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Shattered Crown #2
Splintered Kingdom
Tame her wild. Fan his flame.
A Burgeoning Peace
Two realms sit on the edge—not only of the physical chasms that divide them, but of the fragile truce forged between Arcanians and humans in the wake of the Arcane Crucible.
A Shadow Unleashed
Elyria Lightbreaker may have survived the Celestial Sanctum, but she remains haunted by all that occurred, all that she did, within. Determined to reclaim the Crown of Concord and unmask the dark sorcerer behind its theft, she must master her own inner darkness if she’s to survive the journey ahead—and untangle the dangerous feelings pulling her toward Cedric.
A Victor Unmoored
Cedric Thorne sacrificed everything to conquer the trials. Now, burdened by a power he cannot control and truths he refuses to face, he finds himself in a kingdom splintering beneath the surface—and bound to Elyria by something he cannot, will not, sever. But some secrets are meant to stay buried, and uncovering them could be the key to lasting peace . . . or the spark that ends it.
A Bond Reforged
As twin victors of the Crucible, Elyria and Cedric soon learn there are many roles they must play in the pursuit of a new Arcanis. With enemies lurking in plain sight, they will have to fight with a whole new array of weapons, all the while trying to understand the bond that thrums between them: reforged, rekindled, renewed.
Now the real game begins.
SPLINTERED KINGDOM is the sequel to Smoke and Scar and the second book in the Shattered Crown trilogy, an epic romantic fantasy series perfect for fans of high stakes, character-driven plots, rich world-building, a diverse cast of characters, elemental magic, and tension-filled romance—and authors like Carissa Broadbent, Helen B. Scheuerer, Raven Kennedy, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas.
Content note: This book contains strong language, adult themes, and open door spice, and is thus recommended for readers above the age of 18.
A Burgeoning Peace
Two realms sit on the edge—not only of the physical chasms that divide them, but of the fragile truce forged between Arcanians and humans in the wake of the Arcane Crucible.
A Shadow Unleashed
Elyria Lightbreaker may have survived the Celestial Sanctum, but she remains haunted by all that occurred, all that she did, within. Determined to reclaim the Crown of Concord and unmask the dark sorcerer behind its theft, she must master her own inner darkness if she’s to survive the journey ahead—and untangle the dangerous feelings pulling her toward Cedric.
A Victor Unmoored
Cedric Thorne sacrificed everything to conquer the trials. Now, burdened by a power he cannot control and truths he refuses to face, he finds himself in a kingdom splintering beneath the surface—and bound to Elyria by something he cannot, will not, sever. But some secrets are meant to stay buried, and uncovering them could be the key to lasting peace . . . or the spark that ends it.
A Bond Reforged
As twin victors of the Crucible, Elyria and Cedric soon learn there are many roles they must play in the pursuit of a new Arcanis. With enemies lurking in plain sight, they will have to fight with a whole new array of weapons, all the while trying to understand the bond that thrums between them: reforged, rekindled, renewed.
Now the real game begins.
SPLINTERED KINGDOM is the sequel to Smoke and Scar and the second book in the Shattered Crown trilogy, an epic romantic fantasy series perfect for fans of high stakes, character-driven plots, rich world-building, a diverse cast of characters, elemental magic, and tension-filled romance—and authors like Carissa Broadbent, Helen B. Scheuerer, Raven Kennedy, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas.
Content note: This book contains strong language, adult themes, and open door spice, and is thus recommended for readers above the age of 18.
554 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2025
497 people are currently reading
5162 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Powell Fox
6 books649 followersGretchen Powell Fox spent her childhood in far-off places—figuratively and literally. She grew up with her nose buried in books and her feet on foreign soil. Both, she found, were essential in forming her deep fascination with stories.
Now, she crafts fantastical and futuristic worlds—along with the fiery heroines destined to change them for the better.
Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include Taylor Swift, polka dots, reading fantasy novels, and playing the ukulele.
She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two wild, wonderful children.
Find her on Instagram at @gretchenwritesbooks.
Now, she crafts fantastical and futuristic worlds—along with the fiery heroines destined to change them for the better.
Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include Taylor Swift, polka dots, reading fantasy novels, and playing the ukulele.
She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two wild, wonderful children.
Find her on Instagram at @gretchenwritesbooks.
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December 8, 2025
⁀➴༯ 𝟒.𝟐/𝟓 ★ ★ ★ ★ ⭑
𓂃₊ ⊹- ❝𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚊 𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚍 ... 𝙷𝚎𝚛 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘, 𝙴𝚕𝚢𝚛𝚒𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚠𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚒𝚝.❞ ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅
❥- I feel like I am paying the biggest emotional price of my ENTIRE life just because I am in love with this series. I sit in silence as I write this review because what do I say? Who do I tell about this? What emotions can explain the detriment this book has done to my soul? I NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE ME ANSWERS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I CANT BREATHE RIGHT NOW AFTER THAT ENDING!! I feel like someone has to be sued for this type of emotional turmoil. Can I sue the publisher? The beautiful author?? CAN SHE SUE ME?? I DON’T KNOW BUT SOMEONE HAS TO GET SUED AFTER THIS!!! .·°՞(ᗒ□ᗕ)՞°·.
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔
❥- The proper words can’t explain how unprepared I was for the bombs dropped on me in this book and THE ENDING??? Send the rapture, send the police, SEND JESUS HIMSELF!! I knew there was a third book being done and knew I was being lulled into a false security by the ending of this second book but to know that THIS waited at the end of it? It’s literally going to haunt my nightmares ɵ̷̥̥᷅‸ɵ̷̥̥᷄. This book above nothing else, is one of a kind. There’s something so unique about the way the love of these characters unfold. And I think it’s because the dynamic is flipped completely.
They 🆈🅴🅰🆁🅽 for each other. ❤︎
They 🅵🅸🅶🅷🆃 for each other. ⚔︎
They 🅺🅸🅻🅻 for each other. ⚝
They will 𝖇𝖚𝖗𝖓 the world down and cast it into 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼 for. each. other. 𖤓☽
And there is literally nothing that can get in the way of these two and the bond they have sealed.
❝𝘼𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙢𝙚.
𝘼𝙨 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.❞
❥- There’s entirely too many things I loved about this book and why I actually enjoyed it a bit more than the last despite its flaws. We didn’t get our typical group of victors traveling this time, but we definitely got (A) group which I enjoyed (almost) as much. I think what I like so much about trilogies in particular is that it’s enough space and room to not be excessively long and it’s the opportunity to let all aspects of a fantasy shine. The first book focused more on the low simmering tug between Cedric and Elyria, the establishing friendships, and of course discovering the true nature of the Arcane Crucible and the reward of the crown. This book focuses a bit more heavily on Cedric and Ellie navigating this new found thing between them, igniting it into life, and letting it fully take them in. Through that is was the chance for Cedric to play around with his newly found powers and discover some (not) so friendly things about the origins of what happened when he was a child. But with that knowledge also comes many amazing secrets as well. Elyria was also able to practice her own new skills with her shadows. With a certain Nocterrian helping her out (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵). I think my only actual gripe with this book is-
(A). I really wanted to have MORE Tristan moments (I’m biased leave me alone pls)
(B). I think the first bit of the book was just a taddddd bit too slow for me. I would have preferred Ric and Ellie navigating this love through the big adventure meant to happen and not mostly within the walls of the kingdom. ⤵︎
╰┈➤ Don’t get me wrong, there is great action and fights that take place, but I think the impact of the split quests that were meant to take place got a bit lost under all that occurred between Cedric and Elyria and why it felt like majority of the best action came towards the end of the book. By no means was I mad at how the quests ended up being traveled, but just that I felt like it could’ve held more action and a better way to showcase the ignite of the soul bond between Ric and Ellie. The second half of this book is what really shot the rating up for me though.
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔
❝𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩, 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙭.
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.❞ ঌ
❥- There was also some even better additions to this book…LIKE SID FOR INSTANCE!!! HELLO? BEST IDEA EVERRRRR!!! I loved every second of how Sid reflects exactly who Elyria is but just in a different form. Next is that we got some spice how very nice of our dear author right? Just enough for me! As long as it’s not overdone, I can always eat up some spicy scenes. Also getting some Kit POVs? Oh I know EXACTLY what’s going on here. I wish I could hold this series to my heart, lock it away so nobody else can have it, and keep it a secret…BUT I ALSO WANT TO TELL EVERYONE TO READ IT ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜! Of course I won’t gate keep. Relax guys, relax! I am going to tell you to read it though. Especially right now considering it’s going to be in major bookstores YAYYYY! But also because who doesn’t love a sassy and sexy bisexual overpowered fae who’s older than dirt and some random guy in knightly armor who would give his life for her? Exactly!
𝖧𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂’𝗆 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝖾𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍! (𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝘚𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 & 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎’𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍(⸝⸝> ᴗ•⸝⸝))
- More Tristan
- More Kit POVs?
- MORE KIT AND NOX PLEASE LIKE YESTERDAY!!!!
- and of course more of our original group and another big adventure
"𝙒𝙚'𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙚'𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢." Kit's fingers tightened on the hilt of her dagger.
"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣, 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙞𝙩?"
"𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙣." ⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
𓂃₊ ⊹- ❝𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚊 𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚍 ... 𝙷𝚎𝚛 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘, 𝙴𝚕𝚢𝚛𝚒𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚠𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚒𝚝.❞ ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅
❥- I feel like I am paying the biggest emotional price of my ENTIRE life just because I am in love with this series. I sit in silence as I write this review because what do I say? Who do I tell about this? What emotions can explain the detriment this book has done to my soul? I NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE ME ANSWERS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I CANT BREATHE RIGHT NOW AFTER THAT ENDING!! I feel like someone has to be sued for this type of emotional turmoil. Can I sue the publisher? The beautiful author?? CAN SHE SUE ME?? I DON’T KNOW BUT SOMEONE HAS TO GET SUED AFTER THIS!!! .·°՞(ᗒ□ᗕ)՞°·.
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔
❥- The proper words can’t explain how unprepared I was for the bombs dropped on me in this book and THE ENDING??? Send the rapture, send the police, SEND JESUS HIMSELF!! I knew there was a third book being done and knew I was being lulled into a false security by the ending of this second book but to know that THIS waited at the end of it? It’s literally going to haunt my nightmares ɵ̷̥̥᷅‸ɵ̷̥̥᷄. This book above nothing else, is one of a kind. There’s something so unique about the way the love of these characters unfold. And I think it’s because the dynamic is flipped completely.
They 🆈🅴🅰🆁🅽 for each other. ❤︎
They 🅵🅸🅶🅷🆃 for each other. ⚔︎
They 🅺🅸🅻🅻 for each other. ⚝
They will 𝖇𝖚𝖗𝖓 the world down and cast it into 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀𝓼 for. each. other. 𖤓☽
And there is literally nothing that can get in the way of these two and the bond they have sealed.
❝𝘼𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙢𝙚.
𝘼𝙨 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.❞
❥- There’s entirely too many things I loved about this book and why I actually enjoyed it a bit more than the last despite its flaws. We didn’t get our typical group of victors traveling this time, but we definitely got (A) group which I enjoyed (almost) as much. I think what I like so much about trilogies in particular is that it’s enough space and room to not be excessively long and it’s the opportunity to let all aspects of a fantasy shine. The first book focused more on the low simmering tug between Cedric and Elyria, the establishing friendships, and of course discovering the true nature of the Arcane Crucible and the reward of the crown. This book focuses a bit more heavily on Cedric and Ellie navigating this new found thing between them, igniting it into life, and letting it fully take them in. Through that is was the chance for Cedric to play around with his newly found powers and discover some (not) so friendly things about the origins of what happened when he was a child. But with that knowledge also comes many amazing secrets as well. Elyria was also able to practice her own new skills with her shadows. With a certain Nocterrian helping her out (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵). I think my only actual gripe with this book is-
(A). I really wanted to have MORE Tristan moments (I’m biased leave me alone pls)
(B). I think the first bit of the book was just a taddddd bit too slow for me. I would have preferred Ric and Ellie navigating this love through the big adventure meant to happen and not mostly within the walls of the kingdom. ⤵︎
╰┈➤ Don’t get me wrong, there is great action and fights that take place, but I think the impact of the split quests that were meant to take place got a bit lost under all that occurred between Cedric and Elyria and why it felt like majority of the best action came towards the end of the book. By no means was I mad at how the quests ended up being traveled, but just that I felt like it could’ve held more action and a better way to showcase the ignite of the soul bond between Ric and Ellie. The second half of this book is what really shot the rating up for me though.
.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅ .*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ*･｡ﾟ. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁.𖥔
❝𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩, 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙭.
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.❞ ঌ
❥- There was also some even better additions to this book…LIKE SID FOR INSTANCE!!! HELLO? BEST IDEA EVERRRRR!!! I loved every second of how Sid reflects exactly who Elyria is but just in a different form. Next is that we got some spice how very nice of our dear author right? Just enough for me! As long as it’s not overdone, I can always eat up some spicy scenes. Also getting some Kit POVs? Oh I know EXACTLY what’s going on here. I wish I could hold this series to my heart, lock it away so nobody else can have it, and keep it a secret…BUT I ALSO WANT TO TELL EVERYONE TO READ IT ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜! Of course I won’t gate keep. Relax guys, relax! I am going to tell you to read it though. Especially right now considering it’s going to be in major bookstores YAYYYY! But also because who doesn’t love a sassy and sexy bisexual overpowered fae who’s older than dirt and some random guy in knightly armor who would give his life for her? Exactly!
𝖧𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂’𝗆 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝖾𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍! (𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝘚𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 & 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎’𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍(⸝⸝> ᴗ•⸝⸝))
- More Tristan
- More Kit POVs?
- MORE KIT AND NOX PLEASE LIKE YESTERDAY!!!!
- and of course more of our original group and another big adventure
"𝙒𝙚'𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙚'𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢." Kit's fingers tightened on the hilt of her dagger.
"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣, 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙞𝙩?"
"𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙣." ⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
January 12, 2026
THE MOST DIABOLICAL ENDING I’VE READ IN SO LONG!!!!
The plot was PLOTTING GWORL.
The characters really start to hit their stride in this book, I loved seeing Elyria still being herself, but growing too. She’s got so much heart! & she’s so strong, truly just a bad ass.
Cedric grows so much in this book, truly accepting who he is, what his purpose is, and DAMN HE IS HOT! From the way he treats Elyria, to the way he truly is so strong himself without stepping on others to be so… It’s so refreshing to see as an MMC.
That being said, I so look forward to him being in his revenge era in the final book due to the events of book 2, lol. I am so anxious for the third book, but also not ready for this series to end.
5 stars, y’all!
The plot was PLOTTING GWORL.
The characters really start to hit their stride in this book, I loved seeing Elyria still being herself, but growing too. She’s got so much heart! & she’s so strong, truly just a bad ass.
Cedric grows so much in this book, truly accepting who he is, what his purpose is, and DAMN HE IS HOT! From the way he treats Elyria, to the way he truly is so strong himself without stepping on others to be so… It’s so refreshing to see as an MMC.
That being said, I so look forward to him being in his revenge era in the final book due to the events of book 2, lol. I am so anxious for the third book, but also not ready for this series to end.
5 stars, y’all!
September 2, 2025
I would say “thank you to the author for this ARC!” but I’m actually mad at her now for that ending soooo idk what to say. 😆 This was prob a 4.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ read for me I just loved it. Let’s get into it.
PLOT
Taking off after the events of the Crucible, everyone now has to figure out how to get the pieces of the split crown & then keep them out of the wrong hands. There is an established truce between the human & Fae kings, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it trickles down to the citizens just yet. But when the Fae king sends a delegation to the human lands to find the crown, Elyria & Cedric meet again & they have to relive all of the emotions of trauma of the Crucible while also on assignments from their respective kings. This book has
- yearnnnnnnnning my god
- med spice, the slow burn finally ignites y’all
- blood magic/religious cultists, fae & human politics, reluctant allies, dwarves, NB characters
- a badass FMC who is clever, tough af, & trying to protect the world & her heart
- an MMC who sees the world anew after book 1 & is also obsessed
- found family
PROS
- Omg the yearning in this is next level. The tension is palpable & I LOVE IT.
- I stay loving Elyria. She had her moments of stubbornness where you were like “GIRL DO WHAT I WANT YOU TO” but you understood her given what was happening. It made sense. She made sense. She remains badass & funny & I just love her. She’s just a baddie.
- THE CEDRIC GLOW-UP MUST BE STUDIED HOLY SHIT. Cedric has evolved into a goddamn MAN. I am obsessed? He’s a perfect angel?? Like wow did he give emotional maturity, sexpot daddy, & badass warrior so well.
- The found family in this series is seriously so good.
- The political maneuvering was rather fun. & then having to watch our characters respond to it was also fun
- THE ENDING… *that* thing. Gretchen, respectfully, you’re a dick. 😆
- The romantic payoff was deeeeeelightful. I also like how it unfolded the entire book. Natural push & pull & progression, just loved.
- Animal sidekick introduction was funnnnn!
- There was 1 reveal that surprised me I didn’t pick up on & im interested to see how that comes into play later!
MIDS
- I stay predicting stuff & I pretty much predicted all of it. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I just love to be surprised.
- For me this wasn’t a bad thing at all but this book has less action overall. The first half is def relationship development & political maneuvering vs. big action scenes. I liked it quite a bit, but that might not be everyone’s favorite.
CONS
- Genuinely don’t know that I have any? I had 1 complaint as I was reading until I realized it was a very intentional *thing* & turns out that was a smart writing choice 😆.
CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 3!
PLOT
Taking off after the events of the Crucible, everyone now has to figure out how to get the pieces of the split crown & then keep them out of the wrong hands. There is an established truce between the human & Fae kings, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it trickles down to the citizens just yet. But when the Fae king sends a delegation to the human lands to find the crown, Elyria & Cedric meet again & they have to relive all of the emotions of trauma of the Crucible while also on assignments from their respective kings. This book has
- yearnnnnnnnning my god
- med spice, the slow burn finally ignites y’all
- blood magic/religious cultists, fae & human politics, reluctant allies, dwarves, NB characters
- a badass FMC who is clever, tough af, & trying to protect the world & her heart
- an MMC who sees the world anew after book 1 & is also obsessed
- found family
PROS
- Omg the yearning in this is next level. The tension is palpable & I LOVE IT.
- I stay loving Elyria. She had her moments of stubbornness where you were like “GIRL DO WHAT I WANT YOU TO” but you understood her given what was happening. It made sense. She made sense. She remains badass & funny & I just love her. She’s just a baddie.
- THE CEDRIC GLOW-UP MUST BE STUDIED HOLY SHIT. Cedric has evolved into a goddamn MAN. I am obsessed? He’s a perfect angel?? Like wow did he give emotional maturity, sexpot daddy, & badass warrior so well.
- The found family in this series is seriously so good.
- The political maneuvering was rather fun. & then having to watch our characters respond to it was also fun
- THE ENDING… *that* thing. Gretchen, respectfully, you’re a dick. 😆
- The romantic payoff was deeeeeelightful. I also like how it unfolded the entire book. Natural push & pull & progression, just loved.
- Animal sidekick introduction was funnnnn!
- There was 1 reveal that surprised me I didn’t pick up on & im interested to see how that comes into play later!
MIDS
- I stay predicting stuff & I pretty much predicted all of it. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I just love to be surprised.
- For me this wasn’t a bad thing at all but this book has less action overall. The first half is def relationship development & political maneuvering vs. big action scenes. I liked it quite a bit, but that might not be everyone’s favorite.
CONS
- Genuinely don’t know that I have any? I had 1 complaint as I was reading until I realized it was a very intentional *thing* & turns out that was a smart writing choice 😆.
CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 3!
November 5, 2025
I NEED you to pick up this series (starting with Smoke and Scar) ASAP! This second book in the Shattered Crown series was EVERYTHING. Where I feel like some middle books in series struggle with pacing or info-dumping, this sequel absolutely delivers with the perfect balance of world-expansion, banter, romance, spice and action. I would never have predicted the final twist in this book, which makes me absolutely feral for book three to come out soon. Cedric and Elyria are such a deeply-faceted and freaking emotionally healthy power couple that I was obsessed with because miscommunication? We don’t do that here.
Seriously, I need you to get it-as a member of Gretchen’s ARC team I got to read this early and now I have soooo much longer to wait for book three! This one comes out November 11 (so you’ve got plenty of time to get book one finished if you haven’t started yet!).
Seriously, I need you to get it-as a member of Gretchen’s ARC team I got to read this early and now I have soooo much longer to wait for book three! This one comes out November 11 (so you’ve got plenty of time to get book one finished if you haven’t started yet!).
December 3, 2025
Splintered Kingdom took everything I loved about book one and blew it up. The plot, the world, the characters and the relationships between them, it all levelled up. And Cedric (whom I already loved in book 1) levelled way WAY up. He wasn't playing in this book and he set some bars for my fictional MMCs, all while being his completely loveable, down and out simp self for his girl Elyria. I love him. Her. Them. The side characters. How the story has unfolded. Everything about it. Reading this was as easy as breathing. There's high stakes, action, humour, romance and magic in an expansive world, woven together at the perfect pace to deliver a book that held every ounce of my attention from the first page to the last.
Speaking of last pages. WHAT?! That ending was CRUEL. What else is cruel? The wait for the third/last book. I don't know if I can do it. In the meantime i'll just have to think of how absolutely feral Cedric might be in it, considering the ending of this one. WHICH WAS CRUEL 😭😭
Speaking of last pages. WHAT?! That ending was CRUEL. What else is cruel? The wait for the third/last book. I don't know if I can do it. In the meantime i'll just have to think of how absolutely feral Cedric might be in it, considering the ending of this one. WHICH WAS CRUEL 😭😭
November 9, 2025
4.25 stars! kept my attention the whole time and had fun - like the first book was pretty predictable but I enjoyed it the whole way thru
January 3, 2026
Starting off the year with a 5-star read?! Ah hells yas.
Splintered Kingdom was everything. The YEARNING. The action. The world expansion. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I really liked Smoke and Scar (it's one of my favorite indie reads of 2025), but I LOVE Splintered Kingdom. This book really cranked it up a notch with the world and magic system development. And OBVIOUSLY I was a sucker for the romance.
Elyria is such a baddie, and I completely empathized with her avoidant attachment style. Given her life experiences and previous relationships, it was very realistic. Even though she's a very strong willed character, I love that she's not overly set in her ways. I've loved seeing the growth of this character—she's definitely one of my favorites.
I love a man who is absolutely pathetic for his woman. Cedric is that man. The yearning?? The pining?? Inject it straight into my veins. I also cannot help but giggle every time Elyria saves him. Their dynamic is one of my favorites.
That ending was criminal. I need book 3 right now.
A sincere thank you to Gretchen Powell Fox for gifting me the hardcover edition and audiobook copy of this book. I chose to immersive read it with KU and the audiobook to support Gretchen.
Splintered Kingdom was everything. The YEARNING. The action. The world expansion. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I really liked Smoke and Scar (it's one of my favorite indie reads of 2025), but I LOVE Splintered Kingdom. This book really cranked it up a notch with the world and magic system development. And OBVIOUSLY I was a sucker for the romance.
Elyria is such a baddie, and I completely empathized with her avoidant attachment style. Given her life experiences and previous relationships, it was very realistic. Even though she's a very strong willed character, I love that she's not overly set in her ways. I've loved seeing the growth of this character—she's definitely one of my favorites.
I love a man who is absolutely pathetic for his woman. Cedric is that man. The yearning?? The pining?? Inject it straight into my veins. I also cannot help but giggle every time Elyria saves him. Their dynamic is one of my favorites.
That ending was criminal. I need book 3 right now.
A sincere thank you to Gretchen Powell Fox for gifting me the hardcover edition and audiobook copy of this book. I chose to immersive read it with KU and the audiobook to support Gretchen.
August 15, 2025
This book deserves more than 5 stars, that’s without a single doubt.
I don’t think I’ll ever be okay after reading those last two chapters. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? 😭😭😭 Yes, it ends on cliffhanger and yes, it is painful.
But ohmygod, let me tell you more. I think this book was even better than the first one! It’s what I’ve mentioned earlier while reading - I was flowing through that book!!! I didn’t feel the time passing because it is so fucking good! Honestly, sometimes second books in some series are terrible but this second book exceeded my expectations and had me feeling all the feels.
While book one focused more on fantasy and world-building, in book two the focus is put more on the romance (but not only, not the whole point). Romance lovers won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t. It had everything I needed. After the whole slow burn that book one was, here Gretchen treats us with all the good stuff. She simply knows how to do romance!!!
To be fair, I’ve predicted some of the plot twists but there were many of them which I haven’t and they all had me gasping. I was genuinely shocked that I didn’t notice something.
I love, love, love the way Gretchen writes! 💚 She is a masterful writer and I’ll always be mentioning it in every review. Yes, thank you, queen. Give us more.
Thank you Gretchen for sending me the ARC! This was such an honour, again.
safety info: completely safe, no OWD (even though I was worried about his ex, I ended up loving her, she was really nice to Elyria, and she was a good friend to Cedric), no OMD, no cheating/sharing
___
sooo I actually had some other plans for my next read but this ARC has just landed in my email inbox 👀👀👀
I don’t think I’ll ever be okay after reading those last two chapters. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? 😭😭😭 Yes, it ends on cliffhanger and yes, it is painful.
But ohmygod, let me tell you more. I think this book was even better than the first one! It’s what I’ve mentioned earlier while reading - I was flowing through that book!!! I didn’t feel the time passing because it is so fucking good! Honestly, sometimes second books in some series are terrible but this second book exceeded my expectations and had me feeling all the feels.
While book one focused more on fantasy and world-building, in book two the focus is put more on the romance (but not only, not the whole point). Romance lovers won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t. It had everything I needed. After the whole slow burn that book one was, here Gretchen treats us with all the good stuff. She simply knows how to do romance!!!
To be fair, I’ve predicted some of the plot twists but there were many of them which I haven’t and they all had me gasping. I was genuinely shocked that I didn’t notice something.
I love, love, love the way Gretchen writes! 💚 She is a masterful writer and I’ll always be mentioning it in every review. Yes, thank you, queen. Give us more.
Thank you Gretchen for sending me the ARC! This was such an honour, again.
safety info: completely safe, no OWD (even though I was worried about his ex, I ended up loving her, she was really nice to Elyria, and she was a good friend to Cedric), no OMD, no cheating/sharing
___
sooo I actually had some other plans for my next read but this ARC has just landed in my email inbox 👀👀👀
December 22, 2025
(Fair warning: This is a stream of consciousness review)
Hey Gretchen, I have one question.
Why?
Why would you do this to my poor heart?
SHATTERED CROWN is everything and more. It’s the perfect sequel to Smoke & Scar and is just all gas no breaks.
We start off strong, a few months post-Crucible and we see how our heroes are handling themselves after all of the revelations from it. But when they all reunite? Oh baby now we’re cooking.
The love shown in this book is just off the charts. You can’t keep Cedric and Elyria apart. But not just them. The FRIEND love is everywhere and evident every step of the way. Elyria and Kit. Kit and Nox (though is there more?). Cedric and Tristan and Tenny. Their bonds are everything.
AND THAT ENDING? My heart.
I’ll just be over here twiddling my thumbs waiting for Book 3.
[This is an honest review in exchange for an arc of this book. Thank you Gretchen!]
Hey Gretchen, I have one question.
Why?
Why would you do this to my poor heart?
SHATTERED CROWN is everything and more. It’s the perfect sequel to Smoke & Scar and is just all gas no breaks.
