I found most interesting. The position she was in, her feeling of just being a pawn in someone else's game, her desire to forge her own path in life, she was literally tee'd up to be such a badass. Unfortunately, she got steamrolled by Anden into being his broodmare and didn't even clap back from that by the end of the story. Ultimately the dynamic between the two of them could've been so much more compelling. Just because Anden wasn't romantically interested in her doesn't mean he wouldn't have platonic love for her!!! If they had been best friends since childhood, and they married out of political necessity, that wouldn't mean that Anden had to be an asshole to her. In fact, his platonic love for her could've added a unique complexity to his relationship with River. Not to mention the dynamic between Kal and Colleen also could've been way more interesting. Like a "if he's getting his, I'll get mine" sort of revenge on Anden, even though she really does love Kal.
Ultimately in fantasy books like this (and Game of Thrones; I honestly felt like this book was GoT Lite at some points) I feel like the interpersonal "politics" are just as important as the politics of the plot. I think if this book would've dedicated more time to on-page development of characters' relationships it would've been easily a 5 star read. A lot of big events that would've really helped develop the characters happened off-page (Anden telling River that Colleen was pregnant, Anden meeting his son, Anden and Colleen's wedding, most of Anden's and River's hellos and goodbyes, and that's only from book three) were all things I was looking forward to reading about, and then I'd start the next chapter and they had already happened.
Okay my last Thought is, I feel like River should’ve actually been the high queen's son. I thought that’s what was happening when she glancing over at him?? That she was recognizing him? That would’ve gone CRAZY
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 | This is how you end a trilogy... with fire, heartache, and a whole lot of blood.
Queen of Blood picks up right where Lord of Dust left off, and from the first page, it grips you in a vice of tension that never lets go. I was anxious, on edge, and fully convinced at multiple points that my favourites would die. That dread never eased up. Every page felt like a held breath, every chapter a fresh wound.
I could feel my chest tightening. I was bracing. Constantly. And when the pain hit? It landed.
But that’s the beauty of this book, it doesn’t manipulate emotions cheaply. It earns them. And in the process, it delivers one of the most satisfying, devastating, and real conclusions I’ve read in a long time.
Anden is no longer a wide-eyed prince, he's now a battle-scarred king. And yet still just a boy, grieving, growing, making impossible decisions in a world that demands everything from him. I feared for him so often. And my heart ached for the weight he’s been forced to carry.
My favourite River, still the light of the series. He’s endured so much, yet continues to give and love with every ounce of his being. He’s the emotional core of this book, gentle, broken, but not defeated. I would lay down my sword for him, truly.
And I love that Colleen’s path finally becomes hers. Watching her step into her power, heal from betrayal, and learn how to trust herself again, it’s raw and so well earned. Her pain, her growth, her agency, chef’s kiss.
Mara is such a study in contradiction. Broken by faith, driven by hope, and desperate to find goodness even if it blinds her. She's the most conflicted and human she's ever been and her arc is absolutely tragic in all the right ways.
What makes this finale hit so damn hard is that we don’t just see the “heroes.” We also get POVs from those we’d label villains, including the High Queen herself. Seeing the war from all angles adds nuance, pain, and a layer of emotional intelligence that most fantasy finales skip. I understood her. And that made every loss sting more.
If you thought the second book was packed, this one cranks it to eleven. Cities fall. Fates collide. Hearts shatter. And just when you think it’s done, bam... another gut punch. Another tear. Another breath stolen. This isn’t a book you simply read. You survive it.
Final Thoughts:
Queen of Blood is everything a trilogy conclusion should be: visceral, expansive, emotional, and unflinchingly honest about the cost of power, love, and destiny. It's not just a battle for crowns, it’s a battle for souls.
And if this is the last we see of the Celestia universe? Then I’m grieving it already.
Verdict: 4.5 stars
Warning: May cause book hangover, emotional damage, and obsession with River Fox
Read it if: You want a finale that rips you apart and still leaves you whole
Queen of Blood picks up right where Lord of Dust left off, and from the first page, it grips you in a vice of tension that never lets go. I was anxious, on edge, and fully convinced at multiple points that my favourites would die. That dread never eased up. Every page felt like a held breath, every chapter a fresh wound.
I could feel my chest tightening. I was bracing. Constantly. And when the pain hit? It landed.
But that’s the beauty of this book, it doesn’t manipulate emotions cheaply. It earns them. And in the process, it delivers one of the most satisfying, devastating, and real conclusions I’ve read in a long time.
Anden is no longer a wide-eyed prince, he's now a battle-scarred king. And yet still just a boy, grieving, growing, making impossible decisions in a world that demands everything from him. I feared for him so often. And my heart ached for the weight he’s been forced to carry.
My favourite River, still the light of the series. He’s endured so much, yet continues to give and love with every ounce of his being. He’s the emotional core of this book, gentle, broken, but not defeated. I would lay down my sword for him, truly.
And I love that Colleen’s path finally becomes hers. Watching her step into her power, heal from betrayal, and learn how to trust herself again, it’s raw and so well earned. Her pain, her growth, her agency, chef’s kiss.
Mara is such a study in contradiction. Broken by faith, driven by hope, and desperate to find goodness even if it blinds her. She's the most conflicted and human she's ever been and her arc is absolutely tragic in all the right ways.
What makes this finale hit so damn hard is that we don’t just see the “heroes.” We also get POVs from those we’d label villains, including the High Queen herself. Seeing the war from all angles adds nuance, pain, and a layer of emotional intelligence that most fantasy finales skip. I understood her. And that made every loss sting more.
If you thought the second book was packed, this one cranks it to eleven. Cities fall. Fates collide. Hearts shatter. And just when you think it’s done, bam... another gut punch. Another tear. Another breath stolen. This isn’t a book you simply read. You survive it.
Final Thoughts:
Queen of Blood is everything a trilogy conclusion should be: visceral, expansive, emotional, and unflinchingly honest about the cost of power, love, and destiny. It's not just a battle for crowns, it’s a battle for souls.
And if this is the last we see of the Celestia universe? Then I’m grieving it already.
Verdict: 4.5 stars
Warning: May cause book hangover, emotional damage, and obsession with River Fox
Read it if: You want a finale that rips you apart and still leaves you whole
October 9, 2025
What an incredible conclusion to a tension-filled, action-packed series! Once again, I have to commend how masterfully and cinematically these books are written.
Queen of Blood picks up seamlessly where Lord of Dust left off. Political unrest brews, a great war looms on the horizon, and conflict and intrigue lie around every corner. The pacing is relentless; I found myself on edge throughout, desperate to see how each character would fare as events spiralled toward their dramatic end.
In this final instalment, we gain a deeper understanding of Telmaine - the ruthless High Queen of the Jade Citadel - and the forces driving her unyielding quest to conquer the continent. Alongside her (albeit not always by choice) stands Mara, who continues to wrestle with her broken faith, uncertain purpose, and the brutal realities of the world she inhabits.
Meanwhile, Aden, Colleen, and River find themselves navigating the tangled web of love, duty, and survival amid chaos.
Colleen, in particular, faces new challenges as she steps into her womanhood and power, claiming her rightful place in a male-dominated world. Her struggle with her arrangement with Aden gives way to something unexpectedly tender - a slow bloom of acceptance and understanding that feels both earned and deeply satisfying. Colleen finds new purpose outside the confines of her marriage, embracing her own strength and desires.
Aden’s arc is one of quiet tragedy and strength. Burdened with impossible choices and the fate of a continent, he is forced to grow far too quickly. The young boy we once knew has become a weary king - one who carries the scars of battle and the crushing weight of leadership. His internal conflict, the longing for peace and a simpler life with River, is profoundly moving.
And then there’s River.... my absolute favourite! The heart of this story. He embodies loyalty, compassion, and quiet resilience. Despite enduring so much loss and hardship, he remains the soul of the narrative, continually giving of himself until the very end.
This finale delivers everything - battles, fallen cities, bloodshed, and heartbreak - and yet, hope. We witness the war, the politics, and the struggles from all sides, creating a story that feels vast yet intimate. I genuinely feared how this story would end, yet Nicola Zhang delivered an ending that was both satisfying and deeply emotional. I shed a tear as I turned the final page - a testament to just how powerful this story is.
A stunning, unforgettable and bittersweet conclusion to a remarkable series.
Queen of Blood picks up seamlessly where Lord of Dust left off. Political unrest brews, a great war looms on the horizon, and conflict and intrigue lie around every corner. The pacing is relentless; I found myself on edge throughout, desperate to see how each character would fare as events spiralled toward their dramatic end.
In this final instalment, we gain a deeper understanding of Telmaine - the ruthless High Queen of the Jade Citadel - and the forces driving her unyielding quest to conquer the continent. Alongside her (albeit not always by choice) stands Mara, who continues to wrestle with her broken faith, uncertain purpose, and the brutal realities of the world she inhabits.
