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Five Crowns of Okrith #3
The Rogue Crown
Expect magic, adventure, and sapphic romance in this thrilling third installment of the bestselling, high fantasy saga The Five Crowns of Okrith.
Determined to uncover who killed the Western Queen, fae warrior Briata Catullus sets out on a mission to defeat the witch hunters and protect the Western Princess. But when she arrives in the West, things are even worse than she feared. The icy reception from the Western fae is the least of her problems. After all, they've heard the prophecy that Bri will seize the crown from its sovereign, and the last thing they want is for her to usurp the throne.
Still grieving the loss of her mother, Princess Abalina Thorne reluctantly allows Bri to serve as one of her guards at the behest of her cousin, knowing that she may be after the crown. As the witch hunters rise against them, they must work together to uncover the secret plot of their enemies. Along the way, the princess realizes that Bri is one of the few people she can trust. But Bri is determined to forge her own path and prove the prophecy wrong, not letting the beautiful Lina distract her from defeating the witch hunters. Will she discover the truth and stamp out the rebellion without losing her heart along the way?
Determined to uncover who killed the Western Queen, fae warrior Briata Catullus sets out on a mission to defeat the witch hunters and protect the Western Princess. But when she arrives in the West, things are even worse than she feared. The icy reception from the Western fae is the least of her problems. After all, they've heard the prophecy that Bri will seize the crown from its sovereign, and the last thing they want is for her to usurp the throne.
Still grieving the loss of her mother, Princess Abalina Thorne reluctantly allows Bri to serve as one of her guards at the behest of her cousin, knowing that she may be after the crown. As the witch hunters rise against them, they must work together to uncover the secret plot of their enemies. Along the way, the princess realizes that Bri is one of the few people she can trust. But Bri is determined to forge her own path and prove the prophecy wrong, not letting the beautiful Lina distract her from defeating the witch hunters. Will she discover the truth and stamp out the rebellion without losing her heart along the way?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2022
417 people are currently reading
17217 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Mulford
23 books2,030 followersA. K. Mulford is a bestselling fantasy author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. They/she is inspired to create diverse stories that transport readers to new realms, making them fall in love with fantasy for the first time or all over again. They now live in Australia with their husband and two young human primates, creating lovable fantasy characters and making ridiculous TikToks (@akmulfordauthor).
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
April 23, 2022
“Don’t settle for less than you’re worth.”
Hands down the best Sapphic fantasy, I’ve ever read. A.K Mulford has such an exciting, fun, sexy, and heartfelt writing style. I love the world building, sense of humor, and how much depth she’s created with each of these amazing characters in this entire series. I’ve been a fan of Bri’s since book one (The High Mountain Court) and completely fell in love with her in this book. It was great to hear more of her back story, how she became The Eagle of Death, and then how she makes her own destiny.
“All the good that I possess, I made for myself.”
Mulford writes some of my favorite enemies to lovers fantasy, but not to be outdone by the forbidden love in this book! The slow burning tension created between these phenomenal characters was SO good. I’ve never read a fantasy series (let alone fantasy romance) that is this inclusive and has so much representation. I appreciate how anyone can picture themselves in the realm of Okrith, regardless of sexual identity, sexual orientation, or skin tone. It feels effortless to read, but is very impactful. I adored this book, and can’t wait for The Evergreen Heir!
Thank you A.K. Mulford, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC.
Hands down the best Sapphic fantasy, I’ve ever read. A.K Mulford has such an exciting, fun, sexy, and heartfelt writing style. I love the world building, sense of humor, and how much depth she’s created with each of these amazing characters in this entire series. I’ve been a fan of Bri’s since book one (The High Mountain Court) and completely fell in love with her in this book. It was great to hear more of her back story, how she became The Eagle of Death, and then how she makes her own destiny.
“All the good that I possess, I made for myself.”
Mulford writes some of my favorite enemies to lovers fantasy, but not to be outdone by the forbidden love in this book! The slow burning tension created between these phenomenal characters was SO good. I’ve never read a fantasy series (let alone fantasy romance) that is this inclusive and has so much representation. I appreciate how anyone can picture themselves in the realm of Okrith, regardless of sexual identity, sexual orientation, or skin tone. It feels effortless to read, but is very impactful. I adored this book, and can’t wait for The Evergreen Heir!
Thank you A.K. Mulford, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC.
Want to read
June 9, 2022UPDATE
Ali got picked up by Harper Voyager! 🎉
✨ WE ARE GETTING BRI AS THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK. ✨
✨ OH THANK GOD. ✨
✨ I CAN'T WAIT. ✨
Ali got picked up by Harper Voyager! 🎉
✨ WE ARE GETTING BRI AS THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK. ✨
✨ OH THANK GOD. ✨
✨ I CAN'T WAIT. ✨
October 21, 2022
3.5 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Western Court Queen is dead.
Third in the Five Crowns of Okrith series, The Rogue Crown, follows Briata Catullus as she travels to the Western Court after being called for help by her friend and casual lover Delta. Delta is the Captain of the Queen's Guard and has been injured after a fatal attack on the Queen. Delta wants Bri to help find out who orchestrated the attack and protect the heir, Princess Abalina. I know third in a fantasy series can seem like an intimating place to start and I was nervous but the author smoothly incorporated details of the world and character relationships that didn't use info dumping but worked to catch me up and place me in the world. New readers could start here but as I enjoyed this one so much, I'm definitely going back to the beginning and reading how this all started.
The Eagle will seize the crown from its sovereign.
After reading and gaining a foothold in this story, one of the aspects I found myself getting excited about is how this series seems to be laid out overall. The five crowns series title calls out the five courts that make up Okrith. The High Mountain Court (book 1 – Remy and Hale), Northern Court (2 – Rua and Renwick), Western Court (3 – Bri and Lina), Southern Court (possible 4 with possible Talhan and Neelo), and Eastern Court (possible 5 with possible Carys and ?). I've been dying for an adult fantasy romance series that is laid out like this, each individual book focuses on a main couple but the books link together through a continuous story thread. From what I can gather from starting in book 3, a Northern King fell leaving all five courts in disarray and each court is trying to stabilize while one of our main villains, Augustus Norwood is trying to get any and all crowns he can. It's a fantasy world of witches (their different colored magic signifies what kind of witch they are, healer, gardener, seer, etc.), fae, and humans set in a Medieval-ish time. And since this is fantasy, we've got to have our prophecies. When Bri was born with her twin brother Talhan, it was prophesied that the “Eagle will seize the crown”. This freaked out the Western Queen, Bri's birthplace, and the Queen banished Bri's family, making Bri's mother extremely bitter and for the rest of Bri's life trying to shape her into someone who would eventually destroy the Western Queen and return her family to glory in the West.
They were hunting masked assassins and a deranged prince with violet witch magic.
The first half of this definitely leaned more into the fantasy and setting up the micro singular book issue of Bri trying to fret out who the witch hunters in the lion masks were that attacked and killed the Western Queen with some kind of violet poison and guarding Lina. The macro issue being the overall series thread of Norwood's villainy hovering around and if he's connected to the Queen's death. There's credible red-herrings with secondary characters, possible jilted wife, the head brown witch healer, council members, fiancé, guards, and Norwood for Bri to investigate. Of course, we also get the romance sparking up as Bri has to guard Lina and it starts off as a slow burn. I thought the investigation sputtered around some as there was a good amount of other minor story threads going around, Lina being a sort of Robin Hood (did we really need this?), and I wish the investigation plot could have been focused on with more concrete action. When the search for answers takes them to a library in the Southern Court, I really felt the sputtering as the pace slowed some but in this second half the romance heats up and we get open door (in the stables! in the library!) payoff to that slow burn.
“I wish you didn't make it so hard to hate you.”
“I wish you'd stop hating me,” Bri countered, her eyes dropping to Lina's parted, breathless lips.
The later second half brings in Bri's brother and friends that were in the previous books and we get a gang is all together again that I'm sure series readers will enjoy; it made this newbie want to immediately read Remy and Hale's book. Bri and Lina have their late act angst breakup and then we get some battle scenes that I was waiting for in an otherwise more quiet story. Not having read the previous books, I'm not sure if they were more battle/action heavy and this book's tone would be a welcome calm reprieve in the series overall, or if they're all more toned quietly. For a fantasy story, I was expecting more battle action and while there were some action skirmishes, I can see some finding this too quiet for a book that has a battleaxe on the cover. I'll be curious when I go back to read the previous books how this fits into the series.
“Isn't it obvious? You've seen that purple smoke.” His eyebrows lifted as he flashed an unsettling grin. “The violet witches are back.”
I thought the ending reveal of this story's villain was a bit too fast, I like to savor moments that have been the story's main lead-up, but fit into the overall series thread. It connected the hovering Norwood while also bringing in some answers about the violet witches that have been thought long dead. There was also a great lead-in to, what I think is going to be book 4, concerning Bri's brother Talhan and the heir to the Southern Court.
“Why are the best things the ones we're too afraid to get right?”
There was repeated usage of “smirked” and “snickered” in the beginning that was almost starting to drive me crazy but, thankfully, died off deeper in the book, so hang on if that bothers you. The first half leaned more fantasy and the second half delivered on the promise of the slow burn between Bri and Lina. I wish there could have been more balance between the two elements of fantasy and romance throughout, instead of the halved feeling but I greatly enjoyed their story and the overall series world-building. It's not urban fantasy but I can see the cross-over love from Ilona Andrews' fans to this sword and sorcery fantasy series. Each book delivering a romance while the series follows a continuing world-building and story thread, sign me up.
“I don't care what the Fates whisper; all I hear is your name.”
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Western Court Queen is dead.
Third in the Five Crowns of Okrith series, The Rogue Crown, follows Briata Catullus as she travels to the Western Court after being called for help by her friend and casual lover Delta. Delta is the Captain of the Queen's Guard and has been injured after a fatal attack on the Queen. Delta wants Bri to help find out who orchestrated the attack and protect the heir, Princess Abalina. I know third in a fantasy series can seem like an intimating place to start and I was nervous but the author smoothly incorporated details of the world and character relationships that didn't use info dumping but worked to catch me up and place me in the world. New readers could start here but as I enjoyed this one so much, I'm definitely going back to the beginning and reading how this all started.
The Eagle will seize the crown from its sovereign.
After reading and gaining a foothold in this story, one of the aspects I found myself getting excited about is how this series seems to be laid out overall. The five crowns series title calls out the five courts that make up Okrith. The High Mountain Court (book 1 – Remy and Hale), Northern Court (2 – Rua and Renwick), Western Court (3 – Bri and Lina), Southern Court (possible 4 with possible Talhan and Neelo), and Eastern Court (possible 5 with possible Carys and ?). I've been dying for an adult fantasy romance series that is laid out like this, each individual book focuses on a main couple but the books link together through a continuous story thread. From what I can gather from starting in book 3, a Northern King fell leaving all five courts in disarray and each court is trying to stabilize while one of our main villains, Augustus Norwood is trying to get any and all crowns he can. It's a fantasy world of witches (their different colored magic signifies what kind of witch they are, healer, gardener, seer, etc.), fae, and humans set in a Medieval-ish time. And since this is fantasy, we've got to have our prophecies. When Bri was born with her twin brother Talhan, it was prophesied that the “Eagle will seize the crown”. This freaked out the Western Queen, Bri's birthplace, and the Queen banished Bri's family, making Bri's mother extremely bitter and for the rest of Bri's life trying to shape her into someone who would eventually destroy the Western Queen and return her family to glory in the West.
They were hunting masked assassins and a deranged prince with violet witch magic.
The first half of this definitely leaned more into the fantasy and setting up the micro singular book issue of Bri trying to fret out who the witch hunters in the lion masks were that attacked and killed the Western Queen with some kind of violet poison and guarding Lina. The macro issue being the overall series thread of Norwood's villainy hovering around and if he's connected to the Queen's death. There's credible red-herrings with secondary characters, possible jilted wife, the head brown witch healer, council members, fiancé, guards, and Norwood for Bri to investigate. Of course, we also get the romance sparking up as Bri has to guard Lina and it starts off as a slow burn. I thought the investigation sputtered around some as there was a good amount of other minor story threads going around, Lina being a sort of Robin Hood (did we really need this?), and I wish the investigation plot could have been focused on with more concrete action. When the search for answers takes them to a library in the Southern Court, I really felt the sputtering as the pace slowed some but in this second half the romance heats up and we get open door (in the stables! in the library!) payoff to that slow burn.
“I wish you didn't make it so hard to hate you.”
“I wish you'd stop hating me,” Bri countered, her eyes dropping to Lina's parted, breathless lips.
The later second half brings in Bri's brother and friends that were in the previous books and we get a gang is all together again that I'm sure series readers will enjoy; it made this newbie want to immediately read Remy and Hale's book. Bri and Lina have their late act angst breakup and then we get some battle scenes that I was waiting for in an otherwise more quiet story. Not having read the previous books, I'm not sure if they were more battle/action heavy and this book's tone would be a welcome calm reprieve in the series overall, or if they're all more toned quietly. For a fantasy story, I was expecting more battle action and while there were some action skirmishes, I can see some finding this too quiet for a book that has a battleaxe on the cover. I'll be curious when I go back to read the previous books how this fits into the series.
“Isn't it obvious? You've seen that purple smoke.” His eyebrows lifted as he flashed an unsettling grin. “The violet witches are back.”
I thought the ending reveal of this story's villain was a bit too fast, I like to savor moments that have been the story's main lead-up, but fit into the overall series thread. It connected the hovering Norwood while also bringing in some answers about the violet witches that have been thought long dead. There was also a great lead-in to, what I think is going to be book 4, concerning Bri's brother Talhan and the heir to the Southern Court.
“Why are the best things the ones we're too afraid to get right?”
There was repeated usage of “smirked” and “snickered” in the beginning that was almost starting to drive me crazy but, thankfully, died off deeper in the book, so hang on if that bothers you. The first half leaned more fantasy and the second half delivered on the promise of the slow burn between Bri and Lina. I wish there could have been more balance between the two elements of fantasy and romance throughout, instead of the halved feeling but I greatly enjoyed their story and the overall series world-building. It's not urban fantasy but I can see the cross-over love from Ilona Andrews' fans to this sword and sorcery fantasy series. Each book delivering a romance while the series follows a continuing world-building and story thread, sign me up.
“I don't care what the Fates whisper; all I hear is your name.”
May 24, 2025
This one was alright
3.5 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️
January 1, 2023
Great job on dealing with emotions and grief, but where did the story actually go??
This was definitely at times one of the hardest of these novels so far to read due to the amount of loss and grief involved, but honestly, Mulford's treatment of those moments was so elegantly and gently handled, it was an emotional, but appreciated effort.
The sexy scenes were equally well thought out, and surprisingly didn't annoy me quite as much as I usually am by repeated sex scenes in a single book.
Although I look forward to more insight into other characters in the next book, and the continuation of seeing familiar ones, I do have 2 bits of contention.
Firstly and more relevant to this book, I was left a bit unsatisfied with the lack of proper coronation for Lila after so many occasions of it being made such a fuss about throughout. The story itself AROUND her and Bri seemed to end up utterly forgotten by the end and things left dangling.
Secondly, every time Neelo resurfaces, I find the pronouns utterly exhausting and distracting. Although I want to see how The Evergreen Heir shakes out, I dread how weary I know reading all of those Neelo pronouns again is going to make me. We'll see if I can stand it enough to get through the entire thing when it's available.
