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Bitter King Vicious Wings: A Dark Romantasy Standalone
Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26Lover? Liar? Or me and my kingdom’s doom?
On the eve of my execution, I sealed my fate by signing a dark pact with Ilyatria's accursed king. My reprieve was short-lived; now I’m in a race against time, rotting from the inside out due to a hidden clause. To end the pact, I have to kill my father—the monster who ordered my death. But our kingdom’s twisted magic protects him, and I’ll need an undying dragon’s power to do it.
Yet every hour has me sickening further; I can’t bond a merciless dragon alone. With no other options, I turn to Aelen, one of my people’s enemies and the strongest dragon trainer of Ilyatria—or so he says. He’s brooding and spiteful, armed with sharp ears and a venomous tongue almost more vicious than the dragons themselves.
Despite our truce, he’s a constant thorn in my side, even sabotaging my training. He’s insufferable—and all too irresistible—but without him I’m dead.
My protector. My nightmare.
He’s more than he’s letting an enigma hiding sinister magic and a fixation on keeping me with him, and away from completing my pact. The further our lives intertwine, the more his lies unravel.
And the more his dark obsession grows.
Bitter King Vicious Wings is a steamy dark romantasy standalone with a guaranteed HEA. Perfect for fans of Harper L. Woods, Ella Fields, and Raven Kennedy.
On the eve of my execution, I sealed my fate by signing a dark pact with Ilyatria's accursed king. My reprieve was short-lived; now I’m in a race against time, rotting from the inside out due to a hidden clause. To end the pact, I have to kill my father—the monster who ordered my death. But our kingdom’s twisted magic protects him, and I’ll need an undying dragon’s power to do it.
Yet every hour has me sickening further; I can’t bond a merciless dragon alone. With no other options, I turn to Aelen, one of my people’s enemies and the strongest dragon trainer of Ilyatria—or so he says. He’s brooding and spiteful, armed with sharp ears and a venomous tongue almost more vicious than the dragons themselves.
Despite our truce, he’s a constant thorn in my side, even sabotaging my training. He’s insufferable—and all too irresistible—but without him I’m dead.
My protector. My nightmare.
He’s more than he’s letting an enigma hiding sinister magic and a fixation on keeping me with him, and away from completing my pact. The further our lives intertwine, the more his lies unravel.
And the more his dark obsession grows.
Bitter King Vicious Wings is a steamy dark romantasy standalone with a guaranteed HEA. Perfect for fans of Harper L. Woods, Ella Fields, and Raven Kennedy.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 27, 2026
115 people want to read
About the author
Morgona Aliss
4 books38 followersMorgona Aliss spends her time enjoying the simple pleasures of life; hot baths and writing smut. You'll catch her on a dark and stormy night dancing under the moon.
When she's not dancing, she loves creating vivid worlds, complex religions, and realm jumping magic.
She currently resides in an outer realm closest to dimension 75B.
When she's not dancing, she loves creating vivid worlds, complex religions, and realm jumping magic.
She currently resides in an outer realm closest to dimension 75B.
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December 30, 2025preread
I was just thinking that I haven't read a dragon/dragon-shifter book in forever when I saw this on NetGalley!
I was just thinking that I haven't read a dragon/dragon-shifter book in forever when I saw this on NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This just wasnt for me.
The FMC was annoyingly abrasive and confrontational throughout the entire book. The relationship between the two MC's I really did get or connect with - Besides them finding each other attractive they were constantly at odds, with the FMC being rude to him, but yet they fell in love? Unfortunately, I didn't feel the tension or connection between the characters and was mostly put off my the FMC and her attitude. While the premise for the story was decent, I just couldn't connect with this one at all and had to force myself to finish it.
I do appreciate being given the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
The FMC was annoyingly abrasive and confrontational throughout the entire book. The relationship between the two MC's I really did get or connect with - Besides them finding each other attractive they were constantly at odds, with the FMC being rude to him, but yet they fell in love? Unfortunately, I didn't feel the tension or connection between the characters and was mostly put off my the FMC and her attitude. While the premise for the story was decent, I just couldn't connect with this one at all and had to force myself to finish it.
I do appreciate being given the opportunity to read this as an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We start with my absolute all time favourite quote from Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff in despair after Catherine’s death. So yes, I’m invested immediately. I’m expecting a brooding, vengeful, possessive MMC, dark and gloomy climates, emotional devastation.
I can’t wait.
We jump straight into an intriguing story. Strong family bonds between Lorelana and her brother, magic, dragons and dragon riders. All my favourite ingredients in a romantasy, wrapped in a world with rich history and careful world building.
While it's clear the author is drawing heavily from gothic influences unfortunately, I was left wanting with our FMC, Lorelana. From the start she is childish, wildly and dangerously impulsive, and often rude, even to those who show her nothing but kindness (including our MMC). Almost all of her choices are driven by selfishness. She is strong willed and emotionally chaotic, and some of her comments are outright cruel.
I can see that Lorelana is written this way deliberately, as a deeply flawed, volatile character meant to provoke strong reactions (Catherine Earnshaw). An extreme comparison, but unfortunately one that resulted in a completely unlikeable character for me.
Our MMC, Aelen, is an absolute sweetheart from the beginning. His passion, obsession, and underlying resentment strongly echo Heathcliff, and he was easily my favourite element of the story.
The prose shines most in Aelen’s dialogue. The intensity of his devotion is beautifully written.
“Your cries wound me like a thousand blades. I’ll do anything for you.”
“Don’t you know what it would do to me if he hurt you? If he killed you? I would lose what little is left of my mind, and cleave the world in half in its wake.”
Stunning.
What to Expect
Single POV
Dragons / Dragon Riders
He’s obsessed
Shadow daddy
Bratty FMC
Touch her and die
Overall, this one wasn’t for me personally. I loved the general premise and genuinely enjoyed the world building and history, and I can appreciate the author’s intent in crafting such volatile, gothic inspired characters. However, I never felt the chemistry between the MCs or connected with their dynamic. That said, readers who love intense volatile heroines will likely have a very different experience. If you’re a Nesta fan, this will probably hit exactly where it’s meant to.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review.
I can’t wait.
We jump straight into an intriguing story. Strong family bonds between Lorelana and her brother, magic, dragons and dragon riders. All my favourite ingredients in a romantasy, wrapped in a world with rich history and careful world building.
While it's clear the author is drawing heavily from gothic influences unfortunately, I was left wanting with our FMC, Lorelana. From the start she is childish, wildly and dangerously impulsive, and often rude, even to those who show her nothing but kindness (including our MMC). Almost all of her choices are driven by selfishness. She is strong willed and emotionally chaotic, and some of her comments are outright cruel.
I can see that Lorelana is written this way deliberately, as a deeply flawed, volatile character meant to provoke strong reactions (Catherine Earnshaw). An extreme comparison, but unfortunately one that resulted in a completely unlikeable character for me.
Our MMC, Aelen, is an absolute sweetheart from the beginning. His passion, obsession, and underlying resentment strongly echo Heathcliff, and he was easily my favourite element of the story.
The prose shines most in Aelen’s dialogue. The intensity of his devotion is beautifully written.
“Your cries wound me like a thousand blades. I’ll do anything for you.”
“Don’t you know what it would do to me if he hurt you? If he killed you? I would lose what little is left of my mind, and cleave the world in half in its wake.”
Stunning.
What to Expect
Single POV
Dragons / Dragon Riders
He’s obsessed
Shadow daddy
Bratty FMC
Touch her and die
Overall, this one wasn’t for me personally. I loved the general premise and genuinely enjoyed the world building and history, and I can appreciate the author’s intent in crafting such volatile, gothic inspired characters. However, I never felt the chemistry between the MCs or connected with their dynamic. That said, readers who love intense volatile heroines will likely have a very different experience. If you’re a Nesta fan, this will probably hit exactly where it’s meant to.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review.
January 7, 2026
Title: Bitter King, Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Victory Editing
Expected Release Date: 01|27|2026
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Lorelana + Aelen
Book Type: Standalone
The way this book started off and didn’t give me time to put my seatbelt on is quite crazy to me. It started strong and held the pace the entire book. I absolutely loved the main characters and how their roles developed in this book.
In this book you’ll get: enemies to lovers, dragon riders and a shadow daddy that’s just yummy, even if he’s an ass. Lorelana is a princess turned fighter and Aelen is the butthole that hates her. They stay at each other’s throats for a hot minute.
They begrudgingly team up to fight evil together and he even shows her how to pick her own dragon 🤭 if you’re looking for a high stakes fantasy with the tropes below, I highly suggest this one.
✨ T r o p e s ✨
Enemies to Lovers
Dragons | Dragon Riding
Banter
Forced Proximity
Spice
Touch Her & Die
Shadow Daddy
Trauma
He’s Obsessed
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Victory Editing
Expected Release Date: 01|27|2026
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Lorelana + Aelen
Book Type: Standalone
The way this book started off and didn’t give me time to put my seatbelt on is quite crazy to me. It started strong and held the pace the entire book. I absolutely loved the main characters and how their roles developed in this book.
In this book you’ll get: enemies to lovers, dragon riders and a shadow daddy that’s just yummy, even if he’s an ass. Lorelana is a princess turned fighter and Aelen is the butthole that hates her. They stay at each other’s throats for a hot minute.
They begrudgingly team up to fight evil together and he even shows her how to pick her own dragon 🤭 if you’re looking for a high stakes fantasy with the tropes below, I highly suggest this one.
✨ T r o p e s ✨
Enemies to Lovers
Dragons | Dragon Riding
Banter
Forced Proximity
Spice
Touch Her & Die
Shadow Daddy
Trauma
He’s Obsessed
December 22, 2025
This standalone dark romantasy offers an ambitious premise with high stakes, magic, and a promised enemies-to-lovers romance. The story moves at a fast pace and introduces many elements early on, which may appeal to readers who enjoy constant action.
Unfortunately, the emotional connection didn’t fully land for me. Both main characters are written with very abrasive voices, making it difficult to feel invested in their relationship or root for them. As a result, the romantic tension never truly took hold.
Additionally, the standalone format works against the story. The worldbuilding and character arcs feel compressed, leaving little room for emotional depth or reflection. While this book may work for readers who enjoy trope-driven, fast-paced romantasy with a darker tone, it didn’t provide the immersive, character-driven experience I was hoping for.
Unfortunately, the emotional connection didn’t fully land for me. Both main characters are written with very abrasive voices, making it difficult to feel invested in their relationship or root for them. As a result, the romantic tension never truly took hold.
Additionally, the standalone format works against the story. The worldbuilding and character arcs feel compressed, leaving little room for emotional depth or reflection. While this book may work for readers who enjoy trope-driven, fast-paced romantasy with a darker tone, it didn’t provide the immersive, character-driven experience I was hoping for.
January 1, 2026
Loved this book ! So many twists and turns and dragons and magic !! Add this one to your TBR and wishlists for 2026 !! You’ll thank me later !
January 11, 2026
Let me start by saying this: I have to stop starting fantasy books at night. Picked this up at 10pm, blinked, and suddenly it was way past my bedtime because I could not stop.
I officially label this book: “rocky start with a blast-by-the-end payoff.” And yes—stick with it, because it’s absolutely worth it.
Our main character, Lorelana, is a sassy, bratty, absolutely-does-not-follow-orders princess, and honestly? I loved that for her. She has fears, flaws, and zero interest in playing the obedient royal. Her brother takes her throne (don’t panic—she hands it over willingly), and that choice kicks off the absolute chaos that follows.
Enter the pact.
A mysterious spirit.
One impossible task: kill her father.
But… how exactly does one do that?
That’s when we meet Aelendir—grumpy, dangerous, possibly-fae (yes, pointed ears), painfully beautiful, and very much the type Lorelana is definitely not admitting she’s crushing on. Their dynamic? Tense, sharp, and deliciously slow-burn.
And just when you think you know where this story is going—boom.
The world expands.
The stakes skyrocket.
And yes… there are dragons
By the end, I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and already itching for more. What started as a slow build turned into an explosive, adventurous fantasy that absolutely delivered.
A wonderful read, well worth the time, and a strong payoff if you hang in there.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this one!
I officially label this book: “rocky start with a blast-by-the-end payoff.” And yes—stick with it, because it’s absolutely worth it.
Our main character, Lorelana, is a sassy, bratty, absolutely-does-not-follow-orders princess, and honestly? I loved that for her. She has fears, flaws, and zero interest in playing the obedient royal. Her brother takes her throne (don’t panic—she hands it over willingly), and that choice kicks off the absolute chaos that follows.
Enter the pact.
A mysterious spirit.
One impossible task: kill her father.
But… how exactly does one do that?
That’s when we meet Aelendir—grumpy, dangerous, possibly-fae (yes, pointed ears), painfully beautiful, and very much the type Lorelana is definitely not admitting she’s crushing on. Their dynamic? Tense, sharp, and deliciously slow-burn.
And just when you think you know where this story is going—boom.
The world expands.
The stakes skyrocket.
And yes… there are dragons
By the end, I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and already itching for more. What started as a slow build turned into an explosive, adventurous fantasy that absolutely delivered.
A wonderful read, well worth the time, and a strong payoff if you hang in there.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this one!
December 16, 2025
✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨
I wasn’t joking when I said I was going to drop everything and start this book when I got it. I paused reading a book at 80% finished to start this one 😅
The FMC Lorelana has such a smart mouth that gets her in trouble at times. In this story we witness her going from a shielded princess to knowing what horrors are happening in the real world and finding out how she can put an end to it all! The MMC is an asshole but in the best way possible and says some knee weakening things 😩🤌
The banter between these characters is such a fun time! This is a slow burn romance that is soooo worth it! I have 120+ highlights in this book several of them are moments between the MCs and I want to create a post of my favorite quotes between the two but I’m going to save that for closer to release day!
There is also DRAGONS, and dragon riders! The way the dragons communicate with their riders is unlike anything I’ve seen in a fantasy book and you’ll have to read it to see what I’m talking about 🤪
The plot twists in this book and realizations had me screaming!!! I’m talking like in the authors DMS spiraling in all caps screeching at her 🤣
If you are looking for a dark Romantasy with twisted dangerous love, forced proximity and true enemies to lovers you are going to want to read Bitter Kings Vicious Wings! This book is coming out January 27, 2026 and this will not be the last time you see me talking about it!
I wasn’t joking when I said I was going to drop everything and start this book when I got it. I paused reading a book at 80% finished to start this one 😅
The FMC Lorelana has such a smart mouth that gets her in trouble at times. In this story we witness her going from a shielded princess to knowing what horrors are happening in the real world and finding out how she can put an end to it all! The MMC is an asshole but in the best way possible and says some knee weakening things 😩🤌
The banter between these characters is such a fun time! This is a slow burn romance that is soooo worth it! I have 120+ highlights in this book several of them are moments between the MCs and I want to create a post of my favorite quotes between the two but I’m going to save that for closer to release day!
There is also DRAGONS, and dragon riders! The way the dragons communicate with their riders is unlike anything I’ve seen in a fantasy book and you’ll have to read it to see what I’m talking about 🤪
The plot twists in this book and realizations had me screaming!!! I’m talking like in the authors DMS spiraling in all caps screeching at her 🤣
If you are looking for a dark Romantasy with twisted dangerous love, forced proximity and true enemies to lovers you are going to want to read Bitter Kings Vicious Wings! This book is coming out January 27, 2026 and this will not be the last time you see me talking about it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Release Date: January 27, 2026
WOW!!! I can't explain how much i loved this book. Bitter King Vicious Wings will keep you on your toes from page one. Thank you to Morgana Alissa and her team for letting me be a part of the ARC team.
Lorelana (FMC) is a strong willed princess who makes a bargain with a "demon" to save her life. Lorelana escapes with her life to be faced with other obstacles that threaten her survival. She is saved by Aelen (MMC) who is a dragon trainer. She wants Aelen to teach her to ride a dragon but it's not that simple for either of them.
The world that Morgana has created will stay with you long after you finished the book. Lorelana and Aelen have been written beautifully. i just love their chemistry, banter, and everything in between. They have so many highs and lows that you just love them more.
Release Date: January 27, 2026
WOW!!! I can't explain how much i loved this book. Bitter King Vicious Wings will keep you on your toes from page one. Thank you to Morgana Alissa and her team for letting me be a part of the ARC team.
Lorelana (FMC) is a strong willed princess who makes a bargain with a "demon" to save her life. Lorelana escapes with her life to be faced with other obstacles that threaten her survival. She is saved by Aelen (MMC) who is a dragon trainer. She wants Aelen to teach her to ride a dragon but it's not that simple for either of them.
The world that Morgana has created will stay with you long after you finished the book. Lorelana and Aelen have been written beautifully. i just love their chemistry, banter, and everything in between. They have so many highs and lows that you just love them more.
January 13, 2026
4.5 stars! How far would you go for a loved one? How far would you go to avenge what was taken from them? These questions stayed with me throughout this book.
I absolutely loved it. The story was action-packed, with vivid, sometimes gory scenes that had my heart racing and my pulse pounding—and I loved every second of it. I couldn’t help but feel deeply for the FMC. She endured immense heartache and relentless misfortune, yet she remained fierce, driven, and unwavering in her pursuit of her purpose.
This book was incredible, and I already know I need to read more from this author as soon as possible.
I absolutely loved it. The story was action-packed, with vivid, sometimes gory scenes that had my heart racing and my pulse pounding—and I loved every second of it. I couldn’t help but feel deeply for the FMC. She endured immense heartache and relentless misfortune, yet she remained fierce, driven, and unwavering in her pursuit of her purpose.
This book was incredible, and I already know I need to read more from this author as soon as possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC Review ✨
This book was an adventure in the best way!
The plot was so well written but also unpredictable! Every time I thought I had it figured out, turns out I was wrong!
Lorelana is such a strong and opinionated person that often speaks before thinking, which gets her into trouble more often than not. She quite quickly goes from a sheltered and spoiled princess to a fighter experiencing the harsh reality’s of her world.
Aelen is an asshole, to put it lightly. He is rude and mean with his words, but the complete opposite with his actions.
They truly hate each other, or so they think 🤔 until the line between love and hate blurs.
Together they face the evil of their world and have to confess some truths in order to move on.
Oh, did I mention it has dragons? And a unique way of bonding them? Something I’ve never seen done before but done so beautifully!
I absolutely loved this book, it had me scared of finding out what was happening next and I was on the edge of my seat!
If you love stories about gods, love and hate, a classic “who did this to you” and DRAGONS, then this is the book for you!
I would like to thank Morgona Aliss and her team for choosing me for the Advanced Copy of this book! I will forever be grateful 🙏
This book was an adventure in the best way!
The plot was so well written but also unpredictable! Every time I thought I had it figured out, turns out I was wrong!
Lorelana is such a strong and opinionated person that often speaks before thinking, which gets her into trouble more often than not. She quite quickly goes from a sheltered and spoiled princess to a fighter experiencing the harsh reality’s of her world.
Aelen is an asshole, to put it lightly. He is rude and mean with his words, but the complete opposite with his actions.
They truly hate each other, or so they think 🤔 until the line between love and hate blurs.
Together they face the evil of their world and have to confess some truths in order to move on.
Oh, did I mention it has dragons? And a unique way of bonding them? Something I’ve never seen done before but done so beautifully!
I absolutely loved this book, it had me scared of finding out what was happening next and I was on the edge of my seat!
If you love stories about gods, love and hate, a classic “who did this to you” and DRAGONS, then this is the book for you!
I would like to thank Morgona Aliss and her team for choosing me for the Advanced Copy of this book! I will forever be grateful 🙏
January 12, 2026
It’s hard to find a standalone Romantacy book so this definitely has that going for it.
The start of the book is a little rough but i found once I got towards the 20% mark I was invested in the plot and the characters were growing on me.
Read if you like dragon related fantasy books, snarky FMCs, no cliffhanger, HEA
The start of the book is a little rough but i found once I got towards the 20% mark I was invested in the plot and the characters were growing on me.
Read if you like dragon related fantasy books, snarky FMCs, no cliffhanger, HEA
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bitter King, Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss [ARC REVIEW]
★★★★☆
4/5 stars
Release date: January 27th, 2026
When the world is already frozen, is obsession a flame or just another sheet of ice?
IF YOU LIKE:
• Complex worldbuilding
• Apocalyptic stakes
• Angst and horror
• Determined FMC vs Obsessive MMC
• Delectable spice
• DRAGONS!!!
YOU’LL LOVE Bitter King, Vicious Wings
≪ The shadows shifted. Feeling and seeking, they clawed at the bricks. They trembled and swirled, moving in ways that shades should not. With trembling lips, I did the only thing I could. I sang. ≫
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Lorelana
→ She is SO. FASCINATING. A princess who gave up her own throne. A sister who loves her brother with every part of her heart—but not enough to protect him. A pawn in a game beyond herself who still insists on playing. She is so determined and yet so flawed; so haunted and yet so hopeful. Normally, when a character becomes more selfless over the course of a story, it’s because they grow; Lorelana collapses into altruism as she realizes that the world is not at all what she thought it was.
• Music as magic
→ Magic through song is an incredible concept. Lorelana finds magical strength by singing her pain into the world. It’s how she saves herself from execution, how she connects with her dragon, and how she manages to redeem herself for the selfishness of her past. Lorelana’s voice is her power and singing her story makes her formidable, and if that isn’t beautiful then I don’t know what is.
• The romance
→ The love story here isn’t sweet or redemptive; in fact, Aelen actively tries to make Lorelana WORSE—until he doesn’t. This is the story of two broken, selfish people who use each other over and over again, each of them clinging to what they can take from the other while not even realizing how much they’re giving in return. Aelen’s obsession overtakes all reason, undermines his goals, and makes him betray his own values for the chance to keep her. Lorelana’s determination to save herself leads her into a toxic cycle of desire and rejection, clinging to his comfort but pushing away his concern. Only when Aelen decides to let her go and Lorelana’s goals shift to saving the world are they able to connect properly, and it’s glorious.
• The slow reveal
→ The way the layers of worldbuilding are revealed piece by piece throughout the story is masterful. From the beginning, we know that something is rotten in Ilyatria—the public torture of a PRINCESS in Chapter 1 is more than enough proof of that—but Aliss doesn’t hold back. Each revelation is newly horrible; each time another layer of ice is shattered to reveal the corruption and agony beneath, it just gets worse. This world is already mid-apocalypse, and everyone has given up and surrendered to the cold.
≪ “You said you’re afraid of the dark. I gave you light. If you want something, all you need is to ask.” He exhaled, the warmth blooming along my cheeks. “Any. Other. Requests?” ≫
WISHLIST:
• A little more action throughout the middle section
→ This book begins at a SPRINT and doesn’t slow down until Lorelana finds herself in Aelen’s “care”. It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to sit in the cold and quiet for a time, but the back and forth between Lorelana and Aelen feels a little circular, and I would have liked a bit more description of Lorelana’s actual training.
≪ There were so many times I could’ve listened to my people’s plight and made this world a better place, but I chose wrong. I chose myself. I could wrap my mistakes in a thousand beautiful bows and glittering gold, but it wouldn’t undo what I’d caused. ≫
--
*I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author
★★★★☆
4/5 stars
Release date: January 27th, 2026
When the world is already frozen, is obsession a flame or just another sheet of ice?
IF YOU LIKE:
• Complex worldbuilding
• Apocalyptic stakes
• Angst and horror
• Determined FMC vs Obsessive MMC
• Delectable spice
• DRAGONS!!!
YOU’LL LOVE Bitter King, Vicious Wings
≪ The shadows shifted. Feeling and seeking, they clawed at the bricks. They trembled and swirled, moving in ways that shades should not. With trembling lips, I did the only thing I could. I sang. ≫
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Lorelana
→ She is SO. FASCINATING. A princess who gave up her own throne. A sister who loves her brother with every part of her heart—but not enough to protect him. A pawn in a game beyond herself who still insists on playing. She is so determined and yet so flawed; so haunted and yet so hopeful. Normally, when a character becomes more selfless over the course of a story, it’s because they grow; Lorelana collapses into altruism as she realizes that the world is not at all what she thought it was.
• Music as magic
→ Magic through song is an incredible concept. Lorelana finds magical strength by singing her pain into the world. It’s how she saves herself from execution, how she connects with her dragon, and how she manages to redeem herself for the selfishness of her past. Lorelana’s voice is her power and singing her story makes her formidable, and if that isn’t beautiful then I don’t know what is.
• The romance
→ The love story here isn’t sweet or redemptive; in fact, Aelen actively tries to make Lorelana WORSE—until he doesn’t. This is the story of two broken, selfish people who use each other over and over again, each of them clinging to what they can take from the other while not even realizing how much they’re giving in return. Aelen’s obsession overtakes all reason, undermines his goals, and makes him betray his own values for the chance to keep her. Lorelana’s determination to save herself leads her into a toxic cycle of desire and rejection, clinging to his comfort but pushing away his concern. Only when Aelen decides to let her go and Lorelana’s goals shift to saving the world are they able to connect properly, and it’s glorious.
• The slow reveal
→ The way the layers of worldbuilding are revealed piece by piece throughout the story is masterful. From the beginning, we know that something is rotten in Ilyatria—the public torture of a PRINCESS in Chapter 1 is more than enough proof of that—but Aliss doesn’t hold back. Each revelation is newly horrible; each time another layer of ice is shattered to reveal the corruption and agony beneath, it just gets worse. This world is already mid-apocalypse, and everyone has given up and surrendered to the cold.
≪ “You said you’re afraid of the dark. I gave you light. If you want something, all you need is to ask.” He exhaled, the warmth blooming along my cheeks. “Any. Other. Requests?” ≫
WISHLIST:
• A little more action throughout the middle section
→ This book begins at a SPRINT and doesn’t slow down until Lorelana finds herself in Aelen’s “care”. It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to sit in the cold and quiet for a time, but the back and forth between Lorelana and Aelen feels a little circular, and I would have liked a bit more description of Lorelana’s actual training.
≪ There were so many times I could’ve listened to my people’s plight and made this world a better place, but I chose wrong. I chose myself. I could wrap my mistakes in a thousand beautiful bows and glittering gold, but it wouldn’t undo what I’d caused. ≫
--
*I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Morgona Aliss for sending me this ARC!
Bitter King, Vicious Wings is a standalone Dark Romantasy book and I really enjoyed it! It has many things I love in this genre and so many of my favorite tropes, I liked Lorelana and Aelen’s story.
I’m not going to say much about the plot because I think it’s best to go in knowing little to enjoy it even more. The author created a truly fascinating world with a unique magic system, I enjoyed seeing how the magic worked and the plot was interesting, I predicted some of the twists but still couldn’t wait to see how it all would play out. The book started strong and it’s quite dark at times and while it did slow down after a while, it definitely did pick up in the second half and I couldn’t stop reading. Lorelana was really strong with everything she was going through in this book, she was also very impulsive and annoyed me at times, but she grew a lot. Aelen was the kind of MMC I love in romantasy books, morally grey and mysterious, I loved discovering his secrets and he had some great ‘touch her and die’ and ‘who did this to you’ scenes that had me swoon. He and Lorelana were an unlikely pair and had a true enemies to lovers relationship, they really hated each other and I enjoyed their fights and banter and liked seeing them open up and fall in love and what came after was even more interesting but I’m not going to spoil anything, you need to see it for yourself.
The things that stopped me from fully loving this book are the FMC and some of the romance. She was annoying through most of the book, she didn’t think before doing things and was supposed to be 28 years old but she behaved like a teenager, didn’t listen to anyone and did whatever she wanted which had consequences both for her and other people, she got better in the end but it was too late to make me like her. Also, I liked the romance and the enemies to lovers trope, but I didn’t really like the transition, she was rude and claiming to hate him and I couldn’t really see how he could have feelings for her and then suddenly they are kissing and declaring their love for each other, it felt like it came out of nowhere and while I liked the enemies part and then when they became lovers (and what came after but I’m not going to spoil it) I couldn’t really love them as a couple.
Despite that, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys dark romantasy genre, it’s an interesting story with an amazing morally grey MMC, dragons and spicy romance and I’m sure many people are going to love it.
Bitter King, Vicious Wings is a standalone Dark Romantasy book and I really enjoyed it! It has many things I love in this genre and so many of my favorite tropes, I liked Lorelana and Aelen’s story.
I’m not going to say much about the plot because I think it’s best to go in knowing little to enjoy it even more. The author created a truly fascinating world with a unique magic system, I enjoyed seeing how the magic worked and the plot was interesting, I predicted some of the twists but still couldn’t wait to see how it all would play out. The book started strong and it’s quite dark at times and while it did slow down after a while, it definitely did pick up in the second half and I couldn’t stop reading. Lorelana was really strong with everything she was going through in this book, she was also very impulsive and annoyed me at times, but she grew a lot. Aelen was the kind of MMC I love in romantasy books, morally grey and mysterious, I loved discovering his secrets and he had some great ‘touch her and die’ and ‘who did this to you’ scenes that had me swoon. He and Lorelana were an unlikely pair and had a true enemies to lovers relationship, they really hated each other and I enjoyed their fights and banter and liked seeing them open up and fall in love and what came after was even more interesting but I’m not going to spoil anything, you need to see it for yourself.
The things that stopped me from fully loving this book are the FMC and some of the romance. She was annoying through most of the book, she didn’t think before doing things and was supposed to be 28 years old but she behaved like a teenager, didn’t listen to anyone and did whatever she wanted which had consequences both for her and other people, she got better in the end but it was too late to make me like her. Also, I liked the romance and the enemies to lovers trope, but I didn’t really like the transition, she was rude and claiming to hate him and I couldn’t really see how he could have feelings for her and then suddenly they are kissing and declaring their love for each other, it felt like it came out of nowhere and while I liked the enemies part and then when they became lovers (and what came after but I’m not going to spoil it) I couldn’t really love them as a couple.
Despite that, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys dark romantasy genre, it’s an interesting story with an amazing morally grey MMC, dragons and spicy romance and I’m sure many people are going to love it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bitter King, Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss is one of those books that immediately throws the reader into chaos. The opening chapters are intense and relentless. Lorelana, our FMC, is a princess unlike any I’ve read before—she is chased, whipped, imprisoned, and sentenced to death in rapid succession. Her escape comes at a heavy cost when she makes a deadly pact that requires her to kill her own father, the king, or die trying.
While the premise is gripping and full of potential, I personally struggled to connect with both main characters. Lorelana and Aelen were difficult for me to like, not because they were morally gray, but because they often felt selfish and primarily driven by their own wants rather than any emotional depth or growth together. Their relationship never fully pulled me in, which made it hard to become invested in their romance.
The pacing was another challenge for me. The beginning moves incredibly fast, with so much happening in just a few chapters, but the middle portion of the book felt drawn out in comparison. Lorelana’s dragon training, in particular, seemed to take far longer than expected—especially considering the urgency of her pact. Knowing that she was growing weaker as time passed, it was frustrating that Aelen, who was aware of the consequences, appeared to hinder her progress rather than help it. This made his professed love feel inconsistent to me.
Aelen himself was a character I had mixed feelings about. He’s introduced as a powerful, dangerous presence, and while I loved his obsession with Lorelana and his ability to manipulate shadows, his behavior in the second half of the book felt surprisingly cowardly compared to how he was initially portrayed. That shift was something I personally couldn’t fully reconcile.
That said, there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed. Lorelana is undeniably a fighter, and her determination was one of the strongest parts of the story—nothing was going to stop her from pursuing her goals. I also appreciated that this is a standalone novel, which means readers aren’t left with a cliffhanger.
Overall, while this book wasn’t the right fit for me, I can clearly see the effort, imagination, and ambition behind it. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy, intense beginnings, morally complicated characters, and shadow-wielding MMCs may find a lot to love here.
✨ Thank you to the author for the time and creativity poured into this story. ✨
While the premise is gripping and full of potential, I personally struggled to connect with both main characters. Lorelana and Aelen were difficult for me to like, not because they were morally gray, but because they often felt selfish and primarily driven by their own wants rather than any emotional depth or growth together. Their relationship never fully pulled me in, which made it hard to become invested in their romance.
The pacing was another challenge for me. The beginning moves incredibly fast, with so much happening in just a few chapters, but the middle portion of the book felt drawn out in comparison. Lorelana’s dragon training, in particular, seemed to take far longer than expected—especially considering the urgency of her pact. Knowing that she was growing weaker as time passed, it was frustrating that Aelen, who was aware of the consequences, appeared to hinder her progress rather than help it. This made his professed love feel inconsistent to me.
Aelen himself was a character I had mixed feelings about. He’s introduced as a powerful, dangerous presence, and while I loved his obsession with Lorelana and his ability to manipulate shadows, his behavior in the second half of the book felt surprisingly cowardly compared to how he was initially portrayed. That shift was something I personally couldn’t fully reconcile.
That said, there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed. Lorelana is undeniably a fighter, and her determination was one of the strongest parts of the story—nothing was going to stop her from pursuing her goals. I also appreciated that this is a standalone novel, which means readers aren’t left with a cliffhanger.
Overall, while this book wasn’t the right fit for me, I can clearly see the effort, imagination, and ambition behind it. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy, intense beginnings, morally complicated characters, and shadow-wielding MMCs may find a lot to love here.
✨ Thank you to the author for the time and creativity poured into this story. ✨
January 17, 2026
🐉🖤 A deal with a devil, a kingdom built on lies, and the monster she was warned never to trust.
📖 Bitter Kings, Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
Standalone Fantasy Romance
Tropes:
🏠 Forced proximity
🎭 Secret identity
🌑 Shadow daddy MMC
🐉 Dragons
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
Lorelana is a princess who never wanted the throne—leaving her younger brother to inherit it instead. When his magic fails, their father orders the execution of his own children. Imprisoned in the dungeon, Lorelana makes a deal with a devil: kill her father in exchange for survival. After escaping, she’s saved by Aelen—the very monster her father raised her to fear, the one blamed for slaughter and destruction. Except… the truth is far more complicated. Now bound by her bargain, Lorelana must complete her task—or be destroyed by it.
This book had so much potential, but about halfway through, Lorelana became one of the most infuriating FMCs I’ve read in a while. She’s rude, rash, and painfully impulsive. Time and time again, she’s warned about consequences, dangers, and outcomes—and she brushes every single one off without stopping to think or plan. It became exhausting.
What frustrated me the most was the lack of real character growth in that area. She recognizes when she’s done something wrong, but she doesn’t meaningfully change her behavior. I genuinely had to push myself to keep reading because her choices kept repeating in the same cycle.
The chemistry between Lorelana and Aelen was… okay. I did enjoy their banter—it felt natural and flowed well—but she constantly negates him, pushes against him for no reason, and forces situations that don’t make sense. After a while, it just felt silly. Honestly, she reads more like a teenager than someone in her twenties, which pulled me out of the story.
That said, the plot itself was interesting. The magic system confused me at first because it wasn’t explained very clearly, but once things settled, it worked well enough to support the story. While nothing here felt especially new, it was still engaging. I do wish the book had gone deeper into the mythology of the gods—most of it felt brushed over, except for one god who received more focus.
Overall, a story with a strong premise and intriguing world, but one that was held back by an FMC whose growth didn’t match the stakes of the narrative.
Thank you Morgona Aliss for this ARC.
📖 Bitter Kings, Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
Standalone Fantasy Romance
Tropes:
🏠 Forced proximity
🎭 Secret identity
🌑 Shadow daddy MMC
🐉 Dragons
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
Lorelana is a princess who never wanted the throne—leaving her younger brother to inherit it instead. When his magic fails, their father orders the execution of his own children. Imprisoned in the dungeon, Lorelana makes a deal with a devil: kill her father in exchange for survival. After escaping, she’s saved by Aelen—the very monster her father raised her to fear, the one blamed for slaughter and destruction. Except… the truth is far more complicated. Now bound by her bargain, Lorelana must complete her task—or be destroyed by it.
This book had so much potential, but about halfway through, Lorelana became one of the most infuriating FMCs I’ve read in a while. She’s rude, rash, and painfully impulsive. Time and time again, she’s warned about consequences, dangers, and outcomes—and she brushes every single one off without stopping to think or plan. It became exhausting.
What frustrated me the most was the lack of real character growth in that area. She recognizes when she’s done something wrong, but she doesn’t meaningfully change her behavior. I genuinely had to push myself to keep reading because her choices kept repeating in the same cycle.
The chemistry between Lorelana and Aelen was… okay. I did enjoy their banter—it felt natural and flowed well—but she constantly negates him, pushes against him for no reason, and forces situations that don’t make sense. After a while, it just felt silly. Honestly, she reads more like a teenager than someone in her twenties, which pulled me out of the story.
That said, the plot itself was interesting. The magic system confused me at first because it wasn’t explained very clearly, but once things settled, it worked well enough to support the story. While nothing here felt especially new, it was still engaging. I do wish the book had gone deeper into the mythology of the gods—most of it felt brushed over, except for one god who received more focus.
Overall, a story with a strong premise and intriguing world, but one that was held back by an FMC whose growth didn’t match the stakes of the narrative.
Thank you Morgona Aliss for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to read it as an ARC.
When I first heard of the Iferi, I thought these were much like the Whitewalkers of the Game of Thrones' universe or the Venin of The Empyrean series. Though what ends up happening more so is a cross of the Venin and Rhysand from ACOTAR. These were my thoughts upon reading the first four chapters of the book. Somewhere along the way of the journey of this book, somehow Xaden got involved.
This book is the perfect combination of a unique fantasy world full of complex and interesting characters. Oh, and did I mention dragons? The dragons of this world are different, and unlike others I have seen or read about before. There were moments when Lorelana did seem to be a bit much. Not that she is a bad character, but she was not always my favoruite character. She made bad decisions, as one tends to do. Though I feel like some of her choices could have been avoided, and still kept to the story.
She has more brain cells than some FMC that I have read about. Though she does seem to seek out pain more than someone with all their screws correctly inline would.
One thing I love about this world is the fact that song seemed to have a bigger meaning and bring about magic and runes.
Despite my slight dislike of Lorelana at times, I do very much love her journey and relationship with Aelen. The plot twists throughout the story keep you attached to the story and encourage the reader to keep on going.
This is not a book you can put down and just pick up at another time and continue reading where you are. Especially if you are in the middle of a chapter. You might find yourself in a bit of a confused time. At least I did when I found myself having to stop reading in the middle of a chapter. Then, coming back (even if it had only been a few minutes), and finding myself a bit confused about what was happening. Usually having to reread parts to understand what was going on. Some scenes were more taxing in this than others.
I greatly enjoyed reading this ARC and truly enjoyed every single part of this story. When I do wish there was more, this standalone was a fantastic read. If you like fantasy, it is a must-read.
When I first heard of the Iferi, I thought these were much like the Whitewalkers of the Game of Thrones' universe or the Venin of The Empyrean series. Though what ends up happening more so is a cross of the Venin and Rhysand from ACOTAR. These were my thoughts upon reading the first four chapters of the book. Somewhere along the way of the journey of this book, somehow Xaden got involved.
This book is the perfect combination of a unique fantasy world full of complex and interesting characters. Oh, and did I mention dragons? The dragons of this world are different, and unlike others I have seen or read about before. There were moments when Lorelana did seem to be a bit much. Not that she is a bad character, but she was not always my favoruite character. She made bad decisions, as one tends to do. Though I feel like some of her choices could have been avoided, and still kept to the story.
She has more brain cells than some FMC that I have read about. Though she does seem to seek out pain more than someone with all their screws correctly inline would.
One thing I love about this world is the fact that song seemed to have a bigger meaning and bring about magic and runes.
Despite my slight dislike of Lorelana at times, I do very much love her journey and relationship with Aelen. The plot twists throughout the story keep you attached to the story and encourage the reader to keep on going.
This is not a book you can put down and just pick up at another time and continue reading where you are. Especially if you are in the middle of a chapter. You might find yourself in a bit of a confused time. At least I did when I found myself having to stop reading in the middle of a chapter. Then, coming back (even if it had only been a few minutes), and finding myself a bit confused about what was happening. Usually having to reread parts to understand what was going on. Some scenes were more taxing in this than others.
I greatly enjoyed reading this ARC and truly enjoyed every single part of this story. When I do wish there was more, this standalone was a fantastic read. If you like fantasy, it is a must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has all the ingredients that would make for a great standalone romantasy however, I found that the final product did not deliver.
I was really excited to read a standalone book knowing that we wouldn't be left with a crazy cliffhanger or having barely scratched the surface of whatever world we were exploring. I actually think that this one suffered from being a standalone. A lot of elements felt very rushed including the world building and magic system. The first few chapters were chaotic and didn't do a great job of setting a strong foundation for the book to build off of.
Our female lead was actually difficult to like. I found her to be selfish and recklessly stubborn to the point that I really couldn't develop much appreciation for her. Several times she expresses fear about doing something that she knows will hurt someone else but then she wants to be brave when the potential for danger or harm is a near guarantee. Then she gets hurt or harmed and you think to yourself "they told you that would happen so...". I just couldn't get with her brand of sass and defiance.
The romance also felt rushed and severely lacking in true chemistry. There were several scenes where the characters kiss but either it is completely brushed aside or she kisses him as a means to distract him from something and then turns around to accuse him of wanting her dead. I think there was some attempt to create an enemies to lovers situation but at no point did I feel like the male character was her true enemy (that gets complicated as the book goes on but they do not really start out as enemies IMO).
There are dragons but again, I didn't feel like we got enough of them in a way that made me excited. The magic system tied to the dragons was confusing and our girl just seemed reckless around them every time she was with them.
In addition to some plot challenges, there were times where names were spelled inconsistently and the dialogue was choppy or inconsistent. Sometimes it was casual and other times it felt stiff and awkward.
I think there is some potential here and sparks of interesting elements that you may not come across in other books but all in all, this just didn't work for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review.
I was really excited to read a standalone book knowing that we wouldn't be left with a crazy cliffhanger or having barely scratched the surface of whatever world we were exploring. I actually think that this one suffered from being a standalone. A lot of elements felt very rushed including the world building and magic system. The first few chapters were chaotic and didn't do a great job of setting a strong foundation for the book to build off of.
Our female lead was actually difficult to like. I found her to be selfish and recklessly stubborn to the point that I really couldn't develop much appreciation for her. Several times she expresses fear about doing something that she knows will hurt someone else but then she wants to be brave when the potential for danger or harm is a near guarantee. Then she gets hurt or harmed and you think to yourself "they told you that would happen so...". I just couldn't get with her brand of sass and defiance.
The romance also felt rushed and severely lacking in true chemistry. There were several scenes where the characters kiss but either it is completely brushed aside or she kisses him as a means to distract him from something and then turns around to accuse him of wanting her dead. I think there was some attempt to create an enemies to lovers situation but at no point did I feel like the male character was her true enemy (that gets complicated as the book goes on but they do not really start out as enemies IMO).
There are dragons but again, I didn't feel like we got enough of them in a way that made me excited. The magic system tied to the dragons was confusing and our girl just seemed reckless around them every time she was with them.
In addition to some plot challenges, there were times where names were spelled inconsistently and the dialogue was choppy or inconsistent. Sometimes it was casual and other times it felt stiff and awkward.
I think there is some potential here and sparks of interesting elements that you may not come across in other books but all in all, this just didn't work for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Morgana for a chance to read and review this standalone Romantasy!
ACOSF meets The Empyrean with dragon riders (although we don't explicitly meet them they are discussed) with a sassy and argumentative FMC, with a broody but thoughtful MMC.
It was a beast of a book and I really enjoyed the cozy wintery vibes and the addition of Dragons and song/rune-magic which I imagine was difficult to portray but brilliantly done. The writing style was great and I always love a first-person. I thought this was also a different take on 'shadow daddy' which I really appreciated. The twists and turns were WILD and not always expected.
I was really into the first maybe 40%, staying up late to read and neglecting household chores to continue. I think the middle and even the end slightly dragged a bit and was a bit confusing. The 'decay' of the dragons was never really explained (undead vs living?). And I felt like I was missing some miscommunications between the MC's. I think the 'training' could've been explained/divulged into more and just in general more of the relationship between the FMC and the dragons written about more; that's why we love a good dragon related fantasy, really. I also felt a bit confused in the 'world' without a map but maybe there will be one in the final print? I felt like sometimes the two cities were very far apart, but then at times like they were very close (drifting down a river and then there's a random cottage?) I felt a bit confused generally with the 'map' and locations of buildings/cities mentioned.
Sometimes I think authors maybe forget (or don't quite fully appreciate) that we are entering this world for the first time, where they have been living in this world that they've personally designed for years (or more!) and therefore maybe forget to go back to basics with the world building.
I loved the ending, and felt like a lot of ends were tied up but some weren't but this could then leave the reader to interpretation. I love when a book brings different emotions out, from a giggle and feeling myself smile, to pulling at the heart strings or feeling sad or gutted for a chapter/event. I love when I 'feel the feels' when reading a book and this gave me that! Thank you again!
ACOSF meets The Empyrean with dragon riders (although we don't explicitly meet them they are discussed) with a sassy and argumentative FMC, with a broody but thoughtful MMC.
It was a beast of a book and I really enjoyed the cozy wintery vibes and the addition of Dragons and song/rune-magic which I imagine was difficult to portray but brilliantly done. The writing style was great and I always love a first-person. I thought this was also a different take on 'shadow daddy' which I really appreciated. The twists and turns were WILD and not always expected.
I was really into the first maybe 40%, staying up late to read and neglecting household chores to continue. I think the middle and even the end slightly dragged a bit and was a bit confusing. The 'decay' of the dragons was never really explained (undead vs living?). And I felt like I was missing some miscommunications between the MC's. I think the 'training' could've been explained/divulged into more and just in general more of the relationship between the FMC and the dragons written about more; that's why we love a good dragon related fantasy, really. I also felt a bit confused in the 'world' without a map but maybe there will be one in the final print? I felt like sometimes the two cities were very far apart, but then at times like they were very close (drifting down a river and then there's a random cottage?) I felt a bit confused generally with the 'map' and locations of buildings/cities mentioned.
Sometimes I think authors maybe forget (or don't quite fully appreciate) that we are entering this world for the first time, where they have been living in this world that they've personally designed for years (or more!) and therefore maybe forget to go back to basics with the world building.
I loved the ending, and felt like a lot of ends were tied up but some weren't but this could then leave the reader to interpretation. I love when a book brings different emotions out, from a giggle and feeling myself smile, to pulling at the heart strings or feeling sad or gutted for a chapter/event. I love when I 'feel the feels' when reading a book and this gave me that! Thank you again!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bitter King Vicious Wings by Morgona Aliss is a spicy romantasy with some dark themes. It follows Lorelana, a chaotic wayward princess who makes a deal with the her people’s enemy to save her life. Her tale follows her journey as she tries to fulfill her end of bargain where she gets caught up in a complex, captive-esq type of relationship with Aelen. He is a morally grey fae-adjacent type male with a hot to cold temperament. He is also the greatest dragon trainer and a bastard, and despite helping her whenever she asks, he actively tries to prevent her from her fulfilling her objective.
I just have to say, I devoured this book. It had me hooked from page 1. Is it an epic fantasy that will withstand the test of time? Nope. Is it a fun read that I can cozy up on the couch on a rainy day and immerse myself completely in? 100%! This book is everything I want in a romantasy: tension and yearning, chemistry between the FMC and MMC, flawed characters, a capable FMC, dragons, conflict, choices/consequences that matter, emotional payoff, catharsis, and to feel ruined in the best possible way. I absolutely loved the way Morgona wrote Lorelana’s POV. I will always love a sassy, sarcastic, and slightly venomous FMC 1st person POV. The story was original despite having Beauty and the Beast vibes. The love story was incredible. I also appreciate the magic system that Morgona created. It was unique, but it also felt very natural within the story; it never overwhelmed the story or required much exposition to explain how it works.
I honestly don’t really have any feedback regarding struggles I had with the book. There were a some moments that were predictable, but honestly, I didn’t mind. The foreshadowing was so well done, and the character development kept me invested even when I saw where it was heading. Morgona’s use of character logic, thematic fidelity, and escalating repetition was done with perfection that made everything feel earned.
I absolutely loved Bitter King Vicious Wings. It’s emotional, original, dark, spicy, and oh so satisfying. I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Morgona Aliss for the eARC for my honest review.
I just have to say, I devoured this book. It had me hooked from page 1. Is it an epic fantasy that will withstand the test of time? Nope. Is it a fun read that I can cozy up on the couch on a rainy day and immerse myself completely in? 100%! This book is everything I want in a romantasy: tension and yearning, chemistry between the FMC and MMC, flawed characters, a capable FMC, dragons, conflict, choices/consequences that matter, emotional payoff, catharsis, and to feel ruined in the best possible way. I absolutely loved the way Morgona wrote Lorelana’s POV. I will always love a sassy, sarcastic, and slightly venomous FMC 1st person POV. The story was original despite having Beauty and the Beast vibes. The love story was incredible. I also appreciate the magic system that Morgona created. It was unique, but it also felt very natural within the story; it never overwhelmed the story or required much exposition to explain how it works.
I honestly don’t really have any feedback regarding struggles I had with the book. There were a some moments that were predictable, but honestly, I didn’t mind. The foreshadowing was so well done, and the character development kept me invested even when I saw where it was heading. Morgona’s use of character logic, thematic fidelity, and escalating repetition was done with perfection that made everything feel earned.
I absolutely loved Bitter King Vicious Wings. It’s emotional, original, dark, spicy, and oh so satisfying. I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Morgona Aliss for the eARC for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book follows the journey of Princess Lorelana as she attempts to survive a life-saving deal gone wrong and tries to save both herself and her kingdom. Lorelana is not what I would call your typical FMC. She regularly calls herself a coward, is self-serving, and is tempestuous at the best of times. However, all of those things make her feel very human and raw. It endears her to the audience in a refreshing way. The MMC Aelen is an enigma from the start. He's duplicitous and confusing but also unfailingly compassionate to Lorelana. He is both sides of the coin and is in many ways the definition of being morally gray. Together they complement each other but also antagonize each other endlessly making for good banter and spicy romance.
The world-building is very solid for a standalone book, much more than I expected given it could only be done in one book. I appreciated the attention to fine detail in the crafting of the world, cultures, and people throughout the book. That being said, this book was extremely dark. Normally in a fantasy (especially a standalone), there is an ebb and flow between positive and negative things happening to the main characters in order to further the plot. This was a book where horrible things happened over and over for almost 90 percent of the book without any relief. It was exhausting to read in some parts because there was just no departure from gory atrocities happening. The book does have a good wrap-up but it definitely led to some fatigue by the time we got there.
This was hard to rate for me because on the one hand, I liked the characters, the world-building and the writing was impeccable. On the other hand, this book was just a downward spiral of pain and angst to almost the near end with no relief which made it a difficult read at times. I would give this a 3.75 if there wasn’t a star system. As it is, this will round to 4 stars. I would absolutely read this author again and I did enjoy it overall, I just wish there was a better balance of good/bad things happening to the characters to have it feel less dreary.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The world-building is very solid for a standalone book, much more than I expected given it could only be done in one book. I appreciated the attention to fine detail in the crafting of the world, cultures, and people throughout the book. That being said, this book was extremely dark. Normally in a fantasy (especially a standalone), there is an ebb and flow between positive and negative things happening to the main characters in order to further the plot. This was a book where horrible things happened over and over for almost 90 percent of the book without any relief. It was exhausting to read in some parts because there was just no departure from gory atrocities happening. The book does have a good wrap-up but it definitely led to some fatigue by the time we got there.
This was hard to rate for me because on the one hand, I liked the characters, the world-building and the writing was impeccable. On the other hand, this book was just a downward spiral of pain and angst to almost the near end with no relief which made it a difficult read at times. I would give this a 3.75 if there wasn’t a star system. As it is, this will round to 4 stars. I would absolutely read this author again and I did enjoy it overall, I just wish there was a better balance of good/bad things happening to the characters to have it feel less dreary.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨Dark romantasy
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨Touch her and d1e
✨Dragon riding FMC
✨Morally grey shadow daddy
✨He's obsessed
✨Secret identity
✨He's a villain
✨Twisted, dangerous love
✨Mutual trauma
✨Standalone
♥️♥️Thank you to Morgona Aliss and Faro Society for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
This book tells the story of Lorelana, who bargains with a demon to save her when her father, the king, is about to execute her–who is accused of coup for the throne, and while escaping, Lorelana is saved by Aelen, an I'phri, a kind who is considered an enemy or monsters by humans. to release the curse of the bargains, Lorelana must kill her father within 6 months. Desperate because her body is getting weaker due to the curse, Lorelana is determined to use a dragon from Aelen's stables to help her defeat her father.
I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed the premise and the beginning of this book seemed very convincing. Then I got to 20% of the book and I started to have a hard time reading it, the female lead is very hard to like, her behavior is very annoying, she's so rude, reckless, and stubborn. Is it because she's living as a princess? But from the earliest chapters she sounds like a badass fmc🤷♀️ and as the book goes on, I feel the plot is repetitive, and the romance is flat...the chemistry between the two characters is almost non-existent, they keep bickering with each other, and suddenly they kiss at around 35% of this book, then he's so obsessed with her I don't know how and I also don't know how they could fall in love that fast, though from Lorelana's POV, she just mentioned a few times that Aelen was very handsome.
All in all, it's an okay story for me. I think the worldbuilding is wonderful, and I like the dragons in this book and how the dragons bond with their riders...
If you like fast-paced romantasy with forced proximity and dragons, you might enjoy this one✨
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨Touch her and d1e
✨Dragon riding FMC
✨Morally grey shadow daddy
✨He's obsessed
✨Secret identity
✨He's a villain
✨Twisted, dangerous love
✨Mutual trauma
✨Standalone
♥️♥️Thank you to Morgona Aliss and Faro Society for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
This book tells the story of Lorelana, who bargains with a demon to save her when her father, the king, is about to execute her–who is accused of coup for the throne, and while escaping, Lorelana is saved by Aelen, an I'phri, a kind who is considered an enemy or monsters by humans. to release the curse of the bargains, Lorelana must kill her father within 6 months. Desperate because her body is getting weaker due to the curse, Lorelana is determined to use a dragon from Aelen's stables to help her defeat her father.
I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed the premise and the beginning of this book seemed very convincing. Then I got to 20% of the book and I started to have a hard time reading it, the female lead is very hard to like, her behavior is very annoying, she's so rude, reckless, and stubborn. Is it because she's living as a princess? But from the earliest chapters she sounds like a badass fmc🤷♀️ and as the book goes on, I feel the plot is repetitive, and the romance is flat...the chemistry between the two characters is almost non-existent, they keep bickering with each other, and suddenly they kiss at around 35% of this book, then he's so obsessed with her I don't know how and I also don't know how they could fall in love that fast, though from Lorelana's POV, she just mentioned a few times that Aelen was very handsome.
"You're too handsome and I hate it."
He edged closer until his trousers pressed against me. "No, you don't."
I couldn't respond before he caught my lips.
All in all, it's an okay story for me. I think the worldbuilding is wonderful, and I like the dragons in this book and how the dragons bond with their riders...
If you like fast-paced romantasy with forced proximity and dragons, you might enjoy this one✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a single pov book, and it is done seamlessly, i dont feel like i need another persons pov or that im missing out.
The balance between diologue/monologue/narration and action is nicely done and flows seamlessly, giving context of the history of this world and world building. I do wish their was more given of the communities and friendships or how the wider community worked, but it didn't really hinder the story.
Overall, i would recommend reading.
Larelana. A young woman who has spent her life as a princess in the kingdom of ilyatria. she is broken in many ways; Her beliefs, her mind, and her body have been physically broken many times in the past in the name of the crown. However, her moral compass fights against the cruel normalcy of the kingdom.
When she escapes the kingdom she begins to understand just how broken she viewed the world while also fighting against the kindness of her new companion Aelen, denying his kindness and masking it in bad intentions, fighting their growing bond because she has never known love without dept, other than her younger brother who was locked away from her. It's definitely a he falls first, but he tries to hide just how much he truly cares for her.
