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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75 stars. This was exciting, sultry and well crafted. While a lot of the writing (and the emphasis on the lead female character’s hips) was quite cringe, I did really enjoy this and can’t wait for book 2.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
*thank you netgalley and the author for an arc on exchange for an honest review*
um hi wtf???? don’t end like that on me and then tell me i can’t read the sequel for months!! rude -_-
but seriously, this book took my breath away. it is a fantasy take on king arthur, and it is FANTASTIC. the political intrigue, the fighting, and the overall fantastical aspects of this book are exactly what i want in a retelling (and in a fantasy book in general). the book is romance heavy, but it doesn’t steal any of the plot. there’s so much going on that i felt right in the middle of the action with these characters.
i didn’t predict a single twist and audibly gasped multiple times. arran and veyka are also too precious and if anything happens to either of them in the next book i will cry. i think they have earned their way into my list of top fantasy couples. they were seriously that good.
there’s also a lot of…mhm…spicy scenes in here. like…a lot. so proceed with caution and possibly a towel.
i will be waiting until the sequel and won’t rest until it’s in my grabby little hands
um hi wtf???? don’t end like that on me and then tell me i can’t read the sequel for months!! rude -_-
but seriously, this book took my breath away. it is a fantasy take on king arthur, and it is FANTASTIC. the political intrigue, the fighting, and the overall fantastical aspects of this book are exactly what i want in a retelling (and in a fantasy book in general). the book is romance heavy, but it doesn’t steal any of the plot. there’s so much going on that i felt right in the middle of the action with these characters.
i didn’t predict a single twist and audibly gasped multiple times. arran and veyka are also too precious and if anything happens to either of them in the next book i will cry. i think they have earned their way into my list of top fantasy couples. they were seriously that good.
there’s also a lot of…mhm…spicy scenes in here. like…a lot. so proceed with caution and possibly a towel.
i will be waiting until the sequel and won’t rest until it’s in my grabby little hands
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Veyka Pendragon is an unwilling Queen of the Elemental Fae seeks revenge for her kingdom. She is betrothed to the Brutal Prince of the Terrestrial Fae, Arran Earthborn. Bound together by tradition and duty they must band together to fight anyone who seeks to hurt their rule and also learn to get along with each other, for their own sanity.
“Crown of Earth and Sky” by Emberly Ash was absolutely amazing. I was so invested and sucked into the story right away. I loved the relationship Veyka and Arran have with each other and their fighting. The world Emberly Ash created was unique and easy to picture. I also really like Veyka’s outfits. The fact that they fight with axes instead of swords was refreshing choice and I ended up really liking it. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars and cannot wait for a second book.
I am loving King Author retellings. This one was so steamy with such an awesome story. I loved the elemental and terrestrial fae. Their magic was so cool. I just adored the side characters. I always love a found family. I am hooked on this series. I need the next book right this very minute!
adventurous
medium-paced
This book was more than I ever expected it to be. Veyka has become my favorite FMC. She is so multifaceted and reminded me so much of Aelin from TOG with the way her brain is steps ahead of everyone. I loved Arran. He is the perfect compliment to Veyka. Where she is spontaneous, he is steady. Where she is darkness, he brings out the light in her. They are so perfectly matched for each other.
This story dragged me in from the first line. I became so entranced in Veyka and her life and they way she navigates her hardships. Her need for vengeance is almost her shining trait. She is cunning and goes about her duties in ways that shock you. I could not predict her every turn which was super exciting.
I highly recommend anyone who enjoys fantasy read this book!
This story dragged me in from the first line. I became so entranced in Veyka and her life and they way she navigates her hardships. Her need for vengeance is almost her shining trait. She is cunning and goes about her duties in ways that shock you. I could not predict her every turn which was super exciting.
I highly recommend anyone who enjoys fantasy read this book!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Crown of Earth and Sky by Emberly Ash is the first book in the Secrets of the Faerie Crown series. This is a dark romantic fantasy and is a King Arthur retelling with some twists, and fae. Tropes and themes include touch her and die, a badass FMC, mental health rep, court intrigue, found family, enemies to lovers and fated mates. This is a spicy book for adults only, and please check content warnings for dark topics and themes.
The Lovely: I loved the plot - quite possibly my favorite part of the book (closely followed by the magic/Fae world building). There were so many plot concepts that were flipped from what we normally see in romantasy - from the characters to gender norms. The story kept me engaged as I tried to mentally solve the puzzle right along with the FMC. It kept me guessing up until the end and then we had a massive cliffhanger.
The Mundane: I liked the characters but didn’t necessarily love them or their relationship. Their physical attraction felt insta-lovey without substance behind it. Their emotional relationship though is slow burn and still didn’t feel totally there by the end end. So, I’m hoping that it develops more in the next book.
The Dreadful: The biggest downside for me was the pacing. It started off strong with action and angst but then faltered. We spend a lot of time hearing the FMC’s somewhat apathetic and one-track internal monologue. To be clear, I don’t disagree with her actions or feelings, given her past, but those monologue scenes were too frequent and long.
Rating: 4/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can’t wait for book two in December. One, to find out what happens after the cliffhanger ending, and two, because I hope we see the MMC and FMC’s relationship develop more. I’m also excited to see how certain pieces of the plot fit together. If you like Fae romantasy with angst and lusting where both the FMC and MMC are strong characters, and don’t mind a bit of darkness, I think you would like this book. I definitely recommend this book for you #tbr.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
4.5 ⭐️/5.0
3.0 🌶️/5.0
Wow. This book is so good. Do you want to start a new epic, Arthurian-fae, dark, adult fantasy series? Here it is. The chemistry between Veyka and Arran is *CHEFS KISS* The slow unraveling of the history and backstory of the characters of Annwyn is deliciously tortuous. The spicy scenes between Veyka and Arran are both hot and beautifully told. I want to read book 2 IMMEDIATELY!!! Unfortunately, we have to wait until December 2023 for the second book. 🥲
At its heart, Crown of Earth and Sky is a love story between two individuals who endured emotionally scarring childhoods in their respective fae courts: Elemental and Terrestrial. They built up walls to protect themselves, understandably so, and now they are thrust together to rule over Annwyn, thanks to an ancient pact created by their ancestors. And when I say thrust together…. I mean arranged marriage. Lol
We Get:
Arranged Marriage
Forced Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Arthurian Fae Fantasy Realm
Dual POV
Court Politics and Intrigue
Spicy Adult Scenes
MINE!
Recommend if you like a steamy, dark, fae fantasy read for adults. Both main characters are dealing with their individual trauma, but slowly you get more information to see what made Veyka and Arran the fae they are today. This does end in a cliffhanger, but December isn’t too far away. I cannot stress enough how the heat between V and A is just smoldering; there are so many times when I thought “please bang it out” because the sexual tension between the two is so intense. This is a complete fantasy world that has so much to reveal. If any of what I vaguely described (as to not give away anything) sounds remotely interesting, please read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. My review is voluntarily provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.0 🌶️/5.0
Wow. This book is so good. Do you want to start a new epic, Arthurian-fae, dark, adult fantasy series? Here it is. The chemistry between Veyka and Arran is *CHEFS KISS* The slow unraveling of the history and backstory of the characters of Annwyn is deliciously tortuous. The spicy scenes between Veyka and Arran are both hot and beautifully told. I want to read book 2 IMMEDIATELY!!! Unfortunately, we have to wait until December 2023 for the second book. 🥲
At its heart, Crown of Earth and Sky is a love story between two individuals who endured emotionally scarring childhoods in their respective fae courts: Elemental and Terrestrial. They built up walls to protect themselves, understandably so, and now they are thrust together to rule over Annwyn, thanks to an ancient pact created by their ancestors. And when I say thrust together…. I mean arranged marriage. Lol
We Get:
Arranged Marriage
Forced Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Arthurian Fae Fantasy Realm
Dual POV
Court Politics and Intrigue
Spicy Adult Scenes
MINE!
Recommend if you like a steamy, dark, fae fantasy read for adults. Both main characters are dealing with their individual trauma, but slowly you get more information to see what made Veyka and Arran the fae they are today. This does end in a cliffhanger, but December isn’t too far away. I cannot stress enough how the heat between V and A is just smoldering; there are so many times when I thought “please bang it out” because the sexual tension between the two is so intense. This is a complete fantasy world that has so much to reveal. If any of what I vaguely described (as to not give away anything) sounds remotely interesting, please read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. My review is voluntarily provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Fae and spice = YES PLEASE. Randomly saw this in a Facebook group and thought I’d give it a read. Aaran being 7 ft? New book bf on the list? Plus Veyka is freaking independent kick butt. Great read!
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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