This was definitely at times one of the hardest of these novels so far to read due to the amount of loss and grief involved, but honestly, Mulford's treatment of those moments was so elegantly and gently handled, it was an emotional, but appreciated effort.
The sexy scenes were equally well thought out, and surprisingly didn't annoy me quite as much as I usually am by repeated sex scenes in a single book.
Although I look forward to more insight into other characters in the next book, and the continuation of seeing familiar ones, I do have 2 bits of contention.
Firstly and more relevant to this book, I was left a bit unsatisfied with the lack of proper coronation for Lila after so many occasions of it being made such a fuss about throughout. The story itself AROUND her and Bri seemed to end up utterly forgotten by the end and things left dangling.
Secondly, every time Neelo resurfaces, I find the pronouns utterly exhausting and distracting. Although I want to see how The Evergreen Heir shakes out, I dread how weary I know reading all of those Neelo pronouns again is going to make me. We'll see if I can stand it enough to get through the entire thing when it's available.
April 11, 2022
The Rogue Crown is fantastical! A combination of fantastic & magical!
This is the tale of Bri!
We’ve known Bri since The High Mountain Court as the strong, tough fighter/protector. In the Rogue Crown, not only do we learn a lot more about Bri, but we get to see a whole new side to her. We see Bri’s vulnerable side and it’s beautiful!
It took me a bit to get into this book but once I hit a certain point, I just got captivated and was hooked ‘til the end. I couldn’t put it down anymore!
Bri travels to the Western Court, tasked with protecting Princess Lina and solving the mystery of who killed the Western Queen. Along the way Bri finds it harder & harder to choose between fate & love.
This is a captivatingly beautiful tale of two women with so many twists & turns! I highly recommend it!
This is the tale of Bri!
We’ve known Bri since The High Mountain Court as the strong, tough fighter/protector. In the Rogue Crown, not only do we learn a lot more about Bri, but we get to see a whole new side to her. We see Bri’s vulnerable side and it’s beautiful!
It took me a bit to get into this book but once I hit a certain point, I just got captivated and was hooked ‘til the end. I couldn’t put it down anymore!
Bri travels to the Western Court, tasked with protecting Princess Lina and solving the mystery of who killed the Western Queen. Along the way Bri finds it harder & harder to choose between fate & love.
This is a captivatingly beautiful tale of two women with so many twists & turns! I highly recommend it!
April 13, 2022
AK Mulford has done it once again! I swear I love each book more then the last. I will never get enough of these amazing character and the world they live in! No prejudice or racism. Everyone loves who they love no questions asked. It’s such a great escape!
Bri has always been such a bada$s! I have loved her from book one! It seems only fitting that her fate end in her finding a partner that is just as much of a bada$s! This was such an amazing journey! Don’t take my word for it… go read it! What are you waiting for???? Go!
Bri has always been such a bada$s! I have loved her from book one! It seems only fitting that her fate end in her finding a partner that is just as much of a bada$s! This was such an amazing journey! Don’t take my word for it… go read it! What are you waiting for???? Go!
October 9, 2022
4.5
Wasn’t this the perfect mix of action, romance and drama?
Ever since book one you cannot help but to fall in love with the Eagles, and you for sure want to know what their book will be about.
This was it. It’s answered pretty much all of my questions, and we love a good plot twist, delivered impeccably well.
Wasn’t this the perfect mix of action, romance and drama?
Ever since book one you cannot help but to fall in love with the Eagles, and you for sure want to know what their book will be about.
This was it. It’s answered pretty much all of my questions, and we love a good plot twist, delivered impeccably well.
May 21, 2024
I'm in love with the world building and characters of this series. Bri and Carys' friendship is GOLD ✨ and I would platonically marry Lina a hundred times. I still prefered book#1 and book #2 so that's why I'm only giving it 3 stars. But I can't wait to read Carys's story in book five 🤌
Perfect for SJM and JLA fans 😌
Perfect for SJM and JLA fans 😌
July 3, 2025
I was very invested in Bri's journey to find love and her place in the world, especially after watching her support all of her friends. I love the diversity in the characters. I am here for the love story and the found family.
September 21, 2025
This book is filled with so much disillusionment from the characters but also from me it appears…
April 11, 2022
Thank you so much to A.K. Mulford for the ARC! The third book in the Five Crowns of Okrith series follows Bri as she helps the Western Court figure out who murdered Queen Thorne. Just like the previous two, it’s full of magic, fae, witch hunters, romance, and action.
I absolutely loved getting to know Bri more and learning more about her history. There is so much more to her than the tough warrior exterior that she presents to the world. We already know that she has so much love for her friends and family, but we also get to see her vulnerable side and facing her fears in a new relationship. This book has a sapphic romance with some spicy scenes and A.K. is always so good about being inclusive.
I also enjoyed getting to know Princess Abalina and learning that there’s much more than meets the eye with her as well. We also see more of our fave characters from the previous books and things are set in motion for future books. I’m looking forward to the next one and seeing how things develop between a certain two characters. Overall 4.5 stars because I enjoyed Remy and Rua’s stories just a lil bit more.
I absolutely loved getting to know Bri more and learning more about her history. There is so much more to her than the tough warrior exterior that she presents to the world. We already know that she has so much love for her friends and family, but we also get to see her vulnerable side and facing her fears in a new relationship. This book has a sapphic romance with some spicy scenes and A.K. is always so good about being inclusive.
I also enjoyed getting to know Princess Abalina and learning that there’s much more than meets the eye with her as well. We also see more of our fave characters from the previous books and things are set in motion for future books. I’m looking forward to the next one and seeing how things develop between a certain two characters. Overall 4.5 stars because I enjoyed Remy and Rua’s stories just a lil bit more.
April 9, 2022
AK Mulford does it again!!! I know it was fate that led me to find the first book in the Okrith series and I’ve been fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this 3rd book in the series. Now for my review!
I am WRECKED, but in a good way! I fell in love with Briata Catullus in the very first book. She is a fighter, tough exterior but someone who cares deeply for those close to her. She’s who I envision myself as, if I was a character in a fantasy adventure! The Rogue Crown is Bri’s story and truly a healing journey. She discovers her own internal strength and paves her own destiny. Fates be damned.
If you love adult fantasy, romance/sapphic romance, a series with character inclusivity and just outright amazing adventure, I seriously recommend this series! I love how each book follows another character from the story, but still manages to intertwine and continue moving the story forward. Absolutely perfect! I cannot WAIT for book four!
I am WRECKED, but in a good way! I fell in love with Briata Catullus in the very first book. She is a fighter, tough exterior but someone who cares deeply for those close to her. She’s who I envision myself as, if I was a character in a fantasy adventure! The Rogue Crown is Bri’s story and truly a healing journey. She discovers her own internal strength and paves her own destiny. Fates be damned.
If you love adult fantasy, romance/sapphic romance, a series with character inclusivity and just outright amazing adventure, I seriously recommend this series! I love how each book follows another character from the story, but still manages to intertwine and continue moving the story forward. Absolutely perfect! I cannot WAIT for book four!
April 7, 2022
Mulford has done it again! The Rogue Crown is another easy 5 star, one sitting read.
I could not wait to get my hands on this book, and devoured it with enthusiasm and awe.
The action, drama, intrigue, and banter were exactly what I've come to expect from Mulford - incredible!
I loved that the storyline follows yet another already well loved character, and that the relationships we find here are not the norm for books in this genre. We have strong friendships, and many different kinds of love and adoration. We have well developed, relatable characters of all sorts, beautiful imagery, great writing style and flow, and wonderful world-building. Mulford twists a tale full of magic, romance, and mystery in a fantastical land that fans of high fantasy can fall in love with.
I can't wait for more!
I could not wait to get my hands on this book, and devoured it with enthusiasm and awe.
The action, drama, intrigue, and banter were exactly what I've come to expect from Mulford - incredible!
I loved that the storyline follows yet another already well loved character, and that the relationships we find here are not the norm for books in this genre. We have strong friendships, and many different kinds of love and adoration. We have well developed, relatable characters of all sorts, beautiful imagery, great writing style and flow, and wonderful world-building. Mulford twists a tale full of magic, romance, and mystery in a fantastical land that fans of high fantasy can fall in love with.
I can't wait for more!
June 30, 2022
4 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
This book has not been released yet. The original release date was pushed. As the third book in the massive fantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith, we dive back into the world following Bree and Lina. Once again, the book's first half explains the world and setup. A bit overwhelming since the information is already defined in the previous books. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation; however, it got very confusing as this storyline unfolded. I hope these flaws are changed or reworked for the new release date.
CW: Cheating
Video review available in Week 16: Apr 17 – Apr 23, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
This book has not been released yet. The original release date was pushed. As the third book in the massive fantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith, we dive back into the world following Bree and Lina. Once again, the book's first half explains the world and setup. A bit overwhelming since the information is already defined in the previous books. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation; however, it got very confusing as this storyline unfolded. I hope these flaws are changed or reworked for the new release date.
CW: Cheating
Video review available in Week 16: Apr 17 – Apr 23, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
April 14, 2022
Best one in the series.... Could be because I'm partial to Bri.
November 13, 2022
The Rogue Crown is the third book in the Five Crowns of Okrith fantasy romance series by author AK Mulford. Each book in the series follows a different couple with this one focusing on Bri and Lina. The couple in this book is f/f. This was probably my second favorite book in the series after book 2. I was intrgied to read about Bri after she features prominently in both books 1 and 2. I am keen to see a book about Bri’s twin and am crossing my fingers that this will be book 4. The romance is well written (if the steamy scenes a little cringy at times), the world building and magic is excellent and makes you want to read more. It features courts, fae, high fantasy, magic, romance and an engaging and thrilling plot. What more could you want.
October 27, 2022
Absolutely amazing. LGBTQ+ representation. Amazing friendships, and romances. I had suspicions about who was behind it, but never fully guessed. I really enjoyed it!
Representation matters, and this book is wonderful in that regard. From people of varying races to LGBTQ+ representation, it hits so many great facets of representation, while being an amazing fantasy book and story. The third in the series, you technically could read any of them as a standalone. However, they are much better read in order, because it allows you to meet all the characters and get to know them along the way, as well as the world, before they have their own story.
