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Once Upon a Rhyme #7
All The Queen's Horses And All The Queen's Men,
All The Queen’s Horses and All The Queen’s Men… Could never put her soul back together again. Princess Amirah of Sarnold has been shattered ever since the day her family was killed in front of her. Before her parent’s death, the ruling king and queen embraced the use of magic by containing their fickle emotions in rare magic stones with the intention of making them fairer rulers, doing the same for their royal children. But when their soulless rule brought unrest among their people, only Amirah remained once the dust had settled—her soul stone shattered. Prince Soren is the most legendary bachelor in all the kingdoms, willing to stop at nothing to find himself a proper bride that won’t leave him to run a black market or scurry off with a gargoyle. After hearing that Princess Amirah has come of age to ascend to the throne, the eager prince makes his way to Sarnold to support the new queen in anyway he can. He knows hardly anything about her other than her appreciation for magic jewelry, but as a magic scholar himself, at least his chances with her aren’t entirely abysmal. With her coronation coming, and her soul split into shards of jewelry, Amirah welcomes the neighboring prince with the hope that his knowledge can help her repair her shattered stone. But help comes too late when the princess discovers that a piece of her magic jewelry has gone missing, taking part of her soul along with it. No longer able to access all of her emotions, only Prince Soren’s endless optimism can motivate her to track down her missing pieces. Can they finally put her back together? Or will someone in the shadows ensure the queen suffers a great fall? Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2026
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May 14, 2026
I received an ebook arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been waiting for this book ever since I finished the previous one in this series and it was worth the wait! Soren was a favorite character of mine and I couldn’t wait for his happy ever after! He deserved one! I just love him and he was great! Amirah was a broken person who had been through a lot. Soren was perfect for her and I loved how he never gave up on her and was always there for her. When she told him she loved him, I about cried. That was my favorite part for sure! It was perfect! I loved seeing characters from the previous books! The reason it wasn’t quite a five star was because of all the soul stuff with stones. It was a bit weird especially as a Christian and there was so much information about that. I felt like it kinda took a way from the story a bit. I didn’t see the post twist coming as usual with her books. It was a bit strange. I did appreciate how everything wrapped up. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I’m sad that the series is over! It was such a good one! I’m looking forward to rereading the whole series again soon!
June 14, 2026
(This is an ARC Review)
“All the Queen’s Horses and All the Queen’s Men” is a sweet, no spicy fantasy romance novel filled with magic, broken characters and the power of true love.
To be honest, I didn’t feel immersed in the story until about seventy-five percent, but I believe this had more to do with the fact I haven’t read the sixth book in the series yet. And not that the pacing was slow.
I was so happy to see Soren reach his happily ever after, since I have been rooting for him for so long! Learning more of Amirah’s story was an additional delight; though not what I was expecting, I still very much enjoyed learning the truth about the fabled Blood Princess.
This book is a perfect clean read for summertime! Just wait for the twist at the end; it was above and beyond what I was expecting!
“All the Queen’s Horses and All the Queen’s Men” is a sweet, no spicy fantasy romance novel filled with magic, broken characters and the power of true love.
To be honest, I didn’t feel immersed in the story until about seventy-five percent, but I believe this had more to do with the fact I haven’t read the sixth book in the series yet. And not that the pacing was slow.
I was so happy to see Soren reach his happily ever after, since I have been rooting for him for so long! Learning more of Amirah’s story was an additional delight; though not what I was expecting, I still very much enjoyed learning the truth about the fabled Blood Princess.
This book is a perfect clean read for summertime! Just wait for the twist at the end; it was above and beyond what I was expecting!
June 15, 2026
Holy twists! I can NEVER see them coming. My guesses were too obvious and again felt short of the identity of “The Shattered One” my reaction was this shortly anger, then sadness and anxiety! Abigail you know how to make a girl sweat! It summed the whole story up so well. So happy our Soren got his happily ever after!!!
July 4, 2026
Of all the nursery rhymes I could think of for Abigail Manning to tackle in Once Upon a Rhyme, Humpty Dumpty wouldn't have been on my short list. However, Abigail did a masterful job with her retelling. The stakes are high, the romance is intriguing, and as I noted, the book as a whole is fun, in an understated sense. Yet underneath that fun is a story and character study full of the kind of gravitas that's still fairly rare in this type of book.
I've been curious about Amirah, AKA The Blood Princess, since book one. Here, she comes alive, becoming a three-dimensional, capable and vulnerable queen. I ached for her because I could so identify with her feeling of being broken and her terror of hurting others and getting locked away or shunned because of it. Yet, Amirah is never a victim. She's gritty, determined, full of agency, and willing to give the compassion she so needs to receive from others. I rooted for her, not necessarily to put herself back together the way others might want, but to find her whole self, to find peace. These aren't easy themes to pull off in a YA novel, and Abigail did it with flying colors.
Soren is no slouch, either. Again, I've loved him since first meeting him, and I've rooted for him to find his place because as he says, he always feels like the problem, not the solution. (Bro, I *felt* that)! He's sanguine, he's easygoing--and yet here, Soren shows off an incredible capacity for wisdom, compassion, and yes, swoony, princely romance. He had me extremely worried at a couple points, but his plot arc brings depth and shading to what could've been a simple and perhaps overdone story. As in, he doesn't fix Amirah, and they don't necessarily fix each other. They walk through the broken pieces *together.*
That walk, that determination to hold onto each other, significantly enhances the overall plot. Because of it, the secondary characters are not just friends and matchmakers (though the bonus scenes do provide some fun matchmaking). You get the sense that the fate of Sarnold, and perhaps other kingdoms, hinge on whatever Amirah and Soren do next, what choices they have or don't have. That, in turn, drives home what great royals Soren and Amirah are growing, will grow, to be. They need to be "put back together" for themselves, yes. But finding those missing pieces, finding what was taken from them, will help them and others come back to who they were always meant to be.
