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The Ghost King's Bride: A No-Spice Fae Fantasy Romance
He is a ghost—a golden, shifting mist, an echo in the abyss. How could he love a disfigured human girl?
Liosa hides half her face under her hair. She wishes she could hide the rest of her, but princesses and pawns can never stay hidden for long.
She must wed to save her kingdom from a horrible, bloody fate at the hands of the Rose King. But she knows that in doing so, she will die. Because when her future husband discovers her secret scars, he will slay her himself.
But on the night she’s expected to charm a cruel suitor into marriage, a terrifying creature of legends chooses her first.
He is a king colder than death, cloaked in pouring, shifting mist, and carrying the scent of ancient things that have never seen the sun.
The ghost king steals her away to the Hollow Deep, his dark kingdom at the very bottom of the world. A land of monsters, of slowly dripping water and desolate echoes. A land of more pain and despair than she could have imagined.
Alone and afraid, she flees from her new husband’s cold touch, from his intense and terrifying gaze. But there is nowhere to hide from a ghost.
As she begins to unravel the king’s enigmatic nature—and her fear of him begins to twist into something much stranger—Liosa discovers a deadly plot brewing in the Hollow Deep, one that could set into motion a chain of disaster in Faery above.
Now she must either remain a trembling, disfigured girl hiding behind a veil of her own making, or become the queen the Hollow Deep desperately needs.
She only wonders—why did the ghost king choose her at all?
And can she ever love a creature made of mist?
If you love romantasy with none of the spice or swearing but all of the aching, yearning, and angst, The Ghost King’s Bride is for you!
Each book in the FAE OF THE DESOLATION series follows a different main character, a desperate human who finds herself entangled with powerful fae royalty. The series can be read as standalone novels with their own HEAs, but is best read in series order to follow the overarching storyline of saving the world of Faery from a heartless king.
Liosa hides half her face under her hair. She wishes she could hide the rest of her, but princesses and pawns can never stay hidden for long.
She must wed to save her kingdom from a horrible, bloody fate at the hands of the Rose King. But she knows that in doing so, she will die. Because when her future husband discovers her secret scars, he will slay her himself.
But on the night she’s expected to charm a cruel suitor into marriage, a terrifying creature of legends chooses her first.
He is a king colder than death, cloaked in pouring, shifting mist, and carrying the scent of ancient things that have never seen the sun.
The ghost king steals her away to the Hollow Deep, his dark kingdom at the very bottom of the world. A land of monsters, of slowly dripping water and desolate echoes. A land of more pain and despair than she could have imagined.
Alone and afraid, she flees from her new husband’s cold touch, from his intense and terrifying gaze. But there is nowhere to hide from a ghost.
As she begins to unravel the king’s enigmatic nature—and her fear of him begins to twist into something much stranger—Liosa discovers a deadly plot brewing in the Hollow Deep, one that could set into motion a chain of disaster in Faery above.
Now she must either remain a trembling, disfigured girl hiding behind a veil of her own making, or become the queen the Hollow Deep desperately needs.
She only wonders—why did the ghost king choose her at all?
And can she ever love a creature made of mist?
If you love romantasy with none of the spice or swearing but all of the aching, yearning, and angst, The Ghost King’s Bride is for you!
Each book in the FAE OF THE DESOLATION series follows a different main character, a desperate human who finds herself entangled with powerful fae royalty. The series can be read as standalone novels with their own HEAs, but is best read in series order to follow the overarching storyline of saving the world of Faery from a heartless king.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 10, 2026
I received a free advance review copy of The Ghost King's Bride by Sera Saint via NetGalley.
I couldn't put down this moody YA fantasy romance. A grumpy ghost king takes a disfigured princess to be his royal bride. The premise of a ghost falling for a human pulled me in.
The ghost fae are interesting and different than anything I've read before. Their livelihood, physicality, and magic system are unique. There's tension and yearning between the ghost king and his bride that feels tender because of their inexperience. I appreciate that the world-building is through the eyes of the female main character and her discoveries. The plot and pace are steady, the stakes are high, and the ending felt satisfying while setting up the next book in the series.
One minor drawback is how the FMC cries over everything, it would pull me out of immersion sometimes. Overall, I really enjoyed this beauty is more than skin deep read.
Recommended for readers who enjoy: found family, 'who hurt you' love interests, and no spice romantasy with plenty of yearning.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!
I couldn't put down this moody YA fantasy romance. A grumpy ghost king takes a disfigured princess to be his royal bride. The premise of a ghost falling for a human pulled me in.
The ghost fae are interesting and different than anything I've read before. Their livelihood, physicality, and magic system are unique. There's tension and yearning between the ghost king and his bride that feels tender because of their inexperience. I appreciate that the world-building is through the eyes of the female main character and her discoveries. The plot and pace are steady, the stakes are high, and the ending felt satisfying while setting up the next book in the series.
One minor drawback is how the FMC cries over everything, it would pull me out of immersion sometimes. Overall, I really enjoyed this beauty is more than skin deep read.
Recommended for readers who enjoy: found family, 'who hurt you' love interests, and no spice romantasy with plenty of yearning.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!
May 1, 2026
The Ghost King's Bride" is a fantasy romance by Sera Saint is included in the series Fae of Desolation It isnt necessary to read the series in order although the author recommends reading them in order for the entire plot line.
The blurb initially drew me in. It sounded familiar, but I hoped the author could take a plot and premise that's been done before and twist into something magical and worthy or five stars. Unfortunately, this fell a little short for me. I did enjoy the book and the story. It just started to drag for me and bit, and I had trouble keeping my interest in the book. The FMC was not the most likable as well. I did see how her character arc was trying to help her grow up and communicate more, but it just wasn't natural. The world building and writing were great. In fact I would be more interested in the details of the world and environment. I'm giving this book 3 stars.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my opinion.
The blurb initially drew me in. It sounded familiar, but I hoped the author could take a plot and premise that's been done before and twist into something magical and worthy or five stars. Unfortunately, this fell a little short for me. I did enjoy the book and the story. It just started to drag for me and bit, and I had trouble keeping my interest in the book. The FMC was not the most likable as well. I did see how her character arc was trying to help her grow up and communicate more, but it just wasn't natural. The world building and writing were great. In fact I would be more interested in the details of the world and environment. I'm giving this book 3 stars.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my opinion.
May 1, 2026
✨ Obsessed ✨
I absolutely loved this story. From the world building to the characters to the plot. It was all so perfect.
I was giggling and kicking my feet halfway through.
If you like epic fantasy, Fae, adventure, romance, and no spice this book is definitely for you. I have been looking for a read like this for so long I can’t wait for the next books to come out.
Setting: 5/5 stars - Great description and unique placement.
Plot: 4.5/5 stars - Very engaging and not too many slow scenes. Twisty as expected of Fae stories with complex scenarios. 😆
Characters: 5/5 stars - Loved them all. The development was perfect. Some might say it was a little fast? But I thought their growth was natural. I appreciated every moment.
Highly Recommended
*FTC Disclosure* I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review from BookSirens. I’m not affiliated with the author in any way. This is my first time reading any of her work and I genuinely enjoyed it. Thanks!
I absolutely loved this story. From the world building to the characters to the plot. It was all so perfect.
I was giggling and kicking my feet halfway through.
If you like epic fantasy, Fae, adventure, romance, and no spice this book is definitely for you. I have been looking for a read like this for so long I can’t wait for the next books to come out.
Setting: 5/5 stars - Great description and unique placement.
Plot: 4.5/5 stars - Very engaging and not too many slow scenes. Twisty as expected of Fae stories with complex scenarios. 😆
Characters: 5/5 stars - Loved them all. The development was perfect. Some might say it was a little fast? But I thought their growth was natural. I appreciated every moment.
Highly Recommended
*FTC Disclosure* I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review from BookSirens. I’m not affiliated with the author in any way. This is my first time reading any of her work and I genuinely enjoyed it. Thanks!
April 24, 2026
I've seen a lot of reviews talking about how they can't stand Liosa because she spends the first 25% of this book crying, whining, and cowering. I think they all missed the point behind it. She's suffered trauma and cruelty from those who are supposed to love her. She's learned how to adapt to mood swings to protect herself. I'll admit I was a bit annoyed by her behavior until I thought about why she would act like that. She's representing the journey of overcoming this trauma and becoming stronger and confident. She does change attitudes in the book I promise.
To me, the romance between Liosa and Aurin reminded me of Feyre and Rhysand from ACOTAR because both women are dealing with trauma , and the men help them digest it, overcome it, and show them the kindness and love that's been missing. I loved this element immensely.
The beginning was a bit abrupt because you're dropped right into the action. I would've liked a bit more explanation of Liosa's backstory, especially with her family because we don't see them again after she leaves the kingdom. She also just gives the barest explanations of why she fears the ghosts, and I wanted more details to understand it.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I liked this book and how fast I read it. I can't wait to see where Book 2 leads.
Thank you to Sera Saint, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
To me, the romance between Liosa and Aurin reminded me of Feyre and Rhysand from ACOTAR because both women are dealing with trauma , and the men help them digest it, overcome it, and show them the kindness and love that's been missing. I loved this element immensely.
The beginning was a bit abrupt because you're dropped right into the action. I would've liked a bit more explanation of Liosa's backstory, especially with her family because we don't see them again after she leaves the kingdom. She also just gives the barest explanations of why she fears the ghosts, and I wanted more details to understand it.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I liked this book and how fast I read it. I can't wait to see where Book 2 leads.
Thank you to Sera Saint, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
May 11, 2026
2.5⭐️
The Ghost King’s Bride by Sera Saint had a premise that immediately caught my attention.
The summary made me really curious, and the first part of the book pulled me in quickly. The first 15% flew by and I kept wanting to read more.
Unfortunately, that feeling did not last.
Once the main characters started interacting more, I found it harder to stay engaged. The conversations felt quite simple to me, and I struggled to fully connect with them. While I could understand where the story was going, some important plot points happened very suddenly, which made the pacing feel rushed at times.
That said, I did enjoy the worldbuilding and the concept of the Rivens. There is definitely an interesting idea at the core of this story, and it felt like it had a lot of potential.
Sadly, for me, that potential was not fully developed in the execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Ghost King’s Bride by Sera Saint had a premise that immediately caught my attention.
The summary made me really curious, and the first part of the book pulled me in quickly. The first 15% flew by and I kept wanting to read more.
Unfortunately, that feeling did not last.
Once the main characters started interacting more, I found it harder to stay engaged. The conversations felt quite simple to me, and I struggled to fully connect with them. While I could understand where the story was going, some important plot points happened very suddenly, which made the pacing feel rushed at times.
That said, I did enjoy the worldbuilding and the concept of the Rivens. There is definitely an interesting idea at the core of this story, and it felt like it had a lot of potential.
Sadly, for me, that potential was not fully developed in the execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2026
Thank you for NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion
I will put the overall thoughts at the beginning because I am going to be a little critical and I want to say, first and foremost, that I enjoyed this book very much. This book was given to me as an arc by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. So, in my honest opinion, I ate this book up expeditiously (in a day in fact), and to me it was a 4 star read despite my criticism below.
I will put the overall thoughts at the beginning because I am going to be a little critical and I want to say, first and foremost, that I enjoyed this book very much. This book was given to me as an arc by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. So, in my honest opinion, I ate this book up expeditiously (in a day in fact), and to me it was a 4 star read despite my criticism below.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
ੈ✩‧₊˚ Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Before I start I want to mention how beautiful the cover of the book is. It was actually the reason I decided to read this book.
𐙚⋆.˚ The plot of the book was there but it felt chaotic. We follow the fmc who is forced into a marriage with the “ghost king” and has to retreat some stolen jewellery for the king. From there she wants to find out what is going on in this kingdom and why she had to marry the king.
The story starts instantly when we open the first chapter, which felt a bit rushed. I wish we got to see more of the family situation because while it should have been more important because of her insecurities, it didn’t feel like it. In particular because it’s the only time when she is with her family in this book.
Further, I needed more information about why she was that scared about the ghosts. While I wanted to feel with her, I was just confused and irritated.
Now the plot in general is pretty interesting and quite a lot happens. But like I already stated, I needed more information about the world, especially the kingdoms, to feel connected with the characters and the story.
˙⋆✮ The writing style felt divine. All of them spoke in this high tone, which I really liked. It matches the kingdom.
𐙚🧸ྀི What made me enjoy the story less is the fmc. She irritated me to no end. She went from this insecure girl to this overly confident girl back into the insecure girl in matter of seconds. I didn’t like how she acted and the decision she made. Also, I disliked her defensiveness when prior she and the mmc decided to talk.
At least she loves books. But even then she decided against researching more about these “ghosts”.
The king on the other hand helped me continue with this book. He’s like this perfect man who just wants to feel love. I honestly believe he deserved a better lover than one who always believes other people before him.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Before I start I want to mention how beautiful the cover of the book is. It was actually the reason I decided to read this book.
𐙚⋆.˚ The plot of the book was there but it felt chaotic. We follow the fmc who is forced into a marriage with the “ghost king” and has to retreat some stolen jewellery for the king. From there she wants to find out what is going on in this kingdom and why she had to marry the king.
The story starts instantly when we open the first chapter, which felt a bit rushed. I wish we got to see more of the family situation because while it should have been more important because of her insecurities, it didn’t feel like it. In particular because it’s the only time when she is with her family in this book.
Further, I needed more information about why she was that scared about the ghosts. While I wanted to feel with her, I was just confused and irritated.
Now the plot in general is pretty interesting and quite a lot happens. But like I already stated, I needed more information about the world, especially the kingdoms, to feel connected with the characters and the story.
˙⋆✮ The writing style felt divine. All of them spoke in this high tone, which I really liked. It matches the kingdom.
𐙚🧸ྀི What made me enjoy the story less is the fmc. She irritated me to no end. She went from this insecure girl to this overly confident girl back into the insecure girl in matter of seconds. I didn’t like how she acted and the decision she made. Also, I disliked her defensiveness when prior she and the mmc decided to talk.
At least she loves books. But even then she decided against researching more about these “ghosts”.
The king on the other hand helped me continue with this book. He’s like this perfect man who just wants to feel love. I honestly believe he deserved a better lover than one who always believes other people before him.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is The Wraith King meets Hades and Persephone.
he premise is genuinely intriguing, and the early setup pulls you in with the promise of something dark, romantic, and layered. Unfortunately, that momentum doesn’t last.
The biggest issue is the main character. I understand leaving room for growth, but there’s a difference between a flawed heroine and one who is genuinely exhausting to read. She can’t hold a conversation without breaking down, constantly whines, and repeatedly creates her own problems through impulsive, poorly thought-out decisions. The author clearly wants her to come across as independent and headstrong, but it reads more as reckless and immature. Strength and independence require at least a baseline level of self-awareness—and that’s just not here. It perpetuates a negative -stereotypical narrative that women are "emotional" and "irrational".
On top of that, the plot completely loses direction. What starts as a compelling setup slowly dissolves into repetition and filler. By the midpoint, it’s hard to pinpoint what the actual goal is beyond the FMC being angry about her situation. There’s no real sense of progression, stakes, or payoff—just a lot of circling the same emotional beats without moving forward.
And honestly, the “No spice” label being pushed as part of the Goodreads branding felt unnecessary and a bit gimmicky. If anything, it highlights the book’s true lane—this reads much more like young adult, and it would’ve been better served just owning that outright.
Overall, this had a strong concept but faltered hard in execution. With a tighter plot and a more grounded, consistent protagonist, this could have been something special—but as it stands, it feels underdeveloped and frustratingly juvenile.
Received my free copy from Netgalley
he premise is genuinely intriguing, and the early setup pulls you in with the promise of something dark, romantic, and layered. Unfortunately, that momentum doesn’t last.
The biggest issue is the main character. I understand leaving room for growth, but there’s a difference between a flawed heroine and one who is genuinely exhausting to read. She can’t hold a conversation without breaking down, constantly whines, and repeatedly creates her own problems through impulsive, poorly thought-out decisions. The author clearly wants her to come across as independent and headstrong, but it reads more as reckless and immature. Strength and independence require at least a baseline level of self-awareness—and that’s just not here. It perpetuates a negative -stereotypical narrative that women are "emotional" and "irrational".
On top of that, the plot completely loses direction. What starts as a compelling setup slowly dissolves into repetition and filler. By the midpoint, it’s hard to pinpoint what the actual goal is beyond the FMC being angry about her situation. There’s no real sense of progression, stakes, or payoff—just a lot of circling the same emotional beats without moving forward.
And honestly, the “No spice” label being pushed as part of the Goodreads branding felt unnecessary and a bit gimmicky. If anything, it highlights the book’s true lane—this reads much more like young adult, and it would’ve been better served just owning that outright.
Overall, this had a strong concept but faltered hard in execution. With a tighter plot and a more grounded, consistent protagonist, this could have been something special—but as it stands, it feels underdeveloped and frustratingly juvenile.
Received my free copy from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story opens with an incredible sense of atmosphere: the Ghost King’s men arriving in the mist like spirits in the night, demanding the princess to fulfill a dark matrimonial need. It’s a haunting, high stakes setup that immediately grabs your attention. We follow a heroine whose face is half hidden and scarred by fire, a physical manifestation of the internal torture and abuse she suffered due to her family’s past deeds.
The standout element of this book is undoubtedly the underground mist fae (The Riven). The concept is fresh, eerie, and rich with potential. Sera Saint excels at painting these scenes, and I found myself wishing the narrative spent even more time expanding on the lore and culture of these subterranean beings. The world felt tactile and unique, providing a perfect backdrop for a dark fantasy romance.
This is where the book faltered for me. While I fully acknowledge the character’s history of trauma she was abused and tortured, which should make her sympathetic, but her behavior quickly devolved from "damaged" to "insufferable."
There is a fine line between a character being rightfully guarded and a character acting like a brat, and unfortunately, she crossed it often. Her attitude became so grating that my empathy evaporated; by the middle of the book, I found myself thinking she almost deserved to be put back in that iron torture tower just to give me a break from the whining.
The Ghost King's Bride is a bit of a mixed bag. If you are a fan of unique fae lore and "beauty and the beast" tropes with a dark twist, the world building might carry you through. However, be prepared for a main character who is very difficult to root for, despite her tragic backstory. I’d love to see this world revisited, perhaps with a lead who matches the maturity and intrigue of the mist fae themselves.
The standout element of this book is undoubtedly the underground mist fae (The Riven). The concept is fresh, eerie, and rich with potential. Sera Saint excels at painting these scenes, and I found myself wishing the narrative spent even more time expanding on the lore and culture of these subterranean beings. The world felt tactile and unique, providing a perfect backdrop for a dark fantasy romance.
This is where the book faltered for me. While I fully acknowledge the character’s history of trauma she was abused and tortured, which should make her sympathetic, but her behavior quickly devolved from "damaged" to "insufferable."
There is a fine line between a character being rightfully guarded and a character acting like a brat, and unfortunately, she crossed it often. Her attitude became so grating that my empathy evaporated; by the middle of the book, I found myself thinking she almost deserved to be put back in that iron torture tower just to give me a break from the whining.
The Ghost King's Bride is a bit of a mixed bag. If you are a fan of unique fae lore and "beauty and the beast" tropes with a dark twist, the world building might carry you through. However, be prepared for a main character who is very difficult to root for, despite her tragic backstory. I’d love to see this world revisited, perhaps with a lead who matches the maturity and intrigue of the mist fae themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
I received an advance review copy of The Ghost King's Bride by Sera Saint via NetGalley and here are my thoughts:
I went into The Ghost King’s Bride by Sera Saint expecting a darker, atmospheric fantasy romance, and that part it definitely delivered—but overall, it was kind of a miss for me.
* Plot: The setup is interesting—a princess hiding a dangerous secret is kidnapped by a mysterious ghost king and taken to an eerie underground realm. The story starts strong but the plot doesn’t always feel as developed as it could be, and some of the twists feel a little underwhelming rather than shocking.
* Pacing: This was one of the bigger issues for me. It starts off quickly, then slows down a lot in the middle with a heavy focus on internal thoughts and atmosphere. By the time things pick up again, the ending feels rushed.
* Action/Drama: There are hints of danger—political tension, looming threats, and the mystery of the ghost king—but not a lot of actual action. It leans more toward emotional confict and looming threats, rather than events actually playing out.
* Story/World: The underground setting is probably the highlight. The Hollow Deep feels eerie and unique, with that dark fairytale vibe. I just wish the world-building had gone a bit deeper.
* Romance: This is very much a “fear turns into attraction” type of romance. The dynamic between Liosa and the ghost king is interesting at first, but the emotional development felt rushed. I didn’t fully buy how quickly her fear shifts into something deeper, and their connection could have used more buildup.
Overall: I’d give it about 2.5 stars. It has an interesting concept and strong atmosphere, but the pacing and romance didn't quite come together for me. It’s worth trying if you like darker fantasy romance with moody settings, but don’t go in expecting a super plot-driven or action-heavy story.
I went into The Ghost King’s Bride by Sera Saint expecting a darker, atmospheric fantasy romance, and that part it definitely delivered—but overall, it was kind of a miss for me.
* Plot: The setup is interesting—a princess hiding a dangerous secret is kidnapped by a mysterious ghost king and taken to an eerie underground realm. The story starts strong but the plot doesn’t always feel as developed as it could be, and some of the twists feel a little underwhelming rather than shocking.
* Pacing: This was one of the bigger issues for me. It starts off quickly, then slows down a lot in the middle with a heavy focus on internal thoughts and atmosphere. By the time things pick up again, the ending feels rushed.
* Action/Drama: There are hints of danger—political tension, looming threats, and the mystery of the ghost king—but not a lot of actual action. It leans more toward emotional confict and looming threats, rather than events actually playing out.
* Story/World: The underground setting is probably the highlight. The Hollow Deep feels eerie and unique, with that dark fairytale vibe. I just wish the world-building had gone a bit deeper.
* Romance: This is very much a “fear turns into attraction” type of romance. The dynamic between Liosa and the ghost king is interesting at first, but the emotional development felt rushed. I didn’t fully buy how quickly her fear shifts into something deeper, and their connection could have used more buildup.
Overall: I’d give it about 2.5 stars. It has an interesting concept and strong atmosphere, but the pacing and romance didn't quite come together for me. It’s worth trying if you like darker fantasy romance with moody settings, but don’t go in expecting a super plot-driven or action-heavy story.
April 19, 2026
**★★★★☆ | Haunting, Romantic, and Laced with Dark Magic**
*The Ghost King’s Bride* by Sera Saint is an atmospheric fantasy romance that weaves together eerie charm, emotional depth, and a slow-burning connection that lingers long after the final page. From the beginning, there’s a sense of stepping into a world where the veil between life and death feels dangerously thin.
The atmosphere is a standout—moody, immersive, and touched with a gothic edge that enhances every scene. The setting feels rich with history and secrets, creating a backdrop that perfectly complements the story’s darker romantic tone.
The characters are compelling and layered, especially the central relationship. The romance unfolds with a delicate balance of tension and vulnerability, building into something that feels both haunting and deeply emotional. There’s a quiet intensity to their connection that makes it hard not to become invested.
The pacing is steady and fits the tone well, allowing the story to develop naturally. While there are a few moments where the plot could have been pushed a bit further or explored more deeply, it still maintains a strong sense of engagement throughout.
Overall, *The Ghost King’s Bride* is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, filled with atmosphere, emotion, and just the right touch of the supernatural. It’s a story that feels both enchanting and melancholic in the best way.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
*The Ghost King’s Bride* by Sera Saint is an atmospheric fantasy romance that weaves together eerie charm, emotional depth, and a slow-burning connection that lingers long after the final page. From the beginning, there’s a sense of stepping into a world where the veil between life and death feels dangerously thin.
The atmosphere is a standout—moody, immersive, and touched with a gothic edge that enhances every scene. The setting feels rich with history and secrets, creating a backdrop that perfectly complements the story’s darker romantic tone.
The characters are compelling and layered, especially the central relationship. The romance unfolds with a delicate balance of tension and vulnerability, building into something that feels both haunting and deeply emotional. There’s a quiet intensity to their connection that makes it hard not to become invested.
The pacing is steady and fits the tone well, allowing the story to develop naturally. While there are a few moments where the plot could have been pushed a bit further or explored more deeply, it still maintains a strong sense of engagement throughout.
Overall, *The Ghost King’s Bride* is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, filled with atmosphere, emotion, and just the right touch of the supernatural. It’s a story that feels both enchanting and melancholic in the best way.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Ghost King's Bride is the first installment in the Romantasy series Fae of the Desolation by Sera Saint releasing on April 17th, 2026. Thank you Netgalley and the Victory Editing publishing for giving me this arc to try! Now for my thoughts. I'm not usually a Romantasy girl, but something was in the water this year that had me craving it more than usual and this book brought the world of humans living amongst the Fae in the land known as Faery to my fingertips and I flew through it. This is the first book I have read in a LONG time where the characters were blanketed by their morality and have flaws. You always go into Romantasy guns blazing and the FMC knows how to demolish a whole battalion with her bare hands and a pillow so that was nice to see a human REALISTICALLY envisioned. I believe some of the repetitive words used in describing certain scenes could have been edited better, the characteristics of the people could have been fleshed out just a tad more so I could envision them a bit more, and I have a lot of questions of the background of the story that were still left unanswered at the end of the book. But how can I truly know that my questions will remain unanswered until I read book two? The progression of this book had me gripped especially by the final quarter and I hope I can be lucky enough to receive an arc of the next installment! 3.25 ⭐
May 4, 2026
I received a free version of this book on Netgally✨
This book was ok, I liked some parts and hated others. My main gripe was with the fmc, she was at times INSUFERSBLE and made soooo many bad choices. Like come on dude please stop. The mmc was also kind of just there he was giving ✨nothing✨. ( He was funny though when he didn’t understand human customs that bit did make me giggle) I honestly still don’t know what power he seemed to have, I’m still confused by the magic.
The plot centers around a princess who saves her kingdom by marrying a king of the underworld ( a world literally below ground, he’s fae) and then a bunch of nothing happens. She’s reluctant to trust him, he follows her around like a lost puppy. The plot was a little weak for me, and moved a little slow and then suddenly everything was happening at rapid pace. The world building was fine although you don’t really get to knowing of what’s happening above ground and we never really go back.
Now to what I liked about the book: the writing is nice and the secondary characters were really lovely. I especially liked the cook.
2.6 stars ⭐️
This book was ok, I liked some parts and hated others. My main gripe was with the fmc, she was at times INSUFERSBLE and made soooo many bad choices. Like come on dude please stop. The mmc was also kind of just there he was giving ✨nothing✨. ( He was funny though when he didn’t understand human customs that bit did make me giggle) I honestly still don’t know what power he seemed to have, I’m still confused by the magic.
The plot centers around a princess who saves her kingdom by marrying a king of the underworld ( a world literally below ground, he’s fae) and then a bunch of nothing happens. She’s reluctant to trust him, he follows her around like a lost puppy. The plot was a little weak for me, and moved a little slow and then suddenly everything was happening at rapid pace. The world building was fine although you don’t really get to knowing of what’s happening above ground and we never really go back.
Now to what I liked about the book: the writing is nice and the secondary characters were really lovely. I especially liked the cook.
2.6 stars ⭐️
May 6, 2026
This story was an interesting read, but felt lacking in some places.. I personally enjoyed the world-building of Faery and Hollow Deep and how the author weaved it into the story. There were times when I was questioning things, but they were quickly answered. As for the plot, it was a little slow paced and felt like it was coming together in the latter half of the novel.
As for characters, I did like how they were flawed and had their own issues. Also the way they were portrayed was great for the most part. But Aruin and Liosa's relationship didn't really work for me. Personally felt that the switch up was a little sudden. Also half their problems could've been avoided if Aruin actually explained things instead of the whole "I can't tell you" line.
Which annoyed me more when he did start to explain. I get the trust issues and whatnot... But still, some things should've been said earlier. Especially when he seemed to need her help specifically for some things.
That aside, I still enjoyed the dark fantasy of this story and am interested to see where it goes in the next book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
As for characters, I did like how they were flawed and had their own issues. Also the way they were portrayed was great for the most part. But Aruin and Liosa's relationship didn't really work for me. Personally felt that the switch up was a little sudden. Also half their problems could've been avoided if Aruin actually explained things instead of the whole "I can't tell you" line.
Which annoyed me more when he did start to explain. I get the trust issues and whatnot... But still, some things should've been said earlier. Especially when he seemed to need her help specifically for some things.
That aside, I still enjoyed the dark fantasy of this story and am interested to see where it goes in the next book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
May 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC.
Plot 4/5
Characters 3.75/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 3.75/5
Overall 3.75/5
-This book definitely had its intrigues. From a forced mariage, to then Liosa trying to integrate life alongside Aurin. I have to say it was intriguing at times but I did feel at times it went too fast and I couldn’t really keep up. I did like the world, I wished that we could have seen more of it and discovered more of the secrets that seem to lurk.
-The characters were interesting. Liosa and her disfigured face was the most interesting. On the other hand, I really didn’t like Aurin. At first he was rude and vicious but then he suddenly switched up. And was sweet. So in the end I didn’t particularly get attached to him or their relationship.
-I don’t exactly remember what the ending entails. I remember most of the story being nicely resolved but still some questions left unanswered. I would be intrigued to read the sequel. It will follow a different couple but still being the same world and getting more and more knowledge of it is what interests me the most.
Plot 4/5
Characters 3.75/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 3.75/5
Overall 3.75/5
-This book definitely had its intrigues. From a forced mariage, to then Liosa trying to integrate life alongside Aurin. I have to say it was intriguing at times but I did feel at times it went too fast and I couldn’t really keep up. I did like the world, I wished that we could have seen more of it and discovered more of the secrets that seem to lurk.
-The characters were interesting. Liosa and her disfigured face was the most interesting. On the other hand, I really didn’t like Aurin. At first he was rude and vicious but then he suddenly switched up. And was sweet. So in the end I didn’t particularly get attached to him or their relationship.
-I don’t exactly remember what the ending entails. I remember most of the story being nicely resolved but still some questions left unanswered. I would be intrigued to read the sequel. It will follow a different couple but still being the same world and getting more and more knowledge of it is what interests me the most.
April 26, 2026
*GOT AS AN AUTOAPPROVAL FROM NETGALLEY*
While this book does achieve dark and gloomy vibes, the ones you’d typically find in a gothic story, it doesn’t give a clear vibe to the story throughout. What I mean to say is that the gloomy vibes drop mid story and it turns more into the FMC being depressed about her situation and less about trying to do something about it.
The FMC has the premise of scars hiding her face and she’s very shy, mouse-like. She sacrifices herself for her kingdom and that’s honestly the first bravery we see of her. Otherwise, her character isn’t very well fleshed out.
While the MMC is your typical “touch her and die” lead, he also possess the traits of being morally grey and even touch starved. He’s an okay character to me.
While this book does have the gloomy aspects and mirroring effects, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have read it and increased my reading dictionary!
While this book does achieve dark and gloomy vibes, the ones you’d typically find in a gothic story, it doesn’t give a clear vibe to the story throughout. What I mean to say is that the gloomy vibes drop mid story and it turns more into the FMC being depressed about her situation and less about trying to do something about it.
The FMC has the premise of scars hiding her face and she’s very shy, mouse-like. She sacrifices herself for her kingdom and that’s honestly the first bravery we see of her. Otherwise, her character isn’t very well fleshed out.
While the MMC is your typical “touch her and die” lead, he also possess the traits of being morally grey and even touch starved. He’s an okay character to me.
While this book does have the gloomy aspects and mirroring effects, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have read it and increased my reading dictionary!