Briata (Bri) Catullus has been one of my favorite characters in the whole series and finding out the third book would focus on her was a great moment. The Western Queen has been murdered, and Briata, a fae warrior, has been called to come home and help protect the Western Princess. However, she arrives to find that distrust and anger is still held against her for a prophecy saying she’ll seize the crown from the sovereign. Bri has no interest in it, and just wishes to stop the witch hunters before they kill again.
Princess Abalina Thorne (Lina) is still grieving her mother, and knowing Bri’s abilities, she allows her to serve as one of her guards. As witch hunters continue to wreak havoc, Bri and Lina must work together to figure out the plot against them. While Bri is trying to concentrate on keeping the Princess safe, Lina is realizing that she is one of the few people she can trust – and they both start to lose their hearts to one another. Can they discover who is trying to kill the Princess, and quell the rebellion, without falling for each other in the process?
As I mentioned, Bri is one of my favorite characters from the series, as she is strong and loyal to her friends. In trying to find her place in the world, she still does what she feels she must to help those who need it, and those who she owes her loyalty to. Lina is fierce, and ready to do what she must to be the best queen she possibly can. The two characters together throw off sparks every time we see them together on the page, and it is tension filled. There are a few steamy scenes in this novel, if that is not something you like to read (or as we say on TikTok, it’s a spicy sapphic romance).
Mulford does an amazing job of weaving threads, and layering stories. As I said, it would be easy to read this as a standalone – though there would be things that felt confusing – but overall, each book covers one of the five courts. The Southern Court will be book 4. Around halfway through this book, the many of the rest of the gang from previous books joins the fight, and we see them all together again. It’s fun and gives us an idea of what is coming next.
As to the world we are in, there are different kinds of witches – Brown, Green, Blue, Red, and the mysterious Purple wishes who are thought extinct. Brown witches heal, Green witches often work with herbs, etc., to cook amazing foods, Blue witches have visions and can see the future, and Red witches have almost a telekinesis power. The red witches have been hunted for years because of previous politics, and court intrigue (see “The High Mountain Court”), but this practice is finally coming to end – much to the witch hunter’s anger. The magic system within the novels is well thought out, and we slowly discover pieces of it in each book. For each court, as we are placed within that world, we get to see more of a certain kind of witch and how they practice.
Worldbuilding is done very well, and you learn more and more about the world, the politics and the history, as the story continues in each book and novella. There are fae and humans. There are five courts of Okirth – The High, North, South, West and East Courts. Fae are the royalty of each court. There is quite a bit of intrigue between the courts, the witches, humans and Fae. I think Mulford does a great job of showing us pieces of the world to build that history and different cultures between each court and kind of witch.
Within this story, the pacing is great – there are a few times when it slows down a bit, but in those moments, the romance itself is usually building. There are a few smaller plot lines embedded within the larger story, and a few are carried over from previous novels. While I did predict who the bad guy was, there were a few surprising (and upsetting!) twists I did not see coming. I always love a book that can surprise me!
Overall, the book is wonderful. The whole series is a must read for anyone who loves witches, LGBTQ+ representation, romance, and fantasy.
Representation matters, and this book is wonderful in that regard. From people of varying races to LGBTQ+ representation, it hits so many great facets of representation, while being an amazing fantasy book and story. The third in the series, you technically could read any of them as a standalone. However, they are much better read in order, because it allows you to meet all the characters and get to know them along the way, as well as the world, before they have their own story.
Briata (Bri) Catullus has been one of my favorite characters in the whole series and finding out the third book would focus on her was a great moment. The Western Queen has been murdered, and Briata, a fae warrior, has been called to come home and help protect the Western Princess. However, she arrives to find that distrust and anger is still held against her for a prophecy saying she’ll seize the crown from the sovereign. Bri has no interest in it, and just wishes to stop the witch hunters before they kill again.
Princess Abalina Thorne (Lina) is still grieving her mother, and knowing Bri’s abilities, she allows her to serve as one of her guards. As witch hunters continue to wreak havoc, Bri and Lina must work together to figure out the plot against them. While Bri is trying to concentrate on keeping the Princess safe, Lina is realizing that she is one of the few people she can trust – and they both start to lose their hearts to one another. Can they discover who is trying to kill the Princess, and quell the rebellion, without falling for each other in the process?
As I mentioned, Bri is one of my favorite characters from the series, as she is strong and loyal to her friends. In trying to find her place in the world, she still does what she feels she must to help those who need it, and those who she owes her loyalty to. Lina is fierce, and ready to do what she must to be the best queen she possibly can. The two characters together throw off sparks every time we see them together on the page, and it is tension filled. There are a few steamy scenes in this novel, if that is not something you like to read (or as we say on TikTok, it’s a spicy sapphic romance).
Mulford does an amazing job of weaving threads, and layering stories. As I said, it would be easy to read this as a standalone – though there would be things that felt confusing – but overall, each book covers one of the five courts. The Southern Court will be book 4. Around halfway through this book, the many of the rest of the gang from previous books joins the fight, and we see them all together again. It’s fun and gives us an idea of what is coming next.
As to the world we are in, there are different kinds of witches – Brown, Green, Blue, Red, and the mysterious Purple wishes who are thought extinct. Brown witches heal, Green witches often work with herbs, etc., to cook amazing foods, Blue witches have visions and can see the future, and Red witches have almost a telekinesis power. The red witches have been hunted for years because of previous politics, and court intrigue (see “The High Mountain Court”), but this practice is finally coming to end – much to the witch hunter’s anger. The magic system within the novels is well thought out, and we slowly discover pieces of it in each book. For each court, as we are placed within that world, we get to see more of a certain kind of witch and how they practice.
Worldbuilding is done very well, and you learn more and more about the world, the politics and the history, as the story continues in each book and novella. There are fae and humans. There are five courts of Okirth – The High, North, South, West and East Courts. Fae are the royalty of each court. There is quite a bit of intrigue between the courts, the witches, humans and Fae. I think Mulford does a great job of showing us pieces of the world to build that history and different cultures between each court and kind of witch.
Within this story, the pacing is great – there are a few times when it slows down a bit, but in those moments, the romance itself is usually building. There are a few smaller plot lines embedded within the larger story, and a few are carried over from previous novels. While I did predict who the bad guy was, there were a few surprising (and upsetting!) twists I did not see coming. I always love a book that can surprise me!
Overall, the book is wonderful. The whole series is a must read for anyone who loves witches, LGBTQ+ representation, romance, and fantasy.
April 14, 2022
Spoiler-Free Review:
I’d like to thank AK Mulford for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, I really really enjoyed it! This is the third book that I’ve read in this series, and I think it might be my favorite. I felt the pacing was good and moved fast, which made it so hard to put this book down. This book focuses on one of the Golden Eagles from the series, Bri and her developing relationship with Lina, a princess in a neighboring kingdom. I will be very honest, I haven’t read a lot of F/F romance in fantasy, but I felt like this was very well done! I really appreciate AK Mulford’s writing and how much representation she includes. There is also plus-size rep, which I loved and appreciated. This is a forced proximity, slow burn romance with pay-off that is spicy and well-written. There are mysteries that need solving, prophecies that need explaining, and so many other things that keep the pages turning. One of my favorite things about this book is the way the author wrote the female friendship between Carys and Bri. I adored their banter and friendship so much, and I felt that it was the best example of a “ride or die” friend. I love that we also get a glimpse of the characters we got to know in The High Mountain Court and The Witch’s Blade and the friendships that are just as strong despite living in different kingdoms. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I am so excited to see who the next installment will be about. This is an adult fantasy, 18+ for sexual content, language, themes
August 17, 2024
Thank you to A. K. Mulford for sending me an ARC! I’ve left my honest review. 3.75 stars. Just as before, The Rogue Crown quickly drew me in, and I’m glad to know more about Bri’s past. It takes a while to delve into the backstories of characters and add depth, but I was eventually pleasantly surprised. The new setting of the Western Court is beautifully described and immersive, and I love how clearly The Rogue Crown connects to the main conflicts of the series while still focusing on Bri and her individual story. Wonderfully written, and I’m so excited to read Book 4 once it’s released!
Note: Original review posted April 2022, later edited
Note: Original review posted April 2022, later edited
September 10, 2023
Predictable. Only gets 3 stars because I loved Lina. This series is quickly losing my interest, can’t wait to finish lol
May 16, 2025
“You’re always fixing people, Bri,” Carys murmured. “You care about people so much – too much. But Lina doesn’t need you to fix her, and you don’t know what to do with that.”
“Everyone needs help sometimes,” Bri countered.
“Yes, but she doesn’t need you, she wants you. She chose you because of that, not because of what you could give to her.” Carys groaned, fretting for her. “There is no amount of support, or riches, or friendship that she couldn’t find somewhere else, but she chose to be with you for however brief a time simply because she wants to. There’s nothing there to fix.”
🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓
The book starts out like a mystery, which I appreciate. I thought for most of the book that Darrow was responsible and a traitor, so I appreciate that the author had a few twists at the end.
For me, this book and all the books in the series move way too fast. These people are getting married after like a month or a few weeks of dating. Furthermore, all the people who become kings and queens all know each other, are friends, and are a part of their own little inner circles. It feels a little too entitled for all these people to become kings and queens. I wish there was an outlier who was not part of their inner circle.
I was annoyed how Bri and Lina broke up. It seemed silly and rushed. It appeared more like a rushed plot device to speed towards the ending than anything else.
At the end, it seemed obvious that Baba Monroe needed her dagger. As she will likely be a major villain, I think it would have been more fitting for Lina to give up her life if it prevents Monroe from reclaiming her dagger. I also think this would have better fulfilled Lina’s prophecy.
“Everyone needs help sometimes,” Bri countered.
“Yes, but she doesn’t need you, she wants you. She chose you because of that, not because of what you could give to her.” Carys groaned, fretting for her. “There is no amount of support, or riches, or friendship that she couldn’t find somewhere else, but she chose to be with you for however brief a time simply because she wants to. There’s nothing there to fix.”
🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓
The book starts out like a mystery, which I appreciate. I thought for most of the book that Darrow was responsible and a traitor, so I appreciate that the author had a few twists at the end.
For me, this book and all the books in the series move way too fast. These people are getting married after like a month or a few weeks of dating. Furthermore, all the people who become kings and queens all know each other, are friends, and are a part of their own little inner circles. It feels a little too entitled for all these people to become kings and queens. I wish there was an outlier who was not part of their inner circle.
I was annoyed how Bri and Lina broke up. It seemed silly and rushed. It appeared more like a rushed plot device to speed towards the ending than anything else.
At the end, it seemed obvious that Baba Monroe needed her dagger. As she will likely be a major villain, I think it would have been more fitting for Lina to give up her life if it prevents Monroe from reclaiming her dagger. I also think this would have better fulfilled Lina’s prophecy.
October 30, 2024
Un troisième tome à l’opposé de ce qu’on a pu lire par le passé.
La plume ici est toujours aussi fluide, détaillée et prenante. Immersive avec des descriptions détaillées, la plume donne vie à l’univers et j’ai vraiment eu l’impression de voyager avec Bri.
L’intrigue est comme les deux précédents tomes, riche en rebondissements inattendus, en révélations sur nos protagonistes, et fait de ce tome, un récit palpitant. Cependant attention, il y a beaucoup moins d’action qu’à l’accoutumée. J’ai vraiment + eu cette impression de guerre froide en second plan, bien plus portée sur le développement de la relation entre Abalina et Bri et sur cette action de bien faire en interne. Le world-building est par contre tellement riche. Le côté exotique et chaud de la cour de l’Ouest m’a beaucoup plu.
J’ai adoré retrouver Bri même si je m’attendais à un meilleur approfondissement de son personnage. Dans ce tome, il est beaucoup question de confiance, de loyauté, de pouvoir et de sacrifice mais ça manque de profondeur au niveaux des personnages qui m’ont laissé dubitative.
J’ai vraiment dans ce tome, préféré la dynamique entre les différents royaumes et les enjeux politiques ajoutant une couche de tension qui m’a tenu en haleine pendant toute ma lecture par rapport à la romance abordée.
En bref, c’est une suite captivante qui d’un point de vue world-building fait un sans faute avec une intrigue intensifiée sur les alliances fragiles du royaume mais qui je trouve, délaisse un peu la profondeur des personnages. Après, vu la fin, j’ai quand même très envie de découvrir la suite.
La plume ici est toujours aussi fluide, détaillée et prenante. Immersive avec des descriptions détaillées, la plume donne vie à l’univers et j’ai vraiment eu l’impression de voyager avec Bri.
L’intrigue est comme les deux précédents tomes, riche en rebondissements inattendus, en révélations sur nos protagonistes, et fait de ce tome, un récit palpitant. Cependant attention, il y a beaucoup moins d’action qu’à l’accoutumée. J’ai vraiment + eu cette impression de guerre froide en second plan, bien plus portée sur le développement de la relation entre Abalina et Bri et sur cette action de bien faire en interne. Le world-building est par contre tellement riche. Le côté exotique et chaud de la cour de l’Ouest m’a beaucoup plu.
J’ai adoré retrouver Bri même si je m’attendais à un meilleur approfondissement de son personnage. Dans ce tome, il est beaucoup question de confiance, de loyauté, de pouvoir et de sacrifice mais ça manque de profondeur au niveaux des personnages qui m’ont laissé dubitative.
J’ai vraiment dans ce tome, préféré la dynamique entre les différents royaumes et les enjeux politiques ajoutant une couche de tension qui m’a tenu en haleine pendant toute ma lecture par rapport à la romance abordée.
En bref, c’est une suite captivante qui d’un point de vue world-building fait un sans faute avec une intrigue intensifiée sur les alliances fragiles du royaume mais qui je trouve, délaisse un peu la profondeur des personnages. Après, vu la fin, j’ai quand même très envie de découvrir la suite.
March 16, 2023
I loved this book! Just like the first 2 in the series it follows through with one of the friends in the clique. I honestly thought that the build up from the last book was going to be in this one and it was slow burning all the way through and.... I guess it's in the next one. There was alot and I mean ALOT of stuff that goes down in this book and not in a bad way! A few twists I didn't see coming and alot of questions I have unanswered which I'm guessing reveals itself in the next book.
Overall it was a good plot, well written storyline and banter was definately there! Loved how Bri is such a strong MC yet shows her vulnerable side!
Overall it was a good plot, well written storyline and banter was definately there! Loved how Bri is such a strong MC yet shows her vulnerable side!
January 10, 2024
This is my favorite book from this series so far. I just really likes Bri’s character. I thought that Bri and Lina’s relationship developed naturally and didn’t feel as rushed as the two previous books. Things in Okrith are really starting to heat up and I’m interested to see how everything is resolved in the next few books.
November 18, 2022
Yes, I am crying. Yes, you should read this book. Yes, I would suggest reading them in order. And yes this one hit me in the feels.
January 23, 2023
iba a leerlos en orden pero this one has lesbians así q no me resistí
August 26, 2024
It was good, not my favorite of the series but I was happy with it! Onto book 4!
December 27, 2025
3,75⭐️
bawiłam się prześwietnie
bawiłam się prześwietnie
July 5, 2024
This started and ended strong but the middle was just slightly muddy. It took a while for action to happen. Loved the genuine road to lovers between the two gals, and yay gay rep 🤪
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