Captive and Crown

by Yashira Ponce

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.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Yashira 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.

Reviews

[sofi⋆ [charming to alarming in seconds] · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 !!

[S *.❤︎₊ ⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

03/03/2026~

**Updated review after finishing the book**

Final rating: 4.25 🌟
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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!
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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 :).
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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!

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[J.A. Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Elia Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emilie Jappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lumie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[A.M. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Liza J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the romance between Kaia and Leander was so good. The characters were all compelling and I was rooting for Kaia the entire time, she's a great lead. Practical, grounded, passionate and believable in how she reacts to everything she's facing.

Evoked a very "If anything happens to Kaia, I'm killing everyone in this room and then myself"

[Haru Nawasena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy Provided by NetGalley

This is so fun to read. A cozy read with rich world building and magical adventures. I really love how the author give the character development to the characters.