We start off strong, a few months post-Crucible and we see how our heroes are handling themselves after all of the revelations from it. But when they all reunite? Oh baby now we’re cooking.
The love shown in this book is just off the charts. You can’t keep Cedric and Elyria apart. But not just them. The FRIEND love is everywhere and evident every step of the way. Elyria and Kit. Kit and Nox (though is there more?). Cedric and Tristan and Tenny. Their bonds are everything.
AND THAT ENDING? My heart.
I’ll just be over here twiddling my thumbs waiting for Book 3.
[This is an honest review in exchange for an arc of this book. Thank you Gretchen!]
August 19, 2025
ARC read ✨ and wow… I’m still processing. Full review soon, but trust me—you’ll want this on your radar. 💕📚
That ending........Plot twist: I didn’t finish the book. The book finished me.
Me: confidently imagining every possible outcome. Gretchen: Sweet summer child, you know nothing.
Currently sitting in my backyard, staring at nothing, crying because I can’t believe I have to wait for the next .
That ending........Plot twist: I didn’t finish the book. The book finished me.
Me: confidently imagining every possible outcome. Gretchen: Sweet summer child, you know nothing.
Currently sitting in my backyard, staring at nothing, crying because I can’t believe I have to wait for the next .
October 16, 2025
Some stories come into your life, shatter its very foundations, and, after the emotional earthquake has passed, nestle themselves deep within your heart and soul. That, my friends, is exactly what happened to me when I was introduced to Gretchen's Shattered Crown series.
Book 1, Smoke and Scar, is for you if your heart yearns for something both utterly epic and devastatingly beautiful, for a book brimming with emotions, for a world so vividly painted and masterfully crafted that you could lose yourself in it, for characters portrayed so painfully raw and real, so layered in their inner struggles and wishes.
Book 2, Splintered Kingdom, is for you if you crave all of that and more. It's for you if you long for even more deepened relationships, even more layered characters, even more intricate plots. It's for you if you seek emotional devastation, if you chase that feeling of unspoken emotions, of deepest, rawest thoughts and desires, of innermost fears, hopes, and dreams.
If you are ready for your heart and soul to be simultaneously shattered and uplifted, then this sequel was made for you. I know it was made for me.
If I could choose one word to describe Splintered Kingdom, it would be transformation. Transformation of mind, heart, and soul. Transformation of one's foundations, one's truths, one's very being. Cedric and Elyria both undergo painful yet beautiful transformations before our eyes, and I feel truly honored to have witnessed it all.
So, allow yourself and your heart to be transformed. To be shattered, splintered, and reborn anew.
There are no words to express my gratitude for once again being a member of Gretchen's ARC team. So, a simple "thank you" will have to suffice.
Book 1, Smoke and Scar, is for you if your heart yearns for something both utterly epic and devastatingly beautiful, for a book brimming with emotions, for a world so vividly painted and masterfully crafted that you could lose yourself in it, for characters portrayed so painfully raw and real, so layered in their inner struggles and wishes.
Book 2, Splintered Kingdom, is for you if you crave all of that and more. It's for you if you long for even more deepened relationships, even more layered characters, even more intricate plots. It's for you if you seek emotional devastation, if you chase that feeling of unspoken emotions, of deepest, rawest thoughts and desires, of innermost fears, hopes, and dreams.
If you are ready for your heart and soul to be simultaneously shattered and uplifted, then this sequel was made for you. I know it was made for me.
If I could choose one word to describe Splintered Kingdom, it would be transformation. Transformation of mind, heart, and soul. Transformation of one's foundations, one's truths, one's very being. Cedric and Elyria both undergo painful yet beautiful transformations before our eyes, and I feel truly honored to have witnessed it all.
So, allow yourself and your heart to be transformed. To be shattered, splintered, and reborn anew.
There are no words to express my gratitude for once again being a member of Gretchen's ARC team. So, a simple "thank you" will have to suffice.
January 11, 2026
This was a really solid second book!! I do think I liked this a touch more than book 1 (I think I’m kinda burned out on trials honestly) and the romance/character development definitely took more center stage in this installment! The first half or so felt pretty slow, but I was super invested for the second half. We meet new characters and see the world expand a ton! The cliffhanger was brutal and I’ll absolutely be reading the next book when it comes out
August 23, 2025
Thank you SO MUCH for the ARC to read and review, I’ve never been so excited to have been accepted for an arc before because I absolutely LOVED Smoke & Scar and I needed the second book like I need air.
So this was worth the wait. Like unimaginably so. Granted I didn’t have long to wait because I only read book 1 in July, but god damn was this one of my most anticipated reads for this year. And it lived up to the excitement btw. Unequivocally. I’m screaming. I’m crying. I’m throwing up. I’m on my knees barking like a dog. I’m feral. I need book 3.
The first maybe 75% of this book is one of my favourite plot structures: character and relationship building. We had the games and trials in book 1, and now we get to just spend time with the characters in a fairly low stakes environment, being drip fed information and watching them enjoy themselves (and each other). We learned so much, from backstory to hopes and dreams of the found family, we get some funky plot twists and uh oh moments, we get some delicious spice, and we’re not deprived of the spice. After the slow burn of the century, the reward is worth the work. I was giggling and kicking my feet on sight. The growth each character showed was absolutely soul food, I feel so satiated. And then the last 25%, stuff started happening, it got a bit more perilous and dramatic, and then the ending was like whaaaaat?? Crazy. Wild. I won’t say I wasn’t able to predict anything because there was some stuff that was more obvious, but I do distinctly remember getting to around 75-80% and gasping really loudly at the reveal. I think I might have said oh my god out loud as well.
Cedric started out a bit pompous, a bit annoying, a bit uptight, but still immensely likeable. He did an almost complete 180 of his thoughts and feelings and became someone I would put my life in the hands of. He was already, but you know? He got harder, better. Faster. Stronger. Less self-deprecating. It’s giving King. He’s dependable. He’s incredible. And you know the best part?? He’s an absolute SIMP. I have never seen a man more down horrendous than Cedric. He was on his knees begging for just a crumb of her affection. She was rolling her eyes and walking away and he was kissing the ground because it touched her kind of energy. Elyria’s reluctance to give in to her feelings might have frustrated me if the characters were not written so well, but when you have actually good writing, the flaws and mistakes don’t matter so much because they’re understandable. They’re real. It actually makes it better BECAUSE they’re flawed. But they make enough correct and clever decisions to offset any defects they might have. They’re good people, traumatised and struggling. They’re real. These characters are so fleshed out, their feelings so apparent. And the prose is beautiful by the way. Not in the way poetry is necessarily, but sophisticated and clever without being pretentious or wordy. It just works. The whole thing just works. I felt the same about Smoke & Scar, I remember reading the first chapter and thinking, ‘oh fuck, this is good writing.’ And this book isn’t any different. We love to see it. Good writing, good characters, good plot.
I need book 3. I need it. I need to see what happens next after that cracker of an ending. I need to see Kit and Nox together. I need more Sid and Elyria being maternal over her. I need Cedric to keep being the king he is. I love these characters like they are my friends. I want them to be okay and happy and safe, please don’t kill Nox or I might die with them. That’s another thing actually, Nox. I am SO curious about Nox’s backstory. They are one of the most mysterious characters ever. I love them. They’re hot as hell.
Anyway tldr this book was fantastic and I’m not sponsored by the author or anything but I’ll continue to scream about this series and recommend it to absolutely everybody I speak to. If you’re reading this review and you haven’t read the series yet then god damn what are you waiting for??
So this was worth the wait. Like unimaginably so. Granted I didn’t have long to wait because I only read book 1 in July, but god damn was this one of my most anticipated reads for this year. And it lived up to the excitement btw. Unequivocally. I’m screaming. I’m crying. I’m throwing up. I’m on my knees barking like a dog. I’m feral. I need book 3.
The first maybe 75% of this book is one of my favourite plot structures: character and relationship building. We had the games and trials in book 1, and now we get to just spend time with the characters in a fairly low stakes environment, being drip fed information and watching them enjoy themselves (and each other). We learned so much, from backstory to hopes and dreams of the found family, we get some funky plot twists and uh oh moments, we get some delicious spice, and we’re not deprived of the spice. After the slow burn of the century, the reward is worth the work. I was giggling and kicking my feet on sight. The growth each character showed was absolutely soul food, I feel so satiated. And then the last 25%, stuff started happening, it got a bit more perilous and dramatic, and then the ending was like whaaaaat?? Crazy. Wild. I won’t say I wasn’t able to predict anything because there was some stuff that was more obvious, but I do distinctly remember getting to around 75-80% and gasping really loudly at the reveal. I think I might have said oh my god out loud as well.
Cedric started out a bit pompous, a bit annoying, a bit uptight, but still immensely likeable. He did an almost complete 180 of his thoughts and feelings and became someone I would put my life in the hands of. He was already, but you know? He got harder, better. Faster. Stronger. Less self-deprecating. It’s giving King. He’s dependable. He’s incredible. And you know the best part?? He’s an absolute SIMP. I have never seen a man more down horrendous than Cedric. He was on his knees begging for just a crumb of her affection. She was rolling her eyes and walking away and he was kissing the ground because it touched her kind of energy. Elyria’s reluctance to give in to her feelings might have frustrated me if the characters were not written so well, but when you have actually good writing, the flaws and mistakes don’t matter so much because they’re understandable. They’re real. It actually makes it better BECAUSE they’re flawed. But they make enough correct and clever decisions to offset any defects they might have. They’re good people, traumatised and struggling. They’re real. These characters are so fleshed out, their feelings so apparent. And the prose is beautiful by the way. Not in the way poetry is necessarily, but sophisticated and clever without being pretentious or wordy. It just works. The whole thing just works. I felt the same about Smoke & Scar, I remember reading the first chapter and thinking, ‘oh fuck, this is good writing.’ And this book isn’t any different. We love to see it. Good writing, good characters, good plot.
I need book 3. I need it. I need to see what happens next after that cracker of an ending. I need to see Kit and Nox together. I need more Sid and Elyria being maternal over her. I need Cedric to keep being the king he is. I love these characters like they are my friends. I want them to be okay and happy and safe, please don’t kill Nox or I might die with them. That’s another thing actually, Nox. I am SO curious about Nox’s backstory. They are one of the most mysterious characters ever. I love them. They’re hot as hell.
Anyway tldr this book was fantastic and I’m not sponsored by the author or anything but I’ll continue to scream about this series and recommend it to absolutely everybody I speak to. If you’re reading this review and you haven’t read the series yet then god damn what are you waiting for??
September 23, 2025
✨Splintered Kingdom✨
Oh, how my heart is in tatters that this book is over and I must wait to rejoin these characters, who I have grown to love so immensely over just two books. Gretchen truly has become a writer I will look forward to reading from for all of my days.
In this sequel of Gretchen’s Shattered Crown series, we begin a couple months from where we left off at the end of Smoke & Scar. Our characters had parted ways to work on their own paths but the chasm that splits their kingdoms wasn’t felt only physically but deeply and emotionally. The lead up to this reunion had me salivating and in desperate need because Gretchen is a MASTER at writing a tense, yearning filled, utterly dying in my seat with anticipation kind of slow burn.
The missions at hand are full of plot twists, more betrayals, massive reveals, and so much character growth. Again, I LOVED watching Cedric evolve. Him and Thraigg make me happy. Elyria also had MASSIVE transformation and it was so beautiful. The romance was just 👩🍳 💋 perfect. These scenes will live in my head and soul forever.
And while the romance was top tier, the plot and banter DID NOT slack because of it. I enjoyed every single moment within this book just as I did book one. I hung on every word and spent my whole weekend thoroughly immersed in Arcanis and I’m not even mad about everything I procrastinated on.
Tropes you may find in SK are one tent, magical pets, unique bonds, elemental powers, hidden identities, my broody cinnamon roll CLAIMING HIS OWN, 3 third person POVs, bacon loving shadow mommy, found family new & old, all the banter, so much PINING, slow burn is spicing! (Medium spice), greater world building, court and political intrigue, “mine”, touch them and 💀, and a cliffy.
Gretchen, what an honor and a joy it is to get to be an arc reader for you. I am so committed and enraptured by this series. Thank you!
Oh, how my heart is in tatters that this book is over and I must wait to rejoin these characters, who I have grown to love so immensely over just two books. Gretchen truly has become a writer I will look forward to reading from for all of my days.
In this sequel of Gretchen’s Shattered Crown series, we begin a couple months from where we left off at the end of Smoke & Scar. Our characters had parted ways to work on their own paths but the chasm that splits their kingdoms wasn’t felt only physically but deeply and emotionally. The lead up to this reunion had me salivating and in desperate need because Gretchen is a MASTER at writing a tense, yearning filled, utterly dying in my seat with anticipation kind of slow burn.
The missions at hand are full of plot twists, more betrayals, massive reveals, and so much character growth. Again, I LOVED watching Cedric evolve. Him and Thraigg make me happy. Elyria also had MASSIVE transformation and it was so beautiful. The romance was just 👩🍳 💋 perfect. These scenes will live in my head and soul forever.
And while the romance was top tier, the plot and banter DID NOT slack because of it. I enjoyed every single moment within this book just as I did book one. I hung on every word and spent my whole weekend thoroughly immersed in Arcanis and I’m not even mad about everything I procrastinated on.
Tropes you may find in SK are one tent, magical pets, unique bonds, elemental powers, hidden identities, my broody cinnamon roll CLAIMING HIS OWN, 3 third person POVs, bacon loving shadow mommy, found family new & old, all the banter, so much PINING, slow burn is spicing! (Medium spice), greater world building, court and political intrigue, “mine”, touch them and 💀, and a cliffy.
Gretchen, what an honor and a joy it is to get to be an arc reader for you. I am so committed and enraptured by this series. Thank you!
August 28, 2025
— ARC review; 6⭐️ !!! Even more! More stars!
Guys. If you ever take any suggestion and advice from me ever let it be that you pick up the first book, Smoke and Scar, and get into this series PLEASE. You’re in for the time of your life I PROMISE YOU. If you haven’t started it yet please, please go do it!!! Start it, and catch up with us on November 11th when Splintered kingdom comes out.
Because let me just say this. The first book was legendary. This? This is a masterpiece. Somehow it got even better. I couldn’t think anything could top the experience I had of Smoke and Scar and guess what? It was the second book that did. Gretchen did it again😭🫶🏻!!!! And as always I trust that she will do it AGAIN in the third book because holyyyyy the plot twists and reveals in this one were CRAZY.
I felt too many emotions reading this, what a roller coaster. The development of the characters, the found family trope is troping so hard I cried, the romance— oh my god the romance. Let me just say the way the bond was done between Elyria and Cedric in this was absolutely incredible. It wasn’t like the cliche fated mates trope, no. It was done so beautifully, so well that it actually makes sense and the slow burn pays off when you finally get to see them be together. Their tender moments, their love for each other, the emotional connection. Ugh it was so fulfilling and beautiful to read about.
The world building and the plot in this was just perfect. I really enjoyed exploring more of the world and places, we got to meet new characters, experience a lot with them. Learn more about our own main characters! This book had all the vibes I needed and wanted. I didn’t expect for it to wreck me the way it did.
And I am so honored to have been one of the arc readers for this story. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity and I was so happy to be back in the world of Arcanis!! <33
Now that everything is out of the way let me get to my personal favorite thing in this entire book: Cedric Thorne. I WAS GOING ABSOLUTELY FERAL FOR THIS MAN. Every time he’s on page, every time he opens his mouth and says something— I’m dead. Gone. Obliterated. I already loved him in S&S but in SK? He skyrocketed into my book boyfriend’s list and stayed there, right at the top. Like he always deserved. He’s everything to me. Everything.
Guys. If you ever take any suggestion and advice from me ever let it be that you pick up the first book, Smoke and Scar, and get into this series PLEASE. You’re in for the time of your life I PROMISE YOU. If you haven’t started it yet please, please go do it!!! Start it, and catch up with us on November 11th when Splintered kingdom comes out.
Because let me just say this. The first book was legendary. This? This is a masterpiece. Somehow it got even better. I couldn’t think anything could top the experience I had of Smoke and Scar and guess what? It was the second book that did. Gretchen did it again😭🫶🏻!!!! And as always I trust that she will do it AGAIN in the third book because holyyyyy the plot twists and reveals in this one were CRAZY.
I felt too many emotions reading this, what a roller coaster. The development of the characters, the found family trope is troping so hard I cried, the romance— oh my god the romance. Let me just say the way the bond was done between Elyria and Cedric in this was absolutely incredible. It wasn’t like the cliche fated mates trope, no. It was done so beautifully, so well that it actually makes sense and the slow burn pays off when you finally get to see them be together. Their tender moments, their love for each other, the emotional connection. Ugh it was so fulfilling and beautiful to read about.
The world building and the plot in this was just perfect. I really enjoyed exploring more of the world and places, we got to meet new characters, experience a lot with them. Learn more about our own main characters! This book had all the vibes I needed and wanted. I didn’t expect for it to wreck me the way it did.
And I am so honored to have been one of the arc readers for this story. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity and I was so happy to be back in the world of Arcanis!! <33
Now that everything is out of the way let me get to my personal favorite thing in this entire book: Cedric Thorne. I WAS GOING ABSOLUTELY FERAL FOR THIS MAN. Every time he’s on page, every time he opens his mouth and says something— I’m dead. Gone. Obliterated. I already loved him in S&S but in SK? He skyrocketed into my book boyfriend’s list and stayed there, right at the top. Like he always deserved. He’s everything to me. Everything.
September 1, 2025
⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 1.5/5
Just WOW 🤯 so far, this series is up there with Fourth Wing for me!! The history and lore being so well explained in book one meant the intricate world-building was still easy to follow. The description for each location was rich and immersive without being too flowery.
I absolutely ADORE these characters too, they are all such unique personalities and all add something to the story. I’ve loved getting to know some of the existing characters better as well as meeting some new ones. And of course, the developing relationship between Elyria and Cedric 🥰 I’ll admit I did want to knock their heads together a few times 😆 but I love them anyway!
Two of my favourite quotes… 💫They were matching constellations dotting the sky, opposing forces forged together—sun and shadow, day and night, radiance and ruin. 😂 “What the ever-living, stars-damned, motherfucking fuck?”
Overall Thoughts: Elyria is my favourite type of FMC, a total badass whose flaws give her depth and relatability. The social hierarchy and political systems, unfortunately, make the whole story feel more believable. And that ENDING GOD DAMN IT!!! We love to hate a cliffhanger 😩 I will be now be obsessively checking Gretchen’s Instagram to find out when book 3 will come along and provide further emotional damage 🥲
HUGE thankyou to the author for the eARC 💜🦋
🌶️ 1.5/5
Just WOW 🤯 so far, this series is up there with Fourth Wing for me!! The history and lore being so well explained in book one meant the intricate world-building was still easy to follow. The description for each location was rich and immersive without being too flowery.
I absolutely ADORE these characters too, they are all such unique personalities and all add something to the story. I’ve loved getting to know some of the existing characters better as well as meeting some new ones. And of course, the developing relationship between Elyria and Cedric 🥰 I’ll admit I did want to knock their heads together a few times 😆 but I love them anyway!
Two of my favourite quotes… 💫They were matching constellations dotting the sky, opposing forces forged together—sun and shadow, day and night, radiance and ruin. 😂 “What the ever-living, stars-damned, motherfucking fuck?”
Overall Thoughts: Elyria is my favourite type of FMC, a total badass whose flaws give her depth and relatability. The social hierarchy and political systems, unfortunately, make the whole story feel more believable. And that ENDING GOD DAMN IT!!! We love to hate a cliffhanger 😩 I will be now be obsessively checking Gretchen’s Instagram to find out when book 3 will come along and provide further emotional damage 🥲
HUGE thankyou to the author for the eARC 💜🦋
November 22, 2025
This sequel opens with two realms trying to hold onto an uneasy peace while Elyria and Cedric navigate the emotional fallout of everything they survived.
Elyria and Cedric are still the emotional center, and their connection grows in a way that feels thoughtful and earned. The bond between them is handled well but I did find myself wishing for a bit of enforced separation, just to let that bond stretch, test itself, and cut a little deeper. It had the potential to absolutely destroy me, but I'm really just nitpicking perfection.
The found family aspect grew as well. Nox and Thraigg quickly became favorites and Kit’s expanded role added this soft, surprising dimension that I didn’t know I needed. The group's chaos, affection, loyalty, and banter create such a magnetic group dynamic, and it’s the biggest reason I kept turning pages with a stupid smile on my face.
I’ll admit, there’s still a small layer of emotional distance I couldn’t fully shake. I THINK that part of that comes from a certain character death that didn't stick (nor should it have). I don’t mind resurrection arcs in general, but it did soften the stakes for me. It made me a little less worried about these characters because the story showed it wasn’t fully willing to let the consequences bite. It’s a VERY small thing and it feels a little unfair to mention because it was obviously a once-and-never-again, but it did keep me from completely spiraling into the angst the way I want to.
The pacing is also slower in the beginning, deliberate and steady. But the second half absolutely shines once the emotional arcs start unraveling and the tension ramps up. The ending was beautifully brutal in that classic “middle book” way that has you instantly checking the calendar for book three.
And I want to be clear: these critiques are really just me splitting hairs. I have high expectations for this series and for this author, and this book still hit phenomenally. It is still absolutely a five-star read. The craftsmanship, the world-building, the characters; everything is operating at such a strong level. At this point, I’ll read anything Gretchen Powell Fox writes, no questions asked.
This is a heartfelt, character-rich sequel that deepens the world, sharpens the bonds, and gives the found family dynamic space to thrive. Even with the few things that held me back from total emotional devastation, I’m fully invested and absolutely ready for the chaos the finale is sure to unleash.
Thanks so much to the author and QP Booktours for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Elyria and Cedric are still the emotional center, and their connection grows in a way that feels thoughtful and earned. The bond between them is handled well but I did find myself wishing for a bit of enforced separation, just to let that bond stretch, test itself, and cut a little deeper. It had the potential to absolutely destroy me, but I'm really just nitpicking perfection.
The found family aspect grew as well. Nox and Thraigg quickly became favorites and Kit’s expanded role added this soft, surprising dimension that I didn’t know I needed. The group's chaos, affection, loyalty, and banter create such a magnetic group dynamic, and it’s the biggest reason I kept turning pages with a stupid smile on my face.
I’ll admit, there’s still a small layer of emotional distance I couldn’t fully shake. I THINK that part of that comes from a certain character death that didn't stick (nor should it have). I don’t mind resurrection arcs in general, but it did soften the stakes for me. It made me a little less worried about these characters because the story showed it wasn’t fully willing to let the consequences bite. It’s a VERY small thing and it feels a little unfair to mention because it was obviously a once-and-never-again, but it did keep me from completely spiraling into the angst the way I want to.
The pacing is also slower in the beginning, deliberate and steady. But the second half absolutely shines once the emotional arcs start unraveling and the tension ramps up. The ending was beautifully brutal in that classic “middle book” way that has you instantly checking the calendar for book three.
And I want to be clear: these critiques are really just me splitting hairs. I have high expectations for this series and for this author, and this book still hit phenomenally. It is still absolutely a five-star read. The craftsmanship, the world-building, the characters; everything is operating at such a strong level. At this point, I’ll read anything Gretchen Powell Fox writes, no questions asked.
This is a heartfelt, character-rich sequel that deepens the world, sharpens the bonds, and gives the found family dynamic space to thrive. Even with the few things that held me back from total emotional devastation, I’m fully invested and absolutely ready for the chaos the finale is sure to unleash.
Thanks so much to the author and QP Booktours for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
December 5, 2025
“𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚. 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙘 𝙡𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧… 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧”
after loving ‘smoke and scar’, i was so excited to dive back into this world and reunite with these characters - and honestly, it did not disappoint. the atmosphere, the magic, the emotional stakes… everything felt richer and more intense this time around
we pick up right where we left off in book one, which i really appreciated because it kept the momentum going. the dual pov was such a strong choice; getting inside both elyria’s and cedric’s heads made the tension between them feel so much more layered and addictive. every chapter felt like it added a new piece to their connection
now, let’s talk about cedric for a moment… the yearning? absolutely unmatched. i ate up every bit of his perspective - the slow-burn pull he feels toward elyria had me hooked. even when we were already given so much of his inner turmoil and devotion, i still found myself wanting more. maybe i just genuinely love cedric too much, but he completely stole the show for me
after the buildup in book one, i was really happy with how this book moved the plot forward. the characters went through some real highs and lows, but it all felt purposeful, and the pacing kept me engaged from start to finish. there was the perfect balance of emotional moments, action, and character growth
the fond family continues to be incredible, and i honestly cannot choose a favourite side character. each of them brings something unique and memorable, adding so much warmth and depth to the story
and the ending… gretchen, how dare you. that cliffhanger felt personal. my heart genuinely aches for these characters, and i am desperate - truly desperate - to know what happens next. this world has its hooks in me, and i cannot wait for the next book
“𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚. 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚”
after loving ‘smoke and scar’, i was so excited to dive back into this world and reunite with these characters - and honestly, it did not disappoint. the atmosphere, the magic, the emotional stakes… everything felt richer and more intense this time around
we pick up right where we left off in book one, which i really appreciated because it kept the momentum going. the dual pov was such a strong choice; getting inside both elyria’s and cedric’s heads made the tension between them feel so much more layered and addictive. every chapter felt like it added a new piece to their connection
now, let’s talk about cedric for a moment… the yearning? absolutely unmatched. i ate up every bit of his perspective - the slow-burn pull he feels toward elyria had me hooked. even when we were already given so much of his inner turmoil and devotion, i still found myself wanting more. maybe i just genuinely love cedric too much, but he completely stole the show for me
after the buildup in book one, i was really happy with how this book moved the plot forward. the characters went through some real highs and lows, but it all felt purposeful, and the pacing kept me engaged from start to finish. there was the perfect balance of emotional moments, action, and character growth
the fond family continues to be incredible, and i honestly cannot choose a favourite side character. each of them brings something unique and memorable, adding so much warmth and depth to the story
and the ending… gretchen, how dare you. that cliffhanger felt personal. my heart genuinely aches for these characters, and i am desperate - truly desperate - to know what happens next. this world has its hooks in me, and i cannot wait for the next book
“𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚. 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚”
December 19, 2025
Genre: Fantasy Romance
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 5/10
Cliffhanger: 8/10
Noteworthy: Book 2 of an incomplete trilogy. Multi 3rd person limited POV. Available on KU.
This book is a tale of two halves (More like 75/25). I was happy to see the romance take a front seat in this 2nd installment. As with any good fantasy romance it will likely give you whiplash. This book could be titled Love and Insecurities and it would still fit. The plot thickens in a slow uptick culminating in blessedly giving us most of the answers we've been waiting for. I was not personally surprised by any revelations but that didn't make it any less satisfying once the info started flowing.
My biggest issue with book 1 was the MMC Cedric and his main personality trait being a dead stare. Like, bro use your words. I still wanted to shake him through the first half of this book. He felt so uncertain and would too easily let suspicions go to protect his own mental health. I desperately needed him to get stronger and have some real growth. Praise all the gods in this book that he FINALLY did after the 75% mark. Everything popped off then and that last quarter was spectacular! By the time I closed this book, I loved this couple. But my gosh did I have to put in work to get there. The plot is still so strong though and totally worth pushing through any character development frustrations. Plus that cliffy was so rude. 😭
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 5/10
Cliffhanger: 8/10
Noteworthy: Book 2 of an incomplete trilogy. Multi 3rd person limited POV. Available on KU.