April 28, 2026
(ARC)
2.5! (rounded up)
the thing that made me interested in this book was the concept of it and i definitely really enjoyed the world of this book. i think that’s its quite unique and it explored an idea i haven’t seen before!
however, i did struggle to connect to the characters in this book (with the exception of the mmc who i really liked). i think that it was hard to fully become invested. personally i am a very character-driven reader so as i was not vibing with the characters, i never felt like i was fully immersed in the story.
the fmc was quite irritating at times and i think further explanation and time spent exploring the cause and root of her trauma (specifically at the beginning of the book) could have made it easier to empathise with her as a character.
i believe that with better plotted pacing and deeper exploration into the characters, this could’ve been way more enjoyable for me! but sadly it did fall a bit flat.
2.5! (rounded up)
the thing that made me interested in this book was the concept of it and i definitely really enjoyed the world of this book. i think that’s its quite unique and it explored an idea i haven’t seen before!
however, i did struggle to connect to the characters in this book (with the exception of the mmc who i really liked). i think that it was hard to fully become invested. personally i am a very character-driven reader so as i was not vibing with the characters, i never felt like i was fully immersed in the story.
the fmc was quite irritating at times and i think further explanation and time spent exploring the cause and root of her trauma (specifically at the beginning of the book) could have made it easier to empathise with her as a character.
i believe that with better plotted pacing and deeper exploration into the characters, this could’ve been way more enjoyable for me! but sadly it did fall a bit flat.
April 25, 2026
Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While the premise really drew me in, the execution was unfortunately lacking. There was a ton of "woe is me" and not much of anything really happening until the last 10% of the book. At that point it felt as if all the information and action was happening all at once.
Now I did adore the MMC. In all honesty he and the Rivens are what drove me to want to finish the book. But the FMC? It was very hard for me to feel any attachment to her. She comes off as very whiney and it takes up so much of the book with her just complaining on and on.
I hope in the next book we see more world building and get a few more answers as to the who and why.
Also, the parents? Her brother? I need answers to that.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While the premise really drew me in, the execution was unfortunately lacking. There was a ton of "woe is me" and not much of anything really happening until the last 10% of the book. At that point it felt as if all the information and action was happening all at once.
Now I did adore the MMC. In all honesty he and the Rivens are what drove me to want to finish the book. But the FMC? It was very hard for me to feel any attachment to her. She comes off as very whiney and it takes up so much of the book with her just complaining on and on.
I hope in the next book we see more world building and get a few more answers as to the who and why.
Also, the parents? Her brother? I need answers to that.
April 26, 2026
Review of The Ghost King's Bride by Sera Saint
* * * * *
A fantasy romance filled with slow-burn yearning, a growing marriage, betrayal and jumping into the unknown for the one you love.
This was a freshing read, stepping away from the hot spicy reads into something that was smooth, cool, with a little bite from the bantering between the two MCs.
Our FMC Liosa has had it a little rough with her physical appears, her trauma and now being thrown into darkness as the bride of a king she has grown up to believe is a monster. A monster she was sure would kill her for her abnormality. Aurin, a golden mist of a man, is strangely insistant on getting her to like and accept her new home as well as their marrige which indeed raises questions.
The twist was something I honestly did not expect, and happy this read still provided some suprises.
* * * * *
A fantasy romance filled with slow-burn yearning, a growing marriage, betrayal and jumping into the unknown for the one you love.
This was a freshing read, stepping away from the hot spicy reads into something that was smooth, cool, with a little bite from the bantering between the two MCs.
Our FMC Liosa has had it a little rough with her physical appears, her trauma and now being thrown into darkness as the bride of a king she has grown up to believe is a monster. A monster she was sure would kill her for her abnormality. Aurin, a golden mist of a man, is strangely insistant on getting her to like and accept her new home as well as their marrige which indeed raises questions.
The twist was something I honestly did not expect, and happy this read still provided some suprises.
May 9, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
Every time I thought I knew who to trust, I was wrong!
At the beginning of the book, the Ghost King comes in hot and immediately sets the tone that he’s scary 👀 So, I didn’t blame Liosa for distrusting him and being afraid in general. But over time, I started to think she was being a bit stubborn. I thought his character was so endearing, just wanted him to spill his secrets. No one feels safe when information is purposefully kept fell them!
It was interesting to see that they both struggled with self image concerns. Once they were able to get past their own insecurities, I felt they could truly embrace each other.
I didn’t mind this book lacked spice. It was so well written that I truly enjoyed the twists throughout the story♥️✨
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Every time I thought I knew who to trust, I was wrong!
At the beginning of the book, the Ghost King comes in hot and immediately sets the tone that he’s scary 👀 So, I didn’t blame Liosa for distrusting him and being afraid in general. But over time, I started to think she was being a bit stubborn. I thought his character was so endearing, just wanted him to spill his secrets. No one feels safe when information is purposefully kept fell them!
It was interesting to see that they both struggled with self image concerns. Once they were able to get past their own insecurities, I felt they could truly embrace each other.
I didn’t mind this book lacked spice. It was so well written that I truly enjoyed the twists throughout the story♥️✨
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 🌟
Thank you to Netgalley and the Victory Editing publishing for letting me have the opportunity to read this arc.
I thought the premise was insanely good, the king's character was well thought out as well as the cook's and Esmeralda's.
I liked the beginning and I liked the ending. The middle was the weakest part, it just felt a little repetitive and Loisa's personality felt wishy washy, it seemed everytime she took a step forward, she also took one back.
Maybe that part just wasn't for me since there was a lot of miscommunication going on. I admired the King for trying to figure out how to talk to her.
The ending was a good ending so overall I am happy with the outcome of the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Victory Editing publishing for letting me have the opportunity to read this arc.
I thought the premise was insanely good, the king's character was well thought out as well as the cook's and Esmeralda's.
I liked the beginning and I liked the ending. The middle was the weakest part, it just felt a little repetitive and Loisa's personality felt wishy washy, it seemed everytime she took a step forward, she also took one back.
Maybe that part just wasn't for me since there was a lot of miscommunication going on. I admired the King for trying to figure out how to talk to her.
The ending was a good ending so overall I am happy with the outcome of the book.
April 17, 2026
The Ghost King's Bride by Sera Saint is a hauntingly beautiful romantic fantasy novel filled with emotional tension that lingers after the final page. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between the FMC Liosa and MMC Aurin, even if at times I grew a bit frustated with the FMC. While this is not typically something I read, I did enjoy the chemistry between the main characters and how it ended. This book is perfect for readers that crave a slow-burn fantasy romance with tension that leaves you craving more!
I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2026
3.4 stars
I received a free ARC of this book via Book Sirens and this is a voluntary review.
After reading the blurb, I was definitely intrigued. The world building had my interest and kept me reading. The idea of the Rivens was fascinating. All the creatures that were side characters were interesting. I felt like the book had more potential than was presented. I needed more character development in the MCs.
The FMC Liosa irritated me for much of this book. I understand the idea that her character was based on her traumatic upbringing, but I felt like her development/growth took so long that it made her a bit unlikeable. I enjoyed the MMC Aurin better, but his character gave off more of a weak golden retriever than the King of the Deep. Overall, I think this series has good potential to be better.
The concept of a world under the earth is really interesting, so I am hoping book 2 dives deeper into fleshing out the MCs to make this series more magical.
I received a free ARC of this book via Book Sirens and this is a voluntary review.
After reading the blurb, I was definitely intrigued. The world building had my interest and kept me reading. The idea of the Rivens was fascinating. All the creatures that were side characters were interesting. I felt like the book had more potential than was presented. I needed more character development in the MCs.
The FMC Liosa irritated me for much of this book. I understand the idea that her character was based on her traumatic upbringing, but I felt like her development/growth took so long that it made her a bit unlikeable. I enjoyed the MMC Aurin better, but his character gave off more of a weak golden retriever than the King of the Deep. Overall, I think this series has good potential to be better.
The concept of a world under the earth is really interesting, so I am hoping book 2 dives deeper into fleshing out the MCs to make this series more magical.
April 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
This book’s premise drew me in, but the writing didn’t fully live up to my expectations, which is why I gave it a half-star rating. This is a very slow-burn, sweet, and subtle romance, with Liosa not truly liking Aurin until over halfway through the book. There was good world-building and plot elements, though a few holes could still be filled. Additionally, there was a lot of miscommunication, which isn’t my favorite in books, though it does get resolved in the end. Overall, a good book with a satisfying ending, so I think I will definitely check out the next one when it releases.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
This book’s premise drew me in, but the writing didn’t fully live up to my expectations, which is why I gave it a half-star rating. This is a very slow-burn, sweet, and subtle romance, with Liosa not truly liking Aurin until over halfway through the book. There was good world-building and plot elements, though a few holes could still be filled. Additionally, there was a lot of miscommunication, which isn’t my favorite in books, though it does get resolved in the end. Overall, a good book with a satisfying ending, so I think I will definitely check out the next one when it releases.
April 29, 2026
I had a great time with this story. The world feels vivid, the magic system is intriguing, and the dynamic between the leads kept me curious about where things would go next. The book moves fast, which I actually enjoyed—it made it easy to binge in one sitting. If you like fantasy romances with a mysterious love interest and a heroine who grows into her power, this is a fun pick.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.This is a slow-burn romance but it captures your heart. I implore readers to stick with it, and as you delve deeper into the story, you will find yourself smiling at Liosa's growth and strength. I cannot wait to read the next book.
April 21, 2026
The story kind of felt all over the place. The beginning didn't really build the right way for me to the point where I don't even know why there is conflict between the realms. If she was expected her whole life to be married off, why is she acting like he full on kidnapped her? Just a lot of confusing parts and not enough connection imo.
April 21, 2026
I think the start is so strong and pulled me in immediately! The worldbuilding and everything was well done, but I feel some of the character interactions could have gone better. Overall, this was a smooth read with a great premise!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I found this to be a sweet romantasy. I actually appreciated the romance with the no spice element. I had been reading a lot of spicier novels lately and it was refreshing to be able to root for the growth of the main characters' romantic relationship on a deeper level. At times, the pace felt a bit slow but I also think it was meant to allow for the development of the relationship. I enjoyed a different aspect of faeries than I had been accustomed to and enjoyed the world building of kingdoms Under the Mountain and the Upperlands being overseen by the Great One. I'm intrigued to see where this story goes next!
I found this to be a sweet romantasy. I actually appreciated the romance with the no spice element. I had been reading a lot of spicier novels lately and it was refreshing to be able to root for the growth of the main characters' romantic relationship on a deeper level. At times, the pace felt a bit slow but I also think it was meant to allow for the development of the relationship. I enjoyed a different aspect of faeries than I had been accustomed to and enjoyed the world building of kingdoms Under the Mountain and the Upperlands being overseen by the Great One. I'm intrigued to see where this story goes next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book took me back to my fairytale days, when I would read retelling after retelling. This book is great for fans of Elise Kova, Sylvia Mercedes, and Emma Hamm. Perfectly appropriate for younger audiences, and overall, a sweet, quick, and cozy read. There were some plot holes throughout the book, or just characters or ideas that were mentioned and left behind, but definitely worth the read!
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