audreysbooks 's review for:

The Ever King by LJ Andrews

5.0

adventurous dark emotional 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: No

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« We were the children of a war we didn’t cause and were raised to despise each other, yet . . . we couldn’t seem to manage that one, simple task. » 

 

 

Enemies to lovers 

Touch her and die 

Touch him and die 

Possessif MMC 

Found family 

Pirates X Fae X Vikings 

Villains get the girl 

Spicy 

Forced proximity 

Revenge 

He would burn the world for her, 

Fast paced 

Strong FMC 

Powers 

Dual POV 

 

This duology is linked to the Broken kingdoms series as it’s about Livia, the daughter of Valen and Elise, the main couple of the first trilogy and Erik, the son of their enemy. You don’t need to read The Broken Kingdoms series to enjoy your read. 

The story takes place 20 years after the events in « Dance of Kings and thieves ». 

 

For 20 years, Erik had dreamed of getting his revenge against Valen who killed his father and closed the gates between the two realms making Erik prisoner of his own realm. 

 

Until one day, the gates are reopened. Erik take his chance to get revenge on the man that took everything from him by capturing his daughter, Livia.  

 

But what happened when the pawn in your revenge ends up being the one who stole your heart? 

 

 

Right from the prologue I was immediately hooked ! Less than 20% in and I knew I was going to love it. 

 

I really enjoyed reading this book as there were no unnecessary drama. It was really a pleasant read. I was so into it that I didn’t see time pass as I was giggling and rooting for the couple to finally be together and accepts their feeling for each other. 

 

The characters of this book are just…I just loved all of them. Even behind their big exterior, they big personality, you will find in this book so much love from one character to another. 

 

I love Livia’s relationships with her cousins. They are always there for each other. They seem like brothers and sisters: bickering, supporting each other, backing each other up… I really hope we will see more of them in an another book.  

We didn’t hear a lot from her cousin Mira but something that describe her stuck with me, « Never one to discourage us once our minds were made up, Mira simply stood back, ready to catch us if we fell. » I loved it because I think that’s what friendship should be like. 

 

Erik, have found his own family on his own. Even if he grew up in a bad environment of violence, bullying, belittling … he was able to create strong bonds with friends that are now like his family. 

 

This story provides so much love, kindness, warmth throughout the book that it really felt like a big hug reading it. It just felt right. I love books with dramas, big epic adventure of 8 books, but it’s also nice to have books that just feel like a nice read. You still have your favorite tropes and romance, spice, fighting, action, tension, found family, enemies, a goal … but it just feel calming, comforting. 

 

 

Something that I also liked, was that everyone was very honest (most of the time), meaning that there was no miscommunication, no other women drama. They just talked. This was refreshing too. 

 

I  really loved Livia’s personality. Her warmth, her kindness reflect through her action, her words and her values. She is a lovable character that knows to be fierce when needed. Even if at the beginning she tries to deny her feelings for Erik (because he is the enemy), she doesn’t hide how she feels to herself. She always felt attracted to the sea and never denied it. 

 

I wanted to point out that I really liked the ending. It ends on a cliffhanger but I really liked how it was done. The author could have stopped right after a certain event (no spoiler) takes place and she didn’t. I really appreciated that we had a few more chapters. 

 

What I loved the most was the maturity of this book: no unnecessary dramas, doesn’t deny her feeling to herself, open and honest… 

Even if she is captured, she still tries to learn to get to know everyone, and give them a chance. Once again I honestly loved her personality, her interactions with Sewell are so heartwarming. 

 

I didn’t talk about it much but obviously I loved Erik and I loved the romance between the main characters. 

 

I haven’t read the broken kingdom yet. I have book 1 on my shelf and I’m definitely going to move it up on my TBR list. 

 

 

Quotes: 

 

« Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night. » 

 

« “Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.” 

 

« Livia laughed. A true laugh, and I would kill anyone who tried to take such a sound from me. » 

 

“You don’t need to hear this. It doesn’t matter.” I rose and took hold of his arm. If he didn’t want my touch, he never said, but kept his gaze turned away. “It matters, Erik. You . . . you matter.” 

 

« You were never supposed to matter, but you do. You ruined everything, and I don’t care. Ruin me. Destroy me. As long as I have you.” 

I received an ARC copy in return of an honest review. Thank you L.J. Andrews for this ARC of The Ever King.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence