Crown So Cruel: A Golden City Novel

by Emily Blackwood

348 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2025

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book!

​While this isn't my first Emily Blackwood book, it was my first time entering the Golden City world and I loved it! This story made me want to immediately go back and read the first two books about their friends. I can already tell I’m going to love Hunt and Wolf’s story.

Despite being a spin-off from the first two books, it absolutely held its own. ​I truly enjoyed Jessiah and Rummy. Their banter was incredibly fun and the flashbacks to their past were perfectly timed. I love a good flashback especially it adds depth to the relationship without being distracting to the main plot.

​One of my favorite aspects was that this is a standalone "one-shot." While I love a long romantasy series, it was so refreshing to have a story that felt complete in one book with lower stakes. It was the perfect palette cleanser! While the ending was a bit predictable, the buildup and Rummy’s character growth were so well done that it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

​I can definitely see myself rereading this one in the future when I need a fun standalone romantasy!

[Megan (meglivestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a good enemies to lovers with all the banter, READ THIS BOOK! I read the first two in this world and this one can completely be read as a standalone!

[Aluralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from the author, all opinions are my own.

I haven't read the first two books in this series and that was ok. This is a separate story all together. If you have read the first two books in the Golden City series you will recognize characters, and probably understand that back story a bit more. However, I don't feel that not reading it took away from enjoying Crown So Cruel. I found this a pretty quick and easy read that kept me entertained.

What this does deal with is a character that deals with self loathing, depression, and just the absolute feeling of not fitting in and unlovable. So if any of that can be a trigger, be aware.

What I also found was learning to lean on others, and realizing how we view ourselves is not always how others see us. We can internalize and focus on the bad, and not always realize that our own self doubt is always worse than what it actually is. I loved seeing the conclusion of this book, and having Rummy finally accept and find her self worth.

The banter between Jessiah and Rummy was crazy, the kind only enemies to lovers can pull off. This does not end in a cliffhanger and the storyline is wrapped up in this book and can be read as a standalone.

[Jamila zaidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 1.5

✨(Yes, I’m a little late posting this one 😩but better late than never when a book hits this hard 👑)✨

✨I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC, and while it can be read without the Golden City books, I personally wish I had read Wings So Wicked and Blood So Brutal first because I hate tiny spoilers 😅
That said… WOW. This book still absolutely hit.✨

✨We meet Rummy, who starts off feeling like a nobody, and listen some of her actions had me questioning her HARD 👀. At times I wanted to shake her, not gonna lie. But watching her grow, watching her realize just how much she is loved? Completely worth it. When she said:
💔 “Help me. Help me. Help me.” My heart shattered. ✨

✨And then there’s Jessiah. Was he a dick sometimes? Yes. Did I still love him? Also yes 😌
Their dynamic was tense, messy, and full of forced proximity goodness and when he said:
🥲 “I’ll have you. I’ll have you. I’ll have you.”
I was GONE. Feral. No thoughts, just vibes.✨

✨This book made it very clear that I need the rest of this series immediately, because I am fully invested and cannot wait to dive back into this world.✨

🔥 TROPES & SPICY VIBES 🔥
🩸 Vampyres with attitude
😤 Enemies (and I mean can’t stand you)
🔥 Forced proximity = tension CENTRAL
👀 Reluctant alliance with feelings
🖤 Touch her and die 💀 energy (eventually)
🥀 Angst, yearning & emotional damage
🧳 Road trip chaos but make it fantasy
👑 Powerful kingdoms & political drama
💔 Girl growth + found family feels
💬 “I’ll have you” = FERAL behaviour

✨If you love emotional character growth, complicated relationships, and fantasy that sneaks up on your heart then read this.✨

Huge thank you to Emily Blackwood for this ARC 💕

[Toni Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to start off the year with! I had previously read the first 2 books in this series BUT if you haven’t, don’t worry!! This can be read without having read the first 2!! Although, I would suggest reading them anyways because they were equally great!

The best way to keep me invested in a book is the BANTER and this book delivered it in spades! Not just with Rummy and Jessiah, but with other characters as well (I’m looking at you Xavier)! I absolutely loved the interactions we were given between the main characters as well as the side characters!

Not only does this book give you banter, but it also deals with some self-loathing, depression and loneliness right off the bat. This is important to note as it does play a big part in the book so if these are triggers for you, you are aware going into it. HOWEVER, you get to see the characters work through these feelings and come out even stronger in the end which I absolutely loved!