Finally, I'd like to give Abigail some kudos points for the twists and turns in this seventh novel. I won't go into them because of spoilers, but let's just say, the plot itself is less about jewels or soul stones or even damaged emotions, than what and who are hiding underneath those. And what's hidden becomes like a bunch of tiny hidden gems, like the best puzzle you know you should take a break from, but are so intrigued with you can't stop until you see the whole picture. Myself, I read the second half of All the Queen's in about a day, and that's not because of a YA audience or "young," "simplistic" writing. If anything, this might be one of the most adult YA novels I've encountered.
With seven books in the series, I'm aware this might be the swan song for Once Upon a Rhyme. Yet I kind of hope not--there is so much more I want to experience, so much more time I want to spend in these worlds. Either way though, I hope Abigail gives us more like this soon, and I exhort you to read all seven books ASAP.
I've been curious about Amirah, AKA The Blood Princess, since book one. Here, she comes alive, becoming a three-dimensional, capable and vulnerable queen. I ached for her because I could so identify with her feeling of being broken and her terror of hurting others and getting locked away or shunned because of it. Yet, Amirah is never a victim. She's gritty, determined, full of agency, and willing to give the compassion she so needs to receive from others. I rooted for her, not necessarily to put herself back together the way others might want, but to find her whole self, to find peace. These aren't easy themes to pull off in a YA novel, and Abigail did it with flying colors.
Soren is no slouch, either. Again, I've loved him since first meeting him, and I've rooted for him to find his place because as he says, he always feels like the problem, not the solution. (Bro, I *felt* that)! He's sanguine, he's easygoing--and yet here, Soren shows off an incredible capacity for wisdom, compassion, and yes, swoony, princely romance. He had me extremely worried at a couple points, but his plot arc brings depth and shading to what could've been a simple and perhaps overdone story. As in, he doesn't fix Amirah, and they don't necessarily fix each other. They walk through the broken pieces *together.*
That walk, that determination to hold onto each other, significantly enhances the overall plot. Because of it, the secondary characters are not just friends and matchmakers (though the bonus scenes do provide some fun matchmaking). You get the sense that the fate of Sarnold, and perhaps other kingdoms, hinge on whatever Amirah and Soren do next, what choices they have or don't have. That, in turn, drives home what great royals Soren and Amirah are growing, will grow, to be. They need to be "put back together" for themselves, yes. But finding those missing pieces, finding what was taken from them, will help them and others come back to who they were always meant to be.
Finally, I'd like to give Abigail some kudos points for the twists and turns in this seventh novel. I won't go into them because of spoilers, but let's just say, the plot itself is less about jewels or soul stones or even damaged emotions, than what and who are hiding underneath those. And what's hidden becomes like a bunch of tiny hidden gems, like the best puzzle you know you should take a break from, but are so intrigued with you can't stop until you see the whole picture. Myself, I read the second half of All the Queen's in about a day, and that's not because of a YA audience or "young," "simplistic" writing. If anything, this might be one of the most adult YA novels I've encountered.
With seven books in the series, I'm aware this might be the swan song for Once Upon a Rhyme. Yet I kind of hope not--there is so much more I want to experience, so much more time I want to spend in these worlds. Either way though, I hope Abigail gives us more like this soon, and I exhort you to read all seven books ASAP.
Review of advance copy received from Author
All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men is the thrilling conclusion to Abigail Manning's Once Upon a Rhyme series of nursing rhymes rewritten as original fairy tales set in a fantasy world powered by magic jewels. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this final installment. Though the author recommends reading the rest of the books in the series first, I had more than enough context from the first book and the most recent book to enjoy this one without feeling like I was missing anything important. The story is loosely inspired by "Humpty Dumpty" and uses a shattered soul stone as a metaphor for the famous broken egg.
Amirah has been known as the "blood princess" because of a horrible tragedy that occurred in her childhood, causing the death of most of her family due to their obsession with soul stones, magic gems that they believed would allow them to control their emotions. Her shattered soul stone, which she wears as a set of jewelry, allows her to have a visual representation of all of her emotions, based on which one lights up whenever she feels something. However, the shattered gem has some unwanted side effects, particularly the random lapses in memory during which she loses control over her body. She is frightened by this loss of control over herself, but Prince Soren, who has been studying soul stones for quite some time, arrives just in time to help.
Although the book is not recommended as a standalone, Amirah's story is unique enough to appreciate even for newcomers to the world of Once Upon a Rhyme. Her trauma from not being able to save her family is relatable, and her obsession with controlling her emotions is an understandable consequence. Prince Soren, who was continuously snubbed out of marriage alliances in the previous books, is also relatable. He is a genuinely good person who takes all the rejections in stride and would never try to force a princess's love. Since Amirah is his last hope for a royal alliance, it's easy to root for them to get together, especially after seeing how supportive he is of her memory lapses and the sweet methods he uses to help comfort her when they occur.
As expected from Abigail Manning, this book had a big twist at the end that I did not see coming, yet it made perfect sense in the story. My vague theory on the identity of the Shattered One, the recurring villain throughout this series, turned out to be wrong, but I didn't mind because the twist was written so well. Among the other books I've read by her, this reminded me the most of Insomniac's Curse due to the main character's lapses in memory of her own actions, but the ending still came as a surprise. After everything was revealed, a fun anthology of bonus scenes showed how characters from the other books each played a small part in ensuring Amirah and Soren's happy ending.
All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men is a fitting conclusion to Once Upon a Rhyme that delivers a great treat to those who have read the rest of the series, but is still enjoyable for those who have not. The themes of loss, trauma, and the desire to control one's emotions are universal, and the book's conclusion is cathartic to those who have suffered in the past and need a good story about healing. The romance is done well and demonstrates that those who are patient in love and refuse to become disheartened by former breakups will be rewarded in the end. I highly recommend this unique series to anyone who loves fairy tales, magic, and romance.
Amirah has been known as the "blood princess" because of a horrible tragedy that occurred in her childhood, causing the death of most of her family due to their obsession with soul stones, magic gems that they believed would allow them to control their emotions. Her shattered soul stone, which she wears as a set of jewelry, allows her to have a visual representation of all of her emotions, based on which one lights up whenever she feels something. However, the shattered gem has some unwanted side effects, particularly the random lapses in memory during which she loses control over her body. She is frightened by this loss of control over herself, but Prince Soren, who has been studying soul stones for quite some time, arrives just in time to help.
Although the book is not recommended as a standalone, Amirah's story is unique enough to appreciate even for newcomers to the world of Once Upon a Rhyme. Her trauma from not being able to save her family is relatable, and her obsession with controlling her emotions is an understandable consequence. Prince Soren, who was continuously snubbed out of marriage alliances in the previous books, is also relatable. He is a genuinely good person who takes all the rejections in stride and would never try to force a princess's love. Since Amirah is his last hope for a royal alliance, it's easy to root for them to get together, especially after seeing how supportive he is of her memory lapses and the sweet methods he uses to help comfort her when they occur.
As expected from Abigail Manning, this book had a big twist at the end that I did not see coming, yet it made perfect sense in the story. My vague theory on the identity of the Shattered One, the recurring villain throughout this series, turned out to be wrong, but I didn't mind because the twist was written so well. Among the other books I've read by her, this reminded me the most of Insomniac's Curse due to the main character's lapses in memory of her own actions, but the ending still came as a surprise. After everything was revealed, a fun anthology of bonus scenes showed how characters from the other books each played a small part in ensuring Amirah and Soren's happy ending.
All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men is a fitting conclusion to Once Upon a Rhyme that delivers a great treat to those who have read the rest of the series, but is still enjoyable for those who have not. The themes of loss, trauma, and the desire to control one's emotions are universal, and the book's conclusion is cathartic to those who have suffered in the past and need a good story about healing. The romance is done well and demonstrates that those who are patient in love and refuse to become disheartened by former breakups will be rewarded in the end. I highly recommend this unique series to anyone who loves fairy tales, magic, and romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for the arc!
♾️/5⭐️ I’d been so excited for this book as it’s one of my favourite series ever and it definitely didn’t disappoint, this was the perfect finale to what has been an amazing series and I thoroughly enjoyed every single book and can’t wait to reread them all!
I really loved how it brought all the characters together and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this series. The main characters were both so interesting and I absolutely loved the contrast between their personalities, one of which had been one of my favourites prior to this book and one who had always intrigued me. They had such a fun, cute relationship and I loved their interactions so much. As always the character development was amazing and it was so nice to see everyone from previous books together. This is one of my favourite groups of characters ever and I love how they feel like family to us as a reader by now and every single book feels like returning to old friends thanks to the authors amazing characterisation. Each of them has such a distinct personality and bring so much to the book and is one of my favourite parts of this whole series.
Each book was so unique and Abigail manages to include the perfect balance of tension and funny moments. I love how unusual each plot is and the take on the original nursery rhymes, the way they’re incorporated into the plot is so clever. There were so many twists, a lot of which I never saw coming and I never wanted to put the book down! As always the description was incredible and so easy to visualise everything, you truly feel a part of their world thanks to both the character and world building which allow you to fully get to know each and every character and the world it’s set in.
I also absolutely loved the bonus contents at the end which were super fun and a really nice way to end the series. This was the perfect end to the perfect series and I couldn’t recommend it enough! I need to reread this series again soon, I can’t put into words how much I loved it!
♾️/5⭐️ I’d been so excited for this book as it’s one of my favourite series ever and it definitely didn’t disappoint, this was the perfect finale to what has been an amazing series and I thoroughly enjoyed every single book and can’t wait to reread them all!
I really loved how it brought all the characters together and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this series. The main characters were both so interesting and I absolutely loved the contrast between their personalities, one of which had been one of my favourites prior to this book and one who had always intrigued me. They had such a fun, cute relationship and I loved their interactions so much. As always the character development was amazing and it was so nice to see everyone from previous books together. This is one of my favourite groups of characters ever and I love how they feel like family to us as a reader by now and every single book feels like returning to old friends thanks to the authors amazing characterisation. Each of them has such a distinct personality and bring so much to the book and is one of my favourite parts of this whole series.
