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The Sun King and his Knight #1
The Sun King's Dawn
Book One of an epic MM romantasy quartet set in the queer-normative fantasy realm of Ardenia, featuring an asexual king, the knight who loves him and the people they must protect.
Burdened with an inability to desire others, King Richard of Ardenia still finds peace in his unruly siblings, his loyal circle, and even in his young knight, Sir Kaelen, whose yearning stares he has spent years ignoring.
But when Richard rides to a borderland village to investigate eerie happenings, all peace shatters. The veil containing Gloamvarn, a neighbouring realm filled with fell beasts and unimaginable horrors, is cracking. Sooner or later, it will fall.
As Richard hunts for a way to safeguard his kingdom, Kaelen stays close, a constant, protective presence that stirs a strange tenderness Richard doesn’t dare name.
For the monsters have a new ruler. And the tyrant hungers not only for Ardenia.
But its king, too.
Burdened with an inability to desire others, King Richard of Ardenia still finds peace in his unruly siblings, his loyal circle, and even in his young knight, Sir Kaelen, whose yearning stares he has spent years ignoring.
But when Richard rides to a borderland village to investigate eerie happenings, all peace shatters. The veil containing Gloamvarn, a neighbouring realm filled with fell beasts and unimaginable horrors, is cracking. Sooner or later, it will fall.
As Richard hunts for a way to safeguard his kingdom, Kaelen stays close, a constant, protective presence that stirs a strange tenderness Richard doesn’t dare name.
For the monsters have a new ruler. And the tyrant hungers not only for Ardenia.
But its king, too.
406 pages, Hardcover
Published March 7, 2026
About the author
Briar Niran
2 books36 followersBriar Niran writes fantasy romance featuring queerness, strong sibling bonds and friendship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 2, 2026
I was so excited to dive into this one, but I’ll admit, the first 10% was a bit of a struggle. I kept putting it down because the writing style just wasn't clicking. I was thiiiiis close to giving up, but I kept seeing all these 5 stars and figured I must be missing something, right?
At 20%, things finally started to pick up. The pacing got better, and the plot was interesting. I loved the interactions with the siblings, and there was this one horror leaning moment in the first half of the book that was so good it really stood out to me. Even though the dialogue felt kind of stiff at times and the way everyone was obsessed with sleeping with Richard was a bit much, the story kept me hooked.
I ended up really liking Richard and Kaelen together too (they’re adorable). I just wish we got more scenes of them actually talking and getting to know each other. A lot of it was just Kaelen being flustered and I just didn’t quite get why he’s so obsessed with Richard! I kept waiting for Richard to do something that would help me see what Kaelen sees in him. I know now there’s a prequel, so I’m not sure if that context is hidden in there, but I wanted it here.
I’m curious enough about the plot and where the romance goes to maybe pick up book two, though!
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I saw someone gushing about this and comparing it to Captive Prince. As a huge MM romantasy fan, I had to request it. Super excited for the ace rep, too!
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
At 20%, things finally started to pick up. The pacing got better, and the plot was interesting. I loved the interactions with the siblings, and there was this one horror leaning moment in the first half of the book that was so good it really stood out to me. Even though the dialogue felt kind of stiff at times and the way everyone was obsessed with sleeping with Richard was a bit much, the story kept me hooked.
I ended up really liking Richard and Kaelen together too (they’re adorable). I just wish we got more scenes of them actually talking and getting to know each other. A lot of it was just Kaelen being flustered and I just didn’t quite get why he’s so obsessed with Richard! I kept waiting for Richard to do something that would help me see what Kaelen sees in him. I know now there’s a prequel, so I’m not sure if that context is hidden in there, but I wanted it here.
I’m curious enough about the plot and where the romance goes to maybe pick up book two, though!
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I saw someone gushing about this and comparing it to Captive Prince. As a huge MM romantasy fan, I had to request it. Super excited for the ace rep, too!
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
May 3, 2026
Okay, so I am actually a little bit wrecked by this book, and I cannot stop thinking about it. Firstly, the writing is great, to the point that I was very surprised to realise that this is Briar Niran's debut. It gripped me, and I read the entire book in one day. And yes, it is partly because of the plot and the immersive world (which is unapologetically queer!), but I think the biggest reason I couldn't stop reading was the characters.
I'm not exaggerating when I say the characters were EVERYTHING.
Richard is one of the most compelling male leads I’ve read in a long time. Okay, listen. He's not perfect. He can be so frustrating and petty that sometimes that I just want to yell at him through the book, but it's actually still fine. Because you 'get' him. Every one of his reactions - whether it's unfair or just plain controlling - you understand why he is the way he is. He feels like a fully formed person, and his ace-ness and his struggles with that, while important, is just a small part of what makes him such a great lead. He's not just ace, he's also clever and brilliant and burdened and protective and also downright dryly hilarious at times.
And then there’s Kaelen, my sweetest cinnamon bun. He's down bad for Richard, has loved Richard most of his life, but he's more than just a pining knight. He feels like his own person - he has his own parents, family and friends, and his sworn brotherhood with Corwin is the sweetest. And while Kaelen's respect for Richard was very clear, I LOVED the parts where Kaelen (rightfully!) yells at Richard and Richard gets kind of befuddled and indignant (and petty) about it.
Kaelen's relationship with Richard is clearly a SLOOOOW burn. There's clearly feelings developing within Richard, and the bond they're forging is so beautiful and tender, full of yearning and confusion because of Richard's aceness. In fact, the asexuality aspect adds such a complex layer to their relationship that I'm curious to see how the author navigates it.
My favourite relationships in this book were the siblings! Briony has my whole heart and soul, she was my favourite sibling and Richard's bond with her was so cute. The sibling relationships felt so real - messy and affectionate and pained - and I really hope these four stay together till the end! But I get the feeling that their bonds are going to be tested in the coming books...I hope nothing too bad happens to the siblings. It would just break my heart.
On top of all of that, the fantasy plot is genuinely gripping. Things kept escalating, making me increasingly stressed. And the villain was fantastic and genuinely unsettling. I hated him, but he also intrigued me.
Finally, I just need to mention that this book is hilarious at times. You wouldn't really expect it cause the stakes are so high and it can be really dark at times, but the humour made me laugh more than once. (The worm scene had me crying tears of laughter).
Anyway, I completely loved it, and cannot wait for the next one. Please come soon!
I'm not exaggerating when I say the characters were EVERYTHING.
Richard is one of the most compelling male leads I’ve read in a long time. Okay, listen. He's not perfect. He can be so frustrating and petty that sometimes that I just want to yell at him through the book, but it's actually still fine. Because you 'get' him. Every one of his reactions - whether it's unfair or just plain controlling - you understand why he is the way he is. He feels like a fully formed person, and his ace-ness and his struggles with that, while important, is just a small part of what makes him such a great lead. He's not just ace, he's also clever and brilliant and burdened and protective and also downright dryly hilarious at times.
And then there’s Kaelen, my sweetest cinnamon bun. He's down bad for Richard, has loved Richard most of his life, but he's more than just a pining knight. He feels like his own person - he has his own parents, family and friends, and his sworn brotherhood with Corwin is the sweetest. And while Kaelen's respect for Richard was very clear, I LOVED the parts where Kaelen (rightfully!) yells at Richard and Richard gets kind of befuddled and indignant (and petty) about it.
Kaelen's relationship with Richard is clearly a SLOOOOW burn. There's clearly feelings developing within Richard, and the bond they're forging is so beautiful and tender, full of yearning and confusion because of Richard's aceness. In fact, the asexuality aspect adds such a complex layer to their relationship that I'm curious to see how the author navigates it.
My favourite relationships in this book were the siblings! Briony has my whole heart and soul, she was my favourite sibling and Richard's bond with her was so cute. The sibling relationships felt so real - messy and affectionate and pained - and I really hope these four stay together till the end! But I get the feeling that their bonds are going to be tested in the coming books...I hope nothing too bad happens to the siblings. It would just break my heart.
On top of all of that, the fantasy plot is genuinely gripping. Things kept escalating, making me increasingly stressed. And the villain was fantastic and genuinely unsettling. I hated him, but he also intrigued me.