So, if you are a fan of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fae & vampyres, a bumpy road self-discovery and a wild journey to save a kingdom, this is the book for you!!

Spice Level: 🌶️

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of this book from the author, however the following are my honest opinions and would be the same had I purchased the book.

I believe that this book could be read without having read the other Golden City books. Crown So Cruel takes place 2 years after the events of the others books and focuses on Rummy and Jessiah, who are side characters from Wings So Wicked and Blood So Brutal. I have read both of those books and would recommend them as they give you more information into the world and event that lead up to Crown So Cruel.

I loved going back to Scarlata and revisiting some of my favorite characters, Huntyr and Wolf. I found the dynamic between Rummy, Jessiah and Xavier to be entertaining. (FYI, there isn't a love triangle, but I know thats sentence kind of reads as though there is one). Emily never disappoints with her banter, tension and emotional rollercoasters. I enjoy having the dual POV and feel that it adds to the story to be able to see both perspectives of the events taking place.

I can't wait to add a physical copy of this book to my personal library. This is one that I would definitely re-read.

[Jen ⌇ jens.liiibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so excited for Rummy and Jessiah's story. Now that I have it, I can say I absolutely loved it and it was worth the wait!

Emily really dug deep into me with Rummy in this book, and it turned in to a very emotional read for me. Feeling like I don't belong, and like I'm not deserving of the things I have - is something that I have always struggled with daily, so seeing Rummy's growth throughout Crown so Cruel was really something that I needed.

Obviously our lives are drastically different; I am not living in a world of fae and other creatures, and I am not fighting with the very attractive son of an archangel with a huge wingspan... even so, having that small connection to Rummy through out this book made it that much more impactful, and inspiring for me.

All around, I loved this story. The bickering and banter between Rum and Jes, getting into both of their heads and seeing what they feel, the travel they have to do together and the forced proximity, the secrets that they're both holding close, and the whole storyline all make for a fantastic read and I am so glad that Emily shared this book with us!

[arelireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’all I breezed through this book.

I loved reading Rummy and Jessiah’s story. It was truly a good time.

Rummy…
Don’t get me wrong Rum can be frustrating but it makes sense. This girl has fought her own personal demons for a long time. She pushes people away for a reason….and speaking of that reason, I was waiting for it to come! And when it did I just knew it was going to be sad.
“As if I was worth all the smiles” 😭 Rummy, my heart ached for how broken you were. You deserved your ending 🤍

And Jessiah…..
I just loved him. The stubbornness, the jealousy, the banter, the devotion to her. Sorry love but we knew your emotions. Love just don’t go away. His daddy issues causing some mental battles too…

Let’s just say I love my damaged people, believing they aren’t worth it, believing that they don’t deserve any better, and I absolutely LOVE when they get their happy ending (even when Emily almost took that from us😭💔)💕


P.s. Xavier is a fun side character. The flirting, no holding back, and just how real he is with everyone.

[Jessica B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The enemies to lovers were done super well. The magic system was so good. The plot though!! I could not stop reading because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. There was so many secrets that I wanted to find out and so I binged this book. I highly recommend this book. It was a fun, easy read and I never wanted to put it down. The tension in some scenes were so good and the JEALOUSY coming from Jessiah! Like yes, he’s obsessed. The love confession in the whispering caves had me in awe. But their relationship was giving me major whiplash 😂 like hurry up and just open up to each other because clearly you guys love each other. Some little plot twist with Matthias I did not expect at the end and Jessiah sacrificing himself for Rummy to save everyone had me sobbing, I’m so glad that she was able to bring him back from the dead. I kinda had a feeling she could. I wish I could read this for the first time again

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I seen this book coming out soon, I jumped right to it. This one pulled me straight back in like no time had passed, and then immediately wrecked me in the best way. I didn’t expect to feel this much, but wow… it hit deep.

The tension between these two? Constant. Heavy. Uncomfortable in that delicious, emotionally loaded way where every interaction feels like it’s hiding something explosive underneath. I loved how nothing was easy between them everything felt earned, layered, and messy in a very human (well… vampy) way.

What really got me was the emotional weight. There’s so much quiet pain, so much unsaid stuff just sitting there, and it made every moment feel charged. I found myself wanting to shake both of them and hug them at the same time. The inner struggles, the self-doubt, the walls they’ve built? Yeah… that lingered.