This book is a tale of two halves (More like 75/25). I was happy to see the romance take a front seat in this 2nd installment. As with any good fantasy romance it will likely give you whiplash. This book could be titled Love and Insecurities and it would still fit. The plot thickens in a slow uptick culminating in blessedly giving us most of the answers we've been waiting for. I was not personally surprised by any revelations but that didn't make it any less satisfying once the info started flowing.
My biggest issue with book 1 was the MMC Cedric and his main personality trait being a dead stare. Like, bro use your words. I still wanted to shake him through the first half of this book. He felt so uncertain and would too easily let suspicions go to protect his own mental health. I desperately needed him to get stronger and have some real growth. Praise all the gods in this book that he FINALLY did after the 75% mark. Everything popped off then and that last quarter was spectacular! By the time I closed this book, I loved this couple. But my gosh did I have to put in work to get there. The plot is still so strong though and totally worth pushing through any character development frustrations. Plus that cliffy was so rude. 😭
August 22, 2025
I'll be honest... I struggled hard with this one. I wanted so badly to like it, because I loved Smoke and Scar! Splintered Kingdom is incredibly slow-moving for the first 75% and then explodes into twist reveals and climactic action. It explores themes of loyalty and friendship, while challenging class disparity and racism between the factions of Arcania. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me, and I am sorely disappointed about it.
What I Liked
- Sid the shadowcat: Every fantasy novel needs a sentient animal who reflects or at least engages with the protagonist’s emotional state. The other side characters were mostly strong with the addition of Kit’s POV, the recurrence of Thraigg and Nox as trusty members of the Fellowship, and the increased presence of Tristan, Cedric’s humorous friend.
- Twisty reveals: Once the twists begin, they roll fast and furiously! It was quite enjoyable.
What I Didn’t Like
- Slowwww pace: Unfortunately, I felt like nothing happened for the first 75% of the book. There was more slow burn between Cedric and Elyria (lots of that in book one) and more waiting for the villain to be revealed to the protagonists (the reader was privy to this information at the end of book one).
- Romance over fantasy: This is a preference; I prefer fantasy over romance, especially when it gets hot and spicy. World building and fantasy elements were bogged down in favour of Elyria and Cedric’s romance.
Themes and Reflections
- Exploration of classism: Gretchen takes time to explore the class disparity of Kingshelm, juxtaposing the glamorous wealth of the nobility with the squalor of the peasantry… always relevant in every major city in our world, whether we live under a constitutional monarchy, democratic republic, or totalitarian rule.
- Implicit racism: Gretchen also addresses racist tendencies in the humans’ manners and speech toward the Arcanians. At one point, Cedric corrects Lord Church’s address of a sylvan as a “creature” to “he’s a person.” Races are obviously different in Arcania, and Gretchen uses the elements of fantasy to explore the racist tendency to view one’s own race as superior to others and to hold other races in contempt.
- Loyalty and friendship: The ‘Fellowship’ of Smoke and Scar largely stays intact during Splintered Kingdom. I loved Thraigg’s dwarvish exuberance, Kit’s enthusiasm, Nox’s wry humour, and Zephyr’s quiet timidity.
Writing Style
Fast-paced with high emotional tension, Gretchen writes in such a way as to pull the reader in and then sucker punch you in the gut with emotional intensity and fast action... once the action starts. Until then, there is a LOT of angst and yearning. Like, lots.
Content Warnings
General Rating: Adult (18A / R / TV-MA)
Spice Rating: Severe—open door scenes in chapters 25, 27, 28, 42, 43, 44, and 55; explicit descriptions.
Violence Rating: Severe—blood magic, sword and dagger violence
Profanity Rating: Severe—150+ uses of f*ck
Other Trigger Warnings: flashbacks to death of parent, fire and fire injury, racism, classism, blood
Tropes
- Fated mates
- Slow burn
- Miscommunication
- Hidden secrets
Books Like This
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Received as an eARC from Gretchen Powell Fox—with thanks!
Splintered Kingdom is available on November 11, 2025. Reader discretion is advised due to adult themes and on-page intimacy.
What I Liked
- Sid the shadowcat: Every fantasy novel needs a sentient animal who reflects or at least engages with the protagonist’s emotional state. The other side characters were mostly strong with the addition of Kit’s POV, the recurrence of Thraigg and Nox as trusty members of the Fellowship, and the increased presence of Tristan, Cedric’s humorous friend.
- Twisty reveals: Once the twists begin, they roll fast and furiously! It was quite enjoyable.
What I Didn’t Like
- Slowwww pace: Unfortunately, I felt like nothing happened for the first 75% of the book. There was more slow burn between Cedric and Elyria (lots of that in book one) and more waiting for the villain to be revealed to the protagonists (the reader was privy to this information at the end of book one).
- Romance over fantasy: This is a preference; I prefer fantasy over romance, especially when it gets hot and spicy. World building and fantasy elements were bogged down in favour of Elyria and Cedric’s romance.
Themes and Reflections
- Exploration of classism: Gretchen takes time to explore the class disparity of Kingshelm, juxtaposing the glamorous wealth of the nobility with the squalor of the peasantry… always relevant in every major city in our world, whether we live under a constitutional monarchy, democratic republic, or totalitarian rule.
“The citizens of Kingshelm live in squalor, yet the crown drowns in excess.” (46)
- Implicit racism: Gretchen also addresses racist tendencies in the humans’ manners and speech toward the Arcanians. At one point, Cedric corrects Lord Church’s address of a sylvan as a “creature” to “he’s a person.” Races are obviously different in Arcania, and Gretchen uses the elements of fantasy to explore the racist tendency to view one’s own race as superior to others and to hold other races in contempt.
- Loyalty and friendship: The ‘Fellowship’ of Smoke and Scar largely stays intact during Splintered Kingdom. I loved Thraigg’s dwarvish exuberance, Kit’s enthusiasm, Nox’s wry humour, and Zephyr’s quiet timidity.
Writing Style
Fast-paced with high emotional tension, Gretchen writes in such a way as to pull the reader in and then sucker punch you in the gut with emotional intensity and fast action... once the action starts. Until then, there is a LOT of angst and yearning. Like, lots.
Content Warnings
General Rating: Adult (18A / R / TV-MA)
Spice Rating: Severe—open door scenes in chapters 25, 27, 28, 42, 43, 44, and 55; explicit descriptions.
Violence Rating: Severe—blood magic, sword and dagger violence
Profanity Rating: Severe—150+ uses of f*ck
Other Trigger Warnings: flashbacks to death of parent, fire and fire injury, racism, classism, blood
Tropes
- Fated mates
- Slow burn
- Miscommunication
- Hidden secrets
Books Like This
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Received as an eARC from Gretchen Powell Fox—with thanks!
Splintered Kingdom is available on November 11, 2025. Reader discretion is advised due to adult themes and on-page intimacy.
December 31, 2025
WELL F*CK ME RIGHT OVER THE CHASM !!! Gretchen does it AGAIN!!!!! Everything she promised in every single teaser she gave leading up to release, she DELIVERED!! AND THEN SOME.
Gretchen has me for LIFE. what a RIDE.
Gretchen has me for LIFE. what a RIDE.
December 6, 2025
I am just blown away by how amazing this book is! I devoured it. I can’t stop thinking about it. Gretchen is now an auto buy author. Gretchen’s writing is just beautiful and I can really feel these characters. Cedric and Elyria are just perfection. Ugh, I love everything about this series and the ending just gutted me. I just know book 3 will be epic even if the waiting will be torturous 😅
November 3, 2025
Standing ovation 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Splintered Kingdom knocked my socks off!!
I’ll say it, Smoke and Scar (book 1) set the stage but Splintered Kingdom (book 2) stole the show!!
The characters I knew and loved in the first book were reunited, and a bunch of new interesting characters were introduced. My new faves are Sid and Tenny! The character development and relationship progression for Cedric and Elyria was well done!! The push and pull between them was agonizing but worth it. I liked Cedric much more in this book. I love how much Cedric is over the moon for Elyria, it’s adorable!
The plot was medium paced with several twists throughout. I was not able to predict the events in this book! Several puzzle pieces were revealed in this story, answering questions I had at the end of Smoke and Scar. And that ending!!!
I liked the world building in this book. There were new areas/towns, and more political involvement between humans and arcanians. There were discussions on magic wielding and training that were very interesting.
This book contains spice, around a 2.5-3 🌶️.
Overall, I loved this book and need Book 3 right now!!!
Thank you SO much to the author, Gretchen Powell Fox, for the opportunity to read the eArC for Splintered Kingdom!!
I’ll say it, Smoke and Scar (book 1) set the stage but Splintered Kingdom (book 2) stole the show!!
The characters I knew and loved in the first book were reunited, and a bunch of new interesting characters were introduced. My new faves are Sid and Tenny! The character development and relationship progression for Cedric and Elyria was well done!! The push and pull between them was agonizing but worth it. I liked Cedric much more in this book. I love how much Cedric is over the moon for Elyria, it’s adorable!
The plot was medium paced with several twists throughout. I was not able to predict the events in this book! Several puzzle pieces were revealed in this story, answering questions I had at the end of Smoke and Scar. And that ending!!!
I liked the world building in this book. There were new areas/towns, and more political involvement between humans and arcanians. There were discussions on magic wielding and training that were very interesting.
This book contains spice, around a 2.5-3 🌶️.