Finally, I just need to mention that this book is hilarious at times. You wouldn't really expect it cause the stakes are so high and it can be really dark at times, but the humour made me laugh more than once. (The worm scene had me crying tears of laughter).
Anyway, I completely loved it, and cannot wait for the next one. Please come soon!
May 5, 2026
THIS WAS DELICIOUS! I'm not much of a fantasy reader but when I saw the 'sex-repulsed main character' tag, I knew I had to request the arc.
I do not have the words to explain just how much I loved reading this. The world we're put in, the characters, the character dynamics and even the stakes were all so good and compelling to read about. I especially really liked the familial dynamics between Richard and his siblings, as an oldest sibling myself it was quite palpable.
Richard as a character is something I do not think I've read about before. My favorite part of the book is when he has to contend with the fact that his repulsion to sex doesn't make it a moral failing for others who desire it. It is a conversation I've also had to have with myself, and I think it was beautifully written here. His relationship with Kaelen is so cute, they had me giggling the entire time. I love a good slow burn.
I'd be lying if I said I was as interested in the plot and stakes as I am I'm the characterization but it was still very much tension filled and enough to keep me going through the whole book. I really hope I get approved for the arc of book 2:)
Thank you Netgalley and Heartwell House for the arc in exchange for an honest review
I do not have the words to explain just how much I loved reading this. The world we're put in, the characters, the character dynamics and even the stakes were all so good and compelling to read about. I especially really liked the familial dynamics between Richard and his siblings, as an oldest sibling myself it was quite palpable.
Richard as a character is something I do not think I've read about before. My favorite part of the book is when he has to contend with the fact that his repulsion to sex doesn't make it a moral failing for others who desire it. It is a conversation I've also had to have with myself, and I think it was beautifully written here. His relationship with Kaelen is so cute, they had me giggling the entire time. I love a good slow burn.
I'd be lying if I said I was as interested in the plot and stakes as I am I'm the characterization but it was still very much tension filled and enough to keep me going through the whole book. I really hope I get approved for the arc of book 2:)
Thank you Netgalley and Heartwell House for the arc in exchange for an honest review
April 17, 2026
Being in this world again was everything I needed. I think I enjoyed this book even more than the prequel, and that’s already a feat in and of itself. Because I loved the prequel.
The plot in this book surprised me, honestly. Because while I had high expectations for it, I didn’t know if it was going to top the prequel, and I just couldn’t even begin to guess where the plot of this book was going to go considering so many years had passed in between the two books.
Richard is probably the most interesting character here, he’s asexual though he’s still trying to figure that out. And then we have Kaelen, who’s been in love with him from the start, and has been by his side, protecting him and serving him. Richard, though he doesn’t quite understand it, also feels something for the knight. The problem is that he doesn’t feel worthy of being loved, given that he can’t quite reciprocate in the way Kaelen wants.
I have two main issues with this book, otherwise it deserves the 4.5 I’ve given it. Kaelen can read a bit one dimensional in this book specifically. Maybe it’s because we don’t get his POV, we’re only given Richard’s, but he just didn’t stand out to me at all. And he’s the love interest. I was far more invested in him in the prequel. And again, speaking of prequels, it’s better if you read that first but to be completely honest you don’t really need to, there are references here and there but nothing major. The book comes into its own. But I’d read it anyway, at least we get some more of Kaelen there. Here he kind of read as a one track mind kind of guy, he was almost too down bad for Richard. Kaelen is more advanced in his feelings for the King, he’s loved him from afar for a good long while. Which is why it kind of throws me off when he and Richard have scenes together, because Richard appears like he’s doing everything he can to flee the scene. At least for most of this book, but he will without question come to understand the feelings he has for Kaelen, as well as embracing his (a)sexuality. Of that I have no doubt.
Which brings me to the other thing I just didn’t get. Why is everything always about sex? I swear for a book with a main character who’s asexual, the innuendos and full on sex scenes are many. It always has to come to that and I don’t really get why. He’s perpetually unlucky, our Richard. Even when he’s sleeping, his dreams betray him. I guess it’s not really a problem, because it’s kind of the driving force of the plot. I do wish there was some more acceptance for his particular sexuality, in a world so queer it seems almost weird that there isn’t.
I really feel so lucky I got to read this book, though. It was just amazing. Never a dull moment, it reads so quickly for how long it is, it’s one of those books you find yourself finishing after “one more chapter,” honestly. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen after the events of this book, this is a world so rich and with characters so layered, I genuinely don’t know what to expect next. I would a thousand percent recommend, and while this is 4.5, I know I’ll get a five star from this series someday. It’s got the bones for it. Just amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot in this book surprised me, honestly. Because while I had high expectations for it, I didn’t know if it was going to top the prequel, and I just couldn’t even begin to guess where the plot of this book was going to go considering so many years had passed in between the two books.
Richard is probably the most interesting character here, he’s asexual though he’s still trying to figure that out. And then we have Kaelen, who’s been in love with him from the start, and has been by his side, protecting him and serving him. Richard, though he doesn’t quite understand it, also feels something for the knight. The problem is that he doesn’t feel worthy of being loved, given that he can’t quite reciprocate in the way Kaelen wants.
I have two main issues with this book, otherwise it deserves the 4.5 I’ve given it. Kaelen can read a bit one dimensional in this book specifically. Maybe it’s because we don’t get his POV, we’re only given Richard’s, but he just didn’t stand out to me at all. And he’s the love interest. I was far more invested in him in the prequel. And again, speaking of prequels, it’s better if you read that first but to be completely honest you don’t really need to, there are references here and there but nothing major. The book comes into its own. But I’d read it anyway, at least we get some more of Kaelen there. Here he kind of read as a one track mind kind of guy, he was almost too down bad for Richard. Kaelen is more advanced in his feelings for the King, he’s loved him from afar for a good long while. Which is why it kind of throws me off when he and Richard have scenes together, because Richard appears like he’s doing everything he can to flee the scene. At least for most of this book, but he will without question come to understand the feelings he has for Kaelen, as well as embracing his (a)sexuality. Of that I have no doubt.
Which brings me to the other thing I just didn’t get. Why is everything always about sex? I swear for a book with a main character who’s asexual, the innuendos and full on sex scenes are many. It always has to come to that and I don’t really get why. He’s perpetually unlucky, our Richard. Even when he’s sleeping, his dreams betray him. I guess it’s not really a problem, because it’s kind of the driving force of the plot. I do wish there was some more acceptance for his particular sexuality, in a world so queer it seems almost weird that there isn’t.
I really feel so lucky I got to read this book, though. It was just amazing. Never a dull moment, it reads so quickly for how long it is, it’s one of those books you find yourself finishing after “one more chapter,” honestly. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen after the events of this book, this is a world so rich and with characters so layered, I genuinely don’t know what to expect next. I would a thousand percent recommend, and while this is 4.5, I know I’ll get a five star from this series someday. It’s got the bones for it. Just amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2026
A book about an asexual king. Literally 😂
If you live for the absolute cinema of Mr. Darcy’s hand flex, you’ll like this. The romance here is built on furtive looks and small acts, but also bold declarations and devotion. It works. It melted my heart.
We follow Richard (and I’m sorry, but who is naming their romantasy king Richard?? 😭), a young ruler on the brink of war, juggling a kingdom, three chaotic siblings determined to stress him out, and a knight who is *obsessed* with him.
The foundation has a lot to offer. I liked the magic system in the form of underground threads, where only the "threadborn" are able to pull from them. There’s also a kingdom of monsters separated by a failing veil, ruled by another king who is, unsurprisingly, also obsessed with Richard.
He’s a looker, okay? We get it.
The sibling dynamics were one of my favorite parts. They gave me strong The Chronicles of Narnia vibes. And while the romance is barely there, it still felt meaningful.
The setting and plot, though, felt all over the place. Which is frustrating because it has many interesting elements, but they don’t always come together cleanly. I found myself wishing for stronger worldbuilding and structure. Less bad poetry, perhaps? (Though the poetry was hilarious.)
