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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
"I didn't just want a match because that was expected. I wanted passion, the burn that if my love didn't touch me soon, I'd burst. I wanted heat and mess and obsession." (Ch 2)
Read it when it 1st came out in 2023. Listened to the audiobook recently and loved it even more! Was lucky enough to also receive the print ARC (uncorrected proof paperback) of the rereleased book, as well. Which means, not only did I listen to it, I read it (twice)! I loved it that much. The Livia and Erik grew on me, morally grey or perhaps even venturing into morally black... as black as his heart. Also, great action, immersive atmosphere and world-build. It was exciting, vicious, and emotional! An epic love-story.
"A perplexing kind of darkness took hold in the deep sinews of my chest. It was cruel, wicked, and greedy. Never had I desired something so fiercely.... The draw to her was like a crawl for water after being lost in the blaze of the sun." (Ch 6)
If I had to be critical about anything, it wasn't quite 100% steadily paced and felt I craved more "sea" related elements. But worlds fantastical enough to want more!
"We all have darkness in us.... But there is beauty in the darker pieces as much as there is in the light." (Ch 42)
ARC courtesy of @BerkleyPub and @AceBooksPub / Penguin Random House
Read it when it 1st came out in 2023. Listened to the audiobook recently and loved it even more! Was lucky enough to also receive the print ARC (uncorrected proof paperback) of the rereleased book, as well. Which means, not only did I listen to it, I read it (twice)! I loved it that much. The Livia and Erik grew on me, morally grey or perhaps even venturing into morally black... as black as his heart. Also, great action, immersive atmosphere and world-build. It was exciting, vicious, and emotional! An epic love-story.
"A perplexing kind of darkness took hold in the deep sinews of my chest. It was cruel, wicked, and greedy. Never had I desired something so fiercely.... The draw to her was like a crawl for water after being lost in the blaze of the sun." (Ch 6)
If I had to be critical about anything, it wasn't quite 100% steadily paced and felt I craved more "sea" related elements. But worlds fantastical enough to want more!
"We all have darkness in us.... But there is beauty in the darker pieces as much as there is in the light." (Ch 42)
ARC courtesy of @BerkleyPub and @AceBooksPub / Penguin Random House
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
Accept nothing less than a man willing to bring you the bones of your enemies π΄ββ οΈ
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
π€ππ€ The Ever King π€ππ€
2025 Trad pub eARC review
Book 1 of The Ever King
Who doesn't love a little surf & turf? π
(I apologize in advance for any atrocious nautical word plays and unfunny puns I include.)
βQOTD: If you could pick 1 book/series to be adapted to screen that isn't in the works, which would it be? Would you want it to be live action, or animated?
βAOTD: The Ever Seas and live action. π
π€π If you've previously read The Ever King, the new trad edition has bonus chapters that you do not want to miss! They both broke my heart and healed it. ππ€
The Ever King walks a delicate plank between fantasy and romance, giving us what is, to me, the perfect blend of the two genres. It's beautiful. It's violent. It's heart-wrenching and heartwarming. All the freaking feels, right here in one book. With heart stopping action, unique magic, Pirates x Vikings, political intrigue, a beautifully tortured love story, and a bit of well done spice - I suggest you batten down the hatches and pick this book up today!
π You know how sometimes you reread a book and your opinion of said book is vastly different than the first reading? I'm happy to say my opinion didn't really change - but my love did grow even stronger. π€ Or since it's a book set on the sea, maybe it's better to say deeper. Deeper than the Mariana Trench. π
Do you like epic, dark, fantasy with romance and some well done spice? If so, you need to read this! Or if you're a fantasy reader wanting to try a fantasy romance, or a romance reader wanting to try a fantasy, here's a great book to start with. It is spicy, but that's not the focus of the story. π§πΌIt does end on quite the cliffhanger, but book 2 (The Ever Queen) is available.
I love that LJ gives us a MMC, Erik, who strengthens his our FMC, Livia, both mentally and physically. He ensures she knows she has agency, even during the period she's his captive (aside from letting her go home lol). He doesn't let anyone disrespect her, but always gives her room m and support in speaking and standing for herself. By always giving her his unwaivering support and positive reinforcement, she gains her "sea legs" and grows stronger for it. When he has bone jewelry made for using the bones of people who hurt her - I knew Erik had my whole heart.
LJ handles mental health (anxiety specifically) with authenticity, grace, and respect. As some with anxiety, I feel seen and heard by her representation of it. This book is an excellent example of the way handle mental health rep in books should be handled, in my opinion. Realistic without sugar coating it nor villainizing it, while showing healthy coping tips and ways in which someone could help a loved one better cope.
π The Ever Seas follows the children of the adults in LJ's other series, Broken Kingdoms. You do not need to read BK prior to reading this book/series as it's interconnected but fully stands alone.
"They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter..."
This book puts readers in the middle of the chasm between the earth fae (think Vikings) and the sea fae (think pirates) who've been at war for decades. Or were, until the chasm (portal) between their worlds closed cut off the ability for anyone to cross. When Livia accidentally and unknowingly opens the chasm, Erik, King of The Ever Seas, is alerted immediately and begins to enact his devious plan of revenge on the earth fae.
"She's innocent. He's vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price."
With high stakes, mysteries, secrets, action, found family, and a love story, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat.
πΊοΈ Excellent worldbuilding rich with lore. I went into this area deeply in my previous review of The Ever King, so I'll keep it succinct here.
βπΌ Lush land and seascapes uniquely imagined and richly described, this book is a joy to read and imagine. Written with clear, accessible language and word choices that feel intentional and meaningful. Dialogue feels natural to read and befitting the characters and story.
β³Well paced, full steam ahead the plot is moved forward with action, character development, and dialogue. Mysteries, secrets, and twists that are well executed and interesting.
π₯ These characters have my whole heart (except the ones I love to hate lol). Rich in personality, dimension, and nuance. I love that LJ gives readers a cast with diversity and inclusivity, without it feeling forced. She also shows us characters with faults and difficulties that are true to real life.
π We first meet Erik and Livia when they're young kids on opposite sides of the war. We spend a small bit of time watching them interact and it's beautifully bittersweet. Then we see them again as adults. I love their re-meet and I love that LJ shows them as enemies, true enemies, for awhile. Their bickering banter during this period is my favorite, with their cannons locked and loaded at all times. Watching their relationship grow and evolve as truths and secrets are revealed is as tumultuous as it is exciting.
πΆοΈ I'm a take it or leave it person with spice, and I need to fit the story and characters, be placed/timed well, and at least semi-realistic. I'm pleased to say the spicy scenes fit my criteria. There are only a couple or so, and they're well done. The biggest thing for me is, I don't want the spice to be the plot or overtake the plot. It does not so either in this book (or the series). The tension is palpable between these two, and I love it.
β οΈ Please check authors site for TW/CW.
Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypublishing and @ljandrews for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
No notes!!! This book was sooo good! And that ending ! I need to read book two asap.