What do you think?
Rate this book
Stariel #3
The Court of Mortals
Marrying your fae prince shouldn’t be this hard.
Hetta’s family now know Wyn’s true identity, but that doesn’t mean they approve of their relationship. Princes are all very well - but Wyn’s not human, for all he’s spent ten years pretending to be.
With gossip spreading like wildfire, Hetta and Wyn receive a royal summons. The Queen of Prydein has heard the rumours of fae intruders, and she's not letting Wyn go until she's satisfied he and his people aren’t a threat. Convincing her would be a lot easier if someone wasn’t trying to blacken Wyn’s name - and if his sister wasn’t trying to kill him.
For mortal politics aren’t the only problem the pair have to face. The Court of Ten Thousand Spires is still without a ruler, and the only way out may be for Wyn to assume the throne himself - meaning he and Hetta can never be together.
The Court of Mortals is book 3 of the Stariel Quartet.
Hetta’s family now know Wyn’s true identity, but that doesn’t mean they approve of their relationship. Princes are all very well - but Wyn’s not human, for all he’s spent ten years pretending to be.
With gossip spreading like wildfire, Hetta and Wyn receive a royal summons. The Queen of Prydein has heard the rumours of fae intruders, and she's not letting Wyn go until she's satisfied he and his people aren’t a threat. Convincing her would be a lot easier if someone wasn’t trying to blacken Wyn’s name - and if his sister wasn’t trying to kill him.
For mortal politics aren’t the only problem the pair have to face. The Court of Ten Thousand Spires is still without a ruler, and the only way out may be for Wyn to assume the throne himself - meaning he and Hetta can never be together.
The Court of Mortals is book 3 of the Stariel Quartet.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2020
505 people are currently reading
1732 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Lancaster
10 books653 followersAJ Lancaster lives in New Zealand and writes romantic, whimsical fantasy in a house containing two ridiculous cats and many plants.
https://www.instagram.com/a.j.lancaster/
https://www.facebook.com/lancasterwri...
https://twitter.com/lancasterwrites
https://www.instagram.com/a.j.lancaster/
https://www.facebook.com/lancasterwri...
https://twitter.com/lancasterwrites
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
June 3, 2022
2.5 stars
Objectively I think this book is probably not that different from the first two in the series, I’ve just hit my limit, as tends to happen to me with series.
In this volume, the queen summons Hetta and Wyn to not!London, and is not thrilled with fae (powers of compulsion and all) wandering around her country. Meanwhile, the succession at Wyn’s home court remains contested, and he’s increasingly dragged into it.
I was at least moderately entertained while reading: the plot moves at a decent pace and I still more or less like the characters and setting. But mostly, I’m over it. I no longer feel like any of the leads (or for that matter the setting, cool as early-20th-century-plus-magic is) have anything new to offer, and the book spends an awful lot of time lovingly detailing their every passing thought and emotion. It perhaps doesn’t help that there are three POVs and their thought processes all seem very similar, with a lot of maundering about having successive emotional reactions to their various thoughts. And the change of scenery means we see little of most of Hetta’s relatives, with no further development even of the two who accompany her to town.
And then, perhaps because I was feeling over it and finding the characters repetitive, a host of new annoyances popped up. There’s some non-standard preposition use, like calling something “different to” something else. There’s naming the crown princess (whom I did like) “Evangeline,” in a world with a laid-back attitude toward what appears to be a traditional pagan religion—i.e., evangelizing isn’t a thing, let alone such an important value as to celebrate it in the name of the heir presumptive. There’s Hetta’s obnoxious backtalking of the queen: I think this must be many people’s fantasy because it’s so common in fantasy books, but Hetta has been shown to possess tact in the past, and I don’t believe someone being so immune to her own society’s hierarchy, particularly when she has a lot to lose. There’s what feels like a low-effort attempt to score diversity points, offering a random PSA on transgender pronouns by having a couple of characters talk about the fae High King, who swaps genders every few centuries (and has not actually appeared in any of these books). And by informing us that a random duke is black, without this being integrated into the history or culture in any way, when this setting is a transparent analogue of Edwardian England and Scotland. There’s the multiple plot points that rely on our leads determining that someone wasn’t involved in a plot against them based entirely on the person’s demeanor. If the (middle-aged, presumably experienced) queen did in fact look visibly guilty when a plot she was involved in was mentioned, she really wouldn’t be very good at this, would she? (Okay, I get that real people decide to trust others this way, for lack of better alternatives, but in real life these judgments are far from infallible. Especially with, y’know, politicians.) On the other hand, she both reprimands one of her chief advisors in front of these randos, and appears to be keeping him in the position (albeit with reduced responsibilities), so maybe she legitimately is not good at this. Even so, our heroes don’t know that!
Part of me feels like this should be a 3-star review, because I do think my reaction is idiosyncratic and I haven’t ruled out the possibility of eventually reading the final book for completion’s sake. And I wasn’t actually hate-reading, as the long list of annoyances may imply. I think it’s a basically fine, standard fantasy romance sequel. But the list of annoyances nonetheless so outweighs the discussion of anything I liked about it that rounding down seems more appropriate. Still, fans of the series have clearly enjoyed it, so if you are one, don’t let me discourage you.
Objectively I think this book is probably not that different from the first two in the series, I’ve just hit my limit, as tends to happen to me with series.
In this volume, the queen summons Hetta and Wyn to not!London, and is not thrilled with fae (powers of compulsion and all) wandering around her country. Meanwhile, the succession at Wyn’s home court remains contested, and he’s increasingly dragged into it.
I was at least moderately entertained while reading: the plot moves at a decent pace and I still more or less like the characters and setting. But mostly, I’m over it. I no longer feel like any of the leads (or for that matter the setting, cool as early-20th-century-plus-magic is) have anything new to offer, and the book spends an awful lot of time lovingly detailing their every passing thought and emotion. It perhaps doesn’t help that there are three POVs and their thought processes all seem very similar, with a lot of maundering about having successive emotional reactions to their various thoughts. And the change of scenery means we see little of most of Hetta’s relatives, with no further development even of the two who accompany her to town.
And then, perhaps because I was feeling over it and finding the characters repetitive, a host of new annoyances popped up. There’s some non-standard preposition use, like calling something “different to” something else. There’s naming the crown princess (whom I did like) “Evangeline,” in a world with a laid-back attitude toward what appears to be a traditional pagan religion—i.e., evangelizing isn’t a thing, let alone such an important value as to celebrate it in the name of the heir presumptive. There’s Hetta’s obnoxious backtalking of the queen: I think this must be many people’s fantasy because it’s so common in fantasy books, but Hetta has been shown to possess tact in the past, and I don’t believe someone being so immune to her own society’s hierarchy, particularly when she has a lot to lose. There’s what feels like a low-effort attempt to score diversity points, offering a random PSA on transgender pronouns by having a couple of characters talk about the fae High King, who swaps genders every few centuries (and has not actually appeared in any of these books). And by informing us that a random duke is black, without this being integrated into the history or culture in any way, when this setting is a transparent analogue of Edwardian England and Scotland. There’s the multiple plot points that rely on our leads determining that someone wasn’t involved in a plot against them based entirely on the person’s demeanor. If the (middle-aged, presumably experienced) queen did in fact look visibly guilty when a plot she was involved in was mentioned, she really wouldn’t be very good at this, would she? (Okay, I get that real people decide to trust others this way, for lack of better alternatives, but in real life these judgments are far from infallible. Especially with, y’know, politicians.) On the other hand, she both reprimands one of her chief advisors in front of these randos, and appears to be keeping him in the position (albeit with reduced responsibilities), so maybe she legitimately is not good at this. Even so, our heroes don’t know that!
Part of me feels like this should be a 3-star review, because I do think my reaction is idiosyncratic and I haven’t ruled out the possibility of eventually reading the final book for completion’s sake. And I wasn’t actually hate-reading, as the long list of annoyances may imply. I think it’s a basically fine, standard fantasy romance sequel. But the list of annoyances nonetheless so outweighs the discussion of anything I liked about it that rounding down seems more appropriate. Still, fans of the series have clearly enjoyed it, so if you are one, don’t let me discourage you.
June 14, 2023
TBR rescue project -- fantasy mostly straights edition!
I read the first two books of this series a while ago -- before I started tracking and reviewing on GR -- and remember enjoying them quite a bit. But by the time the pre-ordered book 3 downloaded on my kindle I had sort of moved on, reading-wise, leaving this installment to languish on the TBR: forgotten, unloved, etc.
(I imagine my TBR as a sad and desperate place. Like Corduroy in that department store. Just wanting someone to open them up and clasp them to their reader-heart. Looking on in despair while new books are downloaded and read immediately because their owner is a filthy mood-reading harlot who has no discernible sense of shame or self-control. Sighing that at least they're not in the dreaded TBR-litfic collection, browsed sporadically only to be closed again to mumbles of "maybe one day, brain, maybe one day." Oh, the indignity!)
Where was I?
Right! Book 3! The book I rescued from the TBR because my recent reading (gay hockey-playing detective wolves) was starting to feel a bit repetitive. No gay hockey-playing detective wolves here! Well, there is a touch of the gay. But I digress.
So . . . look, I would have enjoyed this more if books 1 and 2 weren't lost to the tides of time in my addled book brain. I re-read the last couple of chapters of book 2 before I started, so my memory was vaguely jogged, but still -- the first 20% of this book was slow-going because I kept running up against all the characters and storylines and references that weren't covered in the last couple chapters of book 2. It ends up that these were quite a lot! If you're coming into this fresh from book 2, I doubt it will feel like such a slog.
Because reading this reminded me of all that I enjoy about this series. The characters are wry, smart, sensible, and well drawn. It's wonderfully written. The worldbuilding is great: just enough but not too much. The overarching conflict, both on the personal and political levels, is convincing. It moves along at a good clip, mixing the mundane-but-important stuff (bank loans! new sheep!) with the high-drama stuff (manipulative bloodthirsty royal! and another manipulative bloodthirsty royal!) and treating them both as equally important to Stariel and its people.
But ultimately this felt unsatisfying to me, in a way that's probably more a me-thing than a book-thing. Like books 1 and 2, this is not fantasy romance but fantasy-with-romantic-elements. But while the first two books saw Hetta and Wyn engaged in the will-they-or-won't-they tussle, as well as the Wyn's-got-a-big-secret drama, here they're together and Wyn's secret is out of the bag. The chase is over, long live the chase. But because they're unmarried, what we get instead is interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety, and chaste kisses, and a lot of agonizing over getting married. And ngl, one of the reasons I have taken a break from reading MF historicals is because "interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety" is right up there with insta-love as Trope I Wanna Burn Down. Like I said, it's a me thing!
More to the point, though, the Hetta-Wyn relationship was more "sigh" than "awww" in this installment. I actually really enjoy the fact that Hetta, in particular, is unsentimental and clear-thinking, even when she's in love. I like a heroine who can balance romance with all the shit she's responsible for and has to get done, who doesn't throw everything over because she's so swept off her feet. But this maybe errs a bit too far on the unswept side. And then when they finally did move the physical stuff beyond chaste kisses? It was . . . well, it was like when Lorelai and Luke got together. You know it was always written that way and that it's probably the right thing for both characters, but UGH THEY'RE LIKE BROTHER AND SISTER I DON'T WANT TO WATCH THEM KISS CRINGE FAST-FORWARD FAST-FORWARD!!! Yeah. Like that. I skimmed, people, and I NEVER skim sex scenes. Pretty much the polar opposite of hot.
Cringe aside, this would have been a 4-star read right up until the ending. Because remember those Tropes I Wanna Burn Down? Well, move over, "interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety," because right here at the end we get hit with
So, yeah. I really hated that. But -- in keeping with the theme of this review -- this is a me-hate, not an everyone-should-hate. Thus, 3 stars feels fair. Feel free to not hate this! As for me, I'm no longer invested enough in this story to keep going with (non-pre-ordered) book 4.
I read the first two books of this series a while ago -- before I started tracking and reviewing on GR -- and remember enjoying them quite a bit. But by the time the pre-ordered book 3 downloaded on my kindle I had sort of moved on, reading-wise, leaving this installment to languish on the TBR: forgotten, unloved, etc.
(I imagine my TBR as a sad and desperate place. Like Corduroy in that department store. Just wanting someone to open them up and clasp them to their reader-heart. Looking on in despair while new books are downloaded and read immediately because their owner is a filthy mood-reading harlot who has no discernible sense of shame or self-control. Sighing that at least they're not in the dreaded TBR-litfic collection, browsed sporadically only to be closed again to mumbles of "maybe one day, brain, maybe one day." Oh, the indignity!)
Where was I?
Right! Book 3! The book I rescued from the TBR because my recent reading (gay hockey-playing detective wolves) was starting to feel a bit repetitive. No gay hockey-playing detective wolves here! Well, there is a touch of the gay. But I digress.
So . . . look, I would have enjoyed this more if books 1 and 2 weren't lost to the tides of time in my addled book brain. I re-read the last couple of chapters of book 2 before I started, so my memory was vaguely jogged, but still -- the first 20% of this book was slow-going because I kept running up against all the characters and storylines and references that weren't covered in the last couple chapters of book 2. It ends up that these were quite a lot! If you're coming into this fresh from book 2, I doubt it will feel like such a slog.
Because reading this reminded me of all that I enjoy about this series. The characters are wry, smart, sensible, and well drawn. It's wonderfully written. The worldbuilding is great: just enough but not too much. The overarching conflict, both on the personal and political levels, is convincing. It moves along at a good clip, mixing the mundane-but-important stuff (bank loans! new sheep!) with the high-drama stuff (manipulative bloodthirsty royal! and another manipulative bloodthirsty royal!) and treating them both as equally important to Stariel and its people.
But ultimately this felt unsatisfying to me, in a way that's probably more a me-thing than a book-thing. Like books 1 and 2, this is not fantasy romance but fantasy-with-romantic-elements. But while the first two books saw Hetta and Wyn engaged in the will-they-or-won't-they tussle, as well as the Wyn's-got-a-big-secret drama, here they're together and Wyn's secret is out of the bag. The chase is over, long live the chase. But because they're unmarried, what we get instead is interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety, and chaste kisses, and a lot of agonizing over getting married. And ngl, one of the reasons I have taken a break from reading MF historicals is because "interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety" is right up there with insta-love as Trope I Wanna Burn Down. Like I said, it's a me thing!
More to the point, though, the Hetta-Wyn relationship was more "sigh" than "awww" in this installment. I actually really enjoy the fact that Hetta, in particular, is unsentimental and clear-thinking, even when she's in love. I like a heroine who can balance romance with all the shit she's responsible for and has to get done, who doesn't throw everything over because she's so swept off her feet. But this maybe errs a bit too far on the unswept side. And then when they finally did move the physical stuff beyond chaste kisses? It was . . . well, it was like when Lorelai and Luke got together. You know it was always written that way and that it's probably the right thing for both characters, but UGH THEY'RE LIKE BROTHER AND SISTER I DON'T WANT TO WATCH THEM KISS CRINGE FAST-FORWARD FAST-FORWARD!!! Yeah. Like that. I skimmed, people, and I NEVER skim sex scenes. Pretty much the polar opposite of hot.
Cringe aside, this would have been a 4-star read right up until the ending. Because remember those Tropes I Wanna Burn Down? Well, move over, "interfering relatives with extremely annoying moralizing about propriety," because right here at the end we get hit with
So, yeah. I really hated that. But -- in keeping with the theme of this review -- this is a me-hate, not an everyone-should-hate. Thus, 3 stars feels fair. Feel free to not hate this! As for me, I'm no longer invested enough in this story to keep going with (non-pre-ordered) book 4.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 15, 2020
I am a prince. I am the storm, and you cannot cage me.
With the problem of ThousandSpire still unresolved, Hetta and Wyn are trying their damndest to navigate their relationship, Stariel and renovations to estate. Until pernicious rumors about their relationship seep into the local and national papers, inciting scandal and worse—and Hetta and Wyn receive a summons to meet the queen.
While I was delighted overall, I wasn't quite as fond of this one as I wanted to be, mostly because at book 3 in the quartet I wanted more answers, more of Hetta coming into her own and realizing things about Stariel and her relationship in the world without bumbling into them headfirst and figuring things out later.
No one expects you to know everything immediately.
This is a big theme, and yes Hetta is playing a lot of catch-up at being a Lord in general and the Lord of Stariel in particular, but I kinda wanted her to go for it more, and taking the initiative and asking questions about what it meant instead of internalizing. Also, I realized that while Stariel might have been used to the pain of having lots of mortal lords over its lifetime, there is a lot of collective knowledge that goes missing with the sudden death of a ruler and the appointment of someone who might not have been specifically groomed for the role, particularly if the previous folks aren't in the habit of writing things down (takeaway: A project is not a project if the plan exists only in your head). Overall, I wanted to see more of her as the Lord of Stariel and what that meant, instead of constantly agonizing over her relationship with Wyn (which was important to the story but the faeland).
And this book is a lot of Wyn and Hetta's relationship. They've got a lot of obstacles to overcome—Aunt Sybil, silly mortal senses of propriety, Wyn's control over his powers, The Queen, The High King of Faerie, ThousandSpire's wanting of Wyn, Wyn's crazy family, Hetta's crazier family, duty, obligation...the list continues and grows in this one.
I did like that I got more of the outside world, specifically Meridon, although I would have liked to have more interaction with how the South viewed the North, and more interaction with the other Northern lords in the conclave. Less "oh no, the impropriety!"
Want. Want. Want.
This is still fantastic, and honestly my wants don't matter because this is not my story to tell! And it's a wonderful story and I'm so excited for book four (for answers!), because much of the themes of the book: leaving, returning, the idea that home as place is relative, and growing into yourself.
Anywho, there are a lot more fae in this one, particularly as Rakken and Catsmere come to visit Wyn and Hetta in Meridon, as Aroset tries to take over ThousandSpire (and then, the world *evil laugh*), and Hetta and Wyn grapple with their respected roles as Lord and Prince, and how those roles interact with the rest of the world.
And the Queen makes an appearance, and Marius learns some dastardly things about his ambitious and bitter ex, and also has a not-an-attraction-at-all to a certain amoral fae lord...
Definitely a great installment in the quartet, even if I wanted more. But that's just because I'm greedy and I want more of this world, and more answers. And more of horny Marius realizing he's horny and fuck propriety.
I cannot wait until The King of Faerie.
I received this ARC from the author for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
A problem you have, when you've read so much since an early age as I have, is that you get more and more demanding for the books you read. I generally don't complain, as I have quite a good technique to chose my reads, but I sadly had to say good-bye to some of my favourite genres, as romance and social comedy. I still love to reread my most cherished authors (as Jane Austen, Victoria Clayton, Rainbow Rowell and some others great YA writers) but in most of modern books? I usually give them a large berth, out of fear of being disappointed.
By chance I discovered the Stariel series a year ago, seduced by the beautiful cover and the well-phrased description. It'd been a huge favourite since the very beginning (what French readers call a "coup de cœur") and still is after having read the first book three times and the second twice. The mix between fantasy, social comedy, family story and romance is perfect: clever, entertaining, heart-warming and original! A real treat, a wonder, a miracle...
If you loved as I did the first two books you'll appreciate "The court of Mortals" as much. The plot is very satisfying, the characters' developments are faultless, the romance is always as good as it was (the trick used to make it slow is quite shrewd!) the romantic (or not? ^-^) banter is delicious, the dialogues are superb (think Rainbow Rowell) and, icing on the cake, the secondary characters are well in the spotlight.
A fantastic read, I can't wait for the next one which will be, alas, the last one of Stariel's books...
I'm all in favour for some many spin-off! :)
Many thanks to the author for having given me the ARC, soon the paperbook will be mine! 🤩
By chance I discovered the Stariel series a year ago, seduced by the beautiful cover and the well-phrased description. It'd been a huge favourite since the very beginning (what French readers call a "coup de cœur") and still is after having read the first book three times and the second twice. The mix between fantasy, social comedy, family story and romance is perfect: clever, entertaining, heart-warming and original! A real treat, a wonder, a miracle...
If you loved as I did the first two books you'll appreciate "The court of Mortals" as much. The plot is very satisfying, the characters' developments are faultless, the romance is always as good as it was (the trick used to make it slow is quite shrewd!) the romantic (or not? ^-^) banter is delicious, the dialogues are superb (think Rainbow Rowell) and, icing on the cake, the secondary characters are well in the spotlight.
A fantastic read, I can't wait for the next one which will be, alas, the last one of Stariel's books...
I'm all in favour for some many spin-off! :)
Many thanks to the author for having given me the ARC, soon the paperbook will be mine! 🤩
September 3, 2021
Another fantastic volume in what's rapidly becoming one of my favourite fantasy series.
May 9, 2020
Full review and many more on superstardrifter.com
Oh my but this series has taken hold of me and taken me for a wonderful ride through magical gaslight fae adventures.
Hetta’s family know what Wyn is at this point, and rumors are abound. When Hetta and Wyn receive a royal summons from the Queen, they head south to the capital. Even the royal court of Prydein has heard about the fae intrusions into Stariel, and they won’t let Wyn go until they’re sure that he isn’t to blame.
On top of that, Wyn’s evil sister is trying to kill him even more than normal, because the fae court of ThousandSpires wants him to be king, and she can’t allow that.
This was another fantastic installment of the story, and I found it incredibly hard to put down once I picked it up. Many late nights were spent curled up in bed reading. It was well written, and well edited. I haven’t found a noticeable error in this series so far, as far as I can remember.
The characters are still fantastic. We get to visit with Wyn’s brother Rakken again, as well as Rakken’s twin sister Catsmere. I really enjoyed watching them interact with the human characters, especially Hetta’s brother Marius, who gets caught up in his family’s drama, per usual. He’s more than a bit adorable himself, and it’s hard not to want him to live happily ever after too, even if he is a little bit overprotective of his little sister. Hetta and Wyn are still adorable together, and banter with each other in ways that just got all of the smiles out of me. It’s wonderful finding a book or a series with characters as lovable as these. It makes me want to read the series over and over.
So, in conclusion, I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the last book. I can only imagine the shenanigans to come, because the ending of this one left all kinds of options open for maximum shenanigans!
Oh my but this series has taken hold of me and taken me for a wonderful ride through magical gaslight fae adventures.
Hetta’s family know what Wyn is at this point, and rumors are abound. When Hetta and Wyn receive a royal summons from the Queen, they head south to the capital. Even the royal court of Prydein has heard about the fae intrusions into Stariel, and they won’t let Wyn go until they’re sure that he isn’t to blame.
On top of that, Wyn’s evil sister is trying to kill him even more than normal, because the fae court of ThousandSpires wants him to be king, and she can’t allow that.
This was another fantastic installment of the story, and I found it incredibly hard to put down once I picked it up. Many late nights were spent curled up in bed reading. It was well written, and well edited. I haven’t found a noticeable error in this series so far, as far as I can remember.
The characters are still fantastic. We get to visit with Wyn’s brother Rakken again, as well as Rakken’s twin sister Catsmere. I really enjoyed watching them interact with the human characters, especially Hetta’s brother Marius, who gets caught up in his family’s drama, per usual. He’s more than a bit adorable himself, and it’s hard not to want him to live happily ever after too, even if he is a little bit overprotective of his little sister. Hetta and Wyn are still adorable together, and banter with each other in ways that just got all of the smiles out of me. It’s wonderful finding a book or a series with characters as lovable as these. It makes me want to read the series over and over.
So, in conclusion, I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the last book. I can only imagine the shenanigans to come, because the ending of this one left all kinds of options open for maximum shenanigans!
June 11, 2022
Very very disappointed as I started getting to the end of this book. Everything I praised the author for in the first two of three books in this TRILOGY, she turned around and undid pretty much all of it!!!
As I read further into the book, it became apparent that one of three things was probably going to happen.
1) The ending was going to be so rushed, and crammed in, that it was going to become convoluted, jumbled, and confusing.
2) There was going to be a spin-off, thus not ending it after all, leaving me either forced to read more, or just walk away unsatisfied. I imagined it would have to be called something such as “The (_________) Of Ten Thousand Spires,” since so much of this fae land was discussed in this last book.
OR
3) That this would end up being continued, no longer being a TRILOGY, but a what???
Unfortunately, all 3 of these that I imagined, appear to be happening.
1) It did end up being rushed, with so much going on, with a ton of jumping back at forth between stories, that I had to actually reread some of it a few times, to see if I missed or misunderstood something.
2) I still think this is going to be a spin-off because of how certain characters from certain fae lands ended up in the “wrong” world.
3) And the ultimate slap in the face was to have the final line read, “TO BE CONTINUED...”
No No No!!! This is not ok without some prior warning than the last page. It’s still being billed and printed as a TRILOGY , Book 3 of 3, on Amazon where I picked this series up and read the reviews, and also on Goodreads where it’s being reviewed too-as a TRILOGY!
I was shocked considering this book on both apps had 5 perfect stars! Hmm, maybe if I were to dig further, this would reveal that the majority of the reviewers were either beta testers or ARC receivers???
I waited purposely until after book 3 was released, in order to read this one right after the other.
I read A LOT from this genre, as well as many others, but I have found with this one in particular, if I don’t read them together, they begin to mix, overlap, and all run together after awhile.
I am categorically and unequivocally, DISTRESSED, PEEVED, & LOST!!
As I read further into the book, it became apparent that one of three things was probably going to happen.
1) The ending was going to be so rushed, and crammed in, that it was going to become convoluted, jumbled, and confusing.
2) There was going to be a spin-off, thus not ending it after all, leaving me either forced to read more, or just walk away unsatisfied. I imagined it would have to be called something such as “The (_________) Of Ten Thousand Spires,” since so much of this fae land was discussed in this last book.
OR
3) That this would end up being continued, no longer being a TRILOGY, but a what???
Unfortunately, all 3 of these that I imagined, appear to be happening.
1) It did end up being rushed, with so much going on, with a ton of jumping back at forth between stories, that I had to actually reread some of it a few times, to see if I missed or misunderstood something.
2) I still think this is going to be a spin-off because of how certain characters from certain fae lands ended up in the “wrong” world.
3) And the ultimate slap in the face was to have the final line read, “TO BE CONTINUED...”
No No No!!! This is not ok without some prior warning than the last page. It’s still being billed and printed as a TRILOGY , Book 3 of 3, on Amazon where I picked this series up and read the reviews, and also on Goodreads where it’s being reviewed too-as a TRILOGY!
I was shocked considering this book on both apps had 5 perfect stars! Hmm, maybe if I were to dig further, this would reveal that the majority of the reviewers were either beta testers or ARC receivers???
I waited purposely until after book 3 was released, in order to read this one right after the other.
I read A LOT from this genre, as well as many others, but I have found with this one in particular, if I don’t read them together, they begin to mix, overlap, and all run together after awhile.
I am categorically and unequivocally, DISTRESSED, PEEVED, & LOST!!
January 2, 2022
What an enchanting series! From the characters to the storyline I was completely swept up. Seriously, how great is Marius? And Rake? And Wyn? Everyone really. The prose is beautifully done, written with what feels like a real care factor. Makes you realise how often books get away with mediocre craftsmanship 🤦♀️.
It was delightful.
4.5 🌟Plus looking forward to book 4 👏
It was delightful.
4.5 🌟Plus looking forward to book 4 👏
January 3, 2020
Everything I loved about the first two books, except EVEN MORE. Romantic entanglements, even more tangled politics vs Hetta's desire to shout and set fire to things, and the sort of ending that left me equal parts thrilled and frustrated to read the next book. Fantastic stuff.
December 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this one--up until the very ending.
July 2, 2022
Oops, I was afraid I hadn't reviewed this one. So I can't speak to a ton of specifics, but still enjoyed the series as a whole.
February 29, 2024
I liked it, but seriously the twist was practically staring the main character in the face the entire time. Every time she didn't figure it out I wanted to scream.
September 23, 2025
what an ending 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
enjoyed the book a lot, tho I do wanna flick their foreheads every time they fret about giving up the relationship for the others sake
enjoyed the book a lot, tho I do wanna flick their foreheads every time they fret about giving up the relationship for the others sake
February 7, 2021
3 star books that loses extra points for . A trope I despise.
This series is starting to feel more drawn out than I want it to be. There are ways in which it's reminding me of a Disney sequel - this thing we kind of resolved last time...surprise, it's back and as annoying as ever!
I'm not sure if its a matter of shaky character development or a series getting stretched out to meet the number of books the author thought they would write. The story itself is still interesting. I'm just developing more quibbles with it as we go on.
This series is starting to feel more drawn out than I want it to be. There are ways in which it's reminding me of a Disney sequel - this thing we kind of resolved last time...surprise, it's back and as annoying as ever!
I'm not sure if its a matter of shaky character development or a series getting stretched out to meet the number of books the author thought they would write. The story itself is still interesting. I'm just developing more quibbles with it as we go on.