I’m still not sure how to feel about the asexual representation. It’s written with intention and does a good job of showing the character’s perspective, but there are moments where it comes across as slightly prudish or exaggerated.
Overall, this feels like a promising start to a series with a lot of ideas. It just needs a bit more focus.
If you live for the absolute cinema of Mr. Darcy’s hand flex, you’ll like this. The romance here is built on furtive looks and small acts, but also bold declarations and devotion. It works. It melted my heart.
We follow Richard (and I’m sorry, but who is naming their romantasy king Richard?? 😭), a young ruler on the brink of war, juggling a kingdom, three chaotic siblings determined to stress him out, and a knight who is *obsessed* with him.
The foundation has a lot to offer. I liked the magic system in the form of underground threads, where only the "threadborn" are able to pull from them. There’s also a kingdom of monsters separated by a failing veil, ruled by another king who is, unsurprisingly, also obsessed with Richard.
He’s a looker, okay? We get it.
The sibling dynamics were one of my favorite parts. They gave me strong The Chronicles of Narnia vibes. And while the romance is barely there, it still felt meaningful.
The setting and plot, though, felt all over the place. Which is frustrating because it has many interesting elements, but they don’t always come together cleanly. I found myself wishing for stronger worldbuilding and structure. Less bad poetry, perhaps? (Though the poetry was hilarious.)
I’m still not sure how to feel about the asexual representation. It’s written with intention and does a good job of showing the character’s perspective, but there are moments where it comes across as slightly prudish or exaggerated.
Overall, this feels like a promising start to a series with a lot of ideas. It just needs a bit more focus.
interested-in
March 29, 2026update: I GOT MY ARC AAAAAA
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not me being too dumb to check my email and missing out on my ARC 🥲 *fingers crossed for a second chance on netgalley* this is hands down in my top 5 most anticipated new releases this year, can't wait to get my hands eyes on this book
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not me being too dumb to check my email and missing out on my ARC 🥲 *fingers crossed for a second chance on netgalley* this is hands down in my top 5 most anticipated new releases this year, can't wait to get my
March 30, 2026
The Sun King's Dawn kept me up until dawn with my inability to stop turning pages. This book was riveting from beginning to end; the characters, the world building, the intrigue, the tenderness of slow burn and Richard wrestling with not only family duties and those of his kingdom, but also those of his heart and mind were all so thoughtfully done. The gentility of the family unit with Richard, his siblings and Kaelen and his parents was heartwarming, especially in the aftermath of Richard's hardest times in the story. I particuarly enjoyed the humor, and how Richard and Kaelen's interactions cycled between fondness and (equally fond) exasperation.
Whether it be the plot advancing or getting to know the characters, it felt like this book never lost momentum and had great pacing. The fantasy element was just the right balance of enough to understand and appreciate without getting bogged down. The ending had me wishing for more pages to turn urgently, and I can't wait to catch up on the short stories while awaiting the second book!
A kind thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC!
Whether it be the plot advancing or getting to know the characters, it felt like this book never lost momentum and had great pacing. The fantasy element was just the right balance of enough to understand and appreciate without getting bogged down. The ending had me wishing for more pages to turn urgently, and I can't wait to catch up on the short stories while awaiting the second book!
A kind thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC!
May 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
This right here is why readers should browse and pick books by independent authors more often. Are the covers just Canva and a dream? Yes. Do they have editors? Probably not. But when they hit... oh my god, they hit bullseye.
Don't let the slow start fool you; we're going on quests, we're fighting monsters (very fucked up ones, might I add) and we're saving the kingdom (hopefully, it's not looking too good at the moment). I couldn't stop reading. Actually, the story was darker than I expected, there was a couple of genuinely chilling moments that really add tension to the plot.
My only complaint is the worldbuilding. It felt clunky at times, just a mix of generic fantasy stuff. But the book makes up for it with the cast of characters. Kaelen, Richard and his family, and even the antagonist; every single one of them is so captivating. I can't wait to see how they grow and where the story takes them.
But without a doubt, my favourite thing was the romance. This is a romance written for the true yearners, for the slow burn fanatics who don't wanna see hands touch until book three. Their dynamic is so refreshing, it's not one we see often in romantasy: Kaelen's unwavering love and devotion in contrast with a clueless Richard struggling with his (a)sexuality. Theirs is such a difficult relationship to navigate but that's the beauty of it.
I need the next book so bad. The first book felt like an appetizer, it left me hungry for so much more and I can't wait.
This right here is why readers should browse and pick books by independent authors more often. Are the covers just Canva and a dream? Yes. Do they have editors? Probably not. But when they hit... oh my god, they hit bullseye.
Don't let the slow start fool you; we're going on quests, we're fighting monsters (very fucked up ones, might I add) and we're saving the kingdom (hopefully, it's not looking too good at the moment). I couldn't stop reading. Actually, the story was darker than I expected, there was a couple of genuinely chilling moments that really add tension to the plot.
My only complaint is the worldbuilding. It felt clunky at times, just a mix of generic fantasy stuff. But the book makes up for it with the cast of characters. Kaelen, Richard and his family, and even the antagonist; every single one of them is so captivating. I can't wait to see how they grow and where the story takes them.
But without a doubt, my favourite thing was the romance. This is a romance written for the true yearners, for the slow burn fanatics who don't wanna see hands touch until book three. Their dynamic is so refreshing, it's not one we see often in romantasy: Kaelen's unwavering love and devotion in contrast with a clueless Richard struggling with his (a)sexuality. Theirs is such a difficult relationship to navigate but that's the beauty of it.
I need the next book so bad. The first book felt like an appetizer, it left me hungry for so much more and I can't wait.
March 31, 2026
Even though I received an ARC (for which I am very grateful), below opinion is fully mine and it's not influenced by this fact.
"The Sun King's Dawn" is the first installment of a series following King Richard and his knight, Kaelen, as they uncover a growing threat in a neighboring realm. This danger is unlike anything they’ve seen before; it is rooted in magic and leaves those affected physically or mentally deformed. They must find the source and a way to defeat this rising evil.
The book is beautifully written with very ornate language; however, it might be a bit of a challenge for non-native speakers. The descriptions are detailed without being boring, giving the reader exactly the right amount of information. I was initially worried after reading the prequel, but the author successfully built a fascinating world filled with unique cultures, gods, and magic. The characters have distinct personalities and genuine growth. Even when Richard’s behavior gets irritating, it makes sense within his arc of self-discovery and self-hatred.
My only major complaint is that every single antagonist seems to want to have sex with Richard. It wouldn't be surprising if they flirted or found him attractive, but the constant focus on forcing him into bed felt repetitive. Whether it’s a cultural trait or something else, it was seriously frustrating in about 75% of the cases.
All in all, this is a solid read. I hope Book 2 comes out very soon because I’m definitely looking forward to it.
"The Sun King's Dawn" is the first installment of a series following King Richard and his knight, Kaelen, as they uncover a growing threat in a neighboring realm. This danger is unlike anything they’ve seen before; it is rooted in magic and leaves those affected physically or mentally deformed. They must find the source and a way to defeat this rising evil.
The book is beautifully written with very ornate language; however, it might be a bit of a challenge for non-native speakers. The descriptions are detailed without being boring, giving the reader exactly the right amount of information. I was initially worried after reading the prequel, but the author successfully built a fascinating world filled with unique cultures, gods, and magic. The characters have distinct personalities and genuine growth. Even when Richard’s behavior gets irritating, it makes sense within his arc of self-discovery and self-hatred.
My only major complaint is that every single antagonist seems to want to have sex with Richard. It wouldn't be surprising if they flirted or found him attractive, but the constant focus on forcing him into bed felt repetitive. Whether it’s a cultural trait or something else, it was seriously frustrating in about 75% of the cases.
All in all, this is a solid read. I hope Book 2 comes out very soon because I’m definitely looking forward to it.
April 29, 2026
“He is stern and proud. He thinks too far and feels too deep, but hides it all under a heart that he believes is stone. He will push you away a thousand times before he learns how to pull you close.”
Richard… Oooooooh Richard, you sweet frustrating KING 😭 I loved this book A LOT and I can’t wait to read more from this world.
