The Drowned Queen

by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir

"Brutal, shocking, and yet beautifully written.

The Drowned Queen crosses realms and spans centuries, delivering starlit magic that reimagines the power of love."


—Independent Book Review





After a century of servitude in the Duskhold—a hellscape meant for eternal suffering—a woman seeks death in a mystical sea, but is instead reborn with cosmic powers. She’s thrown into a dazzling Fae court, and must reclaim her memories and her lost love while navigating political dangers and the looming, wicked goddess who wants her for her own. Her quest for a second chance will either redeem her or shatter the fragile balance between worlds entirely.

Genres: Fae

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Elspeth Gregorsdóttir is a fantasy romance author whose work explores devotion, agency, and the consequences of love and fate. The Drowned Queen is her debut novel and the first installment in The Astral Queen series.

She lives in the United States with her husband, daughter, and their four animals.

Pre-order your signed copy of The Drowned Queen by visiting www.elspethgregorsdottir.com

Reviews

[JT Reads Anything · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

1.5 🌶️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“A mortal lifetime with you is worthless countless centuries of power and privilege, it wouldn’t be a sacrifice.”

With lyrical prose reminiscent of Sarah A. Parker, The Drowned Queen takes us on a journey of love separated by grief and time, recovery of forgotten memories, and political intrigue.

The story opens in Duskhold, a gray world where our mortal FMC has spent a century in servitude, aging but never dying. She journeys to the Whispering Sea where she is transformed into a new body with the ability to manipulate shadows and stars. But she is searching for her love, lost 100 years ago, and she must travel to the Fae realm. Will she find him? If she does, does their love transcend time? Why was she blessed by the gods upon her return? Or is she cursed by the gods? The Drowned Queen is sure to catch your attention!

As far as first books go, it’s a little confusing but that is to be expected when at the beginning of a series. Why..? Because there is so much more to come! And while I anticipated the twist at the end, I’m so glad the author is going that direction. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book!!

**In order to get 5 stars for me, I think the romance between Torian and Aevra needed a little more believability. I had trouble with Torian’s character. I was glad she may not end up with him. I’m not a writer, so to give specifics as to how he could have been written better is hard for me to say. But I found him a little cringey. Also, the story seemed to jump around a bit and some additional world building is needed. I don’t quite understand why the Fae are so hateful of the mortals or how the gods work into the story. But I’m sure more of that is to come.

[Desi Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this fantasy is beautiful, laying out the story in detailed strokes of a pen. The love story inside is tragic.

I enjoyed reading this book, although there are still many important questions left unanswered such as the true source of her magic, why she was picked for it, and why the book is called the Drowned Queen when she is not even a princess. Please note the ending has a mild cliff hanger. I would love to read the next book, although this one has not even been officially published so I guess it will be a little while for some answers.

Thank you for the arc, this is a voluntary review.

[Sabrina Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

tldr; This book hurt my heart. Would read again! Excited for the next!

I’ll start off by saying I’m not generally the person who cries over books. Definitely not over love stories. But it wasn’t the love story in this book that made me genuinely want to cry.

The strongest element in this book by far is the emotional depth of the characters. It’s written in first person from the female protagonist’s POV, with third person scenes from others, but the feelings of these characters absolutely come alive.

Not just the two main leads, either – parents. Would-be love interests. Side characters who help our female lead on her way. Even an antagonist or two. None of them take away from our leads but what we do see of them makes it obvious they have their own rich inner lives, their own stories.

There’s intense yearning, forbidden love, some truly profound grief and anxiety; I truly felt for these characters. I was as stressed as the female lead was over escaping hell only to find out she might not have escaped permanently, trying to reclaim things she’s lost – even when she knows there’s no chance of getting them back.

But you can’t stop reading once you get into it, you know? The poor protagonists want a happy ending and it doesn’t seem possible at all. There’s even a sub-arc in the story where the female lead knows deep down she’s not going to be happy with what she finds, but she still needs to know the answers.

And answers were another thing that kept me at the edge of my seat. There’s so many questions at the start, and while some of them are resolved, a great many more come up as we go through the story. I particularly liked this story’s mythology, which it felt like we were getting bits of… but never quite everything we needed to know.

I’m very genuinely excited to read the second book; it doesn’t end on something I would call a cliffhanger but there’s a lot more I’d like to know about our characters, the plot, and the overall setting.

I will say that the weakest element of this book is unfortunately the very plot that I also find interesting. It’s reasonable to not give away everything in the first book – and maybe I’m just not the most attentive reader – but I felt like there were just too many questions and questionable explanations for things when I reached the end of the story.

My other complaint isn’t something that was necessarily bad (for more reasons than one, which anyone who reads the book will understand), but just something I felt could be better. The romance between the female and male lead is compelling - I wanted them to be together! But between the plot, their forbidden relationship, and their history together, I don't feel like we really got to see any chemistry from them as a couple.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Heather WilsFles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Drowned Queen captured me from the very beginning with the graphic descriptions and minute details - which are ever present throughout the book.

The journey from start to finish is breathtaking. The way the author weaves the story of the FMC discovering her magic, learning how to wield it and its power, leaves you breathless and wishing for more, more, more of those beautiful astral projections that feel like they’re in the room with you.

The slow burn of the soul breaking lost and then found again love is frustratingly delicious and beautifully sculpted. Just enough spice for the imagination to enjoy the scenes and cheer indulgently for the characters pinnacle moment of reconnection (insert fist pumps in the air for this scene finally occurring!).

The twists and turns of the plot are fantastically woven and catch you off guard at every turn. The plot twist cliffhanger ending had me screaming ”NO!!” and wanting to throw my kindle across the room.

This is an amazing read that I highly recommend and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

[Nia Antoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of advance copy received from author.*


The Drowned Queen by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir is a romance-fantasy debut novel about an approximately 120-year-old woman searching for her long-lost love after a century-long imprisonment and supernatural transformation. The FMC has forgotten so much of her past life and while she is answering this call of love, she is also trying to figure out who she is and who she was.

I received an ARC of the book from the author, and honestly, that was one of the main things that really drove me to finish it.

Reading the first 175 pages of this book was challenging to get through. I wanted to DNF the book around page 46 because the pacing felt unnaturally fast to me, and many things were simply told through other characters as a form of explanation.

I feel like when the FMC discovered she had magical powers (p. 18–19), that moment could have been explored more thoroughly through an entire chapter. It felt extremely rushed, and the FMC seemed overly accepting of things that one would normally explore in more depth. This wasn’t something natural to her, and considering everything she had overcome, it should have been surprising and something new for her to learn about herself.

The days moved quite quickly considering everything that was happening. This may be a personal preference, but I think concepts should be fleshed out through a chapter or more. Having major developments condensed into only a few paragraphs made me feel disconnected from the FMC and struggle to understand her personally.

There were various instances where I felt one chapter could have been split into multiple chapters based on how quickly the settings changed, how much time passed, and how rapidly the plot moved from paragraph to paragraph without a distinct ending to the previous scene. I do feel like the author sharpened this aspect later in the book, which made the story much less challenging to read.

The narration also moved between first person and third person quite a bit. This was confusing and difficult to follow at times. The FMC is described as having serious amnesia, yet suddenly she starts naming things out of nowhere, like the Cisqa (ch. 2) and the Silverwood Forest (ch. 3), after repeatedly explaining that she remembers almost nothing about who she was before her imprisonment other than a hazy memory of a past lover.

Personally, this felt like a way for the author to quickly inform the audience of things the FMC didn’t actually know, but it was done in a very “telling” way during the beginning of the book. I really appreciated the dreams and visions she experiences later on that explain how her memory is beginning to return and show her gradually becoming enlightened to things essential to her journey.

Another thing that confused me was the inconsistency between the FMC’s feelings and actions. At times, they simply did not align, which again made it difficult to understand who she truly was.

The FMC states:
“But it was mine — the only sound I was allowed to answer to for a hundred years. I held it like a shard of glass and dared anyone to pry it from my bloody grip” (p. 24).

This is a very intense depiction of how strongly she feels about her name — something clearly important to her and something she seems entirely unwilling to part with.

Yet on the very next page she states:
“I repeated, testing the name, the sound it made, the way my mouth moved. I sat with it for a moment, allowing the identity to settle over me, to permeate me. It didn’t feel borrowed. It felt right. I allowed _____, the enslaved husk, to fall away, and invited ____ to stay.”

She also didn’t inquire why her new friends thought the original name was inappropriate, and after feeling tethered to it for so long, she didn’t put up much of a fight for it. It was simply written off.

Additionally, the author poured immense emotion and description into places that felt somewhat forced in an effort to make the reader forge deeper connections with certain characters or relationships.

For example, on page 37, the FMC states that she has a mother-daughter connection with a woman she has known for less than 24 hours.

On page 270, she states, “____”, testing the name I had clawed to reclaim.”, when this felt far from the truth because her main focus has truly been finding and being with her lover.

And lastly on page 200, the FMC states,
“The surrounding crocuses bowed to him in the wind. Their violet petals trembled, scarlet filaments peeking out for a single glimpse of he who stood among them. The breeze was thick with their ambrosial scent, an earthy sweetness that refused to fade as a golden haze blew from their hearts.”

This felt like an exaggerated perception of the MMC that didn’t actually align with who he was as a character.

To be frank, I wasn’t buying a lot of what the author was initially selling.

