She Who Broke the Covenant

The Serpent Ring Duology #1

by Marly Monroe

History 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.

Genres: Romantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Magic

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

My 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.

Reviews

[Lauryn Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[QueenoftheBookDragons · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Abigailemilyyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Allyza Spivey · Rating 2 out of 5]

*First of all thank you to Marly Monroe for this advance reader copy*

I really hate DNFing books especially arcs.. with that said I pushed through. At the core of this book, She who broke the covenant, is a beautifully written story my issue is the time jumps and in even pacing that leaves, what I feel like, major character development left for readers to piece themselves. Most of the characters arc especially our FMC who is a young queen learning the positioning she is put in left off the pages which does the book and the story no justice. Leaving off those parts and those long time jumps left me as the reader confused. I felt like I’m missing a lot of what happened to the charged and how we got to certain parts of the book. Don’t get me wrong the book is written well but large plot holes are hard to disregard especially with such topic as the political intrigue, the grooming that has happened to our FMC which I feel plays a huge role in the story but felt lacking because of the time jumps. I’m intrigue enough to want to know what happens to the second book but I think this particular story was just not for me

[Aurelie (Lily) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

This book completely pulled me into its world of dark magic, betrayal, obsession, and brutal court politics from the very beginning.

Fastrada is forced into queenship and an arranged marriage while still far too young and unprepared for the dangerous court around her. Used as a pawn in her family’s plans, she’s surrounded by manipulation, violence, and secrets that slowly unravel throughout the story. What starts as survival soon becomes something much darker as King Charles transforms from charming and attentive into someone deeply obsessive and unsettling.

Fastrada’s character growth was one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching her evolve from a sheltered, naive girl into a fearless and reckless queen felt incredibly satisfying. She was flawed, emotional, and morally complex in a way that made her feel very real.

The atmosphere was beautifully done—heavy, haunting, and full of tension at every turn. Between the political intrigue, betrayals, emotional turmoil, and touches of dark magic, I was completely hooked the entire time.

Oh! And that ending??? I need the next book immediately.

‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Book 1/ Historical Romantasy Series
➳❥ Arranged Marriage
➳❥ Folklore
➳❥ Dark Magic
➳❥ Royal Politics
➳❥ Forbidden Love
➳❥ Morally Grey MMC

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼

“Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men.”

"Not every love is meant to end in marriage and children and open celebration. Some are not built for daylight."

“How does one ever let their children go in a world where the only certainty is the harm men will one day bring upon them?”

"Fuck it.”

“I want to choose. I want... my life to be mine. And I want... to choose you."

[Dr. Tana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received and ARC copy from the author for my honest review. That said let’s jump in.

The idea and concept is good and the characters are believable but the beginning is slow. Its a little weird how she falls so quickly for someone she is raised to hate. It’s hard to follow what is happening at times though the FMC’s point of view and the magical system or concepts of the magic is not revealed till the end and it feels as if the whole storyline changes. Maybe that is what the author wanted. I also was not too fond of the way the spicy scenes were written. That may be my personal opinion but they felt very rough and kind of “ew”. The ending is more redeeming and the author did a good job with setting up the second book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Brianna Roberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before the 50% mark: 2.25/5.0 ⭐️
Finishing the book: 2.8/5.0 ⭐️

TLDR: This was a decent book whose plot had a lot of potential. The first half is pretty hard to get through, with unsaid time skips and a heavy focus on the DV from the tags. The second half was pretty good, though, as once major things started happening the actual storyline and characters were really interesting and fun to read (for the most part). It was good enough that I plan to read book two but I really hope there are some improvements from this book.

📕 Long Version, very detailed, lots of spoilers: 📕

— Pacing: 5/10 — first half: 2.5/10
The second half of the book saved it on the pacing. The first half jumps from a young girl learning she’s to be married, suddenly she is married, then we jump to six months later and are not told it’s sixth months later until paragraphs in. Oh, and then it jumps six years and two children and then a cousin we’ve never heard of shows up 40% of the way in, throws eyeballs at the queens feet and a chapter later they’re besties? Also, I appreciate that the book develops her relationship with Charles so much but it makes it overpower the actual plot in my opinion, considering the actual plot that’s not just domestic violence doesn’t start until like over 40% of the way in. Once we hit the start of the true storyline, I feel like the pacing is much better, I just feel like having that at the start would have led to a lot fewer DNFs. It was hard getting through that first half and then I get to the end and this man who we’ve been made to hate for 300 pages dies in like two sentences. What the heck? Let the abuser suffer? But no. I’ll admit that was very unsatisfying after all that buildup.

