Prince of the Sun

by Emma Noyes

Legally Blonde meets A Deal with the Elf King in the debut spicy standalone adult romantasy from the acclaimed author of How to Hide in Plain Sight, the Sunken City series, and the Soul of Shadow trilogy.

One hundred years ago, the elves appeared on Earth.

Beautiful, brilliant, and filled with unearthly grace, they swarmed the libraries and universities: Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Beijing. They made for the humans’ fountains of knowledge with eerie precision, as if they’d spent millennia studying Earth before their arrival.

Once there, the Elf King made an announcement: we're looking for something, and once we find it, we will leave you in peace.

Quinn Kallister doesn't believe him. Seven years ago, she watched her father be murdered and her brother kidnapped by a pair of elves. Since then, she fought to gain admission to Harvard for one reason: to find the answers no one will give her. To do that, she must spy on Daerios Ariar, the most powerful and terrifying of the Sun Princes. Quinn is set on gaining the prince's trust and learning the elves' secrets—until an unwanted attraction begins to form between them that neither can deny.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Fae, Adult

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2026

About the author

Emma Noyes is the author of HOW TO HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT, GUY'S GIRL, and the Sunken City trilogy. The first book in her next YA romantasy series, SOUL OF SHADOW, comes out July 2025. She lives in Chicago with her Swedish husband and their accident-prone Pomeranian.

Author also writes under Emma V.R. Noyes

Reviews

[Taskin⋆彡⭒ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
''I would build a thousand altars with statutes in your exact image, just so I could bow to them"
This book is a fresh breath of air, Its unlike any other fantasy book I've read . The world building is magical and beautiful .
Daerios Ariar is a work of art .Quinn's character reminds me of myself, I see myself when I read her. She dedicated her whole life to Revenge only to fall for her enemy . Feisty little thing she is.
Daerios best friend Berendir is just so cheeky and hilarious . Her roommate Cara is a a sweetheart as well. Daerios and Quinn's banter and chemistry was top notch. This book had me grinning ear to ear. And the way he cares about her? Genuinely the sweetest guy ever . The prince and his obsession with emojis caught me off guard, he is so me😜💅🏼.

The slow burn and yearning nearly killed me. Their love was like burning embers. And the cottage part? she needs to confess up her feelings. The scooby doo and mac n cheese was a fun part. This man is utterly perfect. His positive masculinity makes me weakkk. Quinn's confidence is to die for!
The betrayal in the third part tore everything apart. But I'm glad it was a misunderstanding. They finally found her brother Michael as well.
My babies are everything. I'm so glad they got their Happy Ever After🫶🏼✨

Got my first ARC, Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[lyn ࣪ ִֶָ☾. · Rating 4 out of 5]

pre-read
i'm so excited to read this book! just by reading the synopsis it's already had me hooked, so i rlly hope i'll enjoy the whole book :)

thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the autor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of advance copy received from netgalley

Oh My God. 4⭐️
I freaking loved this! At first it was giving the cruel prince vibes but the plot twist changed EVERYTHING.

Can we talk about the Chemistry between the characters? Daerios had me giggling and kicking my feet, he was so down bad for our girl!!
Also the “good girl” had me SCREAMING.
And the one bed trope was done so beautifully.
The fact that he always made sure that she was eating.. I’m crying He is so precious.

Quinn is also so relatable and the whole speech about eating disorders was done so beautifully because it truly captures the feeling.

The 4 friend-group was adorable.

The plot picks up really well and i really really love the ending. I know this is a stand-alone but i wouldn’t mind a second book or at least a novella, i really love these characters.

Quotes:

“I live for these curves. I die for these curves. I worship every square inch of space that this body takes up.”

“I would build a thousand altars with statues in your exact image, just so I could bow before them.”

“I fucking love you, Daerios Ariar. I love you with every terrified, broken piece of my heart, and if you don’t kiss me right this very moment, I’m going to hit you right in that beautiful face of yours.”

“I love you, too, Quinn Kallister. You are the piece of my soul that I never knew was missing. And now that I have you, I’m never letting you go.”

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️

What are we doing? Why is this book getting 4 and 5 star reviews?

This was not good. I seen a couple of reviews that compared this to The cruel prince.. this was absolutely NOTHING like tcp.

Where was the world building? Why was the story progression so off? Why were the ‘’enemies’’ dry humping and confessing their feelings less than 150 pgs in?

This read like badly written YA but with a couple of cringey over the top spice scenes, which accomplished nothing because the characters did not have any chemistry… The standards for romantasy have fallen so low, this was just.. no.

[Nikola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.

This book was amazing. The plot, the characters, the development, and the setting were perfect and kept me engaged from start to finish. I love Quinn and her dedication to finding her brother and how she never gives up. I also love her clever mind and how she uses it in difficult situations but also find solutions quickly when needed. I also love Daerios and I have to add him as another book boyfriend. I love how he falls in love with Quinn and she becomes his everything. He is just so cheeky with her and they just absolutely work with one another. Cara and Berendir are Quinn's and Daerios' friends and they have their own personality apart from the main characters. They are just amazing and I love how they become an essential part of the plot. Besides the characters, Quinn is studying linguistics and it is translated throughout the book with her using many languages, both human and elven. It was interesting how this passion was continued through the book and was an essential part of the book. Overall, I loved this book and it was very fun for a standalone. I am going to be honest and say I am only slightly disappointed there is not a second book.

[★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

First of all, the book design is gorgeous. I loved the small introduction to elves, the map, and oh I would love to see the final copy at bookstores, just to eye the map a little longer.. okay..

What I loved the most were the characters. I didn't feel the connection with anyone other than Quinn and maybe Daerios, but still, they were so nice to read about, and the humour in the book was very needed. For the "scary intimidating murderous" elves, they were pretty goofy, Daerios and Berendir were like stars of the show. Daerios' text messages with Quinn?? Priceless. Those emojis he was using made me laugh a bit too much cause seriously all you can imagine is an elf holding a phone and clicking emojis. Hilarious. And the dance or whatever that was?? The cabin?? Literally any interaction with Quinn? He was so down bad for her. Both of them were like a match made in hell yet WOW don't separate they're crazy. Berendir and Cara too... They were there for the chaos and to see how long it takes Quinn and Daerios to kill each other and I respect that. Honestly me too. Quinn was really funny, and s loveable character. Some of her actions were questionable but then again they're all weird in their own way so she's forgiven. I liked Daerios as a character. the way he cared for Quinn, and him making sure she was eating by bothering her about trying all sorts of different food.. aww.. "but these are elf made" and its literally the same ingredients that humans use.. you're so extra bro you're so precious daerios.. that was beautiful..

However.. the writing wasn't the best. The plot lacked that big world building that the entire "magical world" promised. I wish we'd learned more about how everything worked, I think it had insane potential... and.. just maybe.. I think I would've felt much more connected to everything if the story was longer. Like throw another book and make the plot longer. Everything stays the same but with more friendly moments, more longing, and much more mystery to what they were actually looking for. Make us believe in the plot twist for a while. It was resolved in the very next chapter but I wish we were left with the feeling of getting betrayed for longer. Like make it HURT

All in all, an enjoyable read!! I was giggling most of the time and I think it's great for anyone who wants a quick romantic and funny read. Do check the trigger warnings tho!!

Huge thanks to the publisher, Emmy Noyes, and Netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for a review!!

[Andie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This was a very silly book, algorithmically and shallowly designed to capture the attentions of the dark academia and Maas reading groups, with deeply irritating characters and plot holes that swallow the book whole. The world building was sloppy (dare I say ... artificially sloppy?), with elves arriving on Earth in 1925, at which point, they announce their presence on YouTube. (You know, that video portal site famously invented in the early twentieth century.) I could say so much more, but really, isn't that enough?

[Julie · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Rating 2.5 stars

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.**

The premise and the comp to Legally Blonde are what pulled me in to request this book and I was so looking forward to it! Unfortunately, I think I was just really not the target audience for this book. And I cannot for the life of me figure out how Legally Blonde factors in other than the location of Harvard. The characters aren't even studying law, but linguistics. But I digress from the poor marketing. 

I will admit that I found this book very readable, as it's on the shorter side and only took me two days to read. I did like the characters enough and the premise was cool, like I said. There were some interesting tidbits leaning into the linguistics! But that's about where my likes stop unfortunately 😅

There were just so many things that didn't work for me with this book. Quinn is supposed to hate the elves, but she is immediately attracted to Daerios and things move pretty quickly. It's not a hate to love really at all, it's more like instant lust... 
It was also just numerous little things that added up. The writing isn't bad, but there were things left out to be "reveals" later that just didn't really make sense to wait until the reveals to mention them. And random facts thrown in. Like Daerios is the first to bring up that Quinn used to do gymnastics and then she mentions it one other time. That's it. No other mentions anywhere, even when she is supposedly training for something later on. 
I really did not need an entire paragraph that explained what Smirnoff Ice is. It was HORRIBLE having an elf, a supposedly immortal and ethereal being, calling his partner who is only 19, while he is 163, the pet name of "baby." I feel like we could have been a lot more creative there. 

And even after finishing this book, I am honestly still unclear on where the world the elves came from is. It inconsistently switches between saying that the elves came to Earth, other times says another planet with the name, and then at other times says they came from another realm. Which is it? Are they considered aliens from anothe planet or are they from just an alternate realm? Because the idea of elves as like an alien species was a little more difficult for me to get behind... 

I think there is definitely an audience for this book. It's just not me. And definitely trigger warnings for disordered eating and anorexia. I want to make that pretty clear because it is constantly brought up. 

CW: eating disorder, sexual content, cursing, death, death of parent, alcohol, grief, injury/ injury detail, self harm (cutting self for magic), medical content, kidnapping, violence, war

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, views are my own)

I was a bit annoyed from the start - sure she wants to borrow a book from the library that someone else has checked out, but there is also a digital copy available?

Quinn is combative, so I had a very hard time liking her. Did she really think that an elf that had been partying on Earth for nearly one hundred years had never worn human clothes before?

I didn't really like how the tropes were set up - the one horse, the lake swim, the secluded cabin.

There was also a fair bit of hands being plunged down pants.

I absolutely enjoyed Cora and Berendir.

[Maud · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️


If you’re looking for your next (urban) romantasy obsession, Prince of the Sun should definitely be on your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed Quinn and Daerios’s story from beginning to end. The writing is engaging, fun, and easy to read, making this one of those books you fly through without even realizing it. It’s incredibly bingeable.

This book includes some of my favorite micro tropes: he’s making sure she’s eating enough, one horse, one bed, and plenty of “yes, ma’am” moments. The chemistry between Quinn and Daerios is fantastic, with the perfect mix of witty banter, simmering tension, and emotional depth. The rivals-to-lovers progression felt natural and seamless, and the plot kept me invested the entire time. And yes… the spice was definitely spicing, if you know what I mean. Bonus points for being a standalone!

I honestly loved this story. The main characters completely won me over, but the side characters were just as memorable (Berendir and Cara, I’m looking at you). If you’re in the mood for a fun, romantic fantasy with great chemistry, satisfying tension, and characters you’ll love, definitely give this one a read!

[RachelHdly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhhh this is gutting because for almost half of the book it was looking like a 4.5+, but unfortunately I feel it lost its way once the romance conflict started coming into play. The FMC was all at once a breath of fresh air and a frustrating head to be in, I feel there wasn’t a lot of time spent thinking about decisions which would send the plot along to its next pit-stop - her actions in the run up to the lake scene mainly.

The world building was so strong in the beginning, and the college setting was a breath of fresh air, and really enjoyable to read, but this dropped off for me once we moved to the other realm. It felt like we were moving across a game board - go here, this happens, go there, now that happens - and rinse and repeat. It lost all the nuance and intrigue that had shored it up in the first half. And then all of a sudden ancient elves are popping out ‘Cute’ when talking to their enemy across a battlefield? It just felt jarring and didn’t convey the magnitude of that character in the moment.

But really the first couple of parts were a really good read and I would want to read more like that from this author

[Katie May · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up

I think there was way too much information front loaded here. We’re introduced to 10 different types of fae in a list but we only encounter like 2 or 3 I think throughout the story. If I learned anything from Chopped the TV show it’s don’t put anything on the plate you can’t eat.

The FMC being a linguist had so much potential to be an integral part of the narrative, and it technically is relevant, but it’s just kind of presented to you. The story line had great potential at being real enemies to lovers type story but the writing held it back a little. A fun read and went quick, but did not reinvent the wheel.

This really had nothing to do with Legally Blonde besides the back drop being an Ivy League school but then the school really had nothing to do with the plot except that’s where they were. LB was light and fun and this was like a murder revenge plot at first?

This suffers from what I refer to as ‘But, hot’. Where an MC completely abandons their mission just because someone is hot lol. Like let’s focus girl. This is categorized as New Adult and I think that tracks. Our FMC does make choices and had thoughts in line with that rating.

There is A LOT of discussion about the FMC having an ED. I don’t want to sound like an insensitive jerk so do with that information what you will.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an early copy of this book in exchange for an

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

The premise immediately caught my attention. One hundred years ago, elves arrived on Earth searching for something they desperately need before they can return to their own world. Until then, they rule over humanity. After witnessing her father's murder and her brother's kidnapping at the hands of elves, Quinn dedicates years of her life to one goal: getting answers and revenge. Her plan leads her to Harvard, where she intends to get close to none other than Daerios, the mysterious Sun Prince.

Of course... things don't always go according to plan.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was the setting. I loved that this wasn't your typical medieval-inspired fantasy world. Instead, we get modern-day Earth, complete with technology, universities, and everyday life, all while elves have become part of society. It gave the story a refreshing twist that made it stand out from many other romantasy novels I've read.

The world-building was fascinating. I enjoyed learning about the different types of elves and discovering more about their history and purpose as the story unfolded. Every new revelation made me even more curious to keep reading.

Quinn was such an easy protagonist to root for. I admired her determination and the lengths she was willing to go to uncover the truth about what happened to her family. At the same time, I appreciated that she wasn't perfect and that her emotions often conflicted with the mission she had spent years preparing for.

And then there's Daerios...

I absolutely adored him. Watching him slowly fall deeper and deeper in love with Quinn was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Their banter was fantastic, their chemistry felt completely natural, and every scene they shared made me smile. I found myself looking forward to every interaction between them.

Overall, Prince of the Sun was a wonderful blend of fantasy, romance, mystery and modern-day academia. With memorable characters, engaging world-building, and a romance that completely won me over, this turned out to be one of my favorite romantasy reads of the year.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Emma Noyes for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...

[Maxine Sabourin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC- I miss the person I was before reading this

GENUINELY the cringiest writing I have experienced. I can appreciate the bones of the story, interesting concept but very poor execution. As much as the writing is clunky and immature the editing and structure of this book is quite weak.

Unrealistic premise (somehow achieved despite this being a fantasy), patchy world building, side characters that were nuked of personality because their only purpose is driving the plot forward.

FMC that again, I like the bones of it, but the inner dialogue is so cringy that it really overshadows everything that is going for her. MMC that I could not care less about.

I see what they were trying to do with the pacing. But going from 0 to 100% halfway through the book really does it no favours and it makes the writing feel even clunkier .

[BookishKB]

☀️👑 Prince of the Sun 👑☀️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Romantasy
• Enemies to Lovers
• Elf Prince MMC
• Academia Setting
• Forced Alliance
• Political Intrigue
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to Emma Noyes and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as a I love Legally Blonde (and that love along with having enjoyed Soul of Shadow being what led to me picking this up), I feel like comparing this to Legally Blonde is a complete undersell. Beyond the fact it takes place at Harvard and Quinn is an absolutely genius nerd, I don't see a ton of similarities, but either way I'm obsessed.

Elves came to our world about 100 years ago. In their initial announcement of their arrival, the elf king said they were looking for something and once they found it they would leave. Every year, he gives a press conference update along with his sons.

Quinn and her brother grew up watching those, and they were obsessed with the "disappointment" clown prince, Daerios. Or at least they did and they were until the day two elves attacked, killing Quinn's father and taking away her brother. Eleven-year-old Quinn went into a deep depression, which led to a struggle with anorexia, until realizing that her brother may be alive. She dedicates her life to finding him and bringing him back.

Quinn studies linguistics from the time she makes her plan, and by the time she starts her college years at Harvard, where conveniently for her plan Daerios started right before her, she is fluent in MANY languages, including two elven ones. She spends all her time on school or on spying to try to figure out what the elves are looking for, and how/whether she can get her brother back. But, sophomore year, she makes a deal with Daerios in exchange for a book which leads to her being his date for a dance and throwing her into his world.

Quinn's ability to nerd out about linguistics made her so fun to me. There are so many times her knowledge of languages has practical applications to the story, and it was really cool to see. Quinn's roommate Cara, a computer science major who is also really dedicated to her craft had several cool storyline applications for her coding and logic skills as well. It made both of them very fun. Daerios and his best friend were also really entertaining, but the ladies are definitely a highlight in this one.

I also really enjoyed the lore surrounding the elves home planet/realm, and it was cool having it fed into the story via Quinn's studying and translations. There is a bit of mystery surrounding the plan, and Quinn's attempts to find information to get to her brother.

As noted briefly above, Quinn has had struggles with anorexia. While she is in recovery at the start of the book, there are a few times throughout where she visibly struggles still. There is also a recounting of someone who struggled with, and died from, anorexia. If you have struggled with eating disorders in the past, I could see the detail and extent being triggering.

Overall, this is a very fun book and, although I'm happy with it and the way it ended, I enjoyed the characters so much that I am borderline disappointed it is a standalone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Emma Noyes for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[A. Diella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince of the Sun by Emma Noyes
Release date:August 4th
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:18+
Spice: Ch 17 134-136, Ch 24 194-199, Ch 32 268-271, and several references

Thank you Emma for sending me this arc! I had so much fun with this book. Quinn and Daerios have such perfect banter, and I found myself laughing so much. The romance had me giggling and kicking my feet. The atmosphere was so cozy, and I just wanted to go there. Also the side characters have my whole heart. I don’t know why but Cara and Berendir really stole the show for me at some parts. I need MORE of them. I loved how Quinn and Daerios’ story wrapped up, and thought it was perfect. The plot was super interesting, and once I started reading I couldn’t stop. It was just so fun.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC NetGalley!

This book was so fun and easy to read! This book gives everything you need in a standalone romantasy, touch her and die, one bed, the MMC feeds her🥹 and so on.

The yearning was so well done👏🏼 our FMC Quinn is a badass that doesn’t take shit from no one especially from a certain hot elf 👅, she’s smart and very determined. The tension between Quinn and Daerios was tensioning very very good. I loved the side characters, aka Cara and Berendir (would love for them to get their own book🌝), and the plot twists really good.

Really loved the dedication at the beginning from the author, couldn’t stop laughing 🤣 Overall if you’re looking for a fun, easy read, with hot elfs, tension, yearning and plot twists, this is it!!🧡

[Megan Cowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love everything Emma writes, and Prince of the Sun is no different.

It gives humor.
It gives sexy.
It gives fun.
It gives love.

There is so much character and plot growth. She writes beautiful imagery that is easy to picture and follow along.

She writes characters that are relatable, and funny, and smart. But that you also learn and grow with.

I just hope with all my might that Cara and Ber get their story too.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this ARC, and it was signed! Great story that grabs you, with a bit of spice! Mindful of the trigger warnings, sensitive material incorporated in a thoughtful way.

[Quinci Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I even put into words how much I loved this book? I have not devoured a book this quickly in so long!

Quinn Kallister, Harvard student by day spy by night.

Quinn is determined to uncover the truth as to why the Elves are really on Earth. Following her family's tragedy, she dedicates her life to unearthing the Elve's secrets. Once she finds out all she can, she will use that information to destroy the very beings that ruined her life.

Daerios Ariar is your typical nepo baby and party boy. Son of the king, he is constantly soaking up attention from tabloids and ensuring his reputation is well known. This vapid party boy is hiding more than Quinn knows. She can't deny her attraction towards him even if she keeps reminding herself that she's only getting close to him for intel.

This unlikely pair will steal your heart and rip it out all at the same time. Unknowingly seeking a common goal might be their downfall. Loyalty and love is tested in this incredibly fast paced stand alone romantasy.

Easily Emma's best work. I absolutely loved everything about this book. The pacing, the characters, their individual stories and struggles. Like her other books, Emma brings real life issues into focus through her writing and characters. Educating her readers on things like OCD, and disordered eating. I always leave her books feeling a deep love for her characters while also admiring how much she teaches me about mental illness.

A true 5 star read for me, honestly I'd give it more stars if I could!

Thank you so much to Emma Noyes and Wednesday Books for this advanced copy. I loved it so so much!

[Milda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Prince of the Sun by Emma Noyes in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I had a bit of a mixed experience with this one. The story and the mystery surrounding the elves and their 100 year old mission kept me interested enough to finish the book, and I genuinely enjoyed the banter between side characters Cara and Berendir—they easily became some of my favorite parts of the story ✨. There were plenty of moments that kept me entertained, even when I found myself rolling my eyes.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the romance and the main characters. Quinn's motivations often felt inconsistent to me. She supposedly despises elves because of what happened to her family and enters the university with the goal of investigating them, yet she's almost immediately distracted by the handsome elf she's meant to be gathering information on. Instead of focusing on her mission, her thoughts quickly shift to how attractive he is, and I had a hard time believing she'd lose sight of her lifelong goal so easily.

The romance also wasn't for me. Daerios gave me strong Edward Cullen vibes 🧛‍♂️—over 160 years old, instantly possessive and protective, and attending university while looking nineteen. Even the famous "lion and lamb" reference made an appearance, which definitely made me think of Twilight 🌙. And listen, I ate Twilight up when I was a teenager myself. Nowadays, I tend to prefer a slow-burn romance, so going from the first kiss to nearly sleeping together within a few pages felt much too fast for my taste.

I also found it difficult to believe that these characters were supposed to be exceptionally intelligent adults. Quinn is introduced as a brilliant Harvard student, yet she repeatedly makes impulsive decisions that land her in trouble, and much of the dialogue felt more like teenagers than adults. Because of that, I actually think this story would have worked better as a YA fantasy with the spice toned down. It has that nostalgic early-2000s paranormal romance feel—the ordinary girl with insecurities, the mysterious, impossibly powerful immortal love interest, and an almost instant attraction.

One final, very personal observation... I don't think I've encountered the word "linguistics" this many times in my entire life. 😂

Would I recommend it?
Yes, if you're looking for an addictive fantasy romance with strong Twilight-style vibes, an overprotective immortal love interest, and don't mind a fast-moving romance. It wasn't quite the right fit for me, but I can definitely see it finding its audience.

#PrinceOfTheSun #NetGalley

[Érika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange of a honest review.

DNFed at 29%. Reading the description of the book it got me super excited, I mean, I’ve never got around a university book with faes before, it was such a novel idea! But I think it made me have expectations in other ways that weren’t meet along the book.

First, the cover along with the Harvard setting made me wait for a more academia vibe, especially when it said the fae where all up in the libraries to find something along the humans. Actually, the book ended up giving much more of a high school vibe than and Ivy League high end university. I had no expectations for any dark academia, but I was hoping for more things focused on their linguistic studies in order to explain better the overall world building. Honestly, it could’ve refrain from naming the universities, for there’s a big expectation when it comes to such honored names in a book.

The FMC also let me down must of the time. The first scene kinda off pissed me off, for it displayed her as much more of a petty kid than anything else. Later on, she explained her lore to be against the fae and made me sympathize with her a lot, but as much as in the narrations she showed off as a very mature FMC, with wishes for vengeance in the name of her father and brother, every time she opened her mouth, she sounded petty and childish and it made me super disappointed.

Overall, the idea it’s very good but it was executed poorly. The comparison to Legally Blonde honestly its so off, it made me expect something funny and whimsical, light academia and fun. I think this is more of a Like the Movies high school drama than anything else.

[lari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

2 stars (DNF at 41%)

Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.

I went into Prince of the Sun really excited because the premise sounded like something I’d love, but I ultimately decided to DNF at 41%. While I can see why this book may work for other readers, I never found myself fully invested in the story.

The biggest hurdle for me was the writing style. It just didn’t click with me, which made it difficult to stay engaged and connect with what was happening. I also expected to be swept away by the plot, but instead it felt like it never quite found its footing. The pacing and story progression fell a bit flat for my personal tastes, and I struggled to feel invested in either the characters or where the story was headed.

This was very much a case of “it’s me, not the book.” I know plenty of readers will likely enjoy what Emma Noyes was aiming for, but after reaching 41%, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I decided it was best to move on to something else.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jade Devorak · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC☀️✨

This was my very first urban-fantasy? It was so interesting to see fantasy creatures in a modern-day setting and their interactions were very fun.

The main characters reminded me of the cruel prince and it felt like an alternate universe where Jude and Cardan are born as Quinn and Daerios, but with slightly varied personalities?

The whole academia aspect was quite enjoyable to me, I loved the parts about linguistics, the riddles, and the fmc’s research.

The whole plot point and setting felt quite different, I haven’t read something like this before and I loved the way everything unfolded.

Since this was a standalone, the fast pace was understandable but still very engaging. I literally LIVED for the interactions between Quinn and Daerios, and I absolutely loved their best friends too🤭

All in all, this was quite an enjoyable read because we’re basically getting all the good parts that make up a good story- the tension, the plotting and scheming, hidden intentions, secrets, a yearner mmc, prophecies, academic setting, world-saving quest and loveable side characters!

As for the tropes, we hit the jackpot with these:
- he feeds her
- pining
- she thinks they’re enemies
- only one bed
- they would die for eachother
- deal between the characters
- he brings her as his ‘human’ date to an elf party
- betrayal
- “touch her and you die”
- enemies to rivals to friends to lovers to enemies again to reluctant allies to lovers (ik its a lot but it’s always good🤭)

Obviously the book had quite a few shortcomings like a lack in world building, plotholes, the personalities of the characters etc. But the negatives arre outweighed by the positives in my opinion and still make up for an enjoyable read.

If you want something safe, with plot points that you know will always get good and urban-fantasy with an academic setting, this one will definitely do the job for you 💗

I read this at a time when I needed these exact vibes and so it enhanced my experience! Prince of the Sun was just what I needed to begin my August!☀️

Thank you so much once again, for making me laugh out loud multiple times, turn me into a blushing mess and fill me with adrenaline with this wonderful story!🫶🏼

xoxo 💋

-Jade

[Madeline Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes & Tropes
* Collegiate romance
* Elemental elvish magic
* Forbidden love
* Found family
* “Good girl”
* Lovable sidekicks
* Mental health rep
* Modern setting
* Revenge plot
* Romcom
* Single POV
* Standalone

Quinn Kallister is a strong, independent and intelligent young woman who worked her butt off to get into Harvard. But her Harvard dream isn’t about a typical education; Quinn uses her time there to spy on and learn as much as she can about the elves. The elves suddenly arrived on earth 100 years ago, And seven years ago two of them killed her father before kidnapping her little brother. Quinn chose Harvard to try and get close to Prince Daerios Ariar, known party boy and son of the leader of the elves, the Sun King. Soon the two become friends, and an undeniable connection grows. But both are keeping secrets that could change everything.
This book was a super fun read! The two main characters are easily likeable and their two best friends compliment their dynamic well. Both Quinn and Daerios experience significant personal growth throughout the story with the help of each other and the challenges they face. These challenges also help strengthen Quinn’s relationship with her roommate Cara, whom she had been trying to keep at arms length out of fear of losing another loved one. I loved the banter between all four of them, especially when Berendir and Cara tease Daerios and Quinn.
This book has everything - love, grief, friendship, humour, adventure, magic and spice. There was never a dull moment and this story kept me up late because it was so hard to stop reading.
The author included a TW list, detailed map, glossary and a list of all the different types of elves which were all very helpful!
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a standalone, spicy Romantasy with a modern setting.
1🌶️

Please read TW first!!

[Katya & the Braincells Inc. · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.5 stars!

🚨 I'm going to be a little disobedient today and will be including my spoiler-ful review for this ARC (thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy!), because there is absolutely no way I am containing all my thoughts in a jar (although I WILL contain the latter half of the novel, out of courtesy). But for the spoiler-free portion...

Spoiler-free review: This is the university-setting human x elf romance I've been waiting for my WHOLE LIFE. Everything about this is my perfect blend of academic rivalry, elven lore, and a romance that makes me giggle under my covers.

Prince of the Sun was my first book by this author, which makes it an even more impressive reading experience. The premise initially reminded me a little of the academic atmosphere in Katabasis, though the similarities mostly stop at the university setting. What sold me immediately was the opening setup itself. An academic rival steals the book you've been trying to get your hands on? At Harvard? With elves involved? I'm sorry, but that combination is practically a catnip for me. The setting works especially well because the novel actually allows us to spend time learning alongside the characters; here, the classroom scenes actively contribute to the charm of the story.

The worldbuilding also deserves praise. This isn't a hard fantasy novel packed with endless rules and encyclopedic magic systems, but it knows exactly what details to emphasize. And the rivals banter! AKA the "I am trying very hard not to enjoy talking to you" banter. There are romances that tell you two characters belong together; Prince of the Sun lets you fall in love with their conversations first.

However, do note that readers looking for a more traditional epic fantasy may find the scope smaller than expected. The emphasis here is very much on characters, relationships, university life, and personal growth rather than nonstop action or large-scale political conflict (which, of course, is very much expected for a stand-alone novel).

-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - -
Spoiler-ful review: Everything this book set out to accomplish, it accomplished exceptionally well. The romance worked. The humor worked. The emotional beats worked. The academic setting worked. The cherry on top, there is even a high-stakes adventure in the middle! Most importantly—I never stopped wanting to turn the page.

Why—out of all the males at this school, all the males in the state of Massachusettes—why does it have to be Daerios? A man I detest, whom I've sworn to use for his access to information? How do you explain attraction? Is it a chemical compound? A string of neurons? A learned reaction? Or is it something else? Something intangible—like magic?

This easily became one of my favorite reads this 2026. The moment I flipped to Chapter One, I immediately knew I was gonna love it. Sometimes you open a book and within a few pages you can tell the narrator is either going to carry the entire story or make it a struggle to get through. Quinn Kallister absolutely carried it. Her voice is witty, sarcastic, intelligent, and wonderfully self-aware without becoming exhausting. I just loved being inside her head.

And I cannot speak enough about the banters.

"Quinn," he says. It's the first time he's used my first name, and it frightens me how much I enjoy hearing it on his lips. "There's no one I'd rather have sully my purity than you."

H-hello!? My brain literally short-circuited!

One thing I really appreciated was that the book never took the easy route with Daerios's character. He is exactly the romantic lead I tend to love. At first glance, he seems like exactly the kind of person Quinn would hate: privileged, talented, impossibly accomplished, and carrying enough prestige to make anyone suspect he's simply benefiting from family connections. Quinn herself is more than willing to assume the worst. But as the story progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that Daerios is actually frighteningly competent. I loved watching our female lead repeatedly discover that the person she had mentally categorized as a glorified nepo baby (nepo elf?) was, in fact, capable of backing up his reputation, and fully capable of matching her wit blow for blow. Quinn and Daerios genuinely challenge each other intellectually, which made their chemistry feel earned.

I also appreciated how the novel handled Quinn's struggles with disordered eating. The book takes its time with that aspect of her character rather than presenting it as a sudden revelation. Through carefully placed flashbacks and observations, the story gradually builds an understanding of her relationship with herself, which made those moments hit much harder emotionally.

As mentioned about the worldbuilding, one of my favorite details was the history surrounding the elves and their arrival in the human world. There's the bit with the Shadow Elves, Sun Elves, etc. The idea that nobody truly knows where they came from, only that they immediately swarmed libraries and universities upon arrival, was endlessly entertaining to me. They're mysterious magical beings, yes, but they're also gigantic nerds, and that combination never stopped being delightful.
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - -

Words cannot describe how much I recommend this book. Few things make me happier than finishing a book and realizing I've found an author I want to follow. This was my introduction to Noyes's work, and it left such a strong impression that I'm already planning which book to pick up next.

If you love a human x elf romance (with a pinch o' spice 🌶️), academic rivals, scholarly worldbuilding, bookish protagonists, magical universities, "touch her and I'll kill you" energy, and feet-kicking banters as much as I do, then you will absolutely love this.

Naválaev!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[A Girl Called Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

TW: references to ED.

You know how long its been since ive read a standalone? I've read maybe less than a handful. And theres nothing wrong with multibook series, but because jm so used to reading a series, its hard for my to gauge and assess appropriate pacing.

And the pacing in this was excellent. Slightly predictable, which wasn't to its detriment. It more piqued my curiosity of how this was going to play out. And this was like reading a romcom (but not SUPER comedic). It had all the elements of things I enjoy in my romantasies - one horse, one bed - but I loved too that it was smart. It packs a lot in a single book, with a whole language (or two, really), interplanetary political systems, and our main character, Quinn, who studied relentlessly to get into Harvard to spy on the elves to get revenge for her father's death and missing brother.

Not to mention the very vulnerable references and sections about the FMCs recovery of her ED, which she battles throughout the book, and our beloved MMC who sees it, validates it, and takes care of her without pushing or judgement.

Really fun read overall!

[Katelyn Bakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this gifted copy.

I started off really enjoying this book and found the writing so engaging that I couldn't put it down. The academia setting with a flair of "The Cruel Prince" was fun and silly. I loved the banter and tension between the two MC's right from the start. This author does a great job with the early pining/tension and anticipation. Unfortunately, about halfway through is where this lost me... once the characters got together it wasn't overly satisfying, I would have wanted an even slower burn personally... I found the decisions of the FMC to be very questionable at times, and she is supposed to be a brilliant Harvard student. The plot took a turn I wasn't expecting, and it wasn't executed the way I would have hoped to reel me back in.

Overall, this is a fun read and if you want a similar vibe to The Cruel Prince with a sillier undertone, I recommend giving this a try!

[Sheila Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially, I wasn’t impressed with the FMC, Quinn. Her single-minded goal and drive to get it is absolutely inspiring but that intense focus… it has her missing the point of the things that are happening in the now. I wanted to shake my fists at her! Now, in steps the MMC and BAM! the world explodes into color. This power couple feels more organic than the typical romantasy books I find nowadays and it is utterly refreshing. I was 100% invested in this story and ended up reading it in one sitting. Highly recommend to readers that long for something with more depth in their fantasy romances.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.