February 25, 2021
I love all the characters sooo much!! Also appreciate the high level of hot Fae in this book 🥰 can’t wait for book 4 ❤️❤️❤️❤️
May 28, 2025
4.3 stars!!
Okay I finished this a little over an half and hour ago and forgot to update LMAO
I liked this tho!! It definitely upped the anti and I needed that cause the others were cozy, but could get a bit boring at times for me which might’ve been cause of me being half asleep at work
I like the fae politics and how the characters have a role, plus I love the relationship between Hetta and Wyn, and maybe even between Marius and Rake? 👀
Anyways I’m excited for the next book, also MISS GIRL IS PREGNANT??? LIKEEEEE where is the birth control you spoke of??? LOL
Okay I finished this a little over an half and hour ago and forgot to update LMAO
I liked this tho!! It definitely upped the anti and I needed that cause the others were cozy, but could get a bit boring at times for me which might’ve been cause of me being half asleep at work
I like the fae politics and how the characters have a role, plus I love the relationship between Hetta and Wyn, and maybe even between Marius and Rake? 👀
Anyways I’m excited for the next book, also MISS GIRL IS PREGNANT??? LIKEEEEE where is the birth control you spoke of??? LOL
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
August 6, 2023dnf at 70%
It feels kind of weird to DNF a book this late, but I realized I was just forcing myself through it. This series was fun but it wasn't quite what I was looking for or hoping for, and it just didn't really managed to keep my attention. I was thinking I wouldn't continue the series, then wondered why I'd force myself to finish the book then.
All that to say, I liked the first book but after that it didn't really manage to capture me.
It feels kind of weird to DNF a book this late, but I realized I was just forcing myself through it. This series was fun but it wasn't quite what I was looking for or hoping for, and it just didn't really managed to keep my attention. I was thinking I wouldn't continue the series, then wondered why I'd force myself to finish the book then.
All that to say, I liked the first book but after that it didn't really manage to capture me.
January 17, 2022
I was impatient with the beginning and frustrated with what I perceived as the ending. But it ended up being action-packed and fun in keeping with the series.
August 28, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot more than Book 2.
We join Wyn, Hetta and their families in an adventure that does not disappoint.
No spoilers. Highly recommend for fans of fans and those who still doubt that fantasy can be worthwhile reading.
We join Wyn, Hetta and their families in an adventure that does not disappoint.
No spoilers. Highly recommend for fans of fans and those who still doubt that fantasy can be worthwhile reading.
January 16, 2020
I read with a lot of pleasure The Lord of Stariel (four times) and The Prince of Secrets (two times). You can find there a great story, a family, a house and a Land which are almost real characters.
But what I am really fond of are the characters, so enticing. The author created complex and real characters, and there is a lot of humour in these books.
And thanks to the author who sent me an ARC (many thanks again!), I was able to discover The Court of Mortals. It was a very great pleasure to meet again the characters, because we know them better and better in this third book. And minor characters become more complex and very interesting.
I liked a lot the developments of the romance, so well-written! The story is enthralling, and I cannot wait the fourth book!
A great read, I am waiting now for the paperbook, so beautiful !
J'ai découvert avec un tel plaisir les deux premiers tomes de cette série, The Lord of Stariel et The Prince of Secrets, qu'ils font désormais partie des livres que je lis et relis régulièrement.
Et ce qui ne gâte rien, ce sont de beaux livres, à la couverture chatoyante, imprimés sur un beau papier épais.
On y rencontre une histoire passionnante, une famille plus vraie que nature, avec une maison et une terre qui sont pratiquement des personnages à part entière.
Mais j'ai surtout aimé les personnages, particulièrement attachants. L'auteure a su les rendre vivants et complexes sans jamais tomber dans les stéréotypes - parfois même en les inversant avec humour !
Et grâce à l'auteure qui m'a fait parvenir une ARC (merci encore !), j'ai pu découvrir The Court of Mortals dès décembre.
J'ai retrouvé les personnages principaux avec d'autant plus de plaisir qu'on a l'impression de les connaître de mieux en mieux au fil des pages, comme des amis dont on découvre la profondeur au fil du temps. Quant à ceux qui semblaient de simples opposants, ils deviennent plus complexes, et dignes d'intérêt.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié aussi les développements de l'histoire d'amour et la façon dont elle est traitée, avec finesse et sans jamais tomber dans la vulgarité. La trame du roman reste passionnante, et les derniers rebondissements font maintenant attendre le tome 4 avec impatience !
Un très bon tome trois, une série de belle qualité, à recommander à tous les amoureux de bons romans, ceux qu'on lit et relit avec bonheur.
But what I am really fond of are the characters, so enticing. The author created complex and real characters, and there is a lot of humour in these books.
And thanks to the author who sent me an ARC (many thanks again!), I was able to discover The Court of Mortals. It was a very great pleasure to meet again the characters, because we know them better and better in this third book. And minor characters become more complex and very interesting.
I liked a lot the developments of the romance, so well-written! The story is enthralling, and I cannot wait the fourth book!
A great read, I am waiting now for the paperbook, so beautiful !
J'ai découvert avec un tel plaisir les deux premiers tomes de cette série, The Lord of Stariel et The Prince of Secrets, qu'ils font désormais partie des livres que je lis et relis régulièrement.
Et ce qui ne gâte rien, ce sont de beaux livres, à la couverture chatoyante, imprimés sur un beau papier épais.
On y rencontre une histoire passionnante, une famille plus vraie que nature, avec une maison et une terre qui sont pratiquement des personnages à part entière.
Mais j'ai surtout aimé les personnages, particulièrement attachants. L'auteure a su les rendre vivants et complexes sans jamais tomber dans les stéréotypes - parfois même en les inversant avec humour !
Et grâce à l'auteure qui m'a fait parvenir une ARC (merci encore !), j'ai pu découvrir The Court of Mortals dès décembre.
J'ai retrouvé les personnages principaux avec d'autant plus de plaisir qu'on a l'impression de les connaître de mieux en mieux au fil des pages, comme des amis dont on découvre la profondeur au fil du temps. Quant à ceux qui semblaient de simples opposants, ils deviennent plus complexes, et dignes d'intérêt.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié aussi les développements de l'histoire d'amour et la façon dont elle est traitée, avec finesse et sans jamais tomber dans la vulgarité. La trame du roman reste passionnante, et les derniers rebondissements font maintenant attendre le tome 4 avec impatience !
Un très bon tome trois, une série de belle qualité, à recommander à tous les amoureux de bons romans, ceux qu'on lit et relit avec bonheur.
November 5, 2022
This is the third book in the Stariel series, and I really appreciated how well this author weaves romance, whimsy fae, human politics, and mundane happenstances together. Whilst this book does have a great deal of rising tensions, down to both Hetta and Wyn’s respective titles and undiscovered relationship (in a period of time where marriage is expected to remain respectable), it’s balanced well with the wonderful wit and family dynamics that I’ve come to enjoy. This is my favourite book in the series.
April 21, 2023
Probably most series have a book that is more of a bridge between the other books than it is a story of its own. This one had some good moments, but other than the last dozen pages, it mostly it felt like filler. I kept wishing I could just find out how it ended without having to actually read it. She could have done a lot more with the northern conclave and the politics between the north and south. She could have had a lot less of Hetta ruminating about various different problems in her head. Really, really want more about the High King, even if it’s just more info and not an actual appearance (although an appearance would be better!). And the last sentence, even though you could practically predict it was coming, was such an eye roll.
For the record, I’m only griping about this book in comparison to the first two books in the series. For the genre, this series is really a fun read. I have a plane trip coming up next week, will probably finish the next one then.
For the record, I’m only griping about this book in comparison to the first two books in the series. For the genre, this series is really a fun read. I have a plane trip coming up next week, will probably finish the next one then.
April 8, 2020
WOW! This book was amazing and I must admit I do not say that often. I stumbled upon the Stariel Series randomly and boy am i glad I did! The Court of Mortals is the 3 book the the quartet and it did not disappoint. The story continues the telling of Hetta's adventure with Stariel and all the lys upon it and Wyn with his many struggles and drama that come with his family and his fae court. I have to say though, after I finished the book, I was very frustrated and... astonished? The cliffhanger was..gosh! I admit I was in denial when I had found out that the fourth book of the series had yet to release. I will definitely put this book up there with my all time favorites! I also can not wait for The King of Faeries (the 4th book in the Stariel Series) to come out! I am soooo excited! Gosh, I think am a little too obsessed with this book!
~𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲 ♥'𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
~𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲 ♥'𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
October 28, 2023
3,5⭐️
Still a pleasure to listen to.
What lowers the score in this one compared to the previous two, is that all the nagging about impropriety got a bit old and of course, the pregnancy cliff hanger at the end.
Makes me not want to continue this series. And I really wanted to get to Marius’ book… What to do?
Still a pleasure to listen to.
What lowers the score in this one compared to the previous two, is that all the nagging about impropriety got a bit old and of course, the pregnancy cliff hanger at the end.
Makes me not want to continue this series. And I really wanted to get to Marius’ book… What to do?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2021
Such a good book! The audio is amazing as well. Great narrator who made me really feel all the different characters through the voices. I really liked this one and can’t wait for the next. Love Hetta and everyone. Really enjoyed Wyn’s siblings and his interactions with the little princess.
January 26, 2020
I obsessed about this book while I was reading it, and I'm still thinking about it days later, neither of which is normal for me. I can't wait for the next book of the series.
April 10, 2020
Another great read from AJ Lancaster. Highly recommend!
January 18, 2022
So good
I honestly had a hard time deciding how they should resolve the problem and I love the resolution. Somewhat spicy(
I honestly had a hard time deciding how they should resolve the problem and I love the resolution. Somewhat spicy(
March 28, 2023
This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum!
Actual rating: 4.5*
I’m on a Stariel series binge because I just love it so much. By book 3, these characters totally grew on me, and I can’t wait to jump on book 4 when time allows me to. Since The Court of Mortals is the third book in the series, this review might contain spoilers for the previous books, so I warn you to read on with caution.
There is no rest for the wicked or the ones in love, in this case. Hetta and Wyn barely had time to process what happened in Thousand Spire, when new complications arise. Words about Wyn’s identity reach far and wide in the country, and they not only have to win the favor of the Northern lords if Hetta wants to be admitted by them, but they also have to answer the Queen’s summon. And on top of it, Wyn and Hetta face decisions that might end their relationship before it could really bloom.
The Court of Mortals, for the most part, is set in Meridon, the capital city, which is definitely a nice change of scenery. I love city settings, and I couldn’t help but feel that Meridon is very similar to London – look, this might be wishful thinking, as I love that city, so just let me pretend, will you? But I would have loved to spend a bit more time exploring it, instead of it just being a background for the plot. I also felt that too many plotlines were crammed into this book, and some seemingly without any point – for example, Sunnika appears at the beginning, but then we never learn why she seeks out Wyn. Alexandra and Aunt Sybil’s presence didn’t have much point either, just to provide company when the plot needed it.
Rake and Cat’s presence was very welcome though. They sure provided entertainment, especially Rakken and Marius’ interactions. I’m sure looking forward to reading Rake of His Own, the standalone novel in this series. I was glad that Marius got a bit more role in this book, as I like him very much, with his flaws and all. And his tendency to find himself in trouble. Usually thanks to someone handsome. I can’t wait to find out how his storyline will continue in light of certain events in The Court of Mortals. Yes, I’m being vague, but damn, I can’t write spoilers.
What I like about the Stariel series, is how it mixes different genres – Romance, Mystery, and Fantasy. I especially liked the mystery aspect, as Hetta and Wyn tried to figure out who might be behind the rumors and brewing hostility toward them. And I still applaud Lancaster for how she handles their relationship, the way it evolves, without being too much in our faces. On the other hand, I hate her for ending The Court of Mortals THAT way. I instantly wanted to go to book 4, and probably would have, if there wasn’t a change of narrators in the audiobooks. This is a shame, because I really loved Finty Williams‘ performance, and I don’t think I would have been able to get used to someone new. So I have to wait a bit but believe me I’m struggling to be patient because I NEED TO KNOW.
*Ahem* So while Lancaster might have bit a bit more than she can chew with this one, and it had some flaws, I just couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook, because the writing and these characters just sucked me in. I already admitted in my review for The Prince of Secrets, that I’m addicted, and honestly, The Court of Mortals did nothing to cure me of that. There are worse things to be addicted to, though, so I’m taking my wins where I can. The Stariel series and A.J. Lancaster are both slowly taking their place on my respective favorite lists, and I don’t even have any regrets about that. I’m looking forward to finding out how this story ends, and what else Lancaster will have in store for us in the coming years.
Actual rating: 4.5*
I’m on a Stariel series binge because I just love it so much. By book 3, these characters totally grew on me, and I can’t wait to jump on book 4 when time allows me to. Since The Court of Mortals is the third book in the series, this review might contain spoilers for the previous books, so I warn you to read on with caution.
There is no rest for the wicked or the ones in love, in this case. Hetta and Wyn barely had time to process what happened in Thousand Spire, when new complications arise. Words about Wyn’s identity reach far and wide in the country, and they not only have to win the favor of the Northern lords if Hetta wants to be admitted by them, but they also have to answer the Queen’s summon. And on top of it, Wyn and Hetta face decisions that might end their relationship before it could really bloom.
The Court of Mortals, for the most part, is set in Meridon, the capital city, which is definitely a nice change of scenery. I love city settings, and I couldn’t help but feel that Meridon is very similar to London – look, this might be wishful thinking, as I love that city, so just let me pretend, will you? But I would have loved to spend a bit more time exploring it, instead of it just being a background for the plot. I also felt that too many plotlines were crammed into this book, and some seemingly without any point – for example, Sunnika appears at the beginning, but then we never learn why she seeks out Wyn. Alexandra and Aunt Sybil’s presence didn’t have much point either, just to provide company when the plot needed it.
Rake and Cat’s presence was very welcome though. They sure provided entertainment, especially Rakken and Marius’ interactions. I’m sure looking forward to reading Rake of His Own, the standalone novel in this series. I was glad that Marius got a bit more role in this book, as I like him very much, with his flaws and all. And his tendency to find himself in trouble. Usually thanks to someone handsome. I can’t wait to find out how his storyline will continue in light of certain events in The Court of Mortals. Yes, I’m being vague, but damn, I can’t write spoilers.
What I like about the Stariel series, is how it mixes different genres – Romance, Mystery, and Fantasy. I especially liked the mystery aspect, as Hetta and Wyn tried to figure out who might be behind the rumors and brewing hostility toward them. And I still applaud Lancaster for how she handles their relationship, the way it evolves, without being too much in our faces. On the other hand, I hate her for ending The Court of Mortals THAT way. I instantly wanted to go to book 4, and probably would have, if there wasn’t a change of narrators in the audiobooks. This is a shame, because I really loved Finty Williams‘ performance, and I don’t think I would have been able to get used to someone new. So I have to wait a bit but believe me I’m struggling to be patient because I NEED TO KNOW.
*Ahem* So while Lancaster might have bit a bit more than she can chew with this one, and it had some flaws, I just couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook, because the writing and these characters just sucked me in. I already admitted in my review for The Prince of Secrets, that I’m addicted, and honestly, The Court of Mortals did nothing to cure me of that. There are worse things to be addicted to, though, so I’m taking my wins where I can. The Stariel series and A.J. Lancaster are both slowly taking their place on my respective favorite lists, and I don’t even have any regrets about that. I’m looking forward to finding out how this story ends, and what else Lancaster will have in store for us in the coming years.
May 29, 2021
This entire series (this book is #3 in the series) is slowly becoming one of my favorites in the romantic fantasy genre. Political machinations of the human royal court enmesh with the power struggle in one of the fae royal court in a tangled knot of intrigue, magic, and ambition. Many participants vie for dominion in both locations, and the protagonists, a human woman Hetta and a fae prince Wyn, are caught in the middle, like pebbles in a tide. Fortunately, both are strong-willed. Neither is a pawn in a chess game. Both are trying their best to win their rights to be happy together. But although nobody could move them against their wills, would their mutual love be enough to withstand the contradictory demands of their very different kingdoms? And their very different relatives?
Siblings’ rivalry and newspaper gossips, enchanted lands and vicious magic line up against our heroes, but they persevere despite the odds, always striving to make the right choices. Although they have won some respite by the end of the novel, Hetta and Wyn’s love story isn’t over yet. Another book is coming, and I can’t wait to read it.
Both Hetta and Wyn are wonderfully multifaceted characters, fleshed out and three-dimensional. Both are flawed people, but their deep conscience and unremitting compassion make them utterly sympathetic. They care for others, and I couldn’t help but care for them. Because I loved the heroes, I loved the novel. The writing was strong and clear, the tension rose progressively, and the descriptions were fascinating.
Overall: I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. I hope it will be the conclusion of Hetta and Wyn’s story.
Siblings’ rivalry and newspaper gossips, enchanted lands and vicious magic line up against our heroes, but they persevere despite the odds, always striving to make the right choices. Although they have won some respite by the end of the novel, Hetta and Wyn’s love story isn’t over yet. Another book is coming, and I can’t wait to read it.
Both Hetta and Wyn are wonderfully multifaceted characters, fleshed out and three-dimensional. Both are flawed people, but their deep conscience and unremitting compassion make them utterly sympathetic. They care for others, and I couldn’t help but care for them. Because I loved the heroes, I loved the novel. The writing was strong and clear, the tension rose progressively, and the descriptions were fascinating.
Overall: I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. I hope it will be the conclusion of Hetta and Wyn’s story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews