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The King's Wren: Part One: An Enemies to Lovers Romantasy
They called the crown’s assassin a ghost.
When Prince Caelan Thorne orders the “man” behind the kingdom’s discreet victories dragged into his castle, he expects a weapon he can aim. He doesn’t expect Nyra—sharp-tongued, blade-fast, and furious enough to spit in a prince’s face… then vanish through a locked door five minutes later.
Caelan should let her go. He should forget the way she looks at him like he’s the enemy she was born to end. But the moment he realizes someone is hunting her inside his own walls—and using her kills to spark a war—he does the only thing he he keeps her close.
Nyra has survived tyrants, handlers, and holy men with torches. She’s not about to become a royal pet now. She wants freedom, not a throne. Especially not the kind built on lies and blood.
But as conspiracies tighten, oaths start snapping, and the kingdom demands a monster to blame… Caelan and Nyra are forced into an alliance neither of them can afford.
Because if the traitor wins, Caelan loses his crown.
And Nyra loses the one thing she’s never had—a choice.
Enemies to lovers. He falls first. Assassin heroine. Forced proximity. Deadly court intrigue.
When Prince Caelan Thorne orders the “man” behind the kingdom’s discreet victories dragged into his castle, he expects a weapon he can aim. He doesn’t expect Nyra—sharp-tongued, blade-fast, and furious enough to spit in a prince’s face… then vanish through a locked door five minutes later.
Caelan should let her go. He should forget the way she looks at him like he’s the enemy she was born to end. But the moment he realizes someone is hunting her inside his own walls—and using her kills to spark a war—he does the only thing he he keeps her close.
Nyra has survived tyrants, handlers, and holy men with torches. She’s not about to become a royal pet now. She wants freedom, not a throne. Especially not the kind built on lies and blood.
But as conspiracies tighten, oaths start snapping, and the kingdom demands a monster to blame… Caelan and Nyra are forced into an alliance neither of them can afford.
Because if the traitor wins, Caelan loses his crown.
And Nyra loses the one thing she’s never had—a choice.
Enemies to lovers. He falls first. Assassin heroine. Forced proximity. Deadly court intrigue.
563 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am blown away by this book! Ari Roper has never written a bad book and that continues in The King's Wren! I absolutely adored this book. The slow burn was absolutely killing me! I loved Jory and the banter he brought. And Caelan and Nyra 🥹
I absolutely cannot wait to read more in part 2! I am beyond excited. This book is so well written, the characters are incredible too, there's so much depth to them. And the yearning ugh, I can't deal. If you like a slow burn, assassins, mystery and magic, this is definitely for you!
I absolutely cannot wait to read more in part 2! I am beyond excited. This book is so well written, the characters are incredible too, there's so much depth to them. And the yearning ugh, I can't deal. If you like a slow burn, assassins, mystery and magic, this is definitely for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't usually read romantasy, but thought i would try and give it go, I found this is a good read.
Ari is great at bring the characters and world alive and it just pulls you in from the start.
This reminds me of a fairy tale you would read when younger but adults version.
The character development and storyline are consistent and it will be a book you fall in love with.
If you love romantasy then I recommend reading this book!
Ari is great at bring the characters and world alive and it just pulls you in from the start.
This reminds me of a fairy tale you would read when younger but adults version.
The character development and storyline are consistent and it will be a book you fall in love with.
If you love romantasy then I recommend reading this book!
March 22, 2026
This was such a beautiful story. Her descriptions have you feeling emotion in everything. Caelan and Nyra are adorable in their banter, sharp and deadly. The cast of characters had me laughing more than once.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC. The author does an amazing job of bringing the world and characters to life. It feels like you are right there in the room watching the drama unfold.
The story is a perfect blend of fantasy and romance with everything from kings/princes, bandits/ruffians, political intrigue, assassins, magic, curses.....what more could you want?
The main characters, Caelan and Nyra, come from opposite worlds. They should not be together, but necessity deemed proximity. In a world that tries to keep them apart, can they actually be together or are they just doomed to be star-crossed as a bigger threat awaits?
Bravo to Ari! I can't wait for Caelan and Nyra's story to continue in part 2.
The story is a perfect blend of fantasy and romance with everything from kings/princes, bandits/ruffians, political intrigue, assassins, magic, curses.....what more could you want?
The main characters, Caelan and Nyra, come from opposite worlds. They should not be together, but necessity deemed proximity. In a world that tries to keep them apart, can they actually be together or are they just doomed to be star-crossed as a bigger threat awaits?
Bravo to Ari! I can't wait for Caelan and Nyra's story to continue in part 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I CANT WAIT FOR MORE
I am completely absorbed into this world and Nyra and Caelan.