Overall, I loved this book and need Book 3 right now!!!
Thank you SO much to the author, Gretchen Powell Fox, for the opportunity to read the eArC for Splintered Kingdom!!
October 24, 2025
thank you Gretchen Powell Fox for the eARC! 💜🩵💚
what an incredible sequel! these characters are some of my favorites ever! every single one is so unique and has a clearly defined voice and personality (hello multiple POVs), and they’re each so necessary to the story. so much of this book is uncovering backstories and watching all the little skillfully placed pieces of the characters fall into place and i loved it.
from the romance side, the yearning is next level! strictly banter morphs into flirty banter, and after the slow burn set up in Smoke & Scar, the tension is palpable and our main characters are closer than ever to just saying “f*** it”. we love a deeply connected pairing that actually talks about their emotions… eventually!
the plot has a lil something for everyone! the first half of the book features relationship building amongst the newly expanded found family as they adapt to the political environment, and the second half kicks off with an adventurous quest (only one bed(roll) trope anyone??) and action packed battles all the way to the end.
overall i loved reading this and highly recommend this series! absolutely loveeee Gretchen’s writing style - i could not put this down. so excited for book 3!
what an incredible sequel! these characters are some of my favorites ever! every single one is so unique and has a clearly defined voice and personality (hello multiple POVs), and they’re each so necessary to the story. so much of this book is uncovering backstories and watching all the little skillfully placed pieces of the characters fall into place and i loved it.
from the romance side, the yearning is next level! strictly banter morphs into flirty banter, and after the slow burn set up in Smoke & Scar, the tension is palpable and our main characters are closer than ever to just saying “f*** it”. we love a deeply connected pairing that actually talks about their emotions… eventually!
the plot has a lil something for everyone! the first half of the book features relationship building amongst the newly expanded found family as they adapt to the political environment, and the second half kicks off with an adventurous quest (only one bed(roll) trope anyone??) and action packed battles all the way to the end.
overall i loved reading this and highly recommend this series! absolutely loveeee Gretchen’s writing style - i could not put this down. so excited for book 3!
November 22, 2025
this was such a good second installment to the trilogy! book one ends on a cliffhanger and book two immediately picks up right where we left off. this book was so action packed and had a lot of reveals and twists along the way. I loved the development between elyria and cedric so much. that cliffhanger was cruel - I can’t wait for the final book!
August 3, 2025
This book was EVERYTHING. I obviously will NOT be spoiling anything, but just know that Gretchen put so much work and love into this book, and you FEEL it while reading.
I laughed, I cried, I swooned.
Gretchen has a way of writing that literally makes you feel like you're IN the book, fighting and bantering right alongside these characters. The world building is immersive. The magic is so well done and interesting (but not complicated). Don't even get me started on the slow burn that meets its melting point.
If I could crawl into this world and call it home, I would. I'd fly with Elyria, I'd train with Cedric. I'd joke and drink with Thriagg. Gossip with Tristian. These characters feel like friends to me. And getting the from a book, literal words written on paper? I have no words to describe that feeling.
This is a book that will remind you WHY you love reading. Why you love fantasy books.
I laughed, I cried, I swooned.
Gretchen has a way of writing that literally makes you feel like you're IN the book, fighting and bantering right alongside these characters. The world building is immersive. The magic is so well done and interesting (but not complicated). Don't even get me started on the slow burn that meets its melting point.
If I could crawl into this world and call it home, I would. I'd fly with Elyria, I'd train with Cedric. I'd joke and drink with Thriagg. Gossip with Tristian. These characters feel like friends to me. And getting the from a book, literal words written on paper? I have no words to describe that feeling.
This is a book that will remind you WHY you love reading. Why you love fantasy books.
October 8, 2025
Releases:11/11/25
⭐️5/5
Tropes:
Found Family
Multiple POV's
Yearning
Politics
To say I was excited to be an ARC reader for this book would be an understatement. I loved Smoke and Scar and I instantly wanted more so getting to read Splintered Kingdom early was exactly what I needed. Splintered Kingdom picks up exactly where we left off in Smoke and Scar. I would definitely say the first two thirds of this book is character building heavy we get a lot of relationship building and insight to the characters which makes them so much more compelling. I will admit sometimes I get a little bored without action but that didn't happen for me here because I like the characters enough for it to be enjoyable. I think one of my favorite parts of this book is there is an added point of view that gives you a perspective of what's happening to some characters in a different area than the main group and they're both piecing things together at the same time. Every book in this series so far has a cozy feel to it while still having action and adventure and I love it. The ending is INSANE and I need book 3 like yesterday 😩.
⭐️5/5
Tropes:
Found Family
Multiple POV's
Yearning
Politics
To say I was excited to be an ARC reader for this book would be an understatement. I loved Smoke and Scar and I instantly wanted more so getting to read Splintered Kingdom early was exactly what I needed. Splintered Kingdom picks up exactly where we left off in Smoke and Scar. I would definitely say the first two thirds of this book is character building heavy we get a lot of relationship building and insight to the characters which makes them so much more compelling. I will admit sometimes I get a little bored without action but that didn't happen for me here because I like the characters enough for it to be enjoyable. I think one of my favorite parts of this book is there is an added point of view that gives you a perspective of what's happening to some characters in a different area than the main group and they're both piecing things together at the same time. Every book in this series so far has a cozy feel to it while still having action and adventure and I love it. The ending is INSANE and I need book 3 like yesterday 😩.
November 11, 2025
I won’t lie, this was very slow at first for me.
However, once it picked up it was unputdownable.
Seriously.
Gretchen, WTH was that ending?!
Also, not to be dramatic but, I’d die for Sid.
However, once it picked up it was unputdownable.
Seriously.
Gretchen, WTH was that ending?!
Also, not to be dramatic but, I’d die for Sid.
November 14, 2025
Stars above, she was perfect.
Rating: 6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tissues: Literally all of them 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧
Scents:
Elyria - Cherries & Sweet Almonds (Sugar & Poison)
Cedric - Charred Sandalwood & Embers
Bonus - Cedric’s Mom - Lavender
Thoughts: I feel more shattered than the crown. This story brought so many emotions and left us on the largest cliffhanger. I loved every moment even the emotionally destroying ones.
We saw IMMENSE character growth both from Elyria embracing her shadows to Cedric expressing his emotions more vividly (EMBRACE THE MONSTER). The characters were enjoyable the entire way through, AND THAT PLOT!!!! I can’t talk or I’ll spoil everything before release but trust me when I say I’ll never get over this book.
ALC Thoughts: I was blessed with an ALC review copy & as with book one the main VAs are spectacular from their expressions to their clarity of voice. They truly help draw you in to the World of Arcanis. This ALC also introduced an additional female VA, which I was SO grateful for. It truly brought this book to the next level that I never knew was possible.
ARC provided by Gretchen in return for an honest review. ALC provided by Simon Maverick Audio in return for an honest review.
Rating: 6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tissues: Literally all of them 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧
Scents:
Elyria - Cherries & Sweet Almonds (Sugar & Poison)
Cedric - Charred Sandalwood & Embers
Bonus - Cedric’s Mom - Lavender
Thoughts: I feel more shattered than the crown. This story brought so many emotions and left us on the largest cliffhanger. I loved every moment even the emotionally destroying ones.
We saw IMMENSE character growth both from Elyria embracing her shadows to Cedric expressing his emotions more vividly (EMBRACE THE MONSTER). The characters were enjoyable the entire way through, AND THAT PLOT!!!! I can’t talk or I’ll spoil everything before release but trust me when I say I’ll never get over this book.
ALC Thoughts: I was blessed with an ALC review copy & as with book one the main VAs are spectacular from their expressions to their clarity of voice. They truly help draw you in to the World of Arcanis. This ALC also introduced an additional female VA, which I was SO grateful for. It truly brought this book to the next level that I never knew was possible.
ARC provided by Gretchen in return for an honest review. ALC provided by Simon Maverick Audio in return for an honest review.
September 25, 2025
Sharing my thoughts now that l’ve had a couple days to process the emotional journey that is Splintered Kingdom. I absolutely loved this book! Gretchen’s writing is highly addictive and shes easily now one of my favorite storytellers. The way she writes makes it easy to follow along while feeling fully immersed in the story’s world. We have detailed world building, high-stakes, slow burn yearning, endless magic and let me tell you, the plot is plotting! We pick up right where Smoke and Scar ended and continue to see the emotional growth and healing from past trauma and current obstacles from both of our MCs. While the focus remains on Cedric and Elyria, you can’t help falling in love with the side characters who at times steal the scene. (Talking about you Kit, Tristian, and Nox. I’m secretly hoping for some kind of thing
happening there.)
Splintered Kingdom is a continuation of the epic journey that will have you on edge flipping every page while also not wanting it to end. The story was full of twists and turns, with just the right balance of tension and depth. Get ready to gasp, giggle, hold your breath, and kick your feet. Plus the yearning is... swoon worthy.
Thank you for choosing me and one of your ARC readers
happening there.)
Splintered Kingdom is a continuation of the epic journey that will have you on edge flipping every page while also not wanting it to end. The story was full of twists and turns, with just the right balance of tension and depth. Get ready to gasp, giggle, hold your breath, and kick your feet. Plus the yearning is... swoon worthy.
Thank you for choosing me and one of your ARC readers
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