Meanwhile, Aden, Colleen, and River find themselves navigating the tangled web of love, duty, and survival amid chaos.
Colleen, in particular, faces new challenges as she steps into her womanhood and power, claiming her rightful place in a male-dominated world. Her struggle with her arrangement with Aden gives way to something unexpectedly tender - a slow bloom of acceptance and understanding that feels both earned and deeply satisfying. Colleen finds new purpose outside the confines of her marriage, embracing her own strength and desires.
Aden’s arc is one of quiet tragedy and strength. Burdened with impossible choices and the fate of a continent, he is forced to grow far too quickly. The young boy we once knew has become a weary king - one who carries the scars of battle and the crushing weight of leadership. His internal conflict, the longing for peace and a simpler life with River, is profoundly moving.
And then there’s River.... my absolute favourite! The heart of this story. He embodies loyalty, compassion, and quiet resilience. Despite enduring so much loss and hardship, he remains the soul of the narrative, continually giving of himself until the very end.
This finale delivers everything - battles, fallen cities, bloodshed, and heartbreak - and yet, hope. We witness the war, the politics, and the struggles from all sides, creating a story that feels vast yet intimate. I genuinely feared how this story would end, yet Nicola Zhang delivered an ending that was both satisfying and deeply emotional. I shed a tear as I turned the final page - a testament to just how powerful this story is.
A stunning, unforgettable and bittersweet conclusion to a remarkable series.
September 14, 2025
The Blood Queen
War is hell and you gotta expect some losses but boy, this book had me gasping numerous times, wondering if one of our heroes was about to die.
Nicola has delivered a beautifully crafted book. And a very memorable series. One I will venture back to often. The Blood Queen is the final book in the Celestia Trilogy and it is once again written in multiple POV's which keeps you truly immersed in the story. The characters feel real and you're really invested in their lives.
Several months have passed since the end of the last book and everyone has been preparing for war with the Barossians. And sure enough, this books starts with the beginning of said war.
We are thrust into it straight away and we watch as Telmaine launches her war on her enemies. And the action doesn't stop until the very end of the book. Not only do we follow the war, we watch as everyone finds a way to live and find some happiness. You cry with them, cheer them on and even yell at times.
This series is so good and I didn't want it to end, I wanted to put it down as I neared the end because I was nervous for the safety of everyone but I also didn't want to put it down as it was soooo captivating. I finished it in one sitting, devouring the story completely.
Nicola has a great future as a fantasy writer if she keeps this up. I know that I am a life long fan. This is another 5 star book, although I could honestly give it a 7. The entire trilogy, is a 5 star read. This book releases September 30 with the first two books, Prince of Dawn & Lord of Dust available now.
It's great because you can read them one after another and never miss a beat. Again, congratulations to Nicole on crafting such a wonderful world, intriguing characters and an intense plotline that carries through all three books.
Go and grab these books today.
War is hell and you gotta expect some losses but boy, this book had me gasping numerous times, wondering if one of our heroes was about to die.
Nicola has delivered a beautifully crafted book. And a very memorable series. One I will venture back to often. The Blood Queen is the final book in the Celestia Trilogy and it is once again written in multiple POV's which keeps you truly immersed in the story. The characters feel real and you're really invested in their lives.
Several months have passed since the end of the last book and everyone has been preparing for war with the Barossians. And sure enough, this books starts with the beginning of said war.
We are thrust into it straight away and we watch as Telmaine launches her war on her enemies. And the action doesn't stop until the very end of the book. Not only do we follow the war, we watch as everyone finds a way to live and find some happiness. You cry with them, cheer them on and even yell at times.
This series is so good and I didn't want it to end, I wanted to put it down as I neared the end because I was nervous for the safety of everyone but I also didn't want to put it down as it was soooo captivating. I finished it in one sitting, devouring the story completely.
Nicola has a great future as a fantasy writer if she keeps this up. I know that I am a life long fan. This is another 5 star book, although I could honestly give it a 7. The entire trilogy, is a 5 star read. This book releases September 30 with the first two books, Prince of Dawn & Lord of Dust available now.
It's great because you can read them one after another and never miss a beat. Again, congratulations to Nicole on crafting such a wonderful world, intriguing characters and an intense plotline that carries through all three books.
Go and grab these books today.
October 6, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Queen of Blood is the third in the Celestia trilogy and these books must be read in order. There’s too much background information and character development to try and pick one up at random. I enjoyed the book overall and found the conclusion satisfactory, but was occasionally frustrated by some of the female characters and a few empty plot points.
The romance between Anden and River has become a third-tier aspect of the story by Queen of Blood. We know they’re in love, but circumstance keeps them from fully committing to one another. These books have always had a wider political and religious scope, so while Anden and River have a bit of time together, they are not (and have never) been the sole focus of the story.
I had some grumbles regarding Queen of Blood, but despite these, I still enjoyed it and the series as a whole. The characters are compelling and the story has been consistently engaging.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Queen of Blood is the third in the Celestia trilogy and these books must be read in order. There’s too much background information and character development to try and pick one up at random. I enjoyed the book overall and found the conclusion satisfactory, but was occasionally frustrated by some of the female characters and a few empty plot points.
The romance between Anden and River has become a third-tier aspect of the story by Queen of Blood. We know they’re in love, but circumstance keeps them from fully committing to one another. These books have always had a wider political and religious scope, so while Anden and River have a bit of time together, they are not (and have never) been the sole focus of the story.
I had some grumbles regarding Queen of Blood, but despite these, I still enjoyed it and the series as a whole. The characters are compelling and the story has been consistently engaging.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
October 31, 2025
I have really enjoyed this series that takes bits of our real earth history and turns them into a story about a fictional world that is at war. The characters, even the bad ones, are all amazing, but what makes this story epic is the plot. Lots of interesting twists and different parts intersecting with the overall plot being great. I liked how realistic this all felt with a baddie (Telmaine) that you can’t help rooting for at times and heroes who have to make difficult decisions. The Anden, River and Colleen is particularly heartbreaking.
I don’t usually like to read about battles like this book has, but Nicola Zhang does a marvelous job in both describing them and also showing the consequences and the tough decisions that commanders need to make. This is a big part of what makes this book seem so realistic to me. It’s not a pretty fantasy it’s epic in the best possible ways.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don’t usually like to read about battles like this book has, but Nicola Zhang does a marvelous job in both describing them and also showing the consequences and the tough decisions that commanders need to make. This is a big part of what makes this book seem so realistic to me. It’s not a pretty fantasy it’s epic in the best possible ways.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2026
I'm shaking from the finale. This was epic - and honestly, ended way better than I'd hoped. My favourite part was the night before battle where Anden and River hung out with some random villagers - very Henry V. And Telmaine! I LOVED her, and loved the fact that you could understand why she did the things she did, even if you didn't agree with her.
If I had one quibble, is that things were wrapped up a little too neatly. But the series has been pitched as YA; I don't know if the YA readership would have been willing to take any other type of ending. Anyway, it was satisfying enough, and I feel that enough has been left open for other stories set in the same universe. I hope to read more from this author.
If I had one quibble, is that things were wrapped up a little too neatly. But the series has been pitched as YA; I don't know if the YA readership would have been willing to take any other type of ending. Anyway, it was satisfying enough, and I feel that enough has been left open for other stories set in the same universe. I hope to read more from this author.
November 3, 2025
I devoured this series. While it focused a bit less on romance than some others, and although I felt like we could’ve seen more of a buildup to the main characters’ love on page, I loved the richness of the plot and characters. Normally with POVs outside of the main two, I don’t much care, but I was glad to read the perspectives of others. I felt like the books kept getting better. Would there be things I would change due to personal preference? Yes. Do I think there are aspects that could have been fleshed out more? Yes. But it kept me greatly entertained and I was very invested. I’d love to see these characters again in a spinoff series. 4.5 stars overall
November 9, 2025
You know a series is something special when you finish it and have to just sit with it for a few days before you're ready to shelve it and say goodbye.
I've written at length in my reviews for the previous two installments about how extraordinary the world building and the writing itself both are. The final book in the trilogy still accomplished that and even more. It also has one of my favorite characterizations of a villain I have ever encountered, managing to make her feel human after two books of her monstrous shadow looming over the story.
This finale was everything I had hoped for - full of action, incredibly touching, at times gut wrenching, but always so full of heart.
I've written at length in my reviews for the previous two installments about how extraordinary the world building and the writing itself both are. The final book in the trilogy still accomplished that and even more. It also has one of my favorite characterizations of a villain I have ever encountered, managing to make her feel human after two books of her monstrous shadow looming over the story.
This finale was everything I had hoped for - full of action, incredibly touching, at times gut wrenching, but always so full of heart.
May 7, 2026
The epic conclusion to this moving fantasy trilogy. I really cannot recommend these books highly enough. If you are after a compelling, slow-burn MM romance set against a complex political thriller in a fantasy world, packed with dynamic characters and some devastatingly wonderful villains, start with this series. You won't regret it.
April 3, 2026
stop what you’re doing and read this series
I really can’t say enough good things about this series to give it justice. My only complaint is that it ended. Just get it and read it.
I really can’t say enough good things about this series to give it justice. My only complaint is that it ended. Just get it and read it.
September 26, 2025
This review contains spoilers for the first two books in the Celestia Trilogy, Prince of Dawn and Lord of Dust – so make sure to read my review for those first before diving in to this one!
Telmaine, the ruthless High Queen of the Berossian Empire, has commenced her holy war across the sea and across the continent. King Anden of Vindra, his lover River Fox, his wife by duty Queen Colleen, and his allies are about to face their darkest and most difficult days.
Queen of Blood picks up right where Lord of Dust left off, and it does not waste time in diving into the harshness and bloody war that has been building since book one. Our characters are no longer innocent and uncertain; these are battle-scarred adults who are driven by purpose, tormented by what they’ve lost, and held captive by a duty only they can perform.
This is a brutal book. If you thought the characters went through it in the first two, then Queen of Blood raises the bar again. The brutality of war is not shied away from. Nicola Zhang’s prose during battle scenes and a particularly haunting invasion and sack of a beloved city is stunning. I felt like I was right there in the city during the worst of it – heart racing, cold sweat, the whole deal.
Ever since I picked up Prince of Dawn, the first book in this series, I have been obsessed with the depth and strength of Nicola Zhang’s characters – but in particular, the women of the series, with Mara (Anden’s cousin, a princess-turned-mad priestess) and Colleen (Anden’s friend and princess of Flavia) being my absolute favourites. In book three, we get a new point of view – Queen Telmaine – and let me tell you… she is so intriguing, ruthless and complex that she almost took the place of my favourite character from Colleen. ALMOST. Because my heart continued to break for Colleen in this novel, and for the first time in the series, I found myself truly angry with Anden and River for their callousness towards her during the most vulnerable and lonely time of her life, while also understanding the difficult situation all three of them were in. But Colleen went from strength to strength – refusing to be treated as the afterthought, and pushed for her agency and right to be heard and seen.
I guess my only complaint… is that there wasn’t more to read! I sincerely hope Zhang revisits Celestia in the future – but if not, then the Celestia Trilogy comes highly recommended as your next epic fantasy read.
Telmaine, the ruthless High Queen of the Berossian Empire, has commenced her holy war across the sea and across the continent. King Anden of Vindra, his lover River Fox, his wife by duty Queen Colleen, and his allies are about to face their darkest and most difficult days.
Queen of Blood picks up right where Lord of Dust left off, and it does not waste time in diving into the harshness and bloody war that has been building since book one. Our characters are no longer innocent and uncertain; these are battle-scarred adults who are driven by purpose, tormented by what they’ve lost, and held captive by a duty only they can perform.
This is a brutal book. If you thought the characters went through it in the first two, then Queen of Blood raises the bar again. The brutality of war is not shied away from. Nicola Zhang’s prose during battle scenes and a particularly haunting invasion and sack of a beloved city is stunning. I felt like I was right there in the city during the worst of it – heart racing, cold sweat, the whole deal.
Ever since I picked up Prince of Dawn, the first book in this series, I have been obsessed with the depth and strength of Nicola Zhang’s characters – but in particular, the women of the series, with Mara (Anden’s cousin, a princess-turned-mad priestess) and Colleen (Anden’s friend and princess of Flavia) being my absolute favourites. In book three, we get a new point of view – Queen Telmaine – and let me tell you… she is so intriguing, ruthless and complex that she almost took the place of my favourite character from Colleen. ALMOST. Because my heart continued to break for Colleen in this novel, and for the first time in the series, I found myself truly angry with Anden and River for their callousness towards her during the most vulnerable and lonely time of her life, while also understanding the difficult situation all three of them were in. But Colleen went from strength to strength – refusing to be treated as the afterthought, and pushed for her agency and right to be heard and seen.
I guess my only complaint… is that there wasn’t more to read! I sincerely hope Zhang revisits Celestia in the future – but if not, then the Celestia Trilogy comes highly recommended as your next epic fantasy read.
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