At times, you will hate her character as she often comes across entitled and dismissive of others even when they are trying to help. She has her own narrative and doesn't want to listen to the knowledge of others. She will be impulsive guided with good intentions and self-sacrifice.
Chapter 21 was really strange and weird and possibly should have a tw. I'm not sure how i felt about that part, but I'm trying to keep an open mind.
" i wouldn't keep being one if you didn't love it so much. Raise your blades" ❤️😭 arrogant b*st*rd.
This book is filled with deception and agony and love conquering all the bad along with a bit of self-sacrifice.
But it is so worth it for how it ends. The tragedies that happen will welcome a flourishing new beginning.
The balance between diologue/monologue/narration and action is nicely done and flows seamlessly, giving context of the history of this world and world building. I do wish their was more given of the communities and friendships or how the wider community worked, but it didn't really hinder the story.
Overall, i would recommend reading.
Larelana. A young woman who has spent her life as a princess in the kingdom of ilyatria. she is broken in many ways; Her beliefs, her mind, and her body have been physically broken many times in the past in the name of the crown. However, her moral compass fights against the cruel normalcy of the kingdom.
When she escapes the kingdom she begins to understand just how broken she viewed the world while also fighting against the kindness of her new companion Aelen, denying his kindness and masking it in bad intentions, fighting their growing bond because she has never known love without dept, other than her younger brother who was locked away from her. It's definitely a he falls first, but he tries to hide just how much he truly cares for her.
At times, you will hate her character as she often comes across entitled and dismissive of others even when they are trying to help. She has her own narrative and doesn't want to listen to the knowledge of others. She will be impulsive guided with good intentions and self-sacrifice.
Chapter 21 was really strange and weird and possibly should have a tw. I'm not sure how i felt about that part, but I'm trying to keep an open mind.
" i wouldn't keep being one if you didn't love it so much. Raise your blades" ❤️😭 arrogant b*st*rd.
This book is filled with deception and agony and love conquering all the bad along with a bit of self-sacrifice.
But it is so worth it for how it ends. The tragedies that happen will welcome a flourishing new beginning.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy and chose to leave an honest review.
I signed up for the undead dragons; I stayed for the story. It seems as though this might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Aelendir is a bastard. Often, I found myself agreeing with our male lead in what he did and said when it came to Lorelana. The moments in which Lorelana most called him a bastard were the times in which he was desperately trying to protect her, from herself and her sometimes very idiotic ideas. For example, it is dangerously obvious that his people would kill her as soon as they saw her yet she keeps going to spend time with them in disguise, just because she wants to defy him. It feels like he has very little in the way of survival instincts.
Now, I am knocking a point off for two reasons: the first is that at times it was difficult for me to read this book due to the language used. Words such as sobriquet and cyclical which aren’t used often in everyday life or other books I have read forced me to lose immersion as I had to look up what they meant and how to pronounce them. The second thing that made me remove a point is a moment of dubious consent before the relationship had gotten to a verbalized consensual point. If I had been warned I could have braced for it, but the closest I got was a mention under troupes for somnophillia.
I really like the idea of a god come to Earth that ends up destroying everything he touches. The plot that was laid out and well executed. There is a part of me that really hopes for more to their story, but I have a strong feeling based on how the story came to a close that this is a stand-alone story.
Final point is just a fun one and I am sure it will be fixed before release but some of the grammatical errors in this story were just hilarious. My favorite is at the end of chapter 41: Aelen might want me to use this to flee like a coward, but I has other plans.
I signed up for the undead dragons; I stayed for the story. It seems as though this might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Aelendir is a bastard. Often, I found myself agreeing with our male lead in what he did and said when it came to Lorelana. The moments in which Lorelana most called him a bastard were the times in which he was desperately trying to protect her, from herself and her sometimes very idiotic ideas. For example, it is dangerously obvious that his people would kill her as soon as they saw her yet she keeps going to spend time with them in disguise, just because she wants to defy him. It feels like he has very little in the way of survival instincts.
Now, I am knocking a point off for two reasons: the first is that at times it was difficult for me to read this book due to the language used. Words such as sobriquet and cyclical which aren’t used often in everyday life or other books I have read forced me to lose immersion as I had to look up what they meant and how to pronounce them. The second thing that made me remove a point is a moment of dubious consent before the relationship had gotten to a verbalized consensual point. If I had been warned I could have braced for it, but the closest I got was a mention under troupes for somnophillia.
I really like the idea of a god come to Earth that ends up destroying everything he touches. The plot that was laid out and well executed. There is a part of me that really hopes for more to their story, but I have a strong feeling based on how the story came to a close that this is a stand-alone story.
Final point is just a fun one and I am sure it will be fixed before release but some of the grammatical errors in this story were just hilarious. My favorite is at the end of chapter 41: Aelen might want me to use this to flee like a coward, but I has other plans.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited when I found out that I got approved for this ARC. This book has everything I love in including: dark romance, dragons, forced proximity, tension, banter, secret identities, and spice.
The world that Aliss built is one that has a dark foreboding feel to it. Once Lorelana (FMC) gives up her thrown to her brother and his magic falters at the coronation ceremony, her life starts to fall apart at a rapid pace. Lorelana and her family are then set to be executed. Out of desperation to save her brother's life, she makes a deadly deal with Ilyatria's king. Only the deal doesn't play out in her family's favor and everything she had plotted after the deal shatters in front of her very eyes. This leaves her dying from a curse until she kills her father and fulfills her part of the agreement. In attempt to escape she is saved by Aelen, a I'Pheri and one of her peoples greatest enemies. Will he become her savior or her personal executioner?
"I'd love the change to make you scream."
This book had me hooked from start to finished and I loved the plot twists. I deducted a start because I felt like the relationship was slightly rushed, but sometimes I feel like that's just what happens in a standalone. Overall, I loved the tension and the spice! The pace was also well executed and never once did I feel like the story was stagnant.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and who is looking for a slow burn romance with a dash of spice!
Thank you Morgona for entrusting me with an ARC copy! I really enjoyed the book from start to finish and I found that I couldn't put it down! I will definitely be on the lookout for future books from you:)
The world that Aliss built is one that has a dark foreboding feel to it. Once Lorelana (FMC) gives up her thrown to her brother and his magic falters at the coronation ceremony, her life starts to fall apart at a rapid pace. Lorelana and her family are then set to be executed. Out of desperation to save her brother's life, she makes a deadly deal with Ilyatria's king. Only the deal doesn't play out in her family's favor and everything she had plotted after the deal shatters in front of her very eyes. This leaves her dying from a curse until she kills her father and fulfills her part of the agreement. In attempt to escape she is saved by Aelen, a I'Pheri and one of her peoples greatest enemies. Will he become her savior or her personal executioner?
"I'd love the change to make you scream."
This book had me hooked from start to finished and I loved the plot twists. I deducted a start because I felt like the relationship was slightly rushed, but sometimes I feel like that's just what happens in a standalone. Overall, I loved the tension and the spice! The pace was also well executed and never once did I feel like the story was stagnant.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and who is looking for a slow burn romance with a dash of spice!
Thank you Morgona for entrusting me with an ARC copy! I really enjoyed the book from start to finish and I found that I couldn't put it down! I will definitely be on the lookout for future books from you:)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Touch-Her-and-Die Vibes
Morally Gray Characters
Dragons & Magic
Power hungry God/Villian
Insta-love with some spice
Hidden Identity
Virgin FMC
Deadly Pact
Betrayal, Trust, and Deception Galore
Welcome to Ilyatria, a dark and dangerous world with rich dystopian vibes. Princess Lorelana is our FMC and narrator, while Aelen, a dragon trainer and son of a power hungry God, is the MMC. On the eve of her execution, Lorelana makes a dark pact that could consume her from the inside unless she kills her own father. To gain the power she needs, she must team up with Aelen, her enemy and the kingdom’s most dangerous dragon trainer, whose secrets and sabotage spark both tension and forbidden attraction. Together, they navigate deadly magic, dragons, and desires that could destroy them both.
I really appreciated the unique storyline and the fact that this is a standalone in a genre I love. The premise felt fresh and exciting, and I was thrilled to discover a new to me author. I especially enjoyed the dragons and the magical world building, those elements were imaginative and really drew me in.
That said, I found the plot pacing a bit slow, and I struggled to fully connect with either main character. The romance leaned into insta love, which is not my personal favorite, and there were moments of miscommunication that felt frustrating. Lorelana’s repeated risky decisions and Aelen’s secret keeping occasionally pulled me out of the story. I do wish the dragons and magic had been explored even more deeply, as those were my favorite aspects.
Overall, I think this will appeal to romantasy fans who enjoy fast burning romance and magical intrigue.
Thank you so much, Morgona Aliss, for the gifted digital copy.
Morally Gray Characters
Dragons & Magic
Power hungry God/Villian
Insta-love with some spice
Hidden Identity
Virgin FMC
Deadly Pact
Betrayal, Trust, and Deception Galore
Welcome to Ilyatria, a dark and dangerous world with rich dystopian vibes. Princess Lorelana is our FMC and narrator, while Aelen, a dragon trainer and son of a power hungry God, is the MMC. On the eve of her execution, Lorelana makes a dark pact that could consume her from the inside unless she kills her own father. To gain the power she needs, she must team up with Aelen, her enemy and the kingdom’s most dangerous dragon trainer, whose secrets and sabotage spark both tension and forbidden attraction. Together, they navigate deadly magic, dragons, and desires that could destroy them both.
I really appreciated the unique storyline and the fact that this is a standalone in a genre I love. The premise felt fresh and exciting, and I was thrilled to discover a new to me author. I especially enjoyed the dragons and the magical world building, those elements were imaginative and really drew me in.
That said, I found the plot pacing a bit slow, and I struggled to fully connect with either main character. The romance leaned into insta love, which is not my personal favorite, and there were moments of miscommunication that felt frustrating. Lorelana’s repeated risky decisions and Aelen’s secret keeping occasionally pulled me out of the story. I do wish the dragons and magic had been explored even more deeply, as those were my favorite aspects.
Overall, I think this will appeal to romantasy fans who enjoy fast burning romance and magical intrigue.
Thank you so much, Morgona Aliss, for the gifted digital copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dragons, Daggers, and a Deliciously Grumpy Shadow Daddy
This story starts at a sprint and never lets up. If you are looking for a high-stakes fantasy with a "shadow daddy" who is equal parts yummy and insufferable, look no further. This book delivers a perfect balance of character growth, expansive world-building, and high-octane action that kept my pulse pounding until the very last page. It features a deliciously sharp and tense enemies-to-lovers slow-burn between a sassy, bratty, order-defying princess and a grumpy, dangerous, possibly-fae protector.
Lorelana is exactly the kind of main character I love. She is refreshingly human—flawed, fearful, and possessing zero interest in being an obedient royal. After she willingly gives up her throne, she enters a mysterious pact with a task to kill her own father, which kicks off the absolute chaos that follows. Enter Aelendir: the "butthole" MMC who hates her. Their dynamic is the highlight of the book; they stay at each other’s throats for a hot minute before begrudgingly teaming up to fight a greater evil. Watching him show her how to pick her own dragon was a personal favorite moment 🐉.
Just when you think you’ve pinned the story down, the stakes skyrocket and the world expands into an explosive, adventurous ride. The scenes are vivid and sometimes gloriously gory, making the heartache Lorelana endures feel incredibly real. She remains fierce, driven, and unwavering despite relentless misfortune. By the end, I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and already itching for the next book. What started as a slow build turned into a heart-racing payoff that was well worth the time. This was an incredible read, and I already know I need more from this author as soon as possible.
This story starts at a sprint and never lets up. If you are looking for a high-stakes fantasy with a "shadow daddy" who is equal parts yummy and insufferable, look no further. This book delivers a perfect balance of character growth, expansive world-building, and high-octane action that kept my pulse pounding until the very last page. It features a deliciously sharp and tense enemies-to-lovers slow-burn between a sassy, bratty, order-defying princess and a grumpy, dangerous, possibly-fae protector.
Lorelana is exactly the kind of main character I love. She is refreshingly human—flawed, fearful, and possessing zero interest in being an obedient royal. After she willingly gives up her throne, she enters a mysterious pact with a task to kill her own father, which kicks off the absolute chaos that follows. Enter Aelendir: the "butthole" MMC who hates her. Their dynamic is the highlight of the book; they stay at each other’s throats for a hot minute before begrudgingly teaming up to fight a greater evil. Watching him show her how to pick her own dragon was a personal favorite moment 🐉.
Just when you think you’ve pinned the story down, the stakes skyrocket and the world expands into an explosive, adventurous ride. The scenes are vivid and sometimes gloriously gory, making the heartache Lorelana endures feel incredibly real. She remains fierce, driven, and unwavering despite relentless misfortune. By the end, I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and already itching for the next book. What started as a slow build turned into a heart-racing payoff that was well worth the time. This was an incredible read, and I already know I need more from this author as soon as possible.
January 10, 2026
I enjoyed this book so much and am so sad it’s not going to be a series and is just a standalone because I would love more of these characters and this world!
You follow the main character, a princess as she’s in the depths of her kingdom, rescuing a friend, when she is beaten by guards on the eve of her brother’s coronation. When the crown is placed on his head, and not all goes as planned, her father the king makes accusations she cannot overcome and locks them all in jail, sentenced to death. On deaths door she makes a binding promise to an unknown monster in the shadows to kill her father in exchange for her freedom. As she escapes she must learn to trust the man who helped free her and train to overpower her father before the time runs out on the deal she made.
This book mixed some of my favorite tropes all into one, with dragon riding and bonds, the loss of family and finding a new one in others, a unyielding FMC who will do anything for her people, and of course plenty of tension between her and the man she’s locked in a cabin with as she trains. I couldn’t put this book down and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next, especially near the end as both gut wrenching betrayals and secrets were unveiled amongst battles and a fighting of wills to overcome kept happening! Overall I really enjoyed this book and my rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own
You follow the main character, a princess as she’s in the depths of her kingdom, rescuing a friend, when she is beaten by guards on the eve of her brother’s coronation. When the crown is placed on his head, and not all goes as planned, her father the king makes accusations she cannot overcome and locks them all in jail, sentenced to death. On deaths door she makes a binding promise to an unknown monster in the shadows to kill her father in exchange for her freedom. As she escapes she must learn to trust the man who helped free her and train to overpower her father before the time runs out on the deal she made.
This book mixed some of my favorite tropes all into one, with dragon riding and bonds, the loss of family and finding a new one in others, a unyielding FMC who will do anything for her people, and of course plenty of tension between her and the man she’s locked in a cabin with as she trains. I couldn’t put this book down and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next, especially near the end as both gut wrenching betrayals and secrets were unveiled amongst battles and a fighting of wills to overcome kept happening! Overall I really enjoyed this book and my rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The world building of this world is one of my favorite aspects of this story. The lore of the people and their gods is always something that excites me in books. As the story goes along, you learn with FMC about what is truly happening, and this world is dark.
Our FMC is very different from what is typical for a princess, from gambling with peasants to killing a knight. Top that with someone who is not afraid to yell and get messy, and you have a very unique FMC.
The romance is this can best be described as strong, but not in an instant love way and more in the way that both of our main characters are strong willed and are at each other's throats even when they began to recognize that they like each other. They are supposed to be enemies, and while not actively trying to kill each other, they do truly feel like enemies.
Sadly, this dynamic was not for me, but if you like the building of a relationship to feel like they are one step away from stabbing the other, I think you will enjoy this!
The steam/spicy in this book seems to also be on a darker side with one of the more spicy scenes seeming to be more of a CNC type thing (which I was not able to enjoy and DNFed at) but I know if you like MMC who comes with built in ropes (shadow powers) I don't think this will be a problem for you as it was for me.
Overall, this book is for someone who likes things dark and messy with a side of trauma.
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
Our FMC is very different from what is typical for a princess, from gambling with peasants to killing a knight. Top that with someone who is not afraid to yell and get messy, and you have a very unique FMC.
The romance is this can best be described as strong, but not in an instant love way and more in the way that both of our main characters are strong willed and are at each other's throats even when they began to recognize that they like each other. They are supposed to be enemies, and while not actively trying to kill each other, they do truly feel like enemies.
Sadly, this dynamic was not for me, but if you like the building of a relationship to feel like they are one step away from stabbing the other, I think you will enjoy this!
The steam/spicy in this book seems to also be on a darker side with one of the more spicy scenes seeming to be more of a CNC type thing (which I was not able to enjoy and DNFed at) but I know if you like MMC who comes with built in ropes (shadow powers) I don't think this will be a problem for you as it was for me.
Overall, this book is for someone who likes things dark and messy with a side of trauma.
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book. And unusual in fantasy or romantasy to find a stand alone, but this one is, and it was refreshing.
For some reason I can't explain. the book did not hold a need in me to finish from beginning to end. Not sure why, but I always wanted to pick it back up again, and continue the story. That is not necessarily bad, because then it's possible to get to sleep at a decent time, without the famous "just one more chapter."
I like the FMC, I liked that she is strong but at the same time have lots of flaws. and are stubborn to a fault. I loved the MMC, how you feel you know him but there is still a mystery surrounding him constantly. The story was brilliant and the way it was told was expertly done. Some twist was easy to guess. but you where never quite sure about the ending. The one thing I did miss was one or two side characters you got invested in and befriend when reading. In this book all side characters was just there. there was some interactions, but nothing substantial. But at the same time there is so much depth to both main characters they easily carried most of the story alone, and it was absolutely enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and to Victory editing netgalley co-op f for making it possible for me to get this ARC (Advanced reader copy) And giving me about 9 hours of pure enjoyment in the form of escapism.
I really enjoyed this book. And unusual in fantasy or romantasy to find a stand alone, but this one is, and it was refreshing.
For some reason I can't explain. the book did not hold a need in me to finish from beginning to end. Not sure why, but I always wanted to pick it back up again, and continue the story. That is not necessarily bad, because then it's possible to get to sleep at a decent time, without the famous "just one more chapter."
I like the FMC, I liked that she is strong but at the same time have lots of flaws. and are stubborn to a fault. I loved the MMC, how you feel you know him but there is still a mystery surrounding him constantly. The story was brilliant and the way it was told was expertly done. Some twist was easy to guess. but you where never quite sure about the ending. The one thing I did miss was one or two side characters you got invested in and befriend when reading. In this book all side characters was just there. there was some interactions, but nothing substantial. But at the same time there is so much depth to both main characters they easily carried most of the story alone, and it was absolutely enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and to Victory editing netgalley co-op f for making it possible for me to get this ARC (Advanced reader copy) And giving me about 9 hours of pure enjoyment in the form of escapism.
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