The Weight of Crowns

The Order of Masks #2

by Alina Bellchambers

The heart-pounding conclusion to the high-stakes dual POV romantic fantasy duology, with dangerous enemies-to-lovers romance, deadly politics and a war to change the fate of empires.

Two queens. One throne. Who will claim the crown?

On the brink of war, Mira and Scarlett find themselves enmeshed in a deadly world of gods, magic and duplicity, with the stage set for the ultimate showdown.

Backed by her lover Aric and sorceress mother Zandri, Scarlett has Mira right where she wants her. But winning the Ravalian Empire requires spilling a river of blood, and as past secrets and new threats emerge, Scarlett must is claiming the crown worth becoming as poisonous as the death magic she wields?

With Prince Roran's campaign of terror spreading, only Scarlett has the power to end his tyranny. Even as Scarlett offers Mira a deal she can't refuse, Mira embraces her dangerous blood magic and enlists the help of devious Prince Cassius. But can Mira trust him with her crown - or her heart?

As the empire hangs in the balance, both Scarlett and Mira are poised to shatter the world order - but there cannot be two queens. And only one will be left standing . . .

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance

Paperback

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Alina Bellchambers makes use of her psychology degree by writing dark, twisty thrillers and epic romantic fantasies featuring strong female voices, enemies to lovers romance and high stakes, where you never know who is going to survive – or what the cost of their survival might be.

Alina grew up in her family's bookstore and now writes on a hobby farm in the picturesque Adelaide Hills of South Australia. When not typing in her study and drinking copious amounts of tea, Alina enjoys connecting with readers, hiking with her feisty dog Scamp, and being involved in the creative arts. Most recently she acted in acclaimed horror film Bring Her Back and Hilltop Hoods’ music video The Gift.

To be the first to know about exciting book news, upcoming events and giveaways, connect with Alina on social media under @alinabellwrites and subscribe to her newsletter.

Reviews

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight of Crowns picks up not long after The Order of Masks and delivers a worthy conclusion to this duology. Where the first book was focused on court politics, this sequel moves us away and brings us to far off lands and battle fields; straight off the bat we have Mira in combat having to face heavy decisions in her new role as a ruler. The stakes are high from start to finish and we continue to have a dual POV giving us Kalure's side through Mira and the Ravalian empire through Scarlett.

Much like with the first book; I love the dual POV - we have Mira and Scarlett with very different personalities, similar goals but ones that usually come at the cost of the other. You can't help but root for both which places you as the reader in a tough spot too. Mira is largely confronted with her new role as a leader whilst also still regretting her friends who have ultimately sided with Scarlett. Scarlett on the other hand seems to largely battle with herself - guilt nags at her, she feels abandoned by her lover Severin and yet she still has the ambition of becoming empress.

There are still plenty of plot twists and scheming, but due to the new setting it feels different from the first book. I personally liked the court politics of the first book a little more, but this more epic battlefield filled conclusion brings its own advantages to the table. The stakes feel higher overall and we learn more about the world created, there is more magic and we are introduced to several new cultures and peoples.

There is also a stronger focus on romance than in the first book - given how things ended in The Order of Masks, I knew all characters involved had their work cut out for them in terms of fixing ties, be it romance or friendship. As a whole, I like how things wrapped - by and large I'd say characters ended up where I would have liked them to. I do wish some of the romance choices had been expressed with a little more conviction. As a non spice reader, it wasn't my favourite part but that's very much a me thing and I'm sure spice lovers would be happy with this - I would compare it to the first two books of The Bridge Kingdom in terms of spice levels and generally thing that fans of the series would also enjoy this duology.

This is nicely crafted fantasy duology with a neat world and magic system - while this wraps up nicely, I think this world still leaves room for future books to explore it further. My highlight remains the dual POV, I feel like we don't get many platonic dual POVs and the fact that both female main characters are very compelling makes this a really fun duology.

[Cups and Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5 stars

thank you pan mac for the ARC in exchange for an honest review :) this was BRUTAL and sooo twisty right from the very beginning! the political intrigue building from book 1 was gripping and so chaotic, i was literally hooked from chapter 1. while i enjoyed reading from both mira and scarlett’s perspective, my focus has shifted mostly to the side characters in this one! i thought they were refreshing and brought something new to the table, making the story more enjoyable!

there’s magic, high stakes, and so much action in this one. it’s a pretty thick book but you’ll fly through it! alina’s writing is superb as always and i seriously cannot wait to read more of her work in the future! what an epic conclusion to the duology!

[Sasha (sashasbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY where to even begin here??? This book was a WILD ride… it was so fast paced that I almost couldn’t keep up (in a good way) and it was absolutely jam packed full of action!

Where the first book gave us politics, this book gave us POLITICS if ya know what I mean. We’re talking scheming and betrayal out the wazoo and I feel like we finally got to see just how brutal our FMCs can be. And not just them, but basically all the other side characters too? I must say that i found Zandri so interesting in this book as well, it’s hard to kind of pinpoint one singular villain in this series but wow she did some DIABOLICAL things. And can we talk about Odessa and Aella too??

And HOLY LOVE INTERESTS OMG. I swear at one point we had like, a love pentagon??? Hexagon even?? Mira really surprised me here… girl was flip flopping back and forth every 5 minutes and it damn near gave me whiplash. Girl had like 3 men on her roster at one point!!! She got married TWICE in this book!!! I will say that she did end up with who I wanted her to be with in the end… it took a second for us to get there but thank GOODNESS for that. And poor Scarlett went THROUGH IT as far as her love interests were involved…. But I won’t say any more for fear of spoilers🙈

Anyway I highly recommend this series if you’re someone who likes a fantasy that’s heavy in political intrigue and action!

Format: Audiobook

[readwithacapricorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how you wrap up a duology. The most perfect ending, in the most unpredictable way.

Alina’s storytelling and world-building really shines here. Her ability to create two completely different FMCs have such distinct voices, but also meet at a place that is so fitting for their character arcs is truly incredible.

All I can say is - don’t get attached to anyone. I really wasn’t expecting to be so attached to so many people, but you bet I was sobbing at some points.

This really is such a fantastic duology and I loved every minute. Thank you PanMac and Alina for an early copy!

[Jennah Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review for The Weight of Crowns

“I would rather watch the world burn than watch you sacrifice yourself to save it.”

This was everything I expected and more! The twists, losses, betrayals and redemption arcs!

Mira and Scarlett are both facing the consequences to their actions. The guilt, the overwhelming distrust of practically everyone, the self-doubt, the self-sabotage and the testing of relationships. There was so much to unpack and seeing both Mira and Scarlett’s POVs, seeing the battles their facing was a wild turn of events. I found the duality of their POVs allows us to see their growth over the battle for power.

I love the push and pull tension between Cassian and Mira. They both feel safe enough to be vulnerable with each other, to form a closeness and trust that wasn’t there in the beginning.

“I told you—I’ve had plenty of time to think. Plenty of time to cycle through rage, too. But even when I was furious with you . . . I never hated you, Mira. I don’t think I’m capable of hating you.”

Scarlett and Aric’s relationship was a mix of control, power, loneliness, betrayal with a touch of fondness growing. There was always a doubt of genuine feelings. She had a lot of self-doubt because of the hold her mother had on her. But she took her power back, and truly fought for herself.

What I love about Mira and Scarlett is how they never backed down, never truly gave in. They were always weighing any and all possibilities. They are strong, stubborn and powerful FMCs that create their own path and live for their futures.

What a way to end this duology! Action packed, tense, the twists and betrayals intertwined perfectly - I loved everything about The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns.

Power always comes at a cost, are you willing to pay the price?

[Ashley G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Alina for the ARC!

The rollercoaster ride continues! This book was very fast paced and so many things were happening, it was hard to keep up! I once again liked the dual POV. Mira and Scarlett were all over the place so this was a nice way to keep up all of the storylines.

I’m still firmly Team Mira; she did some questionable things but her reasoning was in the right place. Cassius is my man; he’s got to be one of my favorite “burn the world for her” villain/antihero MMCs. The guy could yearn! I did however hate Scarlett and even Aric for a good portion of the book. I wasn’t a fan of Aric and Scarlett’s “relationship” since it was built on a lie. Aric being so quick to switch his loyalty without listening to Mira was frustrating too! Zandri and Roran were the worst so I do understand Scarlett a little more after some of the revelations at the end. Really, when characters evoke those kind of emotions, that’s ultimately a good thing! Overall, this was a great conclusion to this duology and I really enjoyed it!

Quotes:

“I would rather watch the world burn than watch you sacrifice yourself to save it.”

“Stay close…’”

“Always, he promised.”

[Amber (amberdevouredthis) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In comparison to book one, this was way more fast paced and packed full of action. Alina managed to fit so much into this duology without making it too overly complicated or hard to follow.

In TWOC we get to catch back up with our two favourite morally grey girlies as they have their final showdown for their kingdoms. Two queens, one throne, who will claim the crown??? 👑❤️‍🔥

Not only is the action turned up a notch, but things definitely get steamier. There was a moment in TWOC where I just wasn’t sure who Mira would end up with 👀 (#lovehexagon).

The stakes were high and a lot of people die this book, many who deserved it and a few that truly broke my heart 😭

This book was an absolute rollercoaster and it made me wish more authors wrote duologies. If you have any duology recs, please send them my way 🫶🏽

If you’re after a fast paced fantasy duology that really keeps you on your toes, I recommend picking up this series! Alina even managed to have me falling for a blonde MMC, a truly rare phenomenon 😌

[Shenay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the duology and it was done brilliantly.

From the beginning, you are thrown with so many twists, the tension, the two main FMCs who you can't stop reading about, and the scheming and plotting that made it so intriguing.

I really loved how this one wrapped up. The battle, the way we follow both Mira and Scarlett it was emotional and the betrayals!

This is one of my favourite duologys! It's absolutely phenomenal.

[Anastasia King · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ because there was far too much Mira & Aric once Scarlett, Aric & Lillian arrived in Kalure.

But at least we got a superior Mira & Cassian endgame with equal power rule

[think for yourself · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

[kindleandkettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weight of Crowns is the action-packed conclusion to The Order of Masks duology.

The story is fast-paced and brutal from the first pages, throwing gut-wrenching decisions at Mira and Scarlett. Both characters made some questionable decisions in the first book and they have a tough road ahead of them in this thrilling finale. There was never a dull moment and the story was an incredible page-turner.

As with the first book, this story is dual-pov told from the perspectives of Mira and Scarlett. Both characters are strong-willed and have some pretty big obstacles to overcome in order to save their kingdoms. Without spoiling anything, I was really pleased with how this story was resolved. With so many shifting alliances and people fighting for the thrones, the resolution just felt right to me. This duology is full of twists, turns and double crossing and I loved every moment of it.

Expect some epic battles and showdowns, blood magic, death magic and more in this thrilling conclusion.

Thank you to Macmillan Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Morgan Watchorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alina Bellchambers does it again! This was an absolute magic show of a series conclusion. Twists abound, romantic moments to squeal for, and epic battles. It's so rare to have two equally engaging FMCs that are so distinct from each other. Mira and Scarlett are among my favorites of all time!!! I can't wait to see what Bellchambers writes next.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶
Dual POV's
TW: Death, violence, war, battles, manipulation, ritual sacrifices, grief

THIS. IS. HOW. YOU. DO. A. DUOLOGY!! 👏

The way Alina has written this fantasy duology is incredible! Not only do the characters grow into their respective roles, but we also see them reflect on their choices from book 1 (TOOM).

Alina also lines up multiple villains in this sequel with Roran & Zandri being the main 2 villains, but we also get introduced to new characters that are set up, so we think we should trust them but we absolutely should not.

Most of the book, I was waiting for Aric to discover the truth of Scarlett's deception, which he eventually does, and he regrets his actions towards Mira & they reconcile.

Reading TWOC was almost like reading a darker version of ATLA but more focused on the blood magic with elemental magic thrown in.

After Scarlett's betrayal, Mira has claimed her heritage and lineage as Queen of Kalure. But with Roran continuing his war conquest in Kalure, she needs allies fast, including Prince Cassius, who she has a prisoner.

Scarlett, having dispatched Emperor Kalias, is trying to take her place as Empress while Roran is away. However, there are multiple obstacles that are stopping her, including her mother, Zandri.

Roran summons Scarlett to Kalure in order to end Mira's reign before it can even begin.

When Mira is told by the high priestess that she needs to fully embrace her blood magic in order to win this war, Mira questions if it's the right way to end the war.

Can Mira and Scarlett put past deceptions and grievances aside to work together to defeat Roran and Zandri or will they destroy the world?

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight of Crowns by Australian author Alina Bellchambers is the cliff-ending finale to the duology of The Order of Masks. The book contains mature themes intended for adult readers.

For the last time we enter the Ravalian Empire where royal bloodlines and intricate political intrigue define every aspect of life with the burden of destiny, the complexity of power, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Told through a dual POV timeline and vivid depictions, the narrative picks up where it left off with Mira, Scarlett, and the diverse cast of characters you will root for, hate, and mourn. With conspiracies and scheming there are many, factions, and alliances but there can be only one ruler. The stakes are high and only one Queen can rule, who will it be?

Mira and Scarlett are the beating heart of this novel. Both are flawed, ambitious, and capable of cruelty, but also of empathy and love. The tension between them is compelling, being complex characters, they give insight into their motivations, doubts, betrayals, and desires. Their development throughout the book is powerful and resonates with the theme of the burden of leadership and moral dilemmas. It’s a reminder that the heaviest crowns are not always made of gold, but of the choices and sacrifices carried by those who wear them.

Romance is woven into the journeys of several characters, balancing the political and magical stakes with personal intimacy although they are tested against duty, loyalty, and the weight of power. I found this a nice reprieve from the harshness of war.

I loved the magical elements in the story, they felt grounded in the world’s rules and the plot never veers into over-the-top fantasy tropes. The idea that you cannot choose your magical gift as it is passed down through bloodline reinforces the theme of destiny versus free will which makes it both a blessing and a curse. The characters often struggle with whether to use their power, knowing it comes with consequences as it can drain them emotionally, physically, or spiritually, highlighting nothing in this world is free.

Reading the conclusion hit me like the first part of a dream I did not know I had been waiting for. Bellchambers writes with cinematic depth; every scene is carefully crafted, and every moment is tied to something deeper, there was never a moment when I failed to enjoy the tale. Weaving an enthralling plot, I was whisked away from reality and plunged headfirst into a world of royalty and the personal cost of power. The Weight of Crowns is a very accomplished piece of writing.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in political fantasy, romantic conflict, and characters walking the line between heroism and villainy, this book will hit a lot of the right notes. It is not for the faint of heart, but for those who want intensity, it delivers. I hope you take as much enjoyment from it as I did. I highly recommend.

Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Pan MacMillan Australia, for the opportunity to read and review.

[fatedhearts_lorilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a perfect end to this duology. It had adventure, difficult choices, epic battles, and ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 — but also ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 — consequences. I loved it so much, and it is absolutely going to be (a) a duology I recommend to everyone and (b) one that I come back to as a favourite re-read.

I fell in love with the characters in book one, in particular: Mira, Scarlett (even though she made it tough lol), Cassius and Lillian. In 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒲𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒞𝓇𝑜𝓌𝓃𝓈, we get to know each of them better, and see more of their 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 and 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

One thing that I really appreciated about this book was how Mira and Scarlett were both put in 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 difficult positions. There was not an easy, obvious decision that would save all the lives. No matter what they did, people were going to die, and it was going to be horrible. But they needed to decide what they wanted to fight for, how they wanted to conduct that fight, what was worth sacrificing, and ultimately 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙. I really loved (and again, appreciated) that the decisions weren’t easy. They had weight to them, which made them more impactful.

Scarlett and Mira also have to navigate their relationship: will they be ᴀʟʟɪᴇs, or ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇs? And are they making those decisions, or is their 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 making the decisions for them, and hindering them from becoming who they want to be, and from attaining not only what they want, but what’s truly right for them. It was really cool to have followed both of their journeys from the beginning so that I never felt like I had a one-sided or one-dimensional view.

Then there’s Cassius, who is absolutely my true love. He’s cocky, charming, and ultimately, 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. I loved him throughout book one and book two only set that in stone. The way he was always there for Mira, advising her to ensure she didn’t lose her humanity, even when Mira herself thought he would advocate for the ruthless choice. We got to see him being soft, for both Mira and Scarlett, and it made me love him all the more.

Then there’s the love triangle. This had me stressed. I was reading this on a plane and was just freaking out trying to keep it cool. Like hello, what do you mean you can’t commit to *my preferred choice*??? I was distraught.

And then, finally, we get to the conclusion. I was concerned. I was intrigued. I was uncertain. Which is all honestly fantastic because I love when a book can make me second guess myself. For example: “I’m pretty sure there’s supposed to be an HEA right!?” “What do you mean she chose THAT??” and so on and so forth. But in the end, I felt so satisfied with the way that all of the characters’ arcs were concluded.

I absolutely loved this book, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to arc read it! Thank you so much to Alina Bellchambers for the gifted e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are freely given.

[Gemma R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 12, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
THE WEIGHT OF CROWNS 👑 was filled with political intrigue and manoeuvring, compete with morally grey FMCs Mira and Scarlett. Like the first book, The Order of Masks, TWOC is told in dual POVs switching from Mira’s and Scarlett’s. Each character had their own motivation and I liked how the villains were introduced The storyline was nail-bitingly intense with many twists and turns.

The world-building truly shines in this novel, where the characters battle from the very first scene, to travelling toward various parts of the kingdom and empire, forming new alliances and discovering new things about themselves. We follow these characters to battle after battle, and it was almost non-stop action with lots of romance within the pages.

TWOC was complete with themes of trust, honour and familial relationships. Mira came into her own power, understanding what it means to lead and sacrifice for their subjects and those around her. Her chapters were filled with travel, adventure and strategy, particular those of her father’s culture in Kalure. Her dodging death and running from danger was the most exciting parts of the novel. She had to make hard decisions and despite her complicated relationship with Cassius, he was there for her when she needed him.

I understood Cassius and the FMC a lot, enjoying each of their character growth. What made me smile was the relationship between Mira and Cassius, and how they grew from the first book. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was heart pounding and I was rooting for them throughout.

As for Scarlett, she was a lot more complicated compared to Mira, having dealt with being underestimated when she was younger to having an actual goal, away (most of the time) from her Sorceress mother, Zandri’s influence. Despite wanting power, her inner-conflict and battles within herself was interesting to see - especially with her magic and how she deals with it.

THE WEIGHT OF CROWNS shone in its strong themes of desire and power and excellent plot twists which keep you invested. Subtle, yet powerful touches of love and compassion which flowed through scenes and conversations. I absolutely loved the ending of this duology and can’t wait for more books by the author.

Thank you to Pansing books and the publisher for sending me a finished copy of this book for review!

[Adaire | daring.fantasy.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Weight of Crowns picks up right where The Order of Masks finished, and both Mira and Scarlett have some make up to do for the choices they have made. If you are a fan of scheming and plotting and betrayal then this duology is perfect - there was so much back and forth that I had whiplash trying to keep up with the character's true allegiances and motivations.

Mira has to decide whether or not she trusts Cassius as she will need his assistance if she means to impress the clans and elders to become Queen of Kalure. And will Scarlett's deception come to light or will Aric and Roran figure out what she is really up to?

The plot is very fast paced - and the short chapters and alternating POV help keep it speedy. There was less of a focus on the court compared to book one, but in turn we got a bit more magic and some battle scenes which I appreciated.

For myself, I struggled to really get drawn into the story. And Mira gave me a bit too much whiplash with her romantic interests. She really likes to keep her options open. I honestly think that if the author hadn't killed a couple options off then she never would have made a decision

I thought the ending was done nicely. It was fitting and it felt like the character arcs were complete which doesn't often occur in a satisfying way.

Thankyou Pan MacMillan Australia for a gifted copy of this book.

Narration: Dual character, first person POV

Spice: 1/5

Tropes:
- Court Politics & Scheming
- Forbidden magic
- Love triangle(s)
- High stakes
- Morally grey characters
- Betrayal

Similar Titles:
- The Cruel Prince
- The Assassin Thief

Review of The Order of Masks

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[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨👑 The Weight of Crowns 👑✨

Thank you soo much @panmacmillanaus for the gifted copy I’m so grateful!!! 🥹❤️

I’ve been so excited to dive back into this world!! The Weight of Crowns is the thrilling, epic conclusion to The Order of Masks duology, and wow… what a ride this has been! Also I have been waiting for more Cassius moments forever 🤭

Not gonna lie, I didn’t fully remember everything from book one and I wish I had done a reread but I didn’t have time and have been in such a slump lately 😩, BUT thankfully there’s a super helpful character summary at the start. And within a few chapters I was completely hooked again and began to remember a lot of the things that happened!

The story follows Mira and Scarlett, two queens, one throne, and a world on the brink of war. With magic and betrayal tangled into every page, only one of them can claim the crown. Mira’s trying to survive Scarlett’s betrayal while trusting Prince Cassius (my love 😌) Meanwhile, Scarlett’s growing stronger than ever with her deadly magic and dangerous ambitions…

I usually love dual POVs, especially between the main FMC and MMC, but I’ll be honest… I kept waiting for Scarlett’s chapters to end just so we could get back to Mira and Cassius 🙈😂 Their chemistry, the tension, and the heartbreak it all had me yelling “Mira how can you not see how much he cares for you!” Ugh, Cassius my beloved 😭

The betrayals, the secrets, the chaos… everything escalates until you’re left clutching the book whispering “Omgosh what just happened??” 😭

Also can we take a moment to appreciate this quote:
“I would rather watch the world burn than watch you sacrifice yourself to save it.” 🥹

Also that ending, specifically Scarletts ending I genuinely didn’t see coming and I was actually so happy for her 🥹

If you loved The Order of Masks, prepare your heart because The Weight of Crowns is intense, emotional, and full of magic, blood, and impossible choices. An incredible finale that has you questioning who will be the Queen left standing!

The Weight of Crowns by Alina Bellchambers is out now! ✨

[Hira Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy freaking hell. I don’t know what I expected from book two, but this absolutely wasn’t it. It takes place a little while after the end of book one and almost immediately we get hit with scheming and betrayal on both sides. I still trust absolutely no one, but I love the dual POVs and having two FMCs with their own individual stories that eventually become interconnected.

Mira, dear lord, was that girl busy. While her personal life is an absolute mess, I loved watching her step into her role and do whatever was needed for her people, even at the expense of her own happiness. I really admired her growth and leadership throughout this book and how much she learned along the way. Scarlett though, had some of the best character growth I’ve seen in an FMC. She did a lot of ruthless things, but I could also see her humanity peek through at times. By the end, I was immensely proud of the decision she made and how far she had come. Cassius and Aric both played pretty vital roles too, but I swear to god we had a love square at one point lol.

Despite the romantic aspects, this was so action packed that I found myself holding my breath multiple times. There’s a ton of political intrigue and some of the best world building I’ve seen. I almost wish this was a movie because I would love to see this world brought to life. As with book one, there are so many plot twists that had my jaw on the floor and SOOOO much betrayal. Also, yes, I sobbed multiple times.

But I think despite all the violence, emotional trauma, and the fact that I almost threw my kindle a couple of times, this ended Mira and Scarlett’s story in the most unexpected and beautiful way. I was expecting something completely different, but I’m so happy with how everything ended. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to their story. I know this is the end of the duet, but it definitely left enough of the world open that I could see a spin off or another story happening someday.

[Hailsandtales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This duology is filled with magic, powerful FMCs, love, hurt, greed.

When I got the chance to ARC read the ofer if the masks I knew I had to apply for book two. Alina does a wonderful job as making you see everything in your mind while you read.

Book two starts right after book one but now you have Mira who is the queen of Kalure having to face heavy decisions, finding herself in a love triangle and Scarlett who is trying to claim the Ravalia empire all while grieving her lover and feeling alone. The dual POV is so unique because both Mira and Scarlett have such different personalities.

Book two focuses on lands far off away from Ravilia and battlefields. It was a nice swift change in scenery.

I loved watching what Scarlett was going through. There was so many times I wanted to throw my Kobo and scream because she drove me insane. But I also understood what she was going through. Watchinf her grow and realize who she is might not be who she wants to be and just because you get what you think you want isn't always what makes you happy was everything. She became my favourite towards the end.

This book has a ton of plot twists and curves and I enjoyed every minute of it. The big battlefield conclusion was intense and heartbreaking. There was more magic and blood magic explained aswell.

The romance, I felt very happy with who Scarlett and Mira end up with. I truly cried during Scarlett's last chapter.

I felt very at peace with the ending, after all the blood, loss and deviation my heart feels
I can't say much more without spoilers but I will say this duology is a MUST read. The dual girls timeline is so unique, the emotions, love, heartbreak, blind sides it all comes together to create an amajKg duology.

Thank you Alina for letting me on your street team and thank you for creating an amazing world I will always recommend!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

👑
⚜️ Book Title - The Weight of Crowns
⚜️ Author - Alina Bellchambers
⚜️ Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚜️ Some Genre/Themes/Tropes: Fiction, Romance and Fantasy

This was an epic conclusion to The Order of the Masks duology, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. It wrapped the story up in a way that felt both satisfying and impactful. I won’t spoil anything, but just know it was an entertaining, emotional, and truly enjoyable read. There were definitely moments where I found myself tearing up.

What I especially loved was how the story still managed to surprise me. There were twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, but they fit so well into the narrative that they felt natural rather than forced. Those unexpected elements elevated the tension and gave the conclusion extra depth, making the journey feel even more rewarding.

Once again, we follow the dual POVs of Scarlett and Mira. Their voices are distinct yet complement each other perfectly, giving us two different lenses into the same world. The transition between perspectives felt smooth and natural, keeping me engaged and grounded in the story. I really enjoyed how their similarities made their struggles feel interconnected, while their differences brought balance and contrast to the narrative.

I would recommend this book to others and definitely will look for other books written by this author.

I want to say thank you to the author and publisher for the publish copy and the ARC.

Note (How I rate): One is DNF. Two is got there but struggled. Three stars is a good, enjoyable read. Four is an excellent read and five is a comfort read that lingers with me for life. My five stars can be imperfect but to me they hit right.

[ThianeJansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒, 𝑀𝒾𝓇𝒶,”he said ruthlessly, pinning me between his body and the tree at my back. “𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟 𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕒𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕥.”

👆🏻 that’s it. What more reason do you need? I was A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOOOOOOR!

Let’s jump into it:

The Weight of Crowns is the heart wrenching, action packed conclusion to The Order of Masks duology. Told through dual POVs of Mira and Scarlett, it throws you into a deadly storm of betrayal, blood magic, and impossible choices. Every page feels like a knife edge, with kingdoms collapsing, alliances shifting, and villains so evil you know nothing can possibly end well.

Tropes you’ll eat up:
✨Enemies-lovers-enemies…
✨Love triangle
✨SO MANY PLOT TWIST
✨Feminine rage
✨Warring kingdoms
✨Deadly court politics
✨Betrayals left, right, and centre

This book wrecked me in the best way. It was brutal, emotional, and so full of twists I could hardly keep my jaw off the floor and I adored every second of it. I found myself getting emotional at multiple points and obviously I loved that😆
The villains were vicious, the tension relentless, and the stakes felt impossibly high. But most importantly,

then there’s Cassius… I’ve made no secret of the fact that he has my whole heart, and the way he adores her? Gosh. He just gives me all the Cardan Greenbriar feels I honestly want a whole book just about him.

Honestly, I’m in awe of how MUCH THIS finale delivered. Even better than book one, The Weight of Crowns is everything a dark romantasy should be: devastating, addictive, and impossible to forget.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book! To think I could love book two more than the first one. This author has an incredible writing style. It’s an easy read but your mind is constantly moving. I absolutely love the Dual FMC POV. Scarlett and Kashmira are very strong FMC’s who have been dealt horrible cards through their life, and have had to fight to keep what they have. In the end they both want the crown and fighting ruthlessly is how they think they will get it. The magic system in this book, including the illusion magic, is so intriguing and it really keeps you and the characters on the edge through the whole story. When war is upon everyone, and forces have to be combined to win, trust is not easily come by. Add illusion magic in, and a huge backstory with sorceresses and sorcerers going back generations and that complicates things further. The growth of the relationship between Kashmira and Cassius was well done. It was forged on lies and trickery and required time to build that trust. I was not sure if Kashmira could make the growth that was needed, but she did in the end and I LOVED how she ended their relationship. On the other side, with Scarlett and Soverin….i will have to re-read book one to catch the Easter eggs I missed because when he returned and I realized he was actually real and not an illusion I was shocked but extremely happy. The love these two have for each other is so devout that Soverin had to do what he did in order to help Scarlett in the end even though he knew he was hurting her along the way.
Thank you for an awesome read! I look forward to more of your books!

[realms.of.romantasy (Cara B) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 ⭐️

I am utterly blown away by this book! This is exactly how you conclude an epic duology! Look, you want a story that will leave you breathless from the high stakes and fast paced action, THIS IS IT! My gods, the feminine rage, the political intrigue, the brutal battles, the loss, the deceit, the betrayal, the relentless twists all had me completely immersed and entranced throughout this entire book.

The writing is eloquent and flawless. The world is treacherous while also vibrant and so beautifully portrayed. The magic is so incredibly unique and mesmerizing. Alina has written such an incredibly dark and powerful story that will leaving feeling so many emotions as you move through the book. I felt sadness at the loneliness Scarlett and the trauma Mira endured; I gasped at the betrayals and revelations; I was giddy with the subtle banter; and through it all I fell more in love with each of these characters.

The character growth through this story was awe-inspiring after all they endured. Seeing the way Mira and Scarlett finally overcame their hatred and become friends, become family was magnificent. They never gave up, they never stopped fighting for what they both knew was right for their lands. They learned to love and trust, in their friends and in themselves.

Alina, thank you for such an astonishingly beautiful story! I am grateful that I found you and had the opportunity to read this duology.

[Manjot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me CRY. SO. FUCKING. MUCH.Such an emotional rollercoaster, and I genuinely loved every second of it.

We start with Scarlett and Mira trying to step into their new roles while struggling with everything that comes with them. And from there, the story just takes off. The pacing was absolutely fucking amazing. Something was ALWAYS happening.

And Cassius and Mira??? Oh my god. I love them so fucking much. I’ve been rooting for them since book one, and somehow this book still found ways to make everything even harder for them. I felt their emotions so deeply.

Then the betrayals. The painful betrayals. The plot twists. One after another after another. You genuinely could not trust ANYONE. You’d turn one page and suddenly the person you trusted was ready to betray you.

And then the war. The stakes were SO much higher, and I was genuinely scared to find out what would happen next. By the ending, my heart was RACING.

Also, Scarlett. After everything we learned, especially after that ending, I actually feel a little bad for her. Her character growth was honestly incredible. After book one, I wasn’t sure if I could trust her, but she absolutely won me back over. She’s back in my good graces. I love her.

I read more than 50% of this book in ONE SITTING. That’s how hooked I was. And that ending??? DEVASTATING. I cried so much. But seeing Mira and Scarlett finally happy and finally having such beautiful love in their lives made it all worth it.

[Ember P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not do things by half measures, with a sweeping conclusion to an epic story. When the only way to survive is a crown on your head there is only place for one queen in the cruel empire that pits them against each other. This story asks the question, at what point is the cost for revenge too high, and how much of your humanity are you willing to surrender in order to be the winner? Both Mira and Scarlett are done with being someone else's pawns and the only way free is the tear each other apart over the Ravailian throne, as circumstances keep throwing them together each new meeting brings a chance for a new beginning, if only they can see beyond the past hurts and betrayals. When they realize that this small group of friends, family and lovers might be the only people that can be trusted and understand that a life well lived is more than revenge, maybe a solution outside of conquest is possible. But if they are no longer the people chasing power what dark forces are pulling the strings from behind the scenes? The surprise twists and reveals come rapid fire as the final Ravailian battle brings despair, betrayal, hope, redemption, and maybe just maybe a tiny glimmer of a happily ever after, when two queens realize that the family they found is worth more than a crown will ever be. Be prepared to have your socks blown off, and maybe keep a Kleenex on standby just in case.

[Gabrielle Perna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This duology was super great! The last installment of this book was fantastic and I really the character arcs and how everyone evolved into better versions of themselves by the end. I admire Bellchambers willingness to kill over characters even when it is heartbreaking to the FMCs. Both Scarlett and Mira's growth was staggering and captivating. I enjoyed every moment of it even when Scarlett drove me insane. The girl needs some serious therapy, at every turn she is debating murder. I love watching the female rage and power take root in this book. We also got to spend the whole book with my favorite devious murderous prince, Cassius. Thank god, because the tension between him and Mira is top notch, their interactions and her chapters were the best part. I loved the ending of this book and thought at first I was not going to be satisfied but I held out hope and I was rewarded. I was so happy that Mira and Scarlett got the endings they both deserved, once they cut the poison out of their lives both were able to heal and know true love. There is so much that occurs in this book and since it is the last of duo it is hard to not say too much without spoiling it all. I loved Bellchambers writing and would read her next book in a heartbeat. The pacing was perfect and so was the romance. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you Alina Bellchambers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kiera Ponting · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting and beautiful conclusion to a really fun fantasy duology. 'The Weight of Crowns' continues on directly from the ending of 'The Order of Masks', with Mira in Kalure and Scarlett continuing to set her sights on the Ravalian throne.

I read this book nice and slowly throughout the month, something I don't usually do, as I had grown so attached to the characters and wanted to extend my time with them. Both Mira and Scarlett continue to have logical and well written character development through this book, but we also get a lot more attention on side characters too. I love the way that this duology gives us two interesting perspectives, where I did not prefer one over the other and there is even less overlap between what the two are doing in this book. I've been Team Cassius since book one, so some of Mira's decision making in this book did frustrate me (but did make sense for her character). Scarlett grew on me a lot more in this book as we discovered the extent of Zandri's influence over her and the true versions of some prior events. The political maneuvering continued to be my favourite element, but the scenes of war and battles were well done here too.

I highly recommend this duology to anyone looking for high fantasy where romance is present, but not necessarily the focus.

[Devet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5? oh lord ill write a real review later, truly the most rollar coaster of a duology. the entire thing was messy throughout, however the last third saved it. i think it was satisfying and tied up all the loose ends nicely, my main complainants are the same as with the first book, however here i just think the entire blood magic was boring but i suppose the first book's locket thing was as well. cassmira real and everything was great in the end so i can't say i was disappointed, still a fun read, im going to let it linger guys...

^^^ i like how zandri was handled as well as ml cassius who carried this entire book, mira and scarlett were wonderfully done as well, mostly scarlett im very glad to see her arc get done in this way, i think roran being pure evil was boring, it reminds me of the first book where kalias is pure evil so it feels a bit childish having your villians be pure evil but it's whatever i suppose. i think the main character's moral complexity was a nice touch, i would've been pretty bored without it. the plot here is alright but i think some of the drama was too over the top and forced, it reminds me of the sweetest betrayal in that regard but if kasta & zahru were actually done well lol...this book does have other flaws like the first one but overall pretty good

[Hayley Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an action packed book. This was a great ending to the duology. This book picked up right where the first ended. We see both Scarlett and Mira’s POVs. I loved the character arc they both went through but especially Scarlett because at times I truly hated her. Mira also made some questionable choices in this book. Also the push and pull between Cassius and Mira I just loved. I loved them together, they were able to be themselves with each other and open up about things. I loved how they made each other better. They were able to build trust that they didn’t have with each other in the beginning. There was just so much action and stuff to unpack in this book that I was at times on the edge of my seat questioning what was going to happen next and the emotions I had while reading. Both Mira and Scarlett end up going through so much and at times questioned what they wanted to do and what kind of ruler they wanted to be. From being enemies to allies they made choices to better themselves and decide what they wanted and how they wanted to be.
Fav quotes-
“I’m not the monster you think I am, Mira. Or at least I don’t want to be.”

“ i hate you so much that it fucking consumes me”

I loved the ending. I wasn’t truly sure how it was going to end but I’m so glad it ended how it did.

Thank you to the author for the Arc again. Can’t wait for what is next.