This story didn’t just entertain me, it stayed with me.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0⭐️ 2.0🌶️

Crown so Cruel is a Golden City novel but you do not need to read the first two books first to understand this one. It is a quick paced, slow burn, forced proximity, enemies to lovers. There is plenty of banter and political intrigue to keep a reader interested.

The characters are lovable and have plenty of chemistry. This story brings back our MCs Wolf and Huntyr from the first two books and few others. Can I just say how much I love Xavier and the comedic relief he supplied at times.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and could hardly set it down.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Vampyres & Fae
Forced Proximity
Political Intrigue
Reluctant Alliance
Hidden Masks
Romantasy
High Stakes
Prophecy


Thank you Emily Blackwood for my early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first two books, but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy Rummy and Jessiah's story. CSC starts two years after the second book ends, and our FMC, Rummy, is full of self loathing believing she's worthless being a magic less Fae. Her defense mechanism is pushing everyone away and keeping her bff, Huntyr, at a distance. After receiving a letter from another kingdom asking for help, Rummy and Jessiah (MMC) are sent to investigate and collect more information. Rummy is forced to confront personal fears and learn to trust her friends' love and acceptance.

Being able to see the kingdom after a couple years have passed and revisit these awesome characters was a lot of fun. Check out the series!

[Kimmy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

That emotional turmoil at the end but Rummy had her own thoughts about it so we got the HEA 😆🖤 I absolutely love the Golden City series and E.B’s writing style. The pace throughout the book kind of threw me off a bit. The first half of the book had me assuming we’d get another book but then the last half of the book rushed everything along Nonetheless Emily did a fantastic job with Rummy and Jessiah’s story and I’m sad it’s over but thank you so much for my first ever ARC I had been waiting for this book for ALL of 2025 and it did not disappoint 🤩 may just have to reread the whole series because I already miss these characters 😭😂

[Danielle Stricklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set 2 years after the first 2 books. This book can be read as a standalone or after you have enjoyed the others. I went in a little blind having not read the other ones. I was able to understand the whole book and did not have any confusion or feeling like I was missing the story. But I will say after reading it I will be going back and reading them! I really enjoyed the characters, the banter, the magic! The plot was so good,I could not get enough! This was an amazing fast paced read! I highly recommend it! Thank you so much @authoremilyblackwood for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC Team!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Tysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful epic fantasy, with a fantastic slow-burn romance and magic.

Rummy is a Fae who keeps her magic locked away, following the death of her mother. She's convinced herself that she's worthless, and that everyone looks down on her. Will the Angel Jessiah help her see that she's wrong? Or will their rocky relationship just get worse?

I enjoyed this story a lot. I was a little concerned that my enjoyment would be hampered by the fact I'd not read the two Golden City books that came before this one, but I needn't have worried, as it works just fine as a stand alone story.

I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Natasha Bovee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this book I wish I had read the first 2 Golden City books first. I think it would have shed light on a lot of things that it seemed I was already supposed to know. This one is its own story, but I was missing all the background information about the world. I enjoyed this story. It was interesting and I wanted to know more. I did not really like Rummy for the first 60% of the book though. I felt that she was overly hostile to Jessiah and really couldn’t see how they could turn from enemies to lovers. It worked out, but I felt like the change was too abrupt for my liking. I appreciate when it is a little more gradual.

[Mel Fandom]

I'm devastated that I'm dnf-ing this but this has honestly not been the same quality as the Golden City duet and I'm sad to say it. This feels very much like two main characters that are teenagers but try to act like adults by swearing, drinking and other things while bickering and calling each other names and having a general serious problem wirh communicating. This did not have the depth I expected, the characters didn't have the complexity that I found in Golden City and so, I won't take this further. I hope my next Emily Blackwood forray will be more positive. 

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rummy is relatable, but her and Jessiah were lowkey super toxic to each other for most of the book. Then, when we get into it, it's almost as if they do a 180 immediately. Honestly, it couldn't be me cause some of the things they said were so mean.

The ending seemed a little rushed to me, so I didn't enjoy that part much. It was kind of a one and done situation, and it felt like I zoned out for 1 second, and then bam, we're done.

[Kerriann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revisiting this world through Jessiah and Rummy's eyes was delightful. The development of their relationship was the best part of the story, and yes there's a HEA. What fell a little short for me were the problems they had to solve, both between them and the distress of another kingdom.

Overall, this series is enjoyable.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review.