🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
The second book of the Fae of Tíria series, A Crown Broken picks up directly where A Kingdom Scarred left off. Lyrrin is on board Kazzimir’s ship – desperately wishing her mate, Mithraan can reach her before they reach the lands of her cruel father, the High King. She despises Kazzimir, believing him to be nothing more than a cruel being who tortured her mother for centuries; and worse, revelled in it. But, Lyrrin’s world is about to come crashing down when she discovers that her mother is alive and well; and is a worshipper of the demi-goddess the Elar; a strange, mysterious fae who has the power to wreak havoc on the world. Her mother demands that Lyrrin stays witness the coming succession of the new Elar – an event which happens only once in a fae’s lifetime. Feeling pulled in many different directions, Lyrrin can only hope that Mithraan arrives soon to rescue her from the clutches of Kazzimir, hopefully taking her mother with her. But, Lyrrin will discover that not all is as it seems in her father’s domain.
Although Riley is probably known more for her Young Adult Dystopian novels, I have to say that this foray into high, epic fantasy is an absolute triumph. This is an incredible novel, along with the first in the series, and is definitely cementing Riley as an author with more than one genre in her literary arsenal. This isn’t a novel for her typical readership; like Helen Scheuerer, Riley has ventured into the steamier lands with this incredible series. There are a multitude of sex scenes, each with graphic detail, which were enough to bring a blush to my face (and I’ve read each one of the Solariaverse novels by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valanti).
Even without the sex scenes, this is an incredible story of love, familial bonds, friendship and betrayal. I laughed out loud several times, especially when Lyrrin was sat in a pub or when acerbic, British insults were traded. Honestly, it always makes me chuckle when an American author can use British sweary insults correctly. The story telling is simply superb, spoiling the reader with a multitude of descriptions of beautiful landscapes and genuine, heartfelt emotions. At places, it’s breathtaking with the cruelty of the fae, and at times it feels as though your heart would break with the joy of the characters.
To say I’m looking forward to the next instalment Of Flame and Fury (due on 19th June 2023) would be an understatement. But, don’t just take my word for it, go ahead and buy the A Crown Broken from the link below.
S. A
A Crown Broken is available now to buy or read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
* Some links on The Indie Book Nook may contain affiliation. Your rights are not affected by this, nor is the price. The Indie Book Nook may receive a small fee from the seller if you purchase through this link.