Each book was so unique and Abigail manages to include the perfect balance of tension and funny moments. I love how unusual each plot is and the take on the original nursery rhymes, the way they’re incorporated into the plot is so clever. There were so many twists, a lot of which I never saw coming and I never wanted to put the book down! As always the description was incredible and so easy to visualise everything, you truly feel a part of their world thanks to both the character and world building which allow you to fully get to know each and every character and the world it’s set in.
I also absolutely loved the bonus contents at the end which were super fun and a really nice way to end the series. This was the perfect end to the perfect series and I couldn’t recommend it enough! I need to reread this series again soon, I can’t put into words how much I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite series
The entire series has been building towards this moment, and All the Queen's Horses delivers! I love the story, and I love the ending! Princess Amirah has depth I didn't expect, and after hearing about her mysterious past, the chance to understand her perspective drew me to the book. Prince Soren has struggled to find a woman to marry for the past few books now, so I'm relieved that the final entry in this series opens the door for him to finally find a match. Together, they make for an intriguing couple who compliment each other. They are a perfect match.
The plot is engaging as it has three main threads going on: matchmaking, Amirah's shattered soulstone, and the mystery of the Shattered One. I didn't expect the twists that came in this book. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I like the idea and execution. Throughout the series, the target has shifted multiple times, so this fit right in.
I thought the cameos were fun additions in their attempts at matchmaking. Poor Soren. He has the best friends. That they each tied back to the original couples' story made it even more fun. However, that does mean this particular entry will be best enjoyed after reading all previous books in the series, though it could be read at any point if you don't mind missing a few references.
Clean in language and content. If there's one message the final book ends with, it's that no one is too broken to be loved, and love is a choice not merely a feeling. A message that has been echoed in various iterations throughout the series. Highly recommend!!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The entire series has been building towards this moment, and All the Queen's Horses delivers! I love the story, and I love the ending! Princess Amirah has depth I didn't expect, and after hearing about her mysterious past, the chance to understand her perspective drew me to the book. Prince Soren has struggled to find a woman to marry for the past few books now, so I'm relieved that the final entry in this series opens the door for him to finally find a match. Together, they make for an intriguing couple who compliment each other. They are a perfect match.
The plot is engaging as it has three main threads going on: matchmaking, Amirah's shattered soulstone, and the mystery of the Shattered One. I didn't expect the twists that came in this book. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I like the idea and execution. Throughout the series, the target has shifted multiple times, so this fit right in.
I thought the cameos were fun additions in their attempts at matchmaking. Poor Soren. He has the best friends. That they each tied back to the original couples' story made it even more fun. However, that does mean this particular entry will be best enjoyed after reading all previous books in the series, though it could be read at any point if you don't mind missing a few references.
Clean in language and content. If there's one message the final book ends with, it's that no one is too broken to be loved, and love is a choice not merely a feeling. A message that has been echoed in various iterations throughout the series. Highly recommend!!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yes! The final book in the Once Upon a Rhyme series!! I've been eagerly waiting for Soren's book because I've loved him so much all the times we got to see him. When I realized that he was going to end up with Princess Amirah, the mysterious "Blood Princess," I was so excited, and I couldn't wait for this book to come out!
First of all, let me just say that this book was NOT what I was expecting. While reading the previous books in the series, I made several guesses and assumptions as to who the Shattered One is and what was going to happen in the final book. I was SO wrong. The plot twists were COMPLETELY unexpected. The reveal and the plot twist was probably the biggest and most surprising plot twist I have ever read, but it all made sense! All the puzzle pieces came together so smoothly and I LOVED seeing it all play out!
I laughed so much reading this book, too. It was filled to brim with humour, and I LOVED getting to see EVERY SINGLE character from the previous books return. I love the close friendships between all the married couples and I was so happy to see all of them return. I was also really happy that all of them played a role in the book, rather than just sitting at the sidelines. This book is a PERFECT ending to this fabulous series that brought everything together.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
First of all, let me just say that this book was NOT what I was expecting. While reading the previous books in the series, I made several guesses and assumptions as to who the Shattered One is and what was going to happen in the final book. I was SO wrong. The plot twists were COMPLETELY unexpected. The reveal and the plot twist was probably the biggest and most surprising plot twist I have ever read, but it all made sense! All the puzzle pieces came together so smoothly and I LOVED seeing it all play out!
I laughed so much reading this book, too. It was filled to brim with humour, and I LOVED getting to see EVERY SINGLE character from the previous books return. I love the close friendships between all the married couples and I was so happy to see all of them return. I was also really happy that all of them played a role in the book, rather than just sitting at the sidelines. This book is a PERFECT ending to this fabulous series that brought everything together.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reader’s Notes:
*Series or Connected Books?* last (7th) book of a series & must be read in order
*Point Of View:* Princess Amirah (and the epilogues are told from various other points of view)
*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* none!
*Romance?* Yes! Just kisses
*Things To Know:*
–it is mentioned that a character’s family all passed (past event – mysterious/unknown means)
Review:
This book was a lot of fun! After having met Amirah in The Itsy Bitsy Liar, I had been wondering what kind of person she was. And with the introduction of the soul stone she owns, it was all the more fun getting to know her as she got to know herself better! And I’m so glad that Soren finally got a happily ever after! I’ve been waiting and hoping that someone would finally take to him. 😍 Though it was fun to get the sibling teasing and banter at his expense during this book! 😂 I also really enjoyed the various epilogues at the end of the book! It was nice to hear from other characters again. Oh, and the mystery of who the Shattered One was had me on the edge of my seat!
Summary:
Princess Amirah has always felt substandard when thinking of her future to become queen of the people of Sarnold. Between her missing moments of time and her fractured feelings separated into various pieces of her soul stone, she just isn’t complete anymore and likely never will be.
But when Prince Soren arrives just before her ascent to the position of queen and offers her help with the knowledge to back it up, Amirah finds herself reaching for hope once more. That maybe she’ll be able to uphold the fairness her parents and brother once strived for… And that she can be made to feel whole once more…
*Series or Connected Books?* last (7th) book of a series & must be read in order
*Point Of View:* Princess Amirah (and the epilogues are told from various other points of view)
*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* none!
*Romance?* Yes! Just kisses
*Things To Know:*
–it is mentioned that a character’s family all passed (past event – mysterious/unknown means)
Review:
This book was a lot of fun! After having met Amirah in The Itsy Bitsy Liar, I had been wondering what kind of person she was. And with the introduction of the soul stone she owns, it was all the more fun getting to know her as she got to know herself better! And I’m so glad that Soren finally got a happily ever after! I’ve been waiting and hoping that someone would finally take to him. 😍 Though it was fun to get the sibling teasing and banter at his expense during this book! 😂 I also really enjoyed the various epilogues at the end of the book! It was nice to hear from other characters again. Oh, and the mystery of who the Shattered One was had me on the edge of my seat!
Summary:
Princess Amirah has always felt substandard when thinking of her future to become queen of the people of Sarnold. Between her missing moments of time and her fractured feelings separated into various pieces of her soul stone, she just isn’t complete anymore and likely never will be.
But when Prince Soren arrives just before her ascent to the position of queen and offers her help with the knowledge to back it up, Amirah finds herself reaching for hope once more. That maybe she’ll be able to uphold the fairness her parents and brother once strived for… And that she can be made to feel whole once more…
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a perfect ending to the Once Upon a Rhyme series! It was wonderful to finally get Amirah's perspective, especially since she was mentioned in so many of the other books. This story was incredibly unique, and I loved seeing Amirah's personality as she tried to figure out who she was despite her shattered soul. It was also really great to see Prince Soren finally fall in love as he's in all the other books and always fails at finding a bride. His friends were hilarious! I loved how they "encouraged" Soren's and Amirah's relationship. Seeing all the returning characters was also wonderful, and it was great seeing all of them interact with each other! In terms of the plot, this book was incredible! There were two major twists that I never even guessed, and they took me completely by surprise! It was wonderful learning what the soul stones actually do and the overall magic stone system was remarkably well-written and well-developed. The ending was so sweet and perfect, and later on, the short stories were really funny to read! This book was just so interesting that I could not put it down, and the ending left me feeling really satisfied. Overall, this is a wonderful book and a wonderful conclusion to the Once Upon a Rhyme series!
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed 'All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men.' I have only read the first two in the series, but I found this easy to follow and by far the best Abigail Manning that I have read. It was absolutely captivating.
I loved Mannings' unique take on both love and emotions. I find that far too often in YA tales, love is an emotion not an action. Here we clearly see Amira choosing to love her fiance before she is in love with him. This is such an important thing to be modelling to this audience! One cannot understand any relationship if they do not know that love is an action.
Similarly, Mannings' take on the 'magically stolen emotions' trope is very important for young girls to read. Even though multiple characters were without emotions in the novel, they did not turn into mindless beings (as in other stories). We must reflect on the takeaway here: emotions do not rule our choices or our lives.
It is written by a Christian, so it is clean and woke free even though it isn't particularly religious. I highly recommend to both you and your daughters.
POV: first person
Tense: past
Triggers: magical control, stolen emotions
I loved Mannings' unique take on both love and emotions. I find that far too often in YA tales, love is an emotion not an action. Here we clearly see Amira choosing to love her fiance before she is in love with him. This is such an important thing to be modelling to this audience! One cannot understand any relationship if they do not know that love is an action.
Similarly, Mannings' take on the 'magically stolen emotions' trope is very important for young girls to read. Even though multiple characters were without emotions in the novel, they did not turn into mindless beings (as in other stories). We must reflect on the takeaway here: emotions do not rule our choices or our lives.
It is written by a Christian, so it is clean and woke free even though it isn't particularly religious. I highly recommend to both you and your daughters.
POV: first person
Tense: past
Triggers: magical control, stolen emotions
June 15, 2026
❤️I was so excited to get to read this a little early, since I was able to get an early reader copy that had been damaged in shipping when I went to an author meet and great and met Abigail Manning! I loved the first 6 books, and especially loved Prince Soren and so I was SOOO excited to read his book! It was also really cool to see all the past main characters make cameos as well! This book is FULL of mystery so twisty it legit made me want to throw my book at one point! But it was all resolved into a beautiful happily ever after!
❤️Reader’s Notes:
•Format Read: Paperback
•Formats Available: Paperback & Ebook(Kindle and KU)
•Pov: Single-Amirah
•Genre: YA Romantasy
•Series: Once Upon A Rhyme-Book 7
•Representation: panic attacks & FMC experiences symptoms close to BPD(Bipolar Personality Disorder
•Romance Level: 1.5- Just a few lightly descriptive kisses, and light romantic touches.
