⭐ 4.25/5

🌶️ 3/5

Lor and Nadir — finally! After three books of simmering tension, it was so satisfying to see them finally admit what they mean to each other. Their dynamic has been a long time coming, and the payoff didn’t disappoint.

One element I struggled with a bit was the interspersed chapters from the past rulers. While I understand how vital they are to the overall arc, especially with how everything comes together in the final chapters, their placement sometimes disrupted the flow. I often found myself itching to get back to the present storyline, especially during some of the more intense moments.

The character development across the board was a highlight. Seeing Willow and Tristan step more fully into themselves outside the confines of the prison was really rewarding, and I loved watching Lor’s siblings find their own paths.

The twists and turns kept me fully engaged from start to finish, and that ending? Total cliffhanger!!!

⭐ 4.25/5

🌶 3/5

Lor and Nadir completely won me over with their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension. Their banter is sharp, the chemistry is undeniable, and the “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic keeps the pages turning. The story is a constant tease—just enough romance, tension, and plot development to keep you desperate for more.

What I especially loved is that Lor isn’t portrayed as a damsel in distress. Even in moments of self-doubt, her strength shines through, and Nadir plays the perfect complement—reminding her of who she truly is without overshadowing her journey. Their relationship feels both swoon-worthy and emotionally grounded.

The interwoven chapters from Serce and Wolf add great depth, offering glimpses into the past and shedding light on the legacy of the last Heart Queen. It really enriches the world-building and raises the stakes as the larger plot unfolds.

⭐ 3.75/5
🌶 1.75/5

This book blends elements of The Hunger Games, ACOTAR, and The Bachelor—there are competitions, a mysterious love interest who steals the girl away for his own best interest, and lots of woman pining after one man. While I enjoyed the overall concept and found the writing strong with emotional depth and plenty of twists, the foreshadowing was a bit too on-the-nose. I figured out Lor’s secret and the likely love interest very early on, which took away some of the suspense. That said, the journey was still engaging, and the character development kept me invested.

The writing is not great, it’s a bit all over the place. I’m not strongly connected to any of the characters. Raven is helpless one minute and a mastermind the next. She has the power of knowing lies but somehow she’s been lied to by everyone and she doesn’t even know it’s been happening.