Personally, I felt this book started off a little slower than I was expecting, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The world-building and plotting groundwork that went into the start of the story was thorough and interesting, just simply a lot of information to process initially. Once I was able to wrap my head around things, I was sucked right into the action! The blending of established Arthurian legends and unique character history was wonderfully done.

Veyka, our new Queen of the elemental fae, was INCREDIBLE. I absolutely loved her bloodthirsty, ruthless side. And that she’s a full-figured woman! I found her extremely relatable (or as relatable as one can be for a fae Queen.. lol). She’s set on exacting vengeance for the death of her brother, Arthur, the true heir to the throne, and you can truly feel her onslaught of overwhelming emotion throughout her inner monologue. Her back and forth with Arran was DELICIOUS! This enemies-to-lovers journey is certainly not an easy one, but it’s paved with charged chemistry and stolen tender moments. The spice is well placed, HOT, and in no way detracts from the plot of the story. It only had me craving more from our main couple!

The ending was a shock, like seriously talk about cliffhangers!!! I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes our characters.

*Thank you to Emberly Ash, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for providing a free e-book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.”


I’ll be honest I only started reading this for the elemental and terrestrial fae, I did not realize that the book was an Arthur retelling.


What I liked:
Some elements reminded me of ACOTAR.
Humorous sentences. Example: “Mighty king, annoying as shit brother”.
Terrestrial courts powers.
Elemental court powers.
Prophecies, secrets, and ploys.
Beasts, Fae, and more.
Banter and tension. Example: “What is it?
It’s a book.
I will throw it at you. “


What could be improved:
Pacing. The end felt very rushed. Ends with plot, another plot, another plot, twists and turns, plot, etc.
Certain plots weren’t as enjoyable. Especially how the main male character thought of the female main character at times.


Overall, I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars. I am interested in reading the sequel.

This book has a slow start and I found it quite tricky in the beginning but after a few pages I was fully invested in it. We have a slow-burn romance, full of politics, magic and just the right amount of spice in a fae retelling of King Arthur legend. As you might know I adore the King Arthur’s legend and I’m so excited that it’s getting more attention and new story’s with very interesting twists.

One of the highlights for me was the subtle details of the classic tale that we see through the story while we have a whole new world being developed. I really enjoyed Veyka’s development through the book, she evolved quite much since the beginning of the book with the help of Arran and I must admit that I loved the tension between them. The spice in this book was quite something and it takes place very early in the story.

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what will happen in book two. The politics that we follow through the storyline was fantastic because of the intrigue it created making me fell more immersed in the plot. I recommend to all that enjoy a steamy, dark fantasy with intrigue and a classic legend brought to a whole new light.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Four and a half
Well I've definitely found a new author to stalk oops I meant follow ! Yes if you enjoy fantasy romance that features the Fae and is most definitely aimed at grown up readers than this new series should definitely go on your reading list.
Wow talk about steamy pent up tension ! This couple have that in spades and if honest it took me ( and Arran! ) a little while to warm up to Veyka but as the story progressed the character development just grabbed hold. Is it perfect ? Well no and honestly I do applaud a heroine that isn't necessarily stick thin but occasionally her no doubt bountiful curves were mentioned a little too much . However I totally get that the author was trying to do justice to all that was going through Arrans head. I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book and eagerly turning the pages but that ending ! No , you are a mean author doing that to your readers but I cannot deny it was a fabulous way to keep me hooked and I will definitely want to read more.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This was a roller coaster! I almost gave up after the second chapter because the language really takes some getting used to. And I think the world building in the beginning needed some work because it was a little confusing within the first 30% or so.

But after that? Once things started making more sense? I couldn’t put it down! The character development was easily the best part. Vekya was a perfect MC. She fought hard to make up for her flaws and in the end she grew even more. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next! The relationship with Vakya and Arran was complicated from the beginning but they're turning into a power couple.

Plot-wise things moved at a decent pace. I was never really bored once I got into the language and the world. I think the author mixed the revenge plot with the romance plot quite nicely. And the smutty scenes were fun to read (though I’ve had quite enough with the description of Vekya’s boobs). There were a few instances where the author tried to surprised the reader with a little twist but they didn't quite hit (usually with Vekya's revenge plot). It was a little messy at times but still enjoyable to read.

Fair warning, lots of triggers in this book! But the author nicely has a list of them at the beginning.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crown of Earth and Sky by Emberly Ash takes you on an adventure into another world following the perspectives of Veyka and Arran. With Veyka suddenly finding herself in a position of power she must marry Arran the Brutal Prince.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who are fans of the ACOTAR series !

Let me start by saying thank you to NetGalley and Emberly Ash for providing me with an e-ARC of this new serie! This review portray my own opinion.

Many trigger warnings (as mentioned at the beginning of the book), be aware!

Unfortunately this was a bit of a miss for me. As much as I love a good romantasy and a retelling of the King Arthur tale, I couldn't really get into the story. It took very long for me to immerse myself into the story and what put me off the most was the repetition. I felt we tried to hammer in my head that Veyka (the female MC) was grieving and that both MCs were hating each other, etc. The world building was a bit confusing at time and I felt some elements were added in the story for no real reason. I also spotted 3 typing mistakes which was a bit unfortunate.
Another thing that annoyed me was the main characters... Which is a pity since, well, they are the center of the story. I found Veyka childish and obnoxious, even if I could understand her grief. I just didn't care about her. Arran is basically resumed at being a warrior, good at killing and only staring at Veyka's breast. Their ennemy-to-lover romance made no sense to me neither (why did they hate each other is still unknown to me) and was purely based on lust. The spice didn't add anything to the story and was a bit cringy to me, I gotta say I felt like skimming it.

On the positive point, we have a good amount of representation and we explore deep topics such as grief and trauma. The secondary characters were actually the most interesting ones and I liked the idea of a "found family". I also find the cliffhanger at the end of the book quite interestig! I also received the 2nd book as an e-ARC so I think I'll give it a try to see how the story unveil.

This story was a fun time for sure!
I love the enemies to lovers, the icy main characters, the tension 😜
There were quite a few grammatical/spelling errors throughout but nothing to take away from the story.
It felt a little rushed the last 10-15% with the beginning of the book being a little slower. I really loved the world and magic, though, and definitely will be reading book 2!

Veyka Pendragon is the "Princess of Peace" but how long does the peace in her heart last? Arran Earthborn "The Brutal Prince" was not made for the life he has now been thrown into. Can he be a king?
First thank you to Emberly Ash and Victory Editing for the chance to read and review this! Emberly Ash brings us an Arthurian tale but turned on its head with some Fae thrown into the mix. The spice in this book is top tier and made me blush (which is saying a lot). The writing had me hooked from the first page. There is everything to love about this book fae, murder, mystery, betrayal, enemies-to-lovers. It is definitely worth the read. There are one or two parts that slowed down but those are needed to ingest information and add to the over all story. A great way to kick off the new year!

I completely enjoyed reading this book! It was thrilling and captivating and highly recommend. Veyka Pendragon, the newly crowned Queen of the Elemental Fae, as she navigates her newfound power and seeks revenge on those who wronged her. Veyka is a strong and determined protagonist, driven by her desire for revenge. Her journey towards taking back what is rightfully hers is filled with action, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. Her character development throughout the story is well-paced and believable, making her a relatable and likable heroine.
The arrival of Arran Earthborn, the Brutal Prince, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. While he initially seems like a ruthless and dangerous foe, there is more to him than meets the eye. The chemistry between Veyka and Arran is electric, and their interactions are filled with tension and passion.
The world-building was rich and filled with different types of fae, each with their own unique abilities which makes this such a fascinating world. I would definitely recommend if you are a fan of fantasy romance!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5/5)
Review:
🚨BOOK HAS A CONTENT WARNING!🚨 I love how this author put their own spin on an Arthurian legend. The cover is beautiful. 😍 Book has a map. 🖤 When I saw how many chapters there were I said to myself, "Bring it on!" 😂 I haven't read a book this long in a few months. I love myself a good slow burn. Love that the MFC is curvy and strong.
HOWEVER...
I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. The spice came out of nowhere sometimes and it threw me off. I don't know if it's me or the book, but I wasn't feeling this. I liked it, but I wasn't in love with it. Maybe I'll give it another try later on down the road once I'm not going through so much.

Okay, I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! It's a slow enemy to lovers (two of my favorite things) and I was eating up the entire story. I read it in 2 days because I just couldn't stop. The world-building was so well done and not over-explained. I will definitely be reading more from Emberly Ash!

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to review this book.

It's a mix of the world of faerie meets Game of Thrones with a sprinkle of Knights of the Round Table that also includes slow enemies to lovers and an ending that makes you want to read more.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6071641484

I am still new with the review aspect of things, it is very good with world building that will keep you in tranced in the story. The slow burn, and clash of personalities is one that I thought was very good and interesting. The mystery and intrigue keeps your attention.

Twins should not exist in the fae world. Yes, King Arthur and Veyka Pendragon defied those odds. Yet it left Veyka with a terrible secret and a horrible upbringing. After Veyka is forced to take the throne even if only as a farce, she's forced to marry. There are always two on the throne of Annwyn, an Elemental king or queen and a terrestrial heir proven to be the best and their counterpart. The Brutal Prince, Arron Earthborn, is the strongest fae in a thousand years, so he's chosen as the king to Veyka's queen.

The story is from both Veyka's and Arron's perspectives. We see Veyka struggle with grief and depression, while plotting her revenge. We see Arron, forced from the battlefield to the court, try to figure out what to do with his new queen, who has no care to rule.

The lust between the two jumps from the page, but can two such guarded people ever let their walls down, especially with secrets that could change the fate of Annwyn?

This is an adult twist of the Arthurian legends and a wonderful read. We're mostly in one area of the world, but so much more is alluded to that I expect to see in future books. I cannot wait to see more. There are still a few Arthurian legend characters missing that I can't wait to see, and I need to know if my hunches are right!

There are trigger warnings, so make sure you pay attention to those if you may have triggers.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a fresh take on the Fae Female Main Character! Veyka was an absolute badass. I loved the representation all around! The found family, the Arthurian vibe! I will absolutely be reading the next one!

Oh goodness, this book. I loved it. The world Emberly created, I knew it was gonna be wonderful. It is everything I love. The characters were all drastic, the world was unique. I love the hints of Camelot and being an Author retelling was perfect. I could not help but feel so much for Veyka, everything she went through and the reason why she is a bundle of secrets. Slowly finding herself and her voice with the assistance of Arran. I loved how they both clearly wanted to trust each other at the beginning but clearly was blinded by the hate. Their slow burning and the claiming when they keep thinking mine. *chefs kiss* I am super excited to be starting book 2 soon as I need more. Also, clearly Cheese the cat approved of the cover as she had to make an appearance as I wanted to get a pretty shot of it. Thank you so much for allowing me to read!

What is not to love about this book? It had me at the dedication and featured all my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, touch her and you die and fated mates! I honestly didn't think I'd love the book as much as I do from the blurb and when I read it was a Arthurian retelling, but boy was I wrong! I really recommend it to everyone, the writing and pacing were very good as well!

Thank you, Emberly Ash and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jan. 3, 2024: I have NEVER reviewed a book in real-time (as I’m reading) but I read the dedication and immediately ran here to start this review.

“For the girls who were broken by those that should have protected them.
For the women we were forced to become all too soon.
May we all, finally, be free.”

I am a survivor of things that forced me to grow up far too quickly. I am definitely part of the target audience that this dedication is speaking to. There’s probably something wrong with me but, in the best way possible, I want this book to damage me. I’m excited to dive in and I’ll update soon!

Jan. 4, 2024: Well, all finished! I only slept for a couple hours last night. I ended up devouring this book and starting the second one. It didn't end up breaking me but I hoping the rest of the series does.

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Arranged marriage
- "Touch her and die"
- Fated mates
- Found family/close friendships
- Prophecies

🌶️ Spice Level: 2.5/5

There was a handle of grammatical errors and typos but nothing that made the story unintelligible.

I've never been drawn to Arthurian legend or retellings. My favorite Arthurian-related series is T.A. Barron's Merlin Saga (and that was more about Merlin than Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table) and Great Tree of Avalon series. I usually pass over books when I see they're Arthurian retellings but I gave this one a chance and I'm so glad I did!

Our protagonist is Veyka Pendragon, sister of King Arthur Pendragon and daughter of Uther & Igraine Pendragon. She's fierce and a warrior. We do see her character grow as the book progresses - from a selfish, petulant spare to a queen coming into her strength. I imagine we'll see continued growth from her as the series progresses and I'm excited to see where she and her court land.

The tension between her and her betrothed, Arran Earthborn, is PALPABLE. They were drawn to each other from the beginning, which is expected from two attractive fae, but I appreciate that their relationship grew instead of us being hit with insta-love. They're believable as a couple. Not only do they grow individually but they grow together and I am rooting for them.

There's a big emphasis on Veyka's body (shape/looks and unending references to her assets). While I typically recoil from the constant objectification of female characters or emphases on their looks, as we learn more about Veyka, her backstory, her trauma, and her society, I think the author means for this to come from a place of body positivity, celebration, empowerment, and the reclamation of her agency and autonomy, which I will always support. So, to Veyka, I say, "Keep showing us dem titties, Your Majesty!"

Enjoyed this read overall and I'm already onto the next!

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and Emberly Ash for this ARC.

This was my first read of 2024, It did not disappoint. 

I was hooked from the first chapter. This is an enemies-to-lover spicy fantasy-romance. I consider this book fast-paced, but some could consider this to be a slow burn. I like how the enemies didn’t immediately turn into lovers. The tension was drawn out throughout the book. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy! If you loved From Blood and Ash, you’ll love this!