kaythescientist 's review for:

The Rivaled Crown by Holly Renee

5.0

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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: Complicated

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A breathtaking blend of fantasy, passion, and finally… a wedding!

Rivaled Crown gave me everything I didn’t know I was craving in a fantasy romance—and then some. The worldbuilding is rich, the characters have depth and chemistry, but what completely stole my heart was the wedding scene. So many fantasy books build to love without ever giving us the moment, but this? This was sheer magic on the page.

It was emotional, vivid, and honestly one of the most beautifully written wedding scenes I’ve ever read. It wasn’t just a plot point—it was a reward, a celebration, a deeply felt pause in the chaos of the story. It made all the tension and battles feel worth it.

I laughed, I swooned, I underlined too many lines to count. If you’re a romantic at heart who still wants your fantasy fierce and your characters beautifully flawed, this book delivers it all—and then ties it with a vow.

The ending? Literary perfection. Bravo! Wonderful work, Holly.