Seriously, DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS NEW AUTHOR! ⚔️🧌
Richard… Oooooooh Richard, you sweet frustrating KING 😭 I loved this book A LOT and I can’t wait to read more from this world.
Seriously, DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS NEW AUTHOR! ⚔️🧌
March 16, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me an eARC copy!
This was everything I had hoped it would be. I left the prequel feeling like not enough had been explored in regards to the world and its magic system, but the rest of the novella had surprised me. It did its job and interested me enough in the characters that I was determined to continue reading the series. I had a feeling once I read the full length books that I would get what I was looking for. Right I was, it seems. The magic system is complex (darker and more twisted than I had expected, which is a plus in my book (no pun intended)), the representation was great, and the political intrigue increased. I really liked the explorations of Richard's asexuality and his slow beginnings of learning how to love and show appreciation for the people he loves without physical intimacy (I hope this is further explored). I also loved his fierce love for his siblings and his strong desire to protect them, which is a surprise coming from me, considering I usually hate family relationships in books, so kudos to the author for accomplishing that. Kaelen was a joy, as always, despite my frequent eye rolling and forehead smacks at his romantic shenanigans, which induced much second-hand embarrassment in me. Suffice to say, I am very much excited to read on in this series.
This was everything I had hoped it would be. I left the prequel feeling like not enough had been explored in regards to the world and its magic system, but the rest of the novella had surprised me. It did its job and interested me enough in the characters that I was determined to continue reading the series. I had a feeling once I read the full length books that I would get what I was looking for. Right I was, it seems. The magic system is complex (darker and more twisted than I had expected, which is a plus in my book (no pun intended)), the representation was great, and the political intrigue increased. I really liked the explorations of Richard's asexuality and his slow beginnings of learning how to love and show appreciation for the people he loves without physical intimacy (I hope this is further explored). I also loved his fierce love for his siblings and his strong desire to protect them, which is a surprise coming from me, considering I usually hate family relationships in books, so kudos to the author for accomplishing that. Kaelen was a joy, as always, despite my frequent eye rolling and forehead smacks at his romantic shenanigans, which induced much second-hand embarrassment in me. Suffice to say, I am very much excited to read on in this series.
March 29, 2026
I was fortunate enough to be able to do an ARC of this book and will for sure be purchasing it at some point.
I had originally agreed to read it not knowing it was fantasy, as that is not typically a genre that I can get into, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be recommending it. While it's obviously a fantasy and thus is governed by different rules than the modern world, it is extremely approachable and easy to figure out. There are all flavors of queer people present in this world and even one of their gods started out as a man but decided to become a woman.
As a gay ace man with three younger siblings. I definitely identified with the gay ace protagonist who, although he has not taken a lover of his own, he is wholeheartedly devoted to his siblings. And I definitely appreciated how the main character's asexuality is treated as just another facet of his identity, explained and demonstrated kindly. This is a good book. I look forward to the sequels.
I had originally agreed to read it not knowing it was fantasy, as that is not typically a genre that I can get into, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be recommending it. While it's obviously a fantasy and thus is governed by different rules than the modern world, it is extremely approachable and easy to figure out. There are all flavors of queer people present in this world and even one of their gods started out as a man but decided to become a woman.
As a gay ace man with three younger siblings. I definitely identified with the gay ace protagonist who, although he has not taken a lover of his own, he is wholeheartedly devoted to his siblings. And I definitely appreciated how the main character's asexuality is treated as just another facet of his identity, explained and demonstrated kindly. This is a good book. I look forward to the sequels.
May 13, 2026
3.5* I don’t really have all that much to say, except for that it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I didn’t really connect to the characters much. There were only two that I did quite like, and their big brother-small sister dynamic a lot especially. But besides that, I was bored a lot and I just tried to get through it. Which is a shame, because I had really high hopes. I was genuinely so excited, but yeah it fell flat. What bore me especially was how it was just a lot of the same things going on. Going from this place to that place and every time you already know SOMETHING will go wrong in one way out another. So I also found it to be quite predictable.
I wanted to read this so bad, because I’m always looking for a new good ace book. But sadly I almost immediately felt unsure, because I didn’t like the big age gap at all. Them having known each other since forever as well and all (I’m talking the younger one being like 7). There was no weird shit going on or anything, but still I did not like that at all. The amount of times where he calls him "boy" and his internal monologue calling him young, and comparing him to him young brother (they're both 10 years younger) just felt super unnecessary to me. And I don’t see why that had to be the case. Why couldn’t he have been like 5 years older???
The ace aspect of the book was something I did really like though. It was done so well in my opinion. I felt the scenes that were supposed to be appalling in my entire body. Made me shiver and all. Very vile to read. I loved seeing the support he got from the people close to him, and especially how they were very insistent on crushing his doubts. Being ace is NOT being deficit of anything. 🩶
"𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺."
"𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦."
I wanted to read this so bad, because I’m always looking for a new good ace book. But sadly I almost immediately felt unsure, because I didn’t like the big age gap at all. Them having known each other since forever as well and all (I’m talking the younger one being like 7). There was no weird shit going on or anything, but still I did not like that at all. The amount of times where he calls him "boy" and his internal monologue calling him young, and comparing him to him young brother (they're both 10 years younger) just felt super unnecessary to me. And I don’t see why that had to be the case. Why couldn’t he have been like 5 years older???
The ace aspect of the book was something I did really like though. It was done so well in my opinion. I felt the scenes that were supposed to be appalling in my entire body. Made me shiver and all. Very vile to read. I loved seeing the support he got from the people close to him, and especially how they were very insistent on crushing his doubts. Being ace is NOT being deficit of anything. 🩶
"𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺."
"𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦."
April 30, 2026
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Overall, I give The Sun King's Dawn 4 stars for solid characters, pacing, and world-building, with a bonus for ace representation (which we need more of).
I really enjoyed the main characters - Kaelen is a total sweetheart, and Richard is a good man and a good king. The loyalty and bonds between the characters are strong, and Richard's love for his family is a standout trait that is so heartening to see and read about.
There's some familiarity to the world and the plot in general, but I think both still stand out among other typical fantasy books in the twists to them. The Night Queen and her realm was intriguing and I hope to see more of them and the other realms, and the overall plot has some interesting twists that have been set up well that I hope to see payoff in the second book.
I did think some of the overly aggressive flirting with Richard by multiple other characters was heavy-handed and uncomfortable not just in the way it made Richard feel, but also in the way that it felt overdone. But it didn't stop me from finishing the book, and the second half of the book was strong enough to make up for any issues I had with the beginning.
I think The Sun King's Dawn was a unique and interesting take on a familiar scenario, and I definitely hope to see and read more from Briar Niran in the future. I recommend The Sun King's Dawn for anyone looking for a noble king, his loyal knight, a complex but loving royal family (by blood and by friendship), and a story that leaves you curious for what comes next.
Overall, I give The Sun King's Dawn 4 stars for solid characters, pacing, and world-building, with a bonus for ace representation (which we need more of).
I really enjoyed the main characters - Kaelen is a total sweetheart, and Richard is a good man and a good king. The loyalty and bonds between the characters are strong, and Richard's love for his family is a standout trait that is so heartening to see and read about.
There's some familiarity to the world and the plot in general, but I think both still stand out among other typical fantasy books in the twists to them. The Night Queen and her realm was intriguing and I hope to see more of them and the other realms, and the overall plot has some interesting twists that have been set up well that I hope to see payoff in the second book.
I did think some of the overly aggressive flirting with Richard by multiple other characters was heavy-handed and uncomfortable not just in the way it made Richard feel, but also in the way that it felt overdone. But it didn't stop me from finishing the book, and the second half of the book was strong enough to make up for any issues I had with the beginning.
I think The Sun King's Dawn was a unique and interesting take on a familiar scenario, and I definitely hope to see and read more from Briar Niran in the future. I recommend The Sun King's Dawn for anyone looking for a noble king, his loyal knight, a complex but loving royal family (by blood and by friendship), and a story that leaves you curious for what comes next.
Want to Read
March 29, 2026oh hello? an asexual king?? sign me tf up!!!
March 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dear Author, I do not know you but I pledge my soul to read every words you would share with us with glee for this story is now a forever favorite of mine.
How is it even possible to create such a compelling world with magnificent and raw and genuine characters that feels so real you can't not root for them and be scared and angry when something happen.
Sometimes, by the end of a book, characters are already almost forgotten or somehow blur, like out of reach, not fully developed. Here, they were all so vibrant and full of life I felt like I had live a life time with them by my side for the love and care I have for every one of them. The more I was approaching the end, the more I wanted to slow down my reading just to stay in this world a little longer and now I already have the urge to reread it from the beginning.
The asexual aspect is wonderfully done. Being ace myself, I felt so deeply for Richard in his struggles and issues about his non desire and the pressure of others and society. His impressions of being a shame, not enough, a failure... it was soulwrenching and I wanted to hug him many times. He is a character beautifull crafted with his endless love for his siblings and people.
The whole worldbuilding was greatly made, between the magic and races and creatures, I can't wait to find out more about it.
I do strongly recommend to read the prequel The Squire and His Prince and every short story available because it definitely help build this close relationship we can have with the characters and a lot of events from it are referred in this book and gives it a more grounded soul and comprehension.
Dear Author, I do not know you but I pledge my soul to read every words you would share with us with glee for this story is now a forever favorite of mine.
How is it even possible to create such a compelling world with magnificent and raw and genuine characters that feels so real you can't not root for them and be scared and angry when something happen.
Sometimes, by the end of a book, characters are already almost forgotten or somehow blur, like out of reach, not fully developed. Here, they were all so vibrant and full of life I felt like I had live a life time with them by my side for the love and care I have for every one of them. The more I was approaching the end, the more I wanted to slow down my reading just to stay in this world a little longer and now I already have the urge to reread it from the beginning.
The asexual aspect is wonderfully done. Being ace myself, I felt so deeply for Richard in his struggles and issues about his non desire and the pressure of others and society. His impressions of being a shame, not enough, a failure... it was soulwrenching and I wanted to hug him many times. He is a character beautifull crafted with his endless love for his siblings and people.
The whole worldbuilding was greatly made, between the magic and races and creatures, I can't wait to find out more about it.
I do strongly recommend to read the prequel The Squire and His Prince and every short story available because it definitely help build this close relationship we can have with the characters and a lot of events from it are referred in this book and gives it a more grounded soul and comprehension.
April 13, 2026
I received an ARC for this book, and imediately as it started I already was hooked by the vibe!! I really love how the characters are portrayed, even when I found myself not agreeing with them I felt like their actions still made sense in the story's context and their personality, I loved how the descriptions were managed and the eerie parts (demon baby I'm looking at you). I found it to be a genuinely refreshing read!
March 18, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the advanced copy!
This was truly everything I hoped it would be. The prequel novella was genuinely one of the best introductions I’ve ever had to a story and I was so excited as to where the story would go, and, as expected, I wasn’t left disappointed.
Niran’s writing is rich, evocative and leaves you hanging onto every word. The world building was incredibly well executed and never felt too expository. The world is so well constructed and the prose lends itself to the creation of setting so well. There were moments that caused literal butterflies in my stomach, and others that had me actually switching the light on at night because they were so creepy. The author has an amazing range of skill in this regard.
The characters are so, so well written and are all so distinct from each other. Sibling relationships don’t tend to be something I’m overly enthralled by in books, but I adore Richard’s bond with his siblings, and all the characters themselves are so well formed and distinct. I really love Elara in particular - a strong willed female character will always win me over.
The romance is the perfect slow burn so far, and I loved getting to see how Richard and Kaelen’s relationship is so thoroughly underpinned by a strong mutual respect. Richard’s asexuality is a key element of this book, and the discussion of the troubles he has had with this aspect of himself are extremely well done, and also very refreshing in a romantic fantasy. The theme of sexual violence is extremely prevalent, but also very well handled, which is also nice to see in a genre that so often has lines of consent blurred with no later mention.
I truly feel privileged to get to read this book. This series has already become one of my favourites and I genuinely hope more people get to sink into it like I have. I can’t wait to see what becomes of this world and these characters.
This was truly everything I hoped it would be. The prequel novella was genuinely one of the best introductions I’ve ever had to a story and I was so excited as to where the story would go, and, as expected, I wasn’t left disappointed.
Niran’s writing is rich, evocative and leaves you hanging onto every word. The world building was incredibly well executed and never felt too expository. The world is so well constructed and the prose lends itself to the creation of setting so well. There were moments that caused literal butterflies in my stomach, and others that had me actually switching the light on at night because they were so creepy. The author has an amazing range of skill in this regard.
The characters are so, so well written and are all so distinct from each other. Sibling relationships don’t tend to be something I’m overly enthralled by in books, but I adore Richard’s bond with his siblings, and all the characters themselves are so well formed and distinct. I really love Elara in particular - a strong willed female character will always win me over.
The romance is the perfect slow burn so far, and I loved getting to see how Richard and Kaelen’s relationship is so thoroughly underpinned by a strong mutual respect. Richard’s asexuality is a key element of this book, and the discussion of the troubles he has had with this aspect of himself are extremely well done, and also very refreshing in a romantic fantasy. The theme of sexual violence is extremely prevalent, but also very well handled, which is also nice to see in a genre that so often has lines of consent blurred with no later mention.
I truly feel privileged to get to read this book. This series has already become one of my favourites and I genuinely hope more people get to sink into it like I have. I can’t wait to see what becomes of this world and these characters.
March 30, 2026
«You are not broken. There is nothing within you that could ever be broken, for I know no man braver nor more beautiful. I swear this now upon my heart, and may the gods stop it beating should I have uttered a single word untrue».
I'm so thankful for being given the opportunity to read this amazing story before its release, thanks to NetGalley and the author!
The Sun King's Dawn is the first book in a series of four that follows Richard, known as "The Sun King", he is an unconventional king: he has no desire in marrying anybody, he just wants to be a just king and to protect his family and his people.
Sadly, though, there's an evil magic that's hiding behind the shadows and it's ready to harm his kingdom and he wants to fight that!
Richard is supported by his brother and his two sisters, and by Sir Kaelen, a knight who always had a crush on the king.
I loved all the characters, but I had a soft spot for the mmcs: Richard, who is strong and intelligent, but constantly hides his insecurities, even from the people who are closest to him; and Kaelen, who has such a golden-retriever energy, he would do anything for his king and would never hurt him, even if that means breaking his own heart.
I loved Kaelen's backstory, and how he still had his experiences...
I really appreciated how Richard's asexuality was portrayed, and how really slowly and organically his feelings are maybe changing...
The writing style is excellent, I felt intrigued from the very first lines and I couldn't stop reading!!
I'm so thankful for being given the opportunity to read this amazing story before its release, thanks to NetGalley and the author!
The Sun King's Dawn is the first book in a series of four that follows Richard, known as "The Sun King", he is an unconventional king: he has no desire in marrying anybody, he just wants to be a just king and to protect his family and his people.
Sadly, though, there's an evil magic that's hiding behind the shadows and it's ready to harm his kingdom and he wants to fight that!
Richard is supported by his brother and his two sisters, and by Sir Kaelen, a knight who always had a crush on the king.
I loved all the characters, but I had a soft spot for the mmcs: Richard, who is strong and intelligent, but constantly hides his insecurities, even from the people who are closest to him; and Kaelen, who has such a golden-retriever energy, he would do anything for his king and would never hurt him, even if that means breaking his own heart.
I loved Kaelen's backstory, and how he still had his experiences...
I really appreciated how Richard's asexuality was portrayed, and how really slowly and organically his feelings are maybe changing...
The writing style is excellent, I felt intrigued from the very first lines and I couldn't stop reading!!
April 29, 2026
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
The Sun King's Dawn is the first book of four that I can not wait to see finished! I experienced several emotionally high points while reading this - gripping onto something, grinning like a lunatic while swearing up and down I could not read the next passage because then it would happen and I did not want it to happen but also needed it to happen to my utter delight.