This world the author has created is so beautifully detailed and described. Normally, I struggle with being able to picture the scenery but Ari has written in such a way that I can view the camp, the castle, the various chambers/rooms — and I want to translocate
Onto the real stars of the show: Characters
Nyra - she is so smart, savage and kind wrapped in a beautiful but rough around the edges package. It’s amazing to me how someone with so much power uses it for such greater good. She’s so compassionate and empathetic. Especially when her family has been cursed. Her shadow and poison are a fascinating combination that had me absolutely anxious to see how she would manage to use them and exist in the world.
Caelan - clearly sheltered by the crown, we get to see the veil lift through this story as the reality of the world is exposed. His chapters are both wonderful and heartbreaking as his monologue describes his reactions to seeing the kingdom without his rose colored glasses.
BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER GOES TO JORY
Ok, so I’m heavily bias because I adore him, but Jory is THE comic relief among a story where a prince hires an assassin to protect him from other assassination. I had may laugh out loud moments with Jory.
What makes this story such a good read besides the above is we get these blurred lines between good/evil, necessary/unnecessary, the crown/the people. This is a slowburn romance but I assure you this story is not slow. There is a plethora of drama and action. You won’t even realized how much your reading cause you’ll be sucked in.
WHO SHOULD READ:
If you love Romantasy, world building, character building, yearning/longing, action/battle, antihero’s, sarcasm, blurred lines between good and evil all wrapped up in a “who is trying to assassinate the print” story, this is for you.
Keep in mind - this is a part 1, that means there will be a part 2 necessary AND I NEED IT 😍
I am completely absorbed into this world and Nyra and Caelan.
This world the author has created is so beautifully detailed and described. Normally, I struggle with being able to picture the scenery but Ari has written in such a way that I can view the camp, the castle, the various chambers/rooms — and I want to translocate
Onto the real stars of the show: Characters
Nyra - she is so smart, savage and kind wrapped in a beautiful but rough around the edges package. It’s amazing to me how someone with so much power uses it for such greater good. She’s so compassionate and empathetic. Especially when her family has been cursed. Her shadow and poison are a fascinating combination that had me absolutely anxious to see how she would manage to use them and exist in the world.
Caelan - clearly sheltered by the crown, we get to see the veil lift through this story as the reality of the world is exposed. His chapters are both wonderful and heartbreaking as his monologue describes his reactions to seeing the kingdom without his rose colored glasses.
BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER GOES TO JORY
Ok, so I’m heavily bias because I adore him, but Jory is THE comic relief among a story where a prince hires an assassin to protect him from other assassination. I had may laugh out loud moments with Jory.
What makes this story such a good read besides the above is we get these blurred lines between good/evil, necessary/unnecessary, the crown/the people. This is a slowburn romance but I assure you this story is not slow. There is a plethora of drama and action. You won’t even realized how much your reading cause you’ll be sucked in.
WHO SHOULD READ:
If you love Romantasy, world building, character building, yearning/longing, action/battle, antihero’s, sarcasm, blurred lines between good and evil all wrapped up in a “who is trying to assassinate the print” story, this is for you.
Keep in mind - this is a part 1, that means there will be a part 2 necessary AND I NEED IT 😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I received this book as an ARC, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the premise intrigued me enough to dive in. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying the story. The book is a well-balanced mix of romance, fantasy, drama, political intrigue, assassins, and richly developed characters, all coming together to create a compelling reading experience.
Author Ari Roper brings the world to life with vivid and immersive descriptions, making it easy to feel as though you’re walking alongside the characters through their journey. I usually need some time to fully sink into fantasy romances, but this story pulled me in from the very first pages.
The characters are without a doubt the strongest part of the book. Nyra is a fascinating main character—intelligent, a little wild, sharp-tongued, and even sharper with a blade. Her power is deadly, yet she chooses to use it for the good of others. Despite the curse that has long plagued her family, she has not lost her compassion or inner goodness.
Prince Caelan, the heir to the throne, begins the story sheltered from the realities of the world, but that illusion quickly shatters. Watching him come to terms with the truth about his kingdom and grow disillusioned with the polished version he once believed in is one of the most engaging aspects of the story. Jory, a supporting character and the prince’s trusted companion, adds welcome moments of humor and lightness.
The story doesn’t draw a clear line between good and evil—morality is blurred, and choices are rarely simple. Although this is a slow-burn romance, the plot itself is fast-paced, filled with action, tension, and unexpected twists. If you enjoy romantasy with immersive worldbuilding, strong characters, longing between the leads, a touch of action, and morally gray protagonists, this book is definitely worth picking up. My only disappointment is that this is just the first book—I’m already eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Author Ari Roper brings the world to life with vivid and immersive descriptions, making it easy to feel as though you’re walking alongside the characters through their journey. I usually need some time to fully sink into fantasy romances, but this story pulled me in from the very first pages.