— Coherency: 5/10 —
Again, the later half of this book saved it on this score. There were a lot of unpulled plot lines and things that aren’t very well explored. The heart condition the book opens to? Disappears for like 10 chapters, is never explained (there’s a book two and it comes back a little more later, but still). The initial nightmares? Never mentioned again or explained that I remember. Also, where are we?? I think this is supposed to be based off of Queen Fastrada, Charlemagne’s third or fourth wife, but that is not made very clear. We don’t even get it confirmed that the Pope exists until like half way through and it’s never confirmed where exactly we are, only that the Saxons, Rome, the Pope, France, and Italy exist. The Kingdom/dynasty name drop only occurs 70+% of the way through the book (the Vanquian heir, confirmed from a character who is introduced, built to be hated, and disappears all in two chapters , and only shows up one other time in the book to drop new, central lore that was only hinted at before with 9% of the kindle book left to go.) Anyway, the law of minimal departure is not respected in this book, I find, and it deeply hinders the reading experience for me bc I’m always wondering what the actual worldbuilding is. Heck, even a preface telling us why “history remembers her as cruel” could be nice.

— Storyline: 7/10 —
Honestly the underlying plot of this story is really interesting to me. The religious and social commentary are interesting to read and there are many very good points made on many different topics. It has so much potential and I really hope the second book does it justice and I don’t regret continuing this series.

— Characters: 8/10 —
The main character was decently well developed and I felt her actions and desires were always pretty natural (besides the one instance of her going from a depressed abusee who finds no joy in life and fears her husband to joking with one of her husbands enemies after he throws eyeballs at her feet). The side characters are very good, too. They feel very alive and each have their own personality and voice. Charles is kind of few-dimensional, jumping between an angry dude and a loving father but I fear that may be somewhat accurate for abusive spouses, plus manipulation magic, so I give it a pass. I don’t feel like each character could have their own spin off, which is my personal criteria for full points here, but overall good character building.

[Rebecca ~ readinginNZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“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.

[Quinn Coughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kristie-Lee Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark magic? Court politics? Betrayal? Obsession? Unhinged royals? Say less.

From the very beginning, I was completely pulled into Fastrada’s world — a dangerous court filled with manipulation, violence, secrets, and people who absolutely need therapy. Forced into queenship and an arranged marriage way too young, Fastrada starts off terrified and sheltered, but watching her slowly become fearless, reckless, and a little morally questionable? Incredible character development honestly.

And King Charles… whew. What starts as charming and attentive quickly spirals into deeply obsessive and unsettling in the best possible “I cannot look away” kind of way. Every interaction between them had me stressed and obsessed at the same time.
The atmosphere of this book was EVERYTHING — dark, haunting, tense, and dripping with intrigue. Between the betrayals, emotional chaos, brutal court politics, and touches of dark magic, I was hooked the entire time. This felt like stepping into a beautifully cursed fever dream and I loved every second of it. 🗡️🥀✨

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked within the first few chapters. With arranged marriage, political intrigue, deception, and betrayal woven throughout the story, there was never a dull moment. The FMC was incredibly compelling and easy to empathize with, while the MMC inspired a whole range of emotions…some good, some frustrating, and all intense.

I found myself constantly turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth and figure out who could actually be trusted. The twists and tension kept me fully invested from beginning to end. I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This was a fast paced read that had me drawn in from the very beginning to the end. I read this all in one sitting as I could not put this down!! This was a roller coaster ride that was full of tension around every corner, political intentions, magical darkness, emotional turmoil and betrayal! This was full of a lot of emotions! The FMC went through a lot but over came a lot! Can’t wait for book 2…

“She Who Broke the Covenant is a dark, female-centric historical romantasy woven with folklore, power, obsession, and betrayal.”

[Alyssa Deville · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Andi Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked within the first chapter!
I absolutely loved the whole premise and plot. This book moves quiclky and has just the right amount of spice woven into the plot and conflict of the book.
I need to read the next one NOW!!!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a hard time with this book. I received it as an arc and want to leave an honest review.

One of my major issues was the trigger warnings and tropes being misleading. I love arranged marriage - but the marriage in question was abusive (both physically and emotionally) and had a creepy age gap 18/40 - and it was giving Stockholm syndrome vibes. The trigger warnings said abuse but not between the MMC and FMC - but it most certainly was. I also was unsure with the plot and what was happening most of the time. Then suddenly she wanted to be with someone else towards the end.

[Tina G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Political alliances, blood magic, forced marriages, tested loyalties, betrayals, and a hunger for love and survival... She Who Broke the Covenant is a historical fantasy romance that follows Fastrada (Ada) as she marries the King (Charles), a man she's meant to spy on for her family, but she ends up entangled in more than she bargained for as she learns to survive in his court.

Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author, Marly Monroe, for allowing me the opportunity to read this eARC, and I'm providing my honest review!

[DarkRomanceBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to receive this ARC. I absolutely love Marly’s writing. She has an uncanny ability to draw you into the world she builds, making every detail feel vivid and immersive. In this book, she weaves together a rich tapestry of magic and folklore, blending it seamlessly with an undercurrent of danger, deceit, and forbidden longing. The story is laced with the chilling presence of a powerful man who wants to possess everything, including his wife, bending the rules to suit his desires and never being held accountable for his transgressions. The tension between power and vulnerability, freedom and captivity, simmers throughout every page.

At the heart of the story is Fastrada, a beautiful young woman raised from childhood with the expectation that she would one day be Queen. Her journey is deeply poignant. She is a pawn on a grand chessboard, her every move orchestrated to secure power and protection for her family. Fastrada’s naivety and idealism about love are both her strength and her undoing, as she gradually uncovers the web of lies and peril that surrounds her. The danger is ever-present, lurking in shadowed corridors and even within the sanctuary of her own chambers. The crown she once dreamed of wearing becomes a collar, heavy with the weight of duty, restriction, and longing for freedom. Marly explores how love can become a deadly sin, its consequences leaving devastation in its wake. The emotional stakes are high, and Fastrada’s struggle to break free is both heart-wrenching and empowering, making her journey unforgettable.

King Charles is one of those characters who truly gets under your skin. At first, he seems to be the ideal king, charming, kind, loyal, and fiercely protective of Fastrada, determined to shield her from the vipers lurking at court. He wears his devotion like armour, making you believe he’s the kind of man who would do anything for his queen. But as the story unfolds, the many layers of his character begin to peel away. His protectiveness gives way to a much darker side: possessiveness that morphs into cruelty, ruthlessness, and emotional abuse. The line between love and obsession blurs until his need to control Fastrada and everything around him becomes suffocating. He cannot bear the thought of losing her, but his love is twisted; he wants to possess, not cherish. What begins as a fairytale romance quickly descends into a nightmare, as Charles seeks to dominate not just Fastrada, but also the lands he conquers. Yet, beneath the surface, a resistance is brewing. People are starting to see through his facade, and the cracks in his control are beginning to show, setting the stage for upheaval and rebellion.

However, while Fastrada began as a naive girl, she has transformed into a resilient, fiercely protective woman and mother, someone who will stop at nothing to shield her children and herself from the darkness Charles has brought into their lives. She’s learned to endure, moulding herself to survive his unpredictable moods, always calculating how to keep her family safe. The toll of living under his rule is immense, but Fastrada’s strength is her ability to adapt, even when it means sacrificing pieces of herself. In her desperation, she accepts the magic bestowed upon her ring, striking a bargain with a mysterious, otherworldly devil. The goal: to dampen Charles’s violence and force him to reckon with his sins, even if only temporarily. Fastrada knows magic comes at a cost, and that this peace is fragile, a brief reprieve before reality crashes back in.

Amidst the ever-present threat, Fastrada finds unexpected allies. Among them is Mr Ashford, a shadowy figure who appears at her most desperate moments, offering protection and guidance before disappearing just as quickly. There’s an undeniable darkness to Mr Ashford: he is a man who trades in secrets and bargains, granting people their desires in exchange for something he alone deems valuable. His presence is both a comfort and a warning, the air between him and Fastrada charged with a simmering tension that neither can deny. Over the years, their connection has deepened, each encounter marked by unspoken longing and forbidden possibility. Ashford keeps his distance, fighting his own battles with restraint, but their chemistry is palpable. It’s clear that Fastrada is not as alone as she thinks, and the threat Charles poses is countered by the quiet, steadfast support of those who care for her, especially the enigmatic man in the shadows.

If you love romantasy with rich historical and folkloric detail, plus a blend of magic, deceit, and danger, this book stands out. The world-building is immersive, the suspense keeps you hooked, and the ending sets up book two perfectly. I can’t wait to continue the series.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I loved most about this book was how it constantly kept me guessing.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into this book because of the content warnings. The author made sure readers were aware of them beforehand, which I really appreciated. I've been completely caught off guard by books before, so I value the care and thoughtfulness shown toward readers.

At the beginning of the story, Fastrada (our FMC) is incredibly naive. She desperately craves the king's love and approval, to the point where it almost feels like she has convinced herself that she is in love with him. One of my favorite aspects of the book was getting to follow her growth. Since the story spans several years, we get to watch her transform from an innocent young woman into someone far more aware, hardened by experience, and eventually willing to open herself up again. I loved that journey and cannot wait to see where it goes next.

That said, it took me some time to fully settle into the book. Early on, I occasionally found myself slightly behind Fastrada's emotional journey. There were moments where she reached conclusions a little faster than I did as a reader, and I needed some time to adjust to the author's style of storytelling.

One example is when she overhears a conversation between the king and his adviser during their travels. It is one of the first moments where she begins questioning whether the king's protectiveness might actually be possessiveness. For me, that realization felt a little quick at the time, given how devoted she was to him. However, looking back, I can see the groundwork the author was laying, and once I settled into the story, those moments felt much more natural.

Around the halfway mark, something clicked for me. Whether it was the story finding its rhythm or me fully connecting with the author's writing style, I was completely invested from that point on.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the mystery woven throughout the story. There is so much left unanswered, and I mean that as a compliment. I was constantly theorizing. What are her father's true goals? Who gave her the ring? And what role is she really meant to play in all of this? The more answers I got, the more questions I seemed to have.


There is an folkloric quality to the magic in this book, where the line between reality and something more mysterious is never entirely clear. That atmosphere worked incredibly well for me.

This book is marketed as a dark historical romance, and while everyone will have their own experience, I personally expected something a bit darker based on the content warnings. The story does deal with difficult topics, one being domestic violence, but I felt the author handled them with care and respect. Rather than relying on graphic or highly detailed scenes, the darkness often comes through atmosphere, implication, and emotion. I appreciated that approach, as it allowed the themes to carry weight without becoming overwhelming.

The romance, tension, and spice were excellent. Without spoiling anything, there is one particularly memorable "fuck it" moment, and the yearning, tension, and chemistry between the characters had me fully invested.

The ending was fantastic. It answered some important questions in a way that felt satisfying and well executed, while still leaving plenty unresolved. I finished the book with even more questions than before, but also with a huge amount of anticipation for the next installment.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While it took me a little while to fully connect with the story, once I did, I was completely hooked. The character growth, mystery, atmosphere, and emotional tension all came together beautifully. I cannot wait to read the next book and will definitely be picking up more from Marly Monroe in the future.

[Chloe Coffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review | Spoiler Alert!

This book absolutely had me in a chokehold.

Right from the beginning, I was impressed by the writing. The imagery of Fastrada not fitting perfectly into her dress and being told to simply “deal with it” felt like such a clever representation of how women are often expected to force themselves into the roles society gives them. The writing throughout the book is rich and engaging, and all of the regal imagery made the world feel vivid and immersive.

The chemistry between the characters hooked me immediately. Fastrada’s thoughts about marriage and love were interesting from the start, and her first interaction with Charles was packed with tension. Their dynamic is heated right away, and I was eating it up. The age gap definitely did not hurt either. Watching Fastrada try to act all proper and composed around him while he teased her had me blushing for her.

What really surprised me, though, was how quickly the book made me suspicious of Charles. At first, I was fully invested in him, but little things kept feeling off. He has absolutely no concept of boundaries, and the more the story revealed, the more uneasy I became. And honestly? I loved that feeling. The slow realization that something was wrong beneath the surface made the story so much more interesting than a straightforward romance.

One thing I really appreciated was how Fastrada reacted when she discovered Charles’s betrayal. The book never tries to excuse his behavior, and neither does she. She is angry, hurt, and unwilling to accept being treated that way. Watching her stand up for herself made me like her even more.

The pacing is another strength. It’s fast, but not in a way that feels rushed. The story keeps moving while still giving important moments room to breathe, which made it incredibly easy to binge.

Then the story completely blindsided me with the six-year time jump.

I was genuinely gagged. It is not often that a book can pull off a jump that significant without losing momentum, but somehow this one did. If anything, I became even more invested afterward. Moments like her ring finally coming off had me genuinely anxious about what would happen next.

The second half of the book introduces Lord Ashford with a little
more clarity, who quickly became one of my favorite characters. He is cunning, mysterious, and impossible to fully figure out. I loved trying to determine what his true intentions were. And when he finally starts opening up? Yeah, I got it. The rain confession was everything.

That said, I do think the transition from Charles to Lord Ashford felt a little strange at times. Because so much time and emotional investment is spent on Charles early in the story, shifting to a new romantic focus occasionally felt abrupt. Not bad—just slightly odd.

Still, Lord Ashford won me over fast. The way he practically worships Fastrada without diminishing her strength made their dynamic incredibly satisfying. It’s the exact opposite of everything she had endured before.

Overall, I loved that I could never predict where this story was going. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it pulled the rug out from under me. Between the mystery, the tension, the twists, and the constantly shifting character dynamics, I was completely invested by the end.

And Charles dying by the DEVIL’S HAND!?!?

Yeah. I did not see that coming.

Needless to say, I am absolutely reading book two.

4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Melou · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨"Love is a dangerous tale, especially when told by frightened men. This is not the tale they told in their records, but it is the truth, and I will not let it be buried beneath their lies.✨

2.75-3 ⭐⭐⭐
This historical romance promises court intrigue, folklore, magic, a bad guy you want to punch, and a female-centric re-telling. And it delivers, on some of those aspects.
The premise is good and the bones are there – I love the opportunity for a re-telling of women's history.

⚜️"Men rule because their fathers had ruled, and their fathers before them. They called it order.⚜️

World 🌎🌎🌎/5
Romance ❤️/5
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (a lot and well-written but mind your triggers)
Characters 👥👥👥👥/5
Plot 📝📝/5

Queen Fastrada, Ada, is married off at only age 18 to King Charles, who is in his 40s. She is a political plant to overthrow Charles but there is more at play here than just an arranged marriage.
King Charles is described as "tearing through women, either dead in childbirth, from disease or divorce and cast aside." But Ada meets him and sees a charming, kind man who dotes on her, and is loving and can't stand being apart from her. She's in love, in the very 18-year-old way.

Rather quickly we get to see small signs of something else in Charles. I think it is told well because often DV starts small, small amounts of control and love bombing, obsessing, never leaving you alone, isolation. It escalates and I think Marly describes this well in a way that does not romanticise it.
However that relationship between them stays and even with the love fading the physical attraction remains between both and Ada takes it all. That throws me off and is hard for me to stay in. I considered DNF several times because this relationship, the spice connected to that, was not what I wanted. I failed to see the "romance" part of a historical romance and kept thinking "who is supposed to be the MMC?".
The actual romance does not really have a build up and I missed that part. But there is a good *fuck it* moment!

The book is divided into three parts and there are several time jumps. Not just between the parts but also between chapters. It can get confusing at times and it is told mostly via weather description. However it also makes it more historically realistic, which is true to the genre, as these types of stories are usually stretched out and a person's growth does not always happen within two weeks. Nor does a country and kingdoms change within mere months.
The historical setting is well-done (if you know your European history) and the religious aspects are nicely spaced out and woven into the story.

I found it didn't pick up until the second half, mostly part three. It's not a bad story, and the writing is good, the dialogue fun and/or engaging and the characters' development is intriguing. Plus a lot of good side characters. The magic part, the mystery, the ending and reveals were lackluster for me.

I'm not entirely sure if I'll read the next book, as the plot is a little hard to figure out. Maybe book 1 was just a slow burn setup for the actual plot in book 2.

💙Thank you to the author, Marly Monroe, for the opportunity to read this as an advanced reading copy. My review is my own honest opinion.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She Who Broke the Covenant” by Marly Monroe is an absolute delectable read full of unexpected twists and turns, hidden rebellions, tainted magic, and a steamy romance.

Even though Fastrada’s marriage to King Charles is purely political, she finds it hard not to fall for his charm, devotion, intellect, and confidence. She’s meant to secure power and protect her family while surviving a court that is based on loyalty, ambition, and blood. Though she’s been warned against falling for him, she quickly finds herself at his mercy.

As time goes on, Fastrada finds herself caught up in politics, tugged between allegiances, and sees another side of her husband that is merciless, bloodthirsty, and obsessive. To protect herself and ensure her survival, she turns to forbidden magic that comes with its own consequences. Doing so puts her life in further peril as something dark and dangerous watches from the shadows.

This is a story that will keep readers guessing. Every character is multifaceted, and they all have their secrets and masks they wear, making it impossible to guess anyone’s intentions. There are supernatural elements as well, adding another layer of intensity to a story that is already tense due to corrupt kingdoms and small rebellions. Things are a little disorienting at first as Fastrada adjusts to being married, moving to another court away from her family, and navigating the responsibilities that come with being King Charles’s wife. Yet, as the story progresses and readers are drawn into the intricate workings of court and politics, things begin to pick up, and the book is hard to put down.

Following Fastrada on this perilous journey has been wild. She’s quite young when she marries, and she’s convinced she can keep her heart separate from what she needs to do: use King Charles as a political pawn in her father’s game of chess. Readers can see her raw determination to play the role she needs to help her father achieve his goals, and her ability to remain headstrong in carrying it out, even as many doubt her capability. She proves to be a bit naïve when she allows herself to be groomed into the perfect companion who is kept far from danger, is isolated from friends and family, and is carted around more as a symbolic figure than as someone with agency. It’s easy to see how she becomes led astray, and one can’t help but feel sorry for the bad things that come her way. Yet when those rose-tinted glasses come off, she undergoes an amazing character arc, becoming resilient, fearless, cunning, resourceful, and reckless.

Without spoiling too much, the one thing that raised questions was Fastrada’s trust in another MMC. Though he always appeared at the nick of time to save her from harm, her feelings for him felt far too fast and trustworthy considering what Charles put her through. Some more development or time would allow for a true test of intentions and seem genuine to the trauma Fastrada experienced.

Overall, this is a fantastic read and is highly recommended. “She Who Became the Covenant” by Marly Monroe is expected to be published on June 2nd, 2026. Thank you a ton to the author for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the sequel.

[Dr. Naushin Moledina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:

Fastrada always knew her marriage to King Charles was strategic—a way to secure power, protect her family, and survive a court built on loyalty, ambition, and blood. But what she never expected was to fall for the very man she was meant to deceive. Little did she know that love offers little protection in a kingdom built on false beliefs, where every alliance comes at a price.

Caught between her father's rebellion and her husband's growing obsession, Fastrada has no choice but to turn to forbidden magic to keep herself alive. But when that magic becomes something far more dangerous than she ever imagined, she no longer knows how to survive the man she once loved. Will she perish, or will she change a fate that was written for her long before she was born?

Review:

"She Who Broke the Covenant" by Marly Monroe, the first book in The Serpent Ring Duology, is a dark, female-centered historical fantasy romance woven with folklore, power, obsession, and betrayal.

Fastrada is not the usual FMC I gravitate towards. She is trapped in a marriage she never wanted, surviving rather than truly living, yet she was the one I rooted for from beginning to end. She is intelligent, witty, and painfully aware of what is happening around her. What I loved most was how the story shows the difference between the woman history remembers and the woman she actually was. History written by men painted her as something she never truly was, when all she was trying to do was survive. She may not be the kind of heroine who picks up a sword and fights, but her quiet courage to stand tall in a world determined to blame her for everything was something I truly admired.

Charles was easily the character I despised the most. He is charming, powerful, and intelligent, yet capable of unimaginable cruelty towards both Fastrada and his kingdom. On the other hand, The Broker was the calm she desperately needed—the comfort she searched for and the protection she deserved. Every time he appeared on the page, he brought a sense of safety amidst the dangerous web of court politics.

This was my first historical fantasy romance, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The settings of Acheron, the royal court, and the war were beautifully written, making it easy to picture life during that era. I especially appreciated the author's note explaining the folklore that inspired the story of Charles and Fastrada. It added such a personal and fascinating touch to the novel. The pacing was a little slow for my taste, but it never took away from my enjoyment. And that ending... it will absolutely leave you desperate for the next book in the duology.

I didn't find anything objectionable about this book, but I would definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand, as it explores themes of domestic violence, sacrilege, and heresy.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of dark, female-centred historical fantasy romances featuring arranged marriage, folklore-inspired storytelling, morally grey characters, political intrigue, and that unforgettable "fuck it" moment that changes everything.

[FabledWhimsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much Marly Monroe for this ARC! She Who Broke the Covenant is infused with intrigue and mystery. A historical dark romance that will satiate your hunger for court politics, dark magic and twists you won’t see coming. I rated this 3.5 stars.

˚₊‧⁺⋆♱ ˚₊‧⁺⋆♱ ˚₊‧⁺⋆♱ ˚₊‧⁺⋆♱ ˚₊‧⁺⋆♱

⛧ This book was incredibly well written in its prose and imagery. Marly shows her prowess through her lyrical writing style, which aided immersion. I enjoyed the Folklore interwoven in this story alongside the religious aspects. These lend themselves well to the historical fantasy setting. Dialogue between characters felt convincing and suitable for the time period in which the book was set. She Who Broke the Covenant is full of tension and suspense. The court intrigue is a strong asset in this book and I enjoyed the atmosphere that was created through this. Us as readers, much like Ada, didn’t know who to trust, and we were constantly looking over our shoulders awaiting the twists and turns.

⛧ The thing I struggled to connect with was Ada’s attraction to her abusive husband. I know abuse is nuanced, usually it’s not black and white and victims are never to blame. For me personally, the lust was hard to reconcile with. She was terrified of him (rightly so) but would still willingly engage and enjoy sexual encounters with him. I believe that this was a narrative tool to show the effects of grooming and the power imbalance between Charles and Ada created by their huge age gap, but it didn’t quite land for me in the way it was intended. The pacing may be the reason for this. Ada is immediately pulled in by him, which reflects her age and naivety. We see a sinister turn in Charles and witness the beginning of his psychological decline, but just when we are settling into the story, a 6-year time jump happens, and we are thrown off kilter.

⛧ Marly writes of the plights of many women throughout history. There is an unfortunate relatability in Ada’s struggles and I appreciate that She Who Broke the Covenant set out to tell a story similar to those of women who have been written out of history. I wish we leant on the fact that history is always written from a male perspective. I really wanted more feminine rage to shine through. Ada more than earned her right to be angry due to the violence and harm done unto her at the hands of men. I hope that we will see more of this in the sequel. I was rooting for Ada to stand up and fight for her mind, her rights and her body.

⛧ There are darker themes explored within this book, which I believe Marly dealt with respect and the care it needed, but always make sure to check in with yourself as you journey through this story. There is on page domestic violence and on page attempted sexual assault, so please take care whilst reading!

⛧ All opinions are my own and I hope that if you give this book a shot, you enjoy it and fall deeply immersed in the Vranquian court and all it has to offer.

[K.B. Mallows · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I was surprised by this book and how much the plight of Queen Fastrada spoke to me. She Who Broke the Covenant by Marly Monroe is a bit of a puzzle, and I did not anticipate all of the different twists this story had in store for the reader.

Fastrada is a young, inexperienced girl with romantic notions about love in the beginning, and naive to the horrors and realities of the world as she's sent to marry a much older king. It's this that easily endeared her to me, as I witnessed the shattering of her innocence and her growth toward becoming a resilient and knowledgeable queen.

King Charles is charming, enigmatic and sensual, and in the beginning, much like Fastrada, I fell for him. Even when his darker side emerged, I found myself looking for reasons to forgive him. Knowing what it's like to love someone who has so many tortured layers to their personality, I felt Fastrada's pain and understand the cycle she found herself in.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of this story, so much so, that one late night, my curiosity got the better of me and I found myself Googling the real Fastrada and King Charles' history, and the results were fascinating. I feel like the author did a good job of presenting some aspects of the true history of this couple while taking some liberties with the fictional side of the story. I would have appreciated perhaps an author's note that shared some of Fastrada's true history with the reader.

This story is dark, but in a way that may catch you off guard at first. Though it is low action, the difficult themes of violence, control and betrayal in this story will demand more from the reader. It will demand more in your understanding of both Fastrada's and Charles' choices, and these beautiful, heavy words are wrapped up in layered meaning.

If there was one area of this story that needed some more development, that would be in a particular relationship toward the end. Though the spice in this book was on POINT and delivered two of the hottest scenes I've read in awhile, I couldn't quite buy into the sudden strong feelings between the two characters. I needed a little more yearning, a couple more breadcrumbs that led us from point A to point B to make it more believable, sustainable. The last 70% of the book felt a bit like a different story altogether.

This book gave me Game of Thrones vibes, minus dragons but with all the court intrigue, cruelty, political maneuvers, sexy time, and twisted secrets reminiscent of Cersei Lannister from King's Landing. If you have a thing for medieval-esq, historical romances steeped in a kernel of truth with a hint of magic, multi-layered characters, and toe-curling intimate scenes, I think you'll find something to love with She Who Broke the Covenant.

Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book with me. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

[Amaryllis_book_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if history turned the wrong woman into the villain?

The story follows Fastrada, a queen remembered as dangerous and manipulative, but the book slowly peels back the layers behind her reputation. Between political alliances, betrayals, family pressure, and whispers of something almost supernatural lurking beneath the surface, the story explores how power shapes both people and history itself.

What I liked most about this book was definitely the atmosphere. Everything feels heavy, from the court politics and the tension between characters to the constant feeling that something terrible is waiting around the corner. The writing has that lush, almost dreamlike quality that makes you want to sink into the story slowly.

Fastrada was such an interesting protagonist to follow. She isn’t written to be easily lovable or morally perfect, and I appreciated that so much. She is angry, intelligent, vulnerable, proud, and sometimes frustratingly human. The book really leans into the idea that history often turns powerful or complicated women into monsters, and I think that theme was handled beautifully.

Even during the quieter moments, there’s this undercurrent of grief, fear, and need for survival that gives the entire book a melancholic tone. It almost reads like a legend being retold by someone trying to uncover a truth buried underneath centuries of blame. That being said, the book definitely leans more towards the slower atmospheric side. The focus is much more on character dynamics, court politics, emotions, and atmosphere than on plot twists or action.

Personally, I think the slower pacing worked for the story because it allowed the tension and emotional weight to build naturally. By the end, I felt deeply connected to the characters and the tragedy surrounding them.

You should absolutely pick this up if you love:

*morally gray female characters
*historical fantasy with folklore elements
*political intrigue
*atmospheric and lyrical writing
*female rage themes
*stories about women reclaiming their narratives

Overall, She Who Broke the Covenant felt dark, immersive, and emotionally layered. It’s the kind of book that quietly gets under your skin rather than relying on huge action sequences, and I think readers who love atmospheric fantasy with complicated female leads will probably really enjoy this one.

Many thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC. I am writing this review willingly and all opinions expressed are my own!

[Megan | BooksBadgersAndQuills · Rating 3 out of 5]

"She Who Broke the Covenant," is the first book in The Serpent Ring Duology, and introduces us to Fastrada, the daughter of a lord who is forced into a politically arranged marriage to the King in hopes of influencing him, and stealing secrets for the rebellion.

Fastrada is only 18, and doesn't expect to fall for her new husband. When she does, his true nature is revealed, and Fastrada turns to dark magic to survive.

What to expect:
👑Arranged marriage
💍Insta-love (of a sort)
👑Emotional abuse/gaslighting/coersion
💍Deal with the devil
👑Dark magic and court politics
💍He watches from the shadows

I enjoyed the depictions of Fastrada's relationship with Charles, and her introspection and internal dialogue about her feelings for him and the confusion nature of what she's known as love, but is really obsession and control. The author did a great job showing the grooming and emotional abuse and not just using it gratuitously for the storyline.

I had a really hard time with the flow of the book - there were plenty of timeline jumps happening without much acknowledgement of said jumps, and the overall storyline that seemed to be going in one direction for much of the book then suddenly shifted and out of the blue there's a "new" love interest and it's instant-attraction/love there as well? Ehh. It could have been done well, but the way it was written didn't sell me on any of it.

I also had a hard time with the instant love that Fastrada had for Charles, even though she had been raised to undermine his rule and relay secrets about his court to her father and the rebellion. There was literally *no* attempt on her part from the beginning to even hold back at all, and just immediate attraction and puppy dog eyes. The spicy scenes were decidedly...not.

Overall I liked the premise of the book, the deal with the devil (which seems like it should have been made more obvious/apparent earlier on?) and the evolution of Charles sinking even deeper into madness...but the big plot points and places I'd have loved to see more development were sped past and glossed over. Characters felt rather flat overall, and I wasn't really invested in what was happening to them.

There were some good moments, and some great lines, and the descriptions throughout were good, however it was missing an overall cohesive feeling to the storyline, which really took it out of a 4 or 5 star rating for me.

I received an eARC from the author, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jil · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

“Only proof of how easily intentions dissolve”
Click
She Who Broke the Covenant is a Dark Historical Romantasy following a seemingly naive young woman who is placed by her father into an arranged marriage with a King so that they may dethrone him. However, there’s only so much one woman can take before desperation turns her to something forbidden. It is the first installment in The Serpent Ring duology written by Marly Monroe.

Let me just start by saying I truly adored this story and will be counting the days until the next book! Our leading lady, Fastrada, goes through far more than one woman should have to. My heart broke for her more than once! When she turns to the forbidden, as mentioned, I don’t think anyone would disagree that it was necessary! I was having a hard time pinning down any one character for a good while! First I thought, “wow, I kind of like them” to “OMG WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM.” 🤣 It also went the other way with other characters from “I’m not sure about them” to “I love them.” Which kept me keeping my eye on everyone and treating everyone with suspicion, which I had a really good time with!

“Even made-up stories have a way of telling truths”

The pacing felt a little slow to me at the start, but this didn’t stop me from being interested and thinking about the book when I wasn’t able to read it. But I PROMISE it escalates quickly, becomes crazier, and gets more intense! It got very difficult to put it down!

Devil, trickster, hero. Depends on who you ask.

The leading men…. Boy oh boy…. How to say anything without spoilers is hard for me here. Let me just put it this way, the phrase “Fuck it” is my new favorite! 🫠 And whimpering has taken on a whole new meaning for me! Morally gray has always been my favorite color and it’s no different here!

“On the Devil’s mercy then”

I don’t really have anything to compare this story to. I’d like to give a “matching vibe” book, however, I’m having a hard time thinking of one. If you like strong and resilient women, morally gray men, questionable intentions, well written spice, yearning, obsession, and TRAUMA like I do 🙃 Then this book is for you!
I’m so ready for more magic, more intrigue, more friendship, and more yearning! I will be VERY impatiently waiting for the next book!!
Thanks so much to Marly Monroe for this ARC!