Sharpest Court

Thorn Season #2

by Kiera Azar

With an unputdownable plot, incredible twists, and an extraordinary high fantasy world filled with court intrigue, heart-racing action, a unique magic system, and sizzling chemistry, Sharpest Court is the thrilling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, Thorn Season.

Alissa Paine has fled her home, the Kingdom of Daradon – forced to say goodbye to her old old life in order to escape the clutches of both the cruel, tyrannical King Erik to whom she was once betrothed, and the Hunters who persecute Wielders like Alissa.

But she has not left Daradon empty-handed, and Alissa has in her possession an object that Erik greatly desires – a mysterious and ancient spellmade compass which has the potential to reshape the world, if Alissa – or Erik – can unlock its secrets.

Seeking refuge in the Ansoran Empire, Alissa is able to demonstrate her Wielding powers openly for the first time in her life. But Ansora is not a safe haven, and Alissa is quickly forced to navigate the rules and customs of another dangerous ruler. And even with her former ally, Kiel Arcus, by her side, Alissa soon learns that, while she may have been raised in the kingdom of thorns, she is yet to enter the sharpest court….

Perfect for fans of Powerless, Six of Crows, and The Rose Bargain, Sharpest Court is an extraordinary return to the world of Thorn Season.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Young Adult Fantasy

544 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Kiera Azar is a half-Lebanese and half-Indian writer, born and raised in Surrey. She has a first-class honours degree in Biomedical Science and a background in acting, singing and songwriting. Kiera is forever excited by all the books she hasn’t yet read, the music she hasn’t yet discovered, and the story ideas she hasn’t yet had.

Reviews

[Evangeline Jean]

Call me sick but I want an Aaron Warner kind of enemies-to-lovers with Erik. So excited I need this book NOW! EEEEEKKK

[hater ★]

make it angsty pleaaaase i wanna suffer

[car ⟢ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i already know this book is gonna DESTROY ME im so excited AHHHHH

[🌷Holly (Jesus’s version) 🌷]

Pre-release I just finished the first!!! It's was so good! I feel like garret is going to have some sort of redemption but Keil better be end game. That's not a request, its a demand. 😁

[☕︎︎𝐋𝐞𝐱𝐢✞]

Pre - Release ! 🪻


OKAY THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS😍🙏🙏

And uh- why is everyone Team Erik?😭 PLEASE KEIL IS THE ONE FOR HER GUYS IDC IF HES BLAND PLEASE🥺🙏

SO READY FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT HEHEHEHEEH🤭🤭🤭

[ellie (semi ia)]

1/1/26

GIVE IT TO ME AHHH!! october 2026 i will be waiting for you 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

[angelinabvby ۶ৎ]

✨ 𝖆𝖗𝖈 𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙 ✨
ARC...










APPROVED

[brontësaurus]

pre-read
suffering? sounds fun.

[Olivia💜🗡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for gifting me this arc!

Oh my gosh. Where do I even start? I guess I have to start with how I felt finishing this book. BECAUSE TRUST THAT I AUDIBLY GASPED. I FREAKING LOVE OUR FMC!!!! SHE IS SUCH A BADDIE AND IM SO PROUD OF HER!!

ANYWAYS, let’s actually get into this very chaotic review(you have all been warned).

Like I said before, I genuinely do not know where to start because I absolutely DEVOURED this book. And I was so surprised because I loved Thorn Season, butttttt, i definitely love this book SO MUCH MORE! The world that we are exploring expanded way farther than I even expected. I loved being able to see the different places that we hadn’t been able to experience in the first book and I felt like it made everything so much more complex.

AND DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE CHARACTERS. I WILL GENUINELY DEFEND THEM WITH MY LIFE. I would talk about each of them individually, but alas, we would be here all day, and I know that you don’t want to be here all day. Just know that I freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!

Okay, the last thing I will discuss is the fact that Kiera Azar DID NOT HOLD BACK. THE PLOT TWISTS IN THIS BOOK?!? I CANT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW SHOCKED I WAS. Everytime that I thought I was in the clear, BOOM, another plot twist.

Safe to say, I loved this book, and all of you need to order and read thorn season, and if you already have, THEN PREORDER THIS BOOK A.S.A.P.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read!

To be honest, I read Thorn Season and was a little underwhelmed. I remember liking it enough to want to read the sequel, but it wasn’t high on my radar.

Well, Sharpest Court far exceeded any expectations I had for this series. The plot was intricate and well woven; a few things happened that I didn’t expect but they weren’t out of left field. I was surprised in the moment, but I could think back over the course of both books and see where it connected, ya know?

