A review by loverofromance
The Promised Queen by Jeffe Kennedy

adventurous challenging funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:πŸ“”πŸ“”πŸ“”πŸ“”πŸ“”
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:πŸ¦ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΈπŸ»β€β™€οΈ
Intimacy Level: πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯
Relationship Building: πŸ’’πŸ’’πŸ’’πŸ’’πŸ’’
Heart & Feels:πŸ’žπŸ’žπŸ’žπŸ’žπŸ’ž
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Page Turner Level:πŸ“–πŸ“–πŸ“–πŸ“–πŸ“–
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
The Promised Queen is the finale in the "Forgotten Kingdom" series. I was so thrilled to finally get to this one and it definitely satisfied me completely for a fantasy romance. This really just hit the spot especially emotionally. It was a bit longer than the first two books it felt like, but I was easily swept away by this story and I really loved the aspects of this married couple, the heroine recovering from her trauma and this couple learning to navigate these waters and having a coming battle to face up and plan for. And the way it all ends was just right for me here.

First Line
"Lia? Wake up."

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Conri, Crown Prince of Oriel
The Heroine: Queen Euthalia

Summary
Queen Euthalia has just been rescued from being held captive from Emperor Anure, and been tortured and gone through some severe trauma. She still holds the abiding ring but the prophecy of it is still unfulfilled. Conri is so relieved the woman he has come to love is alive and is determined to protect her no matter what. But Lia is used to pushing people away to protect them. We have a hero who doesn't understand why he is being pushed away. But both Lia and Conri will have to learn to trust each other to really make what they have worth fighting for...

What I Loved
The Promised Queen was the best book of the series. I really loved the build up of the relationship that we got to see and seeing the finale and all the details really all come together as it should. It really pulled me in so quickly in the beginning and I loved the way in which this author built up the tension between them. I also grew to admire our hero so much. Lia is so independent and in control all the time, and seeing her really learn to let go and let him take care of her was superb in every way. I found it intriguing. The plot kept me on my toes, I was so fascinated by the plot of seeing Lia recover, the moments in the dark court, and then taking on the Emperor. There was some drama here and there that might not work for everyone, but I found it so entertaining. The third act was intense and not the way that you expect. The story also was finished out so right.

What I Struggled With
Not much to be honest with the story itself.

Narration
The narration was solid, but it could have been better. I think the narration felt a bit slow in the middle.

Overall View
The Promised Queen was a satisfying finale that is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. Its a stoyr that emotionally resonates, keep you on your toes with the twists of the plot and delivers the swoons in the end!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Royalty, Abused Heroine, Alpha Male
Themes: Danger/Suspense, PTSD Trauma, Married Couple Pairing
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Book Perspective
3Rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Elizabeth Vaughan
CL Wilson
Grace Draven

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Gabrielle Baker