•Swearing Level: None-just in world swears
•Violence Level: PG-13: mild fantasy violence, mentions of imprisonment(past), exploitment of individuals(past)
•Triggers: Loss of family(present/past), panic attacks
•Age rating: 12+
❤️Reader’s Notes:
•Format Read: Paperback
•Formats Available: Paperback & Ebook(Kindle and KU)
•Pov: Single-Amirah
•Genre: YA Romantasy
•Series: Once Upon A Rhyme-Book 7
•Representation: panic attacks & FMC experiences symptoms close to BPD(Bipolar Personality Disorder
•Romance Level: 1.5- Just a few lightly descriptive kisses, and light romantic touches.
•Swearing Level: None-just in world swears
•Violence Level: PG-13: mild fantasy violence, mentions of imprisonment(past), exploitment of individuals(past)
•Triggers: Loss of family(present/past), panic attacks
•Age rating: 12+
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Now I knew that value didn't come from how much you could hold yourself together; it only mattered that you had someone to accept you in the days you needed to fall apart. "
This book was such a great conclusion to this series! I have been waiting since the first book to find out what Amirah, the Blood Princesses, story was and I was so excited to finally see Soren get his own happy ending! I also loved the cameo appearances of all the characters from the previous books, and to see how their personalities played into the matchmaking they did in this story.
This was a fun book to read and even though it is shorter than the others, I have no complaints!
I recommend reading this series in order, this book wouldn't make as much sense without the others. As always with Abigail Manning, this is also a clean read!
This book was such a great conclusion to this series! I have been waiting since the first book to find out what Amirah, the Blood Princesses, story was and I was so excited to finally see Soren get his own happy ending! I also loved the cameo appearances of all the characters from the previous books, and to see how their personalities played into the matchmaking they did in this story.
This was a fun book to read and even though it is shorter than the others, I have no complaints!
I recommend reading this series in order, this book wouldn't make as much sense without the others. As always with Abigail Manning, this is also a clean read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my favorite book of the whole series! I loved the themes of feeling broken, choosing to love each other, and finding healing together. I especially loved that we saw that Soren's journey to love was hard and full of disappointment, but he didn't turn bitter against the women who didn't choose him and, though he was disheartened, he never stopped trying to find someone to love. I related to that kind of story a lot more than an easy picture perfect love story. I also love that Amirah's jagged edges didn't turn Soren away; instead, he saw what they really represented: a broken heart in need of some love and security.
I would recommend this to people whose journey to love is hard and long, who want a little hope that their broken heart will heal and become greater than it was before.
I would recommend this to people whose journey to love is hard and long, who want a little hope that their broken heart will heal and become greater than it was before.
June 7, 2026
Wonderful!! The has been an amazing addition to the a once Upon a Rhyme book series. Therefore, this book definitely needs to be read AFTER the first six books. This series focuses on magical stones that can only be understood and appreciated as they are introduced from the beginning. Not only that, but this story would give away a lot about the previous books.
Because of that, it is so difficult to say much about this book without giving anything away! 😬 I can say that this story follows Princess Amirah, who lost her family at a very young age. Following that day, her emotions became muted causing her to be viewed as hard or heartless by multiple kingdoms. This story tells how she, with the help of Prince Soren, was able to find her way back to who she was always meant to be. I definitely recommend it!
I received this as an ARC book; however, the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Because of that, it is so difficult to say much about this book without giving anything away! 😬 I can say that this story follows Princess Amirah, who lost her family at a very young age. Following that day, her emotions became muted causing her to be viewed as hard or heartless by multiple kingdoms. This story tells how she, with the help of Prince Soren, was able to find her way back to who she was always meant to be. I definitely recommend it!
I received this as an ARC book; however, the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an arc and it was quite a read! In this take on Humpty Dumpty, Humpty is actually newly crowned queen named Amirah Humphery. The exact same queen who was known as the Blood Princess in previous books. Here we find out she has been shattered since her family’s death and her soul stone shattered into pieces. She meets with Prince Soren at her corronation, who hopes to find love for himself, in the hopes of repairing her stone. However, after one of the pieces goes missing along with half of her emotions, they will have to head out on a quest to find it and put her back together.
This story was an excellent read with romance, lots of unexpected twists, and familiar faces. Overall, it was a great end to the Once Upon a Rhyme Series! I really hope the author decides to do a side novel or spinoff series set in the same world!
This story was an excellent read with romance, lots of unexpected twists, and familiar faces. Overall, it was a great end to the Once Upon a Rhyme Series! I really hope the author decides to do a side novel or spinoff series set in the same world!
June 15, 2026
I received an Arc for All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men. The 7 and the last book in the Once upon a Rhyme Series
Dang!! Every Single Time!! I think I know what is going to happen Abigail throws something crazy at me.
Ive been excited for this book since the Beginning. We are Finally getting Princess Amaria and Prince Soren's story
Princess Amirah's sole stone shattered and how her emotions aren't truly her own they are all outside of her body.
Prince Soren knows more about magic stones then anyone so if anyone can help Amirah fix herself its him.
Soren is a bottle of energy. Amairah is shattered. Only to learn that one of her shards has been missing alot longer than she thought.
I love these two together it was definitely worth the wait.
I love this series. Im so sad it is coming ro and end but I cant wait to see what come next.
Dang!! Every Single Time!! I think I know what is going to happen Abigail throws something crazy at me.