The characters are without a doubt the strongest part of the book. Nyra is a fascinating main character—intelligent, a little wild, sharp-tongued, and even sharper with a blade. Her power is deadly, yet she chooses to use it for the good of others. Despite the curse that has long plagued her family, she has not lost her compassion or inner goodness.
Prince Caelan, the heir to the throne, begins the story sheltered from the realities of the world, but that illusion quickly shatters. Watching him come to terms with the truth about his kingdom and grow disillusioned with the polished version he once believed in is one of the most engaging aspects of the story. Jory, a supporting character and the prince’s trusted companion, adds welcome moments of humor and lightness.
The story doesn’t draw a clear line between good and evil—morality is blurred, and choices are rarely simple. Although this is a slow-burn romance, the plot itself is fast-paced, filled with action, tension, and unexpected twists. If you enjoy romantasy with immersive worldbuilding, strong characters, longing between the leads, a touch of action, and morally gray protagonists, this book is definitely worth picking up. My only disappointment is that this is just the first book—I’m already eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was so good, I was hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the characters, especially the banter between them and the stories they shared along the way. The dynamic felt lively and engaging, and it made me want to linger in every scene.
The book centers on two main characters. Caelean, a prince on the verge of becoming king, survives an assassination attempt and is forced to seek protection from the mysterious figure known only as the Wren, an unseen assassin who always collects a debt for their services. No one knows who the Wren is or what they look like, which adds an irresistible layer of intrigue.
During his search, Caelean meets Morrow, a captivating storyteller surrounded by two men and a woman. They agree to protect the prince, and Morrow claims to be the Wren. However, the truth is far more complicated: Nyra, the quiet woman in their group, is the real Wren.
Nyra’s backstory is heartbreaking. She was cursed by Caelean’s family, doomed to kill anyone she touches, except for her mother. As a child, she lost her father after granting his final wish to hold her, and later her mother died from the brutal winter cold, leaving Nyra completely alone. This tragic history shapes her into a guarded yet incredibly strong character.
As Caelean spends more time with Nyra, his curiosity turns into admiration and then something deeper. She isn’t afraid of him, doesn’t flinch from him, and challenges everything he thought he knew. When another assassination attempt throws them both into a river, Caelean rescues her, and discovers something impossible: he can touch her without harm.
That moment changes everything. Nyra, who has lived her life without human contact, is finally able to be held. Watching her open up emotionally was powerful and tender, and their growing connection felt earned rather than rushed.
The story ends with more to come, and I am completely invested. I cannot wait to see where their journey goes next!
The book centers on two main characters. Caelean, a prince on the verge of becoming king, survives an assassination attempt and is forced to seek protection from the mysterious figure known only as the Wren, an unseen assassin who always collects a debt for their services. No one knows who the Wren is or what they look like, which adds an irresistible layer of intrigue.
During his search, Caelean meets Morrow, a captivating storyteller surrounded by two men and a woman. They agree to protect the prince, and Morrow claims to be the Wren. However, the truth is far more complicated: Nyra, the quiet woman in their group, is the real Wren.
Nyra’s backstory is heartbreaking. She was cursed by Caelean’s family, doomed to kill anyone she touches, except for her mother. As a child, she lost her father after granting his final wish to hold her, and later her mother died from the brutal winter cold, leaving Nyra completely alone. This tragic history shapes her into a guarded yet incredibly strong character.
As Caelean spends more time with Nyra, his curiosity turns into admiration and then something deeper. She isn’t afraid of him, doesn’t flinch from him, and challenges everything he thought he knew. When another assassination attempt throws them both into a river, Caelean rescues her, and discovers something impossible: he can touch her without harm.
That moment changes everything. Nyra, who has lived her life without human contact, is finally able to be held. Watching her open up emotionally was powerful and tender, and their growing connection felt earned rather than rushed.
The story ends with more to come, and I am completely invested. I cannot wait to see where their journey goes next!
February 19, 2026
Such a fantastic read with so many emotions involved. I love Prince Caelan and Nyra’s story. The banter and dry humor are top tier and had me laughing multiple times. Ari does a great job constructing a world that shows clearly the difficulties and differences between the lives the MMC and FMC lead, how each has lived a life that would shatter and destroy most people, and how, though they be from different worlds, they are not so different from each other. Both are fighters and survivors in their own rights. Both carry heavy burdens with grace. Both carry nearly impossible expectations that have exceptional consequences if they fail. With the kingdom at stake, Nyra agrees to help protect Prince Caelan against the assassination attempts on his life in exchange for a price too precious to measure in gold. As assassins become bolder, Caelan and Nyra must learn to work together and come to trust one another, which might be the biggest danger of all.
Favorite Quotes:
“They’ll blame anyone but the truth: that cruelty isn’t invincible. It just hasn’t met the right blade yet.”
“The Wren remembers being in a cage. The Wren saves children even when it’s inconvenient. The Wren recruits the angry because anger doesn’t break easily.”
“You’re afraid that if someone wants you, it will be for the crown…and you’re afraid…that if they want you despite the crown…then you might actually have something worth wanting.”
“You don’t have to earn love by suffering.”
“They don’t make you a monster…They make you someone who survived.”
“You don’t have to keep running…You don’t have to keep pulling away if that isn’t what you want…I know who you are, I know what you’ve done. I know what you can do. And it doesn’t scare me.”
Favorite Quotes:
“They’ll blame anyone but the truth: that cruelty isn’t invincible. It just hasn’t met the right blade yet.”
“The Wren remembers being in a cage. The Wren saves children even when it’s inconvenient. The Wren recruits the angry because anger doesn’t break easily.”
“You’re afraid that if someone wants you, it will be for the crown…and you’re afraid…that if they want you despite the crown…then you might actually have something worth wanting.”
“You don’t have to earn love by suffering.”
“They don’t make you a monster…They make you someone who survived.”
“You don’t have to keep running…You don’t have to keep pulling away if that isn’t what you want…I know who you are, I know what you’ve done. I know what you can do. And it doesn’t scare me.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review!
This book was soo interesting!!! The thing that I loved the most was the fmc's powers - they were written so well, so intriguing, I haven't seen anything like in books this till now. It made me fall in love with it, and want to have it myself! The way how it described what is it, how it wroks was very unique, I adore it. The fmc herself is such a badass, I love her so so much. The darkness that she carries, but the kindness that she holds in her heart is such a good balance; het witty responses, the silence and calm that she presents was so powerful, it snagged my attention immediately.
Then we have the mmc - the sweet, confident but burdened with responsibilities prince. I loved how he noticed her from the first moment that he met her, but still was always respectful, honest and wanted to abide by her boundaries, so that she would be content and safe, has my heart.
I loooved their chemistry, banter and all those longing stolen glances. It was a slow burn, and that tension which led to that final destination was so fulfilling!
Honestly, I loved everything about this book - from the plot, magic, secrets to the characters, their dynamics, voices and characteristics. (though the one thing that could be avoided is the repetition of the same scenes descriptions that I've saw...) Overall, I loved it, gave it 5 stars and am so excited to read the second book.
This book was soo interesting!!! The thing that I loved the most was the fmc's powers - they were written so well, so intriguing, I haven't seen anything like in books this till now. It made me fall in love with it, and want to have it myself! The way how it described what is it, how it wroks was very unique, I adore it. The fmc herself is such a badass, I love her so so much. The darkness that she carries, but the kindness that she holds in her heart is such a good balance; het witty responses, the silence and calm that she presents was so powerful, it snagged my attention immediately.
Then we have the mmc - the sweet, confident but burdened with responsibilities prince. I loved how he noticed her from the first moment that he met her, but still was always respectful, honest and wanted to abide by her boundaries, so that she would be content and safe, has my heart.
I loooved their chemistry, banter and all those longing stolen glances. It was a slow burn, and that tension which led to that final destination was so fulfilling!
Honestly, I loved everything about this book - from the plot, magic, secrets to the characters, their dynamics, voices and characteristics. (though the one thing that could be avoided is the repetition of the same scenes descriptions that I've saw...) Overall, I loved it, gave it 5 stars and am so excited to read the second book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed reading a story where the MMC prince is such a softie. He seems so tough and stubborn in his role and yet balances it all with empathy and kindness which is a nice break from the scary shadow Daddy.
The FMC and her complexity was vital to the story. The internal battles she has within herself, trying to be good but convinced she's less than. I wish we got the curse dealt with this book, or at least figured out who the assassin was. BUT a bit of a spicy ending never hurts. It was a tad confusing though. Did they? did they almost?! I couldn't tell.
I do wish the pacing was a bit faster than it was. The book was filled with about 20% plot and 80% banter and internal dialogue. Then the plot we were led on with ended up giving us no answers. So that was a bit disappointing.
The captain is hot in his broodiness but how is he always awake?! Maybe that's a guard thing.
The rest of the Wrens cohort seems like a fun vibe. although I have a feeling their character development will come out a lot more in the next book. Then theres the king (regent). His dynamic I find really intriguing. He seems really kind but I have a feeling he is somehow tied to what's going on with Caelan. No clue how!! Very mysterious, but just a little prickle of a feeling.
The FMC and her complexity was vital to the story. The internal battles she has within herself, trying to be good but convinced she's less than. I wish we got the curse dealt with this book, or at least figured out who the assassin was. BUT a bit of a spicy ending never hurts. It was a tad confusing though. Did they? did they almost?! I couldn't tell.
I do wish the pacing was a bit faster than it was. The book was filled with about 20% plot and 80% banter and internal dialogue. Then the plot we were led on with ended up giving us no answers. So that was a bit disappointing.
The captain is hot in his broodiness but how is he always awake?! Maybe that's a guard thing.
The rest of the Wrens cohort seems like a fun vibe. although I have a feeling their character development will come out a lot more in the next book. Then theres the king (regent). His dynamic I find really intriguing. He seems really kind but I have a feeling he is somehow tied to what's going on with Caelan. No clue how!! Very mysterious, but just a little prickle of a feeling.
February 17, 2026
That book is amazing ! I absolutely loved The King’s Wren .
I honnestly loved everything about this book.
It’s so descriptive that the images were crystal clear in my head… as if I were right there.
And the writing? Ari Roper truly outdid herself. Every sentence feels intentional. Every word matters. It’s lyrical, powerful, and addictive.
But let’s talk about the characters...
Nyra? A fierce, broken, strong and resilient kick ass assassin. Watching her past slowly unfold was heartbreaking in the best way.
Caelen? The heir drowning under the weight of the crown. Soft, righteous, a little clueless… and officially one of my favorite book boyfriends. The way he cares? The way he struggles? I’m in love.
And the side characters — the cohort and Jory — add so much life and depth to the story. Everyone matters.
Nyra and Caelen are so different, yet their attraction feels real — and slow… very slow. A true slow burn. And damn, I love slow burn and tension. You get it all in this book.
That twist at the end got me screaming I KNEW IT! Bring part 2 I'm ready !
If you love immersive fantasy, layered characters, and slow-burn romance that makes your heart ache — trust me this one is for you.
I honnestly loved everything about this book.
It’s so descriptive that the images were crystal clear in my head… as if I were right there.
And the writing? Ari Roper truly outdid herself. Every sentence feels intentional. Every word matters. It’s lyrical, powerful, and addictive.
But let’s talk about the characters...
Nyra? A fierce, broken, strong and resilient kick ass assassin. Watching her past slowly unfold was heartbreaking in the best way.
Caelen? The heir drowning under the weight of the crown. Soft, righteous, a little clueless… and officially one of my favorite book boyfriends. The way he cares? The way he struggles? I’m in love.
And the side characters — the cohort and Jory — add so much life and depth to the story. Everyone matters.
Nyra and Caelen are so different, yet their attraction feels real — and slow… very slow. A true slow burn. And damn, I love slow burn and tension. You get it all in this book.
That twist at the end got me screaming I KNEW IT! Bring part 2 I'm ready !
If you love immersive fantasy, layered characters, and slow-burn romance that makes your heart ache — trust me this one is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ari Roper delivers a compelling opening act in The King’s Wren: Part One, a story that excels at pulling the reader into a meticulously crafted world.
The Highlights
Immersive Atmosphere: Roper is a master of descriptive prose. The sensory details—from the specific scents of a room to the texture of the surroundings—make the setting feel alive and tactile.
Intriguing Cast: The characters are layered and shrouded in just enough mystery to keep you invested in their personal stakes.
A True Page-Turner: This is a "slow-burn mystery" done right. It leaves you with just enough unanswered questions to keep you guessing without feeling frustrated.
Room for Improvement
The only slight drag in the pacing comes from the courtroom scenes. While the political maneuvering is interesting, the repetitive descriptions of court etiquette and seating arrangements occasionally slowed the momentum. A bit more "show" and less "seating chart" would have kept the tension tighter.
Final Verdict
If you love character-driven fantasy with deep world-building, this is a must-read. I’m officially on the lookout for Part Two—Ari Roper is definitely an author to watch!
The Highlights
Immersive Atmosphere: Roper is a master of descriptive prose. The sensory details—from the specific scents of a room to the texture of the surroundings—make the setting feel alive and tactile.
Intriguing Cast: The characters are layered and shrouded in just enough mystery to keep you invested in their personal stakes.
A True Page-Turner: This is a "slow-burn mystery" done right. It leaves you with just enough unanswered questions to keep you guessing without feeling frustrated.
Room for Improvement
The only slight drag in the pacing comes from the courtroom scenes. While the political maneuvering is interesting, the repetitive descriptions of court etiquette and seating arrangements occasionally slowed the momentum. A bit more "show" and less "seating chart" would have kept the tension tighter.
