This is book 2 in an MFF fantasy romance series that must be read in order, and so this review will contain some spoilers for Consort of Fire.

I loved reading Consort of Fire, finding it the perfect balance of fantasy and romance, and so was eagerly anticipating its follow-up. Second books in fantasy series can often struggle, but Queen of Dreams absolutely lived up to my expectations in every way.

Zanya and Ash take on a bigger role in proactively protecting their people, and combined with the intense training Zanya has to undergo this leaves Sachi feeling alone and unable to help. But when tensions start mounting with The Betrayer it's the power of dreams that is needed to help.

I loved how each of the three had their own character development, and that different aspects of their relationship deepened on different timelines. It was great to see the exploration of powers, ranging from the obvious developments for Zanya and Sachi to the more subtle emotion-based changes for Ash.

This is an incredible fantasy world, and I can't wait to see where things go in the next book.

The conclusion to the duology brings more adventure and war. And steaminess.

This is my dragon romantasy story, thank you. I was 1000% into the first book and this story, while there's slightly less spice for plot reasons, has more fantasy/adventure/subterfuge. We get to see what's going on in other parts of the world and how our MCs deal with it. And how they deal with their past trauma/current trauma in the process. The FMCs, in particular, complete their initial journeys.

I continue to be fascinated by the world building here, and am glad this isn't the last story we'll get in it. There's certainly tons more to explore.

Highly recommend you read the first book before diving into this one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5

This was a really fun read. After reading the first in this duology I was expecting more from the world building. The myth was really interesting and the relationships felt genuine. It was a good time.

"There's only one thing to remember [...] Sometimes the world needs monsters."

I LOVED "Consort of Fire" and was elated to be granted an ARC of "Queen of Dreams." Sachi, Zanya, and Ash are perfection. The character development across all three was executed so well and even the side characters felt so rich. The pacing is fantastic - at no point did I feel like it was a struggle to get through or that I felt the desire to glaze over details.

The 🌶️ parts were well-placed and didn't feel forced. I loved the peek inside each of their minds of their 🌶️ preferences - it felt genuine and gave us even more insight into each character.

I did feel that Zanya/Ash's relationship left something to be desired. With Sachi far away, it really opened an opportunity to develop that plot point. My hope was that Zanya and Ash could have grown closer during this period.

I enjoyed book 1 (Consort of Fire) a lot so I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint! We continue to explore the politics and relationships of the world - expanding to what "the builder/betrayer" has been up to. I love the way the relationship between Zanya, Sachi, and Ash grows as they navigate changes in Zanya and Sachi's powers. They have such emotional and deep moments and then POW the spice is hot hot hot. The ending battle was a bit long for me but I am also known to not love a bit battle scene.

If you love fantasy romance with From Blood and Ash vibes this is for you!
I also love the LGBTQ+ representation in both main and side characters.

My favorite thing about this book and the entirely series?

This:

Ash, he was the top of this books, his decissions and acts make me fell in live once, twice and more than a thousand times.

The complex relationship within the three main characters Obviously Ash, Sachi and of course Zanya <3 (i love them) because there are many relationships of three that are very stereotypical and in this series it was not and I am very grateful to the authors for that (kit Rocha).


Although I would have liked the worldbuilding to have a little more magic and construction it managed very well, plus the magic system of these books was top.

That ending left me a little to be desired but still the sequel was delightful and for that I give it a 3.8⸸/5⸸.
I thank Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible journey through this book and of course Kit Rocha. Thank you.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.0

This is the writing team that is Kit Rocha’s second book in their “Bound to Fire and Steel” series. It is complex and compelling. As with the books in their other series, the world-building is stunning. Readers will sink into the unique world of the characters and feel like they are a part of that world. While readers don’t necessarily have to read the first book in this series, “Consort of Fire,” to enjoy this book, it may be something they want to do in order to understand the relationship between the characters, particularly the three main characters. That relationship is what helps make this book so complex and compelling even though Rocha gives us enough background information of each of the three characters, it is the depth of the relationship as it developed that will explain some of what goes on in this second book. This book has good winning over evil, a dragon, gods, and even a witch.

Rocha doesn’t hide the fact that this book falls squarely into the erotica genre as much as it does the fantasy genre so if you don’t like the romance in your books to include explicit sexual content, don’t read this book. But if you do choose to avoid this book, be aware that you will be depriving yourself of reading some of the best writing, regardless of genre, happening in publishing today.

Triggers: explicit sexual content and elements of BDSM.

My thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for an eARC.

Queen of Dreams returns to the adventures of Ash, Sachi, and Zanya. I really enjoyed seeing Zanya strengthen her relationship with Ash and gain a deeper grasp of her powers. Sachi remained one of my favorite characters with her sunshine personality and deep inner strength.

In Queen of Dreams, Ash, Sachi, and Zanya really work together to establish the boundaries and complexities of their relationship. I enjoyed the strong LGBTQ+ rep in a fantasy setting. The plot with the Betrayer felt standard and I was more invested in the relationships/mythology aspect.

Readers who enjoy fantasy with excellent LGBTQ+ rep and spicy romance will enjoy this conclusion to the duology.

Thank you to Kit Rocha, Montlake, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

QUEEN OF DREAMS was a little more on the fantasy side of romantasy (while the first installment was a little more of the romance side), but I enjoyed the conclusion to Ash, Sachi, and Zanya's story. The world Rocha has built is utopic in its vision of interpersonal relationships--I loved that the gods here were all too old to give in to petty jealousies, a nice contrast to some romantasy, which seems to think "immortal" means "gives in to the worst impulses of humanity." I would definitely read more books in this world.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’m very clearly going through a pretty intense reading slump at the moment where nothing I try is hitting, so that may have colored my opinions when it comes to Queen of Dreams, the second of what I believe (hope?) is a romantasy duology from author duo Kit Rocha. And this was a classic case of there being a lot of interesting ideas, but something getting lost in the execution.
There was a lot more world building this time around, complete with a full-on infodump at the back explaining a lot of “world stuff.” Most of it is just window dressing, however, and a lot of it feels like irrelevant backstory. And the world building that did make it into the main text, in the more political focus of this installment bogged the story down, resulting in a slog of a book, while the first one was a fun, sexy dragon fantasy romance. And where there was some relevance to it all, in terms of the developing political tensions, I felt like the story didn’t really “go there” by presenting a truly satisfying and epic battle and ending after all the buildup.
The characters and their relationships are fairly solid, and what kept me from throwing my Kindle in frustration and boredom. Zanya’s growth in her powers is particularly cool, and Sachi coming into her own and finding purpose was great. And while I didn’t care for all the political drama, giving Ash a connection to it all with his history with the villainous Sorin was great. The relationship dynamics between the three also developed in some interesting ways, particularly with Zanya and Ash, who still have more tension, and Sachi and Zanya’s codependent bond is challenged to an extent.
While I found this book underwhelming, I do think other readers would enjoy it, particularly if you enjoyed the first in the series and want more of the world and the characters.

This was my first time reading from this author. I enjoyed the storyline and characters, but something was missing. Personally don’t know if this book was for me but it would be still recommend to others who like fantasy and premise of this book

Queen of Dreams is the conclusion of the Bound to Fire and Steel Duet by the writing duo known as Kit Rocha. I enjoyed this second installment and felt that it gave me the wrapped up conclusion of the plot in this duet, but definitely left things open for the continuation of stories in this world.

This continuation of the story was more plot focused than romance compared to book one, however I found that I enjoyed that more. The world was also expanded more in this story, which did throw me off a little bit, however the expansion of the world was necessary for the plot to continue on from book one. I loved the whole cast of characters as always and I liked that the ending left things open for more stories in this world if desired.

I will say that this story is more focused on Ash and Zanya and I did feel that their relationship still feels up in the air for me. Sachi is definitely the glue between these two, and with her being out of the picture for most of the book, I was waiting for more of connection to develop between Zanya and Ash then did. I did enjoy the character growth that we got from both Sachi and Zanya during their separation, and I enjoyed seeing Zanya come into her own. However, I do think that the relationship still feels more like a V than a triad to me, but it still works regardless of my expectations of the relationship.

Overall, a fun, sexy, and action filled conclusion to this duet. I can't wait for more from this author.

You guys. YOU GUYS. Ash and Sachi and Zanya coming together in book 1 was so ridiculously good that I didn't think anything could top it. BOY WAS I WRONG. Because Sachi hadn't come into her power yet when things went down in book 1 and this is one unstoppably amazing trio when they're ALL firing on all cylinders.

But it took time for Sachi to believe in herself enough to embrace what she is. It took time and a separation from the two people who love her most. Seeing as she was dropped into the middle of the Betrayer's empire with only her wits and her training to survive and bring about his downfall, things were rough for a while. Rough for her AND for Ash and Zanya.

And the Betrayer? He was...awful. He surrounded himself with a twisted family and hammered his plans for a brighter future into something that became unrecognizable. His quest for bigger, better, best stripped away everything good from his land and his people. In the end Sachi had to choice but to dig deep and find herself.

While Sachi is working from the inside (as best she could), Ash, Zanya, and the rest of the High Court were preparing for war. Zanya needs to learn to control her powers. Ash is making plans. They're all prepared to do whatever needs to be done to end the Betrayer's reign in any way necessary.

Gods, monsters, newly awakened power, a twisted mirror court, and three individuals who have to hold tight to all their trust and belief in one another if they want to succeed.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for access to a copy for review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Queen of Dreams is part two of a duology kicked off by Consort of Fire. I don't recomment reading Queen of Dreams without having read Consort of Fire though there is a "how we go to here" section. I found the reminder useful asit's been a bit since I read part 1.

As expected from a Kit Rocha book there is plenty of heat. Sachi is the cental MC. There are chapters from the POV of Zanya and Ash as well as Sachi's but she is the Queen of Dreams and the lynchpin of their triad. Having Sachi be away from Zanya and Ash did allow for the Zanay-Ash relationship to evolve independently of Sachi which was good to see. They do have their HEA, but with obvious room for the triad's relationships to continue to grow and change - just as well given their longevity.

From a plot perspective, the Breaker is as terrible a person as one could expect if also coming across as weirdly naive. I would have liked more court intrigue.

Super fun duolgy and I will happily read any other books in this world.

Four and a half
I certainly preferred this to the first book and that's probably because there's without a doubt less bedroom activity and more about these characters particularly Zanya. This very new relationship they are all involved in is tested as yes Sachi can love both and share but Ash and Zanya have a long way to go before there's a strong love there. So with new powers of destruction and the Endless Void Zanya has a lot to learn but when Sachi becomes trapped in the Betrayers land can she embrace all that she can be ?
I do associate these authors with steamy reads but I'm very much enjoying their journey into fantasy. They have invented some fabulous characters and I will admit I wanted more of the supporting characters but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will say that Sachi is a wee bit annoying although to Ash she's simply perfect (picture me with eyes rolling !) and I'm definitely team Zanya although truthfully she doesn't love herself which is a little sad. There is a resolution to the issue of the Betrayer but there's without a doubt another story set in this world surely ? Please please say yes !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

If a main character in a triad is in another place for a big piece of the book, I expect that the other two are going to grow their relationship. It doesn’t have to be in a sexual way. I just need to see them forming a bond outside the other person.
This book was fine. The duet was interesting. It wasn’t as much as I wanted but I did enjoy it overall.

- 3.5 stars -

Queen of Dreams, the second book in Kit Rocha's Bound to Fire and Steel series, is a thrilling ride. The story follows Ash, Sachi, and Zanya, three lovers with ancient powers, as they go up against the menacing Betrayer. He’s a villain with a lot of depth, making him one of the most intriguing parts of the book.

Ash has been waiting thousands of years for a consort to help him break the Betrayer's chains. Instead, he finds Sachi and Zanya, who represent creation and destruction. Their personal growth and evolving relationship are some of the best parts of the story. Sachi’s adventures in the Betrayer’s realm and Zanya’s battle with her own dark powers are especially gripping.

The book is packed with twists and turns, keeping you hooked. There are a few slow parts, but the exciting scenes and interesting side characters more than make up for them. Even with the occasional lull, the character development and fast-paced plot make this a great follow-up in the series.

Overall, Queen of Dreams blends fantasy, romance, and adventure beautifully. The characters are well-developed, and the story keeps you wanting more. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

3.5 rounded up to 4

I really enjoyed Consort of Fire and was eagerly awaiting book 2. I enjoyed Queen of Dreams and think Kit Rocha has set up some intriguing future stories in this world. But I also think this duet should have been a trilogy. Queen of Dreams was a little rushed in parts.

I really enjoyed the beginning half of the book. It focused a lot of Zanya and I liked reading about her exploring her powers and feeling out her relationship with Ash. I could tell the book was building to something epic, and my anticipation was growing. But then I realized that there wasn't much book left. I enjoyed reading, but wish the ending had been given more time.

Read this book is you like:
-Dragon Shifters
-Poly Relationships (MFF)
-Epic Battles
-Gods and Magic

Sachi, Zanya and Ash complete their mission in this what could also be the last book in this series, I don't know. I admit that there is just no comparison between the affection and attachment I have developed toward the characters in Sectors (Beyond Series) and this recent trio, despite the fact that one of them is a dragon..... Perhaps I should have reread the first one before tackling this ending, but all in all, the very fact that I didn't feel like it says a lot...

Sachi, Zanya ed Ash portano a termine la loro missione in questo che potrebbe anche l'ultimo libro di questa serie, non saprei. Ammetto che non c'é proprio paragone tra l'affetto e l'attaccamento che ho sviluppato nei confronti dei personaggi dei settori (Serie Beyond) e questo recente trio, nonostante uno di essi sia un drago..... Forse avrei dovuto rileggere il primo prima di affrontare questo finale, ma tutto sommato, il fatto stesso che non ne avessi voglia, la dice lunga...

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Rocha is fast becoming one of my go to writers for this extra spicy genre. I just really like the balance they hit in their books and this one is no different.