Kingdom of the Owl

Threllwood

by Christine Drummond

She was never meant to cross worlds. He was never meant to betray his own.

For years, Addie Howell has dismissed the nightmares of a blue-eyed owl and a shadowed forest as nothing more than anxiety.

Until one night, the dreams pull her into Threllwood—a kingdom where ancient magic stands little chance against a devouring darkness, and a ruthless queen holds Addie's fate in her hands.

Her only hope of surviving is the Queen's commander.

Gwilym Noctura is feared throughout the realm for good reason. Deadly, fiercely loyal, and bound by unbreakable oaths, Will wants nothing to do with the mysterious mortal who has appeared in his world.

Until Addie unleashes a power no one expected.

Now hunted for the magic buried inside her, Addie has no choice but to trust the one man sworn to serve the queen determined to claim her. But as monsters gather, secrets unravel, and an undeniable attraction grows between them, Will is forced to choose between the duty he's sworn to uphold...and the woman who could change the fate of his world.

Because the greatest threat to the kingdom may not be the darkness closing in.

It may be the choices they're willing to make for each other.

Perfect for readers who love romantasy, enemies-to-lovers tension, morally gray heroes, hidden powers, magical kingdoms, forced proximity, fated mates, and slow-burn romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Slow Burn, Magic

450 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 6, 2027

About the author

Christine Drummond has been weaving tales of unlikely heroes since childhood. Her novels blend slow-burn chemistry, immersive settings, and emotional journeys with characters who always find courage, love, and belonging (alongside a healthy dose of wit).

When she’s not writing (or chatting about it), Christine can be found chasing after her two young daughters, hiking scenic trails with her husband, or cozying up with her latest read at home in New York.

Be sure to follow Christine on Instagram, TikTok and Threads at @christinedrummondwrites.

Reviews

[Gabriela]

3.5 ⭐️’s

As promised, the beginning of this story had me shivering with the suspense and promise of being transported into a magical world. But for some reason it was the portion that subsisted in the urban and arguably mundane world, that kept my interest the most.

Adira feels like my idea of a typical young New Yorker (sorry to generalize, I’ve never lived there). She’s fighting to climb the corporate ladder, proud to have a small place of her own, has a lovely group of friends, and she struggles with anxiety. Except her anxiety comes in the form of hallucinogenic dreams that are starting to encroach on her waking life, until one day she is pulled into an unknown world of magic and monsters.

That’s one way to be rid of first world problems, and I’m here for it. Although, I have to admit I was more emotionally drawn to the parts of the story that took place in New York rather than Threllwood, the magical kingdom. Maybe it’s because her problems felt more relatable and intense. Her life in NY is overshadowed by never quite feeling like she fits in, by giving so much of herself to her work and some of her relationships that she forgets to consider what she wants. Then it all blows up and she lands in a place where she might belong, but spends the whole time trying to return home.

And I understand this drive too. I think we are wired to want what’s comfortable, to be with those that we know and love, to live in a place where the dangers are known. And Threllwood is the opposite. There’s a deadly magic threatening to consume the people and land, an unfriendly queen who may choose to imprison her if she says the wrong thing, and all the comforts of going back in time by a couple of centuries (ie traveling on horseback for weeks without a bath).

While I enjoyed the adventure, I think I might have been a bit more enthralled earlier on in my romantasy journey. We’ve got the chosen one and one bed/one horse tropes, a mysterious magic system, and a monarch whose intentions are questionable. All solid ingredients for an arguably solid story. I just wanted a bit more tension and danger, that je ne sais quoi that really makes my heart skip. I would have liked to see Adira face more distress and danger in earning her power. More of a slow burn before the romance progressed to pure devotion. I might just be a masochist.

Overall, I would still recommend giving this a try. It’s a well written debut, and a decent romantasy. I think it will be most enjoyable for those who like their fantasy on the lighter side.

This will be released in April 2027. Normally I wait to write ARC reviews until closer to the pub date, but the author requested early reviews for the preorder campaign, which is open until mid September I believe.

Many thanks to the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
pre-read:

Me: I’m going to stop requesting ARCs for a while, dig into my TBR, and read something other than romantasy.

Also me: but look at this cover 😍 and a little bird (okay maybe it was instagram and not an actual owl) whispered into my ear about a story of a woman who is plucked from her urban life and whisked away into a land of magic. I mean, this has basically been my ambition ever since I read Chronicles of Narnia as a kid.

[Danielle Rodgers]

ARC Review:

Ingredients:
1 Haunted FMC
1 Parliament of Owls
1 Bad dream- that may not be a dream

Toss in a hot, blue eyed soldier and stir for a book that’s the perfect combination of thriller, romance and fantasy.

This book was such an amazing read, I absolutely could not put it down. Drummond created such an amazing setting with Threllwood, and I loved Adira and Gwilym so much. I’m already waiting with bated breath for the next book and this one hasn’t even released yet!

[FictionallyJess]

ARC REVIEW

Okay… I went into this one thinking I was getting a contemporary romance, and then suddenly there were shadows, mysterious hallucinations, owls, portals, Druids, and an entire fantasy realm and I was like… 🧐 EXCUSE ME?!

I absolutely loved the way this story unfolded. The mystery surrounding Addie had me questioning EVERYTHING. Her aunt? Suspicious. The shadows? Suspicious. The weird tea? VERY suspicious. I spent a good portion of this book convinced I had everything figured out… and then the author would pull the rug out from under me. 😂

And can we talk about Will? 👀 Because the tension between him and Addie was TENSIONING. The mysterious dark-haired, blue-eyed captain had me fully invested, and the slow-burn romance was one of my favorite parts of the story. There were so many moments where I was just sitting there like, JUST KISS ALREADY. 🤭

I also loved the friendships and found-family elements. Addie’s bond with her best friends felt so genuine and reminded me of my own friendships, while Will and his crew quickly became a group I wanted to spend more time with. And Neevh? LOVE HER. 🥰

The world-building was another highlight for me. Once Addie crosses into Threllwood, the story really comes alive. The Irish-inspired setting, the Druids, the magic, the mystery surrounding the Scourge, and the immersive fantasy world had me completely hooked. It gave me some serious Outlander vibes, but with its own magical twist.

And the author KNOWS how to keep you guessing. There were several reveals that had me going, I KNEW IT! followed immediately by WAIT… WHAT?! 😂 I loved that feeling of constantly trying to piece together what was really happening.

Also… one horse. 👀
One bed. 👀👀
The tension. 😮‍💨
You know exactly what I’m talking about.

This was such a fun read from beginning to end. I loved the characters, the mystery, the world, the romance, and all the little breadcrumbs that kept me theorizing. And that ending?! I NEED THE NEXT BOOK.

[Kristi V]

Wow. Where do I begin?! I absolutely freaking devoured this book. Started it immediately after receiving the arc last night and finished it this next morning.

The story?! The characters?! The adventure!? The world?? So many questions. Addie is an amazing FMC and Will?? Ughh the little moments they have through the story to where it finally paid off made everything perfect.

Threllwood feels like home to me. The world building was incredible! I felt like I was sitting at a campfire in the woods. Also because I want to be Addie 🤣. The lore and the reveals PLUS the questions that we still need answered. absolutely incredible. I loved this book and cannot believe I was this lucky to read it early. What an amazing start to a series that I cannot wait to see where it takes us! There is still so much we need to find out for our characters it’s going to be a journey I know I’ll love.

Cannot recommend enough. Will scream from rooftops for everyone to read this.

[Bekah]

Thank you to Christine for this ARC!

Look no further for your next romantasy read that will definitely help after your finish TOG and need to find a world that’s rich with lore and amazing characters.

We meet Addie who is plagued by nightmares of a world far beyond New York City. As the nightmares continue ahead ends up falling into the world she has been seeing. Addie is strong and so relatable the entire time. She doesn’t come off as an FMC who is entirely lost. I loved her. She comes to meet a handsome man who changes the course of everything.

Will, commander to the Queen, Addie meets him as she is lost and learns there are things only she is able to do. He is fiercely protective and loyal. I am excited to see what will come in the future books especially after the ending 👀😮 If you enjoy druids, one bed, one horse, interesting magic, outlander vibes then I highly recommend this one!

[MoonlitMeowBooks]

Guys!!!! This book!!! This was incredible! It has everything! Time travel, enemies to lovers, magic, secret identity, found family…just everything! This felt like a combination of Outlander, A Knight in Shining Armor, The Road of Bones with a little NeverEnding Story mixed in. I am completely blown away.

Kingdom of the Owl is a story about a young woman named Adria Howell (Addie) who has been working in a thankless job, trying to appease her judgmental Aunt, and ongoing therapy appointments to discuss her suffering lapses in reality. Struggling to juggle all her responsibilities and relationships, Addie has reached her limit when she starts seeing owls everywhere. Thoroughly convinced she is going crazy, with her reoccurring dreams of owls, smoke, and a blue eyed stranger, Addie begins to isolate herself more and more. All this reaches a peak when she wakes up finding herself in an open field, alone, dressed in clothes of another time.

I cannot stress how wonderful this story is. If you enjoy slow-burn romance, monsters, dark magic, portal travel, a hot but caring MMC, an FMC who builds her confidence, with a Druid/Gaelic inspired setting, this is your book! Do not wait, add this to your TBR now! It’s excellent!

Thank you to Christine Drummond for the ARC copy in return for my honest review. The experience was magical!

[Alexandra Vlaming]

Kingdom of the Owl is fantastic, that’s it, full stop. I have never seen myself in an FMC the way I do with Addie, I couldn’t put this story down, and can’t wait to see where it goes next.

Christine Drummond has written a really special story, where I could insert myself as a reader in a way that feels organic, and natural, and the world she has built is truly beautiful. The world building is excellent, she manages to craft a rich and layered world, and the magic systems seamlessly fit this world, the sum is definitely more than its parts. Threllwood sounds like a place where I would love to spend time, I’m not sure I could dream anything better.

The surrounding characters are all written equally well, Will is a dream of an MMC, and we have the most important piece here too, female friends, Addie’s friendships are a testament to the beauty of female friendship, and I love them.

I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten an early look at this beauty, huge thank you to the author and City Owl Press / Gilded Wing Books for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie]

4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

I really enjoyed this debut romantasy! It was a strong start to the series, filled with beautiful world-building, portal magic, druids, hidden powers, secrets, and just the right amount of mystery to keep me hooked.

Living in New York City, Addie has spent years being plagued by vivid dreams of another world filled with owls and magic. When she suddenly wakes up in the very world she's been dreaming about, she finds herself completely out of her element. Will, a commander to the Queen, takes her under his wing and helps her navigate this world while searching for a way to send her home. But the more Addie learns, the more she realizes she isn't a stranger to this world after all—and that she might be the key to saving it from an evil magic threatening to destroy everything.

I loved discovering this world alongside Addie. I really enjoyed the magic system and can't wait to learn even more as the series continues. Will is strong, loyal, and fiercely protective of Addie. I also loved watching Addie grow into herself. She becomes stronger with every challenge she faces, making her incredibly easy to root for. I loved the chemistry and yearning between them.

I'm looking forward to the next book to see how Addie's journey unfolds, uncover more of her past, and explore this magical world even further.

‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Book 1 / Romantasy
➳❥ Commander/Prisoner
➳❥ Druids
➳❥ Portal Magic
➳❥ Forced Proximity
➳❥ Slow Burn
➳❥ One Bed/Tent

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼

“I might be lost... but that's the beauty of books. They always help you find your way.”

“At first, I told myself it was your gift, your light. My first true hope for saving the realm in months. But that was a lie. The real truth, the one I cannot escape, is that like water or air or magic in my veins, I cannot live without you. And I no longer wish to try.”

“You found me”
“Always. I’ll always find you.”
“You swear it?”
“Even across worlds. I swear it.”

[Anita]

ARC review of Kingdom Of The Owl by Christine Drummond:

“I am glad I got to go to Threllwood,” I say, though glad isn’t nearly a strong enough word. “Even if it was terrifying, even if I had no idea what was happening half the time, I-I found myself there. Someone I didn’t know I could be.”

Addie lives her life in NY, pleasing everyone but herself. She tries to maintain standards others set. Never finding the things that make her happy. She is plagued with nightmares and hallucinations of owls, black serpents reaching for her. One day, she wakes up in a clearing in a different world. Believing at first she's dreaming, she comes to realize this is not a dream. Quickly she runs, finding aid at an inn. Until soldiers arrive. They take her to the queen, where along the way she learns more about the land and the Scourge destroying it. She finds out that they are a land of druids, Threllwood is its name. A soldier, Will, helps her navigate the new world. She learns quickly, finding answers to so many questions, but still having more. Could this new land be home in a way NY always lacked? Could Will be more than an ally in this new world? Could magic within her be all she's been searching for?

"It’s too ethereal to be real. Too vivid to possibly be a dream."

That's how I feel about this whole book. The writing, the imagery, the lyrical beauty that's created in all your senses as you fly through the pages, devouring them as they coat every fiber of your being. Then there is Addie and Will. Their banter, their looks, their fire are electric. You can feel the heat in their eyes every time they're together. As if the world is peripheral and there's nothing more than the two of them. And the things this man says... oh my heart!

“For what it’s worth,” he says, “I think you’re brave to seek the truth at all costs.” I snort. “It’s not brave. They’re suffering, worrying, while I remain here. It’s selfish.” “You’re wrong.” In a blink, his long fingers close around my wrist, sending a shockwave up my arm. “Figuring out who you are…there’s nothing more important9
Bravery is a key theme throughout. To face the unknown, to find the answers that help us learn more of ourselves. Finding she can do much more than she thinks she can, Addie learns to trust herself. The things she longed for in her NY life, she finds she's capable of, and so much more.

“I might be lost…but that’s the beauty of books. They always help you find your way.”

Kingdom Of The Owl is no exception. There is a mystery, a joy, found in every book we read. Through them, we learn lessons, chase dreams, imagine the impossible. This book is beyond phenomenal! The writing, the unique story, the characters... I am enraptured! 5☆ one of my fave books I've read this year!

I want to thank the author and publisher for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it.

[Michele Rodriquez]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (more like a 3.75 rounded up)

This one started strong, kept me guessing, and was an overall fun read. There were definitely moments where it felt familiar, almost like I’d read versions of this story before. Not necessarily a bad thing, but if you read a lot of fantasy like I do, you might feel the same.

One thing I really enjoyed was how the world and magic system unfolded alongside the FMC as she learned and pieced everything together. I felt just as lost as she was at times, and getting to discover everything with her made the journey even more immersive.

I will say the ending fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t bad, but after nearly 500 pages, I was expecting something that packed a bit more of a punch.

Overall, this was a fun fantasy read, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Liz’s Booknook]

Review of advanced copy received from Author. My opinions are my own.
Thank you, Christine Drummond, for allowing me to read your book.
Adira wakes up in a realm that is not her own - in her search to get home, she makes unlikely allies, learns more than she bargained for, and feels pulled by her head AND her heart in every direction.

I was apprehensive when starting this book because the hype is UP THERE. But I’m happy to say the hype is on point. This book checked many of the boxes of things I love to find in a book, but it never felt forced or inauthentic. The magic system, the world building, and the plot as a whole is unique and left me ABSOLUTELY in need of book two!
1.5🌶️

If you love
🧚🏼ACOTAR
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Outlander
🖤Enemies to lovers
👥Forced proximity
1️⃣One bed, one horse, one tent

[Ashley(burntedgesandbooks)]

How do you write about a book that makes you feel like you are living in it? I don't even know where to start. BUT this book was everything!
The way this book was written, the imagery, the words everything felt like you were living in this world along side of the characters. Living within the book!
The pace of the book was great! It flowed well from one moment to the next, nothing seeming to pause or take its time. The world building was wonderful! building as you went along but also leaving bread crumbs throughout the book! I love what pieces of history/folklore ending up in this book and absolutely love that take one it! (if you know, you know)
I really enjoyed Addie's character. I know that a lot of us would identify with her on so many levels. I love reading this book from her point of view.
Will, the MMC was so well written. I love his personality, how mysterious he was and then how he evolved after that. Both of their interactions with each other were perfect for their characters.
There is also so much more I want to know!
This book was so well written it brought you in the book and made you stay!
I cannot wait for the next book, hopefully its soon!


Thank you Christine Drummond and team for allowing me to read this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[AnnieTheBookDragon]

If you are looking for a Romantasy book that pulls you into the world and the characters and has chokehold on you that you happily give into, then you need to immediately get a copy of this book.

I have never been so enraptured by a story/series in my life. I have never felt so pulled into the story, the worlds, so involved with the characters. This was described as a mix of ACOTAR and Outlander crossover, but with druids! And I would absolutely agree with that, except I believe the author took the best of all worlds and created “Kingdom of the Owl”.

The author has a way of drawing you in with her metaphors and lyrical writing and makes you feel like you are immersed in the story yourself.

Addie and Will’s story begins in Threllwood (or is it Manhattan?!). You become so attached to these characters and you feel their emotions. As an individual with anxiety, I strongly related to Addie’s struggles and felt like I was sitting there with her during those moments.

The beauty of the writing and the emotions throughout had me in tears, during happy moments, sad ones, and bittersweet. There is also some amazing banter that had me laughing to tears!

For years, I have struggled with answering the question, “What is your favorite book?” I will no longer struggle with this question. I would give this book a 10 star rating if I could. The only struggle I will have is waiting for Book 2.

Christine Drummond, you were born to write this. Thank you for sharing this incredible world with us.

[Sierra]

Review of arc copy sent by the author.
That being said….

♾️/⭐️

Kingdom of the Owl blew me away friendsss! This is such a special book.

I devoured these pages in two days… TWO DAYS!!!!! There’s soooo much to say! We’ve got top tier world building that is so incredibly immersive, it felt like I was literally there too! (Please, I want to be in Threllwood too) There’s a story and plot that utterly captivates you along with a unique magic system/history.

There’s adventure, quite the adventure our FMC Addie takes. She is one of the best FMC’s I’ve read: she’s all heart, sass, so so smart! I’m so glad she found herself as the story develops! You can’t help but see yourself (in some capacity) in her! And our MMC, Will!? He feels like you’ve known him your whole life!?!? Their chemistry, their yearning and tension!?!? Yes please. He’s her perfect match in every sense.

I honestly cannot wait to read more of this series! I need it expeditiously!!!!!

Thank you thank youuuuu Christine and City Owl Press for sending this book my way. ♥️

[Mel Rose (Savvy Rose Reads)]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Addie Howell has been plagued by visions and dreams of owls and forests for years, until the day she wakes up in a strange clearing…and a strange world.

I am so excited to be on the Street Team for Christine Drummond because this is a debut that I know EVERYONE is going to be talking about before too long! This book was so much fun and held my attention the entire time with a plot that is original enough to be fun while still leaning in to all the fun familiar tropes. If you love ACOTAR, Outlander, or really any kind of romantasy involving finding yourself unexpectedly in a magical world, you’ll love this one!

For me, the biggest standout here was the characters. I loved Addie and rooted for her so hard as she dealt with some really complicated and difficult situations. I also thought Will was the perfect blend of swoony, mysterious, and sweet, and when he [redacted for spoilers] I absolutely LOST IT. All the secondary characters were also delightful and I can’t wait to see their parts grow as the series continues!

Highly recommend to all the fantasy/romantasy fans!

CW: blood/injury; panic attacks/hallucinations; death/death of parent

[Kelsea Wolf]

This book was phenomenal! I read it in less than 24 hours - I could not put it down. Give it all the stars. I will be screaming about this one from the rooftops!

Our FMC Addie (Adira) is a woman living in NYC with a stressful job and a super complicated relationship with the aunt who raised her. She’s been having crazy vivid dreams for years and starts hallucinating and thinks she’s finally cracking from all the pressure. Until she wakes up in a strange forest and ends up taken prisoner by a captain of the guard of this mysterious realm.

It’s marketed as ACOTAR meets Outlander and it completely delivers. I loved the world building and it being based off of druids and elemental magic / portal fantasy. Very cool.

I wouldn’t say that any of the twists caught me completely off guard but it was a great story with a good mix of plot and romance. I love Will so much. I also loved the way this story ended - I cannot wait to see where the story goes in book two (but the cliffhanger isn’t so painful that I’ll be suffering)

A huge thank you to Christine Drummond for the gifted eARC!

[Alli Carlson]

This one started so strong, hit a bit of a sleepy middle, and then absolutely redeemed itself with a fantastic final act.

The worldbuilding is immersive, the magic system is unique, and I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries surrounding Threllwood. There were a few sections in the middle where the pacing slowed while the lore took center stage, but once the story shifted back into action, I couldn’t put it down.

Will really grew on me throughout the book, and while the romance leans heavily on chemistry at first, I appreciated that it eventually earned some emotional depth. The ending answered enough questions to feel satisfying while introducing new ones that immediately made me want book two.

If you enjoy portal fantasy, hidden magic, ancient forests, political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a heroine discovering she’s far more powerful than she ever imagined, I think this one is worth picking up.

I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

[PleaseGoAwayImReading]

This was a fabulous story! I loved pretty much everything about this…except for the ending. Make no mistake, it was not a bad ending, I’m just greedy and wanted to see a little more between Will and Addie— a plan, maybe a confession that they are mates (I don’t know if they are, just a feeling I got from one particular piece of dialogue), or even just some spicy time together. I was also hoping to see Addie and Dev get some answers from Lydia now that Dev has certain information.

Aside from the above, the world building is fantastic, and what starts off a little slowly does find a steady pace once Addie finds herself in Threllwood. I loved the magic, the banter, and the yummy tension between Addie and Will. The story just drew me in and it was magnificent to experience Addie’s journey. I know the book doesn’t officially come out for several more months, but I am very much looking forward to book 2!

[bookswithcorey]

Kingdom of the Owl by Christine Drummond was everything I hoped it would be! 🦉✨

Portal magic? ✔️
Otherworldly realms? ✔️
Mental health rep? ✔️
A mysterious MMC with approximately 7 trillion secrets? ✔️✔️✔️
A sassy FMC? Absolutely.
One inn + one bed? 👀 iykyk.

I’ll admit, at first I was a little confused by how much time we spent in Addie’s current life at the beginning of the book. But OH. It all made sense once the twists and turns started coming, and I ended up really appreciating that setup.

And listen… everyone has that one guy they wish they’d never dated. Apparently, so does our girl Addie. 😂

Then we get a wicked Queen, bad magic taking over the land, a quest, mysterious familial ties across the kingdoms of Threllwood, and side characters I got to know just enough to become invested in them. I’m convinced we’ll be learning SO much more about them in future books.

Which brings me to my biggest problem:

I HAVE QUESTIONS.
So. Many. Questions.

Christine joked that Will has about 7 trillion secrets, and honestly? I think that’s a gross underestimation. 😂

This story was such an adventure, and by the end, I was basically just sitting here like SIGH. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK.

So do yourself a favor and pick this one up! 🦉💫 You’ll need to snag it through the Kickstarter if you want one of the gorgeous special editions, or wait a few months for the general release, but I promise, it’ll be worth the wait.

Thank you to Christine Drummond and Owl City Press for the ARC! I had an absolute blast getting lost in Threllwood. 💙

Kingdom of the Owl is definitely one to add to your TBR if you love portal fantasy, mysterious men, magical realms, quests, and a healthy dose of what the hell is actually going on here?! 😂

[madison]

5/5⭐️ | 3/5🌶️

I absolutely loved this book!!! It was so hooking and such a good read. I loved the world building, storyline, and characters. Addie and Will were great main characters, I liked them both throughout the book and their individual character development. They were so cute together too! Their chemistry and everything was *chefs kiss*

This story was not really like anything i’ve ever read before and I loved that. It was unique with the storyline in general and also it being set in New York as well as Threllwood. I loved how it was written!

Everything about this book felt magical and is definitely a must read for anyone looking for a great romantasy book! Highly recommend!

Thank you so much to Christine Drummond for the arc in exchange for a free and honest review!!

[Jessica Reece]

The wait for this ARC was so worth it, so so so good! So unique in the storyline of world jumping from a modern day New York City. The world building and descriptions was perfect so that you can actually imagine being in both worlds. The characters, all not just main are such an integral part of the story. Christine definitely made my eyes pop multiple times and I highly recommend this on your TBR!

[Angela bookish_mamabear on IG]

This was such a magical journey!! I’m completely wrung out and desperate for more Threllwood. I don’t typically read Fantasy or Romantasy and I loved this!! The portals between worlds and secrets made me devour this. Addie, the FMC, is on a course of self-discovery and there’s a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance that was exquisite. Highly recommend this one!!
Thanks to Christine Drummond and City Owl Publishing for the ARC.

[Kelsey Hagenbucher]

Adira is a girl who lives in NYC (city that never sleeps ) literally ! Adira has these vivid dreams that are so real of a different realm. One night she goes to sleep and wakes up in thellwood . Adira meets Will on her journey and they try to figure out why she landed in thellwood . Christine Drummond takes you on a journey with this fantasy / romance that goes in between human world and thellwood . This was my first fantasy book and it didn’t disappoint ! Can’t wait to read the next one .

