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The Serpent Ring Duology #1
She Who Broke the Covenant
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26History remembers her as cruel.
But history was written by men.
Fastrada always knew her marriage to King Charles was strategic. She was sent to secure power, protect her family, and survive a court built on loyalty, ambition, and blood. What she did not expect was Charles. Charming. Brilliant. Devoted. Kind. A king with blood on his hands and tenderness in his touch.
Against every warning, Fastrada falls for the man she was meant to deceive. But love offers little protection in a kingdom where every alliance has a price, and the crown she once dreamed of wearing begins to feel more like a collar.
Caught between her father’s rebellion and her husband’s growing obsession, Fastrada turns to forbidden magic to survive.
A ring worn.
A bargain made.
A spell meant to keep her safe.
But something ancient is watching from the shadows. And as secrets coil around her fate, Fastrada must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice for power, love, and survival.
She Who Broke the Covenant is a dark, female-centric historical romantasy woven with folklore, power, obsession, and betrayal.
But history was written by men.
Fastrada always knew her marriage to King Charles was strategic. She was sent to secure power, protect her family, and survive a court built on loyalty, ambition, and blood. What she did not expect was Charles. Charming. Brilliant. Devoted. Kind. A king with blood on his hands and tenderness in his touch.
Against every warning, Fastrada falls for the man she was meant to deceive. But love offers little protection in a kingdom where every alliance has a price, and the crown she once dreamed of wearing begins to feel more like a collar.
Caught between her father’s rebellion and her husband’s growing obsession, Fastrada turns to forbidden magic to survive.
A ring worn.
A bargain made.
A spell meant to keep her safe.
But something ancient is watching from the shadows. And as secrets coil around her fate, Fastrada must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice for power, love, and survival.
She Who Broke the Covenant is a dark, female-centric historical romantasy woven with folklore, power, obsession, and betrayal.
- GenresRomance
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Marly Monroe
2 books83 followersMy name is Marly
I’m here for the book lovers, the writers, and those who can’t stop talking about the magic of a long bookshelf filled with stories.
To the ones who choose Triceratops as their favorite dinosaur (because who wouldn’t love those three majestic horns?), the ones who’ll argue that pineapple on pizza is a genius creation, and to anyone dreaming of becoming a better version of themselves every day—this space is for you.
I believe in the beauty of life, the thrill of a good book, and the power of positive change. If you’re someone who loves life with as much passion as I do, let's connect. Let’s share stories, tips, and dreams, and grow together.
Looking forward to the conversations ahead.
I’m here for the book lovers, the writers, and those who can’t stop talking about the magic of a long bookshelf filled with stories.
To the ones who choose Triceratops as their favorite dinosaur (because who wouldn’t love those three majestic horns?), the ones who’ll argue that pineapple on pizza is a genius creation, and to anyone dreaming of becoming a better version of themselves every day—this space is for you.
I believe in the beauty of life, the thrill of a good book, and the power of positive change. If you’re someone who loves life with as much passion as I do, let's connect. Let’s share stories, tips, and dreams, and grow together.
Looking forward to the conversations ahead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
April 8, 2026
EEEEEEEK LET ME TELL YOU, YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT!!!
I was incredibly lucky to beta read this (my first beta read) and I cannot thank Marly enough!
I also get to ARC read for She Who Broke the Covenant so I will do a proper review then!
P.S. LOVE YOU MARLY 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I was incredibly lucky to beta read this (my first beta read) and I cannot thank Marly enough!
I also get to ARC read for She Who Broke the Covenant so I will do a proper review then!
P.S. LOVE YOU MARLY 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
May 6, 2026
Thank you for the chance to get an early ebook copy of this book!!
I really liked certain aspects of this story, the magic was interesting once it got brought back into the story.
I really felt for Fastrada and the position she was put in from birth.
My issues with this book-
I felt like the plot lines were hard to grasp. At one point its political intrigue, at another it’s the magic at play. Then its heavily focused on her relationship with the king, only to pivot towards the last third of the book to another figure that had been waiting in the shadows.
I couldn’t get behind the way she as the character felt toward her extremely abusive husband and her continued enjoyment of their physical relationship. That really bothered me and it could just be me as a reader.
Overall the book was decent and maybe the second half of the Duology will bring it together and make it better but I’m not sure when or if I will continue it.
This story is not for me and I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the love story on the level that I needed to in order to love it.
I really liked certain aspects of this story, the magic was interesting once it got brought back into the story.
I really felt for Fastrada and the position she was put in from birth.
My issues with this book-
I felt like the plot lines were hard to grasp. At one point its political intrigue, at another it’s the magic at play. Then its heavily focused on her relationship with the king, only to pivot towards the last third of the book to another figure that had been waiting in the shadows.
I couldn’t get behind the way she as the character felt toward her extremely abusive husband and her continued enjoyment of their physical relationship. That really bothered me and it could just be me as a reader.
Overall the book was decent and maybe the second half of the Duology will bring it together and make it better but I’m not sure when or if I will continue it.
This story is not for me and I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the love story on the level that I needed to in order to love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
this was the perfect mix between historical and fantasy that pulls you in from the very start. She who broke the covenant is a slow, yet grueling read. My heart completely ached for our FMC Ayna, everything she had to go through just tore me apart but it what makes her such a good and strong character.
everything was just so raw with these characters, including our side characters. Marly did such a beautiful job with this making sure everything was well through out and respectful. It was perfectly paced and she even had me in my feelings.
the romance is tbis was GORGEOUS and i absolutely ate it up, to make me fall for not one but TWO men in this *chefs kiss* (especially broody, tall and suspicious ones) this book will be held very close to my heart.
but that ending, devils worship I need book two yesterday!!
"Love changes us," he continues. "Not always loudly. Sometimes it works in small, quiet ways-teaching patience where there was none, courage where we thought ourselves lacking.”
everything was just so raw with these characters, including our side characters. Marly did such a beautiful job with this making sure everything was well through out and respectful. It was perfectly paced and she even had me in my feelings.
the romance is tbis was GORGEOUS and i absolutely ate it up, to make me fall for not one but TWO men in this *chefs kiss* (especially broody, tall and suspicious ones) this book will be held very close to my heart.
but that ending, devils worship I need book two yesterday!!
"Love changes us," he continues. "Not always loudly. Sometimes it works in small, quiet ways-teaching patience where there was none, courage where we thought ourselves lacking.”
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
Unfortunately I had to DNF at around 50%, I understand that Fastrada is only 18 years old and a tad naive, but her being suddenly in love with Charles felt so weird and out of nowhere. She was supposedly raised to help her father taking Charles down and she immediately forgot about it and was deeply in love with him.
The age gap between those two and therefore the power dynamics weren't my cup of tea either.
That Charles started to abuse her and even wanted to force her to having sex was another no-go for me. And the reason I stopped reading. (I'm not triggered by any of those topics, but I still wish it would have been mentioned beforehand. Only the domestic violence was mentioned in the beginning of the book, but not the tried forced sex, gaslighting, manipulation etc).
From what I saw online, it wasn't obvious that the story would go in this direction and I couldn't find the tropes that was used to advertise the book to the point I stopped reading. If I would have known beforehand, I wouldn't have applied for the arc.
The age gap between those two and therefore the power dynamics weren't my cup of tea either.
That Charles started to abuse her and even wanted to force her to having sex was another no-go for me. And the reason I stopped reading. (I'm not triggered by any of those topics, but I still wish it would have been mentioned beforehand. Only the domestic violence was mentioned in the beginning of the book, but not the tried forced sex, gaslighting, manipulation etc).
From what I saw online, it wasn't obvious that the story would go in this direction and I couldn't find the tropes that was used to advertise the book to the point I stopped reading. If I would have known beforehand, I wouldn't have applied for the arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so lucky to be able to beta read this and it’s amazing! I was hooked immediately and could not put it down!
May 17, 2026
“I am ready to be a bride, ready to become queen. I know what awaits me at the altar; I know my duties.”
✨ Arranged marriage
✨ Insta love… sort of
✨ Gaslighting and emotional abuse
✨ Bargain with the devil
This one comes in fast and doesn’t let up. Fastrada is pushed into queenship and marriage at a young age, with no real preparation for the political mess she’s been placed in. She’s being used as a piece in her family’s resistance plans, without knowing the full extent of the deals made around her or what it will ultimately cost her.
“Trust did not come easily to me at court. Too many smiles there are hiding people’s true intentions; too many words are chosen with care.”
Charles is not the monster she expects at first. Charming, brilliant, tender in moments, and honestly that is half the problem. The line between devotion and obsession gets thin real fast, and the shift is so unsettling in a very intentional way.
“For the first time, I do not ask what Charles has shielded me from, I ask what he has chosen not to show me. And whether protection and possession were ever truly different things.”
The vibe is very “dark Bridgerton but make it political fantasy with something eerie running underneath it all”. Court pressure, manipulation, and that slow creeping sense that nothing is quite what it seems.
“I wonder if there is a love meant for me somewhere, a soul that would have loved me wholly, without fear or restraint.”
Fastrada is constantly trying to figure out where she stands in a world that keeps shifting beneath her, and that tension between control and survival carries the whole story.
“For my entire life, kisses have been preludes to negotiation. To expectation and power. This one feels like being chosen without condition.”
This leans heavily into power, perception, and what it means to realise you were never actually as safe or as in control as you thought.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
✨ Arranged marriage
✨ Insta love… sort of
✨ Gaslighting and emotional abuse
✨ Bargain with the devil
This one comes in fast and doesn’t let up. Fastrada is pushed into queenship and marriage at a young age, with no real preparation for the political mess she’s been placed in. She’s being used as a piece in her family’s resistance plans, without knowing the full extent of the deals made around her or what it will ultimately cost her.
“Trust did not come easily to me at court. Too many smiles there are hiding people’s true intentions; too many words are chosen with care.”
Charles is not the monster she expects at first. Charming, brilliant, tender in moments, and honestly that is half the problem. The line between devotion and obsession gets thin real fast, and the shift is so unsettling in a very intentional way.
“For the first time, I do not ask what Charles has shielded me from, I ask what he has chosen not to show me. And whether protection and possession were ever truly different things.”
The vibe is very “dark Bridgerton but make it political fantasy with something eerie running underneath it all”. Court pressure, manipulation, and that slow creeping sense that nothing is quite what it seems.
“I wonder if there is a love meant for me somewhere, a soul that would have loved me wholly, without fear or restraint.”
Fastrada is constantly trying to figure out where she stands in a world that keeps shifting beneath her, and that tension between control and survival carries the whole story.
“For my entire life, kisses have been preludes to negotiation. To expectation and power. This one feels like being chosen without condition.”
This leans heavily into power, perception, and what it means to realise you were never actually as safe or as in control as you thought.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
May 15, 2026
WOW. Just, wow. From the first chapter, I was drawn to Fastrada and her desire to be adored, cherished, and chosen. This story was immersive, which I think helped me to devour it in four days during one of the busiest times of the year. If you’re a history buff and find yourself always wondering about the women’s underlying story (because, let’s be real, history is always focused on the men) then pick this one up! I promise, you will be just as captivated as I was!
I was sent an ARC of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was sent an ARC of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 9, 2026
ARC review
There’s a lot that could be said but I’ll keep it short. The words that comes to mind are rushed and unoriginal. Reading this felt like the only purpose was to tick some boxes. Not for me
There’s a lot that could be said but I’ll keep it short. The words that comes to mind are rushed and unoriginal. Reading this felt like the only purpose was to tick some boxes. Not for me
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy received from Author
3.5-4⭐/5⭐
She Who Broke the Covenant is, at its core, a beautifully written novel. Marly Monroe’s prose is immersive and deliberate, with a lyrical quality that makes it feel distinctly human. Ada’s inner monologue, in particular, stands out, with a rawness and vulnerability that makes her thoughts feel authentic rather than performative. Sometimes the dialogue feels mildly immature compared to the narrative prose (especially in some of the spicy scenes), however it doesn't take away from the overall plot of the story.
That said, the pacing doesn’t always serve the story as well as the writing does. The narrative moves in uneven bursts, with time jumps that occasionally feel abrupt and disorienting. At several points, it feels as though significant pieces of character and plot development are happening off the page, leaving gaps that made me try to fill in background.
This becomes especially noticeable in the handling of Ada and Charles’s relationship. We’re told—or meant to understand—that Ada loves Charles, but that emotional connection doesn’t fully land. It was a bit difficult to trace the development of that love (for my personal reading in particular), and as a result, some of the emotional stakes in scenes where they were actually "connecting" felt a bit muted. I truly would have loved to see more of their relationship develop over the time skips we missed, so that way we could see the bond they have truly unraveling.
At the same time, one of the more compelling aspects of the novel is Ada’s internal conflict as she tries to understand their bond and how it translates to this version of "love". Monroe delivers a very well written portrayal of how grooming and emotional abuse can shape attachment, without reducing it to something simplistic like a romanticized Stockholm syndrome. Ada’s awareness that her feelings for Charles are rooted as much in fear and pain as in genuine connection is incredibly well done and portrayed realistically, not romanticized. There’s a quiet, devastating awareness of the idea that something real might have existed between them under different circumstances, had trauma not defined the relationship from the start. That tension is one of the book’s strongest emotional threads.
In addition, I would have loved to see a more fleshed out version of Charles. His psychological decline—and the gradual deterioration of his relationship with Ada—had the potential to be one of the most compelling aspects of the novel. Instead, much of that descent felt glossed over. The emotional payoff would have been far stronger had we been allowed to witness more of his internal unraveling and the fracture of their relationship.
I think this novel excels in voice and emotional authenticity, however I feel it sometimes lacked narrative cohesion. With more consistent pacing and deeper exploration of key character arcs, I think this would have been an exceptional read. I still think it was a great read—very unique and filled with realism and political intrigue. I plan to read the sequel to see where this story takes us.
3.5-4⭐/5⭐
She Who Broke the Covenant is, at its core, a beautifully written novel. Marly Monroe’s prose is immersive and deliberate, with a lyrical quality that makes it feel distinctly human. Ada’s inner monologue, in particular, stands out, with a rawness and vulnerability that makes her thoughts feel authentic rather than performative. Sometimes the dialogue feels mildly immature compared to the narrative prose (especially in some of the spicy scenes), however it doesn't take away from the overall plot of the story.
That said, the pacing doesn’t always serve the story as well as the writing does. The narrative moves in uneven bursts, with time jumps that occasionally feel abrupt and disorienting. At several points, it feels as though significant pieces of character and plot development are happening off the page, leaving gaps that made me try to fill in background.
This becomes especially noticeable in the handling of Ada and Charles’s relationship. We’re told—or meant to understand—that Ada loves Charles, but that emotional connection doesn’t fully land. It was a bit difficult to trace the development of that love (for my personal reading in particular), and as a result, some of the emotional stakes in scenes where they were actually "connecting" felt a bit muted. I truly would have loved to see more of their relationship develop over the time skips we missed, so that way we could see the bond they have truly unraveling.
At the same time, one of the more compelling aspects of the novel is Ada’s internal conflict as she tries to understand their bond and how it translates to this version of "love". Monroe delivers a very well written portrayal of how grooming and emotional abuse can shape attachment, without reducing it to something simplistic like a romanticized Stockholm syndrome. Ada’s awareness that her feelings for Charles are rooted as much in fear and pain as in genuine connection is incredibly well done and portrayed realistically, not romanticized. There’s a quiet, devastating awareness of the idea that something real might have existed between them under different circumstances, had trauma not defined the relationship from the start. That tension is one of the book’s strongest emotional threads.
In addition, I would have loved to see a more fleshed out version of Charles. His psychological decline—and the gradual deterioration of his relationship with Ada—had the potential to be one of the most compelling aspects of the novel. Instead, much of that descent felt glossed over. The emotional payoff would have been far stronger had we been allowed to witness more of his internal unraveling and the fracture of their relationship.
I think this novel excels in voice and emotional authenticity, however I feel it sometimes lacked narrative cohesion. With more consistent pacing and deeper exploration of key character arcs, I think this would have been an exceptional read. I still think it was a great read—very unique and filled with realism and political intrigue. I plan to read the sequel to see where this story takes us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 Stars
First off, thank you to author Marly Monroe for providing me with an ARC of this book!
This story kept my attention from beginning to end, and the final quarter especially was where everything really started to come together. A lot of the themes, character motivations, and lingering questions throughout the book began falling into place, which made the ending feel much more impactful. Once I finished, I found myself thinking back over earlier moments with a new perspective, which is always something I appreciate in a story.
One thing I personally struggled with at first was understanding the larger world and historical context. After finishing the book, I almost wished there had been a little more background on the King or the setting earlier on—maybe something similar to the epilogue placed closer to the beginning, or even a short introduction to help ground the reader. I admittedly went into this book fairly blind and didn’t realize it was inspired by Charlemagne, so that connection completely changed how I viewed the story once I learned it.
The folklore section at the back of the book was honestly one of my favorite additions because it gave so much context to the events and themes woven throughout the narrative. It deepened my appreciation for the story and helped clarify aspects of the world-building that I had been uncertain about while reading. For a while, I wasn’t even sure whether this was a completely fictional world until Italy was mentioned, so having that historical and folkloric framework earlier may have helped immerse me more fully from the start.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the experience and am definitely interested enough to continue the series. I’ll absolutely be picking up the second book because I’m eager to see what happens with Fastrada, what consequences come from removing the ring, and what kind of favor will eventually be demanded in return. There’s clearly a lot more left to uncover, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
First off, thank you to author Marly Monroe for providing me with an ARC of this book!
This story kept my attention from beginning to end, and the final quarter especially was where everything really started to come together. A lot of the themes, character motivations, and lingering questions throughout the book began falling into place, which made the ending feel much more impactful. Once I finished, I found myself thinking back over earlier moments with a new perspective, which is always something I appreciate in a story.
One thing I personally struggled with at first was understanding the larger world and historical context. After finishing the book, I almost wished there had been a little more background on the King or the setting earlier on—maybe something similar to the epilogue placed closer to the beginning, or even a short introduction to help ground the reader. I admittedly went into this book fairly blind and didn’t realize it was inspired by Charlemagne, so that connection completely changed how I viewed the story once I learned it.
The folklore section at the back of the book was honestly one of my favorite additions because it gave so much context to the events and themes woven throughout the narrative. It deepened my appreciation for the story and helped clarify aspects of the world-building that I had been uncertain about while reading. For a while, I wasn’t even sure whether this was a completely fictional world until Italy was mentioned, so having that historical and folkloric framework earlier may have helped immerse me more fully from the start.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the experience and am definitely interested enough to continue the series. I’ll absolutely be picking up the second book because I’m eager to see what happens with Fastrada, what consequences come from removing the ring, and what kind of favor will eventually be demanded in return. There’s clearly a lot more left to uncover, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
She Who Broke the Covenant by Marly Monroe is the first book in a new duology set in a folklore-rich historical world where power is ruled by superstition and obsession.
Sent to marry King Charles for power, Fastrada never expected to fall in love with the man she was meant to deceive. As rebellion grows and Charles’s obsession deepens, she turns to dark magic to survive.
I really enjoyed this first book in a two-part series. It did have some flaws that I will go into later in the review but for the majority of the story I was really invested in Fastrada's journey that's only just beginning. It was also a really quick read for me because whenever I wasn't reading I was wondering how the story would continue.
At the start of the book she was a young and naive girl arranged to marry King Charles and gather intel on him for her father. Falling in love with him was never part of the plan, yet she did. But even being a queen didn't protect her from Charles' anger or obsession and the safety she found came at a price.
The author's writing was beautiful and managed to hook me from the start. I loved reading about the intrigue of the court where Fastrada was thrown in to and the friendships she made along the way. I especially loved her friendship with Aileen since she supported Fastrada through all the hard times. Friendship goals for sure!
Now there were some things that I didn't entirely love. There were a few jumps in the timeline that kind of took me out of the story and confused me a little. I also wish there was a little more character developement for certain characters. But in the end this didn't take away from all the positives of the story that I did immensely enjoy.
I also just have to say that the ending made me gasp out loud. Yes, it ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger but one that I loved and made me very excited for the second and final book!
Sent to marry King Charles for power, Fastrada never expected to fall in love with the man she was meant to deceive. As rebellion grows and Charles’s obsession deepens, she turns to dark magic to survive.
I really enjoyed this first book in a two-part series. It did have some flaws that I will go into later in the review but for the majority of the story I was really invested in Fastrada's journey that's only just beginning. It was also a really quick read for me because whenever I wasn't reading I was wondering how the story would continue.
At the start of the book she was a young and naive girl arranged to marry King Charles and gather intel on him for her father. Falling in love with him was never part of the plan, yet she did. But even being a queen didn't protect her from Charles' anger or obsession and the safety she found came at a price.
The author's writing was beautiful and managed to hook me from the start. I loved reading about the intrigue of the court where Fastrada was thrown in to and the friendships she made along the way. I especially loved her friendship with Aileen since she supported Fastrada through all the hard times. Friendship goals for sure!
Now there were some things that I didn't entirely love. There were a few jumps in the timeline that kind of took me out of the story and confused me a little. I also wish there was a little more character developement for certain characters. But in the end this didn't take away from all the positives of the story that I did immensely enjoy.
I also just have to say that the ending made me gasp out loud. Yes, it ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger but one that I loved and made me very excited for the second and final book!
May 7, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of ‘She who Broke the Convent’.. I really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t put it down and finished it all in one day!
Fair warning this review contains spoilers from here!!
A few notes;
I absolutely loved the character of Aileen, she was such a solid friend to Ada, it was really enjoyable to see their friendship grow over the course of the book. I was also a massive fan of her relationship with Rowan, I would have loved to see this expanded on a bit more but the friendship both these characters offered the protagonist was a welcome joy throughout the book.
Malric was also a fun character, I do feel like the reveal at the end did become slightly obvious but that didn’t take away from how it was revealed or the development of his character throughout the book. An interesting person who I’m very excited to read more about!!
The relationship Ada has with her dad is super interesting and I’m really excited to see where the author is planning on taking this!
The only thing I didn’t love so much was the time skipping, weeks/months or years seemed to pass between every chapter which made it hard to get particularly attached to any of the characters (although they were written very well which ultimately had me attached regardless). But I felt like I was missing key bits of information, in one chapter she’s considering herself the luckiest girl alive and totally in love with the king just for the next few pages to be months later and he’s violent and horrible to her. That being said I did love the book so maybe it’s just me wanting more chapters in between to get more time to get to know the characters!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it.
I want to thank Marly for allowing me access to an arc copy! Already looking forward to the next book!!!
Fair warning this review contains spoilers from here!!
A few notes;
I absolutely loved the character of Aileen, she was such a solid friend to Ada, it was really enjoyable to see their friendship grow over the course of the book. I was also a massive fan of her relationship with Rowan, I would have loved to see this expanded on a bit more but the friendship both these characters offered the protagonist was a welcome joy throughout the book.
Malric was also a fun character, I do feel like the reveal at the end did become slightly obvious but that didn’t take away from how it was revealed or the development of his character throughout the book. An interesting person who I’m very excited to read more about!!
The relationship Ada has with her dad is super interesting and I’m really excited to see where the author is planning on taking this!
The only thing I didn’t love so much was the time skipping, weeks/months or years seemed to pass between every chapter which made it hard to get particularly attached to any of the characters (although they were written very well which ultimately had me attached regardless). But I felt like I was missing key bits of information, in one chapter she’s considering herself the luckiest girl alive and totally in love with the king just for the next few pages to be months later and he’s violent and horrible to her. That being said I did love the book so maybe it’s just me wanting more chapters in between to get more time to get to know the characters!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it.
I want to thank Marly for allowing me access to an arc copy! Already looking forward to the next book!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all a very big and sincere thank you to Marly for choosing me as an ARC reader, this was my very first ARC and I really loved the experience, so thank you so much for the opportunity!
This book is right up my alley... friendship, romance, mystery, spice, magic,...
The writing is beautiful and smooth, so this book reads like a train. Sometimes a bit to much like a high speed train, the time jumps are a bit disorienting. After every time jump I needed some time to adjust and get back in the story and felt like I was missing much needed information.
BUT I couldn't put it down and kept reading every chance I got, almost missed my train stop being so caught up in the story.
The emotions and feelings Fastrada has are so well written, they felt real, honest and made it so easy to see myself in her place.
The world and characters are very intriguing, loveable, mysterious, hateable, ... For me, I would have loved for this book to be double the amount of pages. I would have loved to see more of this world, more background, history, more magic and a lot more main character building, not just for Fastrada but also for her birth family and the family she is choosing throughout the story.
There were moments during the read that I felt confused and wondering if I missed some vital information.
The ending came completely unexpected, got me sitting on the edge of my seat and had me searching for more pages hoping to read on and being very disappointed not finding more.
I enjoyed reading this book, it made me forget the world around me and I am really looking forward to reading part2 !
This book is right up my alley... friendship, romance, mystery, spice, magic,...
The writing is beautiful and smooth, so this book reads like a train. Sometimes a bit to much like a high speed train, the time jumps are a bit disorienting. After every time jump I needed some time to adjust and get back in the story and felt like I was missing much needed information.
BUT I couldn't put it down and kept reading every chance I got, almost missed my train stop being so caught up in the story.
The emotions and feelings Fastrada has are so well written, they felt real, honest and made it so easy to see myself in her place.
The world and characters are very intriguing, loveable, mysterious, hateable, ... For me, I would have loved for this book to be double the amount of pages. I would have loved to see more of this world, more background, history, more magic and a lot more main character building, not just for Fastrada but also for her birth family and the family she is choosing throughout the story.
There were moments during the read that I felt confused and wondering if I missed some vital information.
The ending came completely unexpected, got me sitting on the edge of my seat and had me searching for more pages hoping to read on and being very disappointed not finding more.
I enjoyed reading this book, it made me forget the world around me and I am really looking forward to reading part2 !
Review of advance copy received from Author
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED BY AUTHOR
I started this and somehow couldn’t stop reading. Sometimes you start a book and you have to make yourself keep on going until the plot/action happened but I was hooked from the start. It was a really easy read and I enjoyed it!
We have Fastrada who is being prepared to marry the mysterious king figure, Charles, whose previous wife died, in order to help further her family’s plans, which we find out later is to take down the king. Charles is an obsessive man who turns physically abusive and Fastrada makes a pact with the devil for protection against Charles in the form of a ring when she finds out she is pregnant with their first child. Charles is tempered with the ring’s magic but his obsession needs an outlet and he basically uses it for conquest of the kingdom.
I loved the mysterious Lord Ashmore (aka The Broker) figure and was intrigued how he kept on appearing and disappearing like magic. I was so happy when Fastrada and Malric finally connected! I had an idea he had to somehow be connected to the devil, if not actually be the devil himself.
One thing I did not like was how the story jumped 5 years ahead and I feel like we missed a whole bunch, like the children being born and how that was handled. I understand for plot concerns it needed to happen so the book wasn’t 1000 pages long but I feel like critical parts are missing.
I look forward to the next book and I wonder how Fastrada is going to handle what happened at the end. Oh and the little epilogue with Charles and his brother?! Crazy but can totally see that based on his behavior in the book. Great first book in the duology Marly!
I started this and somehow couldn’t stop reading. Sometimes you start a book and you have to make yourself keep on going until the plot/action happened but I was hooked from the start. It was a really easy read and I enjoyed it!
We have Fastrada who is being prepared to marry the mysterious king figure, Charles, whose previous wife died, in order to help further her family’s plans, which we find out later is to take down the king. Charles is an obsessive man who turns physically abusive and Fastrada makes a pact with the devil for protection against Charles in the form of a ring when she finds out she is pregnant with their first child. Charles is tempered with the ring’s magic but his obsession needs an outlet and he basically uses it for conquest of the kingdom.
I loved the mysterious Lord Ashmore (aka The Broker) figure and was intrigued how he kept on appearing and disappearing like magic. I was so happy when Fastrada and Malric finally connected! I had an idea he had to somehow be connected to the devil, if not actually be the devil himself.
One thing I did not like was how the story jumped 5 years ahead and I feel like we missed a whole bunch, like the children being born and how that was handled. I understand for plot concerns it needed to happen so the book wasn’t 1000 pages long but I feel like critical parts are missing.
I look forward to the next book and I wonder how Fastrada is going to handle what happened at the end. Oh and the little epilogue with Charles and his brother?! Crazy but can totally see that based on his behavior in the book. Great first book in the duology Marly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
She Who Broke the Covenant by Marly Monroe is definitely a book you’ll want to check trigger warnings for before diving in. This is an age-gap story that includes themes of sexual assault, emotional trauma, and physical abuse, so it won’t be for everyone.
That said, I found myself really drawn to certain aspects of the story. The political intrigue surrounding the FMC’s transition into her role as queen was compelling, and I genuinely enjoyed the religious elements tied to the deal with the Devil. Those parts felt rich and layered, and they kept me invested in the broader narrative.
However, the book felt a bit all over the place at times. The biggest issue for me was the inclusion of the smut scenes; especially the first one in Chapter 5. It felt jarring and out of place, particularly given the context. The dynamic of the FMC being forced into the situation but then seemingly enjoying it didn’t sit right with me and came across as a device to jumpstart the story rather than something meaningful or necessary.
I truly believe this could have been a solid 5-star read if it had leaned more into the political and espionage-driven plot instead of trying to balance it with heavy romantic and explicit elements. Unfortunately, the predictability of the ending also made the conclusion fall a bit flat for me.
Overall, I’m giving this 4 stars because there’s a strong foundation here, and I did enjoy significant parts of it. I know there’s another book in the works, and I’m hoping the next installment focuses more on the political storyline and less on forcing in romantic elements that don’t quite land.
That said, I found myself really drawn to certain aspects of the story. The political intrigue surrounding the FMC’s transition into her role as queen was compelling, and I genuinely enjoyed the religious elements tied to the deal with the Devil. Those parts felt rich and layered, and they kept me invested in the broader narrative.
However, the book felt a bit all over the place at times. The biggest issue for me was the inclusion of the smut scenes; especially the first one in Chapter 5. It felt jarring and out of place, particularly given the context. The dynamic of the FMC being forced into the situation but then seemingly enjoying it didn’t sit right with me and came across as a device to jumpstart the story rather than something meaningful or necessary.
I truly believe this could have been a solid 5-star read if it had leaned more into the political and espionage-driven plot instead of trying to balance it with heavy romantic and explicit elements. Unfortunately, the predictability of the ending also made the conclusion fall a bit flat for me.
Overall, I’m giving this 4 stars because there’s a strong foundation here, and I did enjoy significant parts of it. I know there’s another book in the works, and I’m hoping the next installment focuses more on the political storyline and less on forcing in romantic elements that don’t quite land.
Review of advance copy received from Author
She Who Broke the Covenant is a wonderful take on historical fiction. It is refreshing to see a female-centric retelling of historical stories, especially the life and reign of a queen from the Middle Ages.
Fastrada's story is told masterfully. She starts off relatively simple and grows into a powerful queen full of agency. I found the slow fade of a naive, sheltered young highborn bride into a woman willing to do what it takes to protect what she values. The court intrigue added layers of depth to her journey. The slow pull of magic and its cost is also clear and a constant shadow. I understand why some readers would find some sexual scenes a bit much; however, I saw them as fitting, even adding to the plot. Fastrada taking a lover creates a complete 180-degree shift in tone. While a man using intimacy to control his wife or take “what’s rightfully his” was, and sadly still is, common, her choice instead reads as an expression of agency and love, which feels fitting.
The men… well, here they clearly are side players. Yes, they are important players because at the time the story takes place, all power comes from a man, but they still are just a fragment in her life. Even the king, powerful and strong, is only seen in passing and from the FMC's POV. The Broker… I'll let you untangle his mysteries on your own. This book is one of the main reasons Mandy Monroe is slowly climbing the ladder of my favorite authors. I couldn't stop reading, and I was left staring into a wall, asking myself, "What just happened?"5 stars. If I could, I'd give it six.
Fastrada's story is told masterfully. She starts off relatively simple and grows into a powerful queen full of agency. I found the slow fade of a naive, sheltered young highborn bride into a woman willing to do what it takes to protect what she values. The court intrigue added layers of depth to her journey. The slow pull of magic and its cost is also clear and a constant shadow. I understand why some readers would find some sexual scenes a bit much; however, I saw them as fitting, even adding to the plot. Fastrada taking a lover creates a complete 180-degree shift in tone. While a man using intimacy to control his wife or take “what’s rightfully his” was, and sadly still is, common, her choice instead reads as an expression of agency and love, which feels fitting.
The men… well, here they clearly are side players. Yes, they are important players because at the time the story takes place, all power comes from a man, but they still are just a fragment in her life. Even the king, powerful and strong, is only seen in passing and from the FMC's POV. The Broker… I'll let you untangle his mysteries on your own. This book is one of the main reasons Mandy Monroe is slowly climbing the ladder of my favorite authors. I couldn't stop reading, and I was left staring into a wall, asking myself, "What just happened?"5 stars. If I could, I'd give it six.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
This was my first ARC Review and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would like to thank Marly for sharing this copy with me. The story is written in the present tense; while it's not my personal preference for a narrative style, the strength of the plot kept me reading.
What I Loved
As a fan of historical fiction, I really appreciated the rich historical backdrop Monroe built for this story, and I absolutely loved the magical elements woven into the plot: it added a fantastic layer of intrigue.
I enjoyed Fastrada and her journey throughout the book and how she was portrayed within her complex marriage—Monroe handles both the emotional and physical dynamics of her relationship with King Charles well, although it would have been nice to have more details about him and his personality.
My only real critiques come down to pacing and style. The book is driven by frequent time jumps throughout the narrative. While this certainly keeps the plot exciting, it occasionally felt a bit rushed. I would have loved a little more context about what happened between those sections, and a better understanding of what the world was like before Fastrada married the king, just to get to know Charles even better.
Over all verdict
If you enjoy historical fiction mixed with magic, breathless pacing, and complex relationships, She Who Broke the Covenant is a good book to read. From how the book ended, I am looking forward to reading book 2 to find out how Fastrada's journey continue
This was my first ARC Review and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would like to thank Marly for sharing this copy with me. The story is written in the present tense; while it's not my personal preference for a narrative style, the strength of the plot kept me reading.
What I Loved
As a fan of historical fiction, I really appreciated the rich historical backdrop Monroe built for this story, and I absolutely loved the magical elements woven into the plot: it added a fantastic layer of intrigue.
I enjoyed Fastrada and her journey throughout the book and how she was portrayed within her complex marriage—Monroe handles both the emotional and physical dynamics of her relationship with King Charles well, although it would have been nice to have more details about him and his personality.
My only real critiques come down to pacing and style. The book is driven by frequent time jumps throughout the narrative. While this certainly keeps the plot exciting, it occasionally felt a bit rushed. I would have loved a little more context about what happened between those sections, and a better understanding of what the world was like before Fastrada married the king, just to get to know Charles even better.