And just a heads up for the romance fans: It’s a slowwwwwwwwwwwww burn with plenty of yearning; and by slow, I mean there’s little to no payoff in book 2…but onward to book 3 we go!🫡

(Also, I know Erik is the bad guy, but if bad guy, why attractive shaped??? 😭)

Big thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read the advanced digital copy. Can’t wait to read the finale!

[Melodie Infinger]

Honestly...I'm trembling...
Okay, so I get Erik is toxic...but if he has a redemption, I'm done for because WOW. Also, Keil is too basic and Garret is um...forgettable. ERIK GIVES OFF DARKLING HAD A BABY WITH AARON WARNER, AND I LOVE IT UGH.

After re-reading I dont think Keil is as basic and do believe Erik needs some help. Would still like to see a redemption arc but would be happy if she ended up with Keil too!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

"I know it all. And the knowing has only made me want you more."

THE LINES THAT KEIL HAS...this man is perfection. The understanding. The vulnerability. The unwavering loyalty and trust. The LOVE. The PATIENCE... yes.

I will admit, the beginning of this book had me a little scared. I adored "Thorn Season" so much, one of my top reads, so when the beginning of this books flow felt a little off and I wasn't connecting as much to it I was scared. But I think it found itself in the middle and the ending was intense.

I liked where the story went, I liked the progression of the friendships and relationships. I liked seeing this new side of the world, and the new characters better. It was REALLY depressing at the end though, our group could NOT catch a break, and although it felt like years of my life were cut from the stress... I think it's realistic in that war is not easy, and battles are not easy, and there is trials that will happen where we won't always win. SO ulitmately I did enjoy it.

I LOVED Lye and Goren and Perla and the whole group really. Seeing all their personalities shine was so fun, the group scenes were incredibly entertaining and everyone really had their own voice and presence, it was great.

SPEAKING OF PRESENCE... KEIL... Oh... my... lanta... This man is perfection. The lines he has, the chemistry between him and Alissa... the tension... 10/10. BUT Alissa needs to stop living in fear and just LOVE HIM LOUDLY AND PROUDLY! She has a LOT of making up to do and love to show our boy... cause MAN does he deserve it!

With how this book ends I am chomping at the bit for the next book. I feel we are going to be seeing another side of Alissa, more sneaking and acting and I am so ready for it. I wanna see Erik ON HIS KNEES BEGGING... but not in a good way.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

[ryliekate_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Publication Date: November 3, 2026

Approximately 3.5 stars!
Firstly, oh my goodness, Lysander!!! He is officially my favorite character in this series; I loved him so much 🥰 Also, a certain stony someone (don’t want to spoil!) who truly grows on you as the story goes along. And Valeria— her kindness and strength is so beautiful! Now, Erik… I feel horrible for him, but that does not negate the fact that he is an immensely cruel and manipulative (and, frankly, sadistic) person. Much like Snow in THG.
The characters as a whole did have more depth than in the first book, and it was so wonderful to get to know them better! The plot truly held intrigue set against a glittering yet deadly court full of alliances who might just be the enemy. The narrative wraps around you as secrets upon secrets are unveiled, keeping you questioning all you have learned of the kingdom at every turn. My goodness, the twists!!! Some were easy to catch, but some came entirely out of left field. The last 40-35% of the book was a whirlwind and felt quite hard to put down!!!
Now, some aspects ended up feeling really repetitive— a bit of a round and round game of capture/escape. And with little resolution to the end, the plot did feel a little drawn out at times… however, it sets the stage for more in this series.
~Content Warnings~
There is no spice in this book, HOWEVER there’s a lot of mentions of courtly affairs, illegitimate children, attempts at seduction/bedding someone, sexual tension, toxic relationships, the “wanting” for more, frequent innuendo, and steamy kisses (level 3). Much of the romance is based more on physical attraction. More than once, character’s get caught up in the heat and the almost moments (interrupted) after seeing someone shirtless or in a slinky dress. Characters also touch one another intimately with their Spectres, which— personally— felt very uncomfortable. The lustiness is why it’s a little lower of a rating for me. So while I enjoyed this one more than the first, I just wish the romance had been less steamy (though again, there’s NO on-page spice!). But there were some really sweet and swoony moments in it as well!!!
Other content considerations: mildly graphic violence (including stabbing, drowning, torture, spectre fighting, kidnapping, and severe injury), murder, arson that results in much death, blood, death, drugging, and mildly infrequent language (d*mn and h*ll occur two to three times, and b*stard is used in its historical sense).
Overall, Sharpest Court was a genuinely enjoyable read as well as a good second-in-series!!! I recommend if you enjoy darker fantasy, sweeping romance, lethal courts, unique “magic” systems, political intrigue, morally ambiguous characters, the question of “who’s the REAL enemy”, themes of vengeance, and secret plotting to overthrow a kingdom.
Happy reading :)

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing this ARC in exchange for a free, honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[aerislina · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just finished … and wow. I. Am. Obsessed. 6/5 Stars - changed my brain chemistry.