Final Verdict
If you love character-driven fantasy with deep world-building, this is a must-read. I’m officially on the lookout for Part Two—Ari Roper is definitely an author to watch!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ari Roper is one of my TOP favourite authors, period. I got the chance to read this as she was firing the chapters out reading it chapter by chapter, and now I've just finished it as an ARC. Ari writes amazing Romantasy 🔥❤️
Although the FMC is Nyra (The Wren) & the MMC is Caelan (The Prince), I had 2 other favourites within this book Garrick (Caelan's Uncle/current King) because of his personality & humour. Some of his 1 liners was amazing lol. And Jory, Caelan's- man servant? His mannerisms, tone, attitude towards Caelan and knowing how to get under his skin was such amazing banter.
Ari never fails to amaze me with her writings, not only the character and world building but the way she goes into such depth with everything. It really aids the story. Im YET to not love one of her books.
If you love, assassins, royals, unexpected/forbidden love, then this is 100% for you.
Ari, you ruined me.
Although the FMC is Nyra (The Wren) & the MMC is Caelan (The Prince), I had 2 other favourites within this book Garrick (Caelan's Uncle/current King) because of his personality & humour. Some of his 1 liners was amazing lol. And Jory, Caelan's- man servant? His mannerisms, tone, attitude towards Caelan and knowing how to get under his skin was such amazing banter.
Ari never fails to amaze me with her writings, not only the character and world building but the way she goes into such depth with everything. It really aids the story. Im YET to not love one of her books.
If you love, assassins, royals, unexpected/forbidden love, then this is 100% for you.
Ari, you ruined me.
Review of advance copy
I received this as an ARC reader. 💙 💙 💙
I absolutely LOVED this book. This slow burn was filled with so much content that truly pulled me in. The characters are incredible, I especially loved Nyra.
Nyra is such an incredible character and so different from any I have ever seen. She is secretive, intelligent, and just bad ass in general. She has kept herself hidden because everyone thinks she, the hidden individual that solves many issues, is actually a man. The prince, obviously being an incredible character himself, buts himself in a position where he finds out the man that helped him is actually a woman. And thus our love story begins to bloom.
Something else I loved about this book is that it is SO different than many other books I have read. This is my first Ari book, but it certainly won't be my last. Ari is an INCREDIBLE author and I am so excited that I was blessed with an opportunity to read this one. I am excited for my physical copies of the books to come in!!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book. This slow burn was filled with so much content that truly pulled me in. The characters are incredible, I especially loved Nyra.
Nyra is such an incredible character and so different from any I have ever seen. She is secretive, intelligent, and just bad ass in general. She has kept herself hidden because everyone thinks she, the hidden individual that solves many issues, is actually a man. The prince, obviously being an incredible character himself, buts himself in a position where he finds out the man that helped him is actually a woman. And thus our love story begins to bloom.
Something else I loved about this book is that it is SO different than many other books I have read. This is my first Ari book, but it certainly won't be my last. Ari is an INCREDIBLE author and I am so excited that I was blessed with an opportunity to read this one. I am excited for my physical copies of the books to come in!!!!
Did Not Finish
January 15, 2026ARC copy provided by the author
DNF 12%
The art is amazing! There will definitely be readers for this. It's fast paced. The writing style just wasn't for me. There were SO many em dashes! (This is NOT an AI accusation. It was a clear author choice. People use them too. And this was clearly written by a person.) Part of the fast paced-ness comes from one sentence paragraphs. Then one phrase kept jumping off the page… as if. I searched the book. 309. Just look at the page count and the number of times those two words appear together.
Truthfully I was ready to call it quits after chapter 1, but thought it might just be that narrator in the style I didn't care for. Nope, both. But I kept going because there were some good laughs. The story seemed to be going in a good direction. If you like the writing style on the first few pages, then you'll probably like the book.
DNF 12%
The art is amazing! There will definitely be readers for this. It's fast paced. The writing style just wasn't for me. There were SO many em dashes! (This is NOT an AI accusation. It was a clear author choice. People use them too. And this was clearly written by a person.) Part of the fast paced-ness comes from one sentence paragraphs. Then one phrase kept jumping off the page… as if. I searched the book. 309. Just look at the page count and the number of times those two words appear together.
Truthfully I was ready to call it quits after chapter 1, but thought it might just be that narrator in the style I didn't care for. Nope, both. But I kept going because there were some good laughs. The story seemed to be going in a good direction. If you like the writing style on the first few pages, then you'll probably like the book.
January 18, 2026
This book was well written from page one. The world building was done beautifully. It was descriptive like a movie in my mind. The characters were likable. Very well thought out. I found myself rooting for each of their personal character growths. I loved the Prince and how he was tough and commanding in his role to the kingdom but then the kindness and almost soft nature to him with Nyra. I felt all the emotions while reading his chapters. The FMC was strong, resilient and smart. I loved her chapters and learning about her shadows and poison. A female assassin sign me up. I quickly devoured this and can’t wait to read part 2. This book is perfect for anyone who likes good world building, slow burn love, he falls first, good versus evil, romantasy and assassins.
February 25, 2026
This book was so much more than I expected!
~Dual pov
~Shadow welding assassin
~Touch her and die (literally she is poisonous)
~Part 1 of 2
~Incredibly detailed
~Stunning cover and character art
~Slow burn fantasy romance
~Banter and yearning
~1 🌶️
~5 ⭐️ read
Nyra has understandably built up some pretty high walls to protect herself. Caelan lives a somewhat sheltered life and has a lot to learn. At times the court politics were a lot to follow but Ari did a wonderful job writing in such detail you feel like you’re in the room with the characters. The last 10% of the book had me in a chokehold, sacrificing sleep for the ending. I can’t wait for the next book! Thank you Ari for the opportunity to ARC read this, you’re incredible!
~Dual pov
~Shadow welding assassin
~Touch her and die (literally she is poisonous)
~Part 1 of 2
~Incredibly detailed
~Stunning cover and character art
~Slow burn fantasy romance
~Banter and yearning
~1 🌶️
~5 ⭐️ read
Nyra has understandably built up some pretty high walls to protect herself. Caelan lives a somewhat sheltered life and has a lot to learn. At times the court politics were a lot to follow but Ari did a wonderful job writing in such detail you feel like you’re in the room with the characters. The last 10% of the book had me in a chokehold, sacrificing sleep for the ending. I can’t wait for the next book! Thank you Ari for the opportunity to ARC read this, you’re incredible!
April 29, 2026
Ari Roper does it again with another Fantasy Romance that I couldn't put down. This one weighs in at a weighty 500 plus pages just for part one, but the world is so beautifully crafted and politically complex, and the characters are so much fun to read that you don't even realize you've been reading that many pages. This story truly needs two parts to fully be told. The plot is faced paced without feeling rushed and the banter and wicked dialogue between characters makes me swoon. I always end up not only loving the main characters, but also the secondary ones as well. (Hello, side stories...Garrick and Riven...I'm looking at you.) I can't wait for the second book to come out. As always, Roper delivers with sass, steam, and intrigue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is exquisitely written. The details are so well thought, you feel you are in the book with the Wren. Every scene, from gruesome to intimate, easily comes to life. You’re lured in with mystery and intrigue and rewarded with humor, drama, friendship, and romance.
There are a couple scenes that felt a little repetitive, with the introduction of council members and the wording that is used to describe them. This does allow you to visualize the characters though and retain that information for later parts of the story.
The author does a wonderful job with character building and creates a MMC and FMC you can’t help but root for.
I quickly devoured this and am eager for part two.
There are a couple scenes that felt a little repetitive, with the introduction of council members and the wording that is used to describe them. This does allow you to visualize the characters though and retain that information for later parts of the story.
The author does a wonderful job with character building and creates a MMC and FMC you can’t help but root for.
I quickly devoured this and am eager for part two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review: This is not the first book I have read by Ari Roper and for another time, she did not disappoint. I have slowly started getting into more fantasy romance and I am so glad this was on the list! There was a lot of build up into this one so that we could get the entire backstory to the heir of the throne as well as the Wren. Each has their own story and they perfectly meshed with one another during a moment of the prince’s desperation to protect his people. Their story gets more and more interesting the further you get into the book. I felt so connected to the wren the more I learned about her and wanted to keep getting more ! I can’t wait for the next book to come out !
Review of advance copy received from Author
Now I normally give to much away in my reviews :)
We have a kingdom, the king is about to retire and the prince is going to take over so he needs to do these normal events to get to that point - problem is people want to kill him.
We have a cooky King, (but honestly I think that is part of what I love about him) a servant to the prince that reminds me of Niles from the Nanny, a fighter that no one in the court knows is a fighter -
I loved this series so much that I bought the hardback books - I can't wait.
There is great dialogue - (my annotation tabs will come in play here), danger, death, love, intrigue, :)
You will not be upset that you read this book!
We have a kingdom, the king is about to retire and the prince is going to take over so he needs to do these normal events to get to that point - problem is people want to kill him.
We have a cooky King, (but honestly I think that is part of what I love about him) a servant to the prince that reminds me of Niles from the Nanny, a fighter that no one in the court knows is a fighter -
I loved this series so much that I bought the hardback books - I can't wait.
There is great dialogue - (my annotation tabs will come in play here), danger, death, love, intrigue, :)
You will not be upset that you read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐️
Let me start off by saying that the story IS NOT BAD AT ALL I actually really liked it. The writing style of this author just tickles my brain, I loved the premise of the story, I loved the characters and the banter between all of them. Where I struggled was I felt there was a LOT of filler for not a lot going on, which would lead to skimming. And the council meetings read like a guest list where I felt like Caelan and just started spacing out which would take me out of the story where I’d have to go back and see if I missed anything. The story kept me engaged enough by the positives that I do wanna see where Caelan and Nyra’s story leads to
Let me start off by saying that the story IS NOT BAD AT ALL I actually really liked it. The writing style of this author just tickles my brain, I loved the premise of the story, I loved the characters and the banter between all of them. Where I struggled was I felt there was a LOT of filler for not a lot going on, which would lead to skimming. And the council meetings read like a guest list where I felt like Caelan and just started spacing out which would take me out of the story where I’d have to go back and see if I missed anything. The story kept me engaged enough by the positives that I do wanna see where Caelan and Nyra’s story leads to
February 19, 2026
That cliffhanger ending!
Ari has a gift in writting badass FMCs with a weakness for children and I love it.
Nyra's story made my heart ache. And her interaction with Caelan after that very much needed discover... I'm eager to have my heands on book 2 to see how that goes after the forest.
Her founded family is absolutely funny. Every personality makes you love them so bad... and Jory, always the closest royalty help with a very sassy mouth and sometimes macking you think, he's living without a screw .
Ari has a gift in writting badass FMCs with a weakness for children and I love it.
Nyra's story made my heart ache. And her interaction with Caelan after that very much needed discover... I'm eager to have my heands on book 2 to see how that goes after the forest.
Her founded family is absolutely funny. Every personality makes you love them so bad... and Jory, always the closest royalty help with a very sassy mouth and sometimes macking you think, he's living without a screw .
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is honestly an absolute blast. I love the pacing, and it was a privilege to actually be in the process of watching the writer write this book. This is only one half of a double release and I honestly cannot wait for the second half to drop. The tension is spicy; the desire is right there (so close yet so far) but holy damn that last chapter. 🥵🥵🥵
Banter 10/5
Spice Scene 5/5
Mystery 5/5
Would I read this again as a guilty pleasure? Hell yes.
Banter 10/5
Spice Scene 5/5
Mystery 5/5
Would I read this again as a guilty pleasure? Hell yes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky to get this as an ARC and I am so happy I did!
To say this this is a a painfully slow burning romance with tension and longing is an understatement. I loved the character building and the more unique take on shadow magic.
At times I did find the descriptions repetitive and feel this could have been avoided. However, the story and the premise were great!
I can't wait for the second book.
To say this this is a a painfully slow burning romance with tension and longing is an understatement. I loved the character building and the more unique take on shadow magic.
At times I did find the descriptions repetitive and feel this could have been avoided. However, the story and the premise were great!
I can't wait for the second book.
January 21, 2026
This romantasy novel is amazing. Great world and story building. It’s a very very slow burn and it leaves you wanting for more. She’s a hired blade cursed with a deadly touch and he is a reluctant prince that needs outside interference to survive. Through lies and half truths, she keeps me breathing but at what cost to herself? Once he discovers who she really is, they are too entrenched to walk away. I can’t wait for a King’s oath.
March 18, 2026
The Wren is feared, carrying the weight of a family curse, and is caught in protecting the one person who could maybe release the debt. I love the band of misfits that make her family and their loyalty to protecting her. Her powers are amazing and I love how they’re depicted in the book. There is a ton of action, intensity, slow burn and flirtation, and an unexpected ending that I cannot wait to continue!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC read
There were so many quotes in this book that I highlighted the heck out of.
Unique storyline and FMC, well written and flows well without being clunky.
The FMC and her friends are quite enjoyable. I love their personalities and attributes. I absolutely LOVE King Garrick, his personality, his heart and his sense of humor had me completely enamored.
Looking forward to book 2 by this author!
There were so many quotes in this book that I highlighted the heck out of.
Unique storyline and FMC, well written and flows well without being clunky.
The FMC and her friends are quite enjoyable. I love their personalities and attributes. I absolutely LOVE King Garrick, his personality, his heart and his sense of humor had me completely enamored.
Looking forward to book 2 by this author!
February 21, 2026
This feels more like Epic Fantasy than Romantasy with the extensive world building and character list! The writing is detailed and descriptive which at times bogs down the pace a bit, but it's oh so filled with imagery it plays out like a movie. I laughed out loud at Jory and the twins. Can't wait for Part Two!
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
January 31, 2026
As expected, Ari killed it! I loved the banter between Caelan & Nyra. The writing was absolutely amazing. Ari makes it seem like I’m right there beside the characters. If you love romantasy as I do, then you’ll love this. This book was Part 1 so read this first before the next release. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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