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Captive and Crown
A psychically empathic soldier trapped in the bowels of an enemy kingdom. A telepathic prince with motives as unreadable as his mind. Two rivals bound by a fragile, shifting alliance.
Corporal Kaia Velaverde has led her empathic strike squad through impossible missions before, bending emotions to protect her nation of Allende. To save her homeland, Kaia must steal a rare volatile mineral from the Kadarons—Allende’s merciless northern oppressors and the people she’s sworn to hate. But when the heist unravels, Kaia is captured and thrown into the palace dungeons.
Summoned unexpectedly to the quarters of Prince Leander, a powerful telepath feared for his cold, lethal cunning, Kaia must decide whether this handsome royal is a trap to avoid or the key to returning home. Suspicious but pragmatic, she accepts his calculated hospitality while secretly crafting an escape plan.
Yet the more time she spends with Leander, the harder it becomes to reconcile the myth of the villainous Kadaron prince with the man who listens to and—perhaps—understands her. As Kaia uncovers the true reason behind his interest in her, she finds herself caught in a conflict greater than she imagined—one that could decide her fate and the future of her nation.
Now, Kaia must choose: cling to her hatred of all things Kadaron, or gamble her life—and her heart—by trusting the enemy.
Captive and Crown is the first book in the Heartweaver series. Fans of high-fantasy, political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and slow burn, spicy romance will devour this tale.
Corporal Kaia Velaverde has led her empathic strike squad through impossible missions before, bending emotions to protect her nation of Allende. To save her homeland, Kaia must steal a rare volatile mineral from the Kadarons—Allende’s merciless northern oppressors and the people she’s sworn to hate. But when the heist unravels, Kaia is captured and thrown into the palace dungeons.
Summoned unexpectedly to the quarters of Prince Leander, a powerful telepath feared for his cold, lethal cunning, Kaia must decide whether this handsome royal is a trap to avoid or the key to returning home. Suspicious but pragmatic, she accepts his calculated hospitality while secretly crafting an escape plan.
Yet the more time she spends with Leander, the harder it becomes to reconcile the myth of the villainous Kadaron prince with the man who listens to and—perhaps—understands her. As Kaia uncovers the true reason behind his interest in her, she finds herself caught in a conflict greater than she imagined—one that could decide her fate and the future of her nation.
Now, Kaia must choose: cling to her hatred of all things Kadaron, or gamble her life—and her heart—by trusting the enemy.
Captive and Crown is the first book in the Heartweaver series. Fans of high-fantasy, political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and slow burn, spicy romance will devour this tale.
369 pages, ebook
Published February 6, 2026
About the author
Yashira Ponce
2 books22 followersYashira Ponce is a writer and filmmaker. Having grown up in a family of mostly women, she loves writing stories featuring complex female leads. She spends her free time speedreading romantasy, rewatching Gilmore Girls, and alternating between cozy and gory videogames. Born in Honduras, she now lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and no cats.
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February 27, 2026
thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review :)
okay so i actually really enjoyed this !! i've been wanting to read more romantasy lately, and this book has not discouraged me🤭
there were a lot of things that i loved about this book, and two of them were the side characters, and the casual queer rep !!
i lovelovelloved that the side characters were actually developed and we got to know them. i feel like for a lot of books it's just the main character and love interest we really get to know, but here there were so many characters that we get to learn about and i felt like they were more than just a brief mention or comedic relief.
the second thing is the casual queer rep. now this is a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it matters a lot to me. sometimes in books i see stuff like 'so and so is bisexual, which i SUPPORT. people have given so and so hate for this, but I SUPPORT THEM. cough cough I SUPPORT so i'm a good person !!' and yes it deserves to be recognised that people get hated on and discriminated for being queer, because it does happen, but it was so nice to see that yes this guy has a husband and a kid with said husband and he's treated the same for it as if he were straight, because a person's sexuality isn't their whole personality !! i just really wanted to talk about that and thank you to the author for adding that in <3
another thing i really liked was that kaia was an empath. i see a lot of the same powers in books, like teleportation, or element wielder, or prophetic powers, but i've never seen an empath before, and i really liked the idea of it. :)
this book would be even better if there was a bit more world building and information. i would've liked to learn more about kaia's hometown and her memories there, because then i would've felt like there was more at stake throughout the book and felt more connected to it. same goes for kaia - i felt like i knew her but not like i KNEW her, if that makes sense. it would've been nice to see more interesting and personal things about her and her life, and this would've helped me to be more scared for her in times of danger, rather than just an observer.
overall, this book was pretty good !! not something that'll stay with me forever, but definitely a book i would recommend and probably read again :) thank you again to the author for giving me a free copy, and i hope everyone has an amazing day <3
𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵-𝘸𝘢𝘴-𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭/5
pre read:
so excited that i got this as an arc !!
okay so i actually really enjoyed this !! i've been wanting to read more romantasy lately, and this book has not discouraged me🤭
there were a lot of things that i loved about this book, and two of them were the side characters, and the casual queer rep !!
i lovelovelloved that the side characters were actually developed and we got to know them. i feel like for a lot of books it's just the main character and love interest we really get to know, but here there were so many characters that we get to learn about and i felt like they were more than just a brief mention or comedic relief.
the second thing is the casual queer rep. now this is a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it matters a lot to me. sometimes in books i see stuff like 'so and so is bisexual, which i SUPPORT. people have given so and so hate for this, but I SUPPORT THEM. cough cough I SUPPORT so i'm a good person !!' and yes it deserves to be recognised that people get hated on and discriminated for being queer, because it does happen, but it was so nice to see that yes this guy has a husband and a kid with said husband and he's treated the same for it as if he were straight, because a person's sexuality isn't their whole personality !! i just really wanted to talk about that and thank you to the author for adding that in <3
another thing i really liked was that kaia was an empath. i see a lot of the same powers in books, like teleportation, or element wielder, or prophetic powers, but i've never seen an empath before, and i really liked the idea of it. :)
this book would be even better if there was a bit more world building and information. i would've liked to learn more about kaia's hometown and her memories there, because then i would've felt like there was more at stake throughout the book and felt more connected to it. same goes for kaia - i felt like i knew her but not like i KNEW her, if that makes sense. it would've been nice to see more interesting and personal things about her and her life, and this would've helped me to be more scared for her in times of danger, rather than just an observer.
overall, this book was pretty good !! not something that'll stay with me forever, but definitely a book i would recommend and probably read again :) thank you again to the author for giving me a free copy, and i hope everyone has an amazing day <3
𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵-𝘸𝘢𝘴-𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭/5
pre read:
so excited that i got this as an arc !!
March 3, 2026
03/03/2026~
**Updated review after finishing the book**
Final rating: 4.25 🌟
---------
This is my first time receiving and having the gracious opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my 100% honest review. I'm still very new to the world of book reviewing and ARCs, so I am very appreciative for this chance to start this new hobby of mine!
---------
I'm about 100 pages away from finishing this book, but I just couldn't help myself from writing an initial review. As my past few reviews mention, I am an absolute fiend for a book that has an enemies-to-lovers/forbidden love trope. I had an itch for a good romantasy, and this book satisfying scratched it. As someone else mentioned, I, too, was hooked from the beginning chapter, making it hard to put down my kindle!
I read my fair share of fantasy books, but I have never encountered one with an interesting premise woven into its plot: empath fighters. Now, don't let their empathy give you the wrong idea. The FMC, Kaia, and the rest of her squad, are far from meek, as their empathy transcends its definition. Her gift is bada** (for a lack of better words), and I can only say that it gets more interesting from there! I also thought that the plot, as a whole, has been engaging and not mundane. Nothing seems to be dragged out, and I agree that the pacing is pretty good!
I really like both MCs and appreciate the realistic take on their relationship. I'm excited to see how that all plays out in the end :).
---------
03/06/2026~
The last half of the book definitely had me on the edge of my seat!!
This book had the perfect amount of tension, passion, angst—basically everything that I would hope to see in a book of this genre. It was on par with its empathic premise because the plot definitely reached out to me emotionally 😭.
While I did like the plot, I, too, wished there were a little more elaboration on what kind of ‘era’ these characters were living in. The futuristic setting sort of clashed with the mentions of modern things we currently encounter. However, it was nothing that I couldn’t look past, and I still was able to immerse myself in the book!
Another thing that I enjoyed was, despite this being a fantasy book, it had realistic dilemmas and themes (along with their subsequent resolve/consequences) that are reflective of we still face today. It’s easy to decide on including those topics, but I’ve noticed that sometimes, it can fall flat in the overall narrative if not carried out well.
I loved the representation amongst the characters and how they each had their own, distinctive personality! Kaia and Leander were just 😫😫. His respect for her was so refreshing to read—in addition to the fact that…they actually had growing chemistry between them 🙏🏻. I find that the enemies-to-lovers trope in books is sometimes an unbalanced ratio of 99% being enemies to 1% being lovers (not that I don’t still eat those books up, but it was a nice change of pace for me ☠️).
I will definitely be reading the second book whenever it comes out!
Thank you, Yashira Ponce, for sending me a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!
**Updated review after finishing the book**
Final rating: 4.25 🌟
---------
This is my first time receiving and having the gracious opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my 100% honest review. I'm still very new to the world of book reviewing and ARCs, so I am very appreciative for this chance to start this new hobby of mine!
---------
I'm about 100 pages away from finishing this book, but I just couldn't help myself from writing an initial review. As my past few reviews mention, I am an absolute fiend for a book that has an enemies-to-lovers/forbidden love trope. I had an itch for a good romantasy, and this book satisfying scratched it. As someone else mentioned, I, too, was hooked from the beginning chapter, making it hard to put down my kindle!
I read my fair share of fantasy books, but I have never encountered one with an interesting premise woven into its plot: empath fighters. Now, don't let their empathy give you the wrong idea. The FMC, Kaia, and the rest of her squad, are far from meek, as their empathy transcends its definition. Her gift is bada** (for a lack of better words), and I can only say that it gets more interesting from there! I also thought that the plot, as a whole, has been engaging and not mundane. Nothing seems to be dragged out, and I agree that the pacing is pretty good!
I really like both MCs and appreciate the realistic take on their relationship. I'm excited to see how that all plays out in the end :).
---------
03/06/2026~
The last half of the book definitely had me on the edge of my seat!!
This book had the perfect amount of tension, passion, angst—basically everything that I would hope to see in a book of this genre. It was on par with its empathic premise because the plot definitely reached out to me emotionally 😭.
While I did like the plot, I, too, wished there were a little more elaboration on what kind of ‘era’ these characters were living in. The futuristic setting sort of clashed with the mentions of modern things we currently encounter. However, it was nothing that I couldn’t look past, and I still was able to immerse myself in the book!
Another thing that I enjoyed was, despite this being a fantasy book, it had realistic dilemmas and themes (along with their subsequent resolve/consequences) that are reflective of we still face today. It’s easy to decide on including those topics, but I’ve noticed that sometimes, it can fall flat in the overall narrative if not carried out well.
I loved the representation amongst the characters and how they each had their own, distinctive personality! Kaia and Leander were just 😫😫. His respect for her was so refreshing to read—in addition to the fact that…they actually had growing chemistry between them 🙏🏻. I find that the enemies-to-lovers trope in books is sometimes an unbalanced ratio of 99% being enemies to 1% being lovers (not that I don’t still eat those books up, but it was a nice change of pace for me ☠️).
I will definitely be reading the second book whenever it comes out!
Thank you, Yashira Ponce, for sending me a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 19, 2026
I would like to start this review by thanking the author who provided me the opportunity to receive an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! The writing I found very descriptive and kept me fully immersed in the story. The characters were so interesting, and I found myself getting invested with some of the supporting characters. I would have liked to have learnt a bit more about Kaia's upbringing and her back story, and would have liked some more chapters around the world building and the very intricate systems and the different abilities within each country - I found that really intriguing!
The story itself is very fast-paced and I can certainly say towards the end I was hooked, definitely didn't see the last few chapters coming from a mile off. I think this is a really solid story, and I am really grateful that I was able to read this story and provide my thoughts.
I am certainly looking forward to reading more of Kaia and Leander's story in the second book.
I really enjoyed this book! The writing I found very descriptive and kept me fully immersed in the story. The characters were so interesting, and I found myself getting invested with some of the supporting characters. I would have liked to have learnt a bit more about Kaia's upbringing and her back story, and would have liked some more chapters around the world building and the very intricate systems and the different abilities within each country - I found that really intriguing!
The story itself is very fast-paced and I can certainly say towards the end I was hooked, definitely didn't see the last few chapters coming from a mile off. I think this is a really solid story, and I am really grateful that I was able to read this story and provide my thoughts.
I am certainly looking forward to reading more of Kaia and Leander's story in the second book.
March 6, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!
So, here I go again randomly requesting arcs based on book descriptions lol! Captive and Crown starts off strong as we get to meet our FMC Kaia, the empath captain of a strike squad who undergoes a secret mission to steal a rare mineral from their enemy kingdom aka Kadaron. They get caught and are forced to become slaves in the Kadaron palace. One evening, however, Kaia is summoned to the Kadaron Prince Leander's chambers and discovers that he is planning a revolt against his father. Slowly but surely, he convinces her of his sincerity and determination to do what's right for both kingdoms and they work together to stop the war that's coming.
I'm a bit torn on how to rate this book, but let me start on the things I enjoyed.
I really love the magic system in this world, and seeing how the characters use their powers to read minds, bend wills, look into other's emotions and memories, and control another's mind and actions, as well as seeing how our FMC is taught to guard herself against these kinds of mental attacks.
I also enjoyed seeing our FMC and MMC with their respective squads. Through working together side by side for so many years, they've bonded in such a way that they can understand each other with just a look and that they can compliment each other's weaknesses with strengths.
The same can be said for our main characters themselves, who are both strong-willed individuals who gradually let their walls down for each other and who are able to let go of their prejudices based on their opposing kingdoms to see the good in one another.
Now, onto the parts that I was not so on board with.
For one, I feel like there were a few too many supporting characters and not enough time spent with them to make me invested in their stories. I'm obviously not referring to Kaia or Leander's teams because I really do think they were well-developed and fun to read about. I wish we could've spent more time on the prisoners in the Kadaron Palace (like Ynez and Calixto) to delve into their past and their anger towards Kadaron and even towards their own homeland for not rescuing them. Same goes for Kaia's father and for her friends in Allende. As it was, that time was spent more on Kaia and Leander getting to know each other which, while an undoubtedly crucial part of the story, took away from the emotional impact the former might've had.
I also felt a bit of disconnect when it came to the vague world-building. The story is set in a fantasy world with kingdoms, magic and ancient beings, but there's also blaster guns, modern clothing, luxury cars, night clubs, etc. I guess it's supposed to be a mixed genre with futuristic technology and historical customs, which I'm totally for when there's proper backstory for it, but as it stands the mesh is sometimes jarring.
The same can be said about the story pacing as it tended to meander and slow down in some places, but as I reached the end of the book, I felt like we had finally LOCKED IN! It was so engaging and exciting that I would honestly give it a 4 stars rating if only in merit of chapters 38-40. Such a climactic experience and overall a pretty good read!
So, here I go again randomly requesting arcs based on book descriptions lol! Captive and Crown starts off strong as we get to meet our FMC Kaia, the empath captain of a strike squad who undergoes a secret mission to steal a rare mineral from their enemy kingdom aka Kadaron. They get caught and are forced to become slaves in the Kadaron palace. One evening, however, Kaia is summoned to the Kadaron Prince Leander's chambers and discovers that he is planning a revolt against his father. Slowly but surely, he convinces her of his sincerity and determination to do what's right for both kingdoms and they work together to stop the war that's coming.
I'm a bit torn on how to rate this book, but let me start on the things I enjoyed.
I really love the magic system in this world, and seeing how the characters use their powers to read minds, bend wills, look into other's emotions and memories, and control another's mind and actions, as well as seeing how our FMC is taught to guard herself against these kinds of mental attacks.
I also enjoyed seeing our FMC and MMC with their respective squads. Through working together side by side for so many years, they've bonded in such a way that they can understand each other with just a look and that they can compliment each other's weaknesses with strengths.
The same can be said for our main characters themselves, who are both strong-willed individuals who gradually let their walls down for each other and who are able to let go of their prejudices based on their opposing kingdoms to see the good in one another.
Now, onto the parts that I was not so on board with.
For one, I feel like there were a few too many supporting characters and not enough time spent with them to make me invested in their stories. I'm obviously not referring to Kaia or Leander's teams because I really do think they were well-developed and fun to read about. I wish we could've spent more time on the prisoners in the Kadaron Palace (like Ynez and Calixto) to delve into their past and their anger towards Kadaron and even towards their own homeland for not rescuing them. Same goes for Kaia's father and for her friends in Allende. As it was, that time was spent more on Kaia and Leander getting to know each other which, while an undoubtedly crucial part of the story, took away from the emotional impact the former might've had.
I also felt a bit of disconnect when it came to the vague world-building. The story is set in a fantasy world with kingdoms, magic and ancient beings, but there's also blaster guns, modern clothing, luxury cars, night clubs, etc. I guess it's supposed to be a mixed genre with futuristic technology and historical customs, which I'm totally for when there's proper backstory for it, but as it stands the mesh is sometimes jarring.
The same can be said about the story pacing as it tended to meander and slow down in some places, but as I reached the end of the book, I felt like we had finally LOCKED IN! It was so engaging and exciting that I would honestly give it a 4 stars rating if only in merit of chapters 38-40. Such a climactic experience and overall a pretty good read!
September 12, 2026
Kaia gets sent on a mission to the rival territory of the Kadarons and their mission goes wrong. Her and most of her team gets captured and held in their prisons. Until prince Leander takes an interest in her and they start to learn about each other.
I'm pretty torn on this story, there were things that I liked, but also things that didn't add up. I loved the whole idea of the magic system, Empaths, Telepaths and Astreopaths. Their unique abilities were very interesting, but I feel like there were times there were holes in their magic. For example the main character Kaia is a empath soldier, so you would think she has amazing control over her emotions and her powers. She often struggled with impulsiveness, as a leader she should have had a more level head, because she is responsible for not only herself but her team as well.
I was confused at times with the setting of the story, with castles, stone dungeons and then cars? I was a little jarred about it. It should have been a little bit more discussed, like why do they have cars and laser blasters? But were Kaia is from they're still in the stone ages, but also not? It was just a little confusing.
Kaia and Leander's relationship. I liked them together, they eventually worked well together. It did take a while for Kaia to finally admit her feelings for Leander, but it was worth the wait.
Overall it was a great story, I just felt some things could have been polished better.
I'm pretty torn on this story, there were things that I liked, but also things that didn't add up. I loved the whole idea of the magic system, Empaths, Telepaths and Astreopaths. Their unique abilities were very interesting, but I feel like there were times there were holes in their magic. For example the main character Kaia is a empath soldier, so you would think she has amazing control over her emotions and her powers. She often struggled with impulsiveness, as a leader she should have had a more level head, because she is responsible for not only herself but her team as well.
I was confused at times with the setting of the story, with castles, stone dungeons and then cars? I was a little jarred about it. It should have been a little bit more discussed, like why do they have cars and laser blasters? But were Kaia is from they're still in the stone ages, but also not? It was just a little confusing.
Kaia and Leander's relationship. I liked them together, they eventually worked well together. It did take a while for Kaia to finally admit her feelings for Leander, but it was worth the wait.
Overall it was a great story, I just felt some things could have been polished better.
October 9, 2026
Corporal Kaia Velaverde has led her empathic strike squad through impossible missions before, bending emotions to protect her nation of Allende. To save her homeland, Kaia must steal a rare volatile mineral from the Kadarons—Allende’s merciless northern oppressors and the people she’s sworn to hate. But when the heist unravels, Kaia is captured and thrown into the palace dungeons.
Summoned unexpectedly to the quarters of Prince Leander, a powerful telepath feared for his cold, lethal cunning, Kaia must decide whether this handsome royal is a trap to avoid or the key to returning home. Suspicious but pragmatic, she accepts his calculated hospitality while secretly crafting an escape plan.
Yet the more time she spends with Leander, the harder it becomes to reconcile the myth of the villainous Kadaron prince with the man who listens to and—perhaps—understands her. As Kaia uncovers the true reason behind his interest in her, she finds herself caught in a conflict greater than she imagined—one that could decide her fate and the future of her nation.
Now, Kaia must choose: cling to her hatred of all things Kadaron, or gamble her life—and her heart—by trusting the enemy.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley (and the author!) in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this book. I don't often read fantasy books with the expectation that the romantic interactions will be, per se, realistic. Often times, I enjoy the books regardless because of the surrealism of fantasy romance. However, there was something truly authentic and heartwarming about the romance that blooms between Kaia and Leander, something readers won't be able to help but yearn and root for.
I also loved the magic system! I'm a sucker for original and unique magic concepts, and Ponce wrote such an integral, visceral magic system that paved the arcs of the narrative. Most times, I see a lot of magic systems based on the elements - but I've been hunting for a book that features the "elements" of mind and emotion, and this book was it! I loved the mastery, the consequences, and the limitations of it. It was very well written!
Lastly, I loved the undercurrent of commentary about the harm caused by racism, especially in regard to the stereotypes hinted at throughout the narrative and how they make Kaia's interactions with others even more fraught with tension. This is the type of social commentary I love to see in fiction, and Ponce did a phenomenal job of highlighting important factors while also remaining true to her story and her worldbuilding.
I cannot wait to read the next book!
Summoned unexpectedly to the quarters of Prince Leander, a powerful telepath feared for his cold, lethal cunning, Kaia must decide whether this handsome royal is a trap to avoid or the key to returning home. Suspicious but pragmatic, she accepts his calculated hospitality while secretly crafting an escape plan.
Yet the more time she spends with Leander, the harder it becomes to reconcile the myth of the villainous Kadaron prince with the man who listens to and—perhaps—understands her. As Kaia uncovers the true reason behind his interest in her, she finds herself caught in a conflict greater than she imagined—one that could decide her fate and the future of her nation.
Now, Kaia must choose: cling to her hatred of all things Kadaron, or gamble her life—and her heart—by trusting the enemy.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley (and the author!) in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this book. I don't often read fantasy books with the expectation that the romantic interactions will be, per se, realistic. Often times, I enjoy the books regardless because of the surrealism of fantasy romance. However, there was something truly authentic and heartwarming about the romance that blooms between Kaia and Leander, something readers won't be able to help but yearn and root for.
I also loved the magic system! I'm a sucker for original and unique magic concepts, and Ponce wrote such an integral, visceral magic system that paved the arcs of the narrative. Most times, I see a lot of magic systems based on the elements - but I've been hunting for a book that features the "elements" of mind and emotion, and this book was it! I loved the mastery, the consequences, and the limitations of it. It was very well written!
Lastly, I loved the undercurrent of commentary about the harm caused by racism, especially in regard to the stereotypes hinted at throughout the narrative and how they make Kaia's interactions with others even more fraught with tension. This is the type of social commentary I love to see in fiction, and Ponce did a phenomenal job of highlighting important factors while also remaining true to her story and her worldbuilding.
I cannot wait to read the next book!
Did Not Finish
August 22, 2026✎ᝰ. DNF @ 22%
✎ᝰ. tropes:
𝜗𝜚 political intrigue
𝜗𝜚 enemies to lovers
𝜗𝜚 slow burn
𝜗𝜚 high fantasy
First of all, I would like to thank Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, but I would like to share my honest opinion because I do believe this book might be “it” for others.
I would like to start by saying the things I did enjoy about Captive and Crown. Despite the writing reading a bit like YA at times, I truly enjoyed the writing style of this book. I felt immersed due to the richness of the details and how lighthearted and easy to read it was, and I believe the author did a great job immersing us readers into the mind of the FMC.
I wasn’t really a fan of how the insta-lust between the MCs played out, or how quickly she felt comfortable around him. Since one of the tropes marketed for this book was “enemies to lovers,” and the MCs were a soldier and a prince from different countries at war, I did expect them to be rivals for at least more than half of the book. Considering that this is only the first novel in a series, I expected their relationship to develop more slowly, but it felt like they were pals from the second they met.
Despite the instant connection between the MCs, I tried to push through, but what ultimately made me decide to DNF was the FMC. I had to constantly remind myself that she was supposed to be a trained soldier because it truly felt like she had absolutely no training whatsoever. She made quite a few dumb and reckless decisions, which is something a soldier would never do. She seemed childish, untrained, and even naive, and I just couldn’t connect with her at all. I do believe there might be readers who would feel connected to her, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen for me.
Still, I’m grateful for the chance to read this ARC, and I might try to read it again in the future, as I do believe this might sit more nicely as a comforting, cozy winter read.
✎ᝰ. tropes:
𝜗𝜚 political intrigue
𝜗𝜚 enemies to lovers
𝜗𝜚 slow burn
𝜗𝜚 high fantasy
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
First of all, I would like to thank Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, but I would like to share my honest opinion because I do believe this book might be “it” for others.
I would like to start by saying the things I did enjoy about Captive and Crown. Despite the writing reading a bit like YA at times, I truly enjoyed the writing style of this book. I felt immersed due to the richness of the details and how lighthearted and easy to read it was, and I believe the author did a great job immersing us readers into the mind of the FMC.
I wasn’t really a fan of how the insta-lust between the MCs played out, or how quickly she felt comfortable around him. Since one of the tropes marketed for this book was “enemies to lovers,” and the MCs were a soldier and a prince from different countries at war, I did expect them to be rivals for at least more than half of the book. Considering that this is only the first novel in a series, I expected their relationship to develop more slowly, but it felt like they were pals from the second they met.
Despite the instant connection between the MCs, I tried to push through, but what ultimately made me decide to DNF was the FMC. I had to constantly remind myself that she was supposed to be a trained soldier because it truly felt like she had absolutely no training whatsoever. She made quite a few dumb and reckless decisions, which is something a soldier would never do. She seemed childish, untrained, and even naive, and I just couldn’t connect with her at all. I do believe there might be readers who would feel connected to her, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen for me.
Still, I’m grateful for the chance to read this ARC, and I might try to read it again in the future, as I do believe this might sit more nicely as a comforting, cozy winter read.
May 28, 2026
I was hooked by this book from the very first chapter, where we meet Kaia, our fmc, get a taste of her fragile homeland, glimpse her vivid nightmares and experience the mission that catapults us into the main story of this action packed novel.
Kaia is an empath fighter from the province of Allende. Her enemies are the telepathic Kadarons - fierce oppressors of Kaia's people. When a dangerous mission goes wrong, Kaia and her squad find themselves in the dungeons of their foe, but instead of being forced to labour with the other prisoners, Kaia is summoned to the palace quarters of the infamous telepathic Kadaron Prince, Leander, where she begins to learn that all may not be quite as it seems, and there may be more to the feared prince than meets the eye.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of empathic and telepathic powers being used as weapons in armies, and seeing how much damage being inside someone's head can really do. The comparison between the Allendes, who are in touch with their emotions and free with their bodies, and Kadarons, who are uptight and taught to keep their feelings in check, is really fun, especially when Leander starts to thaw and to realise what allowing himself to truly develop feelings for someone could be like.
Kaia is a sympathetic character. The relationship development between her and Leander is written well. Malek is a proper baddy and I enjoyed the world building and magic systems. The book is exciting and I liked the pacing. I was rooting for Kaia and Leander throughout and really felt for Leander, with his upbringing and unforgivable family.
My only reservation is that I could have done with more. More of everything - history, world building, character development. There is so much still left to unravel and to learn. It's not exactly a short story but I feel like there was room for more. However, Yashira has me hooked and I will definitely be coming back for the next installment in this series.
Kaia is an empath fighter from the province of Allende. Her enemies are the telepathic Kadarons - fierce oppressors of Kaia's people. When a dangerous mission goes wrong, Kaia and her squad find themselves in the dungeons of their foe, but instead of being forced to labour with the other prisoners, Kaia is summoned to the palace quarters of the infamous telepathic Kadaron Prince, Leander, where she begins to learn that all may not be quite as it seems, and there may be more to the feared prince than meets the eye.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of empathic and telepathic powers being used as weapons in armies, and seeing how much damage being inside someone's head can really do. The comparison between the Allendes, who are in touch with their emotions and free with their bodies, and Kadarons, who are uptight and taught to keep their feelings in check, is really fun, especially when Leander starts to thaw and to realise what allowing himself to truly develop feelings for someone could be like.
Kaia is a sympathetic character. The relationship development between her and Leander is written well. Malek is a proper baddy and I enjoyed the world building and magic systems. The book is exciting and I liked the pacing. I was rooting for Kaia and Leander throughout and really felt for Leander, with his upbringing and unforgivable family.
My only reservation is that I could have done with more. More of everything - history, world building, character development. There is so much still left to unravel and to learn. It's not exactly a short story but I feel like there was room for more. However, Yashira has me hooked and I will definitely be coming back for the next installment in this series.
August 21, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, I absolutely devoured this book. I went into Captive and Crown expecting a fun romantasy, but I was not prepared for how invested I would become in Kaia and Leander’s story.
The magic system was such a standout for me. The idea of empaths and telepaths using their abilities as weapons was so unique, and I loved seeing how those powers shaped not only the characters but the cultures and tensions between the kingdoms. There was so much more to the world than I initially expected, and I’m definitely left wanting to know more.
And KAIA. I loved her. She was strong, capable, stubborn, compassionate, and never felt like a typical FMC who suddenly becomes badass because the plot needs her to. She had so much conviction, and I loved watching her slowly question everything she thought she knew. And Leander… 🥹 I was absolutely gone for him. Their relationship had the perfect mix of tension, distrust, vulnerability, and slow-burn chemistry. Watching them go from enemies to realizing there might be more to each other than what they’d been taught was easily one of my favourite parts.
The second half of this book REALLY picked up for me. The twists, reveals, action, and emotional stakes had me flying through the pages, and that ending?! I NEED BOOK TWO. IMMEDIATELY!
I also really appreciated the friendships and side characters throughout the story. They added so much heart and made the world feel bigger than just the romance.
If you love romantasy with enemies-to-lovers, political intrigue, unique magic, strong FMCs, slow-burn romance, and a healthy dose of ✨spice✨, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Yashira Ponce, you have me fully invested in the Heartweaver series. Bring on book two! 🫶🏻
Okay, I absolutely devoured this book. I went into Captive and Crown expecting a fun romantasy, but I was not prepared for how invested I would become in Kaia and Leander’s story.
The magic system was such a standout for me. The idea of empaths and telepaths using their abilities as weapons was so unique, and I loved seeing how those powers shaped not only the characters but the cultures and tensions between the kingdoms. There was so much more to the world than I initially expected, and I’m definitely left wanting to know more.
And KAIA. I loved her. She was strong, capable, stubborn, compassionate, and never felt like a typical FMC who suddenly becomes badass because the plot needs her to. She had so much conviction, and I loved watching her slowly question everything she thought she knew. And Leander… 🥹 I was absolutely gone for him. Their relationship had the perfect mix of tension, distrust, vulnerability, and slow-burn chemistry. Watching them go from enemies to realizing there might be more to each other than what they’d been taught was easily one of my favourite parts.
The second half of this book REALLY picked up for me. The twists, reveals, action, and emotional stakes had me flying through the pages, and that ending?! I NEED BOOK TWO. IMMEDIATELY!
I also really appreciated the friendships and side characters throughout the story. They added so much heart and made the world feel bigger than just the romance.
If you love romantasy with enemies-to-lovers, political intrigue, unique magic, strong FMCs, slow-burn romance, and a healthy dose of ✨spice✨, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Yashira Ponce, you have me fully invested in the Heartweaver series. Bring on book two! 🫶🏻
October 9, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Captive and Crown was a good read, but I was hoping for something a little more intense.
One of my favourite aspects was the writing. The descriptions were beautiful, and I particularly enjoyed Kaia's internal monologue and the way she processed her feelings for Leander. Some of those emotional moments genuinely resonated with me.I also really liked the concept of empaths and telepaths and how their abilities fit into the world. It was an interesting element of the magic system, and I would have loved to explore it even more.
Unfortunately, the romance didn't quite deliver the tension I was looking for. Kaia was understandably distrustful of Leander, but her transition from resisting her feelings to accepting him felt too quick. Leander seemed completely devoted to her almost from the start, and I wanted more of a push and pull between them. Even when doubts about his loyalty arose, the conflict was resolved so quickly that it didn't have the emotional impact I expected.
I also found the plot somewhat predictable at times, and the side characters didn't leave a particularly strong impression on me, although I did enjoy the potential for some interesting dynamics. That being said, I don't think this is a bad book at all. I enjoyed the author's writing style, and the fantasy world has plenty of potential. The story feels more like the beginning of something bigger than a fully developed, high-stakes adventure in its own right.
I'm hoping Splinter and Soul will expand on the worldbuilding, explore the magic system further, raise the stakes, and give the characters and their relationships more room to develop. A promising start, but I needed more tension, more drama, and a romance that made me desperate to turn the next page.
Captive and Crown was a good read, but I was hoping for something a little more intense.
One of my favourite aspects was the writing. The descriptions were beautiful, and I particularly enjoyed Kaia's internal monologue and the way she processed her feelings for Leander. Some of those emotional moments genuinely resonated with me.I also really liked the concept of empaths and telepaths and how their abilities fit into the world. It was an interesting element of the magic system, and I would have loved to explore it even more.
Unfortunately, the romance didn't quite deliver the tension I was looking for. Kaia was understandably distrustful of Leander, but her transition from resisting her feelings to accepting him felt too quick. Leander seemed completely devoted to her almost from the start, and I wanted more of a push and pull between them. Even when doubts about his loyalty arose, the conflict was resolved so quickly that it didn't have the emotional impact I expected.
I also found the plot somewhat predictable at times, and the side characters didn't leave a particularly strong impression on me, although I did enjoy the potential for some interesting dynamics. That being said, I don't think this is a bad book at all. I enjoyed the author's writing style, and the fantasy world has plenty of potential. The story feels more like the beginning of something bigger than a fully developed, high-stakes adventure in its own right.
I'm hoping Splinter and Soul will expand on the worldbuilding, explore the magic system further, raise the stakes, and give the characters and their relationships more room to develop. A promising start, but I needed more tension, more drama, and a romance that made me desperate to turn the next page.
March 26, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 stars
I should know at this point that I’m picky about romantasy and to not take risks, but here we are. This was not bad. There were sparks in the story that had real potential. I thought the magic system was interesting, and I liked the way the author reflected on how the magic types would affect the culture around them. However, I had issues really feeling like the world was real and lived in. It lacked… something, maybe detail, that would make it feel like more than just words on a page. I wanted to buy into it, but I just felt disconnected from it somehow.
I had some issues with the writing feeling stilted or awkward, particularly with dialogue and speech tags. At one point, Leander says something about a painting and how he’s been saving art that would be burned by his father’s supporters, and the way it’s described completely clashes with the quote, in my opinion. Here: “’Since my father took over the throne, his supporters have burned pieces such as these, lest they lead people astray or put the wrong ideas in their minds. I'm trying to preserve as many as I can,’ he proclaimed, showing his commitment to the cause.” Proclaimed feels like a much bigger word than the quiet, intimate conversation Kaia and Leander are having, and the “showing his commitment to the cause” bit is a huge case of show, don’t tell. With another round of edits, I think I would have a very different review.
3/5 stars
I should know at this point that I’m picky about romantasy and to not take risks, but here we are. This was not bad. There were sparks in the story that had real potential. I thought the magic system was interesting, and I liked the way the author reflected on how the magic types would affect the culture around them. However, I had issues really feeling like the world was real and lived in. It lacked… something, maybe detail, that would make it feel like more than just words on a page. I wanted to buy into it, but I just felt disconnected from it somehow.
I had some issues with the writing feeling stilted or awkward, particularly with dialogue and speech tags. At one point, Leander says something about a painting and how he’s been saving art that would be burned by his father’s supporters, and the way it’s described completely clashes with the quote, in my opinion. Here: “’Since my father took over the throne, his supporters have burned pieces such as these, lest they lead people astray or put the wrong ideas in their minds. I'm trying to preserve as many as I can,’ he proclaimed, showing his commitment to the cause.” Proclaimed feels like a much bigger word than the quiet, intimate conversation Kaia and Leander are having, and the “showing his commitment to the cause” bit is a huge case of show, don’t tell. With another round of edits, I think I would have a very different review.
April 10, 2026
I recently read Captive and Crown by Yashira Ponce and really enjoyed the world and central concept. The idea of divided societies built around different psychic abilities; empaths, telepaths, and others; creates a strong foundation for conflict, and the tension between these groups over resources and trust was one of the most compelling parts of the story. The political undertones and the looming threat of war kept me invested throughout.
The plot itself is engaging, especially with the dynamic between the captured empath soldier and the prince who is secretly working against his tyrannical father. Their alliance, and eventual journey back to her people, builds toward a satisfying and action-driven climax.
For me personally, the romance was more of a slow burn than I typically prefer, and at times it took center stage over the larger conflict. While I understand that’s a key element of the story, there were moments where I found myself more interested in the political intrigue and worldbuilding than the emotional back-and-forth. But that may just be my personal preference. Additionally, the main character’s perspective occasionally felt a bit at odds with her abilities as an empath, particularly in social situations.
That said, the book delivers a unique premise, solid pacing in the second half, and an ending that pays off the central conflict. Fans of slow-burn romance mixed with fantasy and psychic elements will likely find a lot to enjoy here.
Overall, a strong and imaginative read. 4 Stars.
The plot itself is engaging, especially with the dynamic between the captured empath soldier and the prince who is secretly working against his tyrannical father. Their alliance, and eventual journey back to her people, builds toward a satisfying and action-driven climax.
For me personally, the romance was more of a slow burn than I typically prefer, and at times it took center stage over the larger conflict. While I understand that’s a key element of the story, there were moments where I found myself more interested in the political intrigue and worldbuilding than the emotional back-and-forth. But that may just be my personal preference. Additionally, the main character’s perspective occasionally felt a bit at odds with her abilities as an empath, particularly in social situations.
That said, the book delivers a unique premise, solid pacing in the second half, and an ending that pays off the central conflict. Fans of slow-burn romance mixed with fantasy and psychic elements will likely find a lot to enjoy here.
Overall, a strong and imaginative read. 4 Stars.
September 5, 2026
This book started with a bang, and I felt connected to the characters right away. The pace slowed down after that, and I had some concerns in the middle, but by the end of the book I was locked back in, and now I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I enjoyed Leander as a character, and in particular found his relationship with his sister interesting. Both main characters have a squad of friends/coworkers who were lovable and diverse. I appreciated the author's efforts to make two separate cultures and have each of them interact in the other person's world. The magic system was fascinating and inspired some questions. I found it interesting that the culture which has magic to control emotions was the one who relied on emotions to make decisions. I would have guessed that it would have been the other way around. I hope that in future books we explore the third type of magic in more detail.
For me, the weak part of the story surrounded the military aspects. I found it hard to believe that Kaia passed any sort of military training program with given how impulsive and adverse to taking commands she is. For her to be elevated to second in command was even more unbelievable. She makes a series of terrible strategic choices, I don't want to get too spoilery, but one example would be choosing to run away on the night she had imbibed more than she normally allows herself. I suspect that the whole chess-thing was included to excuse her impulsiveness. Also, why didn't she know how to set up a tent? They didn't have any field training? Practice hiding tracks? Really?
I enjoyed Leander as a character, and in particular found his relationship with his sister interesting. Both main characters have a squad of friends/coworkers who were lovable and diverse. I appreciated the author's efforts to make two separate cultures and have each of them interact in the other person's world. The magic system was fascinating and inspired some questions. I found it interesting that the culture which has magic to control emotions was the one who relied on emotions to make decisions. I would have guessed that it would have been the other way around. I hope that in future books we explore the third type of magic in more detail.
For me, the weak part of the story surrounded the military aspects. I found it hard to believe that Kaia passed any sort of military training program with given how impulsive and adverse to taking commands she is. For her to be elevated to second in command was even more unbelievable. She makes a series of terrible strategic choices, I don't want to get too spoilery, but one example would be choosing to run away on the night she had imbibed more than she normally allows herself. I suspect that the whole chess-thing was included to excuse her impulsiveness. Also, why didn't she know how to set up a tent? They didn't have any field training? Practice hiding tracks? Really?
February 11, 2026
Wow, my mind is still reeling from the last half of Captive and Crown. While the beginning of story was a little slow and **trigger warning - there is some prisoner brutality** by the second half of the book, the pace of the story was great and I was immersed in the story!
Both Kaia and Leander were very complex characters so it took some time to feel like I knew who they were but once I did, I loved them both. I don't want to spoil anything but there are some twists and turns and reveals that kept me turning the pages to the end!
The world of Zoi and how the different powers work took awhile for me to understand and I still have questions but I still loved this world and want to know more! Some things in the word seem from a previous time but then there is other technology and cars that speaks to the higher tech of today. Again, nothing bad, just made me a little confused at times.
I love both Kaia and Leander's hearts and their need and want to help others and the greater good. They were different, yet similar in so many ways. I also love (most of) Kaia's fellow soldiers and friends and Leander's team. I especially loved Navin, Priam and Bego!
I truly loved the end! It was happy with still knowing there is more to come and I am so excited for the second book in this series! This was such a unique Romance Fantasy book and I can't wait to dive into the world of Zoi again!
Both Kaia and Leander were very complex characters so it took some time to feel like I knew who they were but once I did, I loved them both. I don't want to spoil anything but there are some twists and turns and reveals that kept me turning the pages to the end!
The world of Zoi and how the different powers work took awhile for me to understand and I still have questions but I still loved this world and want to know more! Some things in the word seem from a previous time but then there is other technology and cars that speaks to the higher tech of today. Again, nothing bad, just made me a little confused at times.
I love both Kaia and Leander's hearts and their need and want to help others and the greater good. They were different, yet similar in so many ways. I also love (most of) Kaia's fellow soldiers and friends and Leander's team. I especially loved Navin, Priam and Bego!
I truly loved the end! It was happy with still knowing there is more to come and I am so excited for the second book in this series! This was such a unique Romance Fantasy book and I can't wait to dive into the world of Zoi again!
March 30, 2026
This ended up being such a fun romantasy read. It took me a little while to fully settle into the story, but once things got moving I was hooked.
One of my favourite parts was the magic system. It felt really unique and different from a lot of fantasy I’ve read lately. The world itself also felt interesting and layered, and I’m definitely curious to see more of it in the next book.
Kaia and Leander were both really compelling characters. It took a little time to get a feel for them at first, but once I did, I found myself really invested in their story. The second half especially picked up the pace with some twists and reveals that kept me turning the pages. I did feel that it read like an upper YA for the first 50% or so but there were definitely some spicy scenes later on.
Overall this was a really solid romantasy with a creative magic system, interesting characters, and a story that builds to a pretty satisfying ending. I’m definitely excited to see where the series goes and will be picking up the next book for sure.
Thank you to Yashira Ponce, Ponce Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
One of my favourite parts was the magic system. It felt really unique and different from a lot of fantasy I’ve read lately. The world itself also felt interesting and layered, and I’m definitely curious to see more of it in the next book.
Kaia and Leander were both really compelling characters. It took a little time to get a feel for them at first, but once I did, I found myself really invested in their story. The second half especially picked up the pace with some twists and reveals that kept me turning the pages. I did feel that it read like an upper YA for the first 50% or so but there were definitely some spicy scenes later on.
Overall this was a really solid romantasy with a creative magic system, interesting characters, and a story that builds to a pretty satisfying ending. I’m definitely excited to see where the series goes and will be picking up the next book for sure.
Thank you to Yashira Ponce, Ponce Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 30, 2026
This was a wild ride, there was a lot of political intrigue and slow-burn romance that I enjoyed. Our FMC, has empath powers where she can see someone’s heart and feelings. The concept of powers like that was so cool and I loved how she is a strong soldier with such powers that make her feel so deeply. Her profession of growth was so beautiful to see especially how at times she was closed off to love and she made an intentional effort to open up her heart and be vulnerable. Our MMC was a green flag, from the beginning they started off as enemies but he was never cruel to her but tried to understand her, be patient, and overall respect her! I really enjoyed how sweet he was and how he bared his heart to the FMC and the people he loves and cares about. I really liked the concept of the word being technologically advanced as compared to other romantasy books but we don’t get context of what year we are in, so it’s sprinkled in and not a main focus which I actually enjoyed. This is shaping up to be a great series and the writing was well done it could’ve been a standalone even! But I am locking in to read the second book now!
Thank you to the author for a free copy of the book!
Thank you to the author for a free copy of the book!
August 28, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
An inventive enemies to lovers romantasy built around a genuinely compelling magic system of empaths, telepaths, and psychic kingdoms at war. Kaia is a strong lead, and her forced alliance with Leander, the Kadaron prince secretly plotting against his tyrannical father, drives real political tension. Their slow burn connection feels earned, with both characters gradually dropping their guard as trust builds between people raised to see each other as enemies, and their respective squads add warmth throughout. The world building blends historical fantasy with unexpected modern touches, blaster guns and luxury cars alongside ancient magic, which can feel disorienting without more grounding. Pacing meanders through the middle before picking up considerably in the back half, building to a genuinely exciting, twist filled climax. A few subplots could use more development, but the central romance and political stakes carry the story. A unique series opener for fans of psychic fantasy and rival kingdoms forced into uneasy alliance.
An inventive enemies to lovers romantasy built around a genuinely compelling magic system of empaths, telepaths, and psychic kingdoms at war. Kaia is a strong lead, and her forced alliance with Leander, the Kadaron prince secretly plotting against his tyrannical father, drives real political tension. Their slow burn connection feels earned, with both characters gradually dropping their guard as trust builds between people raised to see each other as enemies, and their respective squads add warmth throughout. The world building blends historical fantasy with unexpected modern touches, blaster guns and luxury cars alongside ancient magic, which can feel disorienting without more grounding. Pacing meanders through the middle before picking up considerably in the back half, building to a genuinely exciting, twist filled climax. A few subplots could use more development, but the central romance and political stakes carry the story. A unique series opener for fans of psychic fantasy and rival kingdoms forced into uneasy alliance.
March 9, 2026
This is a wonderfully refreshing original story. Slow to start with but had me absolutely hooked by the end. That ending though!
The magic and powers in the world does take. a little while to get your head around but it's explained pretty well.
Be prepared for the twists! Normally I can tell when something will be a twist but this time I couldn't but also didn't come out of nowhere, it was very cleverly done.
This was 100% an adult romantasy and has been written like one from the start. The downfall of some of these from my personal experience is they just don't balance well and focus so much on either romance and the fantasy element is lacking or they focus so much on the fantasy the romance feels forced with no real connection. This book was balanced perfectly and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Very highly recommend if you love a good immersive romantasy.
The magic and powers in the world does take. a little while to get your head around but it's explained pretty well.
Be prepared for the twists! Normally I can tell when something will be a twist but this time I couldn't but also didn't come out of nowhere, it was very cleverly done.
This was 100% an adult romantasy and has been written like one from the start. The downfall of some of these from my personal experience is they just don't balance well and focus so much on either romance and the fantasy element is lacking or they focus so much on the fantasy the romance feels forced with no real connection. This book was balanced perfectly and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Very highly recommend if you love a good immersive romantasy.
March 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Ponce Publishing for the ARC.
Plot 4/5
Characters 4.25/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-This is quite a typical book that I would enjoy, and I did. The premise was intriguing, the world was interesting and the characters were fun. It did take me a little while to really get into the story but once the two protagonists met, I actually flew by this. There were some moments where I wish things took longer to resolve. A problem always ended only after a few pages.
-I liked the characters. The relationship dynamics were also fun but I also felt like it went faster than I would have liked. Kaia ended up being fully committed to the Leander and his friends very early on. But other than the very fast paced moments, the protagonists and side characters are great.
-I actually thought this book was a standalone, so when things ended with a cliffhanger I was surprised. It just makes me all the more curious about how things will evolve.
Plot 4/5
Characters 4.25/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4/5
Overall 4/5
-This is quite a typical book that I would enjoy, and I did. The premise was intriguing, the world was interesting and the characters were fun. It did take me a little while to really get into the story but once the two protagonists met, I actually flew by this. There were some moments where I wish things took longer to resolve. A problem always ended only after a few pages.
-I liked the characters. The relationship dynamics were also fun but I also felt like it went faster than I would have liked. Kaia ended up being fully committed to the Leander and his friends very early on. But other than the very fast paced moments, the protagonists and side characters are great.
-I actually thought this book was a standalone, so when things ended with a cliffhanger I was surprised. It just makes me all the more curious about how things will evolve.
March 24, 2026
3.5/5
As a Romantasy book, I didnt expect a whole lot of world building or information but I wanted more than I got. I felt a bit disconnected to the world around Kaia and the oppression empaths were under. I wanted more of Kaia's past, hometown, and life beyond the start of the book. In turn, getting to know her was a bit difficult. I still love her and admire her spirit but she could have been a bit stronger of a character with a little more background, especially compared to the side characters. They were so well developed. Way better than the two mains. I did very much like the story surrounding empaths as powerful weilders. I dont see that very much in any fantasy novel. So many good moments but I think right now this book wasn't exactly what I needed. Think I will try again at another time.
As a Romantasy book, I didnt expect a whole lot of world building or information but I wanted more than I got. I felt a bit disconnected to the world around Kaia and the oppression empaths were under. I wanted more of Kaia's past, hometown, and life beyond the start of the book. In turn, getting to know her was a bit difficult. I still love her and admire her spirit but she could have been a bit stronger of a character with a little more background, especially compared to the side characters. They were so well developed. Way better than the two mains. I did very much like the story surrounding empaths as powerful weilders. I dont see that very much in any fantasy novel. So many good moments but I think right now this book wasn't exactly what I needed. Think I will try again at another time.
August 24, 2026
Thank you Yashira Ponce, Ponce Publishing & NetGalley for an ARC of Captive and Crown!
Captive and Crown was a solid romantasy that took a little while to win me over. The second half was definitely stronger, with the plot picking up and the story becoming much more engaging. I also enjoyed the complexity of the characters and thought the book did a good job balancing the romance with the larger fantasy plot without letting either completely overshadow the other.
My biggest issues were the slow start and uneven pacing. The world-building was also a little confusing at times, and I found myself having to piece together some of the fantasy elements as the story progressed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot of potential, especially once the story really got going. A 3.5-star read for me and I am looking forward to book 2!
Captive and Crown was a solid romantasy that took a little while to win me over. The second half was definitely stronger, with the plot picking up and the story becoming much more engaging. I also enjoyed the complexity of the characters and thought the book did a good job balancing the romance with the larger fantasy plot without letting either completely overshadow the other.
My biggest issues were the slow start and uneven pacing. The world-building was also a little confusing at times, and I found myself having to piece together some of the fantasy elements as the story progressed.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot of potential, especially once the story really got going. A 3.5-star read for me and I am looking forward to book 2!
August 29, 2026
Thank you to Yashira Ponce and NetGalley for the ARC of Captive and Crown.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this one! It had everything I love in a fantasy romance — political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and, of course, he falls first and harder romance. The world-building was one of my favourite parts. Each nation had its own unique powers and that we got to discover more about the world as the story progressed. There were plenty of revelations along the way that kept me guessing and added some great twists to the story. The political elements brought an interesting layer to the plot, and I really enjoyed seeing how the different nations, powers and characters all connected.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with a fascinating world, plenty of intrigue and a romance I was invested in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this one! It had everything I love in a fantasy romance — political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and, of course, he falls first and harder romance. The world-building was one of my favourite parts. Each nation had its own unique powers and that we got to discover more about the world as the story progressed. There were plenty of revelations along the way that kept me guessing and added some great twists to the story. The political elements brought an interesting layer to the plot, and I really enjoyed seeing how the different nations, powers and characters all connected.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with a fascinating world, plenty of intrigue and a romance I was invested in.
September 27, 2026
Honestly Yashira Ponce completely blew me away with Captive and Crown. The world building is super detailed and immersive, and it pulls you straight into all the kingdom rivalries and cool magic from chapter one.
Kaia is easily one of my favorite main characters ever. Her emotional growth throughout the story felt so real and well thought out. I loved the whole setup of her having to learn to trust her captor to save her friends and kingdom, it felt so fresh compared to standard fantasy romance books.
And the MMC is amazing. A prince under that much pressure needing a stranger to help him make the biggest decision of his life made their dynamic so good.
This book really has it all: adventure, culture, amazing romance, and spice. 10/10, definitely my favorite read this year, waiting for the sequel! 🤭🤭
Kaia is easily one of my favorite main characters ever. Her emotional growth throughout the story felt so real and well thought out. I loved the whole setup of her having to learn to trust her captor to save her friends and kingdom, it felt so fresh compared to standard fantasy romance books.
And the MMC is amazing. A prince under that much pressure needing a stranger to help him make the biggest decision of his life made their dynamic so good.
This book really has it all: adventure, culture, amazing romance, and spice. 10/10, definitely my favorite read this year, waiting for the sequel! 🤭🤭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a page-turner that pulled me in from the very beginning. The pacing is great, the chapters flow effortlessly, and the cultural details woven throughout the story add so much authenticity and heart to the world.
The characters are compelling, and several of them clearly have deeper stories that I’m so excited to see explored further in a sequel. The ending is deeply satisfying on its own while perfectly setting the stage for what’s to come, leaving me eager for more without feeling frustrated.
This is a must-read for fantasy lovers who enjoy rich world building, high stakes, and emotional depth. Adventurous, tense, hopeful, and powerful. I can’t wait to hear about a sequel!
The characters are compelling, and several of them clearly have deeper stories that I’m so excited to see explored further in a sequel. The ending is deeply satisfying on its own while perfectly setting the stage for what’s to come, leaving me eager for more without feeling frustrated.
This is a must-read for fantasy lovers who enjoy rich world building, high stakes, and emotional depth. Adventurous, tense, hopeful, and powerful. I can’t wait to hear about a sequel!
April 12, 2026
I was genuinely captivated by this book! Author has done a great job writing this story that captivates the audience with its magical world, kingdom rivalries and magical Main characters. If you're looking for a book that is different from an Fmc who has to learn to trust her captor in order to free herself and her friends and save her kingdom, then this is the book for you. I thought the complicated emotional journey that the fmc goes on throughout her journey was also very relatable and it was very well planned and played out! The mmc was also excellent as he is a prince and needs this stranger to help him with the most important decision he will ever make. This book has adventure, culture, romance, spice and everything you are looking for. Great read! I can't wait to read the sequel!
August 23, 2026
Such an enjoyable and fun read! The magic system and character powers were definitely highlights for me, and the concept kept me engaged from start to finish.
I wished for more background information about Kaia and her home city, since protecting it was a major plot point, more world-building would have made the stakes feel even stronger.
Despite wanting a little more character development, I really enjoyed the overall vibe and magic. It's a solid fantasy read, and I'm super curious to see where the story goes in book two!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
I wished for more background information about Kaia and her home city, since protecting it was a major plot point, more world-building would have made the stakes feel even stronger.
Despite wanting a little more character development, I really enjoyed the overall vibe and magic. It's a solid fantasy read, and I'm super curious to see where the story goes in book two!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2026
Yashira's voice comes through in this novel without me even knowing her, and that's a neat aspect for an author to have. It's consistent, and I can feel her vigor behind the keyboard.
This is not my typical genre at all which is important to note, but I wish the novel was a bit more fast-paced and condensed which is the only reason for my 4 star review. Again, this is not my genre, so who knows!
Great job, Yashira, capturing your voice in this story. Lovers of indie authors, slow burn & political tension should check this out!
This is not my typical genre at all which is important to note, but I wish the novel was a bit more fast-paced and condensed which is the only reason for my 4 star review. Again, this is not my genre, so who knows!
Great job, Yashira, capturing your voice in this story. Lovers of indie authors, slow burn & political tension should check this out!
May 29, 2026
Captive and Crown is such a fun romantasy read that completely pulled me in. It took me a little while to fully settle into the story at first, but once the plot picked up, I was absolutely hooked and couldn’t stop turning the pages.
What I loved most was how the story balanced romance, political intrigue, emotional depth, and adventure without feeling overwhelming. The ending felt satisfying while still leaving plenty of room for the series to grow, and I already know I’ll be picking up the next book.
What I loved most was how the story balanced romance, political intrigue, emotional depth, and adventure without feeling overwhelming. The ending felt satisfying while still leaving plenty of room for the series to grow, and I already know I’ll be picking up the next book.
June 12, 2026
This isn't my usual genre, but I enjoyed the story. Captive and Crown was a good fantasy romance with plenty of tension, intrigue, and character development. It took me a little bit to get fully into the story, but once the plot gained momentum, I was drawn in to keep reading. Kaia and Leander have chemistry, and I loved watching their relationship slowly develop. The mix of magic, danger, and romance kept the story engaging, and the ending left me excited to see what happens next. A fun read for fans of fantasy romance. (4.5 stars, so I round up.)
September 14, 2026
Where to even start.. I haven’t been so fully captivated by a book in a long while. This was my first time receiving an ARC and reading a book by an indie author so I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it. However, any expectations I had were blown so out of the water! I loved the characters, the world, the magic system.. It had all the elements I love in a romantasy and could stand next to the big names! Thank you SO much to the author for the copy! I can’t wait to dive into book two ❤️✨
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