King Erik - as horrendously evil as he is - stole the show. We learn so much more about him and he has got to be the most 3 dimensional, obsessed, unhinged villain I’ve read about. Idk how Kiera, but you have made me favor the villain over the MMC. I don’t reread many books, but I reread Erik’s chapters - absolutely beginning to question my own sanity here too, thanks!

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The twists are sooo soo good. Idk why I’ve been very picky with twists as of late. But this one had sooo many good twists that not only made sense, but you wouldn’t see coming. (At least I didn’t see coming). They’re the kind that are planned through multiple books.

Overall, if you like dark romance, cat and mouse chases, political intrigue, please pick this up so I’m not the only one who fell for the wrong guy. 💀

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins and Kiera Azar for not making me wait until November 2026. All thoughts are my own. PS: I preordered this.

[Ari ☾]

°˖✿˚⋆I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review⋆˚✿˖°

♡𝓅𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹♡
I went ahead and preordered this because I got the first book from Fairyloot but I haven't read it yet....and now I have an arc. All signs point to reading the first one.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in loooove! Sharpest Court is everything I wanted in a sequel. This is now one of my favorite sequels ever read as well as one of my favorite books of the year and ever. Sincerely, I loved it so much. And honestly it’s just so refreshing to read a sequel that doesn’t just match the greatness of its first installment, but it also outdoes it. Which if you know how much I love and adore Thorn Season, then you know I mean business by saying that. I have been left beyond impressed by Sharpest Court.

And beyond excited for book three!

We pick up where we left off in Thorn Season and I felt myself easily re-immersing myself in the story without skipping a step. This book does a great job in balancing both the political plot alongside the romantic, each is given their weight and it had me continuously attentive to the entire narrative. There is never a dull moment, my mind was either absorbing information eagerly or fawning over romantic developments. And at the center of it all is the heart of this story, Alissa. It continues being a pleasure to join her on her journey. She’s a character full of resolve and action, she’s headstrong yet kindhearted. She’s a heroine that strikes a good balance between being sharp and soft. I absolutely love her!

And speaking about love, let’s talk romance!

If you’d rather go in totally blind, definitely skip the next two paragraphs!
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.
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I also really loved the continual slow burn romance with Keil. Often I find sequels can lose a sort of spark with the love interest, but not here. Whether Keil and Alissa are to be endgame, who knows, but I surely do hope so! I’d be admittedly sad if all their build up doesn’t lead to endgame. But I know regardless, what has been explored between these two continuously invigorates the narrative. It’s like a constant tease, always leaving me wanting more. Every touch, every glance, every stolen kiss had me swooning endlessly. Like this book makes saying the first name of someone so utterly romantic, ahhhh! Keil and Alissa remain a tantalizing slow burn. I also deeply appreciate the belief Keil has in Alissa. He is protective of her without a doubt, but he also believes wholeheartedly in her capability, in her skills and intelligence. This is a man who both yearns and believes, never doubting Alissa. I find that even more reason to cheer these two on.

And why Erik doesn’t quite do it for me, in terms of romance. He’s basically the opposite which brings me to something else I appreciate, given the commonality of romantasy to promote the villain to main love interest, I like how Erik remains deliciously villainous. But he is a multifaceted antagonist, especially given certain twists! Now, we still have a whole other book to go so anything can happen in terms of romance and whatever Kiera chooses I will genuinely root for, but given what is solely presented in this narrative, for now I simply have fun watching Erik as a most excellent antagonist.. He is obsessive and so masterful at his deception and schemes. Like at some points I just had to give myself a moment to be impressed by this man! He makes for a fun yet complex antagonist! Some will root for him and some will enjoy rooting against him, but I think we can all agree Erik remains a standout, complicated character whose presence elevates the already heightened story all the more.

Now if you’re yearning for some enemies-to-lovers romancing, please pay attention to two characters in the background. We received some hearty crumbs of their story and I Ate. It. UPPP! I shan’t reveal who, but I shall declare I need moooore! Can we hope for a spin off of their story maybe?!? Let me hope and pray to the literary gods! Because the potential is aaaamazing!

And this book? Dazzling. Fabulously dazzling. A most worthwhile sequel, one I will forever consider an all-time best sequel, and I remain seated for book three. Let’s goooo!

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.


_____
immediate post-read thoughts
BEST SEQUEL OF THE YEAR
ONE OF MY TOP FAVORITE READS OF THE YEAR
EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR AND MORE ALL CAPS NEEDED!
My gosh, what a gorgeous read! I'm not completely behind in July arcs but I *had* to read this. I only meant to read it in small helpings between July arc readings but once I hit halfway, I simply could not be stopped!

full review to come!

[Diane Knutzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am beyond excited and thankful to have received this ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins.

10/5 ⭐️

This is an epic, non-stop action, incredibly written book! If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. This is one of the best, if not the best, book that I have read this year. To say I was excited to get this ARC is an understatement. I was jumping for joy when I got it.

Everyone is excited and can’t stop talking about the new ACOTAR books coming out, and after reading this book, I think this book release should be talked about way more. I am more excited for this book release than I am for the new ACOTAR book release.

I really enjoyed the first book, Thorn Season, and it left me needing to know what happened next. This book was worlds better than Thorn Season.

From the very first sentence, the story drew you in and didn’t let go. I didn’t want to put this book down and when I had to, I was thinking about where the story was going to go.

The entire plot and subplots of this book were well thought out. Every little detail, prom the prologue to the last chapter, connected in some way, shape or form. It made the story flow nicely. I like that we got to see details from the first book connected in this book.

The writing was excellent. It had great forward motion and sucked you in. It held your attention and there were no weird sentences that left you questioning what was written. It was easy to read and easy to get immersed in.

The way the author continued the plot and added on from the first book was well done. New details were added that gave even more depth to the original story.

The characters were great. I loved the growth that each character went through, especially Alissa. I loved how some of the supporting characters from the first book had more of a main role in this book. I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced; they added to the story in a good way.

I am beyond excited at how much Keil was involved in this book. I have read several sequels to books that end similarly to how the first book ends where the main MMC love interest is barely involved in the sequel. I was super excited at how the author incorporated Keil into this book.

The romance between Alissa and Keil was great. It was still a slow burn romance, and was still on the cusp of what I want it to be, but it was good. They really grew and gained trust in each other that they did not have in the first book. It was nice to read and I hope it gets where I want it to in the next book.

The ending to this book! What a cliffhanger! I wish so badly to have the third book right now so that I can read it and find out what happens. I need to know! That is an ending that will leave you thinking about it.

Overall, this has become one of my favorite books ever. I cannot wait until it is released so I can go out and buy my copy!! I absolutely loved how action packed this was and how the story continued to grow and gain a deeper depth. I loved how we saw the characters blossom and how new characters added to the story; I’m excited to see where the new characters go. The plot twist at the end left my mouth hanging open in shock! The scenarios created in this book flowed nicely leaving you needing to know what happened next. This was an impeccable book that I cannot recommend enough!

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley & the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

☆☆☆☆ 4.25 stars
Pros:
This is an absolute masterpiece of a YA fantasy with a romantic subplot. This is the sequel to Thorn Season and it is even better than the first with raised stakes, intensive world building, and strong political intrigue and action. Alissa Paine, the sharp-tongued Wielder that you are!

We started out being introduced to a new character, Zeke, which I thought was a compelling choice and automatically I was invested in where this book was going to take me. We soon find out how his path crosses with Alissa's and I was very satisfied with how everything ended up tying together and how everyone is related in each other's stories. This book takes you on the arduous journey of connecting all the pieces of the puzzle and how they fit together to form a bigger picture of monarch corruption and war.

The twists and turns and emotional angsty journey this book takes you on is next level. The reveals and betrayals that occurred I did not see coming at all. Though this installment is darker than the first, I feel it was necessary to move the character development and plot along and I think it was done tastefully so being a YA book.

The romance took a backseat to the main political conflicts and adventure, though I find that refreshing because we were given just enough tension and stolen moments that you feel satiated yet still keeps you wanting that much more. Not to mention, the love triangle keeps you guessing for the majority of the book's length!

The found family here that Alissa stumbles into in Ansora rivals ACOTAR's. I really enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Keil and his band of Wielders and how Alissa was beginning to fit into that. I also enjoyed the aspect of how rare magical objects were woven into the world.

The world building in this was very strong and easy to follow. The writing itself and the descriptions were amazing. I felt as though I could clearly visualize where we were at each point in the story and I really felt Alissa's conflicting emotions and struggles with all she goes through.

And Perla, my sweet baby angel I love her character SO much. I hope to see more of her in book 3!

Cons:
The reason why this did not hit the 5 star mark for me was partly because Alissa's inner thoughts became a bit repetitive. She seemed to be repeating what someone had said just one or two pages ago. It made me wonder if these thoughts were added in as a sort of memory recall for the reader themself or if it was a literary device to over-dramatize. Either way, the amount of times it had happened took me away from the experience a bit.

Also, I wish there were more of a focus on Alissa's specter training. I feel like we are always told she is very powerful but not shown how she came to be and maintains that power.

The pacing fell off a bit in the middle for me, I think some of the chapters could have been shortened down and it would not have taken anything away from the story.

Overall, I would recommend this to anybody seeking a well-written, unique magic system, and love triangle YA romantasy. I know I am definitely on the edge of my seat for the next book!

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

3.5 stars

Despite my issues with the first book (too many love-interests, annoying MC, etc) I can appreciate the first book as being a fun (albeit slightly trashy) wish-fulfillment kind of book in the same way Twilight is. That's why I requested this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley although I was curious to see if the sequel was more of a serious fantasy then the first.

I actually found it interesting that the book began with an entirely new character, a Wielder who hates being a Wielder. I thought this new character was annoying but it did contribute to the world-building by showing the extent of anti-Wielder propaganda. I also still had trouble visualizing what exactly a specter looked like beyond just the mental images of bursts of energy (and also weirdly the ocean from Moana??) and I wish there was more of a visual description rather then describing what it does.

I wish there had been somewhat of a recap from the first book as this book jumps straight into the action. I had some trouble remembering a lot of the names from the previous book as they were dropped very suddenly and with little explanation so I suggest re-reading the first book. The world-building in the first book was quite weak so the name-dropping and info dumps about multiple other countries felt very sudden, especially as the book delved very suddenly into politics, and I found it quite confusing since none of the countries felt properly introduced.

Additionally, while I do appreciate a strong-willed heroine, I still found Alissa to be quite irrational and annoyingly stubborn, openly mouthing off to powerful people (and never actually facing any real consequences for her words) instead of being smart and pretending to play along while making alternative plans. She feels like someone who's written to be cunning and strong but it never actually reflects in her actions and frankly she comes off as being selfish and rude. I would've liked it better if the author actually committed and wrote her to be fully murderous and unhinged instead of playing it safe with the BookTok-level of "strong female heroine."

I'm not actually sure why everyone seemed to be so obsessed with her (beyond the explanation of this being a wish-fulfillment book). She's a conveniently strong Wielder but there really doesn't seem to be much political value in herself personally beyond being a useful bargaining chip. I felt like it was a lot less structured then the first without the Rose season as the plot just kind of meanders. A lot of characters from the first book were also noticeably absent too. It definitely took me longer to finish this compared to the first which I finished in one sitting. Overall, it was a nice read but I found that it didn't quite live up to the first.

[Emelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ARC announcement for this one made me go running to get it and not stop until I succeed. And succeed I did! I got the ARC and read it in just 2 days, because it was everything I hoped for!
I'm honestly struggling to write a review without going into the details and spoiling all the important things, but there are so many aspects that made me love this book so much. I dare say it surpassed book 1 for me.

Sharpest Court picks up right where Thorn Season left off. Alissa is a stowaway trying to get as far away from Erik and the Hunters and arrives in Ansora.
A whole new chapter begins, one of learning the ropes of this new empire and figuring out whom to trust. Political intrigue at its finest. Alissa came here for refugee, but can she really trust everyone here? More scheming and even more twists that had me absolutely stunned.

Sharpest Court felt darker and deeper than book 1. The increase of action, focus on different character traumas, as well as the constant feeling of something going awry made it impossible to put this book down.
Alissa's panic of being found by Erik or the Hunters had me on edge the entire time.

One of my favorite parts in books is the side characters, and Thorn Season gave us a bunch. Alissa and Keil were amazing as always (just like their romance), but the found family was hitting right in the feels.
The moment I knew this book would be a 5☆ for me was when I was jokingly hoping for two characters to meet and start a side line romance, and guess what? That actually happens! My man Goren got himself a love interest and I'm now completely obsessed with them, more than the plot, more than anything (sorry not sorry). I need a spin-off about them.

King Erik is definitely a great evil/villain character who truly devilish deep down and the way I could feel Alissa's panic attacks and trauma whenever she just thought about him gave me chills.

The plot twists and the darker feeling to this story (the panic and feeling of running out of time, etc.) were incredible. The beautiful special editions male this seem like an innocent YA story, but it has crazy moments and shocking reveals. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

To finish things off, I of course, have to talk about our maim couple: Alissa and Kiel.
Thank you, Kiera, for not making their romance the main focus! Their feelings for each other are basically already fully developed, but the timing of tying the knot is not right yet, so we could enjoy them growing even closer without it feeling forced.
A story where the characters are chasing their own goals and ambitions, while slowly falling in love on the sidelines through moments of hands brushes, flirting/banter and almost kisses are what makes the overall enjoyment unforgettable.
(+ Bonus point if the story has a side character couple falling for each other on the sidelines 👀 = 6☆)

There is so much more I want to get into, but it would spoil too much.
I am just incredibly happy that this book exceeded my expectations and I'll be thinking about some of those twists and moments for a while!
It will be tough to best this book as one of my top reads this year.

