What do you think?
Rate this book
The Solstice Queen: The Oak King & The Holly King: Book One
Their story always begins this way. This time she'll decide how it ends.
Rory's plan for her post-grad trip to England? Cute villages. Cozy pubs. A little history on the side. What she didn't expect was to be dragged into a hidden fairytale world where the tall, gorgeous rulers of Summer and Winter both want her.
Rivals for centuries, the two kings agree on one thing. Rory is the key to saving the seasons (and stopping climate change) before their world - and ours - falls apart. The catch? To save nature she needs to fall in love with one of them. No pressure, right?
As the kings turn up the charm, and the heat, to win Rory's allegiance, secrets are revealed and the dark side of their world exposed, putting her life in danger.
Will she survive to choose one of the immortal guardians, when in this battle, love is the most dangerous weapon of all?
Rory's plan for her post-grad trip to England? Cute villages. Cozy pubs. A little history on the side. What she didn't expect was to be dragged into a hidden fairytale world where the tall, gorgeous rulers of Summer and Winter both want her.
Rivals for centuries, the two kings agree on one thing. Rory is the key to saving the seasons (and stopping climate change) before their world - and ours - falls apart. The catch? To save nature she needs to fall in love with one of them. No pressure, right?
As the kings turn up the charm, and the heat, to win Rory's allegiance, secrets are revealed and the dark side of their world exposed, putting her life in danger.
Will she survive to choose one of the immortal guardians, when in this battle, love is the most dangerous weapon of all?
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2025
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 19, 2025
When Rory imagined her post-graduate trip of a lifetime, she had planned on visiting England’s ancient trees and exploring some historical sites. Getting entangled with warring Fae Kings was not on her itinerary! Despite this, it isn’t long before Rory finds herself deep in the middle of a centuries-long magical conflict. It’s a bitter battle that could lead to the destruction of Earth’s seasons, and her heart.
Melinda Sørensen’s debut: 'The Solstice Queen' is a fast-paced delight. The magical realism is brought to life with a solid-plot, and vivid descriptions that drive the story rather than slowing it down.
The facts about history and nature that flow easily through the book had me captivated from the very first chapter. I found Sørensen’s imagining of the Fae Realm equally enchanting.
'The Solstice Queen' is out on November 22, 2025. If you love Romantasy, the natural world and high stakes love triangles, be sure to get your hands on a copy!
Massive thanks to Melinda Sørensen for gifting me an early copy of this book for review.
Melinda Sørensen’s debut: 'The Solstice Queen' is a fast-paced delight. The magical realism is brought to life with a solid-plot, and vivid descriptions that drive the story rather than slowing it down.
The facts about history and nature that flow easily through the book had me captivated from the very first chapter. I found Sørensen’s imagining of the Fae Realm equally enchanting.
'The Solstice Queen' is out on November 22, 2025. If you love Romantasy, the natural world and high stakes love triangles, be sure to get your hands on a copy!
Massive thanks to Melinda Sørensen for gifting me an early copy of this book for review.
January 3, 2026
The Solstice Queen was a really enjoyable read and a strong 4-star book for me. I loved the push and pull of the romance between the two kings. The tension, choice, and emotional conflict added so much intrigue and kept me quickly turning the pages.
While some elements of the story felt familiar and reminded me of other books I’ve read, it also brought in additional moving parts that helped it stand on its own. The concept was engaging, and I appreciated how the story expanded beyond the expected in ways that kept it interesting.
One of my favourite aspects was the foundation of the Holly King and Oak King storyline, drawing from pagan and Celtic inspired origins. That mythological base added depth and atmosphere to the story and really enriched the world-building. I also loved seeing an Australian setting featured in part of the book, it added a refreshing and unique layer to the narrative.
Overall, The Solstice Queen delivers an engaging concept, compelling romantic tension, and mythological roots that will appeal to fantasy romance readers! Familiar in places but still enjoyable and well-executed, this was a book I had a great time reading.
While some elements of the story felt familiar and reminded me of other books I’ve read, it also brought in additional moving parts that helped it stand on its own. The concept was engaging, and I appreciated how the story expanded beyond the expected in ways that kept it interesting.
One of my favourite aspects was the foundation of the Holly King and Oak King storyline, drawing from pagan and Celtic inspired origins. That mythological base added depth and atmosphere to the story and really enriched the world-building. I also loved seeing an Australian setting featured in part of the book, it added a refreshing and unique layer to the narrative.
Overall, The Solstice Queen delivers an engaging concept, compelling romantic tension, and mythological roots that will appeal to fantasy romance readers! Familiar in places but still enjoyable and well-executed, this was a book I had a great time reading.
December 11, 2025
The Solstice Queen is book one in The Oak King & the Holly King series. It’s a slow burn, magical realism read that centres around a centuries old love triangle.
I really enjoyed this story. Being the nature nerd that I am, I appreciated the connection to the natural world, both past and present, through fabulous scene setting.
I liked Rory’s character. She was strong, determined and not afraid to put herself first. I was also drawn to the setting in each country. It felt like I was there alongside the characters.
The Solstice Queen is out now and will appeal to those who enjoy romantasy, magical realism and a fast-paced plot. I’ll definitely be reaching for the next book 🍁
Thank you to Melinda Sorensen for gifting me a digital copy to review 💕
I really enjoyed this story. Being the nature nerd that I am, I appreciated the connection to the natural world, both past and present, through fabulous scene setting.
I liked Rory’s character. She was strong, determined and not afraid to put herself first. I was also drawn to the setting in each country. It felt like I was there alongside the characters.
The Solstice Queen is out now and will appeal to those who enjoy romantasy, magical realism and a fast-paced plot. I’ll definitely be reaching for the next book 🍁
Thank you to Melinda Sorensen for gifting me a digital copy to review 💕
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews