King, Queens, Curses and Danger, Oh my!

This book definitely had an interesting plot, I thought the curse was cool and something I haven’t seen before, I also love the kindness and empathy a lot of the characters showed people around them!

With that being said, I had a hard time finishing this, I found myself having to take a lot of breaks, it just seems like a lot was happening but also nothing was happening at the same time. I tried to connect with the characters but something about the way the relationships played out kept bringing me out of the story.

I wish I liked this more, it was a decent book and maybe someone may like it more, but I don’t think I’d even read the sequel. 3.5⭐️ (4 bc I didn’t want to give a 3)

Thank you to Kaitlyn Carter Brown for sharing their art.

Huge thank you to, Whimsical Publishing and NetGalley for my feee ebook copy of “Queen of Shifting Sands”

I received this advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I truly loved the book; it captivated me from the first moment. I didn't feel bored, as I usually do when reading the first book in a fantasy series, and that was impressive to me.

The ending left many unanswered questions and left me eagerly anticipating the second book.

Thank you very much for providing me with a copy of this book. This was a really enjoyable story with lots of interesting twists and turns. I didn’t know much of what the story was about going in but it didn’t disappoint. The world the author was able to create was really interesting, especially the mystery of the curse and its impact/cost. I really enjoyed the political aspects to this book and both the internal and external battles that the characters are facing. The characters were each really unique and I enjoyed finding out about each of them, especially that we got both Lystra and Elerek’s POVs. I would definitely love to find out what happens next in a sequel to this book and would recommend this to those who enjoy fantasy.

While browsing NetGalley, I came across this book cover and immediately recognized the artist as they are one of my favorites. I felt that the premise was promising and was very happy to received the eARC.

Honestly, the first half of the book felt slow and took some effort to get into. However, a little after halfway through, the plot picked up and I found it more engaging. The ending left me yelling, "Seriously? Is that where it ends?"

I felt the romance developed a bit too quickly for my taste. While I understand characters can bond over shared grief, it felt rushed. Maybe if it had happened in the second book, I would have found it more believable.

Most of the characters were enjoyable, especially Lystra, who didn't conform to the usual fate of many female main characters. She had her moments of doubt but always found ways to build up her confidence.

Elerek stood out as my favorite character. The portrayal of him as a disabled main character was respectfully done, a rarity in fantasy. Only other time I saw something like that was in ToD. This goes to show that disabled main characters can easily be done in fantasy.

But seriously, Rahzar? What's the deal with him? I'm curious about his true nature and whether he truly betrayed Elerek and Lystra.

I’m hopeful that book two will continue the pace of the last half of the book. As I can see myself enjoying it even more than book 1.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. *

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Queen of Shifting Sands immediately lured me in with its innovative curse system and compelling story premise, the first few chapters setting the tone of what was to come in a way that had me hooked from the get-go. I was pleasantly surprised at the direction in which things went throughout the entire story and delighted by how some of the plot points turned and shifted themselves while reading.

The story is by all means a slow burn, whether regarding the plot, the characters, or even the evolution of the dynamics between the characters. I can understand how it would, for some, turn them off, but to me, it gave life to the plot, the story, and the characters we followed along their journey and the events happening in the book.

Each of the characters battles with their inner demons throughout the book, more or less outwardly depending on their personality but we get a chance to understand two sides of the same coin through the dual narration of our two main characters. Dual POV truly helps us understand the characters more deeply here and I am glad it was included, as I know I wouldn't have appreciated the inner conflict the characters experienced as much.

I would recommend giving this story a chance for anyone who's thinking about picking it up, the storyline and the characters we meet truly make this a series I have every intention of picking up and continuing. Especially after that ending!

Very good story. The characters were interesting. I still felt like it was missing something but can’t seem to put my finger on what it is. I hope it adds more to it in the next book

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Queen of Shifting Sands by Kaitlyn Carter Brown. Absolutely phenomenal. Wow. 5/5

I have recommended Queen of Shifting Sands to all of my book friends. I loved-loved-loved this book!
Kaitlyn Carter Brown is a new author for me, and I am already enthralled.
Yes - I have found a signed copy of this book and immediately bought it! The cover art is beautiful, and I enjoyed the formatting of the book as well.

The storyline is full of fantastical and heart wrenching prose. I could feel the sorrow, grief and love these characters expressed - I could relate to the toxicity of family dynamics, the pressures of society. The author writes in such a way that you connect with the characters.

Our FMC Lystra is strong headed, stubborn in her own right, but empathetic. She is burdened by her grandmother's influence, and destined to be Queen.

Our MMC Elerek is burdened by a curse, longing for connection to others and belonging to a kingdom he feels does not like him. He is also in a wheelchair due to a childhood illness that weakened his body during infancy, and I loved the representation this added.

The future of Instanolde lies in their alliance. There is a daunting threat across the desert, that I hope we get more background of in the next book!

They connect through grief, and love begins to bloom throughout the novel. The ending completely enthralled me and left my heart screaming!!! I cannot wait for the second book!!!!

I am just floored by how much I loved the writing, world building, and characters. It was refreshing, original and interesting.

This book had a lot of things about it that I liked. I LOVED the Wrath and the Dawn and Heart's Blood vibes this book gave me. I loved that this w was a cursed wheelchair bound prince romance. I really felt for him and all the sacrifices he made for his kingdom and to honor his brother's last request. I loved watching him learn how to truly live.

The FMC was also well done. I liked their relationship progression overall, even if it sometimes felt a little disjointed. I liked watching them learn how to be a united front for the well-being of their kingdom. It was definitely an interesting dynamic having them in a marriage of convenience/political marriage so soon after his brother, her former fiance, passed away.

I really liked his best friend and his bodyguard turned general. I loved the found family dynamic he had with the others afflicted as well.

I did not like the cheating incident and that he was basically forgiven so quickly? The sacrifice she made at the end for him after that was stretching that suspension of disbelief a bit too far.

I did not care for the ending either. I felt like it needed another 250-500 words at least at the end. But I do recognize that the ending style is becoming more and more popular. It's just a style I don't care for. I like for things to have a more defined ending vs cliffhanger style ending.

Thank you to Whimsical Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

For fans of:
- Daughter of the Salt King

A queen raised to lead her people and a king shut away from his birthright are bound together by tragedy and circumstances. With their enemies closing ranks around their borders, they have one summer to live. One summer to save their people.

This book includes:
- will they won't they
- a lethal curse
- found family in the most true and wholesome form
- grief and survivor's guilt
- excruciating lack of communication
- atmospheric desert setting
- political alliances and generational betrayal
- arranged marriage and forced proximity
- duty above all else
- disabled MMC
- cliffhanger ending

I loved "Queen of Shifting Sands" and I can't wait for book 2. Lystra felt so real to me as if she were one of my friends. Her love for Cormac and all the grief she endures as a result of her death touched my heart. I also adored Elerk. His quiet strength was so beautiful and I loved seeing how he loved and cared for his "found family." At moments, it was devastating to read through all of his self-hatred and I just wanted to give him a big hug. The imagery is very well done in this book, and I could clearly picture the desert and the city in my mind's eye.

If you're looking for a story about two strangers bound together to fight against insurmountable odds, this one is for you. The magic elements are very subtle and it doesn't have a lot of action. Still, this story has masterful political manipulation and two protagonists who will make you fall in love with their stoic generosity and unshakable devotion to their people.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Kaitlyn Carter Brown, and Whimsical Publishing for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

I’m not sure I have a lot to say, other than my feelings are mixed: the concepts were really interesting, especially the curse, but the execution of them left a lot to be desired personally. The main characters didn’t really feel like they brought anything new and particularly memorable to the table, and their romance didn’t really manage to captivate me. I liked the disability rep, but I did feel a bit off with the desert setting. I’m not a professional, but it did feel vaguely orientalist to me.

There was a lot going on here that I enjoyed. The magic system, the animals, the general idea of this book is great. I really like the way the author worked with the curse and the community around it. That was really heartwarming to see.
The book itself is rather a slow read, so I struggled with that. It took me awhile to finish, since it didnt grip my attention.
Overall it was fine, but missing the hook for me. 3 stars.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.

A slow build fantasy set in an intriguing desert kingdom struggling to survive. Lystra was on the cusp of having everything she was trained for and her heart's desire, when her fiancée, the king, is killed and the country faced with an overpowering enemy that brings war in months. The only chance the kingdom has is if she marries the now-dead king's brother. An untried man with a devastating curse few know about must maneuver political intrigue and a grieving woman's heart to save the country they both love.

The pace of the story is slow until the later part of the book when it picks up. However, that allows for the relationship to grow between the two leads (it is told in 2 povs) which otherwise might be a hard sell. The characters are strong and the world-building is good. Brown wrote a prequel that I have not read which I think would have added something to the story, particularly when it comes to the unusual large lizards that are part of Lystra's tale. Other reviewers have noted that story was action-filled and had a very different pace than this one. It will be interesting to see how the next one turns out. There is a heart-pounding cliff-hanger which may anger some but leaves me just wanting the next one out now..

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

“Before the eyes of their kingdom, he and Lystra were nothing more than a legal arrangement, a political alliance. As it should – as it must – be. And yet something drew him to Lystra the way the stars were drawn in their orbit across the desert night sky”

After seeing her fiancée, the king of Instanolde, die in an ambush, Lystra mourns both her lover and her future as queen. However, with her conniving grandmother’s schemes, she ends up in a political marriage with her late fiancée’s brother, Elerek, a mysterious and elusive man. Having had a deadly curse all his life, he and Lystra recognise in each other both pain and hopefulness. His touch could sign her death and that’s something he won’t go through. However, the heart wants what it wants. Amidst an imminent attack, they have to prepare the kingdom for survival as well as fend off their hearts.

“somehow, Elerek felt as if his soul had been given wings, Lystra’s smile disarming his every doubt”


Full of magic and romance, this book was simply perfect. I loved the setting, the cardants, Elerek and Lystra, all of it. It reminded me of “We hunt the flame” by Hafsah Faizal and “The wrath and the dawn” by Renee Ahdieh, both astounding books. It’s full of political drama, a forbidden romance and fantastical elements that make this story so magical. The suspense in the last chapter was amazing and I am eager to read its sequel.

All in all, I simply have to give this book a 5 / 5. This is how you do a fantasy novel.

I don’t give 5 stars out lightly but I loved this! If you enjoyed City of Brass, this one’s for you 🏜️

Themes
* betrayal, deceit
* romance subplot
* politics
* desert setting
* deadly curses
* friendship, found family
* disability rep
* war
* stars, constellations 🌌

Lystra and Elerek were written so so well 👏🏼 Very multi-layered and credible.

I really liked how disability was portrayed here too. As someone who has a physical impairment, it’s nice to see positive and real portrayals of disability. Most books usually paint it as nothing more than a major hindrance and find ways to overstretch physical boundaries of the characters so they can ‘overcome’ their disabilities in some way, so it’s refreshing to see that this book doesn’t fall victim to that narrative. Elerek finds comfort in his wheelchair, he finds strength and ability in his own way, yet he is assisted when needed and doesn’t refuse help, nor does his plotline revolve around his disability - rather, the focus is on the curse that was placed on him.

As for Lystra … she is the definition of a queen 👑 the way she was raised absolutely makes sense as to how her romance subplot developed at the pace that it did. All the while her grief was balanced proportionately. I still believe she is starlight 💫😭

The side characters were also quite good and I was invested in them too - I wish we got to see more of them actually.

Whilst at some points in the middle I wished there was more action as the pace slowed a little, I was still engaged in the plot, characters and settings. All the juicy stuff happened at the very end.

Can’t wait for the second book (im assuming there will be one 🤞🏼) and I’ll definitely be buying a physical copy of this ARC. This is one of those instances where I will do anything to spread the word about how great the book is - it deserves way more hype!

I'm giving this 3 stars, it was fine, there was nothing I hated about it and there was nothing wrong with it. But it didn't blow me away and I didn't get out of it what I wanted.

I think that some of this is due to how it's marketed and some of this is to do with the characters, but also how different this book is to the short story you can read before it. None of the cool fun things present in that short story we're in this book except for one small desert ride that was part of a chapter.

When it comes to the marketing this is a new adult fantasy romance, I don't see any reason for this to be new adult I'm not aware of anything not suitable for a young adult audience and there was no romance, I assume this is going to be a longer series and I can see that there are potential romantic pairings that could form but this book was not that at all. The closest to romance this got was mutual admiration. So if this was advertised as a YA fantasy and I'd gone into it expecting that I potentially would have rated it higher.

Then when it comes to the two main characters we follow at the start of the book I was 100% cool with them they were both interesting and I really like Elerek, but they showed no growth throughout this and even though they both acknowledged the people they need to be for the responsibilities they've ended up with no movement was made towards that. I also really didn't like how self deprecating they both were and it wasn't in a fun little joke way it was a lot.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publishers whimsical publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There's feelings - grief, love, and more. And cool worldbuilding! I love the reptiles especially.

I also love the character dynamics. The characters feel real and relatable.

But that ending! I hate it and love it at the same time.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new fantasy read

Includes:
Reptiles
Disability rep
Curses

The Queen of Shifting Sands, written by Kaitlyn Carter Brown, was simply put - amazing.

A cursed king. A queen by name. The slow burn between the two. The setting in the desert landscape with it's own given features and fantastical qualities.

Can we also appreciate the cover? Stunning artwork of Lystra.

The novel is a 2 person perspective novel - Lystra and Elerek. Each chapter titled with whose point of view it is.

Every scene played out beautifully in my mind, the writing painting a picture of the details of the characters, the world and the nuanced actions. Can I say how much I appreciated those last chapters? The climb towards this moment was built up with so much tension, and to end the book on a cliffhanger leaves me wanting more.

This is 100% a must read.

The beginning is a little slow but it picks up. And you won't regret it.

Thank you NetGalley!

I had such a great time with this story! It had such a great combo of world building, romance, and epic fantasy. I’m such a sucker for a dual POV as well. The setting of the desert felt so immersive, which I love. I can’t wait for book 2!

It's time to accept defeat and recognize I have no desire to come back and pick it up again. It's a shame, because I really wanted to love this book, and Elerek's chapters kept me coming back, but my dislike for Lystra is simply beyond fun at this point.

Regardless, it is a promising story and I thoroughly enjoyed the originality of it and the world building. If someone enjoys reaaally slow paced stories, with a great heap of drama and prejudice, it might be your book, and I recommend giving this a try. If for nothing else, but for this brave new world.

As always, thanks to Netgalley for granting me the ARC.

I had various grievances with this book that I believe could be easily fixed with a couple more editing passes. Similes were overdone at times, making them too long and breaking the pace and immersion. They are also overused, finding multiple on the same page.

Dialogue doesn't make much sense at times, with characters changing their minds midway without new information presented, or answering incongruously to the current conversation.

Lystra makes a couple of ableist and classist remarks, which makes her hard to like.

There's a pre-established relationship with Elerek, but they lack the intimacy for it to be believable. Soon after claiming he loves her, he's pining after Lystra and deeming her "the most beautiful girl in Instanolde".

The story opens with the death of King Cormek and the two main characters dealing with their grief while having to prepare for a war. I wish we had had more time to meet Cormek so we could understand their loss. I think where Queen of Shifting Sands misses the mark is bringing out any type of emotion. Other characters' deaths feel inconsequential to the reader because there's no emotional investment in them.