Ive been excited for this book since the Beginning. We are Finally getting Princess Amaria and Prince Soren's story
Princess Amirah's sole stone shattered and how her emotions aren't truly her own they are all outside of her body.
Prince Soren knows more about magic stones then anyone so if anyone can help Amirah fix herself its him.
Soren is a bottle of energy. Amairah is shattered. Only to learn that one of her shards has been missing alot longer than she thought.
I love these two together it was definitely worth the wait.
I love this series. Im so sad it is coming ro and end but I cant wait to see what come next.
June 17, 2026
Putting Humpty Dumpty Together Again
I wasn’t sure what to expect with The Blood Princess, Princess Amirah. I loved how her shattered stone tied back to Humpty Dumpty and the way she could see her emotions in each of her stones. It was also nice to see Prince Soren finally meet a girl who didn’t turn around and fall in love with someone else!
It’s Abigail Manning, so of course there were some impressive twists! I loved seeing where she took this series and finally understanding what was going on. It was also entertaining to see so many characters from previous books pop into the story and stick their noses into Soren’s love life. Absolutely hilarious!
This is a book that needs to be read in order as part of the series. I loved the magic, the intrigue, the bits of humor along the way, and the happily ever after.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with The Blood Princess, Princess Amirah. I loved how her shattered stone tied back to Humpty Dumpty and the way she could see her emotions in each of her stones. It was also nice to see Prince Soren finally meet a girl who didn’t turn around and fall in love with someone else!
It’s Abigail Manning, so of course there were some impressive twists! I loved seeing where she took this series and finally understanding what was going on. It was also entertaining to see so many characters from previous books pop into the story and stick their noses into Soren’s love life. Absolutely hilarious!
This is a book that needs to be read in order as part of the series. I loved the magic, the intrigue, the bits of humor along the way, and the happily ever after.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so very excited to get my hands on this book. Amirah has a unique perspective which was interesting to read. The plot kept me guessing. Everything I thought I knew or thought I figured out was wrong. I'm not often surprised when reading and I enjoyed the experience.
I loved seeing the appearance of familiar characters from the earlier books in the series. Many of their antics had me laughing. The romance was fun as well.
The overarching plot for the series seems to have finished in a satisfying way. But something one character said makes me hope that maybe there might be a spinoff story or series in the future. Perhaps something that opens the world up more.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and this review contains my honest opinions.
I loved seeing the appearance of familiar characters from the earlier books in the series. Many of their antics had me laughing. The romance was fun as well.
The overarching plot for the series seems to have finished in a satisfying way. But something one character said makes me hope that maybe there might be a spinoff story or series in the future. Perhaps something that opens the world up more.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and this review contains my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
This was one of the most anticipated books of the year for me, and to prepare, I decided to reread the entire series to refresh my memory of the main plot and reconnect with some of the characters and it was the best decision I could have made.
Amirah’s introduction in the first book made her story even more intriguing, and the entire storyline involving the Shattered One throughout the other books, and the the answers we’d find here, made the story even better. And, finally seeing Soren with a girl who chose him made the romance adorable, and i was surprise by the previous mmcs ideas, was so funny (I really loved Stirling and Carlex).
I loved every second of it and can’t wait to read more books by Abigail Manning. Thank you for the ARC.
Amirah’s introduction in the first book made her story even more intriguing, and the entire storyline involving the Shattered One throughout the other books, and the the answers we’d find here, made the story even better. And, finally seeing Soren with a girl who chose him made the romance adorable, and i was surprise by the previous mmcs ideas, was so funny (I really loved Stirling and Carlex).
I loved every second of it and can’t wait to read more books by Abigail Manning. Thank you for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’m falling apart, aren’t I?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
“We all do from time to time,” he said, his grip on me softening. “It doesn’t mean you have to pick up the pieces alone.”
I have always loved Soren, so I was SUPER excited to finally get his story! And ya know what? It was everything I hoped for and more! I just loved all the cameos and antics of the characters we love from the other books! This book was super fun, has a great romance, of course it has a crazy twist or two (it wouldn't be an Abigail Manning book without one!), and was a very satisfying conclusion to a fantastic series!
Content- clean (just sweet kisses) romance, no bad language, not violent. Definitely best read after the other books in the series.
“We all do from time to time,” he said, his grip on me softening. “It doesn’t mean you have to pick up the pieces alone.”
I have always loved Soren, so I was SUPER excited to finally get his story! And ya know what? It was everything I hoped for and more! I just loved all the cameos and antics of the characters we love from the other books! This book was super fun, has a great romance, of course it has a crazy twist or two (it wouldn't be an Abigail Manning book without one!), and was a very satisfying conclusion to a fantastic series!
Content- clean (just sweet kisses) romance, no bad language, not violent. Definitely best read after the other books in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a great end to the series! While it was necessarily my favorite for some personal reasons, it was completely clean in content (no spice, gore, or language). I loved seeing these two characters finally get a happy ending, and I especially enjoyed seeing every character from the prior books come into play (most especially Shep).
I've loved this series so much, and I can't wait to do a reread someday. It is always one I suggest to fairy-tale loving, so-spice readers who love a little adventure and good female fmcs.
Sorry my review is so short... But I didn't have much bad to say, and I recapped all of the good lol.
**I received this book as an ARC from the wonderful author but all of the opinions are my own**
I've loved this series so much, and I can't wait to do a reread someday. It is always one I suggest to fairy-tale loving, so-spice readers who love a little adventure and good female fmcs.
Sorry my review is so short... But I didn't have much bad to say, and I recapped all of the good lol.
**I received this book as an ARC from the wonderful author but all of the opinions are my own**
June 26, 2026
So, I don’t want to give too much away, but for those who haven’t read Abigail Manning before, she’s pretty good at throwing twists into a story. And for those who have read her books and are expecting twists… Yeah, you won’t be disappointed!
This is the conclusion of a series, so you are better off having read the other books first. I found it a satisfying end to the series. It gets heavy, it gets tense, but there are also lighthearted moments. And, we get to see old friends from previous books. Mental health is a big part of this story, and I thought it was dealt with well and sensitively.
This is a clean read and the editing is good. I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so and the opinions stated are my own.
This is the conclusion of a series, so you are better off having read the other books first. I found it a satisfying end to the series. It gets heavy, it gets tense, but there are also lighthearted moments. And, we get to see old friends from previous books. Mental health is a big part of this story, and I thought it was dealt with well and sensitively.
This is a clean read and the editing is good. I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so and the opinions stated are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a suitably magnificent finale to a wonderful series. There's plenty of humour, romance, high stakes, and of course plenty of twists you will not see coming. Many of the characters from earlier books make appearances in this one which helps make the overarching plot of the series feel complete. That said, it could be enjoyed as a stand alone by someone who hasn't read any of the earlier books, but it will be more enjoyable if you read all the books in order first. I can't help but think that although this is the end of the series, there is one character who will make an appearance in a new series in the future.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men by Abigail Manning
Help comes too late when Princess Amirah discovers that a piece of her magic jewelry has gone missing, taking part of her soul along with it...
So sad to see this series come to an end, but what an amazing ending it is! I've been rooting for Soren's happily ever after ever since I met him in book 5 (yeah, I read them out of order). For a second there, I thought Abigail was doing me dirty in this one, but take a deep breath and keep on reading! Loved the twists and turns and seeing all the characters from previous books! Lots of funny moments too. Oh, and this is a Humpty Dumpty retelling, so that's pretty unique! I would highly recommend this whole series!
Genre: Fantasy romance
Book 7 in Once Upon a Rhyme (series of interconnected standalones, this one is best read at the end just because there are so many Easter eggs)
No spice or language, mild fantasy violence
5 stars
Help comes too late when Princess Amirah discovers that a piece of her magic jewelry has gone missing, taking part of her soul along with it...
So sad to see this series come to an end, but what an amazing ending it is! I've been rooting for Soren's happily ever after ever since I met him in book 5 (yeah, I read them out of order). For a second there, I thought Abigail was doing me dirty in this one, but take a deep breath and keep on reading! Loved the twists and turns and seeing all the characters from previous books! Lots of funny moments too. Oh, and this is a Humpty Dumpty retelling, so that's pretty unique! I would highly recommend this whole series!
Genre: Fantasy romance
Book 7 in Once Upon a Rhyme (series of interconnected standalones, this one is best read at the end just because there are so many Easter eggs)
No spice or language, mild fantasy violence
5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
I waited a long time for Soren and Amirah’s story, and wow, this was such a great conclusion to the Once Upon a Rhyme series. Lots of adventure, secrets, and plot twists about the Shattered One and magic stones shocked me. Though I saw one plot turn coming about a certain character, the how and the why were not what I expected. I also loved seeing the returning characters, the banter, and their friendships. The bonus scenes were so hilarious.
*I received an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
*I received an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This entire series has been enchanting from the start, and this final book did not disappoint. The hard themes were interspersed with laughable moments and so much love. There were characters we know and love from previous books, but I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to come to know and love more characters. There's a reason Abigail Manning is one of my favorite authors, and this book was an excellent display of why. 12/10 would recommend this book and series!
June 13, 2026
This clean and fun twist on the nursery rhyme had a lot of adventure and danger in the story. I felt like I could take part right along with the characters! Watching the character growth arc as the main characters progressed was very satisfying, and I was cheering them on throughout the book. My favorite part was when everything was revealed and the characters worked together to solve their dilemma! I received an ARC copy and this is my review.
July 6, 2026
Finally! Soren gets his happily ever after.
With the highly unsolicited "help" of literally everyone, Soren and Amirah have every chance possible to untangle the broken pieces of her emotions and expose the Shattered One’s secrets.
This book is the perfect ending to such an epic series of nursery rhymes turned fairytales. All the pieces come together beautifully, with just one little glimmer at the end that leaves me hoping we might get one more book out of the series after all.
With the highly unsolicited "help" of literally everyone, Soren and Amirah have every chance possible to untangle the broken pieces of her emotions and expose the Shattered One’s secrets.
This book is the perfect ending to such an epic series of nursery rhymes turned fairytales. All the pieces come together beautifully, with just one little glimmer at the end that leaves me hoping we might get one more book out of the series after all.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Abigail Manning, like the magician she is, makes the magic of the soul stones not just influence the main characters in the book, but also transcend the laws of physics and grab onto the readers from out of the pages as well [mic drop]. You gotta read it to believe it. It’s beautiful. Queen Abigail delivers again. ❤️
Note: Start with book one of this series for ultimate enjoyment! 😍
Note: Start with book one of this series for ultimate enjoyment! 😍
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