King Richard of Ardenia is faced with the horrible revelation that the magical rot has spread into the outskirts of his kingdom. Magic - used for healing, fighting and other things - twists into something it had not been before. The root is behind the Veil - a place that was meant to be locked and they were supposed to be save from the rot inside it. He rides to investigate and finds that worse threatens - an invasion of monsters worse than he is used too and a threat to his own will and identity.
I connected very quickly to Richard and Kaelen alike. As an asexual person I especially knew where Richard was coming from and what he struggled with in his mind. I really felt seen through him in some scenes and found understanding and comfort in him. Richard is also a character that I especially enjoy because he is a mentally and emotionally strong character. Kaelen is a kind and strong man, loyal and honorable. As a knight this fits him very well and I found it wonderful to read how Richard slowly starts to see the Man and not the child. That he writes terrible poems and killed a Basilisks, make him in my eyes a wonderful character that I just need more off.Richard siblings are a delight to have in the story and their dynamic is just as it should be - complex, fierce and loving. With that family I can understand why the court is so loyal to them. That royal family is just as loyal to them in return. I can feel the tension rising between the siblings though with the coming stress and Richard trying to take it all on his own a bit too much. Which for me means a good foundation got laid down in this book for the coming ones.I can already guess that Galdran, the protagonist, is complex and layered. And I am curious on how he grew up, why he is the way he is, and still dislike him immensely and join Richard in his disgust over that man.
The Pacing was steady and I could follow the several tension arcs nicely through, feeling the bigger built up bit by bit witch each new information that was found or hinted at. Some things I could guess at early on but it did not ruin anything for me but gave it a fully rewarding feeling with following the string to where it was meant to lead me.
The tricky topics of assault via Galdran are carefully written and in a way that felt to me very understanding of this hard topic. And it is not thrown aside after, the effects of such an act stays and is addressed in a gentle and very understanding way. Similar to the acephobia that is in this world - I can not say how much I knew some of those worries, thoughts or sentences and how the way they got addressed later with love and kindness by other characters touched me deeply.
For me this book shone with a gentle light onto a representation of an asexual character I didn't even know I was missing. I am so glad I came across this book that let me see a character with my sexuality exist in a world and struggle with a battle familiar to me, while also enjoying to see how he starts to fall in love and tries to fulfill his duty. I think this is one of my favorite reads of this year so far!
"Why did so many say 'feelings' when they meant 'desire'? Perhaps because they wanted to make lust a pretty thing. One that came with sweet words instead of touch and possession and claiming."
The Sun King's Dawn is the first book of four that I can not wait to see finished! I experienced several emotionally high points while reading this - gripping onto something, grinning like a lunatic while swearing up and down I could not read the next passage because then it would happen and I did not want it to happen but also needed it to happen to my utter delight.
King Richard of Ardenia is faced with the horrible revelation that the magical rot has spread into the outskirts of his kingdom. Magic - used for healing, fighting and other things - twists into something it had not been before. The root is behind the Veil - a place that was meant to be locked and they were supposed to be save from the rot inside it. He rides to investigate and finds that worse threatens - an invasion of monsters worse than he is used too and a threat to his own will and identity.
I connected very quickly to Richard and Kaelen alike. As an asexual person I especially knew where Richard was coming from and what he struggled with in his mind. I really felt seen through him in some scenes and found understanding and comfort in him. Richard is also a character that I especially enjoy because he is a mentally and emotionally strong character. Kaelen is a kind and strong man, loyal and honorable. As a knight this fits him very well and I found it wonderful to read how Richard slowly starts to see the Man and not the child. That he writes terrible poems and killed a Basilisks, make him in my eyes a wonderful character that I just need more off.Richard siblings are a delight to have in the story and their dynamic is just as it should be - complex, fierce and loving. With that family I can understand why the court is so loyal to them. That royal family is just as loyal to them in return. I can feel the tension rising between the siblings though with the coming stress and Richard trying to take it all on his own a bit too much. Which for me means a good foundation got laid down in this book for the coming ones.I can already guess that Galdran, the protagonist, is complex and layered. And I am curious on how he grew up, why he is the way he is, and still dislike him immensely and join Richard in his disgust over that man.
The Pacing was steady and I could follow the several tension arcs nicely through, feeling the bigger built up bit by bit witch each new information that was found or hinted at. Some things I could guess at early on but it did not ruin anything for me but gave it a fully rewarding feeling with following the string to where it was meant to lead me.
The tricky topics of assault via Galdran are carefully written and in a way that felt to me very understanding of this hard topic. And it is not thrown aside after, the effects of such an act stays and is addressed in a gentle and very understanding way. Similar to the acephobia that is in this world - I can not say how much I knew some of those worries, thoughts or sentences and how the way they got addressed later with love and kindness by other characters touched me deeply.
For me this book shone with a gentle light onto a representation of an asexual character I didn't even know I was missing. I am so glad I came across this book that let me see a character with my sexuality exist in a world and struggle with a battle familiar to me, while also enjoying to see how he starts to fall in love and tries to fulfill his duty. I think this is one of my favorite reads of this year so far!
"Why did so many say 'feelings' when they meant 'desire'? Perhaps because they wanted to make lust a pretty thing. One that came with sweet words instead of touch and possession and claiming."
April 21, 2026
—Thank you netgalley for the arc—
I devoured this in 24 hours it was that good. The fact this level of writing and storyline came from an indie author blew me away. This was honestly one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time… and I’m stingy with my ratings!
A MM romance with an asexual king drew me in. King Richard has no sexual desires despite being yearned after and constantly hearing how handsome he is. He cares about his kingdom, his people and most importantly his siblings. Kaelen, the deputy of the Crownsguard and Richard’s highest and most loyal knight, has always been in love with Richard. Richard pretends to not notice even after hearing the whispers between the soldiers and hearing of the poems Kaelen writes about him. Richard struggles with the imbalance of feelings between him and Kaelen, his lack of desire for love and also his inability to love in that it would distract him from his duties as king and saving his kingdom.
His land, Ardenia, is being infected with rot and the magical threads below the land are turning to poison. This poison is infecting the ground, crops, animals and humans, It’s a dark magic mutating everything it reaches. Thousands of years ago people and magical creatures lived in peace until the rot began spreading, it overcame the land of Nathlean and started to head toward Ardenia. Dwarves created a veil that stopped the rot bleeding into Ardenia and further lands. Not only did it seal in the rot, it trapped all the creatures and people living there by sealing them in, that prisoned land then became known as Gloamvarn. Galdran, the Gloamvarn King, is ready to break the veil, release his people and creatures and have Richard to himself. King Richard needs to find the cause of the weakening veil and stop it before it’s too late.
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SPOILERS AHEAD !!!
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My ‘what will happen next’ inner ramblings:
How will they find the “first tree gem/creatures”? Only 4 are known, one now claimed by Galdran but two are unknown - who are they/what are they? Will the known creatures tell Richard about the missing two?
The voice Richard spoke to through the veil, was she one of the creatures or maybe one of the unknown?
What of the dwarves who created the veil? Are there any alive still? They created the ward and no one has sighted them since. How did they create the veil, mages have tried to understand the magic but failed.
What happened to Haldric and Aralynn, the previous king and queen? Their death is merely spoke of in that trolls killed them but not much more was said.
What does the house name phoenix mean? Who went to such great lengths to erase the house name from the registries? Is he linked to the phoenix from the first tree?
Is Richard really immune to the bite mark bond or will this soulmate vow change him? Will our asexual king start to develop desire instead of revulsion?
The will they won’t they with Richard and Kaelen, the slow burn is burninnngggg, the odd feeling or sensation here and there was killingggggg me.
And my main question is why Richard, why does Galdran want him and only him so much? What is the link? He’s marked him as his soulmate and would stop a war if Richard would just marry him… I have to know WHY!
I’m now off to read the prequel, please don’t keep me waiting for book 2 too long though!
I devoured this in 24 hours it was that good. The fact this level of writing and storyline came from an indie author blew me away. This was honestly one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time… and I’m stingy with my ratings!
A MM romance with an asexual king drew me in. King Richard has no sexual desires despite being yearned after and constantly hearing how handsome he is. He cares about his kingdom, his people and most importantly his siblings. Kaelen, the deputy of the Crownsguard and Richard’s highest and most loyal knight, has always been in love with Richard. Richard pretends to not notice even after hearing the whispers between the soldiers and hearing of the poems Kaelen writes about him. Richard struggles with the imbalance of feelings between him and Kaelen, his lack of desire for love and also his inability to love in that it would distract him from his duties as king and saving his kingdom.
His land, Ardenia, is being infected with rot and the magical threads below the land are turning to poison. This poison is infecting the ground, crops, animals and humans, It’s a dark magic mutating everything it reaches. Thousands of years ago people and magical creatures lived in peace until the rot began spreading, it overcame the land of Nathlean and started to head toward Ardenia. Dwarves created a veil that stopped the rot bleeding into Ardenia and further lands. Not only did it seal in the rot, it trapped all the creatures and people living there by sealing them in, that prisoned land then became known as Gloamvarn. Galdran, the Gloamvarn King, is ready to break the veil, release his people and creatures and have Richard to himself. King Richard needs to find the cause of the weakening veil and stop it before it’s too late.
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SPOILERS AHEAD !!!
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My ‘what will happen next’ inner ramblings:
How will they find the “first tree gem/creatures”? Only 4 are known, one now claimed by Galdran but two are unknown - who are they/what are they? Will the known creatures tell Richard about the missing two?
The voice Richard spoke to through the veil, was she one of the creatures or maybe one of the unknown?
What of the dwarves who created the veil? Are there any alive still? They created the ward and no one has sighted them since. How did they create the veil, mages have tried to understand the magic but failed.
What happened to Haldric and Aralynn, the previous king and queen? Their death is merely spoke of in that trolls killed them but not much more was said.
What does the house name phoenix mean? Who went to such great lengths to erase the house name from the registries? Is he linked to the phoenix from the first tree?
Is Richard really immune to the bite mark bond or will this soulmate vow change him? Will our asexual king start to develop desire instead of revulsion?
The will they won’t they with Richard and Kaelen, the slow burn is burninnngggg, the odd feeling or sensation here and there was killingggggg me.
And my main question is why Richard, why does Galdran want him and only him so much? What is the link? He’s marked him as his soulmate and would stop a war if Richard would just marry him… I have to know WHY!
I’m now off to read the prequel, please don’t keep me waiting for book 2 too long though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
The Sun King’s Dawn
I was fortunate to receive an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this first installment of this series. Well, I guess the second. After reading the prequel novella I was very excited to dive further into this world and these characters.
While I am not always a fan of political fantasy, the author has done such a great job of building the world and slowly introducing us to the different factions that I am completely intrigued. I know that I find world building to be (at times) overwhelming in high fantasy but the way that Niran gives us little tastes of new things to set us up for something that is going to be important later is exactly my speed.
The family dynamic of the four siblings is both refreshing and endearing. I love the way that they read like an actual family rather than a group of plot devices. I hope to see more of Corwin’s character in subsequent volumes of the series. He is the only one that remains a little flat for me - most of what we know of him is in reference to Richard or Kaelen.
Speaking of Richard and Kaelen, the relationship that is at the center of the story is tortured and lovely. I have not read many books that have ace rep and this one is really interesting and certainly thought provoking. I believe that the other is handling the character dynamics in a sensitive and authentic way and I am really enjoying watching these to characters learn about themselves and each other as their story continues to progress.
I’m really excited to see where this series goes. While it feels a little predictable I’m sure that the author has some twists and surprises ahead for us. I look forward to the search for the First Creatures and a deeper dive into the other lands and people in this highly immersive world.
I can’t wait for the next installment.
I was fortunate to receive an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this first installment of this series. Well, I guess the second. After reading the prequel novella I was very excited to dive further into this world and these characters.
While I am not always a fan of political fantasy, the author has done such a great job of building the world and slowly introducing us to the different factions that I am completely intrigued. I know that I find world building to be (at times) overwhelming in high fantasy but the way that Niran gives us little tastes of new things to set us up for something that is going to be important later is exactly my speed.
The family dynamic of the four siblings is both refreshing and endearing. I love the way that they read like an actual family rather than a group of plot devices. I hope to see more of Corwin’s character in subsequent volumes of the series. He is the only one that remains a little flat for me - most of what we know of him is in reference to Richard or Kaelen.
Speaking of Richard and Kaelen, the relationship that is at the center of the story is tortured and lovely. I have not read many books that have ace rep and this one is really interesting and certainly thought provoking. I believe that the other is handling the character dynamics in a sensitive and authentic way and I am really enjoying watching these to characters learn about themselves and each other as their story continues to progress.
I’m really excited to see where this series goes. While it feels a little predictable I’m sure that the author has some twists and surprises ahead for us. I look forward to the search for the First Creatures and a deeper dive into the other lands and people in this highly immersive world.
I can’t wait for the next installment.
April 2, 2026
It's official, I'm invested in this series! I had a feeling I would be solely based on the prequel.
Okay before I get to the good stuff let me start with a few things that I wasn't so elated about:
Corwin is baaay far the worst of the siblings and I would love to have some respect for him but dude you're a prince I need you to act like you are and have your head on your shoulders.
The political outline was a bit complex for me at times but not so much that I didn't follow the story bt yeah sometimes the info goes over my head.
Besides all that, I freaking love it! I confessed that at first I didn't think Richard was worthy of my sweet Knight, especially with the way he treats him standoffishly. Still, I do believe this slow burn will be epic whenever Richard starts seeing Kaelen as a man who should be cherished and loved wholeheartedly, as he does.
You know since I've been reading the title ‘Sun King’ has been spoken with such honor and I was confused as to why I've never seen or heard of Richard having powers because I hear Sun King and I'm thinking power! But that cliffhanger got me thinking and excited for what's next!
For the entirety of the story, I despise Galdran especially with what he did by invading Kaelen’s dreams and also turning Richard against him however briefly. Briar did such an amazing job turning the tables and now I can't help but feel compassion for him.
I also loved the newcomers Flint and his crew along with the Velarian Queen.
A tantalizing continuation from the beginning looking forward to what comes next!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Okay before I get to the good stuff let me start with a few things that I wasn't so elated about:
Corwin is baaay far the worst of the siblings and I would love to have some respect for him but dude you're a prince I need you to act like you are and have your head on your shoulders.
The political outline was a bit complex for me at times but not so much that I didn't follow the story bt yeah sometimes the info goes over my head.
Besides all that, I freaking love it! I confessed that at first I didn't think Richard was worthy of my sweet Knight, especially with the way he treats him standoffishly. Still, I do believe this slow burn will be epic whenever Richard starts seeing Kaelen as a man who should be cherished and loved wholeheartedly, as he does.
You know since I've been reading the title ‘Sun King’ has been spoken with such honor and I was confused as to why I've never seen or heard of Richard having powers because I hear Sun King and I'm thinking power! But that cliffhanger got me thinking and excited for what's next!
For the entirety of the story, I despise Galdran especially with what he did by invading Kaelen’s dreams and also turning Richard against him however briefly. Briar did such an amazing job turning the tables and now I can't help but feel compassion for him.
I also loved the newcomers Flint and his crew along with the Velarian Queen.
A tantalizing continuation from the beginning looking forward to what comes next!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 1, 2026
The Sun King’s Dawn follows a young King Richard as he discovers that the magic sustaining civilization is slowly dying due to a mysterious illness. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a cast of complex characters: an enemy who harbors romantic feelings for Richard, a loyal sidekick who is also in love with him, and his siblings, each with their own stakes in the kingdom’s future. As the newly crowned king and eldest sibling, Richard has little interest in romance, choosing instead to focus on his responsibilities. However, these relationships may prove crucial—either as the key to saving the world or as the catalyst for its destruction. The central question becomes: will Richard set aside his pride and accept the help he needs?
The only real issue with this book is that it isn’t receiving the attention it deserves. It’s rare to see asexual representation in the romantasy genre, and this story handles it in a way that feels both natural and refreshing.
One of the standout elements is the world’s approach to gender and relationships. There is a refreshing sense of normalization—identities and romantic orientations are accepted without spectacle or unnecessary commentary. This allows the story to focus on deeper interpersonal dynamics rather than relying on shock value. The tension that drives the romantasy genre comes not from prejudice, but from the characters themselves—their emotions, choices, and conflicts.
I am excited for book 2!!
The only real issue with this book is that it isn’t receiving the attention it deserves. It’s rare to see asexual representation in the romantasy genre, and this story handles it in a way that feels both natural and refreshing.
One of the standout elements is the world’s approach to gender and relationships. There is a refreshing sense of normalization—identities and romantic orientations are accepted without spectacle or unnecessary commentary. This allows the story to focus on deeper interpersonal dynamics rather than relying on shock value. The tension that drives the romantasy genre comes not from prejudice, but from the characters themselves—their emotions, choices, and conflicts.
I am excited for book 2!!
May 14, 2026
It's hard to find the right words to do such a story justice... The writing is exquisite, captivating and lush and drew me in instantly. It's brilliant and stunning.
The world and some of its characters are very dark and cruel, there's more fantasy, and horror elements than I expected which was thrilling and left me breathless at times, as well as uncomfortable at certain scenes of abuse.
It was not an easy read for me and I got through some of the scenes with difficulty. Heed the trigger warnings for sure!
However, I was very grateful and pleasantly surprised for the scenes that came after that clearly showed how vile and wrong it was and never the victims' fault in any way.
This world is not just but brutal and vicious, which only shows how beautiful and good some of the characters are and I'm deeply in love with them all. I'm also very scared of what's to come... But I must know and can only hope they'll all get out of it alive for a happily ever after at the very end. That's my most dearest wish for them anyhow!
The world and some of its characters are very dark and cruel, there's more fantasy, and horror elements than I expected which was thrilling and left me breathless at times, as well as uncomfortable at certain scenes of abuse.
It was not an easy read for me and I got through some of the scenes with difficulty. Heed the trigger warnings for sure!
However, I was very grateful and pleasantly surprised for the scenes that came after that clearly showed how vile and wrong it was and never the victims' fault in any way.
This world is not just but brutal and vicious, which only shows how beautiful and good some of the characters are and I'm deeply in love with them all. I'm also very scared of what's to come... But I must know and can only hope they'll all get out of it alive for a happily ever after at the very end. That's my most dearest wish for them anyhow!
April 29, 2026
I had been thinking nonstop about this family since finishing the prequel (The Squire and His Prince - please read as I think it helps to have a view of things through Kaelen’s eyes and to know about the prophecy) and was thrilled to be back in this world.
There’s a lot going on plot wise in this book and plenty of questions left unanswered. While we start to get some pieces together by the end, I can tell there will be some fun twists as we progress through the rest of the story.
While I enjoy everyone in our main cast, I found myself struggling with Richard at times and that’s okay. There’s clearly some personal growth needing to happen and I’m interested to watch as his character develops moving forward. Seeing the rest of the cast grow into themselves is also likely to be a highlight of mine moving forward - although I hope they always have the kind of relationship shown during the “Richard turned into a worm” scene.
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing an advanced copy for review. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
There’s a lot going on plot wise in this book and plenty of questions left unanswered. While we start to get some pieces together by the end, I can tell there will be some fun twists as we progress through the rest of the story.
While I enjoy everyone in our main cast, I found myself struggling with Richard at times and that’s okay. There’s clearly some personal growth needing to happen and I’m interested to watch as his character develops moving forward. Seeing the rest of the cast grow into themselves is also likely to be a highlight of mine moving forward - although I hope they always have the kind of relationship shown during the “Richard turned into a worm” scene.
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing an advanced copy for review. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
April 23, 2026
I've seen enough, give me 10 more books of these characters expeditiously.
This book has the rare perfect combination of plot and romance that I've been longing for with every other queer fantasy romance I've read lately. Richard and Kaelen really hit the spot for me with the devotion and yearning, even if Richard is a little clueless and naive at times about the amount of pining directed his way from his poor knight. And maybe I'm a sadist at heart, but I really do enjoy Kaelen suffering a bit in his (not so) unrequited feelings. The high stakes were keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time, even if some moments got a bit melodramatic. Can't wait for future installments of this series especially with that last bit of info dropped on the very last line.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This book has the rare perfect combination of plot and romance that I've been longing for with every other queer fantasy romance I've read lately. Richard and Kaelen really hit the spot for me with the devotion and yearning, even if Richard is a little clueless and naive at times about the amount of pining directed his way from his poor knight. And maybe I'm a sadist at heart, but I really do enjoy Kaelen suffering a bit in his (not so) unrequited feelings. The high stakes were keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time, even if some moments got a bit melodramatic. Can't wait for future installments of this series especially with that last bit of info dropped on the very last line.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 2, 2026
A quick but fun read, ready for the next book!
This was a wonderful start to a series. There is a prequel novella and I read it first and while not reading it wouldn’t take away anything from the storyline it does give a lot of insight on Kaelen, the knight’s, feelings towards the King, Richard and how long he has spent living from afar. This book is from the POV Richard and provides very insightful views to how he navigates the world that does not understand his asexuality and how he does not understand the world’s sexuality and how it intersects with love. Can’t wait for the next installment!
This was a wonderful start to a series. There is a prequel novella and I read it first and while not reading it wouldn’t take away anything from the storyline it does give a lot of insight on Kaelen, the knight’s, feelings towards the King, Richard and how long he has spent living from afar. This book is from the POV Richard and provides very insightful views to how he navigates the world that does not understand his asexuality and how he does not understand the world’s sexuality and how it intersects with love. Can’t wait for the next installment!
March 19, 2026
4.5 stars, rounded up for GR
I'm so grateful I was able to read the ARC for The Sun King's Dawn. I happened to see a glowing review of it on Reddit and decided to request it.
The book focuses on the asexual monarch, Richard and the threat against his kingdom. I loved the asexual representation but make no mistake, this is a part of Richard and not his entire character. He is loving, loyal, fierce and at times, obtuse. He was a delight to follow as the narrator for this book.
The fantasy element was excellent in my opinion. It wasn't over embellished with details that I felt the story lost it's way and neither did I think it too simple that I couldn't get lost in it.
The story always kept my attention. It is fast paced but not in a way that feels things are being overlooked. Something is always happening yet we are able to pause and reflect on a characters motivations or what this means for Richard and his kingdom.
There is a hint of romance to the book, with Kaelen, Richard's deputy commander for the Crownsguard. Kaelen is very openly in love with Richard whilst Richard typically tries to overlook it. Although to reiterate, there is more to Kaelen than his devotion to his king. After looking further into the author, I found there is a prequel called The Squire and His Prince. A novella that introduces the pair and something that is definitely on my TBR.
Again, I'm so happy to have had the chance to read and review this. Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this opportunity.
I'm so grateful I was able to read the ARC for The Sun King's Dawn. I happened to see a glowing review of it on Reddit and decided to request it.
The book focuses on the asexual monarch, Richard and the threat against his kingdom. I loved the asexual representation but make no mistake, this is a part of Richard and not his entire character. He is loving, loyal, fierce and at times, obtuse. He was a delight to follow as the narrator for this book.
The fantasy element was excellent in my opinion. It wasn't over embellished with details that I felt the story lost it's way and neither did I think it too simple that I couldn't get lost in it.
The story always kept my attention. It is fast paced but not in a way that feels things are being overlooked. Something is always happening yet we are able to pause and reflect on a characters motivations or what this means for Richard and his kingdom.
There is a hint of romance to the book, with Kaelen, Richard's deputy commander for the Crownsguard. Kaelen is very openly in love with Richard whilst Richard typically tries to overlook it. Although to reiterate, there is more to Kaelen than his devotion to his king. After looking further into the author, I found there is a prequel called The Squire and His Prince. A novella that introduces the pair and something that is definitely on my TBR.
Again, I'm so happy to have had the chance to read and review this. Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this opportunity.
May 7, 2026
This book! Wow! I loved it, had me grinning and giggling at Kalens protectiveness and even more at his awkwardness. I did find myself a bit annoyed by Richard at times. I am so excited to continue this series!
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