[Misti Maiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kiera Azar and NetGalley for an ARC edition of Sharpest Court!

Below is my honest, spoiler-free review of the book:

This sequel took everything I loved about book one, cranked up the stakes, and left me absolutely desperate for book three! ‼️

I absolutely loved getting to explore the new areas in this installment. Azar does a phenomenal job showing how vastly different the political landscapes are across this world. There are still so many delicious secrets we don’t know, and watching how different characters are entangled in multiple factions and schemes at the same time kept me utterly fascinated.

While I love the main duo, the supporting cast completely stole the show. Valeria is the undisputed MVP 👑 of this book—she is everything. And Lye? An absolute treasure who must be protected at all costs 💕.

Look, I love Keil and Alissa together. I really appreciate a man who respects a woman enough to let her handle her own battles... but after this book, I'm going to need Keil to start interfering and protecting Alissa just a little bit more! But the real highlight? The true enemies-to-lovers slow burn happening in the background. It is NOT who you think it is, and I am officially shipping them so hard! 🤔

The plotting in this book is elite. Twist #1 shocked me, but it worked so brilliantly with the breadcrumbs and clues we were given in book one. Twist #2, on the other hand? I did not see it coming at all. My jaw was on the floor.

This was a fast-paced, brilliant, and emotionally gripping sequel. Kiera Azar, I need book three immediately!

💁🏻‍♀️ Favorite Quotes (Spoiler-Free):

1. “But who were these men to teach me anything? I’d plunged into rushing waters and had not yielded to death. I would not yield to them.”

2. “… the most damning moments in history are born out of the simple act of standing still.”

3. “I am not saying that you need me. I am saying that you have me anyway.”

Who should read this: Fans of high-stakes YA fantasy who live for complex court politics, brilliant secondary characters, jaw-dropping plot twists, and a hidden enemies-to-lovers slow burn that will completely consume you. Books with the similar vibes would be Throne of Glass and Quicksilver (with less spice).

Additional note: Although this is YA, I would say there are quite a few gruesome scenes that might not be suited for younger readers.

[bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I was absolutely THRILLED when I got the ARC. I genuinely missed this world and these characters.

That said, maybe it’s a me problem, maybe it’s the book, maybe it’s both. But I do wish there had been a tiny recap of what happened at the end of book one because I spent the first few chapters aggressively trying to remember who did what and why I should be panicking about it. But one thing I really enjoyed was the introduction of new characters. It made the world feel bigger and the story feel more expansive than the first book.

And okay, listen. When it comes to love interests, I have a long and embarrassing history of immediately gravitating toward the most morally questionable character in the room. I swear it’s a disease. But somehow this series broke the pattern AND THANK GOD IT DID. Because I trusted my gut and my gut was RIGHT. Keil, my beloved, I knew I could trust you. KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL KEIL. No further explanation.

Alissa continues to be a root-worthy protagonist. She’s fierce, determined, and refuses to back down. But I also feel like she’s only scratching the surface of her potential. I desperately want to see her fully unleash her power and embrace a slightly more chaotic, fiery side. Let me see my girl be unstoppable.

The magic system is still really interesting, but I found myself wanting more details about specter. I understand the basic idea, but I struggled to fully visualize it. Sometimes it felt a little vague, and I’d love a deeper exploration of how it actually looks and functions.

The story itself moves quickly, but for some reason it didn’t pull me in quite as much as the first book. Maybe it’s because we’re spending so much time in a new kingdom and everything still feels unfamiliar. Maybe some parts felt a little messy.

But despite that, it was still a fun read. Maybe not quite as immersive as book one, and that’s enough to make me excited for book three.


════════════════════════

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Margaret Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharpest Court was a perfect sequel for the first book in the series- Thorn Season. After having finished the first book earlier this year, I wanted to have this book in my hands as soon as possible, and I was right to get excited because not only had it met my expectations, but it also exceeded them. It was kind of a book that leaves you wanting more, and smiling with joy because you know the story has yet to end.
Yeah, when Sharpest Court was announced, I thought it was a sequel and, a finale, but with Erik still alive and again in possession of compass, we are to get another book, just as breathtaking and adventurous and full of unexpected plot-twists as this one.
Well, talking of plot-twists, I still haven't recovered from the shock of unexpected turns and discoveries that had me toppling off my chair this story threw my way. Really the sheer brilliance of the plot indicates how intelligent and wonderful Kiera Azar is. Her writing is extraordinary, advanced, and charming in a way that makes you wish you had a magical ability to get inside the books, if only for one day, just to see everything with your own eyes.
I also adore the way she built her characters-how they are so lovable and witty, but not perfect. I can't bear it when in some stories the characters are perfect and vulnerable at the same time and i consider it the greatest character flow. But Kiera made sure hers were fierce, powerful and brave, yet never flawless.
So, overall, this book was a total delight, raising my spirits so high, I'm almost radiating with euphoria right now. If you love court politics, gorgeous aesthetics, witty banter, sharp-tongued FMC, mind-blowing plot twists and characters who make mistakes and learn from them [aka second chances] and ofc. dashing love interest, who is indeed the greenest flag ever with sarcastic, flirty personality, but also would tear the world down for his woman, then please READ THIS BOOK ASAP. You won't regret💖💖(✿◡‿◡)

[NoBuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✴︎⋆°.⋆༺ ⚔ ༻⋆.°⋆✴︎“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕.”✴︎⋆°.⋆༺ ⚔ ༻⋆.°⋆✴︎

I am sweating as I’m writing this because that’s how much of the wringer I went through reading The Sharpest Court. I'm sitting here on the floor trying to come to terms with all the emotions I felt and everything that happened…The Sharpest Court has put me in such a state of post-read dissociation I literally don’t know what to do with myself but emotionally regulate myself by writing this review. 🥸

"𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄?”         
“𝑵𝒐. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒅, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔.”

I feel like this book grabbed me by the hair, swung me overhead in circles, threw me to the ground, nonchalantly stalked off and left me there in a state of a thousand yard stare. 

"𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒏.” 

Kiera Azar continues to impress with her characters and once it really started picking up speed I just could not put it down! I will be honest and say there are a couple plot holes I picked up on between the 20-40% mark, but I am not putting much weight on that since this is an uncorrected advanced reader copy. So take that one note with a grain of salt. Otherwise, I was completely enamored and once again OBSESSED with Erik 👀—I love you Keil, I really do, but I love Erik more 🙂‍↕️— If it’s one thing Kiera Azar excels at, it is writing such intricate plots and equally intricate antagonists. *swoons* 

I NEED BOOK 3 IN MY HANDS NOW! 

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharpest Court
Kiera Azar

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC.

Sharpest Court was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I was thrilled to return to this world and its characters. While I enjoyed the sequel overall, it didn't quite capture me in the same way the first book did.

One thing I found myself wishing for was a brief recap of the events at the end of book one. It took me a few chapters to fully reorient myself within the story and remember the key conflicts and character dynamics. That said, the introduction of new characters and locations helped expand the world in meaningful ways, making the overall scope of the series feel much larger.

Alissa remains a compelling protagonist. Her determination and resilience continue to make her easy to root for, though I feel as though she's only beginning to tap into her full potential. I'm eager to see her fully embrace her growing power in future installments.

The standout of this book for me was Keil. As someone who usually gravitates toward the most morally questionable character in the room, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself firmly in Keil's corner. His development throughout the story only strengthened my appreciation for his character.

The magic system continues to be intriguing, though I would have loved a deeper exploration of specter magic. While the concept is fascinating, I occasionally struggled to fully visualize how it functioned within the world.

Although the pacing kept the story moving and there were plenty of interesting developments, I didn't find myself quite as immersed as I was in book one. Even so, the expanded worldbuilding, strong character moments, and setup for future books have left me eager to continue the series.

[Phon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought the plot had a lot more depth than the first one. I did get a little bored in the middle. There were so many side quests and side plots that sometimes it felt like they were taking away from the main story. The pacing was definitely slower than I expected. A lot was happening, but at the same time it kind of felt like nothing was happening. I get that it was all part of the buildup, but it dragged a bit for me.

I loved the banter and all the characters, especially Lye and Disheil. This book dives much deeper into some of the character’s trauma and backstories, which added a lot more emotional weight to the story.

The plot twists were great, and with so much more characters involved it was such a game changer. There was always something going on to keep things interesting. Alissa still manages to find herself in trouble all the time because she seems to forget that not everyone is easy to fool and that people have their own agendas. It can be frustrating, but it’s definitely part of what makes her character who she is.

I do wish Kiel had gotten more chances to show how powerful he is or play a bigger role, but since the story is told from Alissa’s POV, I can see why that didn’t happen. I also really like how their relationship is developing. The chemistry feels natural and isn’t being rushed.

And honestly, I kind of feel bad for Eric. If he hadn’t done what he did, maybe things could have worked out differently for them in another life.

Now I have to wait for the next book, can’t wait! Thank you NetGalley and Kiera Azar for this book arc opportunity!

[Courtney Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary and Vibe
This book drops us right back into a dangerous world. Alissa is on the run with a powerful, forbidden magic artifact. She ends up navigating a brand new royal landscape filled with cuts, secrets, and an empress who offers safety for a steep cost. The vibe is incredibly tense, glittering, and deeply atmospheric. It perfectly balances high stakes political maneuvering with a dark, rich romantic subtext.

What I Liked
The world building expanded beautifully in this sequel. Moving the setting to the Ansoran Empire brought fresh political schemes and unique magic rules to explore. Alissa remains a fierce, clever protagonist who relies heavily on her wits to survive the lethal courts. The slow burn tension between her and Keil is masterfully written. Every glance and conversation felt heavily loaded with stakes.

Final Thoughts
This is an outstanding romantasy sequel that avoids the sophomore slump. It ups the ante from book one. It delivers shocking twists, incredible world expansion, and characters you cannot help but root for. If you love dark political fantasy, you need this trilogy on your radar.

Book Breakdown
Tropes: Forced proximity, royalty/court intrigue, secrets and lies, magic training, and allies to lovers.
Spice Level: 1.5 out of 5. It features highly intense emotional intimacy, heavy pining, and passionate open door scenes, but it prioritizes plot and tension over constant explicit chapters.
Trigger Warnings: Violence, blood, political manipulation, gaslighting, kidnapping, and themes of grief and sacrifice.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending an ARC or advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sharpest Court is one of those rare second books that left me smiling instead of emotionally devastated.

Fantasy romance has trained me to expect a cliffhanger that leaves me staring at the ceiling, wondering how I'm supposed to wait for the next installment. This book certainly leaves you eager for what's next, but the ending gave me something different.

It left me believing in strength, courage, resilience, and justice. I closed the book feeling uplifted rather than shattered, and I honestly can't remember the last time a fantasy romance surprised me in that way.

One of the reasons this series continues to stand out for me is that, while romance is woven beautifully throughout the story, it never overshadows the larger narrative. The yearning is there. The slow-burning love is there. But the heart of the series remains its world, political intrigue, mysteries, and the difficult choices its characters must make.

The writing continues to be atmospheric and suspenseful, revealing twists that keep me questioning who I can truly trust while deepening my investment in these characters.

Most of all, I love watching Alissa grow. Her strength, determination, and brilliant mind continue to surprise me, and seeing her uncover the truth alongside me as the reader has become one of my favorite parts of this series.

I'm more than ready for the final book, but instead of feeling emotionally wrecked, I'm carrying hope with me.

That's a gift not many second books give their readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Shirin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc! Unfortunately this book didn't capture me the same way the first book did. In the first installment, I was really impressed by and engage with Alissa. I felt like she was uniquely fierce and intelligent. In a lot of other stories in this same genre, the fmc is presented as brave and smart but don't quite show it. But Alissa was truly playing to her strengths and her cunning helped her in her various situations. She made realistic choices and was an amazing character to read about.

That's all to say that in this second installment I fear the Alissa I adored didn't return. She mirrors other popular romantasy counterparts by being ridiculously stubborn, hopelessly in love, and above all reckless. I didn't quite see the same Alissa as I did before because here she seemed to act impulsively and to the tune of her emotions. Which I suppose could mirror her new physical state but it was very annoying to read. I used to enjoy how Alissa and Kiel interacted and their chemistry, but they became insufferable once reunited here. Another character called them out on it as well and I couldn't help but think how much more I would enjoy the plot if the romance element vanished.

The writing itself was very well done and high quality. The plot and new side characters all had such vibrance and intrigue. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the usual romantasy fmc who banters often and prefers their books more romance-heavy. I personally do not, however, so I found myself struggling to read this.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharpest Court by Kiera Azar
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

Sharpest Court picks up right where The Thorn Season left off. Alissa has escaped both her kingdom and King Erik, taking with her the compass she believes must be destroyed. Leaving behind everyone she cares about—including Keil—is the only way she can keep the compass out of the wrong hands. But as her journey unfolds, she discovers there are far more secrets than she ever imagined. Seeking refuge with the Empress of Ansora may be her best chance at survival, but it comes at a steep price.

Kiera Azar did a fantastic job portraying Erik as the ultimate unhinged ex-boyfriend who just cannot let Alissa go. Does he love her? Does he want to possess her? Control her? Honestly...what is going on in his head?!

This installment dives even deeper into the love triangle, and I enjoyed watching Alissa struggle to keep her distance from Keil in an effort to protect him while finding it nearly impossible to stay away. I also liked that it was never entirely clear who the true villains were or who could actually be trusted while reading. Between the mystery surrounding the Wielders, the search for the blade and the compass, and the constantly shifting loyalties, the story kept me guessing and made the action all the more engaging.

As hidden motives came to light, there were plenty of emotional moments and heartbreak along the way. And that ending...what a cliffhanger! I'll definitely be picking up the next book to see what happens next.