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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Thank you @sourcebookscasa and @alyshasbooks for the #gifted book and ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Her Soul for a Crown pulled me in with Anula right away with the first line in the book, "There were so many ways to stop a heart". She is tough and determined, but there is still this softer side that shows up in the choices she makes, and that balance made me want to keep following her. Reeri is one of those characters who sticks with you. He is full of regret, but at the same time, his loyalty and heart are what define him. The chemistry between them builds slowly, full of yearning, yet they still manage to work together when it matters most.
I really liked how the politics and folklore are part of everything, not just background filler. The Sri Lankan influence adds so much to the setting and gives the story its own distinct voice. Even though this reads more like a fantasy than a romance, I never felt let down by that balance. I really enjoyed Alysha Rameera’s debut novel and cannot wait to read what she writes next.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I am a huge fan of stories based on historical figures. Real and imagined, both. So, when I picked up this book, I genuinely thought that I would love this book. Alas, though I liked the concept, I just couldn't connect with the story.
The main issue for me was the world of this book for me. Since I am an Indian, a few names were familiar but the whole setup was a bit confusing. To be fair, it could be even me issue because I am in my biggest reading slump ever. Hence, I am a bit generous with the rating of this book.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this book.
The main issue for me was the world of this book for me. Since I am an Indian, a few names were familiar but the whole setup was a bit confusing. To be fair, it could be even me issue because I am in my biggest reading slump ever. Hence, I am a bit generous with the rating of this book.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this book.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Thank you Alysha Rameera, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Colored Pages Book Tours for the free gift!
This book is an intricate, epic romantasy inspired by Sri Lankan mythology. It weaves together divine powers, ancient societies, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance in a story full of action, struggle, and high stakes.
What stood out most to me was Anula. She’s an incredibly strong woman, but what I loved most is how broken she was. Her character carried the weight of deep childhood trauma, and the book didn’t shy away from showing that in all its gruesome detail. I was also captivated by the battle between gods and mortals, which added an exciting and layered depth to the story. The romance between Anula and Reeri was another highlight. It felt so genuine because it wasn’t rushed. They had to rely on trust and understanding, with their physical attraction slowly blossoming into real, meaningful feelings. That slow build really heightened the emotional stakes.
I don’t have any particular dislikes to point out here, since so much of the story worked well for me.
Overall, this was an action-packed, layered, and heartfelt tale that I really enjoyed. I’d especially recommend it to readers who love epic fantasy with divine intrigue, morally complex heroines, and a romance that unfolds slowly and authentically.
This book is an intricate, epic romantasy inspired by Sri Lankan mythology. It weaves together divine powers, ancient societies, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance in a story full of action, struggle, and high stakes.
What stood out most to me was Anula. She’s an incredibly strong woman, but what I loved most is how broken she was. Her character carried the weight of deep childhood trauma, and the book didn’t shy away from showing that in all its gruesome detail. I was also captivated by the battle between gods and mortals, which added an exciting and layered depth to the story. The romance between Anula and Reeri was another highlight. It felt so genuine because it wasn’t rushed. They had to rely on trust and understanding, with their physical attraction slowly blossoming into real, meaningful feelings. That slow build really heightened the emotional stakes.
I don’t have any particular dislikes to point out here, since so much of the story worked well for me.
Overall, this was an action-packed, layered, and heartfelt tale that I really enjoyed. I’d especially recommend it to readers who love epic fantasy with divine intrigue, morally complex heroines, and a romance that unfolds slowly and authentically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Blood
Minor: Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Classism
I found that the large, external conflict was not logically fleshed out, and it took a lot away from the first half of the book.
The second half of the book was more focused on character conflict and thought it was much more well written.
I enjoyed the unique setting (Sri Lanka). I also thought it was cool that in the epilogue the author let us know that Queen Anula of Anuradhapura is real historical person.
The second half of the book was more focused on character conflict and thought it was much more well written.
I enjoyed the unique setting (Sri Lanka). I also thought it was cool that in the epilogue the author let us know that Queen Anula of Anuradhapura is real historical person.
I keep zoning out because I’m not interested and I have no idea what’s going on
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
A lush, Sri Lankan–inspired romantasy with a feminist retelling at its core.
The setting blends pre-colonial Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan and South Asian mythology. Rameera reimagines Anula of Anuradhapura, the first female sovereign of Sri Lanka, as a woman seeking vengeance against the crown for destroying her village.
She invokes a deal with a demon spirit named Reeri, who has his own motivations and carries his own grief. Their search for vengeance for their families brings them together in unlikely ways and they find themselves more alike than different.
The setting blends pre-colonial Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan and South Asian mythology. Rameera reimagines Anula of Anuradhapura, the first female sovereign of Sri Lanka, as a woman seeking vengeance against the crown for destroying her village.
She invokes a deal with a demon spirit named Reeri, who has his own motivations and carries his own grief. Their search for vengeance for their families brings them together in unlikely ways and they find themselves more alike than different.
There's lots of familiar romantasy tropes, but Rameera twists them in a way that makes them feel fresh and a bit more mature. I especially liked her take on the "stabby sassy assassin FMC" that has taken over after the hype of ACOTAR. With Anula, she's created a female heroine that is actually a badass, who has skills, motivations, and personality traits that are shown consistently throughout the story. She's stubborn, untrusting, and manipulative, but she's also full of so much love for her people and her homeland. I found her to be such a compelling character and a nice surprise.
The other characters are less fleshed out, especially the side characters, though I still enjoyed the time I had with them. The male love interest, Reeri, reminded me of Rhysand if he was less of a dick. He has a truly sad backstory and harbors a lot of guilt and pain, but is ultimately caring, kind, and patient. Thankfully, he lacked the issues I always have with romantasy MMCs: controlling behavior, possessiveness, and other heteronormative toxicity. He was an MMC that I actually wanted to root for and I hoped for both of their happy endings.
The romance itself is very lusty, but it's a slowburn in the sense that the characters take a long time to open up to each other, trust each other, and admit their feelings. Overall sweet and heartwarming if sometimes frustrating (JUST KISS ALREADY DAMN).
Her Soul For a Crown is a thrilling low-fantasy adventure spotlighting South Asian culture and mythology, political scheming, and a truly powerful female main character. Long-time romantasy fans and the romantasy-averse alike would enjoy getting lost in its pages.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
The other characters are less fleshed out, especially the side characters, though I still enjoyed the time I had with them. The male love interest, Reeri, reminded me of Rhysand if he was less of a dick. He has a truly sad backstory and harbors a lot of guilt and pain, but is ultimately caring, kind, and patient. Thankfully, he lacked the issues I always have with romantasy MMCs: controlling behavior, possessiveness, and other heteronormative toxicity. He was an MMC that I actually wanted to root for and I hoped for both of their happy endings.
The romance itself is very lusty, but it's a slowburn in the sense that the characters take a long time to open up to each other, trust each other, and admit their feelings. Overall sweet and heartwarming if sometimes frustrating (JUST KISS ALREADY DAMN).
Her Soul For a Crown is a thrilling low-fantasy adventure spotlighting South Asian culture and mythology, political scheming, and a truly powerful female main character. Long-time romantasy fans and the romantasy-averse alike would enjoy getting lost in its pages.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Grief, War
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
The way this had everything I needed and more! An epic fantasy with an undercurrent slow burn romance. This book was excellently put together and so visual, you could literally see everything you were reading. I was obsessed with the characters and the way in which the story unfolded and weaved in Sri Lankan lore and culture.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Her Soul for a Crown by Alysha Rameera is a decadent historical fantasy loosely based on the first queen of Sri Lanka and Buddhist and Hindu celestial creatures. It is a slow burn, enemies to lovers vibe, and the tension is delicious. I love the twisting transition of the relationship, but I also adore the development of Anula by herself.