Also, I must say that I was genuinely confused by how much “love” the FMC and MMC were described as having because I struggled to truly feel it throughout the book. To me, it felt more like an over-invested infatuation that kept them connected.

The MMC was honestly insufferable to me. He is spineless, reckless, and ultimately dangerous because he refuses to take even a second to think rationally before acting. The FMC seems to be the only person enamored by him, while I, as a reader, felt like she deserved better the entire time.

This book is painted as a “star-crossed lovers” trope, but I feel like that may have been masterfully manipulated to expose whatever true love story lies ahead. I was initially disappointed because I felt like I was reading about a lovesick goddess chasing after an underwhelming man.

I personally do not enjoy weak FMCs, but it seems like everyone understands how powerful the FMC is except for herself. I think this introductory book did a great job exploring her beginnings, and I look forward to seeing how she grows into herself as the series unfolds.

Ultimately, the latter half of this book (page 175 and onward) became a genuine page-turner for me. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the rest of this series, and despite my critiques, I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

[EM R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from the author Elspeth Gregorsdóttir on BookSirens, so thank you for the opportunity to review this novel!

Lovers of romantasy will enjoy this book. It contains faeries, magical illusions, and handsome princes—oh my!

The Drowned Queen follows the story of a woman who was formerly imprisoned in a miserable place called the Duskhold. At the beginning of the book, we see her freed from the Duskhold and standing at the edge of a vast sea that welcomes her into its depths in her attempt to die—but instead of granting her wish for death, it remakes her piece by piece into someone new.

She goes on a journey to learn about this new identity and how it relates to her most precious possession—a blue sea glass charm—and unearth the relationships that were lost to her during her time in the Duskhold, including a romantic relationship with Prince Torian of the Amber Vale. She and Torian just want to live and love each other freely, but of course, royal duty always calls, and the obstacles keep stacking up against them. One such obstacle they must try to surmount is the taboo of a human and Fae romance.

My Thoughts

The author gives a lot of care and attention to detail to the worldbuilding to make you feel fully immersed within this magical landscape. There are customs and celebrations unique to the humans and Fae that inhabit each region of this world, which makes it easy to imagine everyday people engaging in meaningful rituals with their loved ones. Speaking of worldbuilding, the Harthorn is probably my favorite fantasy creature from this novel; it could easily seem like something out of a horror narrative, but it embodies a dual nature.

In some chapters, we get to see Torian’s thoughts, especially when Lyra is absent from the scene. I’m personally not a big fan of dual POV books, and as you get farther into this one, you’ll see that other character’s perspectives are also included. However, this structure provides additional context and interiority for Torian’s actions and gives us knowledge of the plot that we likely wouldn’t receive otherwise, because this is primarily a 1st person POV story. Readers who are more inclined toward the multi-perspective style may enjoy this aspect.

Metaphorical language is used heavily throughout this book. So are similes. I like a good comparison, and this seems to be a common trait of fantasies, but including too many can work against the flow, lessen their impact, and come off as overdone.

The side characters add fun quirks and dynamics to the narrative. Tomas and Elidra remain memorable due to their well-meaning banter with each other and their compassion for Lyra, and Lysara and Miravelle offer differing perspectives of what life is like within the Amber Vale. There’s also an expected-but-unexpected romance between two female characters that I’d love to see more of.

Supporting #WomensWrongs. Alezae is my queen because I like an antagonistic female character (lowkey same with Lady Valeraine), but also because her story is one I can sympathize with.

I haven’t read a lot of romantasy so I don’t know if this is common to the genre, but I appreciate that the author doesn’t shy away from darker aspects like abuse, slavery, gore, etc. These details make you feel more grounded within the narrative, understanding that these are living beings who are subjected to torture and mistreatment and are trying to create better realities for themselves and escape the trauma.

I love that the author created her own cover art for this book, especially as we’re currently experiencing a deluge of self-published authors who are choosing to use AI to create their covers. I understand the costs for design and artwork can be prohibitive, but our own creativity is always superior when putting work out into the world. Plus, the art itself is very nicely done; I enjoyed looking at it each time I dove back into the ebook.

And finally — no spoilers here, but this book ends on a twist that sets up the suspense nicely for a sequel. Because when is love ever easy or straightforward?

Pick up this book if you like:

Romantasy

Faerie lore

Forbidden romance

Self-discovery journeys

Pass it by if you don’t want to read about:

Purplish prose

Cliffhanger endings

Triggering topics like epidemics, slavery, and parental death

Abusive parents

[Sameeksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all grand love stories end in a happily ever after. Or do they?

The Drowned Queen is the first book in The Astral Queen series and also the author’s debut novel. It begins with a woman standing at the edge of the Whispering Sea. After living a century in servitude under a cruel master in the Duskhold, she decides she would rather drown than live another day — but fate has other plans. She is thrown back into the world carrying long-lost memories of a past love and a powerful magic imbued with stars and shadows.

I received an ARC from BookSirens and the author for my honest review.

Plot and Writing: The book is written primarily in first person with a single point of view, so we enter the story just as blind as the main character to the world around her. However, a few additional perspectives are introduced to move the plot forward and reveal other aspects of the story.
The writing is beautifully descriptive and flows smoothly through a plot centred on world-building, a soft magic system, and a century-long forbidden love story between a fae and a human. I especially loved the vivid descriptions of the world, the magic, the clothing, and the atmosphere overall. My favourite aspect, however, was the world itself… its beliefs, customs, myths, and political tensions made it feel immersive and layered.
Even with its soft magic system, the world-building feels complex and rich. The story remains unpredictable enough to keep you engaged throughout.

Relationship: The soul of this book lies in the relationship between the two main characters. The author portrays love stretched across a century with palpable anguish, sorrow, longing, jealousy, and tenderness.
While romance is central to the story, the protagonist’s relationship with her father was equally emotional and heartbreaking at times. The story also explores several other meaningful relationships that added warmth and depth to the narrative.

Characters: Although the book mainly focuses on the human protagonist and her relationship with the fae love interest, the supporting cast is developed well enough that the story would feel incomplete without them.
The protagonist feels grounded and realistic. Despite having people helping her along the way, she never comes across as weak or indecisive. I especially enjoyed watching her transformation throughout this first instalment and am excited to see where her character goes next.
I’m also very interested in seeing how the historian’s story unfolds, as Lysara ended up being one of my favourite characters. Valerine and Daeran were also intriguing and well-developed additions to the cast.

Recommendation: Overall, this is a great pick for readers looking to ease into fantasy, as well as for those who enjoy romance, emotional storytelling, and whimsical soft magic set in a richly imagined world. While it did not completely grip me in an “unputdownable” way, it was still an engaging, unpredictable, complex and memorable read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Honestly I felt like there's three potential books masquerading as one (420 pages; that's too long for me to still feel so confused about what is actually going on) and they're struggling against each other for one of them to take precedence and be written well instead of poorly. The three ideas all have great potential but they never reach it; it's a little sloppy, honestly, and could have benefitted from tighter editing and more focus on the main story thread. Which I can't even tell what the main story there was: their love story, the gods, or something else. And we move to their relationship being about sex at 35%; I hate when there's so much potential that's just wasted.

I thought that there was potential for this romantasy about fae to be original and unique but it never tried. Slowly, it slipped into tropes barely connected with story. Fated mates. Bait and switch love interest. How original.And it felt like the writing was trying too hard to be flowery and descriptive. There were also some problems with following the POV. The majority of the book is first person, but there are some third person perspective chapters interspersed throughout. There needed to be some difference in the writing between these perspectives because they read as the same POV. And, once, the perspective switched mid chapter which was very confusing.

The characters are so one dimensional that they could be any character in any romantasy story; I have nothing invested in them at all and I couldn't care less about them or their fate. I don't get the basis of the relationship between the MMC and FMC at all; it's just sex. I would have liked their love story to be told first, in like a part one, so we could understand the depth of their relationship. Because first she says she could barely remember him. But then we get told (and never shown) how they loved each other and yearned for each other for the hundred of years they were separated.

Their flatness as characters made it hard to really root for them. The best bits were about the stories of their gods, but what is the part of the gods in this story when they become a tertiary concern? Also, the pacing of this book felt problematic. At chapter 8, it felt like it getting was already solved and there was no need to keep on with the story. What did I have to look forward to? Not much.

What I liked about this story was very little, overall. The Harthorn is the best character. Also Tomas and Eldira are pretty great. But they're definitely secondary characters who shouldn't be more interesting than the main characters.

Also, I think the author may have spoiled the endgame love interest in her author's note. So, yeah.

I was provided this arc for free by the author and BookFunnel. I provided this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remade in a mystical sea and granted unique powers after a century of harsh servitude, a woman seeks to reclaim the memories once lost and the love associated with them while navigating the dangers of a Fae court in The Drowned Queen by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

After spending a century in servitude in the Duskhold, a woman chooses to escape from what’s meant to be eternal punishment and suffering by giving herself over to the Whispering Sea, but she manages the unthinkable by surviving, and not only that, she’s reborn with cosmic powers to manipulate starlight and shadows. Seeking to reclaim the memories of her past, as well as those within it who were lost to her, her path leads her to pose as an illusionist from a lesser-known region to gain entry as an entertainer in the Fae court of the Amber Vale, whose prince recently returned, hoping that this will lead her to the answers she’s looking for. Her hope for and the outcome of a second chance at love will depend on her navigation of the complicated and occasionally dangerous political maneuverings of the court as events progress, while those with power seem to conspire to keep the lovers apart time and time again as their memories resurface and the truth comes to light, which seems to threaten the balance between the worlds.

In a story that incorporates elements of political intrigue, with conspiratorial plotting afoot that contrives to expand the reach of those with established power and interesting Fae-related magical abilities to contrast with their negative interaction dynamic with humans of the world, the heart of the story involves a classic star-crossed love where both parties are seeking and grieving the other, thinking them long lost. Aevra is both intriguing and frustrating, as she’s bestowed an immense, fascinating power, which is yet to be fully explored as to why she has and it’ll be interesting to learn more in the future, and she generally does a decent job of advocating for herself to gain agency after not having any for so long, despite how much she may mentally prevaricate; however, she is also frustrating as she tends to quickly go along with the easiest path of action or simply accept Torian’s bullish behavior, which was contradictory to bold actions she choose to take, so while it’s realistic to have inconsistency in character, the timing of it within the narrative arc, at this point, felt off but her continued growth will be interesting to witness. Though the story is told primarily from one character’s first-person perspective, there are a handful of chapters that interject from other third-person perspectives that provide additional context, fleshing out the story more fully, but even though it piques interest for development, if the trend in future installments doesn’t expand on it, then this will feel unnatural or jarring to the narrative’s unfolding.

*I received a copy of this book via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review as requested by the author.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: The Drowned Queen by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir

The Drowned Queen left me somewhere between fascination and frustration. I stayed interested throughout, mostly because of the atmosphere and the steady sense that everything carries weight and consequence. The Fae court in particular has that constant undercurrent of tension, where it always feels like something ancient is watching and nothing is ever truly stable or safe.

At its core, this is a romantasy that leans heavily into suffering, obsession, and autonomy being constantly negotiated or stripped away. The premise is strong: a woman punished for a century for loving a Fae walks into a cosmic sea expecting death and instead returns remade, powerful, and not fully free. What follows is less a straightforward revenge arc and more a story about control, power, and how easily both can be shaped by forces bigger than the characters think they are dealing with.

Where the book struggled for me was balance. The lore, magic system, and larger mythological framework often felt more developed and compelling than the emotional core of the story. The romance is intense in concept, built on history, resentment, and inevitability, but it didn’t always land emotionally in a way that felt fully grounded. I found myself wanting more quieter, internal moments that let the character dynamics breathe instead of expanding the external stakes.

Overall, I’d land this at a 3.5 to 4 star read. It’s atmospheric, ambitious, and consistently interesting, but it doesn’t fully connect its emotional threads in a way that made it truly stick for me. To reach a full 5 stars, I would have needed more emotional clarity and development in the relationships, especially the romance, so the stakes felt as personal and lived-in as the worldbuilding already is.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paris Jodouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Drowned Queen is a strong four star read that completely leans into its dark, atmospheric tone and delivers a story that feels both haunting and immersive. From the very beginning, there is a sense of quiet tension that builds steadily, pulling you deeper into a world that feels as beautiful as it is unforgiving.

The setting is one of the standout elements. It feels vivid and almost suffocating at times, with the water imagery woven so seamlessly into the story that it becomes a character in its own right. There is a constant sense of danger lurking beneath the surface, and it adds a layer of unease that keeps you hooked throughout.

The main character carries the story well, with a journey that feels emotional and layered. Watching her navigate power, loss, and identity was compelling, especially as she is forced to confront truths that challenge everything she thought she understood. That said, some of the side characters felt slightly underdeveloped, and a few relationships could have used more time to fully land emotionally.

The pacing is a bit uneven in places. There are moments where the story slows down just a little too much, lingering on details that do not always push the plot forward, and then other moments that feel like they move too quickly when you want more depth. Even so, the overall tension and atmosphere help carry the story through those slower sections.

The writing itself is beautiful and descriptive without becoming overwhelming, striking a nice balance between poetic and readable. It creates a lingering mood that stays with you even after you finish the book.

Overall, The Drowned Queen is a captivating and moody read. It is not perfect, but its rich atmosphere, strong central character, and emotional undercurrent make it well worth the time.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ ARC REVIEW ]

First thoughts:

This was a good book. Unfortunately, I spent a good part of the book thinking/hoping it would eventually get better. It wasn’t that the story or the writing were bad. Not at all. That’s why I kept reading. This author is an amazing story-teller. But the main characters were not my favorite. I hate how the FMC doesn’t expect much from the MMC. I hate that he has all the power and she just lets it go. I very strongly disliked the MMC. I kept waiting for him to get better, but no luck. He had his long lost love back after all this time and he… is happy-ish(?) about it. But he doesn’t show real affection for her as a person. Hell, he hardly cared how she ended up there. But then he kept gaslighting her when she didn’t show up to his special hiding spot when he wanted her to. I was confused why the author would write an MMC this way, but I also hate the bully romance books some girls love.

I can’t say much without spoiling but I think the ending MIGHT have redeemed the series, and definitely redeemed the book. And by ending, I mean the VERY end. I can’t say for sure because we don’t get all the answers before the book ends, but I’m hopeful for the next one. I was actually super excited in the end. I might’ve stopped this series after book 1 if not for that ending. But now I can’t wait for book 2.

Huge thanks to this author for reaching out with the ARC! I’d love the opportunity to read the next one ASAP 💜






*SPOILERS*







*SPOILERS*








*SPOILERS*






*SPOILERS*


If Torian is Tamlin, I’ll love this series. If not, I’ll DNF the next book. Torian sucks and Daeran seems great so I’d much prefer to see a Tamlin/Rhysand type situation here. IYKYK

[Rayne_drop · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot a loved about this book. Vivid imagery, an interesting world, and a tale filled with whimsy. It reminded me of The Cruel Prince and Brothers Grimm in the best possible way. There’s intriguing mysteries woven throughout the narrative, and her abilities are handled in fascinating ways. The fact that she doesn’t remotely understand them is quite compelling and kept me theorizing all the time. Then you add in the looming threat of being discovered and an unhinged goddess, and I was hooked. Genuinely enjoyed reading this, and I hope the rest of the series just keeps leaning into its many strengths.

However, there were a few things that disengaged me from the story. Moments where a sense of urgency were not met. Secrets were revealed that had no consequences, the love interest didn’t act like he was seriously afraid of the consequences he’s seen their love invoke, and the main character wouldn’t tell him serious things in a timely manner. Both their personalities fell a little flat too. Considering her past, it was understandable, but he didn’t really stand out either, which is a shame since I enjoyed reading from his perspective. At times they just felt like teenagers discovering love for the first time, not adults with 100+ years of living and suffering under their belts.

With that said, though, I really do look forward to the next book. The world they’re in feels like a fantastical realm that’s easy to get lost in. And following a heroine who has to rediscover herself was interesting. Can’t wait to see where this series goes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathleen Haagenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ARC Copy from Book Sirens*** All thoughts are my own.

I appreciated the basic storyline and the political intrigue, but did not fall in love with its execution. First, the writing style felt disjointed; it was a mismatched attempt at lyrical prose combined with a more standard, basic prose. The transitions between plots and subplots were messy because it was laying down plot points to prepare for the next installment, but gave very little to satisfy the first installment. Next, the characters felt two-dimensional and lacked depth. Many of their actions and behaviors did not align with their characterization, making it difficult to believe or trust the characters.

Then the romance left a lot to be desired. Often, Aevra appeared not to be seriously into being with Prince Torian. As soon as they were reunited, she ran hot and cold about wanting to be with him. At one point, she even considered staying in her home village and not going back. That to me doesn’t make a love for the ages. Torian was also ridiculously illogical in his actions, needlessly exposing their “secret relationship” on far too many occasions. I can forgive the lack of proper world-building because this is a first installment, and with all of the plot points she established, I hope they will be resolved in the next installment.

Although I have very specific criticisms of this book, I must say I maintained curiosity and wanted to know how it ended. The ending was spectacular and convinced me that I want to continue and read the next installment. I don’t think the story is bad, but I do believe there's room for improvement, and I look forward to seeing what she does in the second installment.

[Book_nook_mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author

First, THANK YOU so much for the opportunity to do an ARC review

3.75 ⭐️

The ACOTAR similarities are definitely present. The ending is so similar to book one with a few key details changed. From loving the blonde prince to waking up being mated to the shadow daddy. Even the character names feel heavily inspired by the series

Tamlin vs. Torian (blonde prince)
Rhysand vs. Daeran (shadow daddy)
Feyre vs. Aevra (MFC)

The pacing and plot was off. The start was super slow and confusing then sudden and jarring.

1. The Reincarnation: Aevra’s reincarnation into her new life lacks a necessary learning curve. She wakes up possessing powerful magic she didn't have before, yet she wields it with immediate expertise.
2. Rushed Developments: The mystery of the “blurred figure” is solved almost instantly, leading to a reunion within the first seven chapters. Similarly, the Court Historian’s immediate loyalty to Aevra feels unearned.
3. The overarching plot and the role of the shadow goddess (if that’s what she is), Alezae, remain unclear and if Aevra stole Alezae's power during reincarnation and if there’s unbalance to the realms that needs to be rectified.
4. The relationship between Torian and Aevra fell flat for me. It didn’t feel like it had much depth other than some infatuation.

I loved ACOTAR so I’ll probably continue the series to see where this goes. I wish the story was more clear and consistent pacing because I really did enjoy her writing.

[Shawnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me from the very beginning!

From the start of this book we find out that the FMC (Lyra/Aevra) has been serving a punishment for one hundred years for something that should have never been a crime to begin with. I found myself feeling completely immersed in this world due to the way the author seems to be able to write with such an elegant and descriptive manner. The love story between the FMC and the MMC is beautiful and tragic all at the same time. I did feel myself feeling a little irritated by the MMC (Prince Torian) because I felt he could have been stronger at times and he could have done more to protect and defend the FMC. And I had a very strong feeling of disgust and just out right anger towards King Oranth. He is truly a despicable character! I also found the side characters's stories to be interesting as well and liked them all for the most part.
The end of this book has a plot twist that I don't think anyone will see coming. It's a jawdropper! The book ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger that has me really excited to read the next book. The bad part is this one is not even published yet! When this book is out in the wild. do yourself a favor and grab it. It will not disappoint!

[♥ Kindle Fae ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read - The Drowned Queen - Elspeth Gregorsdóttir

I was completely hooked from the very first page.

The opening is stunningly written. A woman condemned to one hundred years of servitude is such a powerful premise, and the prose is so elegant and immersive that I felt like I was right there beside her. The writing flows beautifully and immediately pulls you into the world.

The romance between the FMC and MMC is intense, tragic, and built on forbidden love. While their story was compelling, I did find myself wishing the FMC expected a little more — the MMC felt slightly weak at times, which made parts of their dynamic a bit frustrating for me.

But that ending… wow. The twist absolutely delivered and left me genuinely excited for what’s coming next.

Now I’m sitting here breathless and impatiently waiting for the next book — and this one hasn’t even been released yet.

This story had everything I love in a fantasy: beautiful writing, high emotion, and a twist that leaves you desperate for more. I couldn’t put it down.

[Bookworld1984 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Star Rating: 4/5
An atmospheric story filled with strong emotions, an intense love story, and an ending full of twists that makes you curious for more.

📚 Reading Type & Length
Read as e-book ARC. It will be published on May 1, 2026. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 448 pages.

📝 Short Summary
The story moves between different worlds and follows a protagonist who sets out on a journey to find herself and uncover her past.
A king once separated her from the love of her life, but despite all obstacles they eventually find their way back to each other. Still, their path is far from easy, because their connection brings new problems and their future together seems anything but certain.
Especially toward the end, several unexpected twists increase the tension and definitely leave you wanting to read the next book. For me, it was a beautiful and emotional story filled with feeling and a journey of self-discovery.

🚨 Tropes Alert 🚨
💔 Separated Lovers
🔮 Fated Love
🌍 Journey of Self Discovery
👑 Power and Intrigue
✨ Fantasy Romance

🎯 Perfect for you if …
You love emotional fantasy stories, enjoy second chance romance, and like following characters on a personal journey.

⚠️ Probably not for you if …
You prefer fully standalone stories with everything resolved or have little patience for emotional relationship drama.

[Liz | ᥫ᭡reakawayreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulls you in right away with such a strong, emotional start. A woman condemned to a century of suffering, only to be reborn into something powerful and unknown—it’s such a gripping setup, and the writing makes it easy to feel completely immersed in her world.

Watching Lyra/Aevra rediscover her magic and grow into it was one of my favorite parts. The way her powers come to life, especially those almost otherworldly, astral-like moments, felt vivid and memorable.

The romance is a slow burn built on loss, longing, and second chances. It’s intense and a little frustrating in the best way, though I did wish the MMC, Torian, stepped up more at times. That said, their connection still carries a lot of emotional weight, and you can feel the history between them.

The world itself is full of danger, politics, and characters you love (and love to hate—looking at you, King Oranth). The side characters added depth, and the tension kept building in a way that made it hard to put down.

[Lottie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

I loved this book!

I am going to be completely honest I had a few times early on that I got a little lost, not the authors fault - I think it was getting used to a different authors writing style having just read a series, but that soon passed and I was hooked!

From the start this book had spectacular world building, such graphic detail that I adore and I loved the growth of the FMC, we start knowing as much as she does - nothing - having even forgotten herself. Then going along with her on the journey of learning and remembering - I actually think for me that could have been leaned into even more, but I can see others may have complained had that been the case...

I must say my dislike for certain characters made the twist very welcomed. I have such hope for our FMC and the cliff hanger ahh! How are we supposed to wait for more!?!

Thank you so much for allowing me the honor of an ARC Elspeth & BookSirens - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barnaynay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. I'm the type of person that guesses the ending of books before they happen and can outguess the twists. This book I didn't see the twist coming. Maybe I was too caught up in the story, I'm not sure, but it caught me by surprise.

This book has long lost love, secret love, fantasy, a little spice (but not the in your face here's 15 explanations of male appendages), amazing details (like this author can describe some scenes with colors and words that make you feel enchanted yourself), and celestial sh*t. I appreciate greatly that the book represents several LGBTQIA+ people and relationships, outside the main duo.

Thankfully with the cliffhanger the author is already working on book two.

I'm ready for book two to come out already so I can read more. It's hard to believe that this was the author's first book.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. This story was so beautiful but so sad at the same time. Aevra is such a well written and thought out character. Her thoughts and the way she speaks is haunting and soft in certain areas but also still so strong. I cried a lot. The writing itself reminded me so much of Rebecca Ross' work. Very detail, very slow build, but also intricate. I did not want this story to end but at the same time I wanted resolution for her. But then that ending came!!!! Why oh why do I do this to myself?!?!?!!? While its a mild cliffhanger, it packs a punch and makes it devastating especially with the emotionally depth behind it. I have to mention how amazing the side characters are in this. While they are strong, they don't overshadow the two main characters. Everything and everyone is perfectly balanced

[Ashton Buye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️.

The last fifty pages of this book HAD me in a hold. The first half of the book, while great with world building felt a little sloppily placed together. On more than one occasion I found myself asking “What just happened?”, not in a mind-blowing way, but in a way that felt something was skipped or skipped over.

The lovers story for the first half of the book felt very rushed, then it got spicy 🌶️, and then I was shocked. 😳

I feel like I will definitely read the second book in this series to see where it goes and see how the author matures in writing style.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author and Book Sirens for the ARC.

[Alé · Rating 5 out of 5]

God I need the second book now and as of writing this, THIS book hasn’t technically been released yet. I am so screwed. Here’s to sleepless nights dreaming of what could possibly happen next.

Also, a debut?!?! This is a debut???? It’s written as if by an author who has established the perfect romantasy formula from years of experience.

The Drowned Queen is for the ACOTAR lovers, but don’t get me wrong this is beautifully original, provoking, and entertaining. I am obsessed and I just know that the second will be even better. Elspeth has set up the next book PERFECTLY while avoiding any kind of boring info-dumping. Oh lord wish me luck for the wait

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

I loved the story line and the way the writing style was so descriptive continually throughout. The way you got into the back story right away but still have that understanding about her pain and emotion without needing an entire book to world build was a bonus.

The love story had such a tragic start from the start, and then that twist had the end had me locked in to the finish.

SPOILER**







I am hoping Torian becomes more of a villian, especially with the small glimpse we’ve already been given from Lord Daeran. I cannot wait to see how it continues to play out in the next book!

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness - this book has it all - we start off with and her name isn't Rose - like from the Titanic - but imagine Rose - she gets up on the ship and throws the rock off - Aevra/Lyre is old like Rose - and she has been a prisoner of the Fae for over a hundred years - and she got to old to be of use to her "master" so she goes to find the sea and tries to end it.

Well then Aevra is "remade" - not reincarnated but remade - and you got the start of her tale.

We have lost love, memories placed in him - that thinks she was executed - lost her father- I would like to say that at the end of book one - that it was happy and they lived happily ever after - lol - but then we wouldn't need book two :)

Great book! Kept me on the edge of my bed reading it -and I cannot wait to book two to see what happens.

Lots of political going on's in this book, we have evil Kings, a faithful dog, a mother who is trying to protect the prince, friends that try to protect Aevra - arranged marriages that defintely are star crossed.

[Alyssa Kujawa]

(Received book as an ARC)

The Drowned Queen—I was hooked in the first pages!
A gripping start and a cliff hanger ending.

Not a full 5 stars, as the middle feels like it lacks direction.. Not necessarily losing momentum, but drifting through unfocused plotlines. I have so many unanswered questions!

What keeps it engaging throughout is Elspeth’s stunning writing—lyrical, vivid, and emotionally rich. Even when the narrative slows, the writing itself remains compelling.

Overall, it’s a memorable read with strong highs! I hope I don’t have to wait long for the second book!

[Jess Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to Booksirens for allowing me to ARC read this debut book, also that ending!! I need book 2 now🤯 not the ending I was expecting at all! I genuinely wanted to throw my kindle with that ending!
I was captured from the very beginning with the graphic descriptions throughout the book, it was absolutely amazing from start to finish! The slow burn of the soul breaking lost & found love again was so beautiful🥹 I cannot wait for book 2!💜

[Ariana Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review readers copy of this story, and this is my honest review. I really liked the depth of the characters, the depth of the story, and the overall description. I do wish there had been more details at times. It was so much fun, and such a rollercoaster of a book that brought me on a wonderfully full adventure. With romance, magic, and plot twists that keep you engaged I was super invested and felt like I was part of the story.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful read! so well thought out and the writing was really nice! i love the perfect blend of lore and fantasy and love. the book completely caught me by surprise. I wanted to live in it. how long do i have to wait to find out what happens next?? *sigh* it was such a treat to sit in a corner and devour this gem!