[Haylee | Nocturne_Vixen]

This is what happens when haunting dreams, ancient magic, and slow-burn romance collide. Kingdom of the Owl pulled me into its world from page one and refused to let go. Moody, immersive, and packed with mystery, it’s the kind of romantasy that leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve closed the book. Christine Drummond has definitely earned a spot on my auto-buy list.

[Tea_with_a_book]

This book is an adventure! Swoony MMC, a world I can’t wait to explore more of, Irish mythology inspired, and an FMC on the road to discovering every layer of herself.

We have a villain, secrets, family mystery, so much! I can’t wait for the next one!

[Stress Reader]

🦉🩵 Kingdom of the Owl ARC Review 🩵🦉


⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.3 rounded down)

🌶️ 


Available April 6, 2027


Kickstarter for the Gilded Wing edition of this book (and the rest in the series) opens August 18, 2026 and will be open for 1 month. 


Thank you @ christinedrummond @ cityowl for the opportunity to read this gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given. 


📘 What if the nightmares and hallucinations 

you’ve been trying to escape aren’t just in your head, but a doorway to another world?


Kingdom of the Owl takes that tantalizing question and spins it into a captivating romantasy filled with magic, danger, mysterious visions, and a world that feels increasingly impossible to dismiss. With a heroine suddenly caught between the life she knows and a fantastical realm she never knew existed, this story delivers the kind of escapist adventure that makes you want to keep turning pages just to discover what waits beyond the next dream.


Kingdom of the Owl has an immediately appealing premise: a career-driven New Yorker whose increasingly vivid sleep hallucinations turn out to be a gateway to a genuinely magical world. From there, Christine Drummond blends romantasy, portal fantasy, Druidic magic, dangerous creatures, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance into a story that seems designed to scratch the itch of readers who want their fantasy to feel both escapist and emotionally romantic. 


Kingdom of the Owl is a compelling choice for readers who want their fantasy to come with a healthy dose of romance, mystery, and otherworldly intrigue. Its dreamlike premise, magical dangers, and simmering romantic tension create an entertaining blend of wonder and peril, while the question of whether Addie can trust what she’s experiencing keeps the story moving forward. If you’re drawn to romantasy that combines a modern heroine, an unfamiliar magical world, and a romance wrapped in plenty of mystery, Kingdom of the Owl is one to add to your TBR.



📓 Synopsis 


It follows Addie Howell, a career-driven New Yorker. When her eerie nightmares and terrifying hypnagogic hallucinations suddenly become real, she finds herself trapped in a magical realm on the brink of destruction. With a ruthless Druid commander, a mysterious power awakening inside her, and a deadly Scourge closing in, Addie must decide whether the world she thought was a nightmare might actually be where she belongs.


🫵🏼 Kingdom of the Owl is perfect for readers who enjoy:


🌙 Romantasy with a strong fantasy plot

🖤 Slow-burn romance + undeniable chemistry

🪄 Druids, magic, ancient lore, and mystical realms

🗡️ Dangerous kingdoms and looming magical threats

👑 Morally complicated rulers/commanders

🐺 Protective love interests

🛏️ Forced-proximity adventure 

🌎 A modern protagonist transported into a fantasy world

😴 Dreams/nightmares that may be more significant than they seem

💫 Readers who enjoy Outlander, Spark of the Everflame, and/or ACOTAR.


(💫 The author compares it to ACOTAR X Outlander, but for me I think Spark of the Everflame (with older characters) x Outlander. 



⚠️ *Trigger warnings: **Swearing, violence, character death, on-page consensual intimacy, kidnapping, mental health struggles, nightmares, and hallucinations



📘 What makes Kingdom of the Owl stand out isn't necessarily that every individual ingredient is brand new. It's the combination and ways they're incorporated that makes it fresh and interesting. The story takes a modern NYC woman experiencing unsettling nightmares and terrifying hallucinations and uses them as the gateway into a Druidic fantasy world threatened by a devastating supernatural force. Then it adds a mysterious past, hidden powers, political danger, and a slow-burn romance with the Queen's intimidating commander and gives us a thrilling read. 


My understanding is the Threllwood series will be five books, with each being written by a different author. I love that each book in the series is written by a different author, yet they all interconnected into one series. Each book will have its own Gilded Wing edition, available via Kickstarter starting on August 18, 2026. See Christine Drummond's IG bio for link. 



My biggest takeaway: Kingdom of the Owl is best suited to readers who want romantasy with substantial fantasy, an atmospheric "is this dream actually real?" mystery, a capable heroine, and a protective slow-burn love interest. Even with the midpoint slow down, it's absolutely worth your time to read. 



📓 Plot 4/5

The plot's greatest strength is its hook. The idea that what Addie believes are hypnagogic hallucinations might actually be glimpses into another world gives the story a strong mystery from the outset. Rather than simply having a protagonist stumble through a magical wardrobe or portal, Drummond builds the portal directly into Addie's psychological experience, which gives the premise a more personal quality. I found this incredibly interesting and unique to this world (unique based on books I've personally read). 


Once Addie reaches the other world, the story expands into a more traditional romantasy adventure: magical Druids, a dangerous and deadly Scourge, a powerful Queen, hidden abilities, political danger, and an increasingly important connection between Addie and Will. The stakes consequently move from "Am I imagining this?" to "Can I survive this?" and ultimately to much larger questions about Addie's place in this world. It also brings up questions related being blinded by your own fears, as well as how well large groups of people uniting against a common enemy. 


The plot also balances romance and fantasy rather than allowing the romance to completely swallow the fantasy storyline. For readers like me who like romance-forward fantasy but still want an actual adventure happening around the couple, this is a big W. It has well executed twists, turns, and reveals that feel meaningful. 


There's a reveal around, or maybe shortly before, the halfway point that I should've picked up on, but didn't. Like the breadcrumbs were all there, I just read them wrong. I wrote them off as one thing, nothing worth paying attention to. Imagine my surprise when it turned out they actually foreshadowed something big that was to come. I'm actually kind of annoyed at myself for not picking up on it lol. 


💫 There's a situation about half way that had me concerned about the direction it was headed. Low and behold, it was so far from a non-issue that I literally breathed an genuine sigh of relief when it was resolved in short order (and then chuckled at myself for said big sigh 😆).


➕ Loved

• The unique dream/hallucination premise.

• Druids rather than fae - makes it fresh and a stand out aspect.

• Epic scope and layered lore. 

• A strong sense of adventure.

• The combination of romance and a larger fantasy conflict.

• Enough unanswered questions to make you curious about what happens next.

• Well executed, meaningful twists, turns, and reveals. 

• Thoughtful, meaningful mental health (anxiety) rep. 

• I loved learning the world and magic alongside Addie. 

• I genuinely cannot wait to get more info on a certain family member (backstory, for one), and see how another family member handles what's revealed to them at the end. 

• That ending!


➖ Didn't Love

• I had some dissonance due to Addie being so stressed and anxious in NYC that seemed to resolve quickly after arriving in Threllwood. I expected her to struggle with her anxiety more, particularly when she first arrived, because while the stressors are different, she's still dealing with huge stressors. 

• Some parts feel the tiniest bit familiar - it's like a variation of a theme, or a slight deviation from something almost familiar (if that makes any sense 😆). Those parts aren't quite familiar, but not entirely unfamiliar. 

• The middle slow down took away some of the impact from the ending. 



📖 Themes & Deeper Meaning 5/5

One of the most interesting thematic elements is the tension between the life you have constructed and the life you actually want.

Addie begins as a career-driven woman living a very recognizable modern life, but the supernatural experiences disrupting that life force her to question whether the reality she has carefully built is actually where she belongs. The fantasy world consequently functions as more than an adventure setting, it becomes a way of exploring identity, belonging, destiny, courage, and self-discovery.


The story also lends itself naturally to themes surrounding trust. Addie has to determine what is real, whom she can believe, and whether people who initially appear threatening may actually be more trustworthy than those who claim authority over her.


There's also an intriguing metaphor in the hallucinations themselves: sometimes the things we desperately want to dismiss or suppress may be revealing something important about ourselves.


➕ Loved 

• The emphasis on belonging, courage, love, and discovering one's place.

• Addie's journey toward understanding herself.

• The contrast between her ordinary life and extraordinary destiny.

• Emotional stakes alongside the physical fantasy danger.



✍🏼 Prose & Dialogue 5/5

Drummond's prose is accessible and immersive rather than purple. We get rich descriptions of creatively imagined places, action scenes that are easy to follow, and emotionally complex characters, with bits of wit sprinkled throughout. For me, that combination works particularly well because it makes for smooth transitions between action, worldbuilding, emotional scenes, and romantic tension without getting bogged down in excessively dense prose.


The book's dream/hallucination premise also gives Drummond opportunities for atmospheric imagery. The contrast between New York and the magical realm creates two very different sensory environments, and the supernatural elements lean into a slightly eerie, dreamlike quality.


Dialogue is, at times, one of the more playful aspects of the book. The wit and bits of humor we get bring much needed levity right when they're needed. Wit and humor also add a layer to the personalities of the characters. It's occasional humor timed and placed well to keep the story from being relentlessly serious. Basically, the wit and humor are seasonings in this seven course romantasy meal, rather than the main course itself. 


➕ Loved

• Accessible, immersive writing.

• A balance between fantasy description and forward momentum.

• Wit and character-driven interactions.

• Romantic chemistry that comes through the interactions rather than existing solely as narration.

• Wit helps distinguish character interactions.

Humor provides relief from darker moments.

It contributes to the romantic chemistry.

• Some romantasy conventions are intentionally embraced (rather than subverted)



⏳ Pacing 3/5

The premise gives the story a natural pacing advantage: the reader immediately wants to know whether Addie's visions are real.


Once she enters the fantasy world, the story has several mechanisms for maintaining momentum—the Scourge, the Queen, Addie's developing powers, the mystery surrounding her past, and her relationship with Will. The plot, therefore, has both external and internal reasons to keep moving.


The pace is really the only thing I didn't love, as the middle slowed down more than I would've preferred. It was interesting and needed info, like lore, but I was impatient for more forward momentum. The other things that I didn't love, for the most part, I might not have noticed or cared, if the middle hadn't slowed down. 


➕ Loved

• A compelling central mystery.

• Multiple sources of tension, internal and external.

• Slow-burn romantic development (it's a slow, slow burn, which fits my preference). 

• Fantasy stakes that keep the plot from becoming romance-only.


➖ Didn't Love 

• The middle was a good bit slower than I'd prefer. 



🗺️ Worldbuilding 4/5

This is one of the areas where Kingdom of the Owl really stood out to me. The magical world isn't simply a generic fantasy backdrop. It contains Druids, magical abilities, the Owl Kingdom, a Scourge, a Druid Queen, different locations such as Threllwood, and its own political structure, layered mythology, and rich in lore. 


The strongest aspect is that Addie discovers the world alongside the reader. Because she comes from modern New York, she doesn't already understand its customs, politics, magic, or dangers. That makes exposition easier to integrate naturally, which I appreciate. It's an intricately built, layered world, that's well described and explained. 


The fantasy component was a major strength for me because the story isn't simply "romance with a fantasy aesthetic." There is an actual external threat—the Scourge—along with a magical society of Druids, political authority, dangerous creatures/forces, hidden powers, and a larger mystery surrounding Addie's connection to the Druid world.


If you want a romantasy book where the fantasy aspect actually matters - give Kingdom of the Owl a read. 


➕ Worldbuilding 

• Rich, layered lore and mystery.

• Learning the world alongside Addie. 

• Druids and magical traditions.

• A fantasy realm that feels distinct from Addie's modern world (Druid realm vs New York City).

• The mystery surrounding Addie's connection to the realm.

• The sense that there is considerably more history beneath the surface.

• Stakes that feel high and a danger that feels dangerous. 

• Fantasy adventure 

• A genuine external conflict beyond the romance. 


➖ Didn't Love 

• I would've loved if developing, deepening, and enriching the world midbook didn't slow down the pace as much. 



🧝🏼‍♀️ Magic System 5/5

The magic is one of the more intriguing pieces because Addie's own abilities are tied directly to the central conflict.

The world contains Druidic magic, while Addie possesses a latent power that she doesn't initially understand. Her ability to repel the Scourge immediately makes her important to the larger conflict, which gives the magic personal as well as plot significance. 

I particularly like that the magic isn't simply "here are some cool powers." It appears to be connected to Addie's identity, her mysterious past, and her place within the magical world.

The main limitation, at least from what can currently be established without inventing details, is that there isn't enough publicly available information to definitively characterize the system as a highly rigid hard-magic system. It appears to lean more toward fantasy-romance magic with lore and rules that are gradually revealed.


➕ Loved

• Druidic magic.

• Addie's unusual abilities.

• Magic directly affecting the central conflict.

• Mystery surrounding how Addie's powers work.

• Learning the magic and lore alongside Addie.

• The sense that the magic has a deeper history.



👥 Characters 4/5

We get a cast of well developed characters, as well as diversity and inclusion. Addie is arguably the book's biggest strength. She isn't portrayed as a helpless modern woman dumped into a fantasy world, rather as a strong, resilient woman who's really going through it. Which makes her feel relatable and grounded. 


Portal fantasy can easily fall into the 'ordinary woman becomes special because everyone tells her she is' trap. Drummond skillfully avoids that in Kingdom of the Owl. Addie's career-driven personality gives her an identity before the fantasy begins, meaning her character development can involve more than simply becoming powerful. Her journey revolves around learning to trust herself, confronting her past, discovering and growing her abilities, and deciding what—and whom—she is willing to fight for.


Will also has meaningful characterization, rather than functioning solely as the obligatory handsome fantasy love interest. His position as the Queen's commander creates an immediate conflict between his duty and his relationship with Addie. 


➕ Loved

• Addie feels capable rather than helpless.

• She's relatable despite the extraordinary circumstances.

• Her personal journey is intertwined with the fantasy plot.

• Will is fiercely protective and loyal.

• The relationship between the two develops alongside the larger story


➖ Didn't Love 

• Addie's arrival in Threllwood almost seemed to temporarily cure her stress and anxiety. I would've loved if either there had been an explanation/discussion. 



💞 Romance 4.5/5

This is definitely one of the book's major selling points, I think. The romance between Addie and Will is truly slow-burn and their connection felt undeniable. If you don't enjoy a slow, slow burn, you may be frustrated by that aspect — but I love a slow, slow burn. 


Will has the classic romantasy ingredients: dangerous, powerful, initially intimidating, loyal, and protective. While those are fairly common in romantasy MMCs, the ways they're implemented is what differentiates this from other books. And he's a Druid, so that alone separates it from the pack. The romance gains additional tension from his position as the Queen's commander and Addie's uncertain status within the magical world. 


Most importantly for me, the romance develops while the fantasy plot is moving, rather than requiring the external conflict to disappear whenever Addie and Will are together.


Initially I had some concerns about the romance because in the beginning it leaned on their natural chemistry a good bit. Don't let that concern you, it goes on to develop emotional depth as the book goes on. It's basically like when you meet a new potential partner and don't really know them, but the chemistry is undeniable. Then, as you get to know them, the connection and emotional depth develop (which grounds their romance in reality). That being said, their relationship felt a bit too hot and cold for me to fully buy into and love it. I enjoyed it, but didn't quite love it. There may be more unveiled about this in subsequent books, but for now I'm like 90% some on their romance. 


➕ Loved 

• Slow, slow burn.

• Protective hero.

• Strong chemistry.

• Forced proximity.

• Romance intertwined with the fantasy conflict.

• Will's loyalty and protectiveness.

• Addie's strength and resilience. 


➖ Didn't Love 

• I wouldn't call them true enemies to lovers, personally. In that vein, for sure. They aren't some type of enemies for long, either. 

• Their romance felt a bit too unnecessarily hot and cold (or maybe I just didn't catch or fully grasp the reasons). 



📚 Read if you enjoyed these 


BIPOC Comps
The Hurricane Wars [Thea Guanzon],
The Fall Before Flight [Kristine Castillo Negron],
The Ore Monger [Zaid Hasan],
Six Crimson Cranes [Elizabeth Lim],
The Phoenix King [Aparna Verma],
The City of Brass [SA Chakraborty],


Queer Comps
The Jasmine Throne [Tasha Suri],
A Taste of Gold and Iron [Alexandra Rowland],
The Priory of the Orange Tree [Samantha Shannon],
Faebound [Saara El-Arifi],
The Last Herald-Mage [Mercedes Lackey],


Indie/Small Press Comps 
A Fate of Wrath and Flame [KA Tucker], 
A Curse of Breath and Blood [KW Foster],
The Coven [Harper L Woods],
Blood and Steel [Helen Scherer], 


Trad Pub Comps 
Spark of the Everflame [Penn Cole],
Outlander [Diana Gabaldon],
Daughter of No Worlds [Carissa Broadbent],
A River Enchanted [Rebecca Ross],


Off-Genre Comps 
The Silent Patient [Alex Michaelides],
The September House [Carissa Orlando],
Every Summer After [Carley Fortune],
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo [Taylor Jenkins Reid],
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet [Becky Chambers]

[Ashley]

I adored Outlander so much and I have been trying to find a book that gives me the same vibes. This one absolutely delivered!

I really enjoyed the world. The FMC has been having these strange dreams but then it seems like she's hallucinating them in her daily life. After terrible news she believes she's in her dream however she comes to realize she's in fact not in her dream. Here you meet the MC who is charismatic and roguish. The magic in this book was great and loved that this magical realm is about Druids. You see the character grow and uncover secrets. Plus the ending??

Can't wait for the next book! Thank you to the nerd fam and author for the gifted book!

[kellyann ☾]

thank you to christine drummond for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 🧡

this was such a fun read! the world building was done so well, it was enjoyable rather then confusing (as some are). i truly felt like i was a part of the book, looking at the beautiful world of threllwood with my own eyes.

i loved the mental health rep (addie with anxiety) because that truly is so relatable. addie’s character growth was so fun to read & of course the twist at the end was sooo good i can’t wait for book two.

[Janessa Shepard]

Kingdom of the Owl follows Adira (Addie), a woman living in New York City, as she slips into a different realm. She soon discovers the realm is far from a dream as she's captured and ferried deeper into its mysteries. But this beautiful realm is in danger, and she's discovering more about the world, and herself, than she signed up for.

This is an outstanding story! The voice is enchanting throughout, leading the reader into a gorgeous world filled with danger and magic. Adira is an amazing main character—she starts as a typical woman but grits her teeth and becomes stronger as the story unfolds. She forms close bonds with those around her, all of which feel so incredibly real. I wouldn't say this is enemies to lovers, but it is captor to lover, which works really well for the main romance. I love the growth, both personal and interpersonal, that is showcased throughout this narrative. The action is also stellar, with many jaw-dropping moments that had my adrenaline spiking. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a high stakes, character focused fantasy!

The rest of my review is notes I took while reading. WARNING! These notes do contain spoilers. Please proceed with caution.

The transition from New York to Fantasy world is so flawless. The hallucinations in the first chapter are so vivid—I could see the city turning to forest. I love how that's written, especially when the forest is abruptly torn away. It reminds me of the scene in Detroit: Become Human where Marcus gets his hearing back. This continues, with visions creeping in and becoming more prominent in Addie's life while the rest of the world goes on. I love that she can't trust herself—she isn't an unreliable narrator but she seems to think she is. I really like watching her try to figure out what is going on and struggle with how her mind is slipping away from her. I love that we see so much of her typical life. We're not just thrown into a new world with her—we see he world first. It lets us build a relationship with Addie and anticipate when the shoe will drop.

The descriptions in this are gorgeous. They aren't over the top but are so in depth that the reader feels like they're seeing exactly what Addie is.

I really like that Will isn't a complete asshole. I feel like sometimes MMCs can be a bit over the top in their initial hatred for the FMC but Will feels like a normal guy. Sure, he doesn't know what to think of her yet, but he has no reason to outright hate her when they first meet and he seems civil enough, which helps their relationship feel more natural.

Along with the pacing of their relationship, the pacing of the plot is near perfect. We get to know Addie really well so we can root for her. Then we're thrown into a new world and discover it with her. Here we meet new characters and the conflict (apart from being transported to a different world) starts to rear its head. We build some connections before meeting the first really antagonistic character, the queen, and learning enough to open our eyes to the world and start asking some serious questions. It just all works so well to keep the reader invested without overwhelming them.

Okay Will is hot. No other notes.

I love how Addie discovers that she's not a human. She has a very appropriate reaction to the news and her conversation with Will after feels very organic. While the situation is obviously not at all realistic, everything else is very much so. It's so easy to get lost in this world because the characters feel so absolutely real within it.

I am actively in an amusement park and my eyes are glued to my phone, my jaw on the floor. The danger of the Scourge feels so real, I LOVE that I don't know if everyone will live. I always look for that in a book. I don't really expect anyone to die, but I'm so sucked in that I can't stop imagining if someone does.

Was I happy when Addie went back to the mortal realm? No. I was screaming at her. Girl abandoned this beautiful world (and a very hot man) for NYC. BUT I think it was a very real reaction on her part, and I think it was crucial to remind Addie and the reader what she's giving up to help Threllwood and Will. It also reminds her of her humanity. She imagines Luna dying from the Scourge and knows she must fight it to save the innocent people in Threllwood. Having her return to NYC was a great choice to grow her character. Frustrating in the moment, sure, but clearly purposeful and great writing. It makes the return to Will all the sweeter.

I think her conquering the Scourge was very well done as well. I would've liked if it had lasted a bit longer, or seemed a bit more hopeless, but overall I think it works well for the book. I love how Daevah steps into her role as the main villain. I do think it's a bit odd that she let Addie live, but the scene was still very gripping.

Addie coming back to the mortal realm surprised me, but I think it allows for such a sweet ending. She's able to piece her original relationships back together, even if there are still cracks there. It's clear that she'll continue fighting for Threllwood—that's where she belongs. And I can't wait to watch her win.

[Sara The Story Lover]

Oh, how I missed a good portal fantasy from my life!
The idea of your average New York woman finding herself in a fantasy world, full with magic and Druids is fun in itself, especially if it is done this well.

In the first part, we meet Addie, the heroine, living her not-so-best life in New York. Besides an awful job, a bad ex, complicated family relations, she is also plagued by weird dreams that are starting to consume not only her nights, but her days as well. This introduction to our main character works on so many levels: we see her everyday life, we see her at a very low point, and it's obvious that something has to change in for her, otherwise she is going to burst.
And then she wakes up in a forest, in a foreign land, a foreign *realm* -- talk about a change in scenery! Naturally, she finds herself captured by a mysterious, but very handsome captain, and her journey in this new world starts, leading to eventual self-discoveries as well.

I really enjoyed the world-building. We are learning about Threllwood, its kingdoms, its people, the magic and the dark curse moving through the land through Addie's eyes, and despite its obvious dangers, Threllwood is an enchanting place. The magic system is interesting, and I hope we learn more about it in the upcoming books, as well about the society and the different kingdoms as well, there is so much more to explore!

What I enjoyed even more were the characters. At first, we as readers cannot be exactly sure what her nightmares mean, if this was a different genre of a book, they would be very alarming indeed, and Addie reacts accordingly, and maybe that's why I really enjoyed the way her character was portrayed. She is thrown into an impossible scenario at a point in her life that is already very difficult for so many reasons, and her reactions, the way she handles certain situations is well-based on her past and current experiences.
And of course, there is Will... What can I say, I enjoyed reading about a male main character who is layered, who obviously has a complicated history and things he is unable (or unwilling) to share at this point, but his complexity doesn't take away from the positives of his characters, but rather adds to them. This is the way to create a morally complicated character in my opinion.
Addie and Will's relationship really brought this book together, their slow burn romance (I don't think it's a spoiler, sorry) was really nice to read, they had good chemistry, and I hope to see more of them.
I also enjoyed the plethora of side characters, though I wish more time were spent on some of them, but I am sure they'll have their moments later on in the series (at least I very much hope so!). And it's true about the Threllwood characters as well as the New York ones.

However, what I enjoyed the most about *Kingdom of the Owl* was the structure. And I don't necessarily refer to the three part structure (which also worked very well), but to the fact that while this story is obviously the start of a bigger plotline and there are questions unasked and unanswered, this book was also whole and complete on its own. It doesn't mean that the story is closed, far from it, but the characters arrived at a point where the arc of this book is complete, there is a moment of standstill, and then the next story can come. I am honestly getting a bit overwhelmed by how many books these days end in extreme cliffhangers, and this structure was a really nice nod to a more classical structure. And that made this book feel less something for "booksta readers" and more something for the ages. (Not diminishing the value of different structures, but appreciating the variety very much.) My only 'issue' is that the last third felt a little bit rushed in comparison to the pace of the first two, and I felt that took away some opportunities to make specific moments and plot points even more meaningful--like how this book's main problem ended--, but that's really the only thing I wasn't 150% happy with, and it's really more about my taste.

All in all, this was such a fun, engaging read, there is so much more I would love to say but won't because of spoilers. But if someone's looking for a fantasy on the epic side, with a very nice amount of romance (and spice), a very exciting plotline, great characters and amazing writing... This book is all that.

Thank you to the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!