Over all verdict
If you enjoy historical fiction mixed with magic, breathless pacing, and complex relationships, She Who Broke the Covenant is a good book to read. From how the book ended, I am looking forward to reading book 2 to find out how Fastrada's journey continue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Just a quick shout out to Marly Monroe and her team for gifting me my very first e-ARC-- Thank you for the trust of my thoughts and opinions. This book was an adventure for my soul, and a true honor to read!
Now for my thoughts...
I love a good romance/fantasy read; I also love a book full of secrets with a big reveal. However, I feel like sometimes the plotlines blend together and become almost predictable to the point where I enjoy enjoy the read, but I don't LOVE it.
I want to shout it from the rooftops THIS.BOOK.DELIVERED!!
Deliciously laced with spice, sprinkled with magic, and EVERYONE has secrets--seriously I could not devour this book fast enough!
I love Fastrada's resilience and determination. She is like a phoenix, rising from the ashes of hurt and broken trust. When she finally learns to recognize and understand the difference between simply surviving and actually living, and chooses to narrate her own story, my little reader heart was so proud of our Queen.
I wasn't really sure where our dealing man fit in to the story for a while. He was just sort of there when it was convenient. The tension was discreet at first, and I almost thought I was imagining intent. When all that tension finally boiled over though...nothing would have stopped me either.
I absolutely love:
A man that falls first
A character being cherished in the streets and worshipped in the sheet
Period piece
Big reveal plot twist
Bad*** women living for themselves
Now for my thoughts...
I love a good romance/fantasy read; I also love a book full of secrets with a big reveal. However, I feel like sometimes the plotlines blend together and become almost predictable to the point where I enjoy enjoy the read, but I don't LOVE it.
I want to shout it from the rooftops THIS.BOOK.DELIVERED!!
Deliciously laced with spice, sprinkled with magic, and EVERYONE has secrets--seriously I could not devour this book fast enough!
I love Fastrada's resilience and determination. She is like a phoenix, rising from the ashes of hurt and broken trust. When she finally learns to recognize and understand the difference between simply surviving and actually living, and chooses to narrate her own story, my little reader heart was so proud of our Queen.
I wasn't really sure where our dealing man fit in to the story for a while. He was just sort of there when it was convenient. The tension was discreet at first, and I almost thought I was imagining intent. When all that tension finally boiled over though...nothing would have stopped me either.
I absolutely love:
A man that falls first
A character being cherished in the streets and worshipped in the sheet
Period piece
Big reveal plot twist
Bad*** women living for themselves
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have received a free advanced reader copy of this book.
A young woman, prepared and ready for her task. Brave, nervous, excited and naive.
"Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men."
A court full of intrigues, a complicated struggle deciding where her allegiances should lie and mysterious forces lurking. Why does the kings queens pass away? Who is the broker? And what will be the cost of a deal made in desperation?
We get to follow our heroine through several years as she grows from innocent girl to a queen. The transitions when the story jumps several years ahead are done smoothly and elegantly. The intrigue kept me turning the pages and the language made me cherish every page I turned.
The mix of a fictional world and real world places sometimes threw me out of the immersion as well as the sudden use of another name, a second name perhaps or a nickname? And those are the only reason this review isnt 5 stars. When I got passed that I could stop trying to place where in the world the court was situated and got fully immersed in the story.
There are some explicit scenes that I really enjoyed because they were not only well written but also brought more meaning to the story and the characters. Spice to improve the flavour of the story and not just for the sake of adding spice.
I will definetly add the sequel to my tbr list and I'll wait excitedly for when it will be written.
A young woman, prepared and ready for her task. Brave, nervous, excited and naive.
"Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men."
A court full of intrigues, a complicated struggle deciding where her allegiances should lie and mysterious forces lurking. Why does the kings queens pass away? Who is the broker? And what will be the cost of a deal made in desperation?
We get to follow our heroine through several years as she grows from innocent girl to a queen. The transitions when the story jumps several years ahead are done smoothly and elegantly. The intrigue kept me turning the pages and the language made me cherish every page I turned.
The mix of a fictional world and real world places sometimes threw me out of the immersion as well as the sudden use of another name, a second name perhaps or a nickname? And those are the only reason this review isnt 5 stars. When I got passed that I could stop trying to place where in the world the court was situated and got fully immersed in the story.
There are some explicit scenes that I really enjoyed because they were not only well written but also brought more meaning to the story and the characters. Spice to improve the flavour of the story and not just for the sake of adding spice.
I will definetly add the sequel to my tbr list and I'll wait excitedly for when it will be written.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this book down. I read it all night, didn't sleep, and then went to work and only thought about finishing it.
These are all of the things that make this an absolute God tier book for me:
🖤A badass FMC
🖤Loyal friends
🖤A delicious love interest
🖤Spice
🖤Yearning
🖤Folklore
🖤Unexpected magic
What made this so enjoyable is when I thought I knew what was going to happen, and the story went somewhere else entirely. I thought oh this person will betray Ada, and they didnt. This person will be the love interest, and it wasn't. I didnt even see the whole plot unfolding the way it did. These are the things that keep me hooked to a book. Every book is this same thing these days, and this surprised me until the very last page.
She protected her babies and was loyal to the ones she loved. There are themes of DV but it is so crucial to the story and is all tastefully done. It was there to show her perseverance and strength. There was no sitting around helpless. This woman is the kind of FMC I want to read about.
I think Charles was so well done. I thought I knew what to expect of him and he always kept surprising me.
I am WITHOUT A DOUBT reading book 2.
I would love to listen to this as an audiobook.
Thank you so much to Marly Monroe for the chance to read and review this ARC.
These are all of the things that make this an absolute God tier book for me:
🖤A badass FMC
🖤Loyal friends
🖤A delicious love interest
🖤Spice
🖤Yearning
🖤Folklore
🖤Unexpected magic
What made this so enjoyable is when I thought I knew what was going to happen, and the story went somewhere else entirely. I thought oh this person will betray Ada, and they didnt. This person will be the love interest, and it wasn't. I didnt even see the whole plot unfolding the way it did. These are the things that keep me hooked to a book. Every book is this same thing these days, and this surprised me until the very last page.
She protected her babies and was loyal to the ones she loved. There are themes of DV but it is so crucial to the story and is all tastefully done. It was there to show her perseverance and strength. There was no sitting around helpless. This woman is the kind of FMC I want to read about.
I think Charles was so well done. I thought I knew what to expect of him and he always kept surprising me.
I am WITHOUT A DOUBT reading book 2.
I would love to listen to this as an audiobook.
Thank you so much to Marly Monroe for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Read
May 15, 2026Where do I start!!! She Who Broke the Covenant is an incredible debut release that kept me hooked from page one. Marly Monroe’s writing style is beautiful and immersive; she has this way of describing the connection between characters that makes it feel raw and electric. The FMC is a standout for me. Her character development is handled with so much care that even the heavier scenes serve a vital purpose in showing where her true strength comes from. I especially loved how the plot was woven together. There are twists that I genuinely didn't see coming, yet they fit the narrative so naturally that by the end, every piece of the puzzle just locked into place. And the spice? Well… it’s high-intensity and perfectly written. It balances the high stakes of the story with a connection that is undeniably deadly. What I loved most about the relationship was that the connection she finds doesn't overshadow FMC; instead, it's clearly the foundation that is going to build the her into something even more formidable. She isn't being saved, on the contrary, she is being forged. The cliffhanger at the ending has me desperate for the sequel! Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a dark with purpose, spicy, and expertly plotted read. “Click”.
Thank you to Marly Monroe for the gift of this eARC. This review is my own personal thoughts after reading.
Thank you to Marly Monroe for the gift of this eARC. This review is my own personal thoughts after reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My initial thoughts when reading this book were 'have I made a mistake in signing up for this ARC?' The story felt like it was jumping ahead too quickly in time and a major trigger warning was mentioned mostly in a small section or very occasionally in memories- where I anticipated it being a larger portion of the story. Naivety on the FMCs part is made to be a major plot point, especially in the beginning as an 18 year old nobel girl who is marrying a 40+ year old man in a story with a historical setting who expects her new husband to not have mistresses as a king (is it okay? No, not without discussion and agreement. Is it something that this young girl's father should have explained and/or she should have known since he had a reputation and name of Charles the 'great'? Yeah, absolutely.) Add that this naivety becomes the first main catalyst of DV between the FMC and the King and it made me go a little "eh... maybe this isn't for me." BUT! Past the halfway point this book became excellent. Predictable in a lot of ways for me (I saw the plot twist in the middle and end coming) but I managed to get my ADHD to focus and read for a few hours this evening and finish over half of this book, including getting interrupted by my dogs. Excited to see what book two in the duology will bring.
4.5/5
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
May has honestly been such a slow reading month for me. It’s only May 13 and I’ve somehow only finished 2 books… but thankfully one of them was this.
She Who Broke The Covenant – Marly Monroe
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5)
The world building was imaginative yet easy to follow, and the character development never felt shallow or rushed. The historical setting added depth to the story and really brought the characters to life, both the lovable and the ones you absolutely want to scream at.
“Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men.”
That line stayed with me because Frastrada’s story is built on duty, alliance, manipulation, and survival rather than love. Married off to infiltrate and dismantle a corrupt system, her journey constantly had me emotionally invested, especially whenever Charles’ temper and power came into play. Every emotional and physical wound she endured felt heavy.
What I enjoyed most was watching her slowly discover her own strength and purpose. There’s just something so satisfying about a strong-willed FMC breaking the expectations forced upon her.
And Baron Malric of Ashford?
Yeah… keep your eyes on him.
Thank you, Marly Monroe, for trusting me with this ARC. I can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold.
She Who Broke The Covenant – Marly Monroe
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5)
The world building was imaginative yet easy to follow, and the character development never felt shallow or rushed. The historical setting added depth to the story and really brought the characters to life, both the lovable and the ones you absolutely want to scream at.
“Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men.”
That line stayed with me because Frastrada’s story is built on duty, alliance, manipulation, and survival rather than love. Married off to infiltrate and dismantle a corrupt system, her journey constantly had me emotionally invested, especially whenever Charles’ temper and power came into play. Every emotional and physical wound she endured felt heavy.
What I enjoyed most was watching her slowly discover her own strength and purpose. There’s just something so satisfying about a strong-willed FMC breaking the expectations forced upon her.
And Baron Malric of Ashford?
Yeah… keep your eyes on him.
Thank you, Marly Monroe, for trusting me with this ARC. I can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold.
May 16, 2026
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for She Who Broke the Covenant, and I really enjoyed this dark historical romantasy. It’s a little outside my usual read, but the mix of folklore, forbidden magic, political tension, and romance kept me hooked the entire time.
Fastrada is sent into a strategic marriage with King Charles expecting him to be cruel, but instead she finds herself falling for a man who is both dangerous and unexpectedly tender. Watching her struggle between loyalty, survival, love, and destiny made the story so compelling. The atmosphere throughout the book feels dark and haunting, especially with the constant sense that something is lurking beneath the surface.
I also loved how female-centered the story was. Fastrada’s journey felt emotional, complicated, and layered as she becomes trapped between rebellion, obsession, and the consequences of forbidden magic.
There are themes of domestic violence, power imbalance, gods/devil references, and forbidden love woven into the story, so definitely check trigger warnings if needed.
Overall, this was such a good first book in the duology, and that ending left me desperately needing book two. I need to know what happens next with Fastrada and Ashford.
Fastrada is sent into a strategic marriage with King Charles expecting him to be cruel, but instead she finds herself falling for a man who is both dangerous and unexpectedly tender. Watching her struggle between loyalty, survival, love, and destiny made the story so compelling. The atmosphere throughout the book feels dark and haunting, especially with the constant sense that something is lurking beneath the surface.
I also loved how female-centered the story was. Fastrada’s journey felt emotional, complicated, and layered as she becomes trapped between rebellion, obsession, and the consequences of forbidden magic.
There are themes of domestic violence, power imbalance, gods/devil references, and forbidden love woven into the story, so definitely check trigger warnings if needed.
Overall, this was such a good first book in the duology, and that ending left me desperately needing book two. I need to know what happens next with Fastrada and Ashford.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author.
A fee things first, please check the TW as they are mentions of DV (both physical and mental), intention of forced intimacy and other sensitive subjects.
Fastrada is chosen to marry King Charles after his most recent wife dies. She is a naive 18 year old that falls for him immediately after a few sweet encounters. The intent is for her to help the rebel forces of the kingdom overthrow him from the throne.
There are a few different aspects to the book, besides the romantic aspect, there is intrigue as to what she will decide in terms of helping the rebels. Will she join her father? Or be loyal to Charles.
There is a time jump so by the time the intrigue of the story develops further and she makes her choice she is in her mid-twenties and has given birth to 2 girls.
There is another character in the background that is always silently present and later on their importance is revealed. I suspected a little based on the nickname this character gave Fastrada.
The book ends in a cliffhanger that had me wanting to get my hands on the next book ASAP.
The epilogue provides a bit more background on the magic aspect of the story and the covenant that hopefully Fastrada will break.
A fee things first, please check the TW as they are mentions of DV (both physical and mental), intention of forced intimacy and other sensitive subjects.
Fastrada is chosen to marry King Charles after his most recent wife dies. She is a naive 18 year old that falls for him immediately after a few sweet encounters. The intent is for her to help the rebel forces of the kingdom overthrow him from the throne.
There are a few different aspects to the book, besides the romantic aspect, there is intrigue as to what she will decide in terms of helping the rebels. Will she join her father? Or be loyal to Charles.
There is a time jump so by the time the intrigue of the story develops further and she makes her choice she is in her mid-twenties and has given birth to 2 girls.
There is another character in the background that is always silently present and later on their importance is revealed. I suspected a little based on the nickname this character gave Fastrada.
The book ends in a cliffhanger that had me wanting to get my hands on the next book ASAP.
The epilogue provides a bit more background on the magic aspect of the story and the covenant that hopefully Fastrada will break.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW. JUST WOW.
Reading an ARC from an indie author can be such a gamble sometimes… but THIS BOOK??? ABSOLUTELY DELIVERED. I am genuinely obsessed.
She Who Broke the Convenient completely swept me away. Beneath all the fantasy and chaos, this story holds such a raw truth about growing up, longing to be loved, and realizing that love is not always what it first appears to be. Fastrada’s unwavering faith in love felt so heartbreakingly real… the absolute pinnacle of girlhood.
And CHARLES. Oh my god. The kindness, patience, and devotion he showed in the beginning had me suspicious immediately (for good reason), but I still found myself wanting to believe him right alongside her. Watching his true colors slowly unravel was devastating in the best possible way.
Every time I thought I understood where this story was going, it completely blindsided me. Deals made to save lives, dangerous alliances, betrayal, obsession, and then FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE DEVIL??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I could not put this book down, and now I’m sitting here emotionally wrecked and desperately needing book two RIGHT NOW.
Reading an ARC from an indie author can be such a gamble sometimes… but THIS BOOK??? ABSOLUTELY DELIVERED. I am genuinely obsessed.
She Who Broke the Convenient completely swept me away. Beneath all the fantasy and chaos, this story holds such a raw truth about growing up, longing to be loved, and realizing that love is not always what it first appears to be. Fastrada’s unwavering faith in love felt so heartbreakingly real… the absolute pinnacle of girlhood.
And CHARLES. Oh my god. The kindness, patience, and devotion he showed in the beginning had me suspicious immediately (for good reason), but I still found myself wanting to believe him right alongside her. Watching his true colors slowly unravel was devastating in the best possible way.
Every time I thought I understood where this story was going, it completely blindsided me. Deals made to save lives, dangerous alliances, betrayal, obsession, and then FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE DEVIL??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I could not put this book down, and now I’m sitting here emotionally wrecked and desperately needing book two RIGHT NOW.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thankyou for my opportunity to ARC read this novel!
I devoured this book in 2 sittings. I just couldn't stop. The amount of story covered in each chapter and the time jumps made it feel fast paced but not rushed. It wasn't what I was expecting but I loved it nethertheless. I was really intrigued by our FMC and was so interested in how her story would play out.
It was more like game of thrones than I expected with a good focus on politics, history and dark magic mixed in. Some aspects of romance but definitely not the focus. Although the platonic relationships were strong and enjoyable to read. I hope to see more of them in book 2
Due to the pace/time jumps, the character development and personality changes felt sudden but I think it reflects the reality of life and how events change you and I really liked how it kept moving the story along without a long build up.
There is definitely trigger warnings to watch out for so definitely read the content warning page prior!
Im really excited for Book 2 as it definitely ended with the feeling that its about to get much darker and more magical.
I devoured this book in 2 sittings. I just couldn't stop. The amount of story covered in each chapter and the time jumps made it feel fast paced but not rushed. It wasn't what I was expecting but I loved it nethertheless. I was really intrigued by our FMC and was so interested in how her story would play out.
It was more like game of thrones than I expected with a good focus on politics, history and dark magic mixed in. Some aspects of romance but definitely not the focus. Although the platonic relationships were strong and enjoyable to read. I hope to see more of them in book 2
Due to the pace/time jumps, the character development and personality changes felt sudden but I think it reflects the reality of life and how events change you and I really liked how it kept moving the story along without a long build up.
There is definitely trigger warnings to watch out for so definitely read the content warning page prior!
Im really excited for Book 2 as it definitely ended with the feeling that its about to get much darker and more magical.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an ARC for this one. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to receive one. I originally wanted to DNF this one unfortunately, but glad I didn’t. The book was separated into 3 parts, the first two parts were extremely slow but I stuck with it. I feel like this entire book was more of a world/character building and set up for book 2, which I know books need to build worlds and develop characters, it Just felt like it didn’t start getting interesting until the last part in my opinion, I’d say chapter 17 is when I actually started to get into the book. Basically set in the Roman Empire with the mad king. Not a ton of spice, but what’s there is good. FMC is young and naive and she irked me in the first part but started to get smarter. I do plan on reading book 2 as I need to finish the story and I do have questions as the book ends on a cliffhanger. I will say the last page or so had me like okay now it’s going to get real and I actually am excited for book 2 to see where this goes. If you’re okay with a slow burn and build up I would definitely still recommend this to read and again I do see how things are about to get real come book 2 if was just a slower read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an arc but all opinions are my own.
Are you kidding!? I loved this book so much! It’s fast paced from the beginning and was intriguing the whole way through. It slows down slightly in the middle, but it’s for a purpose in the world building. It has political intrigue, magical elements, and some brewing conflict in the shadows. I flew through this book and I cannot wait for the second one. The ending was a perfect stopping point to lead into the final book. There was just the right amount of spice while still keeping a great plot that had me curious for what was really going on. Marly does a fantastic job at bringing this all to life from Fastrada’s perspective in a world that is so male dominated. It was just beautifully done.
This is absolutely the book for you if you enjoy any of the following.
- morally gray romance
- medium spice
- slightly dark historical romance
- slow burn (with a surprise love interest)
- folklore tales
- a FMC exploring her feminism and power
- whimpering men
- he watches from the shadows
- FMC storytelling
Trigger warning: there is abuse and complicated sexual relationships.
Are you kidding!? I loved this book so much! It’s fast paced from the beginning and was intriguing the whole way through. It slows down slightly in the middle, but it’s for a purpose in the world building. It has political intrigue, magical elements, and some brewing conflict in the shadows. I flew through this book and I cannot wait for the second one. The ending was a perfect stopping point to lead into the final book. There was just the right amount of spice while still keeping a great plot that had me curious for what was really going on. Marly does a fantastic job at bringing this all to life from Fastrada’s perspective in a world that is so male dominated. It was just beautifully done.
This is absolutely the book for you if you enjoy any of the following.
- morally gray romance
- medium spice
- slightly dark historical romance
- slow burn (with a surprise love interest)
- folklore tales
- a FMC exploring her feminism and power
- whimpering men
- he watches from the shadows
- FMC storytelling
Trigger warning: there is abuse and complicated sexual relationships.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a debut novel series!!! I will be itching for book 2 until it is released! I was lucky enough to be selected to read an early release arc of this book. It comes out on June 2nd, and I will be purchasing a copy! Keep reading for my review. Please note that I try very hard not to reveal spoilers in my reviews, so they are general.
This story follows an FMC who grows from a naive young lady to a strong Queen. I was kicking my feet with a couple of these scenes, and they are not the scenes you would expect! The ending was perfect but still leaves you wanting the next book! It is very spicy, but it does not hinder the plot. Betrayal, political intrigue, romance, and how religion can affect all of those are all part of this plot line. The author does a great job of entwining world building within the character building, so it never feels slow.
Please note that there are some dark themes in this story as well as descriptions of domestic violence. These moments are important to the plot, but if that triggers you, I would advise you to be prepared should you still choose to read this book.
This story follows an FMC who grows from a naive young lady to a strong Queen. I was kicking my feet with a couple of these scenes, and they are not the scenes you would expect! The ending was perfect but still leaves you wanting the next book! It is very spicy, but it does not hinder the plot. Betrayal, political intrigue, romance, and how religion can affect all of those are all part of this plot line. The author does a great job of entwining world building within the character building, so it never feels slow.
Please note that there are some dark themes in this story as well as descriptions of domestic violence. These moments are important to the plot, but if that triggers you, I would advise you to be prepared should you still choose to read this book.
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